The Pulled String - Revision history

JWNoctis at 03:22, 29 May 2013

2013-05-29T03:22:20Z

Show changes

JWNoctis at 11:34, 14 May 2013

2013-05-14T11:34:16Z

JWNoctis at 02:19, 5 May 2013

2013-05-05T02:19:07Z

KuiperFrog at 16:10, 15 June 2012

2012-06-15T16:10:52Z

KuiperFrog at 02:02, 13 May 2012

2012-05-13T02:02:06Z

KuiperFrog at 18:41, 10 April 2012

2012-04-10T18:41:31Z

KuiperFrog at 19:04, 9 April 2012

2012-04-09T19:04:58Z

KuiperFrog at 17:15, 9 April 2012

2012-04-09T17:15:25Z

KuiperFrog at 15:08, 8 April 2012

2012-04-08T15:08:00Z

KuiperFrog at 15:05, 8 April 2012

2012-04-08T15:05:48Z

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   | Epilogues =
   | Stories =
   | Rewards =
   | Links = [http://pmd-explorers.deviantart.com/gallery/36209714 All 11 parts]

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:19, 5 May 2013
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		+	{{Groupevents
		+	\| Type = Story
		+	\| Image =
		+	\| Name = The Pulled String
		+	\| Arc = 1
		+	\| Notimeline =
		+	\| Prev = [[Mission 5]]
		+	\| Next = [[Mission 6]], [[Timeline#Arc_2\|Arc 2]]
		+	\| ReleaseDate = Mar 23rd, 2012 - Part 1<br>Apr 11th, 2012 - Final Part
		+	\| EndDate =
		+	\| Prologues =
		+	\| Epilogues =
		+	\| Stories =
		+	\| Rewards =
		+	\| Links = [http://pmd-explorers.deviantart.com/gallery/36209714 All 11 parts]
		+	}}{{clr}}
		+	----
	[[Category:Story]]		[[Category:Story]]
	[[File:ThePulledString1.png\|1000px\|center]]<br>		[[File:ThePulledString1.png\|1000px\|center]]<br>

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:10, 15 June 2012
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		+	[[Category:Story]]
	[[File:ThePulledString1.png\|1000px\|center]]<br>		[[File:ThePulledString1.png\|1000px\|center]]<br>
	The whole thing... it was a bit of a shock. Rhodes had grown up in that forest, as far back as he could remember. He knew much of it by heart and could always find his way around it. Better than most of his Sneasel brethren, even! To see the trees felled everywhere by Sorbet’s rampage left an empty feeling, like he was looking at his home destroyed. Of course, many villagers would now have that feeling, but it was one he would understand better than they might realize. The Sneasel hardly even kept his eyes forward as he traveled on, distracted by the displeasing scenery.		The whole thing... it was a bit of a shock. Rhodes had grown up in that forest, as far back as he could remember. He knew much of it by heart and could always find his way around it. Better than most of his Sneasel brethren, even! To see the trees felled everywhere by Sorbet’s rampage left an empty feeling, like he was looking at his home destroyed. Of course, many villagers would now have that feeling, but it was one he would understand better than they might realize. The Sneasel hardly even kept his eyes forward as he traveled on, distracted by the displeasing scenery.

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+[[File:ThePulledString1.png|1000px|center]]<br>
 The whole thing... it was a bit of a shock. Rhodes had grown up in that forest, as far back as he could remember. He knew much of it by heart and could always find his way around it. Better than most of his Sneasel brethren, even! To see the trees felled everywhere by Sorbet’s rampage left an empty feeling, like he was looking at his home destroyed. Of course, many villagers would now have that feeling, but it was one he would understand better than they might realize. The Sneasel hardly even kept his eyes forward as he traveled on, distracted by the displeasing scenery.
@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 Regardless of how sensitive it was or wasn’t, Rhodes voiced a calmed sigh, and let his claw rest at his side as he walked. Once again, his three-pronged facial scar was visible. There wasn’t a real point in hiding it, anyway. “He was no good. I would have been no good too, if I just kept listening to him,” he began. “I just... wish... hm?”
 ----
-[[File:ThePulledString2.png|700px|center]]<br>
+[[File:ThePulledString2.png|1000px|center]]<br>
 Something was off. There was a commotion in the distance that caused Rhodes to perk up all of a sudden. “What is it?” Udon attempted to ask, only to be shushed hastily by Rhodes. She may have been confused by the gesture, but it had to happen. He needed silence. He needed to hear this.
@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 That sure got his rear in gear. With some minor flailing, the Sneasel began reaching out, attempting to cut the looping rope with his claws. He snapped one loop... only to be interrupted.
 ----
-[[File:ThePulledString3.png|700px|center]]<br>
+[[File:ThePulledString3.png|1000px|center]]<br>
 “Are you really going to go down without a fight? Sheesh!”
@@ Line 104: / Line 104: @@
 “It’s pretty simple,” the Banette replied, perhaps the only other pokemon present who <i>shouldn’t</i> know what was happening. He turned his gaze to Udon, outstretching his arms in a casual, disdainful shrug, “First one to hit the ground loses. That’s it.”
 ----
-[[File:ThePulledString4.png|700px|center]]<br>
+[[File:ThePulledString4.png|1000px|center]]<br>
 To everyone below, it was almost impossible to follow except by the occasional rustle of leaves. For Rhodes, it was a tense bout of survival. His every move along the branches mattered. Slow and silent, or quick and evasive. It was all a matter of adapting to the situation.
@@ Line 119: / Line 119: @@
 In a panic, Rhodes began to tug away. He realized this could be the end right away if he didn’t do something drastic. The other Sneasel had begun to pull, attempting to make him lose balance. It was also starting to work. His footing was being lost, leaving him little choice. A heavy lurch away from his assailant freed him, at the cost of ripping his scarf free. He wouldn’t get a chance to survey the damage until he was able to slink away, but at least he’d be able to.
 ----
-[[File:ThePulledString5.png|700px|center]]<br>
+[[File:ThePulledString5.png|1000px|center]]<br>
 On along several branches Rhodes leaped, turning his head to notice he wasn’t followed. That was to be expected. Committing to a chase usually had to be quite thought-out, in these cases. This gave Rhodes precious moments to think. In one of his large claws, he lifted the end of his scarf and peered down at it. Gazing upon the two gashes left upon it caused a sinking feeling to well up inside him. If not for the advent of a sudden idea, he might not have perked back up.
@@ Line 134: / Line 134: @@
 Onlookers from the ground had been watching in suspense, barely able to see the action other than mild movements of the tree’s parts. They couldn’t see how the duel was going until the very end, when one of the Sneasels plummeted to the ground. At least the landing wasn’t gruesome, allowing him to mostly catch himself on his claws, though the force of gravity still made him buckle and roll to his side, avoiding most of the physical pain from the fall. It looked as though his ego was bruised more than anything else.
 ----
-[[File:ThePulledString6.png|700px|center]]<br>
+[[File:ThePulledString6.png|1000px|center]]<br>
 Shortly after, Rhodes fell as well, landing much more gracefully at the other Sneasel’s side, on his feet. His scarf was still in his claw. Having outlived its usefulness as bait, it was thrown back over his own neck and tightened. Rhodes turned to see the surprise on his comrades’ faces become excited joy... and then he turned to the Banette. It was staring at him. That smile, it was even more unsettling now. Did he want this to happen? Rhodes shot the puppet-like ghost a brief glare as their red eyes met each other, before turning back to the grounded Sneasel.
@@ Line 179: / Line 179: @@
 With that, the other Sneasel parted on pleasant terms, leaving only Rhodes, Udon, and the strange Banette together.
 ----
-[[File:ThePulledString7.png|700px|center]]<br>
+[[File:ThePulledString7.png|1000px|center]]<br>
 Rhodes had said he would head to Tao with Udon, but... he had to get to the bottom of this. It was important. “Miss Udon...” he began, though not taking his eyes off of the Banette, who looked somewhat impatient by now. “I think you should go ahead to the village without me.”
@@ Line 242: / Line 242: @@
 “Hey! You got some nerve, kid!” Gnasher yelled and interrupted. He frowned in anger, balling his fists and throwing his arms forward in a gesture of his own frustration, “I told you before, I got no idea what you’re going on about! Whoever you’re thinking about can screw off, ‘cause it’s not me! Know why I know anything about your stupid gang? I sure don’t! I can hardly think straight for all the garbage floating around in my head!!”
 ----
-[[File:ThePulledString8.png|700px|center]]<br>
+[[File:ThePulledString8.png|1000px|center]]<br>
 Despite the fact that Rhodes still felt like his anger was justified... it was fading. Did he really not know anything? It made sense... if Slasher were standing before him, he’d be acting much differently. “... Is that really true? If you’re messin’ with me, I’m not gonna take it!” Rhodes warned, gritting his teeth tensely. He hadn’t felt that upset in a while... though maybe the sudden hotter day didn’t help matters for him.
@@ Line 271: / Line 271: @@
 The whole speech had been forgotten to Rhodes. He was even younger then, after all. With it being recited once more right in front of him, memories were jarred. His own steps slowed down, as grim realizations took hold, and so did some confusion. This ghost was Slasher. He had to be. But... he was different. There was less anger. Less malice.
 ----
-[[File:ThePulledString9.png|700px|center]]<br>
+[[File:ThePulledString9.png|1000px|center]]<br>
 They would eventually be there, if the Banette kept trudging forward in his seemingly mindless state. That fateful drop that the rushing water was heading for. Rhodes dreaded going there... usually. In this case, he found himself nervously looking forward to it. If coming to the river itself got that kind of reaction out of the Banette... perhaps the place of Slasher’s death would put everything together. Maybe something would finally make sense.
@@ Line 298: / Line 298: @@
 “He’d try to kill you...” Gnasher responded, finishing the thought. It would have been foreboding, if not for the self-deprecating tone he took. He lowered his head and gazed to the side in thought, “He’d kill you for talking to him like that... I ain’t gonna do that. I’m... different.” It clicked in Gnasher’s head, at that point. He seemed to get it.
 ----
-[[File:ThePulledString10.png|700px|center]]<br>
+[[File:ThePulledString10.png|1000px|center]]<br>
 To see Gnasher pondering that realization brought a feeling of cautious optimism to Rhodes. He looked on with a sniffle, reaching up to wipe his eyes dry with the back of one of his smooth claws. While doing so, his ears caught the sound of the Banette’s feet shuffling forward in a walking motion. Quickly, Rhodes lowered his claw to look, just in time to see Gnasher walk by his side, and past him. He felt a little bad that, for that brief moment, he thought something bad might happen. Still, he about-faced in order to keep the puppet-like ghost in his sights.
@@ Line 317: / Line 317: @@
 Through the broken forest, Rhodes leapt, until he closed in on the village. At first sight, it made him forget that he hadn’t yet laid eyes on it since they had to evacuate. It was... a mess. Maybe even more of a mess than the forest. The buildings were all destroyed, and not a soul was in sight. Odd, since Udon had gone ahead of him. He could only guess that she already found all of the remaining Pokemon and already guided them away. No problem with that, really... there was still someone else he had business with, though. Not only that, he knew just where to look.
 ----
-[[File:ThePulledString11.png|700px|center]]<br>
+[[File:ThePulledString11.png|1000px|center]]<br>
 The Tao Tailor building. Built in the shape of a Leavanny’s head, it was by far the least scathed building. Fortunate, since someone was stuck inside. In fact, someone had to be inside at that very moment, as Rhodes heard faint noises. The shuffling of minor movement. Could Gnasher be in there? Maybe Winston re-entered the building since Gnasher kicked him out. Given that neither outcome was particularly threatening at this point, Rhodes simply walked right on in.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:41, 10 April 2012
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	Through the broken forest, Rhodes leapt, until he closed in on the village. At first sight, it made him forget that he hadn’t yet laid eyes on it since they had to evacuate. It was... a mess. Maybe even more of a mess than the forest. The buildings were all destroyed, and not a soul was in sight. Odd, since Udon had gone ahead of him. He could only guess that she already found all of the remaining Pokemon and already guided them away. No problem with that, really... there was still someone else he had business with, though. Not only that, he knew just where to look.		Through the broken forest, Rhodes leapt, until he closed in on the village. At first sight, it made him forget that he hadn’t yet laid eyes on it since they had to evacuate. It was... a mess. Maybe even more of a mess than the forest. The buildings were all destroyed, and not a soul was in sight. Odd, since Udon had gone ahead of him. He could only guess that she already found all of the remaining Pokemon and already guided them away. No problem with that, really... there was still someone else he had business with, though. Not only that, he knew just where to look.
	----		----
		+	[[File:ThePulledString11.png\|700px\|center]]<br>
		+	The Tao Tailor building. Built in the shape of a Leavanny’s head, it was by far the least scathed building. Fortunate, since someone was stuck inside. In fact, someone had to be inside at that very moment, as Rhodes heard faint noises. The shuffling of minor movement. Could Gnasher be in there? Maybe Winston re-entered the building since Gnasher kicked him out. Given that neither outcome was particularly threatening at this point, Rhodes simply walked right on in.
		+
		+	The place was a bit of a shambles since the last time Rhodes had been there. The building may not have been destroyed, but many of Chrysanthos’s supplies laid scattered. Some was clearly from the shelves, while others were likely being worked on at the time of the disaster among half-finished accessories. In the middle of it all, a familiar face toiled over the table.
		+
		+	“Hey kid,” the Banette welcomed, as though nothing was wrong.
		+
		+	“Don’t ‘hey kid’ me! You stole my scarf! Give it back!” Rhodes demanded. After all he’d done for the ghost, he didn’t feel entirely out-of-place being a bit upset at the theft. It didn’t help when he glanced down at the table and noticed that whatever was being worked on was suspiciously green.
		+
		+	Gnasher paused what appeared to be some sort of needle-threading to roll his eyes. “Like I’m gonna just take your stuff, give me a break! It was just theatrics. I like to show off...” he alluded, before threading a few more loops into whatever he was making. Just then, he lifted Rhodes’s scarf from the table, letting the end hang over one of his hands to show it off.
		+
		+	The ripped end of the scarf had been worked on... but not in a usual manner. The rips were still there, but smoothed and masked by the addition of Sneasel-like feathers over each gap. Their ends were heavily sewed into the scarf itself to keep them bound to it, though this was hidden by another addition: an oval, amber jewel, much like the ones that adorn any given Sneasel’s forehead. The jewel itself had a slot on the underside that the scarf slid into, bunching the scarf’s width into it snugly so that the jewel stayed on with ease, yet not so much as to cause an overt crease in the rest of the cloth.
		+
		+	Rhodes stared at the surprising addition to his accessory, and couldn’t help but be impressed. Not only by the job done on his scarf, but the fact that it was completed in such a short time. He must have had it in mind the moment he made it back to the building, and even then, it was quick!
		+
		+	“Those rips took part of the thing clean off. There was no way to really fix it up like new without remaking the whole damn thing, so I thought you might appreciate a custom job, yeah? I picked out some good-lookin’ feathers from what’s left on the shelves, and I even made sure the weight of the jewel wasn’t enough to be significant,” Gnasher explained, pointing at each part as he went on about it. He handed the touched-up scarf over to Rhodes, who graciously accepted it into his claws. Proud of his work, the Banette crossed his arms and scoffed, “Heh! Ya wouldn’t get more than a patchwork fix from that little cotton ball!”
		+
		+	In truth. Rhodes wasn’t even entirely thinking about everything Gnasher had said. The gesture itself was actually rather kind, and to him, the result actually looked pretty nice. Just as he had many times before, the Sneasel wrapped his trusty scarf over his neck, looking down at the new addition. It felt natural. “Eheh, I like it!” Rhodes eventually declared, managing a smile. Needless to say, this gift did wonders in taking out a lot of his tension from the earlier encounters. “Thank you! I didn’t know you were good at this kind of stuff!”
		+
		+	“Eh, neither did I,” Gnasher replied, shrugging in a mildly smug manner. “Good for showing off, though. I ain’t gonna complain about an outlet for everybody to see my genius at work!”
		+
		+	Had he created a lesser monster..? That sure was some confidence! Still, however grateful Rhodes was, there was still business to attend to elsewhere. His feathery ear perked as he stepped forward, placing his claws on the table and leaning forward, “Hey! Why don’t you come to Merlot’s castle with me? I bet the villagers would like to see what you can do!”
		+
		+	Gnasher looked away awkwardly. “Uhh... I dunno if I’m ready to tolerate that many Pokemon yet. I mean... now that I don’t have a bunch of unfinished thoughts nagging at me, it’s actually kinda peaceful to hang out on my own, and I’d kinda like it for a bit, y’know?” he explained, giving a hopeful smile. A smile that hoped for some privacy.
		+
		+	Looking a little saddened, Rhodes stood upright again and sighed. “I guess I understand... oh!” he perked up, looking about and leaning in order to see behind some of the shelves easier. “Um... where’s Winston?”
		+
		+	“Who knows, who cares. He ain’t coming back in here as long as I’ve got anything to say about it,” Gnasher declared rather nonchalantly. His distaste for Winston was almost as impressive as his good qualities, somehow.
		+
		+	Impressive as it may have been, it still worried Rhodes. “Don’t you think you’re bein’ kinda mean to him..?” he questioned, crossing his arms as though he was making a point. After all that had transpired before, he’d expected a little better.
		+
		+	“Look, I ain’t gonna go killing or torturing anybody... but I ain’t here to be nice to little no-talent fuzzballs who slice my perfect face open,” Gnasher complained, rummaging through various things until he found a blank piece of paper, and a pencil with which to write upon it, “so he can plant himself outside the door if he really wants to be here. I’ll be in here, enjoying the peace and quiet.”
		+
		+	It was definitely not nice to Winston, and Rhodes still didn’t like it. Still, compared to what it could have been, it was at least fairly harmless. As the Banette began scribbling ideas onto paper, Rhodes decided to turn and take his leave. “Everybody’ll be coming back here soon enough, probably. See you then, if you’re still here.”
		+
		+	“Yeah yeah, I’ll be here,” Gnasher replied, looking up from his work briefly. He flashed one last grin at Rhodes, “Got nowhere else to go.”
		+
		+	The Banette was left to his devices, for the time being.
		+
		+	Rhodes took one last look at the destruction around him before he’d attempt to catch up with everyone else. It gave him the same feeling as when he observed the forest, like his home was destroyed. In a way, he could appreciate that both locations gave him the same feeling. A silver lining, of sorts. With his newly-adorned scarf in tow, the Sneasel hastily made his way for the imposing Draclugia Castle.
		+
		+	The villagers of Tao would have a strange new addition to come back to, indeed.

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:04, 9 April 2012
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	“He’d try to kill you...” Gnasher responded, finishing the thought. It would have been foreboding, if not for the self-deprecating tone he took. He lowered his head and gazed to the side in thought, “He’d kill you for talking to him like that... I ain’t gonna do that. I’m... different.” It clicked in Gnasher’s head, at that point. He seemed to get it.		“He’d try to kill you...” Gnasher responded, finishing the thought. It would have been foreboding, if not for the self-deprecating tone he took. He lowered his head and gazed to the side in thought, “He’d kill you for talking to him like that... I ain’t gonna do that. I’m... different.” It clicked in Gnasher’s head, at that point. He seemed to get it.
		+	----
		+	[[File:ThePulledString10.png\|700px\|center]]<br>
		+	To see Gnasher pondering that realization brought a feeling of cautious optimism to Rhodes. He looked on with a sniffle, reaching up to wipe his eyes dry with the back of one of his smooth claws. While doing so, his ears caught the sound of the Banette’s feet shuffling forward in a walking motion. Quickly, Rhodes lowered his claw to look, just in time to see Gnasher walk by his side, and past him. He felt a little bad that, for that brief moment, he thought something bad might happen. Still, he about-faced in order to keep the puppet-like ghost in his sights.
		+
		+	Gnasher appeared to be simply pacing forward, rather than doing anything dubious. It was understandable, since he had a lot to think about all of a sudden. Eventually, he turned his head to peer at Rhodes once more, having a genuine, albeit somewhat weak, smile on his face for the first time since they reached the river, “I think I can deal with this, kid. I ain’t that guy. He’s dead, and he’s staying that way.”
		+
		+	Rhodes couldn’t find it in himself to smile, after that emotional outburst. Still, hearing that brought him comfort that he couldn’t deny. He never liked the fact that Slasher had died, but... he didn’t want him back. That was the cold, hard truth. After the hardships Tao just went through, the last thing they needed was for Slasher to bring his hatred and selfishness back to haunt them all.
		+
		+	A gentle wind began to blow in the moment of silence that followed. For the first time, it wasn’t a particularly chilled one. Less desirable for Rhodes than the previous colder temperatures, of course, but it was yet another sign of normalcy as it blew along, rustling the leaves of the trees, as well as the Sneasel’s feathers, and the elongated back of the Banette’s head.
		+
		+	As the leaves above bounced and jittered with the minor gust, Gnasher peered up at them, apparently with interest. “Heh...” he began, turning to Rhodes and approaching him amiably. His eyes wandered to the Sneasel’s ripped scarf for a moment, and he put his own fingers up to his chin in thought, “Hmm... you were on your way to the village, right kid?”
		+
		+	What a strange question, all of a sudden! Still, the Banette was acting friendly enough now that a lot of the edge had been taken off for Rhodes. “Oh... yeah! I’ve gotta go there real soon!” he responded, glancing over the nearby cliff at the horizon. It told him what the canopy tended to hide: the sun had moved significantly further than he’d expected. Udon and his friends would worry if he didn’t show up soon!
		+
		+	Another problem would arise right at that moment. In textbook trickster fashion, Gnasher grasped Rhodes’s scarf at the neck with both of his hands, deftly unraveling it and beginning to float away backwards with it in tow. “See ya there!” he bid, as his dark form smoothly drifted between the tree trunks and quickly vanished from sight.
		+
		+	“Hey! Give that back!” Rhodes wouldn’t take that lying down. That scarf was important to him, after all. To others, it might have just been an article of cloth on his person, but to him, it was like a symbol of his acceptance of civilized life. Immediately, he bounded into the forest, intending to approach Tao as fast as he could! Unfortunately, he’d already lost sight of Gnasher. All that jarring of his memory must have reminded him of all of their routes, as he apparently had no problem finding his way this time. Why would he steal the scarf, after all that? It didn’t make sense...
		+
		+	Through the broken forest, Rhodes leapt, until he closed in on the village. At first sight, it made him forget that he hadn’t yet laid eyes on it since they had to evacuate. It was... a mess. Maybe even more of a mess than the forest. The buildings were all destroyed, and not a soul was in sight. Odd, since Udon had gone ahead of him. He could only guess that she already found all of the remaining Pokemon and already guided them away. No problem with that, really... there was still someone else he had business with, though. Not only that, he knew just where to look.
	----		----

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:15, 9 April 2012
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	The whole speech had been forgotten to Rhodes. He was even younger then, after all. With it being recited once more right in front of him, memories were jarred. His own steps slowed down, as grim realizations took hold, and so did some confusion. This ghost was Slasher. He had to be. But... he was different. There was less anger. Less malice.		The whole speech had been forgotten to Rhodes. He was even younger then, after all. With it being recited once more right in front of him, memories were jarred. His own steps slowed down, as grim realizations took hold, and so did some confusion. This ghost was Slasher. He had to be. But... he was different. There was less anger. Less malice.
		+	----
		+	[[File:ThePulledString9.png\|700px\|center]]<br>
		+	They would eventually be there, if the Banette kept trudging forward in his seemingly mindless state. That fateful drop that the rushing water was heading for. Rhodes dreaded going there... usually. In this case, he found himself nervously looking forward to it. If coming to the river itself got that kind of reaction out of the Banette... perhaps the place of Slasher’s death would put everything together. Maybe something would finally make sense.
		+
		+	The rumbling falls could be heard. Rhodes kept his distance from Gnasher, but still followed him. At this point, the ghost moved on his own with purpose. It didn’t even seem to matter to him whether Rhodes was there or not, which may have been fortunate, as it allowed the boy to observe without feeling endangered.
		+
		+	“... Bring her here, I’ll do the rest... no questions, got it?” Gnasher recited, just as he stopped. He had neared the edge of the falls, simply staring into the distance.
		+
		+	If Rhodes had to guess, that was regarding Sandy. Slasher’s last order to the gang, though one Rhodes wasn’t present for, to take her and throw her from the cliff. Of course, he only later learned it was all premeditated for his boss to take a shot at Shroomsworth. The very idea that he was lied to like that upset Rhodes to think about. He approached behind the seemingly dazed Banette, flipping through the options in his mind. Revenge was but a forceful slip of his claw points away, right into the Banette’s puppet-like body.
		+
		+	He considered it. Closer and closer, Rhodes crept behind Slasher. He still seemed to be mumbling to himself, but it was no longer coherent. Rhodes lifted one of his claws, leaving it poised to strike. It would only take a bend of his elbow, then a shove forward, and it’d all be over...
		+
		+	… But he couldn’t. Rhodes’s claw wouldn’t even lift into full position for such a strike, simply trembling in its attempt. It wasn’t in him to do that to anyone; especially in this case, when the Banette hardly even seemed self-aware. It always scared him that anyone else in the gang could.
		+
		+	Given this chance by Rhodes’s reluctance, the Banette... took a step forward. Toward the cliff. “... S-so that’s...” he managed to say clearly, relative to all the previous mumbling. It sounded less flat and entranced than before, as though he was coming back around, though in a dazed state. He gazed down into the destination of the falls below. It wasn’t dark and abyssal as it was on that one snowy night. The sun shone upon it, revealing the entire incline and the mild mist of falling water below. “... That can’t be right..!” he exclaimed with sudden worry, followed by incredulous laughter.
		+
		+	The Banette’s sudden regaining of senses left Rhodes on edge. What would happen now? Did he do the right thing in bringing Gnasher here? The young Sneasel took a nervous step backward... he may even have needed to run away, if it turned out to be...
		+
		+	“I’d never try to kill somebody! It... it can’t be me...” Gnasher exclaimed in defiance, only to wind down and sink to his knees, overlooking the cliff just ahead of him. After a moment, he reached up to touch that patch that was sewn onto his face. Then, he turned his head, facing Rhodes in shock, particularly gazing upon his scar, “You... I was a downright scumbag to you... I’m sorry.”
		+
		+	In any given person’s lifespan, they’d never expect someone who antagonized them to come back from the dead and apologize to them. Rhodes was just as shocked and confused as anyone would be. But... it was like he felt before. This was different. “No...” Rhodes began, retracting his earlier step backward. He wouldn’t be running away from this. “He wouldn’t ever say that. I feel like... you’re right. You can’t be him!”
		+
		+	“But I remember it! All the things I did! I arranged to have that Deino thrown off this cliff! I was gonna kill that Merchant just ‘cause I wanted his money!” Gnasher admitted in a panic, pulling himself to his feet and turning to face Rhodes. “That ain’t even the worst of what I remember doing, kid... I shouldn’t be alive!”
		+
		+	“You didn’t!” Rhodes shot back, stamping his foot in defiance. Nobody deserved to think they shouldn’t be alive, especially for a reason like that. “I knew the guy who did all that stuff! He never felt bad about any of it... he liked it. He hurt people for fun, and used us just to get what he wanted... then he hurt us too. I...” Rhodes trailed off. Dredging up such memories was beginning to make him tear up. “... I knew the stuff he was doin’. I knew him better than anybody! If he were really here right now, he’d...”
		+
		+	“He’d try to kill you...” Gnasher responded, finishing the thought. It would have been foreboding, if not for the self-deprecating tone he took. He lowered his head and gazed to the side in thought, “He’d kill you for talking to him like that... I ain’t gonna do that. I’m... different.” It clicked in Gnasher’s head, at that point. He seemed to get it.
	----		----

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:08, 8 April 2012
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	The whole speech had been forgotten to Rhodes. He was even younger then, after all. With it being recited once more right in front of him, memories were jarred. His own steps slowed down, as grim realizations took hold, and so did some confusion. This ghost was Slasher. He had to be. But... he was different. There was less anger. Less malice.		The whole speech had been forgotten to Rhodes. He was even younger then, after all. With it being recited once more right in front of him, memories were jarred. His own steps slowed down, as grim realizations took hold, and so did some confusion. This ghost was Slasher. He had to be. But... he was different. There was less anger. Less malice.
		+	----

@@ Line 102: / Line 102: @@
 “How does this work..?” Udon asked, peeking up at the leaves above. She was the only one among them who honestly had no idea what was going on, it would seem.
-“It’s pretty simple,” the Banette replied, perhaps the only other pokemon present who shouldn’t know what was happening. He turned his gaze to Udon, outstretching his arms in a casual, disdainful shrug, “First one to hit the ground loses. That’s it.”
+“It’s pretty simple,” the Banette replied, perhaps the only other pokemon present who <i>shouldn’t</i> know what was happening. He turned his gaze to Udon, outstretching his arms in a casual, disdainful shrug, “First one to hit the ground loses. That’s it.”
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 [[File:ThePulledString4.png|700px|center]]<br>
@@ Line 141: / Line 141: @@
 “Why should I do anything you say? Yer just disrespectin' the boss, sidin' us with the villagers...” the downed Sneasel defied, refusing to look Rhodes in the eye.
-“It's... it's not about whether or not we respect the boss,” Rhodes replied. It was a bit tougher than he thought to say such a thing. Bitterness overflowed within him toward Slasher, but... that was his own problem. It wouldn't help to dwell on it here, if he wanted to get through to this Sneasel. “Nobody will ever respect us if we just keep tryin' to bully people just because we can. He's gone, but we still have to live here, and we gotta do it our own way.”
+“It's... it's not about whether or not we respect the boss,” Rhodes replied. It was a bit tougher than he thought to say such a thing. Bitterness overflowed within him toward Slasher, but... that was his own problem. It wouldn't help to dwell on it here, if he wanted to get through to this Sneasel. “Nobody will ever respect <i>us</i> if we just keep tryin' to bully people just because <i>we</i> can. He's gone, but we still have to live here, and we gotta do it our own way.”
 With that statement, Rhodes reached his claw out a little more, as if to offer it further. “We've got a chance to get respect by helpin' everyone, instead of just helpin' ourselves. Do you really wanna keep robbin' the villagers when we get so much more outta helpin' 'em out? Come on...”
@@ Line 198: / Line 198: @@
 With everyone else gone, Rhodes felt as though he could be more straightforward with the puppet-like ghost. It may have been a little scary, but he needed to know what was going on here. “I wanna know why you know stuff about our gang... and I wanna know why you have that scar! Is this some kinda joke to you or what?!” Rhodes asked, raising his voice more and more as he let his frustration come through loud and clear.
-“Easy, kid! I ain’t flesh and blood like you,” the Banette shot back, reaching up to point at the mark on his cheek. “It’s a patch. That stupid little “tailor” cut my face ‘cause he was stumbling around with scissors. This is what he called fixing it,” he explained, picking at the soft cloth on his cheek in brief dismay. “I got no clue why it bugs you, unless you just think it’s that ugly, in which case I agree.”
+“Easy, kid! I ain’t flesh and blood like you,” the Banette shot back, reaching up to point at the mark on his cheek. “It’s a patch. That stupid little “tailor” cut my face ‘cause he was stumbling around with scissors. This is what he called fixing it,” he explained, picking at the soft cloth on his cheek in brief dismay. “I got no clue why it bugs you, unless you just think it’s <i>that</i> ugly, in which case I agree.”
 “Oh... uh...” Rhodes didn’t expect that sort of answer. Right away, some of his suspicions started to feel out of place. The strange puppet-like ghost didn’t quite act like who he was reminding Rhodes of. It did connect this particular Banette to the one that was assaulting the tailors, though! With a perk of his feathery ear, Rhodes pointed accusingly toward the ghost, “Hey! You better not have hurt Winston! Mr. Chrys will be really mad!”
-In response to such accusations, the Banette frowned for the first time, looking agitated. “What do you take me for, kid? Did I not just finish telling you how he cut my face wide open?! I didn’t lay a finger on him!” he explained, crossing his arms in a huff. “After he told me about you, I told him he was a worthless tailor and kicked him out of the hut,” the Banette concluded, though after a brief moment of thought, he outstretched one of his arms and rolled his eyes, adding, “eh... metaphorically, of course. He probably could’ve used a real kick in the ass, though.”
+In response to such accusations, the Banette frowned for the first time, looking agitated. “What do you take me for, kid? Did I not just finish telling you how <i>he</i> cut my face wide open?! I didn’t lay a finger on him!” he explained, crossing his arms in a huff. “After he told me about you, I told him he was a worthless tailor and kicked him out of the hut,” the Banette concluded, though after a brief moment of thought, he outstretched one of his arms and rolled his eyes, adding, “eh... metaphorically, of course. He probably could’ve used a real kick in the ass, though.”
 This was a lot to take in at once, and still didn’t answer everything on Rhodes’s mind. His stance relaxed somewhat, though. The more the Banette talked, the less of a threat he seemed... though he was still a jerk. “Seems kinda harsh... but you didn’t answer before. How do you know stuff about our gang?” Rhodes asked once more. It was the more important question to him, when it came down to it.
@@ Line 238: / Line 238: @@
 The Banette walked a few more steps before realizing this, then stopped to look back, puzzled. He raised a brow, then turned to face Rhodes, “What?”
-“Just... just stop it!” Rhodes exclaimed, throwing his claws in the air. He’d never been so frustrated in his life, and he couldn’t hide it anymore. He pointed one of them at the offending ghost accusingly, “You have that patch that looks like his scar, you somehow know stuff about our gang that you’re not supposed to, and your name is almost the same! Tell me why... or...--”
+“Just... just stop it!” Rhodes exclaimed, throwing his claws in the air. He’d never been so frustrated in his life, and he couldn’t hide it anymore. He pointed one of them at the offending ghost accusingly, “You have that patch that looks like his scar, you <i>somehow</i> know stuff about our gang that you’re not supposed to, and your name is almost the same! Tell me why... or...--”
 “Hey! You got some nerve, kid!” Gnasher yelled and interrupted. He frowned in anger, balling his fists and throwing his arms forward in a gesture of his own frustration, “I told you before, I got no idea what you’re going on about! Whoever you’re thinking about can screw off, ‘cause it’s not me! Know why I know anything about your stupid gang? I sure don’t! I can hardly think straight for all the garbage floating around in my head!!”
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