The ILEX Team

Plague was running at full speed now, dodging his way through underbrush and low branches.
"Go!" Arnie shouted from behind him. "C'mon, let's go!"
Just a little more! He looked back as he ran to see if they were being followed.
He could hear the rumbling of something monstrous getting closer and closer, but could see nothing in the early morning mist that shrouded the forest. Suddenly, there was a great roar that reverberated through the trees.

Oh Arceus. It can’t be…
Plagues’ fear rose. His heart was beating so fast it felt like it was going to explode from his chest.
The monsters’ roar was familiar to him. He had seen a trainer devastate the wild pokemon within the Union Cave with a giant green beast…with a roar that sounded just like the one that he just heard…

No, please not that…please not that pokemon…
Trees were flashing by as he ran.
Where the fuck is it?! It should be- ah!
He recognized this area.
Plague banked a hard left through a thick bush, where he found himself crashing into a deep pond.
He floundered for a moment before he gained his strength again.
Choking on some water, he looked about desperately for the den. He spotted it, hidden mostly by fallen logs and other debris…and there was what looked like a giant blue medallion near the entrance. Plague didn’t know what the hell that thing was, and he didn’t really care at the moment.
He pulled up enough energy to tread water; just enough time for Arnie to come rushing out of the brush.
*cough*"Arnie! Thi-"*cough* "This way!” he screamed as he spat out a mouthful of water. The Umbreon started to paddle closer to the Cubone, his glowing rings sputtering as he his body started to give out.
“Hurry! It’s there!” he shouted in the direction of the den.
“Jump on!” He turned around in the water and offered his back to the small brown pokemon.

“Jump on!” The Umbreon offered his back to Arnie. He thought if what he was currently holding would make them sink down to the bottom. He would rather be safe than sorry, so he threw the water to the ground. He preferred food over water.

Clumsily folding the bag of berries, he put the upper part of the bag in his mouth and clutched to his weapon with his left arm. Arnie placed his other arm on Plague's back to hoist himself on him.

"Hurry! It's gaining on us!" He muffled. The bag made it difficult to talk, and he hoped for the best that he heard him.

The vibration of the ground transferred to the water. It shook violently as if a storm was coming. The sun barely began to peek out from the east, a sight he normally liked to see. Beautiful colors would twirl around in the sky as it poked through the mountains.

The Dead tended to grow sluggish in the daylight and easier to fight off, but the sun seemed to be playing a game by going as slowest as possible in the history of Johto. The thing didn't go any slower. It instead roared again. The trees shook wildly and leaves blew all around them. He whacked them out of his face.

Hurry up sun! C'mon, it's gaining on us! Stupid sun, hurry the damn up! We're gonna be food soon if you don't! He thought angrily. He clutched to Plague's fur so he wouldn't fall off into the water.

Hope was woken from her slumber by a loud roar, she screamed and shuddered among the Slowpoke, who were panicking. Socket was jostling up and down on one, trying to get off. She picked Socket up. "I'm going out to see what that is, feed the Slowpoke, remember that Maria is allergic to Rawst berries." the Pichu nodded. "Alright, I will be back, I promise." she kissed the yellow forehead of her tiny companion, the climbed out of the well.

The Blissey looked around cautiously, knowing that he chubby body will not help her n the times of need. However, the egg in her pouch was quivering, at the ready for her to use Egg Bomb and borrowing the smoke to aid her escape. Hope trod carefully on the grass, passing the shrine to Celebi. It was torn down many weeks ago, during an infestation of those sick with the virus, the Murkrows with bloody eyes. She had found Socket there, cowering. The round pink and white shape skirted around a stretch of water, then tensed at the sight of an Umbreon hurrying with a Cubone on it's back. It's rings radiated with purple light, making her shiver. The mask on it's head-No, could it possibly be the skull of a Honchkrow?-made it appear even more sinister. Hope stood tall, her stomach bulged out, ready to aim her egg if they came to harm her.

Blood. I smell running blood. Fresh meat.
The infected Tyranitar thundered through the forest, splintering trees with its’ giant tail and shattering boulders with his enormous, bloodied claws.
The giant slavered in the anticipation of a meal as he heard the frightened cries of his prey ahead of him.
He let loose another bloodthirsty roar as his massive body crashed into ancient trees, leveling everything in his path. The monster did not understand the insatiable thirst and the dark rage that drove him forward…he just knew he had to follow it.
Closer and closer he came to finding the little beating hearts ahead of him.
His dying eyes saw pale sunlight; there was a small field ahead.
That’s where the beating hearts must be!
Pushing aside the remaining trees, he shoved his way into the field.
At the far end near a broken down human building, was a small blue and black creature.
Its pulse was beating quickly. It had seen its’ doom.
Tyranitar released a triumphant roar as he charged towards the fresh meat.
The young Riolus’ eyes grew wide at the sight of the decaying monster. He got on all fours and sprinted into the trees.
Yes! Run! The giant monster released a dark pulse in the direction of his fleeing prey.
The dark energy ball impacted the small pokemon in the back, burning his skin and fur away.
The Riolu, weakened from previous attacks and fatigue, struggled to get back on his feet…but it was too late.
The bloodied beast was already upon him.
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With his giant claw, the Tyranitar crushed one of the tiny Riolus’ legs, preventing it from going any further.
The blue pokemon screamed in pain as he felt all the bones in his leg shatter under the immense weight.
Relishing his fresh kill, the beast sniffed at the neck and chest of the terrified pokemon.
Fresh blood! A beating heart!
The Tyranitar grinned darkly with only half a face as he sunk his serrated teeth into the chest cavity of the squirming Riolu.
“AAAAHH! Mo-“ Convulsing, as he felt his flesh being torn and his organs being pierced.
He cried out, “Motheerr!”
Tears started to stream down the Riolus’ blood spattered face as his dying brain started to flash images of his beautiful mother.
He heard screams….terrified and agonizing screams, but he wasn’t aware that it was his own, ringing in his ears.
The excruciating pain and crunching sounds started to fade as the images got clearer; one remained fixed…when he could remember his mother, holding him close to her in their warm, safe den.
It was one of his closest and dearest memories, when he could still feel the heartbeat underneath her fur and the comfort of her embrace.
He looked into her warm brown eyes as his eyes closed…for the last time.

Looking up from what remained of his fresh kill, the beast sensed something nearby.
Not five feet away, was a small Bronzor levitating and shaking with both rage and terror.
“Y-you MONSTER! He was just a KID!” He had no idea where this burst of courage came from. The bronze pokemon screamed, shooting a confuse ray into the face of the giant.
Without any hesitation, he tackled him with all of his strength, attacking with every move he knew before it had the time to regain its’ senses. He had seen enough of these monsters. The screams of the small Riolu still echoed in his ears, fueling the Bronzors’ anger.

The Tyranitar was still blinded by the confuse ray, but he could still smell the odd creature nearby. The attacks barely phased the ancient and powerful beast, as he got to his feet and towered over the Bronzor, blood dripping from his jowls and claws.
Tyranitar didn’t know how this annoying creature would taste, but he knew one thing…he had found another meal.

With one giant lunge of his jaws, the beast sunk his fangs into the Bronzors’ outer shell and snapped the pokemon in two so quickly, it didn’t even get a chance to cry out. One half fell to the ground, lifeless and spurting large bouts of blood. The Tyranitar raised his head and pushed the remaining piece down with its’ powerful muscles in its throat and neck.

Flesh…more living flesh…
On its’ constant quest of hunger, the decaying Tyranitar turned his good eye to the darkness of the forest...and crashed away into the heart of the Ilex, hunting for more careless wanderers…

Xander had wandered into the gigantic forest for a while now. He was hoping to find someone else.... to feast on. Even if he found plenty of berries in the forest, he never liked their taste, and it was out of the question to get near one of those soulless demons.... Nevertheless, he picked berries up, just in case he couldn't find another living being soon. Just the thought of one of those tasteless berries drew a disgusted look on his face. Everywhere he floated, he could only smell death and rot. He considered himself very lucky to be born a Ghost Pokémon: He had no heartbeat, no blood, no flesh, everything that these.... crawling horrors that was Pokémons seems seek of. But he moved carefully, in the ground, in the walls, in the trees, everywhere they couldn't get him, because since this apocalypse started, he never saw any other ghost Pokémon. NEVER. And he didn't want to know why.


Suddenly, he heard a terrifying roar. Hiding into a tree, he looked outside as an Umbreon with unusual head and weird ring color (Maybe that was what Patrick called a "shiny"?) and another Pokémon, this time brown and armed with a club, passed by. They were running from something, it was evident. Then, he heard another scream, a heartbreaking cry that made Xander shiver for a moment. A young Pokémon had called its mother, and probably won't see her ever again... As the two Pokémon ran into a pond, the Umbreon took the other one on his back. Xander recognized it: It was a Cubone, and a rather young one. The perfect meal for him. Xander began to wonder what they would taste like, when another roar, clearly louder this time, caught his attention. There was a gigantic Pokémon there, fighting what Xander mistook for a floating rock. When he realized it wasn't a rock, the powerful jaws of the monster cut the poor creature in half and promptly ate it. All Xander could do was to say a barely audible "oh my Arceus". All of sudden, like if he had hear him, the creature looked toward Xander's direction, and began to run, crushing whatever could be under his feet. Xander had just the time to dive under the tree that it was pulled out of the ground and threw somewhere else. Xander remained there until he was sure that the beast was gone.


"Was it.... one of them?" he asked himself, looking into the path of destruction the monster left. "Hm". His thoughts were then driven to the Cubone by his hunger. "Yeah, a Cubone would be just fine now, but the weird Umbreon could be a real problem" he spoke to himself, trying to find where the two were after that, into the ground to evade unwanted sights.....

Plague felt Arnie clutch tightly to his fur as they swam across the pond.
"Hurry! Itff grraieeeng onufff!"
The cubone must have been holding something in his mouth, because he couldn’t understand a thing that he said…but Plague could tell by the fear in his voice exactly what he intended to say.
This made Plague more fearful, afraid that Arnie might have seen something that he didn’t, and drove his burning legs to move faster.
Suddenly he saw the giant green beast crash out of the forest into a nearby clearing on the ponds’ shore.
Oh dear Arceus, it found us!
The Tyranitar was massive. It scales were rotting off and half its’ face was completely gone…a dark and bloody mess. Plagues’ heart jumped into his throat as he saw the horror that was chasing them.
I can’t…
Plague was overcome with exhaustion and fear. The world was spinning; he couldn’t see the shore.
He heard the Tyranitars’ roar shake the trees.
It doesn’t matter, just keep moving!
Plague tried to keep from panicking by not looking at the Tyranitar.
He knew that if he panicked, he would surely drown, and Arnie along with him.
The infected beast wasn’t trying to get them though; it was actually looking in the other direction at something…or someone else.
The beast lowered his head and roared and continued to crash through the brush.
The giant had passed them…but for some other unfortunate pokemon.
Plague heard an agonized cry float out from the trees.

His sensitive ears heard everything…the bones breaking, the monster feeding…the dying cries of what sounded like a baby pokemon, crying for its’ mother…
Plague could feel tears well up in his eyes when it finally went silent, and all could be heard were the sound of teeth in entrails.
His heart ached for the young one…if only that damned monster hadn’t come…maybe they would have been able to save it…
Damn those monsters…

The water was reflecting small fractured bits of orange from the morning sky, Plague absently noticed as he dragged himself onto the small shore opposite of the crashing sounds in the forest.
Morning…death…arrives with morning…
Plague barely felt the Cubone jump off his back as his vision started to fade.
He shook his head and shakily tried to stand.
“Death…morning..” he muttered, half-unconscious.
He teetered and dragged himself slowly to the entrance of the den.
As he stumbled past the blue medallion, Plague could have sworn the thing was screaming something before he floated away.
Then his vision went black as his masked face met with the ground.

The Tyranitar's roars sounded through the forest, and the sounds of it's jaws crunching on living flesh sent shivers down the Blissey's spine. She prayed for those who are in peril, and hoped for no more to be killed. The Umbreon with a mask was gone now, Hope scurried around, looking for the injured. She would help those Pokemon like she did with the trainers'. As she moved around a Oran Berry bush, she decided to pick some. Those would come in handy if she meets any injured Pokemon, and it would restore their health, she would hope that there are survivors. The Blissey walked around a stretch of water, and found a small opening of what could've possibly been a home.

Hope peeped in. There it was, the Umbreon with a Cubone beside it, the Cubone had something with him, a bag, she thought. "Is he okay? Had he became infected? It looks like it by the colour of his rings, but..." the Umbreon's fur was not greasy, nor was it blood-stained. A little wet. She thought of removing the mask, but decided against it, it would probably spark outrage in the Pokemon. "Here, have a berry." she gave one of the Orans to the Cubone before picking Plague up in her chubby arms. "I'm taking him into Azalea town for treatment. If you want to come along, it's fine. We have a safe shelter there. Many Slowpokes can keep you company." she marched away.

Xander, still watching from afar, saw the weird colored Umbreon faint and collapse on the ground near a sort of den. "Well, I'm the lucky one today!" Xander told himself. Now that the Umbreon was out of the way, he could easely snatch that little Cubone without being even noticed. While the brown pokémon tried to awake the fainted one, Xander get out of his hiding spot and started to float toward him. As he gained speed, he could already felt the sweet aroma in his mouth.

Suddenly, Xander heard noises from a bush not far from where the Cubone was. He decided to dunk into the ground again for his own safety. The little Cubone had by the time already dragged the Umbreon into the den. Cursing his bad luck, Xander's eyes caught the first rays of light of the morning. "That's just great!" he muttered, visibly angry by his meal getting away. Then, Xander saw a strange pink and round pokémon. It looked very much to a Chansey, but this one was somewhat different. The pokémon get close to the den, and headed in. As he slowly approach himself, Xander could catch a few parts of the conversation. The pink pokémon is bringing the still-fainted Umbreon to Azalea to heal him. When he heard the word "Slowpoke", Xander get another disgusted face. If there was something more tasteless than berries, it was Slowpokes.

As the pink pokémon exited the den with the Umbreon precariously in her chubby arms, an idea get through Xander's brain. "Since this Umbreon seems to be older than the Cubone, could it be..." he though to himself, a wide smile drawing on his face. With an approving nod for himself, he backed up from the scene and started floating toward his new target. When the Pink pokémon told the Cubone that he could go with her, Xander burst from the ground, snatch the fainted Umbreon from the pokémon's arms and dissapeard into the depths of the forest with a terrifying laugh.

"KEEEKEKEKEKEKE!" Xander shouted through the vast forest, obviously happy by his catch. He though that the Umbreon would be a little heavier then that, but he didn't minded. He searched for a big rock, with a small entrance, hidden in the bushes. After pulling the Umbreon through it, he then lifted him over a huge, smooth stone wall, so he won't be disturbed by the critters that could get there. Then, he dropped the fainted pokémon. Since Xander was cautious, he used an Hypnosis attack to make sure the pokémon was asleep. When he saw him moving a little, he smiled. "It's time to feast." he said to himself, and while he opened his mouth, he used his Dream Eater attack on the inconscious pokémon.

(Ooc: URGH! Long post is looooong DX)

An Aqua Tail attack shattered the boulder concealing the Haunter's feasting place, sending up showers of water and dust and rock fragments. The silence of the forest broke as the Milotic began attacking the ledge with fervor, his beautiful wet scales glittering in the light as he threw Aqua Tail after Aqua Tail at the ledge to wear it down, eyes constantly fixed on the Haunter consuming the dreams of the unconscious Umbreon. Rage boiled the water sac in his throat and he launched a Scald attack from his mouth, melting the rock and making it brittle; one last Aqua Tail obliterated the wall, sending it crashing down with a sound akin to dynamite.

Ruby loomed over the Haunter, his great head bent to keep from scraping the trees above him. His intense red eyes were focused on the opportunist Ghost-type, and he glared at the creature. "It's customary to buy someone dinner before eating their dreams, you know." he snapped with a flick of his ornamented head. He felt another Scald boiling in his throat, but swallowed it to preserve his water levels. He hated being angry for this reason -- Scald hurt his throat with every boiling spray, and it was important for him to keep his body moist; every spray cost him precious water.

In the back of his mind, the great sea serpent hoped the Umbreon's acquaintances had heard his commotion, and that the monstrous Tyranitar had not...

Plague was dreaming.
He tread slowly through a gray forest, with beautiful and ghostly pale trees surrounding him.
He was walking down a path that was covered in snow. He knew somehow that it led to someplace he didn’t want to see. His heart was sinking with each step as dread and fear attacked him, knowing that what he was going to see would mean his death...but he couldn’t stop moving forward through the dark and haunted forest.
He could hear and feel the snow crunch under his feet as he came to a clearing, where he saw a gray worn shack in the center.
It had no doors, and no windows.
His heart felt like it had just been stabbed at the sight of this structure; it was something so profoundly frightening and painful to him, that he couldn’t bear the sight of it.
No…it just hurts too much…
He noticed five Murkrow perched in a tree to the left, silent and staring…
Suddenly, long, gray humanoid monsters appeared out of nowhere, and brutally attacked him. They pinned him to the ground and used their long talon-like fingers to rip into his underbelly again and again.
NO! Plague cried out in his head.
With each blow, more crimson blood flew, and glaring white bones started to show through his flesh.
But Plague couldn’t scream, no matter how much pain there was.
He thrashed all he could against them, but he couldn’t get free of their deadly grip.
The monsters wouldn’t stop hurting him. The snow started to turn red around him…when a new monster came out from behind the shack. His captives ceased their attacks. This creature, who looked like the others, was the leader.
His face was devoid of a mouth, and his eyes were pitch black. He was malnutritioned and had long razor claws like the others. His minions slowly backed away from the shredded Plague at a silent command from the leader as it slowly approached him.
The monochrome monster stared down at the Umbreon, who was breathing heavily from his wounds and terrified of the new creature.

Oh Arceus, just kill me!
No more!
Plague begged in his mind as the monster drew closer.

(OoC- Skip my turn for just this once, I am not up to it yet Dx)

Xander saw it all, even more that he would had wished for. He saw the Umbreon, the Murkrows, and those...freaking things ripping his underbelly to shreds. Xander knew that he couldn't interfere directly in the dreams of his prey, but he knew for sure that he couldn't leave this poor pokémon in this horrible nightmare. When he was reinvigorated by the nightmare he ate, he tried to wake the Umbreon up.

Suddenly, a loud noise surprised Xander. It was coming from the exit of the place. Xander though that some big infected was trying to get in! As Xander ready himself to defend not only his life, but the Umbreon's one as well (it maked sense to save the ones who would feed him, no?), the wall finally broke and a storm of water, dust and rocks hurled into the cave. Xander backed a little, but kept his position. He saw the pokémon who caused all this: it was an elegant serpent pokémon, towering over him and glaring Xander down with two red eyes. While Xander was wondering if it was infected or not, the Pokémon spoke. He said: "It's customary to buy someone dinner before eating their dreams, you know."

Xander blinked, stunned by the words of the pokémon. Then, his anger started growing within him. Who did this pokémon could think he is, talking to him like that?!? Knowing that he could be seriously injured by the new pokémon, however, he knew he had to play smart. He replied: "Well, that's what I was going to do-" He pointed a part of the room, with berry jelly splashed around, "...when YOU destroyed the wall protecting US from THEM, and destroyed MY stash of berries at the same time!" He was now furious, not only against the new pokémon, but against himself too, because he acted carelessly and didn't noticed him before he entered this place. In an excess of anger, Xander tried to punch a side of the cave, but since he was a ghost, the fist just faded trough it and he spun around. 'That's just great! Not only I was disrupted, but also I had to make an idiot of myself!' Xander thought. Feeling that the eyes of the pokémon were still on him, he sighed heavily and added: "And do you think that I could just approach a pokémon and ask them kindly if I could devour their dreams? That's nonsense, and even more now! I just took my chance! What you would had done if you were me, HUH?"

Sadly shaking his head, Xander then said, "If you want to be useful, try to wake him up. He's in a too horrible a nightmare to wake, and I have to rouse him from it or he could suffer...issues."

Ruby wound a coil around himself for stabilization before bringing his four-pronged tail up and fanning himself with it. It was so hot in this accursed forest, he thought he would dry up. As he listened to the Haunter attempt to explain itself, he turned up his nose at it; Ghost-types were not to be trusted. "What would you had done if you were me, HUH?" the horrible creature asked, pointed fangs and glowing claws looking quite nasty in the dim light of the forest. The great sea serpent neither flinched nor looked frightened at the sight of the Ghost-type before him.

"I suppose not all Pokémon have morals." Ruby snorted, deftly avoiding the subject, for he knew too well that he would have done no differently. Though, he doubted dreams had enough substance for his rather large stomach. He then turned his attention to the fainted Umbreon, and dipped his massive head to get a better look at it. Its rings were oddly-colored, he thought -- this must be a Shiny. He had seen a Magikarp like this back at his home; it was a real show-stopper. This Umbreon also wore a strange beaked mask, which Ruby found ghastly and unflattering (though he would never say this out loud).

"If you want to be useful, try to wake him up." the Haunter sneered, and Ruby shot it a dangerous glare before forcing a bit of water through the scales of his tail and fanning the unconscious Dark-type. A light mist was created by the combination of wind and water droplets, and this mist condensed on the Umbreon's muzzle. By the way its face was contorted, Ruby could only assume the Haunter was right, and it was locked in a terrible nightmare...

Plague began to whimper in his sleep as the dream continued.
Thunder roared in the distance, and rain began to pour down upon him and the monster.
The clawed creature said nothing, but laughed silently, impossibly, without a mouth. His laughter mocked and shamed Plague, who covered his scarred face with his paws.
As the laughter grew louder, the monster grabbed Plague by the throat and dangled him high in the air choking the wounded Umbreon...

“Nooo!!” Plague cried as he bolted up, shivering and panting heavily.
What the?-
The monster was gone. He saw rock above him.
He looked around frantically, as the memory of the giant green beast flooded his mind.
“Wh-where am I? Where’s Arnie? And…who are you?” he asked weakly.
Plague looked up shakily and confused at the large serpentine face and the ghostly set of eyes that were hovering above him.
He was drenched in water and felt exhausted. Plague shook his head, and lifted his paw to his face, trying to calm his mind. He felt the hard bone covering his face; at least he still had his mask, which was a comfort to him.

“I-I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to…” He clenched his jaws, pulling himself up.
“What happened back there?...All I can remember is that Tyranitar…” he shuddered as he continued. “ What of the others that were with me? Where did you come from?”

He was afraid; he had no idea how he got in this place, nor were the pokemon familiar. These ones didn’t smell like they had the infection, but for all he knew, these pokemon were renegades, out to make a meal of him.
But if they weren’t eating me by now, maybe they at least had some answers.

"I suppose not all Pokémon have morals." the serpent pokémon said, without answering directly the question, which make Xander smile a little. "The hypocrite, he would had done the same." he said to himself, keeping his mouth shut to prevent unfortunate mistake. It then created a little mist to awake the sleeping Umbreon, visibly trapped in a terrifying nightmare.

The Umbreon finally awoken, and started to ask so many questions that Xander couldn't remember all of them. An idea popped in the Haunter's mind. He had to tell him what happened. The Umbreon seems smart enough to understand what happened. Beside, that will surely shut the serpent pokémon's big mouth for a moment. Like that, he could manage to humiliate the serpent pokémon, clean his honor and maybe even gain the Umbreon's trust for telling him the truth. And if the things go bad, he could just slip into the ground. Before the serpent pokémon even tried to answer, he jumped on the occasion and speak right away.

"I snatched you from a weird Chansey's arms." Xander simply said first. "After you fainted on the shore of the pound, the green beast stormed away in the forest for another victim maybe, I don't know. The little Cubone that was with you dragged you inside the den back there, and then this weird Chansey or I don't know what came along and told him that she would bring you to Azalea Town within the Slowpoke place there.". Xander shriver a little at the name of Slowpoke, but continued: "When she came out, I snatched you from her arms, and brought you here.".


Xander began to search on the ground, hoping to find some oran berries that hadn't been crushed. He took two of them, and show them to the Umbreon. This was the part that he had to be cautious. Slowly, Xander continued his story: "When we were here, I feeded myself from your dreams. That's why you're probably exausted even if you slept. Even if it's true that I didn't asked permission, I... well, I didn't had the choice, and I hope you'll understand that. Nontheless, I had stached many berries and wanted to give them to you after you'll awake, as a thanks for your.... we shall say assistance.". "Oh, Don't worry, I don't steal nor see anything personnal matter, except the dream I feed on, and I have the decency to keep them secret." he added, giving a look to the serpent pokémon. "It's bayback time" thought Xander.

He continued: "And then this fellow pokémon just broke into my place, destroying the wall that protected us from the infected, squashing MY stach of berries that I would have given to you, and concidered me as a threat. He then wake you up, because I know that it wasn't a very pleasant nightmare to be in, and there you go.". When he finished, Xander float at the serpent pokémon, looked him straight into the eyes, and snarled: "Maybe some pokémon don't have morals." He added, with an haughty smile: "I do.".

"What I told was really what happened. You can doubt me if you want, I'm accustomed to it. But know this: In the living hell we are right now, I need you as mush as you need me. We have to stay together, whatever we like that or not." Xander added, and then he dissapear into the rock of the cave to protect himself from maybe upcoming attack.

"Oh, and my name's Xander, by the way...".

Sudden rage boiled the water in his throat and the great Milotic spat scalding water onto the rock where the Haunter disappeared. "Excuses." Ruby said simply, mouth steaming from the Scald attack; he tightened the coil around his body as he prepared to defend his honor. His intense red eyes focused on the strange-looking Umbreon; it looked confused and ready to believe anything the Ghost-type fed it, all because the Haunter was faster than him at explaining itself. All the same, to the righteous-but-prim Milotic, theft of body and thought was too high a crime to explain away.

"If it's my turn to explain myself, I would like the opportunity." he said, dipping his head to make himself less intimidating. "I saw the Tyranitar attack the Riolu and the Bronzor, and I saw it go crashing off through the forest after something else. I also saw this hideous Ghost snatch you from that Blissey that was trying to take you to Azalea." His red gaze flickered over to the rock where the Haunter had concealed itself, and a coy smile came into his lips. 'Moron. Can't even recognize a properly-Evolved Pokémon.' "Anyone would have reacted the way I did when I smashed in here to save you. Ghost-types are notoriously cunning and self-centered; I merely wanted to assure that you would remain-...unharmed. While I may have underestimated the amount of damage I did, I did it with the purest of intentions." Here, he lifted his great head to face the rock wall where the Ghost was hiding, and he raised his voice a little to assure he was heard. "Because I have the morals of a proper gentleman."

He then dipped his head to the Umbreon again and extended one of his antennae; he reached beneath one of his long frills and withdrew a well-concealed Sitrus Berry from the scales there. "I was saving this for myself, but as I seem to have destroyed the Berries the Ghost was going to 'share with you', you can have it. You really look like you need it. Oh, and my name is Ruby." He bent forward to offer the Berry to the smaller Pokémon. Though he would never admit it aloud, a team was exactly what Ruby needed; though powerful, the Milotic could not defend against the Infected alone for too long; they multiplied in type daily, and not all were weak to water.

Plagues’ head was spinning.
Well, at least I know why I feel like shit…
Haunters’ dream eater gave him a terrible headache. The two other pokemon were so angry with each other, they might as well have had sparks flying between them. Both offered him a berry, which he quickly ingested without question, giving him enough energy to stand back on his feet. The ghost pokemon suggested they team up after his...rather lengthy explanation…and Plague pondered this as the serpent spoke his part. Both seemed kind enough, and certainly were not going to kill him…from what it sounded like, this kidnapping was just a misunderstanding…for the most part.
Besides, the kind of power that these two displayed really impressed him.
Plague felt apprehensive about the Haunter knowing his nightmares, much less eating them…but given the circumstances, he was just glad that he was alive and in somewhat decent company.
And they were kind enough to wake me up and save me from that…gray thing.
“Well, its great to meet the both of you,” Plague muttered as he shakily got to his feet.
“Teaming up would be a wise idea, considering the recent attack by the Tyranitar.” He looked at each of them, knowing that none of the pokemon here would be able to hold off that monster if they met it again…
“But I’m still concerned about Arn-I mean, the Cubone that was with me…and you mentioned a Blissey and some Slowpoke- maybe we can go and find them? The more uninfected we can gather, the stronger we’ll be.” Plague stated in a confident tone, as he adjusted the skull on his scarred face.

"I'm Plague," he added as an afterthought, stretching his hind legs.

Xander chuckled after he saw the boiling water hitting the spot he was few seconds ago. That serpent pokémon must be pissed off because he couldn't accuse Xander of lying. After all, he did say the truth, with...nuances. Xander then floated around, invisibly mocking the pokémon by opening and closing his hand fast, imitating the speaking pokémon. "Meh, all I hear is Blah, blah, blah!" cackled Xander for himself.

He stopped when the Umbreon started talking. Xander listened carefully while the Umbreon spoke. He had a little smile when he hear that the Umbreon had liked his idea of a team, and gave a look to the sea serpent to see his reaction. As the Umbreon wanted to get back where he was, Xander remembered about the Cubone and the... Blissey was it? "Mh. I might get in trouble when we'll reach the place. I should be cautious. At least, that Umbreon seems to trust me, and that's good for me." he thought.

As he saw the Umbreon adjusting his skull, Xander realised something: When he snatched it, he had his mask, but not in his nightmare. He tried to remember why this Umbreon had to hide his face, and he remembered it, clearly. Horrible scars was on his face, and Xander thought that he was wise to put a mask on, as other pokémon could mistake him for an infected.

After the Umbreon finished speaking ("Plague? Weird name for a pokémon." thought Xander), Xander spoken:"I'm happy that you are smart enough to concider to make a team, even after what I did. The den you were in is not too far away from here, we can get there in no time. I would be glad to join you, but I sense that someone here that isn't quite satisfied by that fact.". Xander glanced to Ruby ("Ruby? Isn't it a female name?" he chuckled for himself) a little, and added: "As long as I feel that I'm not safe, I won't get out of my hiding."

The Haunter was staring at him with a knowing grin as Plague adjusted his mask. Plague narrowed his eyes at the ghost, wondering if he could really trust him. If the other pokemon knew what his face looked like…and of course, carrying the virus within him…well, Plague wasn’t sure the serpent would trust him…matter of fact, he was always afraid that if anyone knew, they would attack him or drive him away…and that really would break his heart, being treated like one of those monsters.

Xander spoke up-"I'm happy that you are smart enough to consider to make a team, even after what I did. The den you were in is not too far away from here, we can get there in no time. I would be glad to join you, but I sense that someone here that isn't quite satisfied by that fact."
The Haunter sneered in the Milotics’ direction, obviously still untrusting of the pokemon that ‘attacked’ him.
So the antagonist is feeling like the victim…Plague chuckled.

“As long as you keep your appetite in check, I don’t mind.” He said, his ears pressing back against his head, throwing a hint towards the ghost pokemon to not make a meal of his dreams again.
“And maybe we should stop fighting each other…Ruby here was being kind, and all you wanted was a meal…luckily, all of us are alive, including the meal- so let’s just put it behind us.” He looked past the serpent and out to the entrance; the sun was shining and the grasses smelled like dew…it was still morning.
“We shouldn’t waste light…we need to find someplace safer than this,” Plague said as he nodded towards the shattered boulder.
“We need to head to Azalea town; that's where the Blissey should be, if you're correct. Do either of you know where that is from here? I’m not even sure exactly where I am anymore…” Plague cringed as his head pulsed with pain.

“As long as you keep your appetite in check, I don’t mind.” was the answer Xander get from Plague. The Haunter then saw the Umbreon giving him a mean look, as if he was trying to intimidate him. Xander suspected that it has something to do with the "incident" earlier. "Meh, if I want a meal, I'll get it. Period." he mumbled, grumpy at the idea that he will probably have to eat those drateful berries again.

Plague then spoke again:“And maybe we should stop fighting each other…Ruby here was being kind, and all you wanted was a meal…luckily, all of us are alive, including the meal- so let’s just put it behind us.” That Plague is trusting him? Good. Xander wondered as he eyed Ruby if he could trust him. Sure he can, but there was a big ego in the Ghost Pokémon that makes him doubt of that possibility. Xander knew that the next will probably be a real pain in the back, but it was vital for his life.

“We shouldn’t waste light…we need to find someplace safer than this.” True. Since the serpent Pokémon destroyed the cave he had made his temporary home, they weren't protected from the infected. As Xander turned around to face the exit, a ray of light hit his face. He moaned, because it was morning already. Xander, being a Ghost Pokémon, is more active at night, and for an unknown reason, he seemed to don't like the light on his body. Maybe because he was a Pokémon of the night? He didn't know...

“We need to head to Azalea town; that's where the Blissey should be, if you're correct. Do either of you know where that is from here? I’m not even sure exactly where I am anymore…” Plague was right, they need to get to that save place before the night fall again on them. If not, they would be likely attcked by many infected at once. But, what would he eat tonight? Plague's dreams? Out of question; he would surely notice, plus he seemed to suffer a headache right now, which is kinda bad. Ruby's ones? Forget about it. The Slowpokes? Urgh.... Then, the little Cubone returned into the mind of Xander. "Mhhh, yeah, he could be useful after all!" he thought. Then, he realised that the two Pokémon could had rest at the den after the "incident". To the question Plague asked, Xander answered:" Depending of where the road head, it could be South-East or just East from here. It also depends of how far we are in this forest, but I'm sure we'll be at Azalea town before night. But I think it would be wise to check back at the den if there's anyone or anything there that could help us on our journey."

"Meh, if I want a meal, I'll get it. Period."
The Haunters’ grin faded and turned sour as the ghost pokemon began to mope at the news of not getting anymore free meals.

“Depending of where the road head, it could be South-East or just East from here. It also depends of how far we are in this forest, but I'm sure we'll be at Azalea town before night. But I think it would be wise to check back at the den if there's anyone or anything there that could help us on our journey.” The Haunter reasoned, cringing at the bright morning light outside. He knew that ghost types don’t like the light…and for good reason. They were nocturnal, like him.

“I prefer darkness as well...but those monsters changed things…it’s harder to find food at night when they’re all out there, waiting.” Plague shook his head and changed the subject.
“Okay, that’s a good plan. We’ll head back to the den. At least we won’t be leaving our tails out in the wind.”
I really hope that Tyranitar isn’t still lurking around there…
Plague shook his head, banishing the thought.
“Gather what you need from here, we won’t be coming back. Ruby and I will wait for you outside,” Plague muttered as he slowly stepped into the glaring morning light.

"Kekeke, it's not easy to get out at night when you're made of living flesh, doesn't it?" Xander think. The last thing they needed now were free insults. He know they had to let their bad thoughts aside and work as a team if they want to survive.

“Okay, that’s a good plan. We’ll head back to the den. At least we won’t be leaving our tails out in the wind.”
Good. Xander know that, even if the two other Pokémon had already left the den, and it would probably be the case, there's a few berries spot over the path between the den and here. He could fill up and then exchange them for a "service".

Pague spoke again: “Gather what you need from here, we won’t be coming back. Ruby and I will wait for you outside.” As the Umbreon went outside, Xander began to search, within the debrits of his cave for something precious. A little, black music box. Xander didn't know how it was called again, because it was a human device after all. Nonetheless, it was something he used to borrow to Patrick for his training. Moving some rocks, he find it. He took it and tried to turn it on, but sadly it was out of power. A single tear came from his eye, when he remembered Patrick. Why did he had to die? Why can't he be like old times? So much questions, but yet no answers, and probably never.

As he exited the cave, Xander said: "I'm ready. I managed to find two other intact berries under the rocks." He give them to Plague and, with a more hesitent movement, to Ruby, then added: "Let's go."

[OoC: Sorry, Empty post is empty DX. ALSO, HAPPEH BIRTHDAY ANATHEMA! (or DA birthday or whatever... :D)]

Ruby watched the Dark- and Ghost-types shrink away from the morning sun, and he couldn't act any differently; being a Water-type out of water made one hate the sun and its evaporating heat. Without his Mystic Water retaining his water levels and offering a cooling touch to his sparkling scales, he would be restricted to waterways, which were quickly becoming the most infected areas in all of Johto. There was a rumor that Water-types like Gyarados and Tentacruel were among the first to be infected...if this was true, the Milotic wouldn't have a chance if he lingered in the water. His only escape was onto land.

As the Haunter (Xander, was it? What a preppy name for such a creature.) went back to the cave to pack anything he may have had, the great serpent waited outside with the odd Umbreon, Plague (a seemingly-fitting name, he thought: he was a Dark-type, after all). He threw a coil around himself and began fanning himself with his beautiful ruby-and-sapphire tail, trying his best to keep the heat from drawing too much precious water from his body. Finally, after what seemed like hours, the Ghost-type returned, and offered Berries to them both, albeit hesitantly to Ruby. Water bubbled up in his throat, but the Milotic swallowed it, along with his pride; though the Haunter may have been mocking him, or may have-...altered that Berry in some way, but the gesture was one of peace, so the great sea serpent laid down his antenna in an attempt to show gratitude and bent down, extending one of his antenna to lift the Berry from the grass and tuck it into a wide scale under his left frill. He would have time to inspect it closer later.

"Let's go." Xander said. Ruby cast a glance into the forest in the direction of Azalea; it looked a bit shadier further in than where they currently were. That would make travel easier on all of them. But he knew that somewhere along the way, he would have to find a pool and soak himself -- he couldn't go much farther without water. His frills drooped at the thought of drying out.

The sun was still low in the sky and the summer heat was already kicking in.
The humidity doesn’t help either, Plague grumbled in his head.
I feel so sticky…he fretted, licking at his fur.
He had come from a more arid part of Johto, so the high humidity of the forest put him in an unpleasant mood.
As he cleaned his fur, Plague eyed the Milotic nonchalantly. The elegant serpent was impatiently fanning himself with his tail. Its’ scales shimmered brightly, reflecting the sunlight brilliantly.
Wow, he’s quite beautiful…Plague thought as the sight of the elegant pokemon made him pause.
"I'm ready. I managed to find two other intact berries under the rocks."
The Haunter said behind them as he drew closer and offered a berry to the both of them.
“Thank you,” as he accepted the berry gratefully.

"Let's go."
Plague got to his feet as the Haunter floated past them.