Deliver Escape Orb | Dungeon Thread

[Roamer]

Roamer felt that great power boost once again, looking at his claws in wonder. He had no idea he could muster up this kind of power. It was.. kind of thrilling. However, he didn't want to learn Smokescreen.
He now understood why some pokémon craved to finish each other off. However, Roamer was nothing like that. These were feral pokémon, tainted by the fog. Nothing to be done about them.

When his partner picked up the Pecha Berry the Charmander nodded. "Sure, it's all yours." He said, with a smile.
So when Vanitas took care of the item, Roamer looked around. Hmm. Two paths to take, and for some reason Roamer edged to the east path.
"So uh, I know it might be sudden." Roamer started, as he hoped Vanitas would follow him. "But.. you're a great partner. would you.. uh.. be interested in forming a team with me?"

The Charmander turned, in hope to see Vanitas' expression. He was kind of afraid for a no, but then again, this was a Sneasel. Perfectly capable of doing dungeons alone, he didn't need a fire type holding him back.

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[Vanitas]

Calmly taking the item, he was just about to follow Roamer towards the eastern path when suddenly, he made some sort of confession to make. Van listened, folding his arms in the process while thinking about Roamer's words. The Charmander credited him for being a great partner, which made him smile. That was certainly good to know, and it eased his mind as he felt certain he had done good so far. 

But this was not the crux of Roamer's confession. No... it was an offer. The offer to create a team with him together. Two melee focused pokemons; one of them with superb speed and strength, the other with great elemental strengths. Vanitas kind of liked the idea, but... he had not forgotten what he had thought about earlier. Roamer was already almost as strong as him, and he was quite a bit younger than him. 

Dropping his arms, his gaze shifted from place to place, uncertainty marking his facial expression. "I..." He merely managed to utter before scratching the head of his back. Gosh... how was he going to put his. Taking in a few deep breaths, his gaze eventually fixed itself onto Roamer. "I would actually like to, Roamer. But... I would only get in your way." He told with a somewhat painful honesty in his voice.

Taking a few steps forward, he halted almost directly infront of the Charmander, eyes meeting eyes. "You are much stronger than I was your age. Where I underwent heavy training, you seem to have an inherent potential far greater than mine. And while, when we evolve the first time, we might still be equals, once you become a Charizard, the difference in power will grow exponentially with each level. And once you mega-evolve... well... you know." He explained Roamer how he saw it, and how much he admired, if not felt jealous towards, the Charmander for his strength.

"Eventually, I will become a liability to you. So for your own sake... I recommend looking for someone else with 3 stages of evolution just like yourself. A chain with links of equal strengths is the best. And I... well... I would sooner or later become the weakest link. You deserve better... and you must gain better to battle the fog and win." He explained how he felt with a heavy heart.

Quietly, looking away, he walked a few steps past the Charmander. How much he wished he had 2 more stages of evolution just like so many other pokemons. But he was born this way, and he hated it. 

[Roamer]

Upon turning, Roamer's courage practically sank into his feet. Vanitas' expression wasn't like the one he hoped. It took the Sneasel a while to reply, all while the Charmander was fidgeting with his paws.
Here they stood, in the east hall towards another room, feeling anything but comfortable.
However, when Vanitas said that he would only get in his way- the Charmander straightened up.
Wait.. the Sneasel was actually afraid of getting in his way?

Vanitas took a few steps forward until he was merely a few feet away from Roamer. The Charmander felt his face heat up when Vanitas' eyes bored right into his. He felt odd. His tiny heart was thumping in his throat and he wasn't sure whether the cause was from excitement or.. nervosity? ... yeah.. probably nervosity.
The Sneasel told him that he was stronger when Vanitas was about his age, and the Charmander wanted to object to that. Surely Vanitas didn't know Roamer that well, he figured he should explain that soon. But, being the patient little fire type, Roamer waited until Vanitas was done speaking.

The ice type then walked past him, shoulders hunched like Roamer's tail had burnt him.
It took Roamer a lot of courage to speak up.
"Wait.." He turned around, claws balled into fists. "Even if I ever become stronger than you, would it really matter? You're my friend, I would never look down on you no matter what." He said, eyes ablaze with a hint of determination. "There are tons of pokémon stronger than me, I'm not going to let them stop me in achieving my goal. I want to be an explorer to help pokémon. Not to shove my strength up other pokémon's noses." He took a step forward, grabbing the Sneasel's arm. "Plus, wouldn't it be totally awesome for you to boast that you were the one who trained me?" A kind of smug grin appeared on Roamer's face as he said that, because it was in fact- the truth. If Vanitas hadn't helped him in this dungeon, he would have never had the courage to step up to the Guildmaster.

"It's because of you that I'm here, and I wouldn't care if I eventually become stronger. This is a team effort, and I'm nothing without you."

Bam, the adrenaline was gone. The Charmander suddenly felt very.. tired. Like a weight had been lifted off his shoulder.
Roamer's eyes started watering, which was a bit childish if you say so. But Roamer was technically still a kid, a kid that had fears, weaknesses, but that didn't stop him from wanting to move on.
The Charmander lunged himself at the Sneasel, wrapping his arms around the other pokémons frame in a comforting embrace. "I don't want you to feel anything less than my equal." He added, now squeezing his eyes shut.

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[Vanitas]

Van had not expected Roamer to take his words lightly, but the Charmander had proven maturity transcending his age several times already, so he was confident he at least could take it, even if it hurt. He was mature enough to accept the words at hand without becoming too emotional; after all they did not know each other that much. They had just met, so it would not be a great deal if their companionship did not last, right? And they could still be guild allies, which was enough, was it not?

Vanitas was startled when Roamer suddenly spoke up, making him stand straight and turn towards his friend with an expression of tremulousness. There was so much exertion in Roamer's stance; he already expected the Charmander to shout at him. But... it did not come as he expected, and he listened quietly to what Roamer had to say.

Roamer questioned if it truly mattered if he became stronger than Van. It did in the Sneasel's eyes, since he could easily take more difficult missions with a team of his own strength class rather than dragging Van along. But then Roamer called him... his friend, which caused Van's eyes to widen and his expression to shift ot that of surprise. They were friends... he was his first friend. He pretended like it did not matter Roamer would not look down on him once he evolved, but... hearing it made him feel warm inside.

The Sneasel was definetly surprised to see so much determination in every aspect of Roamer, telling him he truly meant it. Strength did not matter to him, only helping pokemons in need. "Roamer..." He spoke quietly, just before the Charmander grabbed his arm, causing the Sneasel to stare into his eyes. "B-But... there might one day be mission where you need a team where everyone is as strong as you... and..." He more or less stuttered, but was brought to an instant halt when he embraced him.

Van could not describe what he felt at the moment, but what he could do was to continue to listen and embrace the Charmander as well. Van had to chuckle when he mentioned the possibility for Van to gloat once Roamer became really strong, since he basically was his mentor. That... sounded cool indeed. And it was true, since without Van, he might have never entered the dungeon or attempted to form a team. Roamer showed ultimate gratitude for this, which made Van smile. 

"Alright you sniveler." He spoke with a slightly impish smirk, patting him on the shoulder. "As a friend, I will form a team with you." He finally accepted the Charmander's offer. "BUT! ... only under one condition." He added, nudging Roamer's chin to he would open his eyes again and look at him. "Once you my 'student', has eclipse me the 'teacher'... you do power training with me whenever we have time to spare, got it?" He requested his friend to help him become stronger when the time came that he surpassed Van in power. 

Van was happy, and this happiness showed itself in his eagerness to continue with their journey. "So... team leader." He winked at him. "Do your thing and lead the way." He encougared his new friend to assume his role with absolute dedicaiton. 

[Roamer]

When Vanitas began with 'one day', Roamer had embraced him. "And you will be the first one I ask to join me on that mission." The Charmander told Vanitas, not wanting no for an answer.
There was a bit of silence between them, and luckily Vanitas started talking before things got a little awkward. The Sneasel called him a sniveler and pat him on the shoulder rather reassuringly.
However he still held on to Vanitas until he said that that he would form a team with him, the Charmander wanted to jump a hole in the roof, which was- technically possible since they were now on B3F. However, his expression changed to shock when Vanitas said there was a condition. The Charmander pulled back from the embrace when Vanitas nudged his chin up. The Charmander couldn't help but return that impish smirk. "Deal!" He then beamed, holding out his claw for a handshake to seal the deal.

When Vanitas called him team leader, the Charmander blushed. "Oh, pretty sure I'm not qualified for a leader." He told the Sneasel. "Besides, I know it's silly. But I would follow you to the end of the fog." However that didn't mean Roamer wouldn't try and be the leader of this dungeon. He knew he was still Vanitas' pupil.
"Okay!" Roamer exclaimed, passing the Sneasel with his head held high. They followed the east path.

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[Vanitas]

Okay, if Van was not so good at keeping his composure, he would have made the longest 'daw' that was ever spoken. Roamer's words were so kind; he was like a little brother to him he never had. The Charmander idolized him, was inspired by him... wanted to be with him. This warmth Van felt in his heart grew, now feeling like a gentle ingle. He nodded, not giving Roamer the 'no' as an answer he might have excepted. But this meant he had to push himself to his limits and beyond to attain new hights in power. But if it meant being able to work with his new and only friend... he would gladly do so.

After everything was said and done, Van gave him a firm handshake, using his other paw to beat his chest twice as a sign of confidence. "Deal." He said with a grin on his face before letting go off Roamer completly. "I say you are." He assured his friend in an attempt to make his doubts go away. Roamer was a splendid leader, and Van trusted his judgement blindly. "Same to you." He responded, being willing to follow his new pal to the end of the fog as well. And one day or another... that might even be the case.

Once they were fininshed, Van followed the Charmander with glee, looking forward to bring this adventure to a good end. 

[Sundance]

The two of you, after having had a moment, walk down a rather short path with dead foliage lining the sides. It brushes against your torso's as you walk, only relenting as the pathway opens up to a room containing another Hoppip and a few rocks laying in the corner, as well as a Wondertile nearby. As the Hoppip hears your steps, it raises it's head from a nap, confusion lining it's gaze as it tried to understand the situation.

[Roamer]

When Vanitas said that the feeling was mutual Roamer began to gleam in pride. Here he was, bonding with pokémon he met today. Usually, the Charmander would sort of cower away. However with Vanitas, Roamer felt truly adamant.

As they were following the east path, they ended up in a mirrored image of what they were in before. But they had just ended up on B3F, so that was not possible.
A Hoppip raised its head as it heard Roamer and Vanitas approach. The Charmander didn't hesitate a second, this pokémon was probably also infected by the fog. Why else was it here?
Roamer's fist was coated in fire, and he struck the Hoppip hard. He knew that his new move was strong, since it took out the last Hoppip with ease.

He turned to Vanitas with a smirk. "I love type advantages."

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[Vanitas]

Van had not expected to make friends with someone so quickly either, but the Sneasel took it with glee. Roamer was a great companion to have, and he would certainly not attempt anything to sabotage their bond. They had made a deal that would unify their paths for long anyway. They were going to be a team, despite Van still having doubts about the sagacity of this decision. But if they managed to fight back the fog regardless, then it did not matter.

It took them only a couple of moments to reach the next room, which was one again filled with a tainted Hoppip; nothing Roamer could not handle by himself. He would follow suit with a basic attack if, for reasons he could not understand, Roamer's attack was not enough. "Me, too." He responded to the Charmander's statement of loving advantages.