route_1065 | forward dating for the birthday boy

Entry tags:

malik ishtar | yu-gi-oh!

forward dating for the birthday boy

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?

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[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.

....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.]

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.]

....it was, yes. Partially.

Why?

[Malik doesn't like it when other people reach conclusions before he does. Consider him a bit on alert.]

...do you think there might be others around, using moves to confuse us?

[Hiding themselves, changing the path, throwing them off... Can they do that to others of the same type?

~~Would Paku even tell him if he knew?~~]

[Malik just looks over at Smoochum.

Smoochum starts kissing his shoulder.]

If they are, they're fooling one of their own. She's been fine.

[Still, he glances about, definitely ill at ease. In his head, he doesn't need anything in his head, he knows Smoochum well enough to know that if he were in danger from anything she'd act up...

...unless she's not strong enough because she hasn't evolved....

He looks down at the floor and frowns.]

Lend me another sheep. They've even written on the floor.

[It sounds like an excuse.]

That's a good sign.

[If a bit unsettling in demonstration.

And... Oddly enough, this is where Yuugi hesitates. But it's not you, Malik. It's the hot-headed little girl he's eyeballing.]

Ah... Sure. Come on, Niko.

[She's still not happy, but with Yuugi coming over by Malik in front of her, and Isami nosing her forward, she comes over.

Too bad it's only doing so much. His warning on light's starting to come true...]

Is it in English, too?

Looks it.

[He kneels, tracing the letters to make up for sleepy sheep, and frowns.]

It's a message from the builders. Unhelpful, however:

"Our clan engraved words in this place."

Awfully self-fulfilling prophecy, don't you think?

[He chuckles, a bit forced.]

...kinda unnecessary too, at this point...

[But oddly placed messages or not, the man reading it to him is even more baffling.

And getting quite the questioning stare. (Totally subtle too, right?)]

Maybe we should come back and see what else is down here sometime- when we have more time. Once we know the way out and can bring more supplies.

[About as subtle as your fashion sense there, Yuugi.

Either way, Malik's nodding and standing back up.]

Right. No point taking advantage of this opportunity when we don't even know how we'll be getting out.

And when little ones need their rest.

[Vulpix yawns pointedly.]

--Let's get out quickly.

[~~Hey now, Mr. Lilac Vest.~~ ...right. That's not spelling out what's wrong, but he's connected that Malik won't likely relax until they're topside.

And, indeed, bedtime must be coming up for numerous members. The Mareep pair only shuffle around this much in their urge to fight sleep. Even Paku is drooping more, making wobbly swoops overhead. (Even more than usual.)

Yuugi actually reaches out and catches him on a low pass, holding him as he talks to the furry brood.]

Come on guys, the faster we move, the faster we get out.

[Forward march ~~AND HOURS LATER HURHUR~~]

[Forward march! .....and forward, and forward.

Smoochum has to keep blowing cold air on Vulpix's back to keep him moving. Malik's focused ahead, however, peering into the darkness as best he can (and failing at not looking antsy).

Finally, he holds up a hand.]

Something's out there.

[Faintly, down the corridor, there comes a glow.]

[-that's not nice, Smoochum. Yuugi's not so sure he approves.

And would have likely said so- Had Malik not called for a stop.

What could that be? He squints for a second, but abandons that when he has to call out-]

Ichiro, Niko! Isami, you better stop them...

Paku, can you tell what that is?

[Or will Paku - and Lucario as "translator" - get a chance to share?]

[Paku is welcome to try - if he can sense and dodge the rocks being chucked out of nowhere at him.

The wild ??? used Rock Throw! And Vulpix's hackles go up. He growls, ready to pounce.]

Hold off -

Yuugi, what's out there?

[Then it's lucky Paku's still in Yuugi's arms, so he can clutch him close and his Lucario can get in the way, guarding them both.

Isami's happy to jump in, too- But the Mareep are scurrying about, so he needs to do some corralling first.]

-Paku? Shin?

[A quick scan, "wooing" from Paku, and translation from Shin, and Yuugi's giving a stumbling.]

A... rock sun? I don't know!

[But, if it's a 'rock' anything...]

Shin, aim Water Pulse passed Niko and Ichiro!

[A /what/?!

But Malik can see it soon enough - it's begun to spin in hopes of deflecting the attack, lighting up as it whirls. So that's -

It fires Confusion at Shin, and Malik's expression sets. He's not letting another thing with Psychic attacks escape.]

Smoochum, knock it out of the air!

[She leaps into the fray with a mighty "smoo".]

[The Confusion hits, but even so Shin is leveled enough that it's more grazing than anything, and for the same reason his water move helps slow the Psychic before Smoochum even knocks it over.

And as soon as it's down Yuugi's stepping forward to pull the Mareeps back.]

Did it faint?

[Malik moves forward to check it out, Vulpix growling into the darkness.

He lifts his Poké Ball.]

It better not.

[There is a rustling, and a faint glow; an upset "smoo", and then something launching itself at Malik.

React if you can, Yuugi! But someone else - somebody little and glowing - is rushing the opponent too.]

[Yuugi really doesn't mind the opponent at all at this point. Leave that to Shin's watch!

He'd rather jolt at Malik's ambush.]

-Isami! Help him!

[Too bad Yuugi wasn't specific. Tackling Malik from the side to get him out of the way- That counts, right?]

[It counts all right. Sure. It counts. Ouch.

Malik winces and looks up just as the levitating rock comes crashing down, partially drenched and partially dizzy from being smacked across the face by an angry....

Malik blinks, barely remembering to throw his PokéBall. He must have hit his head harder than he thought, because -]

Jynx!

[If it helps, Malik, Yuugi's coming over to help you stand up.

Then he's happy to properly gawk at the newest shift in the situation.]

It- She evolved!

[~~Thank you, Mr. Obvious.~~]

[Vulpix, helpful as always, trots forward to take the new PokéBall in his mouth, for when anyone will see fit to notice the Pokémon was captured.

Malik, however, manages not to smack Yuugi's helping hand away just in time, and instead lets himself lean a little on the other boy's support. This indignity will help, he tells himself. The more helpless, the more "normal", he can appear before Yuugi....

Another pair of arms helps on the other side.]

Jynx!

....so she did.

[He might, for half a moment, actually look proud. (He's holding back an It's About Time evil smirk.)]

[A quick congratulatory smile Jynx's way is about all Yuugi can manage, since he's trying to help keep a much taller person up.

And from there, it's kind of hard to miss his reaction to said help, even if it's not acted on.

But there's not really much he can say about that, without the usual topic breach risks, so.]

Are you going to have any problem walking? Because - even if you don't?

[He looks off down the path they meant to take, all the darker now that his Mareeps' lights are dimming.]

I don't think we're getting out anytime soon. That door down there doesn't even lead out, does it, Paku?

[...his "woo!" in answer is far too perky a dissent, even without Shin coming back over to explain.]

I'm fine. [Jynx tries to get him to lean more of his weight on her. She's too tall to hop onto his shoulder now!

He takes a deep breath and thinks, tapping a finger against his new PokéBall. Spending a full Mareep-nap with Yuugi in the dark isn't high on his agenda, particularly not while achy like this.]

This thing lights up, but we just about did it in. I'm out of Potions; how are you....no point in worrying about the exit till we've got our light source.

[Sure you are, Malik.. That's why Yuugi is reluctant to leave keeping you up all to Jynx. Right.

But he does, if only to dig through his bag, hearing more than seeing what's inside.]

I have a few waters left, if it might help your uh, new catch... But it won't help the kids. They don't need to heal, just "recharge".

[And no, he's not sure what causes that, except maybe sticking together. But lo and behold, a few hours of no discharge = extra fluffy night light!]

....curse your volume, Malik Ishtar.

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

god yes - also i have 1 other poké on his shopping list but that can be offscreen if need be

NO PROBLEM but I best leave timing to you, knower of other pokemon need.

kkkkkkkk i shall plots

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and then fetchie was a huge melodramatic sap

stack that pokedrama, fetchie!!

do not tempt me, frodo!

you can not take this r...regimen of drama?

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