The CASTLE Team

"THE FLOOR!"

Those two words froze Starling’s erratic heart. Breath caught in her throat, the Absol’s reactions were keen as she leapt to the side, just as a true monstrosity emerged from the sands. The moth looked as if it had been dragged straight from hell. Writhing in flames, the creature was truly hideous as the canine found her calm charade crumbling. The stench was already making breathing difficult, her body tensed as she suddenly found herself lost in her own growing fear. Never in all her years on the force had she looked upon such a creature as this – it was terrifying. Starling was only thankful that she needn’t face it alone.
“Move!” The grainy voice reminded her of her current situation in a battle-ready team. She didn’t argue, darting to one side as she felt the warmth of both Harrow and the moth’s flames dangerously close. Skidding in the sands, eyes wide as she struggled to regain her natural calm, Starling found herself stood aside the Sawsbuck – his face the very definition of calm. It acted as an incentive, her own youthful face growing serious at the reality of the situation. Fear was the first step towards defeat.

Harrow, following the example of the tin mask adorning his face, seemed void of emotion. He was at a type advantage, struggled to reach top speeds in the ever-shifting sand beneath his hooves, and yet an air of silent confidence overwhelmed him. Of course, he was rational. He knew the odds were stacked against him, but he need not fear – Harrow had nothing to lose.

Convinced Starling could keep herself safe having snapped out of her initial terror, Harrow’s attention swiftly fell to the Ekans. Having watched fearfully alongside the aging female dragon as the Ninetales darted into the fray, the serpent still wrapped about his neck, the Sawsbuck was undeniably considered for the reptile. Thus far, she was the only creature who hadn’t expressed a desire to eat him, even going to the lengths of defending him as the group discussed his fate as a meal. He owed her a hoof of assistance. Giving Starling a firm nod, Harrow turned deaf as she realized his intentions.
“Harrow! Wait!” Hooves carrying him agilely, if a little clumsily, to the Ekans’ side, Starling and Harrow took up positions either side of the gargantuan insect – a natural tactic from their police work. Of course, it wasn’t quite as necessary given the size of the group and their blatant physical capabilities and as a result, the Absol was growing fearful for her partner’s safety. Damn it, Harrow… She stared at him past the Volcarona’s form, hoping that his bravery wouldn’t bring about a premature end.

Lowering his head to the mound of sand concealing the Ekans, Harrow spoke softly, calmly, despite the chaos raging about him.
“Got your back,” Hoarse words running together, he flashed the creature a half-hearted smile as his attention shifted to the immediate threat. Despite his identity as a grass-type, the deer boasted a collection of ranged attacks which would provide a sight more useful in this situation. Aiming a powered-up Thunder Wave at the monstrous undead, Harrow was beginning to think it might take more than one of the powerful bolts to render the beast entirely immobile.

Flames. Fire was everywhere he turned, licking at his ebony fur hungrily. The swirling inferno that cloacked the great beast would have made lesser pokemon turned tail and run, made them think twice about jumping into the fray. But no, Caim knew that fire only aided him, even the wild fire of a giant Infected. His ability kicked in, absorbing any flame he came in contact with to boost his own. Grinning, the madder side of his more stoic persona stepped forward, revealing what a truly dangerous pokemon he really was. Fangs flashed in the light as he lunged at the beast again and again, only to have one of the tattered wings bat him away. Easily landing on his feet once more, his tails writhed behind him as he summoned a Flamethrower, a stream of fire so hot, it nearly ignited the dusty air around them.

It didn't matter it was made of fire. It was a bug, and he knew it would still burn. Forgetting the others comlpetely, the ninetales assaulted the demon bug like a rabid beast, eyes alight with the joy of immersing himself in battle.

Angelus growled as she took to the air. The cavern they fought in had huge ceilings, allowing the beast they battled free movement. While Caim was busy shooting fire at a fire beast, Angelus knew it'd take more than brute strength and insanity to kill this thing. Her eyes turned upward, to the bricks above them. They would have to do...

Ashes extended his wings, launching himself backwards with a snarl as the floor fell to pieces underneath them, revealing a fiery monstrosity. The black fox tossed himself carelessly into the fray, and the others followed...all except the dragon.
I can't go head on into battle with Mar...
Ashes glanced frantically back at his sister.
At least she's still conscious.
"Hang on for just a bit longer, okay?"
With a determined glare, he followed the old hag into the great space under the dome, his wings easily carrying him up.
"What are you doing?" He half snarled, flying past her and onto a nearby pillar. His claws sank deep into the soft stone, shattering at the entry points, but didn't break. His brilliant green eyes staring at her with intensity. He tucked his wings in, holding them tightly against his sisters' tiny body, holding her in place as he hung from the pillar.

Well, holy mother fuckin' Arceus on a stick. The scene that played before the spunky Eevee's eyes was not one he could have ever imagined in a million years and his pelt spiked up immediately. Dark earthy eyes widening were the only clear sign of his inner emotions, the small fox otherwise completely frozen stiff. Claws latching into the ground as the floor split around him, Tanguy almost found himself sliding forward and into the midevil beast before him. Snapping out of his frozen terror, the normal type spun on his paws and fled just as the ground was swallowed where he had stood. "Where the fuck do these things keep coming from?!" The Evolution Pokemon screeched as he sprinted, only coming to a hault with the others when the initial rumbling had mostly ceased. Tail up straight behind him, Tanguy slowly turned to regaurd the monstrocity.

...holy... oh, holy shit.

It was one of those Pokemon you grow up learning about, hearing stories of and seeing cryptic pictures of. One of the special Pokemon that were passed down in folk lore alongside the famed Legendaries. In his mind's eye, Tanguy flashed back to the times his human would read to him for hours on some occasions. Showing pictures and squealing happily. Despite the molten fire and state of decay, he knew exactly what this Pokemon was. "Volcarona," the Eevee spat, curling his lips in disgust as he faced the thing square on, paws set apart in a fearsome stance despite his small size and 26 level. The Ninetales was already rearing to go, fighting like a mad beast. The Eevee took an instant like to him and reminded himself silently in the safety of his mind to not cross the canine.

But what really captured his eye was the Ekans. He watchd her curiously for a few seconds. She shot out, sending out an atack, before diving out of sight before the massive duel type could retaliate. The Eevee smirked. Bitch has guts... for a girl, that is. The Eevee knew that there must have been something wrong with her. Girls were just not capable of courage and great feats- that was clearly just a man's job. Men started civilization and ran the world. 'Tis a fact. but the wimpy chick had a good idea. Making sure not to let some fucking girl make him look bad, the Eevee bunched his hind legs and shot forward. Running in the direction of the Volcarona, Tanguy used his Double team, making a dozen fluffy Eevee running right at the monsterous undead. All jumping into the air in unison, they all shot out Shadow Balls at the side of the beast.

[ooc: Almost forgot how much I love this little shit. And i know even that many Shadow Balls at once won't do much against a level 70, but he has way too much pride to sit out. And since it is a NPC, anyone is free to make the Vulcy retaliate and hit Tanguy.]

Damn, there was a lot of fire.

Harrow, at a clear disadvantage to the swirling, ravenous flames surrounding him, wore a blank face. A growing fear was ebbing away within but alike to his famous mask, he showed nothing, no emotion as he continued aiming his electrical attacks at the writhing beast. Careful to jump out of the past of those hungry flames, he kept his attention on the moth source whilst casting the occasional glance to his battling allies. Everyone seemed to be faring relatively well. Caim was a monster, truly fearless in battle, whilst even the weakest members felt obliged to contribute – in fact; he was quite impressed with the assortment of techniques on display. Instilled with confidence, he alternated his attacks between thunder waves and energy balls.

Starling gradually wearing out her protects as the flames leapt in search of her vulnerable frame, was soon distracted by movement above. The Charizards were above, conversing about something as the Absol was left suspicious to their motives. They could be planning anything – she could only hope they had the best intentions for the group, rather than saving their own skins. However, she had little time to contemplate further.

Distracted, the canine had been unprepared for the powerful limb that suddenly greeted her as she turned. Launched back into the wall at the sheer strength on impact, she gave a yelp of surprise as a collection of flames gnawed away at her white fur. Although the fire quickly died away, her chest was charred black. It was the least of her troubles. As the world began to spin, more than one monstrous moth spinning about her vision, Starling’s head dropped as she fell into a state of unconscious.

While the others cowered and hid, or used caution when entering the fiery fray, Caim was nearly always touching the beast, hitting its colossal form with Flamethrower after Flamethrower. The Infected's fire did nothing but aid his own, each Flamethrower stronger than the last. However, despite his vigor and despite his aided power, his throat ran hoarse with flames, and eventually he got nothing but smoke. 'DAMN IT!' he cursed within the confines of his mind, his mouth set in a viscious snarl. He was out of his most useful move, so now... improvision was in order.

His small, deft paws and lithe legs carried him impossibly close to the beast, dodging attacks and limbs as the creature writhed in rage before him. He jumped, landing on one of its legs and he sprang upward and upward still, hanging on with his teeth and claws whenever the giant behemoth tried to shake him free. Quickly, he made it up and up, until reaching the broken crown upon the beast's head. There, he grinned down at one of its eyes, and bit into the soft, rotting flesh.

The creature reared back so quickly that Caim didn't even get a chance to gag at the disgusting taste before he was flung around and off, colliding into one of the surrounding brick walls. A grunt of pain came from him, and he slid down back to the warm sands below. Disoriented, he only had a moment before the beast's attack came for him, leaving him no time to react.

'Shit--'

Angelus' attention snapped from the rocks to her fellow charizard, who questioned her actions. "Do you know a rock move-- Rock Slide, Rock Tomb, any of those?" she answered, not caring that she hadn't actually replied to his question. That could wait. "We can make these fall on the Beast-- Caim!" Noticing her canid companion perched precariously on the bug's head, her anxiety spiked, knowing what was to come. It was as if she could prophesize the seconds afterward-- Caim being flung, the bug retaliating. Paying no more attention to the other charizard that shared her space, she dove down from the high ceiling to the fox, her old wings serving her well. She managed to pick up the dazed fox just as the sand beneath him erupted with a horrible sound.

~"Who asked you to interfere!?"~ Caim roared in her mind, his almost dainty form hanging from her claws. ~"I had everything under control!"~ Angelus only gave him a snarl and manuvered him onto her back.

"You're going to get yourself killed if you keep up that damned recklessness!" Angelus snarled back, knowing that Caim was sulking behind her. She turned her body upward again, back to the ceiling, then crashed downward with an Air Slash, making Caim hold on with what little he could. This thing wasn't going to get the better of her or her fox.

((Brownie points if you can guess the movie quote! XD))

As Deanna shifted and moved through the sands, avoiding sound attacks and the roaring flames, something unexpected happened. The large antlered deer was suddenly beside her and offered his own aid to the small snake who lay pitifully beneath the ground. “Got your back.” Despite her small attempts that didn't seem to be helping as much as she had hoped, someone still thought her worth protecting. "Th-thanks..." she hissed quietly.

As the battle began to rage even more fiercely than before Deanna noticed a problem with her strategy. Between the bug and Monster the fires raging throughout the small room were now burning hot enough that it was overheating the sand. Quickly dodging out of the way of a rouge flame she looked down as her once proud tunnel was now a pale yellow hollow of brittle glass. Well, that certainly put an end to that plan. Time for plan B.

"No one ever found victory in the dirt!" Charging forward the Ekans spit as many Poison Stings as she could until she saw the tell tale sign of purple tinge. She did it...it was poisoned! But her victory was cut somewhat short as the large male Charizard leapt overhead and began climbing up to where the ancient female was. Why were they on the ceiling? She let out a soft hiss, hoping that whatever they did didn't wind up crushing her. She was easily overlooked being so close to the ground.

But it was the antlered one's companion who caught her full attention now. She went after the beast full force only to be smacked away like a pest, flames scorching her as she fell back. Concerned she fled to the female's side just as she collapsed to the ground in a dead faint. What had she called her friend? Hollow? Herring? No..Harrow! "HARROW!" she hissed, as loud as she could. He knew her well and was probably the most likely to be able to bear her weight. She just needed him to get his antlered butt over to where she was.

((DRAGONHEART!!!!!! XD))

Ashes snarled as he watched the dragon dive away from them, grabbing the black fox. He thought on her words, his green eyes darting over the decaying rocks above him.
"Stupid hag. She's going to get everyone killed." He growled to himself, his gaze falling to the brawl below him.
I doubt they'd survive the ceiling collapse...but that would solve the food problem...
"Her names' dragon..." A small voice said from his back, interrupting his thoughts. Ashes turned his head, looking back at his little sister in surprise.
"What?.."
"Dragon. That's her name..." She repeated, her voice barely audible over the raging inferno beneath them. Ashes couldn't help his jaw from going slack as he realized what she was talking about.
How ridiculous. What kind of name is that?!

But his attention was torn from his sister when he heard the serpent far below, crying out.
"HARROW!" The Ekans was next to the Absol, who appeared to have been knocked out. Ashes immediately unlatched himself from the pillar, opening his wings quickly. He glided down to the others, swinging wildly to avoid the enormous bugs' attacks. He landed with a thud next to the two, glancing back at the undead anxiously.
"Mar, get off!" He growled, his back away from the monster. The little Charmander weakly obeyed, falling to the ground with a plop. Ashes turned his emerald gaze to the serpent, snapping a short reply to her.
"Get on or stay." With that, he turned his attentions to the unconscious Absol and his sister, gathering them in his decaying claws. With a deep growl, he pushed himself off the ground, his wings struggling with the dead air and the extra weight. With a few powerful beats of his large wings, he carried them towards a large hole in the ceiling, where sunlight and sand were pouring through.
Lowering his head and using one more push with his wings before pulling them against himself, he rocketed through the hole, debris exploding outwards as his body collided with the edges of the hole.

Out into the sunlight, the Charizard rocketed into the sky a short ways, his wings tightly wrapped around his cargo as he dove through the air. His large body was caught by gravity and soon collided with the soft sands of the desert. The dragon uncurled from his defensive ball, turning over from his back, quickly and gently placing the two in his arms down. He gazed down at the unconscious Absol, his eyes moving over her lithe form. Her dark horn and face were stark against her pale fur, and her chest was charred black from the fire. But her expression seemed serene, with the faintest tinge of pain coloring it. A dark desire suddenly washed over him, making him back away from them with an enraged hiss.
"Mar, look after her. I'll be right back." He said quickly, trying to shake it off and hide it from his sister. "Stay right here. Don't. Move." He added over his shoulder, emphasizing the last part with a cold authority as he glanced about defensively.

Dashing towards the hole on all four of his legs, he dove back in and flew around the Volcarona, using a Smokescreen to encircle the beast. The bug responded with a reverberating cry, flames erupting blindly from the thick black haze. He landed vertically on a lower pillar, roaring loudly to the Charizard.
"DRAAGOOOOON!"
Trying to get her attention, he turned his gaze meaningfully towards the ceiling and released the pillar.
Let's hope she understood my meaning. I can't make it collapse on my own, but with her added muscle...His wings pushed him into the air quickly, lifting his heavy mass. Snarling, he used a Wing Attack to speed himself up as he aimed himself towards a weak point in the ceiling, right above the bug.

(PHOE, SILV, I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE. I SEE IT.
AND I DID THE SAME EXACT THING. C-C-COMBO!
The pokemon up on the surface are pretty safe from the collapse, as they're on solid ground. I left it open for Deanna to either get on Ashes or not. Silv, he's planning on just ramming it, if you wanna join in. I had Ashes start the collapse with others in there because he's a douchebag and wants to eat them lol.)

The attacks were doing nothing. Sinking back to the ground, I landed smoothly on dainty paws, eyes hard and calculating as baring small fangs in frustration. Glancing back at the clones, the Double Team haulted and just one fuzz ball stood in place as I recalled the move. Despite being a sitting Psyduck, I stared up at the undead with frustration, lashing my tail back and forth. "The fuck am I expected to do?" I muttered to myself above the thrashing and bellowing of the massive foe. "...I can't really do shit against something of this magnitude." Backing away and moving much closer to the edges of the wall, I knew pretty well that there was virtually nothing I could do. A beast this strong? Well. I might as well have been a little speck of dust.

Them things went pretty sour pretty fast. The antlered ass hole from earlier was by the snake, covering her, as he said, and I could not help but feel a sharp pang of jelousy at the exchange. What makes HER so special that he wants to help, yet no one even glances at me? Am I really that hated? The realization sent chills down his spine and wide chocolate eyes filled with true fear. It only worsened as the buck's companion, the Absol, was downed by the flames of the insect. Rushing over, there was nothing to be done. As the snake called out for the buck, I shot more attacks at the undead, hoping to distract it with Shadow Balls, but the sand underpaw was becoming uncomfortably hot. I felt the soft flesh being ripped and burned away with each step, even as I dodged loose flames from attacks I could not name.

Then the smaller, masculin Charizard swooped down and rescued the three. The three. Of them. While I tried in my own pitiful way to cover them. "W-WAIT!" I cried out, voice hoarse with fear as I shot in the direction they ran, tears finally stinging in my eyes as the realization took hold. He... They left me. "Hey! A- a little help?" The words were smooth but my voice squeaked with fear, like that of a child. I did not want to die there.

[ooc: Well hello thare first person POV. Da hale did you come from? .-.]

"HARROW!"

Whilst he didn’t jump at the sudden cry of his name, Harrow was lightning in his reactions. Head snapping around to the sound’s source, amber eye wide with concern having sensed a desperate terror within the tone – the hiss distinguished it as the Ekans who was now positioned a good distance from him. Still, he located her quickly and discovered the source of her worry.
“Starling…” He muttered breathlessly, the charred fur about her chest and complete motionless, particularly unusual for her, confirmed his suspicions. She was out cold.

Racing forward, the deer was roughly intercepted by a wall of flame. Skidding to an abrupt halt, the foliage hanging from his antlers singed away at the close proximity, Harrow remained mainly unharmed. Backing away as he strained to catch sight of his unconscious companion, he saw that another form had joined them – the male Charizard. Although nervous, unsure of the dragon’s intentions, Harrow was thankful at the realization he had chosen to help. Watching the dragon ascend with the limp dark-type, the serpent and the young Charmander, it was only then that the Sawsbuck became aware of the other fire-type duo’s absence. They were all gone.

Well, almost.

"W-WAIT! Hey! A- a little help?"

Quickly distinguishing the fluffy Eevee that had been left behind, bait for the great moth whose movements had grown jittery with poison, Harrow hadn’t the heart to abandon him. Eye feverishly scanning the vicinity, the escape hole in the ceiling the destination, the deer was quickly mapping out a dangerous, particularly dodgy route. It would involve acrobatics, more flames than he’d like and a lot of speed – but he had to try. Death was imminent were he to wait around for the ceiling’s collapse and unlike the canine, he was too large to be airlifted from the place. Decided, he charged towards the Eevee, unwilling to leave the weak to burn.
“Hold on!” He ordered on approach, loud, as the canine was bundled over his head rather roughly. Although passing through the singed antlers wouldn’t be the most pleasant experience, they provided something to hold onto – which the canine would most definitely need. Harrow wouldn’t be returning.

Without the time to check whether the canine had enough will to survive by clinging to his form with his life, Harrow thundered in circles around the insect, building his speed whilst expertly dodging the growing flames. All too soon, he was hurtling towards one of the pillars, using a jump kick to ricochet him into the nearby wall in which he soon repeated the process. Using the half-collapsed structures as a dangerous, crumbling staircase in his ferocious pursuit to the ceiling, by some miracle, Harrow’s efforts paid off. With a final push, powerful legs propelling him towards the opening, the Sawsbuck emerged into the light of day, crashing roughly as he lost his footing.

Sprawled out on the sand a distance from the group’s gathering, the Sawsbuck’s attention quickly fell to his scorching legs. So lost in his determination for freedom, Harrow had been numb to the ravenous flames rapidly cascading up his lean legs. Although painful, nothing could compare to the agony of having his face carved – thus the deer showed little emotion as he took to rolling in the sand. Thankfully, the fire was quenched, leaving raw, blistering marks about his already scarred limbs. Content, but tired, his attention immediately fell to Starling.
“She okay?” Harrow asked gruffly, genuine concern masked by the damaged slur that distorted any glimpse of emotion. Rising shakily to his hooves, underestimating the gruesome burns and the ongoing ache that stemmed from them, Harrow moved to the Absol’s side. Amber eye scanning the canine’s face, thankful the flames had marred nought but her pristine fur, Harrow smiled appreciatively at the Charmander and Ekans aside his friend. “Are you… two… okay?”


(( I’m presuming Deanna took up Ashes’ offer, but if not, I can come back and edit! Harrow was given permission to scoop Tanguy onto his back and I’m skipping Starling as she’s still unconscious. Also their profile image is autumn now, although Harrow doesn’t have any leaves on his antlers yet considering it was all burnt off. When it grows back, it will be autumn leaves. :3 ))

Angelus only noticed the bounding deer out of the corner of her eye, his furry passenger tangled in his antlers as they both ascended into the small hole the other charizard had provided. While she wasn't too particularly concerned with the welfare of the others, she supposed minimal collateral damage was suitable, especially since they had gotten themselves out. The only one that concerned her was firmly on her back, clinging to her for his life. His inability to hold his own in the air only made her smile-- simple little fluff ball.

She turned, aiming herself for another attack on the beast. It roared with fury, yearning for revenge for its lost eye. Angelus had little to worry now, since the rocks above would surely seal the leviathon's fate. But first... to take care of that collateral damage... "Caim!" she called, catching the fox's attention long enough to keep him from fidgeting. Seeing her chance, she grabbed his scruff with her teeth and flung him upward, sending him straight through the hole to land on the sand with the others. While a scream may have erupted out of his otherwise mute throat, he soon got back to his feet, albeit a bit shaky from the throw.

~"You miserable HAG!"~ he roared with his mind, not caring who else heard. He stared down through the hole, watching his mount fly off in the light from the Beast's fire. ~"When you get back up here, I'll rip those teeth right out of your withered old face so you'll only ever be able to GUM your prey to death!"~ Fur bristled and dissheveled, teeth bared, tails fanned high above his head in aggression, ears flat against his head, he was the epitome of fury, even as he panted and shook with adrenaline.

Angelus, though, could only laugh at her partner's threats. Rip out her teeth, hmm? Adorable. He thought he could beat her. Still, even with Caim's amusing antics, she had a job to do, which was quickly brought to light by the other charizard. "DRAAGOOOOON!" Understanding completely, she rushed in as well, timing her blow with his. They would bring down this abomination once and for all.

She hit, and the ceiling gave.

"Get on or stay." She didn't need to be told twice, and quick as a flash Deanna had wrapped herself firmly around one of the male Charizard's legs. She hissed sharply as she was rushed into the air much higher than she agreed with thanks to his Wing Attack. Upon landing she detached almost immediately and escaped to Harrow and Sterling to make sure she stayed anchored to the ground this time. “I never want to do that again,” she muttered angrily. More out of fear than actual malice but still, she was freaking scared. “Snakes are not meant to fly.”

When she heard Dragon roar 'Caim' she saw the great Charizard fling Monster towards the sky to land with them. Was that Monster's true name? The one he had not been able to tell her? He seemed pretty angry at being flung like some kind of rag doll, standing over the edge of the hole and glaring down at Dragon with his tails flaring like wicked black serpents seeking prey. She knew more than any creature what that meant. Monster was pissed beyond fury.

"DRAAGOOOOON!"

The loud roar caused her to hiss in pain, the noise coupled with the vibrations causing her to coil in on herself beside Monster as suddenly the earth began to shift. Panic raced through her as she realized the ground was going to collapse and she hissed a warning to Monster. “Move before the earth takes you with it!” She didn't waste any time getting to where the vibrations were weakest, knowing that the earth would stabilize at that point. She watched as the ground caved in and buried the cavernous ruins they had just inhabited and wondered if Dragon had made it out alive.

Mara watched in awe as the deer walked up to them unsteadily but on severely scorched legs. She couldn't help but cringe as he approached them, his piercing eyes moving from the unconscious next to her and speaking gruffly.

“She okay?” Mara looked to the white furred creature uncertainly, her head swaying slightly as her gaze rose up to the looming deer.
“Are you… two… okay?”
"I-I think so..." She replied quietly, the bright sun making her wince. But a sudden rumbling underneath made the young Charmander cry out in surprise. She struggled to get to her feet, but collapsed onto her knees in weakness.
Ashes! He's still down there! She thought, her bright green eyes moving to the collapsing hole.
"No!" She whimpered, scrambling on all fours as fast as she could. She stopped short as the ground before her disappeared, the sand shifting wildly around her. She looked to the great black fox next to her, who stood fuming at the edge. Tears fell down her face, her breath coming out in small gasps as she tried desperately to peer through the rising dust.
"Ashes!"

(OoC- no post for Ashes this time. I'll have him explode out of the rubble next round)

[ooc: Skip. Can't get into charcater. Sorry ><;;;;]

"I-I think so..."

Harrow nodded his head at the reply, one of his subconscious grunts escaping him as relief set in. He’d hardly noticed the little Charmander before, but her – or was it his? – appearance alone gave him some comfort about its Charizard companion. Even if the dragon was intimidating, probably unafraid to sink his claws into any one of the group, he wasn’t heartless. The youngster before the Sawsbuck was enough proof of that. Managing a weak smile, his mask slackened slightly from the effort of reaching the surface, Harrow limped to Starling’s side.

"DRAAGOOOOON!"

Head snapping up at the monstrous bellow from below, Harrow’s amber orb clinging to the infuriated Ninetales, the deer could only guess the intentions of the Charizard pair. But as the ground trembled, the sand shifting beneath his hooves, Harrow decided he didn’t want to know. The moth was a good as dead. Wasting no time in slinging his unconscious companion over his back, retreating to a safer distance at the Ekan’s warning, Harrow stood in silence as he watched the ground cave in.

"No! Ashes!"

Past the spiralling dust, Harrow made out the small Charmander’s form rushing towards the scene, words laced with fearful sorrow. Dipping his head, discreetly lifting a leg to press the mask back tightly to his disfigured face, the buck had nothing to say. He could see neither Charizard, though his gut instinct told him mourning was not in order.

[OOC: Unfortunately, I'll have to skip my first post as a floater on here. ;; I'm really atm. Sorry! ;w;]

The earth beneath his paws shook and the ebony ninetales had little time to react as Dragon rammed herself into the ceiling with the other charizard. Immediately, the ground began to give way and the others scurried from the site, Caim turning to follow. The little snake even hissed a warning to him, slithering off into the safe sands. While he didn't exactly like the idea of merely running away, it was better than falling all that way to his death. Gravity was, regrettably, not a foe he could take down.

Once a safe distance away from the crumbling pit, Caim stood, ears stood against the harsh, sandy winds. He'd forgotten there was a bloody sandstorm out here. Eyes squinted against the hateful sand, he waited for some sign that Dragon was all right. A withered old crone, he knew better than to assume some falling rocks or mutant fire bug would best her. Then, after what seemed an eternity, she burst from the debris, aged, leathery wings bringing her faithfully out of the rubble. Caim snorted, irritated with her rather dramatic escape. ~"Took you long enough,"~ he growled, directing his quiet words at her as she rejoined the others. Landing in the "middle" of the group, she flashed him a brilliant grin, saturated with satisfaction.

"Oh, come now, Caim, such a dazzling battle should be ended accordingly," she growled back to him, her grin contagious in her tone. "You're just jealous you couldn't do the same." She chuckled, amused at her own joke as she surveyed who else had made it. It seemed her fellow charizard hadn't quite been so lucky, as he remained the only pokemon unaccounted. The absol was out, fainted. Everyone else seemed shaken, but relatively all right. "Now..." she stated, taking her attention from the group to the surrounding desert. "Where in the Inferno are we?"

Mara watched with teary eyes as the old dragon made her way out of the rubble and landed with a heavy thud next to the black fox.
"Oh, come now, Caim, such a dazzling battle should be ended accordingly. You're just jealous you couldn't do the same." The little Charmanders' gaze shot between the two in incredulity.

"Now...Where in the Inferno are we?"
"You don't even CARE!" Mara shouted weakly, her throat hoarse. Her tails' flames flared as she hit the now still sand with her claw.
"My brother just saved us all and you're just going to forget about him down there!?" The lizards' emerald eyes were alight with a righteous anger as they glared up at the formidable beasts before her.
"He could be hurt!" She whimpered, as she turned back to the hole, dragging herself weakly to the very edge to look down.

"Ashes!" She cried out repeatedly, her vision starting to go dark the more energy she used.
"Ashes!..." Mara weakly crowed, her head finally nodding and dropping into the sand.

_______________________________

Screams.
The screaming was everywhere.
Ashes watched in a paralyzed agony as the island shore that was once his home was overrun.
The sky was a brilliant blue, the surf a dark and terrible crimson, frothing as it dragged body parts and bodies onto the land, as if it wished for them to take back their dead.
The Charizard watched helplessly as his childhood friends were torn to pieces in front of him, or dragged into the watery depths...the worst death for a flamed lizard. He saw the water bubbling and evaporating instantly as they fought, the flames they unleashed from their tails and mouths making the water around them disappear...but it wasn't enough. The fire and steam would eventually cease, leaving only dark waters and a swarm of awkwardly gaited water types, sluggishly pulling themselves further from the ocean.

"Ashes! We need to help mommy and daddy!" Mara whimpered, tugging at his wing behind him in the darkened cliff-side cavern.
The Charizard looked down at his little sister and held her close, his large form trembling.
"No, we have to listen to them! We always listen to what they say, remember?"
"Ashes!..."
"Ashes!...."

The Charizards' eyes snapped open, his name echoing faintly in his head. He breathed in, only to let out a gasping hiss. Heavy rubble pinned his large body, constricting his limbs. He struggled to move his wings, but nothing.
His arms, and then legs.
Nothing.
The enormous boulders above him were immovable.
Ashes started to breathe frantically, his breaths coming out short and quick as he struggled move violently against the immense weight above him.
Mara! I can't be fucking stuck here! Mara needs me!
His mind frantically searched his memories for anything he could use from his training. After a few moments, his eyes widened.
Of course!
With a snarl, he breathed in as deeply as he could, despite the constriction and released a flamethrower at the rocks pinning him. The deafening roar of the fire in the small space deafened him, but he could feel the rocks softening and begin to melt. Lava began to drip down, sliding off of his fireproof scales. He ceased the attack, and took another deep breath, and loosed a second one, straight up. More molten lava poured down, slowly filling the small cavity.
The pressure suddenly gave, the flamethrower exploding out of the stone prison in a powerful pillar of fire.

The dragon pulled himself to his feet, the muscles in his legs bunching as he pushed himself out of the rising lava pool. He breathed deeply, feeling the cool air rush into his lungs as he looked about him. His gaze turned to the skies, a faint smile forming on his face as he stretched his wings out to make sure they were unbroken, before taking to the air.
I got Mara.
I made it.
She's alive.

(( Skip, please. Sorry, Starling’s still unconscious and Harrow isn’t doing much but watching. Dx ))

Angelus got no reply to her question, only admonishment from the little charmander that she didn't care. She wasn't particularly sure of what the small lizard was going on about, but it would be fair to assume she was correct. No, she didn't care. The only thing she cared about was staring at her, healthy enough and relatively unharmed. There was little else to care about. The child went on to the rubble, crying for her companion. The dragon merely curled a lip in irritation; hopefully nothing else would hear her anguished cries.

However, the other charizard emerged, earning the satisfaction of the worried child. Good. She'd stop wailing. Both dragon and fox turned from the scene, uninterested and unwilling to watch, respectively. While Dragon held no importance for loved ones, Caim was soon reminded of his own, fragile sister. While he longed to find her and to avenge her fate, he couldn't help but think that he would never get a reuinion like the two fire lizards shared. She was likely long gone, dead from either Undead or Manah's hand. Either way, that little human brat would pay.

Tails swishing lightly across the shifting sands, his eyes remained squinted nearly shut to guard them from the flying, whirling sands. Yes, they were back in the throes of the terrible, eternal sandstorm. Fantastic.

The biting sand stung her coils as she braced herself against the sandstorm raging outside in the open. She watched as the ground collapsed in on itself, burying one of the dragon's and the monster bug along with the ruins. She could feel something strange happening, like her body was getting stronger, but she wasn't quite sure how that was possible. The small dragon began to panic about the large one still trapped beneath, but he soon came out of the dark pit with no problem.

But wait...

"If he survived that kind of a cave in...is it possible the moth did as well?" She looked at the pit carefully and then took her gaze to Monster, hoping he would shake his head and let her know it was dead. But something in her told the Ekans that it was still down there somewhere. And if it was, it was pissed. She wasn't sure if he saw her or not, his eyes squeezed shut against the raging sands, so she waited patiently for him to respond to the verbal question.

Something stuck in the ground showed strange squiggles that the snake swore she had seen before. While she had no idea what they said or meant, her memory kept bringing up a strange woman who once kept coming to her breeder's home. She was over every day for almost a month, a creepy woman that seemed more demented than anything else. She gave most of the serpents at the house the creeps, but there was something that her breeder said the last day the woman was there that stuck with the Ekans always. As she watched her visitor walk away the last time, her breeder took a breath and in somber tones...

"A woman turned into a stake will hold the world in a basin of fire."

((OOC: Giving Caim a little drama, lol. Have fun with that one Sil! At least until the Vulcy comes back, Mwahahaha!))

Mara beamed weakly as she saw her brother launch himself out of the hole and into the sky.
Ashes! He's okay!

Her green eyes stayed on the winged lizard as he flew up into the sandstorm, his frame wavering as the harsh winds pelted him and changed his trajectory. But with a few flaps of his powerful wings, he landed with a soft thud next to her on all four of his limbs, his emerald eyes fierce and staring down at her intently.
"What are you doing over here! I told you to stay back! You could have fallen!" the dragon growled at the little lizard, as he gently picked her up and put her on his back.
"B-but I was looking for you! I...I thought you were hurt..." she protested, her voice fading as pain saturated it. Ashes looked back subtly, his shoulders falling a bit.
Shit...I made her feel bad...
"Hey, none of that. Look, I'm alright." He whispered, smiling softly at her before turning to the group.
His soft expression completely disappeared by the time he faced the others, as if it had never existed. His fierce gaze regarded each of them, tallying who survived.
A small, malicious grin formed on his maw as the annoying Eevee was nowhere to be found.
I guess he didn't make it...

But his grin faded as he came to a realization.
I'm still without anything for Mar...
He growled, stalking past them, to have his attention caught by the unconscious Absol. The Charizards' viridian gaze going dangerously blank as his mind began to wander past the thick pale fur, to the soft but muscular flesh underneath. He stood rigidly, his head lowering haltingly as he hissed underneath his breath. The heavy winds whipped around them, making the white-fur slash around her thin frame, accentuating her form.

He glanced at the large buck that had her draped over his back, a dark grin crossing his face as he stalked past his ornamented head and closer to the Absol.
"She's still...out..?"
He sniffed her slowly, his snout starting at her torso and down to her neck, resting there, hovering inches above it.
Her fur smelled clean and sweet, despite the time she had spent in the dull, intrusive desert sands. Ashes lost himself in his thoughts, recalling her words and her anxiety before all of the commotion in the ruins.
"Tell me...how long have you known her...?" The dragon muttered to the buck, his eyes still intent on the unconscious feline.

(OoC- aaaaand another creeper, lol. Let me know if Ashes went too far dear. I can change it XD)

Harrow, whilst glad to have escaped an untimely end with a gargantuan fire-moth, was not so pleased about his current situation. If the sandstorm weren’t enough, constantly working to dispel his energy and hinder vision in his remaining eye, his company were proving as equally as hostile. Starling was out cold, her dainty frame weightless on his back and left at the mercy of the desert weather. Annoyed he couldn’t shield her from the elements and untrusting of his hostile companions to permit them to walk behind him, Harrow was left in a bad place. Outnumbered, likely to be overpowered and considered a meal, the Sawsbuck kept his distance from the group, pleased that at least the Charizard and Ninetales duo were engrossed in their own inner miseries.

Of course, things could only get worse.

"She's still...out..?”

Following what seemed an innocent, almost paternal reunion with what Harrow could only presume his younger sibling, the Charizard was sauntering over. Tensed, ready to kick the creep’s fangs in were he to make one false move, Harrow remained characteristically aloof. His amber eye followed the beast’s every movement, the intensity within the functioning orb only making his mask’s appearance more startling.
“Yes,” He replied blunt, gravelly voice emphasizing his distaste. Still, the dragon drifted out of his direct line of vision, the buck left momentarily blind to the dragon’s activity. No doubt he was ‘inspecting’ Starling, the heat emanating from the fire-type not going unnoticed by the deer as he remained rigid. Patience was a virtue, but tolerance of the creep’s behaviour was another matter altogether.

"Tell me...how long have you known her...?"

The Charizard was far too close. Harrow felt the beast’s inhales disturbing the fur around Starling’s face, her exposed neck. Shifting, his movements fluid from a previously motionless state, Harrow made an effort of moving his unconscious companion out of the dragon’s reach; instead, presenting the fire type with his antlers and a dangerous glare.
“… Touch her…” A habitual grunt. “And I’ll kill you,” The final words uttered with a rare smoothness given the state of his fragile vocal cords were a promise. Harrow’s blank, but someone intense, expression backing up such an utterance. He didn’t want a fight. Especially with a creature that was larger, strong, advantaged in terms of type and blessed with the ability to fly – but he was notorious for making good with such threats. Harrow had beaten the odds more than once. If that bastard even thought about touching Starling, he would act.

Movement then. Eye never leaving Ashes, Harrow felt Starling shift upon his back, instinctively lowering himself so that the awakening feline wouldn’t suffer a fall. The nearly non-existent weight disappeared fully as Harrow expertly backed up to stand protectively aside the dark-type currently re-familiarizing herself with reality.
“You… okay?” A moments silence as the Absol, blinking slowly in a vain bid to battle a monstrous headache, rose to her paws. Her white coat swaying in the monstrous winds, clogged with sand, the female made a quick recovery, sensing the tension enveloping her partner. Harrow was rigid, akin to stone, as his attention was unwavering from the dragon. Starling, although uncomfortable at the way the creature looked at her, remained calm. Suppressing the pounding in her temples, the dark-type gave a slow nod of her head in response to the deer.
“Fine,” He had grumbled something unintelligible then, Starling too exhausted to try to decipher his gravelly drawl as she took in her surroundings. They were back in the sandstorm, the entire group gathered save the mouthy little Eevee. Not allowing herself to dwell on the canine’s absence, Starling’s hazy memory forced her into asking the question resting on the tip of her tongue. “What happened?”

Iajyra hovered over the sand dunes, low to the ground as she forced her way through this unfamiliar desert. She had been looking for a town or settlement of some sort before she wound up here. Where ever here happened to be of course. Weary and lonely the Spiritomb pressed through the sandstorm the grainy sand often causing her vision to blur. Continuously looking around for any buildings she nearly missed the group of pokemon standing around a large hole in the ground.


Despite her shyness she approached the group, longing to have contact with someone again. Among the collected group she took note of the strange looking Ninetales who's coat was abnormal thing to see. It bothered her a bit but she continued to approach them until she was close enough to hear their voices.

"H-hello t-there-re?" Iajyra said in a sort of questioning tone. Her keystone coming down with a soft thud in the sand as she floated down and landed next to the group. The resulting dust cloud settled as she looked as each one she could clearly see before looking down into the hole they were surrounding.

The behemoth flew through the desert lands, his limited vision scouring the sands for prey. Nothing was particularly eye-catching, his bored gaze simply skimming through the landscape. Growling bitterly, he slowly made his descent down to the silky gold of the land, before catching the small fleck of purple far away. The figure was seemingly a ghost, flickering slightly in the distance. A grin erupted from his mouth, reaching up to his ears as he flew upwards again, quietly targeting his new victim as it moved.

It wasn't long before the figure had stopped, more flecks of color dotting the plain landscape of the sands. They were all gathered in a circle, standing by a crater or something of the sort--the hushed voices barely making it to his ears from his height. Peering down at the survivors, he attempted to chuckle, the gurgling sound rising from his throat along with thick blood. The red liquid oozed from his long, rotting teeth before dripping down towards them, a whole splatter erupting from his mouth as he roared.

The flames were gathering in his jaws, the rolls of heat forming within him as he let them burst from his open maw, the Fire Blast powerful, but inaccurate. The thick gusts of sand and debris were restricting his vision, beads of saliva and blood hanging from his mouth. It wasn't long before licks of fire began to merge again, his aim set dead on the group of living.