Test 5.

[azumods]

VERITY The journey this month has been easier on you in several ways; despite your losses, your numbers have been bolstered by the addition of two more this month, and unlike the unforgiving terrain on the way to Lake Acuity the routes to Lake Verity seem downright hospitable - they're straightforward, the climate is far more temperate, and there are patches of cheer visible here and there along the paths in the form of those brightly-colored flowers, even as you make your way toward the lakefront. But the lakefront itself is perhaps unsettlingly silent; a reminder, perhaps, of what you're here to do, of the importance of your task. You'll reach the lake sometime in the evening. The sun isn't down yet, but it looks as though it won't be too long before it dips below the horizon; there's more than enough light for you to see what the lake itself looks like, however - the water is still and clear, to an extent where you can see straight down to the bottom regardless of how deep it gets. There's no bridge or other way to cross over the lake that you can see, but once again there's a large rock formation rising out of the center of the lake and a good-sized opening in the stone, leading to what's likely a system of caverns further inside. Your exploration starts here, next to the crystal clear waters of Lake Verity; what happens next is up to you.

Comments

[gekkaju]

[Oh shit that sounds important.]

I'm guessing Professor Rowan told you what we already know then...that helping the guardian here is our best bet for getting things back to the way they should be.

[He's honestly surprised...but it's great to hear there are still people out there trying to fight back, even if it's next to impossible when your spirit has been all but completely sapped.]

[azumods]

It's...important to help it. Mesprit...according to the legends, it...

[...Words are hard.]

When it first flew...we were granted emotions. Maybe it can...help give them back.

[gekkaju]

[No worries Lucas, you take your time to find those words.]

Granted emotions?

[If it can do something like that...

Atsushi feels a chill pass over him, one that reaches the tips of his fingers and toes. Chazuke gives an almost-whine, burying his face against his forearms.]

...that might explain why our Pokemon are acting this way. Mesprit...something must really be wrong with it.

Lucas-kun, we want to help you. I think we're all in agreement that helping Mesprit and putting things right is what we all came here to do.

[azumods]

...Not if you're here on Cynthia's behalf.

[...Given the...conversations that are happening over there, Cynthia is not exactly the best news he's ever had.]

She shouldn't make you get involved in this. Professor Rowan and I...we can handle it.

[gekkaju]

[...oh boy.

Atsushi's expression tightens a little.]

I'm sorry, I...don't really know what to say about her. I've never met Cynthia. She met with the others before I got here about a month ago.

I don't know what Cynthia has done or if she's got some sort of ulterior motive, but all I can tell you is that we're doing this for us as much as anything else. As far as I've been told Cynthia just pointed us this way...we aren't working for her or anything.

[enjoymyatelier]

...right. That's what we're hoping, anyway.

[he's going to approach, hand outstretched to shake!]

We'd be happy to work with you, then, Lucas. Is this your first time visiting the lake since the Team Galactic business?

[azumods]

It... It was hard to come here before.

[Which doesn't explain it very well, but, you know. The whole lack of willingness to do anything.]

I've been here for a little while.

[enjoymyatelier]

Mm, I should have presumed so. I know Candace tried to see to Uxie, but things didn't go terribly well there.

...

It went very badly, honestly, to the point that I was a bit concerned you were being puppeted around by the local deity before really talking to you.

[azumods]

[...if he had this reference, he would suspect asking how that went would be the equivalent of asking if president lincoln was okay

so he's just going to. not. um.]

[semistableman]

Uxie told us something to that effect.

[There was a lot of crying, too?

There was a lot of things.]

We want to help them.

[azumods]

Uxie...

[Mngh.]

We can take care of it here.

[semistableman]

I'm sure you'll do what you can, but I understand what the guardians went through a little more than I'd like to admit, and the others will what to do what they can.

Azelf and Uxie were both badly injured. I figure the three of them must have escaped from wherever Galactic was holding them.

[azumods]

...That's what we think. It...makes sense, anyway.

[semistableman]

You're Lucas, right? Name's Bucky.

[He only has the one hand to offer, but offer it he does.]

Maybe you should come with us to see the guardian.