KHERA SAYS can't be arsed to use a clever title

[[AlphaSuicune]]

Run, run, run. Run, run, run.

Is life always this monotonous? I'm not sure I like it.
Hey. Monotonous. Four syllables ten letters. Didn't know I knew that word. This vocabulary-sharing thing is great.
Hey. Vocabulary. Five syllables-

And so on. Khera wasn't mindful of Ralts' train of thought. Its presence fit quite comfortably in the back of his mind, where it filled itself in on his memories. After all, why would he mind? It was his purpose to serve and protect the tiny creature, and that entailed delivering its every whim. It also included running for as long as he could away from the evil labs whence he came.

After a short while, Ralts tapped his hand. Dada. Hey. We've been travelling for so long. Aren't you tired? You can stop now.
As requested, the boy slowed down to a steady jog, to a gentle lope, and finally stopped. Lowering himself down to the floor, his canine tongue lolled out as he panted. Ralts sat a few centimetres away, examining him.
You are tired, aren't you? You shouldn't have run for so long. I told you, papa. We're in no rush, and now it's getting dark.

Khera looked to the sky. It was getting dark, indeed. The sun was making its lazy way down below the horizon, and the odd pair cast long shadows over the grass.
I'm not tired. He could reply simply by thinking; as long as Ralts was present among his thoughts, they could communicate. I will run as long as you want me to.
But I don't want you to run any more, papa. You are tired, don't lie. I think we should sleep here tonight.
You sure?
Yes. Hey, papa? What's sleep like?
You'll have to find out.

[/i]

Stretching, Khera began gathering bits of grass and moss. He hadn't been kitted out with anything but the letter he was delivered with, and he'd worn only a pair of shorts. He gave an involuntary shiver as the night air nipped at his chest, but he didn't exactly mind. It was more like... he knew he was cold, but the only sadness he could feel was from Ralts, and Ralts was sad because Ralts knew that Khera was cold. It was a strange relationship.
I've got it. You can sleep in the bag the man at Pine Laboratory gave me. Look, if I empty everything out it's nice and padded and comfy.

He laid it down, and the Ralts crawled inside inquisitively.
Yes. it said after some consideration. It is nice. What about you, dada? You will be cold.
I will be fine. Now go to sleep.
Yes, dada.

(( Not sure how the relationship between Khera and Ralts should go, so I'm putting it in like a guardian-child sort of thing. Please excuse the mushy. ))[/size][/center]

[Birdybot]

A hyperactive little Pokémon was skipping about the route. Well, more of a mad crazy dash than a skip, but hey, it could be discribed as something similar. He was a small Pokémon for his species, quite young. In fact, he had only recently left his parents and been free to roam at will. He enjoyed that. The Pokémon let out a little bark. What was this? People? He yipped in excitement.

But then, behind him, he saw something which made him let out a whine as he began to shake and shiver in fear. His eyes were wide in terror. Staring at him were two lamp-like eyes. Something... much bigger than him, judging by the way they were positioned. Howling, he rushed to the human and Pokémon. A trainer would help him, right? Khera would find himself being rudely awakened by a puff of green and yellow fur. The Electrike squealed again in terror, looking towards the eyes.

Slowly, a Pokémon slid from the shadows. Six legs stomped across the grass, leaving imprints of their mark. A face, one with a golden mask, strange, flimsy wings that were so strong. Then- it opened it's mouth. A piercing, screeching cry bellowed from it, scattering a swarm of Starly. Giratina turned it's face to Khera. +Boy... you! Have you got it? Have you got my orb?!+[/i] it snarled, seemingly through telepathy.[/size]

[[AlphaSuicune]]

Ralts opened its eyes sleeping.
Wha... Ah! Papa, look, what's that? I don't like it.

Not being asleep was a very good cure for not being rudely awakened. Staring curiously at the Pokémon which had leapt up at him, he shooed it off. Perhaps it would hurt Ralts? That would be unforgiveable. Getting to his feet, Khera allowed the Ralts to cling to his arm. There was an uncomfortable urge to run away in the back of his mind as fear coursed through the small Pokémon, but he could easily ignore it. As to this apparition, however... he'd definitely seen a picture of it in the lab. Giratina... no... yes. Yes, Giratina. Definitely. This was a Giratina. Now, where... ah. The people had taken an object from it. The creature's words confirmed his suspicions.

"The... Griseous Orb, yes? That is the object of your inquiry. Alas, I don't have it."

Khera attempted to dredge up some details. From what he could recall, some of the workers had been siphoning power from this orb thingermajiggle. Giratina had visited and destroyed much of their lab, but the necessary machinery remained. There was nothing more he knew about the situation, or what exactly the Orb looked like. "I know where it is being stored, but no more. My... apologies."

[Birdybot]

"The... Griseous Orb, yes? That is the object of your inquiry. Alas, I don't have it."

At that, Giratina let out a thunderous cry. It reverberated off the trees, bouncing back to echo and hit Khera's ears a second time. It was not a pleasant sound. The legendary's tail swished to one side, to the other and back to the centre again. Six arms waved in the air as if shocked by and electric shock. This... no, it couldn't be! The boy smelt of lab... he felt of lab... he looked like one from the lab; no daemon, 'spliced' between human and Pokémon.

The legendary glared at Khera with a murderous stare until he spoke his last part. Giratani's anger lessened considerably, and it... was that a smile? So he did know about the orb, after all. Well, there was one thing to do know. It's flimsy wings waved lazily, readying themselves at the same time to fly.

+Well, then let us make haste, boy. You and your Ralts and Electrike shall take me to the Griseous Orb.+[/i][/size]

[[AlphaSuicune]]

"No."

The thought was very definite and sharp in Khera's mind. Fear was not something he experienced, of course, and he wasn't particularly mindful of the legendary's rage, but he did know that returning to the lab would be dangerous for Ralts.
"Also, Electrike does not belong to me. It is not mine. Besides, as a living thing it is difficult for me to have ownership of it." Scooping the dog up, he held it out. "Is it yours? It seemed to be with you."

(( ajshfidj SHORT =.= ))

[Birdybot]

Giratina seemed angered at Khera's words. It roared a great, trembling roar, which would have struck the bravest man alight with fear. But it didn't know that Khera had little emotion after what had happened to his daemon. After all, why should Giratina care enough about these squashy weak pink creatures to study them? The legendary beat the ground with it's tail, but oddly enough it didn't seem as strong as your regular Giratina. It seemed as though it were on the same level as Ralts. Probably a young one.

As Khera held Electrike out to Giratina, the little dog squealed in terror, tearing and clawing at Khera's arms to try and break free of his grips, but to no avail. He was cowering in terror, weak with fright. Giratina shook it's head. ~I do not own Pokémon. I believe this Pokémon was racing away from me in fear.~ it said. ~Now, what about my orb?~

[[AlphaSuicune]]

Khera ran a tongue along his bottom lip. Protecting Ralts was of the utmost importance, but... no. As delightful as a raid on the lab would be (glass and metal and bones all made the most wonderful shattering noises) , it would endanger Ralts. He glanced over at the small pink form, which was consoling the Electrike he'd dropped. Apparently that hurt. Oh well.

"As to your orb... well. There are several possible outcomes."
He sat down on the floor patiently. It was still cold, and he ushered Ralts into his lap, where it's frail body shivered gently. "We could pay this lab a little visit, collaborate and preferably seize the Griseous Orb; I could ignore you entirely and flee, placing first my purpose in protecting Ralts; or I could challenge you to some sort of barbarous fight, as I hear humans in my profession are wont to do."

The first one doesn't sound so bad, Papa. You could have a little rest beforehand?
But that would endanger you, little one. I could not allow that to pass.
I wouldn't mind. With you protecting me, I feel stronger. I could -
Almost certainly no, whatever it is you plan to suggest.
Dada, we could. We could, and then maybe we could ask this big, scary, um, Giratina, yes (interesting word, four syllables from the japanese meaning funeral) to join us, and then we would be triply strong. It could work.
Maybe. Maybe, little one.

[/i][/size][/center]

[Birdybot]

Giratina was growing impatient. It wined like a mere dog, tail shaking. What was Khera suggesting? That he would protect this puny Pokémon over him? That was the reason why he was denying him the Orb? Well, that made it angry. It wanted the Griseous Orb, not a stinking Ralts to be safe.

However, on the other hand, it indicated to him that Khera was a good trainer. He protected his Pokémon at all costs. Perhaps he would even take in Giratina. Yes, that would be nice. Giratina would never go back to those labs, for they had done terrible things to a number of his fellows there. No. The lab was not an option. But the boy could be. However, it was best to wait and see what the boy would come up with first. So Giratina waited.

[[AlphaSuicune]]

(( FFFT OCTOBER WHAT ))

Khera himself had been waiting for an answer. As none came, there was a short silence, before he ploughed on with his speech. "As stated before, I would much rather have nothing to do with this business. However, Ralts believes we could come to an... arrangement."
Papa's right. the Pokémon chimed in, thought waves reaching out to Giratina. We, we should get your orb back, and then if you would consent to join us-
I did not think much of that part.

[/color][/i] Khera joined the mental chatroom. Ralts seemed to sigh.
Yes, but don't you see, we would build up our ranks. Besides, you want to. I know you want to.
I do not want anything.
Oh, really? I don't believe you.
What?
You were telling a lie.
What is one of those? I am familiar with the word itself, but not the terminology in which it is implied.
That's not important, dada. You know where the orb is kept. There are low security facilities. We could break in, take it, break out, if you will excuse my french. I think it's a good idea.
And the Giratina? Khera's face was impassive as ever, stroking the top of Ralt's head gently. Will he be helping us in this endeavour, then?
Oh, he will. You will, won't you? Ralts lifted its head up so its glittering eyes were visible from under its hood. Please?[/size][/center]

[Birdybot]

Giratina's eyes narrowed as Khera and Ralts rambled off-topic in its head. How annoying. Couldn't this child stop acting so... robotic... and get it its Griseous Orb? Was it really that hard? The legendary could see that he was missing his daemon, yes. Perhaps some day he'd find her again and quit being this annoying empty shell. Ah, well. The recovery of the Grisious Orb was a more pressing matter, and the Giratina would stop at nothing to retrieve it.

Giratina also listened as they decided to help it after all, relaxing a little at that news. As Ralts requested its help, it laughed, a deep, rumbling sound not far off a growl. After all, Giratina was not big on laughs. Not in this situation, anyway. It nodded to Ralts. She was a good Pokémon, it liked her now. Firstly, it had hated her, for she was what stood in the way of it and the Grisious Orb. Now she had convinced Khera to seek the Grisious Orb. It answered her.

+Of course. I shall help. Anything for the Grisious Orb. Child... Ralts is all right. I am not entirely convinced that she deserves such devoted protection, but she is a good Ralts.+[/i] it spoke the last part to Khera.[/size]

[[AlphaSuicune]]

Ralts giggled, a strange sound for such a Pokémon, and her eyes sparkled.
See? See, I told you, dada. I told you that the mister Giratina would help us, didn't I? It was a good idea, wasn't it?
As you wish, little one. Yes, the idea was good. Turning his soulless eyes onto Giratina, he paused for a moment. And her protection is my sole purpose in life now. Do not make such a slight again.

Getting to his feet, Ralts was placed on the ground, and she watched as he stumbled slightly.
Oh, papa, I forgot, you are fatigued. Nice word. We, we should rest, instead of setting off right now.
No. We shall be in danger if we delay. I am likely still within their radar.
Radar?
They inserted a microchip beneath my skin. They thought I didn't notice, I assume. But I did. Lifting Ralts up, Khera indicated an area beneath his left pectoral. His pale skin was unblemished, but as he ran his fingers over it there was subtle bump. Ralts placed her hand on his chest.
Oh, yes. I hadn't noticed.
Wel, it's not a problem. I had been planning to continue along the route, out of the range of their tracking devices, but at your wish we shall return to the compound.
Why not remove it?
I could, actually. A claw slid out of Khera's index finger. He pressed it lightly against his skin, before applying more pressure. Ralts whimpered as he slowly made an incision.

Don't! Papa, no, stop! It hurts...
Sorry. The boy immediately returned his hand to his side. Is the pain bothering you?
Yes. Ralt's small body was trembling. Just... just leave it in.

[Birdybot]

Giratina nodded its great head at Khera's words, understanding now. She was... she was his Grisious Orb. The legendary watched as he attempted to remove a chip. That looked like it would hurt. Giratina didn't really care, though, for it had seen many humans hurt each other before. Foolish creatures. They invented things to kill each other... it would never really understand why. Or why they hurt themselves, either. Sometimes, Giratina had witnessed them killing themselves; jumping off buildings, bridges and train platforms seemed favourites for such activities.

The Giratina sighed a deep, ancient sigh. It was unsure of what exactly they were doing, or going to do. They needed to retrieve its Grisious Orb, and now! They couldn't spend time worrying about a stinking chip. The legendary rarely grew impatient, but now was one of those rare times. It flicked the poor innocent Electrike with the tip of its tail in annoyance, sending the puppy screaming to Ralts. +Sorry.+[/i] it said with its mind to the Pokémon, not sounding at all sorry. Its eyes bore into Khera's. +What now?+ it asked.[/size]

[[AlphaSuicune]]

Ralts watched as Electrike dashed towards her, giggling softly.
Oh, papa, he's so cute. Can we keep him? Please?
Khera shook his head.
I'm not sure that would be a good idea.
You know you want to! You do. Really.
Fine. Whatever you desire.
Yay! Ralts clapped its hands delightedly, before patting the Electrike on the head. You can come with us now because dada said so. Won't that be fun?

Khera's feet scuffed at the ground, eager to be off. Staying in one place for too long was not good. Ralts sensed his worries, looking up.
We need to go soon, little one.
There's no hurry. We can get there quickly if big mister Giratina lets us ride on him.
Now I really don't think that that is a good idea -
Oh, you will, won't you, mister Giratina? Ralts turned chocolatey-coloured, imploring eyes on the beast. Oh please? Papa is so tired. He ran all the way here which is a long long way and he is so tired. Please oh please let us ride on you. It shall be so much fun.

[Birdybot]

Giratina blinked, grunting. Carry these two- er, three? Why? There wasn't anything in it for him. He sighed. +I do not know the move Fly, and even if it was for just a little while on this route, I would feel uncomfortable carrying others on my back. If you are tired, then sleep. I myself... I suppose I could keep watch over you. In return for you finding my Griseous Orb at some point, when we stumble across the lab in some later route. That is, if you're willing to let me join your team.+[/i] Giratina said, bowing its great head. It flicked its tail, glancing to Electrike.

+I think the Electrike wants to fight. I believe that's what trainers do to help their Pokémon grow stronger.+[/i] Giratina informed Khera. Sure enough, the dog was bouncing with excitement, yet occasionally pausing to growl or crackle electricity. It was an odd mixture of actions, but without a doubt Electrike wanted to fight. A proper Pokémon battle.[/size]

[[AlphaSuicune]]

Ralts giggled.
Okey dokey mister Giratina. Of course you can come with us. Whee, what fun. And then we get your orb and fun fun fun. She did a little dance on the spot. Khera nodded.
I see. That is fine by me. Finding the storage shouldn't be too hard, so I wouldn't be worried on that front.

Ralts patted the Electrike on the head. Hello mister boingy bouncy Electrike. You're so cute, oh yes you are, tehee. Papa, can I fight it? Oh please?
Khera considered the matter for a second. If that's what it wants to do -
Oh thankyou, dada, thankyou thankyou! She twirled around, before sitting herself down and hugging her knees. Okay, what do I do now?
Well, what can you do?
Oh, you mean, what techniques? Well um... I can make a big rarly noise, I suppose. Listen. She opened her small mouth, emitting a rumbling purr that was surprisingly loud for such a small creature. I can also make a fire with my hands. I can also also use mind wave thingies but I'm not very good at that. She giggled again. Come on, dada, what should I do?
I don't know. Let's see the fire, little one.
Okay. Delightedly, Ralts held her paws out, a few inches apart, and concentrated. A small flame, glowing pale blue, began to form between them. It grew slowly, and after a few seconds Ralts blew it towards the Electrike.
I think you're supposed to launch it faster than that, little one.
Oh. Really? Oh well.