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]

[Atsushi tightens his grip on Chazuke.]

Do you want us to battle you, Lucas-kun?

[He's a little wary, mostly because all the Pokemon have been so affected by this place...would they even have it in them to?]

[azumods]

If that's how you decide you can best prove yourselves, then yes.

[gekkaju]

[Atsushi glances back at the rest of the group.]

I guess that is going to depend on what we all end up deciding, then...but if it ends up being a battle, I'll do my best either way.

[And probably get his shit kicked in because he's not anywhere near the strength of the others but it's....probably fine......]

[azumods]

If it's what you want to do. I'm not going to fight all of you, or at least not all of you at once. But I can do a battle with you afterwards, if you want to test yourself.

[gekkaju]

[Atsushi nods.]

To be honest with you, I'm probably not the best person for battling. I haven't had a chance to train with my Pokemon very much yet...but I wouldn't mind one later if you were still up for it.

[One that doesn't hinge on them getting out of here, anyway.]

[azumods]

Sure. I was never really focused on battling, because I was doing research for Professor Rowan - but I liked it okay, too.

[gekkaju]

[That gets Atsushi to pause.]

...you dont have to battle? That seems to be what most people do...or used to do, I guess. Otherwise your Pokemon wouldn't get stronger, would they?

[azumods]

It's definitely good to, and it's the best way to bond with your Pokémon - or at least, it used to be, for some people. And yeah, making them stronger is great. But some people just spent time with Pokémon and that was enough.

[gekkaju]

Huh...

[Atsushi looks down at Chazuke, who still has his face pressed against his arms.]

...I'll remember that, Lucas-kun. I like helping my Pokemon get stronger, but it's nice knowing you can get closer to them in other ways, too.

[Everything in moderation and all that!]