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heartkick_inc~It was three weeks left until the League was to begin and the travelers were.... not ready. Norman knew that time was running out, but it turned out that old fighter Chuck was more than worthy opponent. It was a tad frustrating though, he'd taken on gym leaders, he'd taken on criminals, he even got passed the DRAGON'S DEN before he could combat the Cianwood Gym. Granted being a Normal-type trainer going against a Fighting type wasn't easy, and with Chuck being a Fighting specialist he's had more than his fair share of smacking down these wild cards for a while now, but it still didn't seem fair.
Time was also running out for Birch, but not in the same way. He knew he would have to return home after the League. Or perhaps not, but he should anyway, having been away from home far too long and his family was both mad and worried. More importantly though, as he he'd been teasing with his fiance, it might be wise to leave before he got deported. This had been an amazing trip, but given their record with the police, traveling with his long since expired student visa was leaving things a tad risky.
Neither wanted to talk about his leaving though, instead the main thought for both of them remained focused on both the Pokemon League and perhaps FINALLY taking some time to study the area around Azalea Town as it really was the whole reason he came to Johto in the first place. The city was beautiful though, shades of colors peeking between the green of the trees as Spring was only just starting to wear away in preparation for the coming Autumn which shone all the more in the afternoon sun.
Norman had been resting up, talking to people, and wondering what was taking his partner so long to finish... whatever it is he was doing.~
Birch: [comes up the steps of the Slowpoke Well, a tad absentmindedly as he flipped over the pages in his notebook to recap everything he'd drawn and written down, making sure he didn't lose a page or two below, when he suddenly looked up to find that Norman was just outside] ..... Were you planning to come down?
Norman: Only to come find you. [he seems to have that look again, the kind that tells anyone he's got a plan of action to take whether you're with him or not] One of the hikers that came through Union Cave said that there's strange noises coming from the lower levels. I asked some of the trainers around here and they said that once a week, for some reason its only today, that those noises can be heard.
Birch: You want to go looking for it, don't you? [But... but... he's still got stuff he needs to do, Norman.]
Norman: I was just going to let you know where I was going. You don't HAVE to go if you're scared. [Yes he knows you have stuff to do, but LIMITED TIME MONSTER HUNT! You can study tomorrow!]
Birch: [oh you suck! But it gets a slight grin out of him anyway.] You remember what happened when we went searching the Whirl Islands? As soon as you got Whirlpool you had to go looking for-
Norman: This is different though. Its Union Cave, it’s not that deep or complicated or dark. An old woman at the Pokemon Center told me it comes in through the underground lakes.
Birch: .... [curious] It sounds like a water type. You don't intend to catch it, do you? XD
Norman: Doesn't mean I can't be interested. I'm kind of surprised you're not jumping at this. A strange possibly rare pokemon has made a habit of coming into town on a specific day... don't you want to find out why? XD
~He is, you bet he is, but that doesn't change the fact that.... Well actually he is done for the moment, possibly for the day as otherwise he was planning to go to Kurt's house. Clearly, the man should still be there tomorrow after having lived there for the passed 50 years or something. There is also that time limit thing which if they don't do it today they might not be back in the area by next week....~
Birch: [really he just spent a good portion of the day in a damp cave like setting, so to find himself back in a damp cave like setting only thirty minutes after leaving the last one was a surprise even to him. Union Cave after all this time was actually something of a familiar passage to them having come through Azalea quite a few times. Not that they had explored the full caverns even after having the ability to Surf for a while now. Norman was right though, as they moved toward the ladder to the first "basement" of the cave, there were very faint, and quite distinct echoes of something not human. It didn't sound vicious though, in fact, it sounded quite happy. Staring down the hole they're about to slip through.] What do you think it is? I know someone once said that if you listen closely you can hear Onix in these caves, but that is definitely not anything I've heard before.
Norman: [perfectly serious] Lugia.
Birch: Norman. [he just rolls his eyes at the teen's smug grin to show he was teasing.]
Norman: [chuckling to himself as he gets a grip on the ladder and starts to go down] I'm kidding! Besides, we know what that sounds like.
Birch: [descending as well] You promised this wasn't going to be like last time. If we spend the next three days down here chasing noises, I quit XD
Norman: [on the lower floor] It wasn't just noise though! You heard it, that weird song-like cry had to be it.
Birch: Could have been a Wailord for all I know. [because really, his guessing abilities have only slightly improved from when he first came here, in which he didn't know what almost anything was.] If no one has ever seen it, how do you know what it sounds like?
Norman: When you hear it often enough...
Birch: I'm not saying it wasn't, just wondering how you know its some sort of mythical bird and not really a sea dragon or another undiscovered pokemon?
Norman: [looking over the area, pause for thought] Do Wailord sing like that?
Birch: Not like that but they do have a very distinct call. [pauses and looks around the area. His ears are pricking as there comes another lighthearted trill somewhere farther in.] .... Not like that either.
Norman: [looking out over the waters of the underground lake. Really there was something kind of.... otherworldly in the way the water seemed to shimmer even though they were in the depths of a cave. Maybe there were Chinchou down there. Or even Starmie....]
Birch: [Don't you dare get us lost again. But, in all honesty, he's kind of amused] Hmmm... Well last time we went down there, we had to cross a small lake, didn't we? Maybe the ladder is on the other side?
Norman: [pricking his ears hoping to figure if they're going the right way, but its gone quiet for now. At least for the strange pokemon, otherwise there's the usual zubat and soft skittering of raticate.... pleasant. Well the water seemed nice at least, best keep moving before the bats noticed them. Holds up a pokeball with Ditto in it.] Need a lift? XD
~It was pretty obvious once they made it to the other side, that this was likely the wrong way. The place was far too dry and appeared too narrow to be the place where the ocean water came in.... in fact, the water seemed to be fresh and likely had some connection with the Slowpoke Well back in town. But all was not lost as they went farther along just to be sure, because it didn't take long before they realized there was light coming into the cave from some small opening to the outside.
Going closer revealed it wasn't just an opening, but an actual passage at some point. Old, large, and worn out stone steps climbed through the hole and the brief darting shadow of some curious strange pokemon caught the pair's attention as they darted after it. If there was any promise that this unknown specimen was the one they were seeking, they were off by a long shot. Still, there was something of a wonder and confusion to see not just one, or two, or even three of the normally rare Smeargle scurrying around the entrance area, but possibly an entire clan of them which darted into the grass as they climbed out of the darkness. Shy little things, aren't they?
Birch had honestly never seen one before and only heard about them on the exceedingly rare occasion, but he knew a few things for certain. They were only native to this area of Johto and a cave near Sinnoh so no surprise they were likely cave dwellers.... might also explain the drawing ability that they'd evolved if they'd been spending centuries marking up the stone walls. More importantly though they were perhaps the greatest oddball of a normal type known to man and that was really saying something considering he'd seen Ditto in action many times now.~
Birch: [just staring at the grass as it shifts about with the various flecks of color flickering out of it. They may have been trying to warn the others of danger approaching] .... We.... Where are we?
Norman: We just stepped out of Union Cave so it’s most likely we're currently on Route 32. Or at least somewhere near it since there doesn't seem to be any actual connection from here.
Birch: Huh.... [goes to get a closer look at the field. The grass is almost taller than they are.] It doesn't look like anyone has been here in ages. XD
Norman: .... Do you want me to leave you here so you can explore? XD
Birch: [amused] Isn't that what we were doing to begin with? Besides, I won't be long, I just want to see how far this goes.
Norman: And you're complaining that I'M going to get us lost? That field could go on for miles. ^w^;
Birch: We also don't know what's out there besides Smeargle. I know what I'm doing. [grabs a pokeball from his bag, naturally pulling out Heracross]
Norman: [Well he's not surprised, but there is that slight amusement in knowing SOMEHOW Birch is likely gonna get hurt for this]
Birch: Heracles, can you give me a lift?
Heracles: Her-cross~~ [Just checking the view? Sure! His wings bring up quite the small gust as he lifts off taking a moment to steady himself before picking up his master]
~Norman just shook his head as the pair took off. Used to this as he was, he still couldn't quite wrap his mind around the fact that Heracross isn't suited to carrying people, and he could only imagine that one of these days his friend here is gonna get dropped. ... Not that he was one to talk. And on that note, he decided to maybe have some fun while waiting and let out Furret. Come now,fluffeh all-in-one master, let's see if we can catch us one of those Smeargle.
Birch sees what you are doing Norman, but he's not going to complain as he can also see that the field is actually quite small. Overgrown as it is, the grass served as something of a large cluster jutting up along the rocky terrain, and there was no sight of bodies of water along this path meaning that all those living here probably lived off the grass, rain water, and the underground lake. More interesting though is that it seemed the path, for there really was a path here, appeared to be man made. Much like the stone steps that lead here, there were large chunks of smooth rock that looked like a form of pavement that had been broken up over the years of neglect. There didn't appear to be any large pokemon in the grass either as the largest thing in sight at least was what appeared to be a mother Xatu guarding the nest as she eyed him carefully as he passed by. But then again, that wary stare was something of a trademark of theirs, wasn't it? And then.... he dropped. Not because he had been dropped, but because once on the other side of the field, Birch and Heracles seemed to have the same "WHAT IS THAT?!" stop in your tracks reaction and came to a swift but safe landing. A...? Was that...? It was a large man made structure of some kind, but it was old, ancient even. Faded colors could be seen along its thick stone walls, similar to the steps and pavement as well, but despite having vines and large chips missing from its painted history, the building still looked sturdy almost like it could still be used. A high rock wall cut off this area from the woods that lined Route 32, and was highly smudged up with paint, but for some reason it seemed the pokemon didn't dare touch the ruins with their markings. How... strange. Maybe just a closer look....~
Norman: [A WILD NORMAN APPEARS] Guess what, I got one!
Birch: GAH! [had been lost in thought and the sudden disturbance to the quiet caught him off guard. But oh, it’s just him.] That was fast, even for you.
Norman: Oh yeah? And what did you find? [he'd seen where Birch dropped, and while cautiously going to make sure he was alright, it came as a slightly pleasant surprise to see the clearing or even the end of the field. Running over with slight glee as he spotted his friend's bright white windbreaker against the rocky wall, he hurried over wanting to show him. Didn't mean to startle him so much though. Steps over with curiosity as to what held the guy's attention so badly and paused when he saw it himself] Whoa.... o.o
Birch: [looking at it too] My thoughts exactly. You wouldn't happen to know what this is, would you?
Norman: I heard there were some ruins hidden away somewhere between Violet City and Azalea Town, but.... I can't remember much else about them. I know from school that they think they're the oldest signs of civilization in all of Johto, maybe even the world, buuuuuut that's pretty much it.
Birch: [how fascinating.... yes he heard about something like that as well once now that Norman mentioned it, but perhaps the people of Johto were taught more about it than in Hoenn given they have their own civilizations they know more about and go over in school] Do you think they'd know more about it in town?
Norman: Oh, no doubt about that. I mean, it'd be cool to go check it out, but maybe we should ask someone first?
Birch: [laughing] We barge into places all the time, but NOW you want to ask for permission?
Norman: This is different! It’s not like dealing with shady characters and abandoned places in town. This is like we could get an angry mob after us if they found out we broke something kind of thing.
Birch: [True, this is Azalea they were dealing with and while the people had been pleasant about most things, Norman also got challenged by someone for tripping over one of the slowpoke.] I know, but it's still weird hearing that coming from you.
Norman: [Hey.... But you know what? He kind of does have a point even if he doesn't want to admit it] We'll ask around and come back first thing in the morning. Deal?
Birch: And for the evening we continue to look for the monster?
Norman: [gives him this look of.... you even have to ask?]
Time was also running out for Birch, but not in the same way. He knew he would have to return home after the League. Or perhaps not, but he should anyway, having been away from home far too long and his family was both mad and worried. More importantly though, as he he'd been teasing with his fiance, it might be wise to leave before he got deported. This had been an amazing trip, but given their record with the police, traveling with his long since expired student visa was leaving things a tad risky.
Neither wanted to talk about his leaving though, instead the main thought for both of them remained focused on both the Pokemon League and perhaps FINALLY taking some time to study the area around Azalea Town as it really was the whole reason he came to Johto in the first place. The city was beautiful though, shades of colors peeking between the green of the trees as Spring was only just starting to wear away in preparation for the coming Autumn which shone all the more in the afternoon sun.
Norman had been resting up, talking to people, and wondering what was taking his partner so long to finish... whatever it is he was doing.~
Birch: [comes up the steps of the Slowpoke Well, a tad absentmindedly as he flipped over the pages in his notebook to recap everything he'd drawn and written down, making sure he didn't lose a page or two below, when he suddenly looked up to find that Norman was just outside] ..... Were you planning to come down?
Norman: Only to come find you. [he seems to have that look again, the kind that tells anyone he's got a plan of action to take whether you're with him or not] One of the hikers that came through Union Cave said that there's strange noises coming from the lower levels. I asked some of the trainers around here and they said that once a week, for some reason its only today, that those noises can be heard.
Birch: You want to go looking for it, don't you? [But... but... he's still got stuff he needs to do, Norman.]
Norman: I was just going to let you know where I was going. You don't HAVE to go if you're scared. [Yes he knows you have stuff to do, but LIMITED TIME MONSTER HUNT! You can study tomorrow!]
Birch: [oh you suck! But it gets a slight grin out of him anyway.] You remember what happened when we went searching the Whirl Islands? As soon as you got Whirlpool you had to go looking for-
Norman: This is different though. Its Union Cave, it’s not that deep or complicated or dark. An old woman at the Pokemon Center told me it comes in through the underground lakes.
Birch: .... [curious] It sounds like a water type. You don't intend to catch it, do you? XD
Norman: Doesn't mean I can't be interested. I'm kind of surprised you're not jumping at this. A strange possibly rare pokemon has made a habit of coming into town on a specific day... don't you want to find out why? XD
~He is, you bet he is, but that doesn't change the fact that.... Well actually he is done for the moment, possibly for the day as otherwise he was planning to go to Kurt's house. Clearly, the man should still be there tomorrow after having lived there for the passed 50 years or something. There is also that time limit thing which if they don't do it today they might not be back in the area by next week....~
Birch: [really he just spent a good portion of the day in a damp cave like setting, so to find himself back in a damp cave like setting only thirty minutes after leaving the last one was a surprise even to him. Union Cave after all this time was actually something of a familiar passage to them having come through Azalea quite a few times. Not that they had explored the full caverns even after having the ability to Surf for a while now. Norman was right though, as they moved toward the ladder to the first "basement" of the cave, there were very faint, and quite distinct echoes of something not human. It didn't sound vicious though, in fact, it sounded quite happy. Staring down the hole they're about to slip through.] What do you think it is? I know someone once said that if you listen closely you can hear Onix in these caves, but that is definitely not anything I've heard before.
Norman: [perfectly serious] Lugia.
Birch: Norman. [he just rolls his eyes at the teen's smug grin to show he was teasing.]
Norman: [chuckling to himself as he gets a grip on the ladder and starts to go down] I'm kidding! Besides, we know what that sounds like.
Birch: [descending as well] You promised this wasn't going to be like last time. If we spend the next three days down here chasing noises, I quit XD
Norman: [on the lower floor] It wasn't just noise though! You heard it, that weird song-like cry had to be it.
Birch: Could have been a Wailord for all I know. [because really, his guessing abilities have only slightly improved from when he first came here, in which he didn't know what almost anything was.] If no one has ever seen it, how do you know what it sounds like?
Norman: When you hear it often enough...
Birch: I'm not saying it wasn't, just wondering how you know its some sort of mythical bird and not really a sea dragon or another undiscovered pokemon?
Norman: [looking over the area, pause for thought] Do Wailord sing like that?
Birch: Not like that but they do have a very distinct call. [pauses and looks around the area. His ears are pricking as there comes another lighthearted trill somewhere farther in.] .... Not like that either.
Norman: [looking out over the waters of the underground lake. Really there was something kind of.... otherworldly in the way the water seemed to shimmer even though they were in the depths of a cave. Maybe there were Chinchou down there. Or even Starmie....]
Birch: [Don't you dare get us lost again. But, in all honesty, he's kind of amused] Hmmm... Well last time we went down there, we had to cross a small lake, didn't we? Maybe the ladder is on the other side?
Norman: [pricking his ears hoping to figure if they're going the right way, but its gone quiet for now. At least for the strange pokemon, otherwise there's the usual zubat and soft skittering of raticate.... pleasant. Well the water seemed nice at least, best keep moving before the bats noticed them. Holds up a pokeball with Ditto in it.] Need a lift? XD
~It was pretty obvious once they made it to the other side, that this was likely the wrong way. The place was far too dry and appeared too narrow to be the place where the ocean water came in.... in fact, the water seemed to be fresh and likely had some connection with the Slowpoke Well back in town. But all was not lost as they went farther along just to be sure, because it didn't take long before they realized there was light coming into the cave from some small opening to the outside.
Going closer revealed it wasn't just an opening, but an actual passage at some point. Old, large, and worn out stone steps climbed through the hole and the brief darting shadow of some curious strange pokemon caught the pair's attention as they darted after it. If there was any promise that this unknown specimen was the one they were seeking, they were off by a long shot. Still, there was something of a wonder and confusion to see not just one, or two, or even three of the normally rare Smeargle scurrying around the entrance area, but possibly an entire clan of them which darted into the grass as they climbed out of the darkness. Shy little things, aren't they?
Birch had honestly never seen one before and only heard about them on the exceedingly rare occasion, but he knew a few things for certain. They were only native to this area of Johto and a cave near Sinnoh so no surprise they were likely cave dwellers.... might also explain the drawing ability that they'd evolved if they'd been spending centuries marking up the stone walls. More importantly though they were perhaps the greatest oddball of a normal type known to man and that was really saying something considering he'd seen Ditto in action many times now.~
Birch: [just staring at the grass as it shifts about with the various flecks of color flickering out of it. They may have been trying to warn the others of danger approaching] .... We.... Where are we?
Norman: We just stepped out of Union Cave so it’s most likely we're currently on Route 32. Or at least somewhere near it since there doesn't seem to be any actual connection from here.
Birch: Huh.... [goes to get a closer look at the field. The grass is almost taller than they are.] It doesn't look like anyone has been here in ages. XD
Norman: .... Do you want me to leave you here so you can explore? XD
Birch: [amused] Isn't that what we were doing to begin with? Besides, I won't be long, I just want to see how far this goes.
Norman: And you're complaining that I'M going to get us lost? That field could go on for miles. ^w^;
Birch: We also don't know what's out there besides Smeargle. I know what I'm doing. [grabs a pokeball from his bag, naturally pulling out Heracross]
Norman: [Well he's not surprised, but there is that slight amusement in knowing SOMEHOW Birch is likely gonna get hurt for this]
Birch: Heracles, can you give me a lift?
Heracles: Her-cross~~ [Just checking the view? Sure! His wings bring up quite the small gust as he lifts off taking a moment to steady himself before picking up his master]
~Norman just shook his head as the pair took off. Used to this as he was, he still couldn't quite wrap his mind around the fact that Heracross isn't suited to carrying people, and he could only imagine that one of these days his friend here is gonna get dropped. ... Not that he was one to talk. And on that note, he decided to maybe have some fun while waiting and let out Furret. Come now,
Birch sees what you are doing Norman, but he's not going to complain as he can also see that the field is actually quite small. Overgrown as it is, the grass served as something of a large cluster jutting up along the rocky terrain, and there was no sight of bodies of water along this path meaning that all those living here probably lived off the grass, rain water, and the underground lake. More interesting though is that it seemed the path, for there really was a path here, appeared to be man made. Much like the stone steps that lead here, there were large chunks of smooth rock that looked like a form of pavement that had been broken up over the years of neglect. There didn't appear to be any large pokemon in the grass either as the largest thing in sight at least was what appeared to be a mother Xatu guarding the nest as she eyed him carefully as he passed by. But then again, that wary stare was something of a trademark of theirs, wasn't it? And then.... he dropped. Not because he had been dropped, but because once on the other side of the field, Birch and Heracles seemed to have the same "WHAT IS THAT?!" stop in your tracks reaction and came to a swift but safe landing. A...? Was that...? It was a large man made structure of some kind, but it was old, ancient even. Faded colors could be seen along its thick stone walls, similar to the steps and pavement as well, but despite having vines and large chips missing from its painted history, the building still looked sturdy almost like it could still be used. A high rock wall cut off this area from the woods that lined Route 32, and was highly smudged up with paint, but for some reason it seemed the pokemon didn't dare touch the ruins with their markings. How... strange. Maybe just a closer look....~
Norman: [A WILD NORMAN APPEARS] Guess what, I got one!
Birch: GAH! [had been lost in thought and the sudden disturbance to the quiet caught him off guard. But oh, it’s just him.] That was fast, even for you.
Norman: Oh yeah? And what did you find? [he'd seen where Birch dropped, and while cautiously going to make sure he was alright, it came as a slightly pleasant surprise to see the clearing or even the end of the field. Running over with slight glee as he spotted his friend's bright white windbreaker against the rocky wall, he hurried over wanting to show him. Didn't mean to startle him so much though. Steps over with curiosity as to what held the guy's attention so badly and paused when he saw it himself] Whoa.... o.o
Birch: [looking at it too] My thoughts exactly. You wouldn't happen to know what this is, would you?
Norman: I heard there were some ruins hidden away somewhere between Violet City and Azalea Town, but.... I can't remember much else about them. I know from school that they think they're the oldest signs of civilization in all of Johto, maybe even the world, buuuuuut that's pretty much it.
Birch: [how fascinating.... yes he heard about something like that as well once now that Norman mentioned it, but perhaps the people of Johto were taught more about it than in Hoenn given they have their own civilizations they know more about and go over in school] Do you think they'd know more about it in town?
Norman: Oh, no doubt about that. I mean, it'd be cool to go check it out, but maybe we should ask someone first?
Birch: [laughing] We barge into places all the time, but NOW you want to ask for permission?
Norman: This is different! It’s not like dealing with shady characters and abandoned places in town. This is like we could get an angry mob after us if they found out we broke something kind of thing.
Birch: [True, this is Azalea they were dealing with and while the people had been pleasant about most things, Norman also got challenged by someone for tripping over one of the slowpoke.] I know, but it's still weird hearing that coming from you.
Norman: [Hey.... But you know what? He kind of does have a point even if he doesn't want to admit it] We'll ask around and come back first thing in the morning. Deal?
Birch: And for the evening we continue to look for the monster?
Norman: [gives him this look of.... you even have to ask?]
