"You think I could keep it from her /and/ help with this tyrannitar problem?" Cassius asked Ginger in pokemon-speak. "Besides, the festival organizers already know what I am, that's why they invited me- for all I know her parents already know. I waited until now because if she hates me for it, at least we won't be stuck traveling together."

"I'm going to have to ask the gymleader if she has the supplies I need- I think she's the most likely to have them on hand. I'll need some of the same sort of things to deal with Brutus" he said, switching back to human. "Remember though, I can't guarantee I can do anything to heal him."

"That's fine. It's better than not doing anything at all." She paused. "But you look like you got your hands full. You're probably far too important to concern yourself with such trivial matters. Besides, I've pretty much given up hope on Lucifer." Lucifer was the name of the Pokemon. "I've been thinking of maybe just releasing him back into his natural habitat. Maybe that will make him happy."

"Now they're both acting like they're stuck in a sappy soap opera," Ginger whispered to Pandora. "It's sad."

"If he's trying to kill other pokemon, it's not a trivial matter" replied Cassius, "but if that's what's troubling him I should be able to tell. I'll ask Winona if she has the supplies I need as soon as I see her."

"Oooh, teh drama!" whispered Pandora to Ginger, putting one hand to his forehead in a melodramatic anguished pose.

((Time jump?))

((Into the city, sure.))

"Amazing!" Sidney gasped, putting her hands over her mouth in awe. "I don't think I've ever seen this place so busy. Not even when they opened the restaurant on the other side of town."

Ginger was happy to be back as well, but she knew far too many people here and she didn't want any of them to see her carrying a ghost doll.

"Is that who I think it is?!" A lanky Grovyle made his way down a nearby tree, jumping down in front of the group. He waved at Sidney, who waved back, and spoke to Ginger. "So the grumpy Absol returns. Tell me, did you beat up any innocent people while you've been traveling?"

"You're in our way. Move."

Cassius had to smile too- the whole city was really quite amazing, and most of the houses really were in trees like everyone said they were. Lanterns were being hung between the branches, and vendors eager to sell food or souvenirs or other merchandise to the festival goers were already setting up their stalls. "You said your family is probably involved in the festival, right? They might be able to help me find Winona- she's the one who invited me, and hopefully she'll be able to tell me what I'm supposed to be doing."

"Ginger, picking on the innocent?" asked Pandora, sounding quite shocked. "But she's a doll! Selfless, caring, kind, sweet- why she's just an adorable little clefairy at heart"

"Oh, in that case." The Grovyle looked the Absol dead in the eye. "Who are you? What have you done with Ginger?"

She smacked him upside the head. "I'm right here. Now move! And you." She pointed at Pandora. "No more wise cracks from you while we're here. I know you can't help yourself, but try."

"I'm sure Slick here knows where to find her," Sidney informed Cassius. "He knows all, sees all."

Slick did a formal bow for the group, his head so low that the leaf on his head touched the ground. "And you must be the special guest they've been waiting for," he said to Cassius.

"Haunt haunter (That's me)" replied Cassius, bowing back. "And this is Pandora, my sarcastic assistant." Pandora grinned.

"Me, sarcastic? Never" he said sarcastically. "Say, I wonder if they're gonna have those yummy cake things they make at the temple back home- y'know, the ones they offer to the spirits? They're delicious!"

"So you're looking for Winona, hmm?" The Grovyle stroked his chin, appearing deep in thought. "Last I saw she was overseeing the progress on the temple, which means she's flying around on that Skarmory of hers. You can try and catch her, or you can wait for me to come and find you when she's finished." He smiled. "Why don't you get some errands out of the way. Say hi to some old friends. I'm sure they'd be especially excited to see you, Sidney."

"That's probably a good idea- I certainly don't want to disturb her if she's in the middle of something" replied Cassius. "Thank you." As he spoke, Pandora floated into the air, trying to spot the gymleader.


((Ph33r my short posting skillz))

((-ph34rs-))

Slick's smile broadened. "It won't take long. See you soon!" He then scurried up the same tree he had come down.

"Well, then. I guess our first stop in the Pokemon Center." She entered the giant opening that had been carved into the tree. The trunk was hollow, and stairs had been constructed for easy access to the upper canopy.

((Note: I don't watch Pokemon, I only play the games...so I'm not sure if I'm accurately portrying Fortree City here. ))

((Same here- I'm working off the game pictures.))

Cassius followed, feeling a little out of place, but more at home in the strange carved tree than out in the sunlight, at least. Pandora followed, ignoring the doorway and entering the tree through one of the walls. "Show off" muttered Cassius, reminded that he was supposed to be confessing right about now. It can wait, though- can't it? At least until we get to the pokemon center…

Once they emerged on top, Sidney crossed a bridge to get to the Pokemon Center. "This place is very confusing for newcomers. Almost like a giant maze," she said. "I'm sure they'll make a fortune selling maps during the festival."

"That's a great idea," Ginger piped up. "Why don't we do that? We'd make a fortune! Then maybe we can buy a boat pass to Kanto or Johto."

"I'd buy one" admitted Cassius, walking into the pokemon center. "Although there's sort of a pattern to this place- most of the trees are connected with these bridges, after all. And you'll be able to see the whole city from the top of the temple, judging by its height so far."

"Then that takes all the fun away, doesn't it. But I'd like to see what the city looks like from the sky. I bet it's beautiful, especially at night." Sidney quickly healed her Pokemon, then went over to the computer. "This will only take a second."

"Sooo...how long are you going to wait?" Ginger asked the ghost, following him and Pandora. "Going to tell her right before the festival, or what?"

Cassius sighed, placing his own pokeballs in the healing machine as Ginger spoke. "Um, Sidney, do you remember when I told you the story of the King of the Dead, and afterwards you asked if I used the story to scare gym challengers?" he asked, trying to bring up the topic as subtly as possible.

"Hmm?" She tore her eyes away from the screen, watching Cassius now. "Yes. What about it?"

Just then, someone unexpected entered the building. "Cassius!" Winona called, coming up to him. Her Skarmory followed, Slick perched on the metal bird's back. "I was afraid you wouldn't make it in time. I know how bad you are with maps." She chuckled.

"And Sidney! Haven't seen you around here in awhile. I believe your parents were hoping you'd show up."

"Sidney was actually the one who showed me the way over here" admitted Cassius. "I see you really weren't exaggerating your claims about the city, either" he wasn't sure whether to be relieved or annoyed. I'll just bring it up again later, no harm donehe thought to himself.

Pandora glided over to the Skarmory. "Hey there old buddy, long time no see!" he said cheerily, although he barely knew the bird.

((So much for waiting...))

"Ahem..", Mike coughed, apperently not being noticed with all the attention going to the other three. "SPrry I've been so quite, I've just been thinking."

((Sorry for the very short post, but 'm too far behind to do anything abut it right now.))

((EDIT: 500th post in this thread, yay!))

((EDIT 2: Added a smidgit more.))

"Everyone's really exciting, as you can well see." Winona said. "This is the busiest I've seen the place, even after they opened that restaurant over by the Pokemart." Sidney smiled when the gym leader said this. "If you're done here, I'll take you to the tower now."

"Hey, I remember you!" the Skarmory laughed. "You're that sarcastic Haunter from Lavender who told me my tail looked like a question mark!"

"Wow, you really do know each other!" Ginger teased, walking up to the pair.

"Wow, and Ginger too?! You still have my Red Scarf, by the way."

"What? I gave it back!"

"Did not."

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"DID TOO!"

"I'd love to take a look at the tower" said Cassius, speaking up to be heard over the squabbling pokemon. "I won't be able to complete the cleansing rituals you asked for until nighttime, but a tour of the place would certainly help me figure out what I'm going to be up against. Oh, and this is Michael- he's been traveling with us as well. I think Sidney and him both expressed an interest in taking part in the tournament."

"Tournement? I didn't know about a tournement at the festival? To be hones, I was looking to have a battle with Winoa for a badge. But I'm all in for the tournement as well."

"I'm sorry," Winona said to Michael. "But all gym challenges have been put on hold until after the festival. I've been extremely busy with preparations and such."

"Oh, wow! We get to see the tower?!" What a special occasion for Sidney, to be getting to see the interior of the tower before its official opening to the public. She probably wouldn't have been allowed had she not been traveling with Cassius. She hastily finished reordering her Pokemon and rushed over to Winona. "Let's go then."

"I guess my work here is done." Slick slid off the Skarmory's back, leaving the center.

Cassius sighed- well, he could always tell them about it after a tour of the temple. Maybe it would put them in a better frame of mind, anyways- after all, it was supposed to be a temple to honour the spirits of nature. He was sort of like a spirit of nature… kinda… sorta… maybe?

Worrying about it won't help you- this habit of over thinking things is really getting out of hand Cassius! he thought to himself. Humanity is really getting to me, I think I need a vacation from training.