Redemption

[color=Navy][size=1]Zane didn't know what Kariz was up to, but the tone of her voice was enough warning to tell him that something was happened. Ima stood beside Zane, looking bewildered and flushed. Kariz just stared at Ima. Ima was quite blind to the fact that Kariz was once her valued companion. Her memory was in a far worse state that Zane had previously thought. " Kariz," Zane started. Kariz just stared at Ima, who was now getting a little unnerved by it. [color=DarkRed]" What?"[/color] Zane looked at her with hard eyes. " We need a place to stay. Raven's apartment is nearby. We should go there. By the way, where is she?" [color=DarkRed]" She's gone somewhere on her bike."[/color] A loud cracking sound of thunder rolled in the sky as dark clouds started to come in from the sea. Zane and Kariz looked at these clouds suspiciously. [color=DarkRed]" Reckon it is Raven's doing?"[/color] " Mm..." Zane mumbled. " She has got a new power. Best get Ima back so I can explain everything to you." [color=DarkRed]" Before we got back, I have to tell you something."[/color] " What?" [color=DarkRed]" Rubedo's here. And he's planning something."[/color] Zane's expression went as cold as ice. " I hope he realises what pain he has put that girl through. I can't handle being in her presence for more than a couple of hours otherwise her pain starts to affect my body." [color=DarkRed]" You've been through your share. We all have."[/color] " I know. But I'm just scared that this pain will last until when Rubedo decides to cut the strings on her. Then her whole personality will disappear forever." [color=DarkRed]" Lets go then... to Raven's apartment."[/color] As they walked to the apartment building, rain started to pour down.[/color][/size] [center]============================[/center] [size=1][color=DarkGreen]Screaming along stationary cars, trucks and other motorcycles gave Raven that rush of adrenaline she needed to stay alive - that shot that kept her from going truly crazy. She felt Zodiac energies around the city. Zane and Ima must have caught up with Kariz otherwise their energies wouldn't be mixing like they are. Also, larger powers are in the city, not bothering to mask their might. Raven growled to herself. She used to be one of them. One that used to live for the fight. Now she just lived for a lost cause..... yes..... lost cause. Rain all of the sudden started to pour down. The tires of the motorcycle began to lose the grip to the road. A red traffic light blared at her. She put on the brakes but the motorcycle slid out from underneath her, crashing into the intersection. A loud blaring noise signalled Raven was too slipping into the busy intersection. A sudden dull thump and a large jerk made Raven realise she had just been hit by a car. It stopped immediately after. Raven slid onto the road, looking up at the sky that rained. She smiled a little, blood dribbling from her mouth. " It's..... crying...." was all she muttered before an ominious gurgling sound signalled her lungs had now filled with blood and they needed to get there soon. If they didn't, she would surely die. Raven's last thought as she heard the ambulance scream towards her was the face of Rubedo - that elusive character that she was trying to find, and get back into her life.[/color][/size] OOC: Kairi, I suggest you help out here.

[size=1][color=#6633ff]Kei is a grad student that is becoming an expert in the fields of ancient and medievil history, as well as their myths and legends. She wanted to go to see what she could find out about the places that they were going to visit and the local legends surrounding these places.[/color][/size]

OOC: Sorry for not posting earlier. [size=1][color=#6633ff][u]- Sign-up -[/u] [B]Name:[/B] Keilantra "Kei" Jordon [B]Age:[/B] 22 [B]Gender:[/B] Female [B]Reincarnate[/B] (if applicable): Merlin [B]Physical description or pic:[/B] [URL]http://www.otakuboards.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=23278[/URL] - no glasses [B]Personality: [/B] Kei is usually the mediator in any fight. She doesn't like to take sides unless one does something very morally wrong. People say that she's very wise and can give you advice on anything. Kei doesn't think of herself like that. She's learned a lot of things, but that doesn't make her all-powerful and know everything. She's elegant and has high standards for almost everything around her. She values friendship and companionship, although, sometimes, her stuides take precidence over them. [B]Basic bio:[/B] Kei grew up in a small Scottish town halfway between Inverness and Perth, near the highest mountain in Scotland, Ben Nevis. Her family was fairly wealthy and lived in a castle that was handed down through the generations of her family. The castle was large and made out of sandy-coloured stone. It was magnificent to behold and many secrets of it still lay hidden. When the time came around to go to school, Kei was sent to London, to a prestigious all girls school. She boarded there and only came home over certain holidays periods. Given some of the best awards in her school for her extremely high achievement, Kei found that she had abilities to learn vast amounts of knowledge and retain them easily. After completing grade school and high school, Kei was offered a scholarship to Oxford university, and there she studied history. Her goal was to become an archaeologist of sorts and an expert on ancient and medievil history, as well as their myths. [B]Weapons or skills [/B] (if any): Control over the six elements - earth, fire, water, air, light, darkness. She is the reincarnate of Merlin remember.[/color][/size]

OOC: So sorry I haven't posted. Been sick, had storms that knocked out powers for days and university finals in a week. Me = FREAKED OUT! [color=#CC0099][size=1]The vampire Lord had left them in the room without no one inside, but more than likely someone guarding them from the outside. It didn't matter really. The two were too weak to do much, let alone fight. A lower vampire had come on the Lord's orders and brought the two meals of bread, butter, meat and water and a blanket. Tegan drank a glass of water from the jug before wrapping Katima up in the blanket, her wounds slowly healing. " You're too stubborn for your own good," Tegan sighed as he gently laid her head on a pillow. He could see Katima's lips curve into a small smile and looked as though she was going to retort but thought better of it. " You're lucky Katima.... You shouldn't have provoked him like that." [i]It's not like I had anything to tell him anyway. I wanted to get some answers out of him. Like why did he want us? Guess I failed pretty miserably.[/i] Tegan snorted. He could feel what she was trying to say. A twin thing. " Anyway, do you think you could drink?" [i]I suppose so.[/i] " Here's some water then," Tegan said after he grabbed his refilled glass. He gently tilted Katima's head up to see her eyes half openand her lips part. He carefully dribbled the water down her throat, making sure she swallowed and took as much as she could drink. [i]That's enough.[/i] Tegan put down the glass, it chinking slighty on the wooden floor of the room. " Do you think you can eat?" [i]Give me about half an hour. You eat. It smells good.[/i] " You sure?" [i]Go for it. You need your strength.[/i] Nodding, Tegan picked up the food and started to eat. It wasn't much but neither of them had eaten since they left the Manor in England so anything they received was welcomed. Katima now had her eyes open, looking around. She felt a big stronger. Sitting up, she looked over at Tegan who finished his meal with a long gulp of water. She was grateful that he saved her, but telling Malik where the others were, she would have died before she had done that. But if she was in the same position that Tegan was in, she would have done the same so that he could be saved. Downstairs, Katima could hear the scuffles of fighting. Fighting? Between the ranks? Or did the others escape. She hoped with all her heart for the latter and that they would escape this fortress and leave her and Tegan behind. But, she had the sinking feeling that they were trying to save the two. She wanted them to escape, to go back to Kalei, wherever she was now.[/color][/size]

OOC: Sorry about the delay peoples. Been sick, had storms that wiped out power for a few days, and have university finals in one week. Me = FREAKED OUT! Anyway... moving along.... [size=1][color=#0066FF][b]Day 2[/b] Reza awoke to the slight swaying of a boat. Sunlight came down on her brightly as she opened her eyes to another cloudless summer's day. She sat up slowly, looking out onto the crystal blue ocean. What happened? Oh... that's right. She, Rain, Richard and TJ had helped the people out at Roscale Village before meeting each other down on the beach. Rain had said something about this was why she hated poke`mon, because they killed people. She shouted it out at the top of her lungs, frightening the other three from her sudden outburst. Then she wandered off in the ruins. Reza, Richard and TJ talked amongst themselves about what they should do next, what city they should go to, while they awaited Rain's return. When she did return, they told the three of them about the supposed connection between Alex and Team Magma of the Hoenn Region. This shocked everyone. Had he been playing them all? For their legendaries? Reza became serious about this. They would have to watch him, as she said, and not turn their backs on him. Even though he was good-natured before they found out this, Reza couldn't help but wonder if this was all an act. After this, they made their way around the island, trying to find someone to take them to RazorSurf City, as they had planned to go. It wasn't until late night that they found a trawler, that had stoppd off at the ruined village to help with supplies, that would take them to RazorSurf. They left three hours past midnight. Reza had made sure they were well out of sigh before she left out Storm and Vicious. She told Storm to keep out of sight of the boat and to come back into the ball the minute the sun rose, which he did. Now Vicious swam happily alongside the fishing trawler that was heading back to its base in RazorSurf. Rain was sitting at the bow of the boat, her feet dabbling in the water, Celebi floating around her. TJ was sitting next to Reza with Suicine looking at the water below them, obviously talking to Vicious. His Typhlosion was curled up at his and Reza's feet. Richard was on the other side of Reza, still wrapped up in his blanket, looking over the water behind them. Rayquaza was either in his ball or very high above them dancing in the clouds with his long snake-like body. " Morning everyone," Reza said as she stretched, careful not to hit anyone in the process. " Morning Reza," Richard and TJ said together. Reza patted Typhlosion on the head softly before standing up. " Where's Rain?" Richard pointed towards the front of the boat. Reza thanked him and carefully walked up to the bow, saying good morning to all the sailors as she passed them. Taking her seat beside Rain, Reza took off her shoes and dangled her feet in the cool water. The main continent of Kaijin was coming more and more into view. " We'll be there soon," Reza said, looking at the approaching land. Rain stayed silent, just looking at the water pass underneath her feet. Celebi didn't look too happy about her trainer's silence. " Just think of it this way Rain, not all poke`mon are like Kageryn. That thing.... stole my parents away from me. You aren't the only one who has lost someone from poke`mon. Imagine all those people in Rodscale. Most of them would have lost someone from a poke`mon. You aren't the only one." With that, Reza made her way to the back of the boat to gather her things, ready for landing.[/color][/size] OOC: Everyone make your way to RazorSurf. On the way, have poke`mon battles, quarrels within the group, whatever you want. But get to RazorSurf eventually. This is where we will face our first Gym Leader. Get ready for it!! Oh, and Team Magma isn't the major 'evil' group in Kaijin. I have a different idea for this. So Brooklyn, don't get too carried away with the idea. If you have any questions about this, PM me and I'll tell you what I'm planning.

OOC: Sorry I haven't been on. Been sick and haven't had credit for the net. Oh... and DC, I have a bone to pick with you girl. [color=DarkGreen][size=1]Raven wondered who Kariz was implying. Was she meaning the angels, or was she rounding back onto the subject of Rubedo? Every time Raven though of him her heart ached and her fists clenched. Nothing but anger filled her mind, trying to shut out the pain. Absent-mindedly looking out of the window, Raven looked at the clouds that sailed beneath them. It was dawning, almost time for them to land. The scenery of Britain started to flutter by underneath the plane as it descended. Green rolling hills, high rocky cliffs, brown sandy beaches. She leant her head on the cold glass. Kariz was beside her, looking at the back of the seat in front of her. What were they going to do now? Did Zane meet with Ima yet or are they both wandering around Britain, sensing each other, but constantly moving so one would never find the other? Or was Ima avoiding Zane? Or did something happen? Her ears popped as the plane descended so they could see the details of the cars that lined the streets in the outer suburbs of London. The airport came into view as a slight bump and a great rushing sound signalled that the plane had landed. Ten minutes later, Kariz and Raven were at baggage claim, picking up their luggage. They would have to check in again for the flight to Athens. But before that, they needed to meet up with Ima and Zane, if Zane had found her by then. As they walked outside, Raven turned to Kariz and gave a small smile. " Kariz, I told Zane that we'd meet at this particular hotel - " Raven handed Kariz a pamphlet for a hotel. " - Take a car with our luggage and meet him and his companion there." " What? You're not coming?" Raven shook her head. " There's.... something I have to do." Kariz looked shrewdly at Raven, trying to gauge what Raven was implying. But once she saw that Raven's face had become as emotionless as Rubedo's once was, she simply nodded and walked to one of the car hire company booths. Watching Kariz's back fade into the crowd, Raven turned and walked straight towards a booth for security. Upon confronting whomever was the attendee, Raven showed them her AIS ID. They nodded and beckoned her to follow them out to a parking lot. She browsed over the selections of vehicles before she stopped at a black and silver motorcycle. A smile spread on her lips. [center]=======================================[/center] [b]Half an hour later...[/b] Raven was weaving through stand-still traffic at a phenomanal rate. This was completely exhilarating. She remembered.... doing this before she met that Guardian with the bronze-red hair. [i]Athens.... Raven was on her motorcycle, weaving through traffic easily. The rain was coming down thick and fast. Lightning streaked the sky. Thunder rumbled its low growl. The exhilaration of this stunt ran through Raven's body. It was the best feeling in the world.[/i] Smiling, Raven wondered what things would be like if she had never met Rubedo or the other Zodiac. She wouldn't have learned how to kill demons, or morph into her animal form. She wouldn't have met Zane or Ima or Kariz, or the others that are in Heaven. She wouldn't have seen Morocco or Japan. And she would have been stuck trying to be a hero in the AIS, instead of being a hero as a Zodiac. Hero.... That word brought back memories. [i]" Delta....no heroics...." She smiled. Walking over to the gentlemen, she swiftly pulled her gun from inside her thigh and aimed it at the gentlemen at the table. " Freeze!! This is the AIS! Hands where I can see them!" she shouted at them. Unbeknowst to everyone in the courtyard, it had been outposted by four other officers of the AIS (Athenian Investigation Squad) and aimed their weapons at the three gentlemen. All three stood. One boldly put on a smirk and stepped towards Raven. " Stay where you are dirt-bag!" Raven said maliciously. The man grinned. " You may have a weapon my dear, but there is three against one here." " I'd like to see you try," Raven provoked, predicting what they were going to try. Two seconds, and they jumped towards her. Raven roundhoused one, sending him to the ground. While she performed the kick, she unsheathed one of her Viper blades hidden in her dress. Whirling herself upright, she held the blade under one of the men's necks and the gun to the forehead of the other, stopping them in their tracks. " I told you I'd like to see you try," Raven said over the approaching noise of police sirens. 15 minutes later, the three Italians were being herded into the back of a paddywagon. Raven sat at her table, eating her salad and watching her colleages take the smugglers away. A darkly skinned man suddenly sat down at her table. Raven swallowed the food that was in her mouth. " We should come here more often Chief. The food is really good." The Chief looked rather unamused. " Raven. I specifically remember telling you that there was to be no heroics." Raven started at him, looking innocently blank. " That wasn't heroic. That was just doing my job."[/i] That was the day before that bronze-red haired Guardian and her met. Rubedo.... [i]The doorbell tinkled as a stranger walked in. Raven immediately noticed this. She sensed.....power. Nathan and the Chief kept talking about the assassinations and the consequences. Raven's eyes followed a bronze-haired man over to the bar. He seemed silent, but full of wrath. Darkness surrounded him and followed him wherever he moved. His eyes told of a torn soul - torn between loyalties. Walking over near the bar, she passed the customers who sat on the stools that faced the bar. The man with the power aura was drinking. The closer she drew near him, the more she smelt death - the horrid reeking stench of it. Raven's senses sharpened intensely as she set a small zap through into the man's cup. When he picked it up next, it jolted him. Raven's eyes turned neon yellow. He whirled around to see her walking out a side door.[/i] Torn between loyalties.... does he still feel that way? Then why did he side with Reoan? Reoan isn't the bad guy in all of this, is she? A blearing horn caught Raven's attention as she swerved to miss the car she was heading straight towards. A relieved sigh escaped her lips. That was lucky. Continuing on the thought pattern of Rubedo, Raven questioned whether Rubedo would still care for the person she is now or the person she was. She remembered that she used to be chirpy and sarcastic, and always mad at him for stupid things, but never staying angry at him, always forgiving him in the end. Now, all she could do was curse him for what he had done to her. She had become cold and serious, losing all the spunk and the cheer she used to possess. Sighing, Raven realised that Rubedo mightn't even recognise her anymore. She had dyed her hair a green colour and let it grown long. It fluttered around the edge of the black helmet she wore. Her body had matured a bit more too. She had been working out more and gained more strength. Racing around the streets of London, Raven felt more self-assured than she had in a long time. All the hurt and sorrow she had endured, that she and Zane had endured, she knew it was going to make them better people, even though it was so painful to think about those things.[/color][/size] [center]=============================================================[/center] [color=Navy][size=1]Zane smiled at Ima as the sun started to set. " Yes Ima... there was a plane... remember.... it was attacked by demons... and you tried to hold the plane up with your air powers... and that's why I let water trickle down your temples...." " I ... remember that...." Ima whispered. " I... remember." Zane stood now. He looked down at Ima smiling. " Would you like to come with me to meet some other Zodiac? The others that want to meet you, to make sure you're ok?" Ima didn't know what to say. She just nodded. Zane took her hand and patted it softly. " It's all right. I'm going to take you to your best friend now."[/color][/size]

[color=#CC0099][size=1][i]Sunlight pierced the thin curtains that covered the window above Katima. Opening her eyes slowly, Katima sat up. Something.... wasn't right. The first thing she noticed was that her hair had flowed over her shoulders. It was longer that she had remembered it to be. The next thing she noticed was that she lay in a bed. This bed... it was familar. Looking around the room, Katima saw things that were also familar to her, but she just couldn't pick it. Then she looked above her. There was another bed. It all came back to her. This was her and Tegan's room when they were young. She remembered now. There was a slight lump in the bed above her as it moved. Tegan... Tegan was still in bed. She quickly looked at her hands. They were the hands of a 15-year-old. Searching for a mirror, Katima threw the covers off her and walked around the small room. Every now and then she picked up items, looked at them and then put them back down. She could hear Tegan rolling over in his sleep, muttering something. Katima fought down the childish instinct to giggle at Tegan. She wondered why she was back in this body, in this time. Was.... was there something to learn from being back here? At that moment, Tegan sat up from his bed and rubbed his eyes, opening the curtains with his free hand. Light flooded the room. Katima cursed. " Tegan, how many times have I told you I can't stand sunlight first thing in the morning!" she said before she could stop herself. Tegan turned to her, his eyes widening. " How many times have I told you not to get out bed naked!!" he said, quickly shutting his eyes. Katima quickly covered herself in a robe. That was right. She used to sleep naked but be the first to rise and get dressed, never beng caught by Tegan. " For God sakes," he continued, " you're fifteen! Surely you wouldn't like it if I walked around naked." Katima could feel herself blush as she escaped into the bathroom with her school clothes in hand. That's right. Tegan and her went to the normal high-school nearby. Kalei said it was because they had to be educated as well as feel and seem normal. As Katima showered, she wondered why she couldn't control many of her body's movements in this time. She had been able to control it when no one knew she was awake. Now, Tegan knew she was up and around. She was now a spectator to what was going to happen today. Once dressed and groomed, Katima went back into her and her brother's room to find him stumbling out the door to breakfast. She packed her bag, putting it on her back, and followed her brother downstairs to the kitchen where he was sleepily making toast. Katima placed her bag on one of the living room chairs before entering the kitchen to make herself some tuna, avocado and cheese toast. When Tegan saw was she was doing, he screwed up his nose. " Katima, that's disgusting!" " What? It's good for you. Brain food." " Brain food my ass." " Tegan..." " What?" " Your toast is burning." " Shit!" The smke detector went off. Tegan hastily took the burning toast out of the toast as Katima flagged away the smoke. But it was too late. They heard a loud thump from upstairs and then footsteps coming down the stairwell. Kalei soon appeared in her sleeping clothes, with very messy hair, on the landing. " Why's the smoke alarm going off?" she asked, seeming rather dazed from being rudely awakened. " Tegan burnt his toast. It's ok. Go back to bed," Katima said, taking her breakfast out of the griller. Kalei looked at both of them before returning upstairs. Tegan and Katiam both breathed a sigh. " We're lucky," Tegan sighed. " Yeah. Lucky she wasn't in a bad mood." " Yeah." " Well it was your fault." " Heh..." Tegan scratched his head innocently. Before long the two were ready and off to school. It was a couple blocks walk from their house to the school they attended. They made their way up the steps to the school and to their lockers. Maths was first up. Katima flicked her hair over her shoulder as she looked in her locker for the right books. A wolf-whistle echoed in the hall. Katima ignored it. A few giggling girls passed behind her. Katima poked her head out of her locker and watched them eye Tegan's back, and more importantly, his behind. Growling, Katima slammed shut her locker, giving the girls a death glare. They hurried away. " I'm never going to pick up chicks with you like that," Tegan said, exasperated. He leant against his locker, glaring at any boys who passed Katima, staring at her figure as well. " And I'm never going to get a boyfriend with you doing that. Anyway, those humans aren't worth your time." " Keep your voice down." " What? Just because we're different Tegan." " It's because we ARE different that we have to keep our voices down." Katima hated how Tegan was always right. Flicking her hair over her shoulder, she stalked off to class, fuming. Later that aftenoon, the two returned home to Kalei pacing around the room on the phone. The noise of the door closing brought her attention to the two who had entered. Quickly, Kalei finished her phone call and walked over to the two who were now raiding the refridgerator for something to eat. " We need to talk," Kalei said rather seriously. Tegan and Katima looked up from the fridge. This was serious. All three sat at the table. Katima looked from Tegan, who shrugged, to Kalei, who had a stern look on her face. Kalei sighed before beginning. " Now... you two... you both know that you are special. You abilities have progressed further than I had expected. Now... I need both of you to be stronger than ever..." " What's happened Kalei?" Tegan interrupted. Kalei sighed again, this one seemed painful though. " There's been an attack. Most of our comrades... didn't make it." Katima gasped. Tegan looked shocked. " But how? Why?" " We don't know, but the vampires certainly had their information correct this time." " No..." Katima whispered. " But... what I wanted to talk to you about was that.... Katima, I am making you my second-in-command." " What!" both Tegan and Katima said, standing up simultaneously. " Calm down..." Kalei started but was interrupted by both of them. " You can't be serious Kalei... me... your second-in-command...." " How can Katima be your second-in-command! She's too young... she's not experienced enough..." " QUIET BOTH OF YOU!!" The two fell silent and sat back down. Kalei looked at them sternly, containing her anger well. " The reason I have chose Katima is because she is young. The enemy won't expect me to do this. Tegan... you are Katima's brother.... protect her. And me."[/i] Katima felt herself being thrown into something hard. Her mind was suddenly abuzz with memory and remembrance. That was the day she and Tegan had chosen to become the people they were now. They had changed so dramatically that Katima wondered if they were, deep down, the same people as back then. When she heard Malik ask about what they were, she wondered if Kalei had a double meaning for the word 'special'. Back then, sure, they knew they were Wakanda. But.... was there something more? Groggily, Katima moved her head to Tegan's shoulder, to show him that she was still breathing. For now.[/color][/size] OOC: Sorry for the ridiciously long post.

[color=#CC0099][size=1]Blood. Katima felt it ooze out of her mouth as a rough hand caught her head and started moving it around. She felt a smirk come from this person who was looking at her, shoving her head around in all directions. Suddenly, her senses came back and she quickly bit whoevers hand was man-handling her. A surprised growl eminated from above her as they moved away, holding their hand. Trying to focus at the person in front of her, she realised that the room was dark, spare a couple of candles that lay on a small table beside the chair this person now sat in. It took a while before her eyes adjusted when Katima let out a threatening growl. She remembered where she was. This person in front of her must be Malik. A smirk crossed her lips. She was glad she had bitten him - some of his own medicine. His dark glistening eyes shone from across the room. " Brave girl..." he growled, the wound on his hand healing quickly. " You would be a good vampire Wakanda." Katima wished her head would stop swimming. She was trying to concentrate on the figure of Malik in front of her. Realising that she was sitting on a couch, and with Tegan unconscious beside her, Katima spoke up. " So.... your Lordship..." She said these words with particular venom. " What will you be wishing from us?" " Us.... you use us as if you two are one.... ah, I understand now... you are twins. Yes, I can see the resemblences now," Malik spoke calmly, but with a hint of hidden threat. Katima's eyes narrowed. Their normal pink-red colour was turning ever so slowly into blood red. She wasn't bound in any way, but she wasn't a fool enough to attack the Master of the vampires, even though the invitation was tempting. " Your blood... it smells quite different..." Malik said, sniffing the air as Katima hastily wiped it away from her mouth at this comment. " I bet you say that to all the girls...." Katima snarled. Malik chuckled. " You're a fiesty one. Have no doubt that I would not hesitate to suck you dry. But you have other uses. Such as.... the whereabouts of your leader, Kalei." Katima laughed out aloud, surprising Malik with her outburst. " You really think I'm just going to tell you? What if I didn't know?" " Ohhhh... but you do. There are many ways how to get information." " I bet there are." " You are arrogant girl." " You can't say much yourself, Malik. Such as you insist on calling me girl, where I could very well kill you. You don't know the extent of my powers, nor my brother's." Malik smiled. " You mustn't have much power if you both came in here looking like... well... the dead." Katima growled and stood threateningly, although her body was screaming for her to stop. It couldn't take much more punishment, but her mind willed it on. Malik stood too, a definite smirk upon his lips. She strode over to him, blood still trickling from her mouth. Confronting Malik, her eyes showed she wasn't scared. [i]She should be[/i], Malik thought to himself. Then, something happened. Making the motion to slap Malik, Katima summoned some of her dark-fire and planned to plant her flaming hand straight on his cheek. However, Malik had other ideas. He lent his head back, allowing the slap to swipe his cheek, causing a scratch. Blood oozed out of it as his eyes grew angry. Katima was on the recoil and was going to backhand him when he caught her by the wrist. She struggled against his physical might, but there was no way she could beat him in mere physical strength. Malik snarled, crushing her wrist with his bare hand. Katima cried out in pain before being thrown to the floor with such force her head smacked against the stone. On all fours, she brought her head up, seeing the blood splatter on the stone where her head had hit it. A swift kick aimed at her stomach connected. Katima was thrown across the room, colliding with a wall. She slumped down it, blood trickling from her forehead, and her mouth. She clutched at her stomach, a grimace on her face. It felt like he had broken some of her ribs. It was getting increasingly difficult to breathe. Malik towered over her. He then crouched and roughly grasped her chin in his hand, a sneer crossing his lips. " Where is Kalei?" Katima coughed and smiled. " Not telling...." Malik slapped her and then backhanded her. " Tell me where she is." Over on the couch, Tegan was stirring.[/color][/size]

[color=DarkGreen][size=1]Raven nodded. She was glad that Kariz agreed to come back to Greece with her. It would mean one more for the fight for balance. However, the news that Rubedo had joined Rubedo in her fight had shocked Raven more than the news that Kariz didn't kill Reoan when she had the chance. But Raven never thought that killing Reoan would bring balance. It was far more complicated than that. " Our flight is two hours away. It will take us about half an hour to get to the airport. I suggest we leave now." Kariz nodded, trying to read what Raven was thinking. She had indeed changed over the past two years, but then, so had she. But what had happened between her and Rubedo? Had they seen each other over the two years? Or did he just disappear into thin air, not giving Raven any notice of when he'd be back? It must have been hard. But Kariz had had a rough time too these last two years. Raven got to her feet, leaving money for the cheque. Kariz stood and followed her outside into the bone-chilling wind. Wrapping her coat around her tightly, Raven called a cab and got in, Kariz getting in on the other side. Soon enough, they were on their way to the airport. [center]==========================================[/center] Two and half hours later, Raven and Kariz sat next to each other on a Boeing 747, heading for Hethrow Airport in London. They had to catch a connecting flight to Athens. Raven was hoping that she could meet Zane and Ima in the airport. She hadn't told Kariz about Ima, just in case things didn't turn out right. They were good friends when they first started fighting. Hopefully.... hopefully... things would turn out ok. " So," Raven started, turning her head slightly towards Kariz, not taking her eyes off the in-flight movie, " What have you been doing these past two years?"[/color][/size] OOC: Tag Astdis

[size=1][color=#0066FF][b]Day 1[/b] The feeling of warm sand squished underneath her feet made Reza feel slightly warmer. The sun had come out from behind the now non-existent clouds. All the clouds had disappeared, just as Kageryn had. Reza didn't realise how long she must have been in the water.... or was this Kageryn's calling card? Just appear out of nowhere, wipe something out, and then disappear as quickly as it came. The thought of the huge poke`mon caused Reza to have shivers down her spine. Storm was soaring above her happily, looking out for any sign of the others she had sailed with. Reza was really getting worried. Where were they? Could it have been possible that most of them had drowned? No... it couldn't be. Their legendary poke`mon wouldn't permit it. She kept to the beach, walking towards... well, she didn't know where she was going. Hopefully it was in the direction of Rodscale. " [i]Reza... I've found something...[/i]" Storm said. Reza didn't like his tone of voice. " What is it Storm?" " [i]Nearby, there is a smoke stack in the sky. Check your map... I have a bad feeling that it's Rodscale.[/i]" Reza pulled out the map of Kaijin and, as Storm said, Rodscale was very nearby. Storm fluttered down beside Reza and looked at the map. " [i]Yes... it's Rodscale...[/i]" " That means...." " [i]That Kageryn destroyed Rodscale.[/i]" She gasped. That thing was so huge... it was no wonder that the little village didn't stand any chance against it. " Storm... is Kageryn that powerful?" " [i]You should know Reza... how powerful that poke`mon is... it took your parents and their friends to defeat it before...[/i]" It took a while for Reza to come back to her senses. Kageryn was back... and as powerful as ever. He had begun his wave of destruction once again, starting with Rodscale Village. She looked up and saw the smoke stack rising into the air. " I hope no one was hurt..." " [i]Don't hope too much Reza...[/i]" Hoping onto Storm's back, he took her to the now ruined village. They landed on the beach and Reza dismounted. The carnage was almost too much for her to bear. Most of the houses were smouldering. People were running around, helping the injured, putting out fires. Storm looked apprehensively at these people. " [i]Reza... I think I'd better get in my poke`ball. I may not be welcome here.[/i]" " Good idea." Reza unclipped Storm's poke`ball, a silver and white one, from her belt and summoned him back. She clipped the poke`ball back onto her belt, Storm now alongside Vicious, her newest member of her team. Dodging various bits of debris, Reza made her way into the centre square where there were a few Machoke and Donphan pushing bits of debris into a pile and a two or three Wartortles heling put out the first. She looked around desperately, trying to see if she knew any of these people. There was one face in the crowd of people that looked familar. " Rain!" Rain swirled around at the call of her name. The obvious absence of Celebi made Reza realise that the legendary poke`mon knew they weren't welcome here. Was is because of them that Kageryn was called out? Reza walked up to her quickly, a smile on her face. " Good to see you!" Reza said, " I was starting to get worried that none of the others had survived." Rain gave Reza a small smile. " Lucky for..." Reza knew she was going to say something but left it. " Anyway," Reza said, " we should look for the others. It'd be nice to find someone else." Rain nodded and the two walked down to the beach where Reza and Storm landed before. Looking around, they saw a familar figure approach them from their right hand side.[/color][/size] OOC: Tag Kayin!

[size=1][color=#0066FF][b]Day 1[/b] Reza felt nothing. Everything was dark. Her body was numb to the outside world. The last thing she remembered was swirling in the dark waters of the sea after being washed overboard. Kageryn's mad gleaming eyes suddenly popped into her mind and sh felt her body shiver with fear. Then, she felt the most curious feeling. Water started to rush pash her at a quickening pace. It was like she was being pulled along by something. Reza knew she was in the sea, deep beneath the surface. Did Storm dive into the water to rescue her? No, that couldn't be in. The body underneath her didn't feel warm, not like Storm's did when they swam together. This was a curious feeling. What was this body beneath her? Reza's body suddenly realised she needed oxygen. She was still far below the surface, groggy and muddled. Covering her mouth, she tried to call Storm to her with no success. Whoever or whatever was underneath her seemed to have got the idea that she needed air and quickly swam to the surface. They broke it, Reza taking in a huge gulp of air, coughing and spluttering the water out of her lungs. She realised that she was in the shallows of a nearby island. Sliding off the back of what she was on, Reza fumbled her way to the beach, collapsing onto the warm sand. Darkness once again took her. [center]=============================================[/center] Soft nudging awoke Reza. She looked up to find Storm's concerned face looking down at her. Sitting up, Reza looked around. In the shallows just beyond the beach, she saw a Magikarp swimming around in circles. " Why is a Magikarp there?" Reza asked Storm. Sotmr ruffled his wings a little. " [i]It seems that it saved you,[/i]" Storm said a little grumpily. " Jealous are we?" Reza asked, standing up, brushing the sand off her. Storm just gave a big huff. Reza smiled and walked down the beach to the Magikarp who swam up to her. " Thank you my friend," Reza said to it. It nudged her leg lovingly. She smiled down at it. " Do... do you want to come with me on an adventure?" It looked up at her and gave a nod. Reza fumbled through her sopping wet backpack to find an empty Poke`ball. She turned to the Magikarp, opening the Poke`ball. With a flash of blinding white light, Magikarp entered the ball and closed the top. There was no struggle of a normal capture. This one was willing to join Reza and Storm. Smiling, Reza walked back up the beach to Storm who looked mildly surprised at her decision to 'catch' this Magikarp. He looked at Reza as she looked around the beach then towards the forest growth after the sand. " [i]Why did you catch a Magikarp? Aren't those things worthless poke`mon?[/i]" Storm wondered. " It saved me Storm. I'm not going to let a poke`mon with that sort of loyalty and companionship slip through my fingers. Plus, he'll evolve into a Gyrados - a poke`mon that I want in my eventual party," Reza explained. " [i]What are you going to call him? It is a him.[/i]" " Hmm.... well, if he evolves into a Gyrados.... I'll guess I'll call him Vicious." " [i]Sounds good to me.[/i]" With that, Reza and Storm set out to find the others.[/color][/size]

[b][u][center]Spirit of A Samurai[/center][/u][/b] [size=1]? CLASS, BE QUIET!? Mr Mathews yelled furiously at his History class. Everyone stopped talking except one girl who kept talking to her friend beside her. Today they had taken an excursion to the museum to get some hands-on experience with actual artefacts. It was a rare chance when the class actually got out of their classroom of Brisbane?s most prestige, co-educational high school, Grammar Metro. ? NATALIE TAYLOR!? Mr Mathews warned the talking girl with a raised voice. Natalie stopped talking immediately, her dark orange eyes now on the museum guide, Mr Anderson. Her hip-length, raven-black plaited hair flipped side to side as her head turned. Her body was fairly well built with a little muscle. Her stance was like a fighter?s; her head held high, her limbs ready to fly into action at any instant and a smooth, fluid walk. Mr Anderson sighed with relief. ? Thank you. Now, as I was trying to say, we?ll be moving onto the new exhibit on Feudal Japan,? Mr Anderson said as he walked into the gallery where artefacts of that era were displayed proudly. ? Oh yeah, finally the good bit,? Natalie whispered to herself. She loved Feudal Japan because of samurai warriors. She was fascinated about the way they lived, their moral codes and most importantly of all, their fighting style. Mr Anderson led the class over to a display of a samurai sword. Natalie felt drawn to the sword so she moved to the front of the class. Mr Anderson positioned himself beside the sword. ? Now, as you have already guessed this is a samurai?s sword, or more formally known as a katana. It belonged to a legendary female samurai. Mystery surrounds this sword and its wielder. However we have found one piece of writing that describes this infamous warrior. It goes like this: [INDENT][i]The Tigress Samurai was a renowned and feared manslayer. She was a unique swordswoman. Her style was unlike any other ever seen. It was the combination of the best characteristics of every style she witnessed. She kept improving and eventually became the most known, and feared, swordsperson of her time. Her nickname was a testament to the way she dispensed with her opponents. Like a tiger that preyed solely on humans, once she had the taste of blood on her blade in battle, she was ruthless. She was also believed to be a sorceress as she could command fire and thunder at will.[/i][/INDENT] This is the sword she wielded during the Revolution. Many died at her hands. We found the sword while excavating one of the battlefields of that era. It seems the Tigress Samurai discarded it after the final battle of the Revolution. Other than that, we know nothing about her,? Mr Anderson said. The class was completely captured by the legend - Natalie even more so. She felt like she could relate to this Tigress Samurai in so many ways. She looked at the sword, carefully scanning over the details of the make of the sword. Japanese symbols were engraved flawlessly into the steel blade. A tiger?s head with its mouth open, as if it was roaring, was forged where the blade met the handle. Natalie moved as close as she could to the sword as her class dispersed throughout the museum, leaving her by herself. She looked around to check if anyone was looking. The coast was clear so Natalie grasped the handle of the sword. With an unsuspecting, powerful force, Natalie was thrown backwards, the sword still grasped in her hand. She skidded along the floor and finally stopped at the doorway to the exhibit. Natalie looked at the floor, her vision a bit blurred, and rubbed the back of her head. ? Ow! Geez that hurt!? she mumbled to herself. Her vision cleared and she looked up. Sitting opposite her, a girl, wearing a traditional Japanese robe, rubbed the back of her head. The girl stood up. Natalie had to blink twice to make sure she wasn?t having a dream because the girl was see through. Natalie sat there frozen. The girl looked around with a strange expression on her face. ? Where am I?? she said to herself. She looked around then straight at Natalie. Natalie felt a prickling sensation slide up her back as she realised that the girl had exactly the same colour eyes she had. Natalie looked at the girl more closely. Everything about her was exactly the same as her. The way she held herself, her appearance, her tone in her voice, everything. Natalie stood up and confronted the girl. They both looked at each other as if they were standing in front of a mirror. ? This is really weird,? Natalie said, looking the girl up and down. ? Yes it is. Definitely strange,? the girl replied. She poked Natalie on the shoulder. Natalie expected the girl to pass right through her but she felt the jab. She jumped. The girl recoiled her hand quickly. ? Are you a ghost?? Natalie asked out of pure shock. Her body was slightly shaking. ? A ghost? No. I am a spirit,? the girl replied. ? Who are you?? Natalie asked, not believing she was talking to a spirit. The girl looked very strange in her traditional Japanese robe. ? I am Riyo Murakami. Otherwise known as the Tigress Samurai,? Riyo replied. Natalie?s eyes widened so much that she thought her eyeballs would fall out. ? So you?re the Tigress Samurai?? Natalie asked in awe. ? Yes I am. Is it so hard to believe?? ? Yeah! You lived over a hundred years ago!? ? That does present a problem. So I am dead? Fascinating. Obviously I have been awakened from my slumber for some reason.? ? This is so weird. Here I am talking to the best samurai ever. Wow. I wish I were a samurai. The magnificent blades you wield?? Riyo smiled. ? You have recovered from your shock. I seem to have a connection with you. Yet I know you not. You awakened me. You are my successor then.? ? What! No way!? ? Yes. Look at us. We are identical. I see the warrior spirit in your eyes. You are my successor. What is your name?? ? Natalie Taylor. Hang on, that?s not my real name but call me that.? ? Natalie, I do not know why you have summoned me and by the expression on your face, you do not know yourself.? ? You?ve got that right.? A voice thundered through the corridors of the museum. ? NATALIE TAYLOR!? ? Uh oh. I?m in trouble. Better catch up,? Natalie said. ? Natalie, I will always be with you from now on,? Riyo replied as she disappeared into thin air. Natalie watched this with a shocked look on her face but recovered. She sighed heavily. ? What a day,? she mumbled to herself and ran off to join her class.[/size] OOC: Of course there is more to come. I am just unable to find the pieces of paper I've written it on. :animeswea

[size=1][INDENT]? Elena? Elena! Wake up dear child! It is just a nightmare!? an old voice said to her. Elena opened her eyes and sat bolt upright. A cold sweat beaded all over her body. She sat there, the sheet covered her scantily clad body, shaking uncontrollably. An old wizened man with a long pure-white beard and a crooked nose sat at the end of her bed, holding an elegant white staff in his hand. ? Another one?? he asked sympathetically. His voice was very strong and powerful for a man his age. Elena brushed her long black hair out of her face, revealing her strong silver eyes. ? This one was stronger. I saw the boy?s face. Emerald green eyes and dark brown hair,? she said timidly, holding the sheet up to her chin. ? He caught fire. A ball of flame from a black wyvern engulfed him. He screamed and I woke up,? Elena said. ?Azalan, why do these images haunt me so?? ? I don?t know Elena,? Azalan replied. He didn?t sound as though he was telling the truth. The door to Elena?s bedroom swung open abruptly and a small silver-scaled body about the size of a medium dog, with scaly wings, raced to Elena and jumped up onto her. Elena hugged this reptile-like creature. ? Scythe, where have you been?? Elena asked her silver dragon. ? Azalan was letting me fly around in the kitchen so I couldn?t disturb you,? the dragon said. ? Elena, when can I go back to my normal form? This body is so small.? Elena looked at Azalan then at her partner. ? Today Scythe. It?s been too long since you?ve been your normal self,? Elena said, getting out of bed. Scythe jumped around happily. ? I wish you were able to stay at your grown size. Then we wouldn?t have to walk everywhere.? Azalan stood up, his black wizarding robes fluttering out behind him. ? I?m sorry, but ScytheWing?s normal size would cause mass chaos. There aren?t many dragons around these days my dear Elena. Even at his present size, ScytheWing is still feared.? Elena sighed. This was very true. Dragons were the most feared creatures in all of Galatea, the world Elena and Azalan lived in. Most dragons were vicious and untameable, attacking livestock and humans alike. However, there were a select few that helped humans along. These were old dragons, used to the ways of the Dragon Speakers and Dragon Lore. But, all the known Dragon Speakers had been wiped out in the war against Ilthia, except for one. Dragon Speakers were people born with the gift to speak to dragons. These people were highly regarded in the ways of the Celebrynn people. The king, Orion; the queen, Lillyana; and the prince, Kai, hold a festival each year to celebrate the ways of Dragon Lore so it is not to be forgotten. Unknown to the world as a Dragon Speaker, Elena - under the watchful eye of Azalan, the Royal Court?s Master of Magics and Head Chief of the Wizard Confederacy - had begun to learn the ways of Magic and of Dragon Speakers since she was very young. Now, she was journeying around the kingdom of Celebrynn to further her skills as a sorceress. Azalan left the room as Elena got herself dressed in her normal travelling clothes ? a pale beige shirt with forest green leggings and brown leather boots. Not the most fashionable of clothing, but it was comfortable enough for long journeying. As she sat down at the dresser to brush her hair, the images of the dream blurred through her mind. That boy was so familiar to her. He visited her often in her dreams, as a child or as an adolescent. So did the black wyvern. Elena shivered. She had studied Divination and the art of dreaming but, somehow, it felt like these things she had seen in her dreams, had happened before, like she was remembering them all over again. With a sigh, she lay down her brush on the dresser top. She looked herself in the mirror. Soft silver almond-shaped eyes looked back at her as her smooth long black hair tumbled over her shoulders. By the look of her eyes in her reflection, Elena knew she felt caged in this existence ? following Azalan around, gaining more and more skills as they travelled the kingdom of Celebrynn. Sometimes she wished she could just hop upon ScytheWing?s neck, in his full form, and fly away into the sky. But Elena knew she couldn?t do that. Over the years, she had picked up on things that Azalan and the people in Celebrynn have been saying. She was special in some ways ? so special that people even bowed to her in the streets. Apart from it being highly embarrassing, Elena always wondered why she was special. How was she special? In what ways? Was it because of ScytheWing? There were many questions to answer. That was the only reason that she remained on this pilgrimage ? to find answers to those questions.[/size][/INDENT]

[color=red][size=1]My boyfriend doesn't particularly like anime, but he watches it with me if he likes it. Like Naruto or One Piece, he doesn't mind. I'm fairly obsessed with anime, having my cupboard full of DVDs. But he's really patient with me because he knows it's what I want to do when I finish university.[/color][/size]

[size=1][color=#0066FF][b]Day 1[/b] Reza smiled. " He is a strange person isn't he? Famous too. I wonder if that's gone to his head." She looked up into the sky, looking at the cloudless vibrant azure sky. It was the most perfect day to start off their adventure. It was good to have such a good omen on their morning of departure. Storm glided happily above the boat. This was indeed a strange occurence. How many legendary poke`mon were on this boat? Was it just a coincidence that all of them had legendary poke`mon? Wouldn't it have seemed strange that all these poke`mon congrigated to Windsand Village? Reza had never thought about it like this before. Yes, it was very strange. But how did legendary poke`mon of other regions get here? There must be an answer. Her grandparents' letter came to her mind instantly. Rain watched Reza as she rummaged around in her backpack for the letter. After taking it out of the bag, Reza opened it and read the contents. Her eyes grew wide as she read it. This explained a lot of things - a lot of things indeed. A sudden rocking of the boat made Rain and Reza fall backwards into the boat. The sea had become all of the sudden rough. Sailors were calling to one another over the sound of the waves crashing against the boat. " What's happening?" TJ yelled out from the back of the boat. " KAGERYN!" one of the sailors yelled. Reza's head whipped up to the sky. Black storm clouds gathered around a small island in the distance. This was the source of the unruly body of water underneath the boat. In the sky was a giant figure of what looked like a skeletal dragon. However, Reza could clearly make out the red gleaming eyes of the legendary Chaos poke`mon as it turns its head towards the small boat, as if sensing the power of the other legendary poke`mon aboard. Immediately, Reza felt chills down her spines as the great gleaming red eyes scanned over her. She felt her heart skip a beat. So this is what fear felt like - the fear that Kageryn is able to spread through the hearts of people all over Kaijin. A great wave rose before them and crashed onto the boat, washing all manners of people and poke`mon into the rought sea. No one could have foreseen it. The force of the wave had knocked Reza clean off her feet. The dark waters swirled around her as she heard Storm's cries for Reza above the surface. Her body felt numb as darkness enveloped her vision.[/color][/size] OOC: Everyone has been knocked off the boat by the wave. Wash up on the island near Rodscale Village. If you are to capture any poke`mon during your journeys, make sure you post how you caught it. In my next post I'm going to be catching a Magikarp. From now on until the second gym, we'll be splitting up into groups. I will be sending everyone a PM with whose in who's group. If you do not receive this PM, email me or PM me, or say something in the underground thread. Thanks. AND INUYASHA FANDOM IS IN TAKUYA, BROOKLYN AND FOXTU78's GROUP!

[color=#CC0099][size=1]Being led through the dingy corridors of the dungeon, Katima's head ached even worse than before. It was foolish of her to have tried to fit a vampire in her condition, the two kicks to her making it especially difficult to stand, or even see clearly now. [i]Hind-sight is a marvelous gift[/i] Katima thought to herself. Two vampires supported her, her arms behind their shoulders as they lugged her and her twin brother up to the main part of what seemed to be a castle. Dizziness started to come over her. Katima was in the worst condition she had been in for a long time. Thing slid in and out of focus as she felt sick in the stomach. " How heavy can a girl be?" spat on of the vampires that supported Katima as she slumped again, unable to support any of her own weight any more. Her pink hair brushed their faces as her head kept bobbing up and down with the motion of walking. " I don't see why you are complaining when you have enough strength to rip her limp from limb," Alec snarled from behind them. " Why does the Master want with these two worthless Wakanda anyway?" one of the vampires who held Tegan questioned. " Have you ever questioned the Master's ways before? Stay quiet and get them to the room," Alec snapped. Katima could see that the great castle was in complete darkness. Curtains had been drawn across great windows to block out the sunlight of day. The world was spinning around her. She hoped that whoever this Master the vampires were speaking about, wasn't going to give her anymore punishment. However, she highly doubted this.[/color][/size] OOC: Sorry about the short post. Wondering what's going to happen mainly.

[color=Navy][size=1]Zane cast a look down at Ima. She was nothing like she was. The presence of the Zodiac's soul within her had greatly diminished, either from being hidden from anyone, or she had forgotten about its use. " Do...do I know you?" Ima asked, trying well hide the pain in her eyes. A frown creased her lips. Zane knelt in front of her, being a tall man, he could look at her perfectly in the eyes as she sat. " Ima..." was all that Zane said. He took off his purple-lensed sunglasses, wiping away a tear that started to trickle down his cheek. He was so happy that he had found another Zodiac - Raven and he would not be alone any longer. But there seemed to be one problem amongst all the happiness - Ima could not remember who or what she was. Zane was told by various hospital staff of Ima's condition. He had been counting on just his appearance to make her remember. However, it seemed that failed. He would have to resort to other means. The day was sunny and warm. Ima had chosen a good spot to sit in the park - under the shade of a large tree on a comfortable wooden bench. Zane moved to sit next to her, his brow furrowed in thought. Ima just stared at him, knowing that this man was so familiar to her, but she honestly couldn't remember. In fact, the harder she tried, the further away the answer seemed to get. In the playground before them, children played a game of swashbuckling pirates. Zane smiled a little as he thought that at least, the children retained their innocence and naivety to knowing what was going on around the world at this moment. [i]How should I do this? It has to be fairly subtle, because we are in the presence of other innocent people. Maybe...[/i] An idea sprouted into his mind. He turned to Ima whose face had softened a little, but he could feel her mind working on overtime. He smiled at her comfortingly. " Ima..." " Ima... was that my name?" Ima asked, wide-eyed. Zane nodded. " Yes... that is your name. Ima... I'm going to show you something - " " Are you someone I know?" Ima interrupted. Zane smiled and again nodded. " Yes. I am someone you know. You know that - you can feel it." Ima looked at her sketch book. There was a bear drawn on the page. Zane's gaze looked down and his eyes widened a little. [i]A bear...[/i] " Ima... why do you remember blue-jays and bears?" Zane asked. He already knew the answer to this, but he wanted to know if Ima knew the answer. [center]==============================================[/center][/color][/size] [color=DarkGreen][size=1]An hour after Raven's attack, she and Kariz sat in a diner. Raven sat on the opposite side of the table of Kariz, sipping a cup of espresso coffee. It was well made, the bitter taste a minimum. Kariz had eaten a hot warm meal slowly, gazing up at Raven every once in a while. Raven finished her coffee as Kariz swallowed the last piece of her meal. There was only silence between them. It had been two years since they had seen each other, even sensed each other's presence. The sounds of the busy diner echoed around them. Raven looked outside. It was a cold chilly day, even for summer. The winds were chilling to the core. " Kariz...." Raven spoke softly. " I'm going back to Greece to meet up with Zane. If you want to come with, now that we've fought each other again, then that's fine with me."[/color][/size]

[color=#CC0099][size=1]The world felt like it was spinning. In the background, Katima could hear someone talking to themselves. The voice.... sounded familiar. She opened her eyes, feeling thoroughly groggy. THe world was indeed spinning - spinning so fast that she felt sick. The person's talking became more and more clear. It sounded as if they were talking to a recorder. She hear a little of it. " ... So all that I want to say, in case any one knows if Talyn, Ena, Sin, Priest, Fyoura, Thayne, Tegan, or....Katima, is...I love you guys." That voice.... she knew it was Richard's. She tried to stand up, but managed to fall back down. Her legs had been bruised so well that she couldn't stand very well, especially with manacles clamped to her wrists. She grunted as her rear hit the earth hard. " K..K.. Katima!" she heard Richard say. " Did you hear what I had said on that recorder?" She felt blood trickle down her forehead as the manacles cluttered together, making a lot of noise. She turned herself so she faced Richard's cell. It hadn't quite hit her that she was in a dungeon yet. " Only the very last bit," she said. Looking around, she saw Tegan, Jade and Thayne on the opposite side of the dungeon. They looked like they were still out cold. Finally, the blur in her eyes cleared. She looked at Richard. He looked a little ruffled, and rather embarassed. " Ahhh... my head hurts..." Katima sighed as she lent her forehead against the cold stone wall. She now understood where she was. In some dungeon of the vampires. Now she was farther from finding Kalei than ever. " Richard.... do you think we'll survive this?"[/color][/size]

[color=DarkGreen][size=1]Raven sat at her desk, twirling a pen in the air with electricity spinning it around so fast that it became a blur. It was the same thing, day after day. Paperwork, lunch break, and then more paperwork. It was all she ever did anymore. She stared outside to the Athens' landscape. Ruins of an ancient but civilised race popped up here and there throughout the modern setting of the city. [color=Navy]" Raven..."[/color] Zane stepped into her office. She didn't even hear him come in. " What is it Zane? You know you shouldn't be up here. How did you get in without a clearance pass?" Raven scolded. [color=Navy]" I exercised some of my powers... but that is nothing compared to what I am about to tell you...[/color] Zane looked deadly serious. He even had his purple-lensed sunglasses off, his icy blue eyes staring straight at Raven. If his glasses were off, he meant business. Raven sat up in her chair. " What is it?" Raven asked. [color=Navy]" He's in Italy Raven... [i]him[/i]"[/color] Zane said cautiously. He dared not say his name. Raven was bound to go crazy. But instead, Raven's eyes widened a little before going back to normal. She swivelled around in her chair, the back of it facing Zane. " Why should I care? [i]He[/i] has not even thought about me since he left. Now, is that all you have to say?" Raven replied from behind the chair, an icy tone to her voice. This maddened Zane. He slammed his hands down on her desk. [color=Navy]" You should care! [i]He[/i] is nearby and alive! Doesn't that say something?!! At least yours is alive!!"[/color] Zane shouted, his spikey brown hair flailing around wildly. The office around the two of them began to distort. He was losing control of his illusion powers. Raven swivelled around rather violently. She stood up and looked at him, her eyes glowing neon yellow. " How dare you say that!! Take it back you bastard!! [i]He's[/i] not alive to me!!" Zane couldn't take how stubborn she was being. [color=Navy]" Stop being childish! You're acting like a teenager that's having a tiff with their boyfriend!!"[/color] Electricity crackled around Raven's body. The lights flickered in the whole building, computer screens distorted and flickered. " How... dare... you!!" Feeling her getting close to the edge, Zane thought it best to back down. He wasn't going to have a fully-fledged fight with her in the vicinity of innocent bystanders. He breathed in deeply, heaving out a large sigh. [color=Navy]" If you are going to act like this, that's fine by me. You must like the pain of knowing that [i]he[/i] doesn't think about you. Anyway, I've sensed the others. Ima is in England. I'm going to get her. Kariz is in North America. You go after her. I'm sure your boss won't mind an unexpected holiday... especially since he knows about our powers."[/color] Raven hissed at Zane as he left. The room stopped distorting, as did all the electrical equipment. Glaring at the retreating Zodiac's back, she told herself she didn't enjoy the pain of what [i]he[/i] was doing to her. But, the realisation of him never coming back, even though he promised he would, was all too real. However, now she had a mission. Kariz was out there somewhere, like Raven knew she was since they got separated at the hospital. It was time to pack up and leave. [center]===================================[/center] An hour later... Raven walked around a grungy city street, Kariz's presence strong and near. She could also sense demons and angels. What was happening? Morphing into her animal form, a raven, she flew around the apartment building that was to her left. Circling upwards, Raven looked into each and every window, seeing some things she didn't want to know about, seeing other that made her curious. Finally, she came to a window that felt like it was the one. Perching herself on the sill, she looked inside. [i]Kariz...[/i] Kariz was inside, held by someone she couldn't quite get the feel of. Her eyes turned neon yellow. Electricity shattered the window. Raven flew through into, morphing into her normal self as the glass flew out like throwing daggers. Raven hoped against all odds that she was going to rescue Kariz.[/color][/size] [center]=====================================[/center] [size=1][color=Navy]Zane arrived in London after a few hours in the air. He was surprised that Raven took up the mission so willingly, and with much conviction. He felt the same about getting Ima. Hopefully, she wasn't going to be too hard to find.[/color][/size] OOC: For Raven, someone can catch her. Maybe it'd be a good chance that she'll meet Rubedo. As for Zane, Ozy, can you make him find you? Thanks. And you guys post so fast!!

[color=#CC0000][size=1][b]Day 0[/b] Allegra silently thanked Jacqueline for realising what she had done to herself. A smile spread on her full lips for a few moments as she walked towards the doctor's wing. She hoped James was all right. He seemed like he was doing more than his share of the cards lately. Even before she asked him to do what she had to, he looked rather white and sickly. " I wonder what sick and sadistic plans the Master had planned for James... he seems like such a nice person, even though his reputation proceeds him. What could be his fears?" As Allegra pondered this, she came to the doctor's office. She knocked. There was a soft answer from behind the door, beckoning her to come in. An elderly man sat at a desk, looking at the door, his chin resting on his hands. " So you're the one..." [center]=======================================[/center] Allegra made her way very wearily to the dining hall. The pain in her hand was excruciating. She had never felt such physical torment before. It was amazing at how much it hurt. She knew what emotional pain was, but this, this was in a realm of its own. As she approached the doors, she heard the mentioning of a murderer on the loose. Her natural police instincts kicked in. Allegra shook her head. " It's no time to be a cop. This is survival of the fittest... and the most cunning." Allegra pushed the doors open to see Jacqueline and James sitting near to the doors. She joined them, trying not to let on that the pain in her hand had increased ten-fold. " Evening James... Jacqueline." " How was it?" Jacqueline asked, looking at Allegra. " Painful... but I think it's going to heal over fine." She noticed James' white face. " What's happened?" James shook his head as he stood and left the room. Allegra wondered what in the hell had happened. Her eyes wandered up to the end of the table and firmly caught the Master's gaze. She glared at him. She wondered what in the world made a man like this do this to people. [i]People do a lot of stupid things for money...[/i] said a voice in her mind. Privately, Allegra agreed.[/color][/size]

OOC: Great posts everyone. foxtu78, could you, in the future, make yours a bit longer? Thanks. [size=1][color=#0066FF][b]Day 1[/b] Reza smileda t them all. They all came. It was amazing. Even a few of them that had been outcasts came. Storm landed beside her, looking over the group too. "[i] This should be a fun journey Reza... look at everyone... they all came,[/i]" Storm said to her. " Yeah I know," Reza replied, smiling. With a group this big, the journey was going to be full of laughter and excitement. Hopefully, nothing was going to get in their way. " Ok everyone! Lets get going to get our stuff!" Reza said happily. All of the others nodded. Rain and Celebi came down from the branch in the oak tree. Alex and Rorohiko kept talking to each other quietly as they started to walk up the path to Professor Wyatt's mansion/labrotory. Sakura and Jo kept talking while Latios and Latias played in the air above them. TJ, Andy, Yubi and Richard chatted to each other as their legendary poke`mon jibbered away to each other. Reza was the last to leave. She cast a look back at the town before hurrying to catch up with them. Minutes later, the group arrived at the gigantic wooden doors of Professor Wyatt's mansion. There were loud bangs and crashes just behind the doors. They also heard cursing from three different people inside plus sounds of a poke`mon of sorts. Reza pressed her ear to the door only for it to be opened. She almost fell in only to be caught by TJ and Richard. " Thanks." The person who opened the door was a young man in his early twenties. This was Jay Riter, the caretaker of Professor Wyatt's mansion. His face was red, which contrasted greatly with his forest green eyes. He looked down to see all of the group looking up at him with bewildered faces. " Oh... hey guys... sorry about that Reza... the Professor has gone off his rocker this morning... he's excited about you guys... he's already broken the chandelier in the foyer, not to mention two cabinets. Now I have to find replacements... honestly..." Reza, Jo, Sakura and Andy sniggered into their hands. Rain looked thoroughly uninterested as with the boys. Jay stalked out of the mansion, leaving the door open for them. They entered tenatively. A shirll voice suddenly pierced the air. " PROFESSOR!!" A good-looking twenty-year-old woman sprinted across the top level in a maid's outfit. This was Maria Tyling. She was the maid for the Professor as he often forgot to feed himself or the poke`mon that resided in his mansion, plus all the mess he has when he's doing research. But before them was a man with a bright orange lab coat with a purple shirt and blue shorts. His mismatched arrangement of clothing was always a source of amusement for Reza and Storm. This was the one and only Professor Wyatt - an overly-enthusiactic professor that loved poke`mon to death. A rather large Kingler sat atop of Professor Wyatt, who was on the floor on his stomach laughing. When the Professor saw the group, he laughed. " I must look a sight. Kingler, could you kindly get off?!?" Professor Wyatt said. The Kingler scuttled off his back and down a corridor. Professor Wyatt sat up, dusting himself off. " Well, that was an interesting experience." He stood. Reza tried to restrain herself from laughing out aloud at the Professor's clothing. Storm sensed that she was about to burst any second. Luckily the Professor said something before she could laugh. " I bet you are all here for your Poke`gear? Rightio! Follow me!" He marched upstairs with the group following. Through two corridors, they finally came to the labrotory. The Professor walked over to a table with numerous sets of Poke`gear on them. He picked on up as the group made a semi-circle around him. " Now... this is the newest Poke`gear any trainer can get today. This little baby is your Poke`dex; a cellphone; a profiler of trainers that you have talked to, seen or battled; a computer with an inventoy and email capabilities; a map of all regions; and much much more. Let me demonstrate." He pointed the hand-held computer at Storm. A screen popped up in thin air. It was a holographic screen. Reza swiped her hand through it, amazed that it wasn't solid. A computerised voice rang out with Storm's details. " Luiga. A psychic-flying type. The guardian of the seas. It is said that this poke`mon has the ability to create or calm violent storms." " Wow...." TJ gasped. " That's awesome." " Everyone grab one. They'll be like your best friends on your journey. Now, any questions?" Now one spoke up. The Professor beamed. " You guys better be going. The boat leaves soon." " Damn!" Reza said before thanking the Professor and sprinting out the door, the others behind her. They all managed to get on the boat before it set sail. Reza sat at the bow of the boat, letting the air hit her face softly. It was going to take a couple of hours before they reach Rodscale Village. Hopefully... by then, she would catch up with most of the others.[/color][/size]

[size=1][center][color=#0066FF][IMG]http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/8542/untitled28gq.jpg[/IMG][/center] [i]The Chaos Poke`mon.... My grandfather used to tell me the legend about the Chaos Poke`mon, Kageryn, every night before I slept. About one fateful day, the creature would awaken from its slumber and wreak havoc across Kaijin. He used to tell me the last time the poke`mon awoke was when he was an adult. And that a party of brave trainers risked their lives to save Kaijin using their legendary poke`mon. He told of how they battled the large skeletal dragon poke`mon on the sea near my hometown, Windsand Village. They became legends in their own way. My mother and father were two of the poke`mon trainers that gave their lives for the peace of the world, fighting against this terrible evil called Kageryn. I was only small when they left, I don't even remember it. My grandfather said they were so brave, going out to fight a poke`mon that was seemingly indestructable. Their poke`mon, supposably one of them a legendary, fought alongside six other trainers to quell the fear that had sprang up in Kaijin - the fear the Kageryn was going to wipe out all human and poke`mon life on the continent. But now..... someone has woken Kageryn again. And I never thought that I would be fighting it.[/i] [center]=========================================[/center] [b]Day 1[/b] Finally, this day had come. The sun shone brightly down from the sky, the early morning sunlight warming a girl with short, purplish-dark blue hair and eyes as she sat at the foot of a statue of two people: a woman and a man together holding a Poke`ball. Her transparent, loosely weaved dark blue hooded jacket hung loosely around her arms and body as a cool sea breeze blew across the green fields. Underneath the transparent jacket was a plain white tank top and a short purplish-dark blue skirt. On her hands were fingerless gloves, and, on her legs were long purplish-blue cloth stockings that came up to her thighs. It was today... finally. A large shadow was suddenly cast over the girl as a large flying poke`mon soared above her. It had a silver-grey body with certain parts a darker silver-grey. " Storm - get down here. What's the time already?" the girl asked up into the sky. The poke`mon fluttered down and landed in front of her. Its figure towered over her as she sat, but if she stood, he would only be a little taller than her. "[i] How am I supposed to know Reza? Your grandfather didn't give you a watch for nothing![/i]" Storm, an adolescent Lugia, replied in rather a ruffled fashion. Reza sighed. It was true. As a parting gift, her grandparents had given her a compass, a map of the Kaijin region, a locket and a letter. They had told her to wait to open the letter until she and her friends were on the boat to Rodscale Village and RazorSurf City. Looking up at the statue she sat underneath, Reza wondered if her parents were still alive. Her parents had been two of the six people that had defeated Kageryn years ago. At first, Reza was told that they had perished in the battle. But a few years after that, she started receiving letters and gifts for her birthday and Christmas from a Swellow. This even startled her grandparents who believed that her parents had died. This, along with her quest to become an infamous dragon-type trainer and win the Poke`mon Championship in Engel City, was the driving force behind her becoming a dragon-type Master. Reza looked at her watch and rose to her feet. " It's nearly time Storm. I wonder how many of the others will be coming today?" "[i] I wonder too. I hope they all come. I still remember that promise we made when we were all young. To all go on an adventure together.[/i]" " Yeah.... me too.... Well, we'd better get going to the oak tree before any of the others get there." "[i] Right.[/i]" Picking up her backpack, Reza started to walk, with Storm soaring above her, to the old weeping oak tree near the stream they played at as little kids. This was the meeting place, for the start of their adventure.[/color][/size] OOC: Meet at the old oak tree. Pretty corny huh? Just post about your morning, then we'll go get our Poke`gear.

[color=#0066FF][size=1]Welcome to the RPG foxtu 78, Frankie and (finally) Deucalion. THE SIGN-UPS ARE NOW CLOSED. If you very much want to sign-up, PM me with your sign-up and I'll decide whether you will join or not. Don't worry, I'm a very flexible person when it comes to these things. Now, the RPG will be up very soon in the Adventure Square. I will send everyone a PM telling them extra things they need to know. Hope you enjoy everyone![/color][/size]

[color=#CC0000][size=1][b]Day 0[/b] Whoever that was, Allegra thanked them for being concerned, but she couldn't face anyone at the moment. The pain was slowly, very slowly, ebbed away. She wanted to thank whoever it was who was concerned about her. In the corners of her eyes, Allegra still had tears - tears of pure pain and disgust. James wiped them away with a finger before giving her another comforting hug. She didn't dare look at her hand. She knew there was blood seeping through it - her blood. A cold sweat broke out on her forehead. " The Master is one sick man...." she said softly to James as they walked into the corridor towards the dining room together. She didn't feel like eating, but she had to prove to the Master that this wasn't going to overcome her... like her brother didn't. When they entered the corridor, Allegra saw a retreating back. " Excuse me!" Allegra called out. " Were you the one that knocked on my door before?" The girl spun around and looked back along the hall. " Yeah, that was me." She came up to them. James was still looking ill from what Allegra had requested him to do. Allegra's face was still white with pain but she forced a smile on her lips. " Thank you for being concerned about me." " What happened?" " Oh... a little accident with the door. James accidently shut it on my right hand's little finger." " Oh... it sounded like you were in real pain." " Well he slammed it rather hard." " Oh...." " What's your name?" " Jacqueline." " Nice to meet you Jacqueline. My name's Allegra. And this is James. We're pleased to meet you."[/color][/size]

[color=#0066FF][size=1]Welcome to the RPG Brooklyn. Wow... we're getting quite a few people... that's always good.[/color][/size]