forward dating for the birthday boy

[best_laid_plans]

Who: Malik Ishtar & Yuugi Mutou
Where: Ruins of Alph
When: June 4 (forward dated) - ????
Summary: The King of Games takes on yet another ancient puzzle.
Rating: D for d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-duelists
Log:

[It wasn't possible to grow unused to underground tunnels, Malik had discovered. In many ways, stepping into yet another cool, dimly-lit chamber felt like slipping back into an old habit, into a different way of life. Something about his surroundings felt oddly comforting.

That feeling of comfort made him chafe all the more.

Walls. He hated walls, and being blocked away from the sunlight. The skin along the back of his neck prickled; the raised marks of his scars grew somehow cold. He should act today, he thought. He should trap Yuugi Mutou in these absurd little chambers, see how he liked it for a change, mere vessel or no. Yes, Malik's Cofagrigus was back in Goldenrod, busily creating his collateral for the deal with Archer (or so he hoped) - but what was Malik Ishtar if not a master of impromptu planning? Couldn't he handle this much? Why, he'd all but been given the perfect stage!

--Yet if it went wrong, then what? He had too much at stake to risk everything now. It was only a small leap from failing to defeat Yuugi to being publicly denounced as a villain and a criminal across that network - an even smaller leap from there to discovering his Rocket involvement. And should that be uncovered, the Game Corner might be outed, too....

No, Malik had to sit, and wait, and plot, until there was no possible way Yuugi Mutou could defeat him. The day would come. He just had to prepare.]

Well, how's the puzzles? Worth the trip?

Comments

[kingofgamecorner]

[Gah- That- ugh.

Someone hit his head on the wall from the impact, and be it that or the Ray, he's more than stumbling. Enjoy the "maaaaaa-! maaa-!" circling around and Isami barking up a storm as he tackles the stumbling Bronzor right out of the air.]

I- think so. Where are-

[Better stop him before he hits a wall again.]

[best_laid_plans]

[Vulpix runs over to try and help fight while Malik, snorting to himself, reaches out to steady his companion. Where's that fighting spirit now, Mutou Yuugi?]

Right, you look it....

Never mind. Your steadfast guard dog's doing his job.

[He'll support you whether you need it or not, Yuugi. And is still holding a PokéBall in his free hand.]

[kingofgamecorner]

[Tossed somewhere over with his ability to see straight- Seeing how Malik doesn't sound like he was hit.

He still blinks and tries to nod through the swimming view.]

Good- K-keep it from hitting us again, Isami!

[Not necessary. The thing falls after one fiery attack, and then the Growlithe's joining the mareeps in hovering around his legs.

Will their breeder be okay, Malik?!]

[best_laid_plans]

[Gh, out of his way, fuzzy legions, he was going to capture -

Oh well. There'll be another chance, he supposes, now that they know they aren't alone down here.

Malik keeps supporting Yuugi, easing him down into a seated position.]

It should wear off fairly quickly. If you can't walk, I'll find an exit and come back.

[kingofgamecorner]

[oh SO SORRY MALIK did Team Yuugi disrupt you again?

Yuugi shakes his head, grimaces, and tries looking up at Malik from the ground. He's at least turning into one person again, and the triple fluff in his lap is not too jarring.]

-no. Thanks, but I'll shake it off in a second, and who knows what else is in here.

We should stick together.

[best_laid_plans]

[CURSES, FOILED AGAIN

Malik nods, crossing his arms and leaning on the wall in the meantime. He glances down the hall.]

See that you do. If a puzzle got us into this, it's likely that there's more than one.

I'd hate for you to miss the best part of your vacation.

[Was that - amusement? A small smile? That isn't the sort of smirk that might accompany the words "as you breathe your last"?]

[kingofgamecorner]

Well, it's your vacation, too... That didn't hit you at all, right?

[-did his side glance read wrong because of his vision and the dim light? Or did he really see...

There's a Yuugi staring up, head in hand, looking more tired than anything, until he pats pokeys away enough to try boosting up.]

We should keep going, if it will take a while, or there might be puzzles. Niko and Ichiro need to sleep soon, and their lights will go out.

Then we'd have to stay put a while.

[best_laid_plans]

[Malik misses a beat before taking Yuugi's arm to support him.]

Then let's escape before that's an issue.

[Escape...heh.

Something's bugging him about that word. But in the meantime he'll try to lead Yuugi down the corridor.]

[kingofgamecorner]

[Yuugi makes an extra stumble, surprise showing before he accepts the help.

Then they're walking, and if only to fill in the silence (and, okay, the echoing steps is kind of unnerving) he puts in.]

I could sent out Paku to check ahead, but if there are wilds down here, too...

[best_laid_plans]

Then allow me.

[Another PokéBall's light flashes, and the corridor is filled with the happy sounds of someone crying "Smoo!".]

Not a very fearsome bodyguard, but she'll get the job done.

Vulpix stays here if we need light again.

[Ralts won't be at full power since both he and Yuugi are tense...a Rhyhorn might be problematic underground....he doesn't want to have to show Yuugi Mawile....and Muk's fumes in enclosed spaces might just suffocate them both.

Someone should have warned him he'd be spelunking! He brought all the wrong tools!]

[kingofgamecorner]

-good plan.

[Grant it Isami could fill in some of that role, too, but with who knows how long ahead a path they have to take, they might need both.

He gives a grin in what he thinks is Smoochum's direction, but continues thinking out loud.]

I was also thinking sending one really ahead, to see if it's a dead end or not- But, we'd probably need to give up a light for the trip, so they can see...

[...except, rethinking that, he's reaching for two PokéBalls of his own.]

Wait, I might be able to get a map of sorts.

[best_laid_plans]

[Smoochum has run into the wall and is kissing it to find out what it is. Malik ignores her, choosing instead to nod at Yuugi and adjust his support as necessary.]

If you could.

[No, Smoochum, that's Vulpix. Stop kissing him.

Relying on Mutou Yuugi. Well. Any port in a storm. There are worse people to be trapped in a ruin with.]

Do you need one of the sheep? I'll read the inscriptions.

[kingofgamecorner]

[-oh Smoochum.

Er, that is, before she can get near him Yuugi nods his agreement.]

Sure, I don't need a lot of light. Which of you want to- No, not both of- Niko, come back.

[oooooh, the little ma-huff as she comes back, while Ichiro bounces around Malik's feet. But, grumpy or not, Niko helps Yuugi see to call out his Woobat

and his Lucario.]

Paku, you can see with waves, right? Can you check how to leave this place?

[One, oddly trilly "woo~" and he's overhead, leaving Yuugi to talk to Shin.]

Can you let me know what he finds?

[...there's, no actual answer, and yet Yuugi nods and looks up at his Woobat to wait.]

[best_laid_plans]

[Malik watches, expressionless, and bends down to first pat and then see how interested Ichiro would be in being lifted up, up, up to better examine the wall with him. He moves slowly so as not to get shocked.

Offhandedly, as Yuugi finishes discussing things with the Lucario:]

...what level'd he evolve at, by the way?

[Vulpix swats Smoochum over, so she returns sulkily to kissing the wall. After freezing his paw.]

[kingofgamecorner]

[Enjoy the Mareep wiggles, Malik, but he's not the one troubled by moving. That would be Isami in his stead, parked right at his feet.

Yuugi himself is oblivious to it, and Malik's question jars him out of watching his Woobat at work. He shares a searching look with his Lucario, but.]

-Shin? I'm not sure I remember... He grew really fast. Fifteen, maybe? Twenty? It took about a month, though.

[-and sometimes you miss being small enough to stick close, don't you, Shin? But, Yuugi can't regret that when he's grown so well!]

[best_laid_plans]

I see. Behave, you two.

[He looks troubled for a moment, and pats the sheep before holding it up to the wall. The chastised Pokémon, in the meantime, just nod and stick their noses in the air, Vulpix defrosting his paw by snorting fire at it.]

I've - been raising one, since I saw how happy yours was. But she won't evolve.

It's awful, to feel like you're missing something.

[He does sound sorry.]

[kingofgamecorner]

-you have a girl Riolu?

[Who knew?! To find such a rare find, and he's never seen... But, Yuugi can definitely sympathize uncertainty as a parent breeder.]

Well- There can be lots of reasons for that. Not all Pokémon evolve from training, after all. And- Riolu's one of those that grow from care.

[Well, friendship more like, but that follows naturally, right?]

And maybe, some don't want to... Maybe she doesn't?

[Like, he's thinking that Paku overhead might be in that group... Wait, he's making noises, and Yuugi's immediately looking to Shin.]

[best_laid_plans]

Mm. From the Breeding Center.

When you say "from care" -

[But he falls silent as Yuugi communes with his Pokémon. Someday. Someday, that too will be him.

Now, if only Smoochum'd take the hint too. He's pretty sure she just falls under the category of "doesn't want to."]

[kingofgamecorner]

[-weeeeeeeeeeeeeeell, Malik, having a cool, enviable Pokémon doesn't solve all problems.

If the faces he was making weren't warning enough? Enjoy some bad news.]

...the uh. The path has one way out. There's a doorway, pretty far off, but it must go to another hall like this one, because Paku can't see much beyond it...

It's that way.

[YEP. THE WAY THEY WEREN'T WALKING.]

[best_laid_plans]

[Malik sighs and lets Ichiro down.]

Then I guess our route's decided. You set to walk?

["Smoo!" cries someone nearer the floor, but he wasn't talking to her. She just thinks he was.]

-and then yuugi broke his ankle five feet away.

[kingofgamecorner]

...guess so.

[Yuugi's not quite to enthuse, but the Mareeps are already shuffling around in front of them, taking most of the light.

Now Yuugi, he is talking to Pokémon.]

You keep upfront with them, Paku, to keep us going the right way. Shin, you better stay out with me... You too, Isami.

[Everyone's so agreeable, but they'll still probably have to speed up, with the half-herd getting ahead!]

CURSE YOU, MUTOU YUUUUUGGIIIII

[best_laid_plans]

[Malik looks at his two and smirks, then follows. Wouldn't want to lose the sheep.

Smoochum jumps up onto his shoulder, and Vulpix rushes ahead to herd the lambs.]

...they're a real team, aren't they.

....curse your volume, Malik Ishtar.

[kingofgamecorner]

[Have a questioning glance, before Yuugi smiles a bit. Even as Isami bristles and follows Vulpix's lead.]

Yeah, we have a lot to learn about battles still. But since we've been in a house, and not on the road with six at a time, all of my Pokémon know each other.

We're lucky, that way.

[best_laid_plans]

....I can see how that'd help. Maybe the trick with my Riolu's to try more tag battles. She might be lonely out there one on one.

Thanks, Yuugi. Maybe, next Pokémon Center....

[He cuts off as Smoochum slurps the air, wondering if she sensed something. No? Well, if anything's out here, it's not hostile yet.]

so I was hit with sudden idea. upcoming natus. SISTERS?

[kingofgamecorner]

No problem. Maybe we can look for trainers in the cities, and-

[And the topsy-turvy idea of battling SIDE BY SIDE is on hold. Have something to say, Smoochum?]

Anything off? -Shin?

[Hmmm, even silently, Lucario's hesitant to say. It's actually his Growlithe that's onto something.

Odd he's not honing in and running down whatever it is, though...]

...that Bronzor. That's a Psychic-type, right?

[Because he's taking a second look at the walls around them... Until their light starts getting too far.]