Pokemon United

Phoenix flipped open his pokedex which was comprised of two parts, the top being a screen and the bottom a touch pad, the casing was red with the Rangers emblem on both sides.

"Moonstone." He looked over the recent criminal investigations and scanned through any other incidents that had been recorded, as his memory of that hiker dawned upon him Phoenix located the mine on his map. "These feathers are covered in moonstone dust, the only place near here with this quality will be up in the mountains north east of our position. I think we might find your criminals up in those mountains." Phoenix suspected this would either be a bust and nothing would happen or they were heading towards the largest fight of his life.

He quickly dispatched a call for back up from local law enforcement, "Hades, take point." The small fox pokemon did as ordered and stood in front of the group as Phoenix kept at the ready his taser, being new on the job he was not qualified for anything lethal and therefore on his belt had pepper spray, a collapsible baton, and his taser. There was a trail leading them up to the mining area, the great thing about Zorua being able to actually speak is that Hades did not have to bark to notify Phoenix of suspects and could instead say so and leave out all the guess work.

"I am going to continue on up the trail and towards that mining area, if you stay to look for that pokemon I will catch up with you later, if you follow me stay at a safe distance. I've called in support but they will likely take time to respond and may not send out a response." Until he got up that mountain trail and near the actual scene of suspicion he had nothing to report aside from possible criminal activity on an possibly large scale.

Titania shook her head at what Chris said before shedding some more light on the topic. "It wasn't that big as there were only two grunts. The only reason it looks as bad as it does was because their voltorb decided to use Self-Destruct. After that I briefly tried to look for the pokemon I freed, but I couldn't look for long. Lagi had taken a lot of damage during the fight and Zephyr was still hurt when I caught him so I had to take care of them first."

Then when Phoenix mentioned heading to the mines in search of the criminals, she would say. "I'm staying to look for that Rufflet, there is no telling what those creeps did to him and he doesn't look normal either." Then addressing Chris she would add. "Why don't you go with him, you are the only one who can identify this smuggler after all. Besides, the fewer people with me if I find that poor pokemon, the better. It probably has a massive distrust of humans by now and even I doubt my chances of getting close to it despite helping it."

With that said, she would move off to continue following the feather trail.

Chris stood taller with Phoenix's proclamation, "We can? Then we'll have to show them what for." She clenched her fist towards the mountains, "No one messes with Pokemon when I'm around." She takes the time to settle down and look towards Titania, "Okay. Just, don't get lost in the woods. There's probably more of these creeps in there." Kitty wets her toes with a sprinkling of water from his mouth and she scrunches them up, "Ahaa! Kitty..."She bends down and pets around his head fins, "We'll get them, you don't need to worry about that."

Chris stood up and waved at Titania, "Good luck in finding your Pokemon." To Phoenix, "Let's get going. I know of a shortcut so we can get there faster, it's just through here.." And she started walking through the woods in a sorta-North-East direction. Though she carved a path through the woods quite brazenly, stepping over fallen logs and swatting aside spider webs and tree branches without losing her stride. Kitty followed in her footsteps, but was much more cautious, gaining his balance before every jump and ducking fluidly under very low branches. However, Chris leads the adventurers to a stream where some wild Pokemon were gathered at.

A few Totodiles were splashing about in the stream, while a pile of Sentrets snoozed upon one another nearby, one of the Sentrets standing guard. Chris stops for a moment, "Woah...this is not a mountain. And what are those.." She pulls out her run-down Pokedex, "Totodile, a water-type Pokemon. Sentret, a normal-type Pokemon." And that is all it says, after a few minutes of calculations.

Meanwhile, Titania's trail of dark feathers leads her to a tree with gnarled branches, its roots visible as they had speared themselves along the topsoil. The leaves were all in their own piles around the trunk of the tree, and several dead trees lay upon their sides, creating an eerie clearing. And within the tree, with its wings spreading and folding, sat the sharply cawing Rufflet. As soon as Titania spotted it, the bird Pokemon gave a hateful cry, it's eyes gleaming red and hazy. There was also this suspicious, purple spike sticking out from one of the piles of leaves, but the Ruffle was taking flight, looking for a fight.

Titania was happy that she had managed to find the Rufflet from before, but wasn't surprised to see that it was so hostile. The poor bird had probably gone through hell so it was very easy to see why it would be so aggressive. However maybe she could help it? After all she too had been very badly hurt by Team Rocket, albeit not in the same way.

However she was also concerned by her surroundings, particularly the tree and that strange purple spike like thing sticking out from a pile of leaves. So she could first use a hand signal to ask Oberon to check out that purple spike while she attempted to calm the Rufflet.

Now turning her attention to the Rufflet, she would stand still to avoid provoking it any further. Then she would start to talk to him in the same exact way that she had when she freed him from the cage. Her hope was that the eaglet pokemon would recognize her voice and thus might be slightly less hostile to her as a result. "It's ok Rufflet, remember me? I'm the one who helped you escape those guys from earlier. I understand that must those guys, in fact I hate them too. It was people like them that killed my parents so they have hurt me too. However I am not like them, I won't hurt you, I just want to make sure that you will be all right."

Oberon meanwhile would approach within a foot of the spike and look at it carefully before sniffing the air. If it seemed safe he would move closer to it.

Oberon became aware of the very hasty cover that someone was using as camouflage. As he came closer, he could see their eyes, watching his. In the Rufflet's blind rage, it may have overlooked such a shoddy cover that the surprised other was using.

Though the Rufflet seemed to stop its screeching for a moment, eyeing Titania. Her knowledge of Pokemon behavior was offering the feeling that something wasn't quite right with this one, because it shivered and shook and finally was consumed with rage with a very unnatural cry of pain and anguish; which sounded nothing like a normal Rufflet.

It took flight, suddenly, and lifted its talons to rake down upon Titania! Oberon was just out of position to rush to her aid, and the hidden Pokemon brushed off its leaf-disguise and fled the scene in the confusion.

For a brief moment it looked like the Rufflet, might recognize her, but then the poor thing fell into it's rage once again. Something was clearly wrong with this pokemon and as much as Titania didn't want to, it looks like the only way to help it, was to catch it.

Tears in her eyes she would attempt to defend herself from the Rufflet's sharp talons. Then while attempting to move to a more advantageous spot, she would with the greatest of regret, order Oberon to attack.

Oberon use fairy wind on the Rufflet, we have to catch it so we can find out what is wrong with him!"

Titania's intention was to catch him and then treat him for whatever problem he had. Then once it was back to normal, offer it the chance to be a wild pokemon again. There was no way she would force it to stay with her, perhaps it's wounds ran too deep to ever want to be with humans after all.

(Opps...I accidental rolled a d20 for the defense...I'll mail you a proper d10.)

Phoenix saw the Pokemon and advanced towards them, to keep himself from seeming intimidating he would crouch near the water and pull out a plastic bag from a pouch in his belt.

To show the water type Pokemon there was no need to be suspicious Phoenix fed a berry to Hades who sat beside him contently. "I don't wanna hurt ya, I'd like to be your friend though." He did his best to figure out how the Pokemon felt. A water type Pokemon would come in handy for putting out fires, though he had no desire to fight and catch them, Phoenix had never heard of someone convincing a Pokemon to enter a pokeball however. Always one for a challenge he was up for the task.

(Edit: Apperently I got left in the dust xD)

Titania would feel some of her clothes being torn and the sting of some new cuts opening on her skin. Oberon would also feel especially stinging cuts on him as well. Not only was this Rufflet different in looks and temperment, it also possesed strange abilities. She was turly placing herself in danger by trying to capture the eaglet pokemon, but she didn't care. This pokemon was a victim of team rocket just as much as she was and she wasn't about abandon it.

Luckily the injuries that both her and Oberon had just recieved were minor, but the same could not be said of the rufflet as Oberon had dealt it a solid blow. Attacking it again was far too dangerous so now she had to try to catch it. She would retrieve a pokeball, take careful aim and then throw it. The ball would connect and the Rufflet would be sucked in. It would then shake once...and then break apart, a clear failure.

She would have to try again, but in the mean time she would order Oberon to protect her. However should Slvyeon take too much damage, she was prepared to recall him for his own protection.

Chris looked around and smiled sheepishly to herself, "Well, since we're here." She walked up to the riverbank and scooped some water into her hands and drank fully, "Yep, nothing like freshening up before kicking butt." Kitty walked up and laid himself flatly along the river bank, dipping his front paws into the water. But he was watching the totodiles and Phoenix.

The water pokemon were busy playing, and Phoenix picked up their playfulness a little after he approached them. A few of them, though, became curious as to Phoenix feeding his pokemon. One approached and made a sound, and after a moment water erupted out of his mouth, covering Phoenix's face. The water didn't hurt anything but Phoenix's pride, if anything at all. The Totodile returned to the water, diving into the river to escape retribution.

Chris had finished her drinking and looked over, stifling her laughter, "He probably likes you already. You're really good at this, you know?" She stood up and stretched upward, then bending down to pet Kitty, "They're really funny, aren't they?" Kitty looked up and meowed, but slowly rose to his feet, Chris's attention on the Totodile again. She didn't notice Kitty slinking into the water, like some kinda water cat stalking prey.

"Maybe, but I'll have to try harder if I want to catch him without a fight." Samuel took his red jacket off and wiped his face with it, which would seem rather pointless after his next action.

Pulling his white t shirt off he would follow it with his boots, socks, and then pants. To avoid any case of discomfort and possible rash he would get directly near the water's edge and ditch his boxers before jumping in. If he wanted to obtain the friendship of a pokemon it was best he enter its comfort zone and show it he meant no harm and had only pure intentions.

He would tread water in the middle of the river, "Hey," he called out to the blue alligator that had splashed him only minutes before, "I'll race you." It seemed rather playful, much as one would play catch with a Growlithe he figured one should swim with any water time Pokemon, after all that seemed to be the one thing they would enjoy most.

The Totodile popped his head out of the water and looked at the human that he had splashed. Seeing him come into the water caused him to squawk a little, swimming further away. But upon watching Phoenix starting to swim away, the small Totodile sped off into the water after him. The Totodile, even though he was behind, slowly overtook Phoenix's swimming, though both were very close in the race. At the rocks that led up to the mountainous area, where the river ran off from, the two swimmers quickly approaching it but who was to win?

Kitty, meanwhile, had his own goal to achieve. Springing from the water, he tackled one of the Totodiles. The two spun over and over each other in a bundle of blue. Eventually, the Totodile was tossed into the woods at the end of the tumbling. The Totodile thought it was all games though, but was willing to entertain, because it wasn't hurt at all, the tumbling reducing the damage that would have been. Chris had just rolled up her pant legs and kicked off her sandals to bathe in the water when the tussle began. She went to call Kitty to her, but ended up shaking her head as she waded along the water's edge, "That guy.."

Even with his head start Samuel could feel the Pokemon easily gaining on him.

Lengthening his strides he would attempt to stretch his arms forward further and further as he rolled his shoulders. He did not figure he would beat the creature in its natural habitat, but at the least he hoped it would trust him more for having attempted.

The goal was the shoreline, he had it in his sights, the current however was more than he had expected, whether it was helping him or harming him he had yet to tell.

The Totodile speeds past Phoenix, much more accustomed to the current than he was. At the end of the river, before it continued over the mountain rocks, the Totodile popped out of the water and did a little dance of victory on the nearest, flattest rock. He stopped dancing and watched Phoenix arrive at the end, squawking at him. He then jumped back into the river and looked back at Phoenix, swimming slowly along the river.

Meanwhile, the tussle continued on the sandy beach between Kitty and the Totodile.

Kitty used his tail fin to send the sand into the Totodile's face, the motion causing Kitty to find his balance again. The Totodile made a sharp sound, suddenly quite blind, and his water gun retaliation shot off to the side. Kitty set his feet back upon the beach, his stature firm and his goal set. For lack of something better to do, the Totodile crossed his arms in front of his face, but no other attack came, yet.

Totodile's accuracy went down by -3.

Phoenix watched the Totodile swim off as he walked out of the water. "So much for a pokemon to fight fires with." The ranger racked his mind for ideas.

He did not want to battle and force the Pokemon to accompany him, it was after all a living being and not just a simple tool to be used; but even if he filled out an acquisition form for a water type Pokemon and it wasn't rejected he would be at least a week from obtaining it. In this area forest fires were not exactly uncommon.

Pulling his boxers on Samuel would wear them in the direct sun to ensure they got dry. Seeing Kitty in his brawl the Ranger walked on over to study the assault.

Crouching far enough away that he would not be in the way of their attacks he studied both of them intently. The Totodile was very dependent upon its long range water gun attack it would seem as it was making no attempt at all to flail and attack in close quarters.

Kitty circled his target, his paws making soft crunches in the gravelly sand. When it was right, he would approach and twist his body to the right, smacking the Totodile with the sturdy tail. The Totodile had wised up and waited for his ears to catch the Vaporeon's movements, as he was a little too far away from the stream to wash out his eyes and hitting himself in the face with his water gun was a difficult task. He pulled back his claws and swung fiercely, but was only managed to hit the ground. Kitty's tail smacked him onto his butt and dazed him for a moment, before he staggered to his feet. He held a paw to his aching head. Kitty began circling again, going the opposite direction now.

Chris noticed the Totodile that was floating on by on his side. He was watching Phoenix, gave a little squawk, then looked up at Chris. Chris smiled a little, "Hey there, little fella. You still want to play? I'll race you too." She stepped out of the river and shirked off her pants, thankfully wearing her own pair of dark blue boxers. She crossed her arms in front of her and tossed the hoody to the side, wearing a plain, yet very worn yellow and blue striped shirt that had a Vaporeon logo on the back.

Chris and the other Totodile were just beginning to swim, when Chris lost her balance and fell into the river, a slick rock found by her foot the culprit. The Totodile's head start was formidable, but Chris shook it off and swam after him.

Hades nudged Phoenix's side, "Two berries says the Vaporeon wins." Phoenix shrugged to his partner, "I would not be too sure. Kitty has the upper hand by far, I would not discount the Totodile." The ranger turned to find Chris, "Hey, Chris," Upon sight of her in her boxers and shirt the lad would advert his eyes to some distant tree.

"Kitty has this Totodile pretty banged up, you want to catch it? If not I will leave them be and give it some medical care after they are done. Kitty doe snot go in for the kill, right?" Samuel out of the corner of his eye looked back to the Vaporeon, it was an ethical question really, Pokemon had to eat so it would only be natural, Phoenix was silently hoping it was just a playful duel.

Part of him was worried about Kitty, he was domesticated and thus had some level of control over himself. As much as he was scared Kitty would give in to nature's urge he was far more terrified of the Totodile doing the same. Phoenix gave the motion and directed the fox to continue viewing the duel. Phoenix ran to his duty belt and snatched up his taser and baton, "Kitty has the upper hand, but I am worried that the Totodile might be angry enough to take things too far if he gets the chance." The ranger had seen it before, a harmless Pikachu in the northern forests was getting beat on by a much smaller Tailow, as soon as he got the upper hand he took the chance and defeated his foe.

Bound by duty Phoenix could do nothing as that cruel animal made a meal of its foe, as much as he loved them he knew the horrors they were capable of. Now creature of creation, man nor beast, was free from that monster deep inside; if they were his badge would be useless and without need of existing.

Titania would would watch painfully as Oberon protected her from the enraged Rufflet. She needed to end this fight soon and it had to bee with the Rufflet captured, she refused to even consider the alternatives. However watching Oberon taking such pain made her worry deeply, he shouldn't be taking so much damage, it was as if the rufflet was attacking him with poison or steel attacks.

Not willing to let Oberon take any more damage, she would attempt to recall him before throwing another pokeball for another attempt at capture. Unfortunately this attempt would also fail leaving her down to three balls left. She was starting to get worried that she would run out of balls and be forced to give up because of it.

(I bolded the recall attempt because it is certainly possible that Oberon would refuse to leave Titania alone with the Rufflet. Leaving that as your decision Miss for a bit of fun!)

Chris slowly catches up to the Totodile, which is very surprising to the little water Pokemon. The stream flowed downhill, bending off to the left, and at this bend there was a small Pokemon-made dam. The Totodile was taking it easy, that was, until Chris passed him like some kinda sea-monster. They both neared the dam, but Chris was clearly the winner, pressing her hand to the dam and pushing off with a laugh, swimming all the way back to where they began. The Totodile swam after her.

Meanwhile, Kitty eyed his opponent, and in one brief moment, attacked with a vicious headbutt straight into the Totodile's stomach. His paws had pushed off, his tail fin sticking straight up. And before the Totodile could react, he bounced back. The Totodile took the hit and landed on his butt, the wind knocked out of him in one, clean hit. Kitty then sat on his haunches and looked for Chris over his shoulder. He, at one time, eyed Phoenix, but left to meow at Chris once she came back. Chris took the time to pet Kitty, of course, and the defeated Totodile attempted to stand multiple times.

Phoenix had ascertained that this was an act of jealousy between Pokemon, as if Kitty had fought to obtain Chris's attention with his actions. It was a little more than a playful bout, but not a life-threatening fight. It was also a perfect time for a Pokeball...

Totodile 1/10.