Group RP Pokemon: Evolution Quest (IC thread)

"Thanks, Brenna," Blacky gave the Squirtle a thankful nod, then looked at the map. While he did ask for maps of Thunder's and Shadow's lairs, it would be nice if they also had those of Ice's and Sol's ones. Plus, Atelier had asked for the maps of the lairs' whereabouts and, preferably, their layouts.

 

(Actually, what specific maps are in the pile Brenna previously got?)

 

(Aight, let's see which map(s) Atelier's gonna pick up (@122 Generation?) and what Xuehua's doing right now (@ChocoChicken?) while we're at it...)

The first thing Blacky was wondering about was the lairs' general locations relative from their respective cities. In this case, it would be where in or around Piquedilly and Spikeford would the Thunder and Shadow lairs would be, respectively.

He picked up the respective maps and proceeded to read them.

 

Given that they were about to head to the Thunder Dragon King's lair next, Atelier figured it was sensible to check on that one first. It wasn't that far off from Piquedilly, as it happened. Now it was a matter of studying the layout of the lair and designing a strategy. His mind was back in research mode again.

 

Once the measurements had been made and the commission placed, Xuehua too took a moment to go for some quick research of her own. The average person wouldn't have all the intel on the Thunder King's Lair, of course, but she should hopefully come across a rumor or two in the local tavern - unaware that Blacky and Atelier already had their hands on the map to the entire place.

 

@WavePearl @ChocoChicken @122 Generation
(Sorry not sorry, y'all. I'm still waiting for someone to come up with something for Thunder DK lair.)

"So we're up against Thunder King now," Blacky quietly mused. And yes, he kinda abbreviated Thunder Dragon King as Thunder King because the former sounded rather mouthful. "If I remember it right, Master Josson and Allen react badly to earthquakes," he went on, owing to the fact that his master and adoptive brother (whom the group had already met) were a Jolteon and a Pikachu respectively -- both being electric-types. "Maybe we can use that too..."

 

Eventually, Atelier was ready. He had done enough research on the place and had sketched out the layout in his book of battle strategies. The lair was located on a mountaintop cave surrounded by a never-ending storm of thunder and lightning. It was also guarded by electric Slimes, kind of like Grimer although they looked more harmless. First off was the main problem that the Dragon King and the Slimes had the high ground. Second was that lightning bolts were known to strike the mountain often. To simply climb up the mountain and attack was disadvantageous, but it looked like the group had no choice. It was as if the mountain itself was the lair!

 

(Why does that remind me of Mt. Layuda in Guardian Signs crossed with Final Fantasy-style monster spawns?)

And then Blacky's attention turned to Atelier's copy of the lair's layout. A mountaintop cave with a constant storm surrounding it. If climbing the mountain itself was impossible, they probably would need a lift from someone who can fly. But the problem is, your average bird mons like Staraptor or Corviknight would most likely have a bad time in such environment. If only there's someone who can just fly through the storm...

(I'm thinking of the eon siblings as I wrote that, actually.)

 

Atelier exchanged glances with Aine and Blacky. Wait. Xuehua was missing, and she probably didn't know that they had all gathered here at the guild. Perhaps she could wait, since he had the layouts and maps ready.

"We'll need to be prepared for an uphill battle, I guess. The dragon king is located in a cave at the summit, and it might be a little dangerous to go by air if we consider the lightning bolts," he explained. He drew four heads representing the party at the bottom of the mountain. "We'll need something to get us above the bulk of the Slimes, at least. Alone, the Slimes aren't a problem, but in a horde, they can be problematic, however cute they are.

"So we have a few options. We can fly close enough to pass the Slimes, or we can brave the storm and get to the dragon king directly," Atelier said.

 

Blacky looked thoughtful with occasional nods of "Uh-huh" while listening to Atelier's explanation. So far everything made sense until... wait a minute. Slimes? Cute? Did the Eevee, probably, mean "annoyingly cute"?

"Speaking of flying though, I'd say your average bird folks are gonna have a bad time here," the Umbreon squire warned. "Maybe we should get help from dragon-type folks or...?" his voice trailed off at the suggestion.

 

(Iirc Song of the Wind has its own limitation:

Now to explain that IC...)

"Wait, Song of the Wind?" Blacky turned to Aine with an eyebrow raised. His memories briefly flew back to when they got out from the Earth Dragon King's lair via the aforementioned spellsong.

With that in mind, Blacky asked the Sylveon lady, "Actually, have you ever gone there before?"

 

"That sounds risky, honestly. We'll have no idea where we might land. For all we know, it could be in the middle of a horde of Slimes," Atelier said. "You would need to know a specific location on the mountain to get there."

He went back to his map of the lair. "Seems we may need to do the direct approach of simply climbing up the mountain. We'll need to do our best to avoid any lightning strikes while we're doing this. There are three paths we can take while we're climbing - one leads upward, one leads to Slimes, and one leads to treasure - but I suggest those of us with the proper armour be at the forefront to take the lightning strikes, if any."

He focused on the mountaintop cave. "We first will draw out the Dragon King to attack those of us with armour, and then we'll ambush him from the side by flanking him from behind." He drew the dragon head with an arrow moving out of the cave and a couple of Eevee heads attacking it from behind.

That said, he still had the Thundara Gauntlets on him which were for Xuehua. Then he pulled the Sun Flute out from his bag. "By the way, Aine, this is for you." He handed the flute over to her.