First Assignment [Rising Tides]

Well that was more nerve racking than he originally thought it would be, and while he was working his way out of the volcano, he couldn’t help but to look toward his pokemon. He was unsure if they heard what was going on, but they didn’t seem to judge him all the same, they both were quick to run up to him, Kazame seeming to quickly look him over and check to see if he was alright. While Vespa had turned to look toward the room he had come from, something about that room, that path… well it didn’t set right with her. Kohaku had assured them both that he was perfectly fine, and allowed them to finish inspecting the areas of skin they could see. While he was perfectly fine, part of his body was shaking just slightly. He lowered his head a moment in thought.

“I wonder if that was the right one I should have contacted though? I had a choice, did I learn enough?” The question was short and though he wanted to know if his choice was correct, there was nothing that would tell him it was. He did learn some of the things he wanted to learn. And while he didn’t agree with… their methods, he did understand their goals and what they wre trying to achieve.

Kazame let out a soft noise, and Kohaku gave him a bit of a sad smile. “Looks like we’ll be staying in Ethermoor a little longer than planned. At least the pokemon back at the house have enough food to last them, and Ryoko and Kaida can always gather their food and things, those two are pretty smart.”

The look from Vespa caused him to sigh, the quizzical look as if waiting to know what he was doing then. Kohaku rubbed the back of his neck, fluffing up his hair a little. “It’s a simple task, and shouldn't be too hard. Just… gotta search around Ethermoor. But first, let’s get away from the volcano before I burn to a crisp, shall we?” 

It would be embarrassing to explain to his friend - if he ran into him - about how he may have gotten burned or even tanned. He walked from the volcano, down the craggy, misshapen path that formed through wear and tear, the magma cooling and breaking. In truth Ethermoor was actually an interesting place, a city made from… well cooled magma. He shook his head, he needed to keep his task in mind and not to get too distracted. When he stopped hearing the clicking of Kazame’s claws, and the buzzing of Vespa’s wings, he turned to see them waiting.

Oh right, they probably wanted to help him look or do whatever it was he needed to do. WIth a gentle sigh, he walked back towards them and kneeled down against the hardened ground, moving his hand out to touch Kazame’s cheek, he smiled in a gentle way. He explained to his pokemon what he was to be doing, and what they could help look for. All they had to do was get his attention by sound, by an attack, something that would cause him to jolt around and look at them. That wasn’t too hard to ask, right?

With his pokemon now prepared they descended from the craggy cliffs into a natural path that would lead a bit closer toward Ethermoor’s city, while he wanted to get close to it, he paused and thought. Where would nera be, he was used to them just being anywhere, after all he chanced upon his own by accident. Kazame and Vespa parted from him a bit, as they looked around the immediate area as well, and so did Haku. Surely he could be lucky and maybe find two floating around one another?

Ahh, but that would be too easy now wouldn’t it? Amongst the lower set of craggy rocks, there was a flame that shot out from Kazame’s hexagonal holes, hitting the air and creating some smoke, this got Kohaku’s attention and he was quick to run to his pokemons’ side. He was scared that maybe he had gotten hurt, or something tried attacking him. Kohaku’s racing heart slowly started to calm when it seemed there was a red nera with a pink inner body that had been trapped under a rock. It didn’t seem very active, maybe it was dazed? Kohaku had grasped one of the jars that was supplied to him and quickly scooped up the little nera inside of the jar. He offered a saddened expression to the little creature.

“At least you’ll go to good use,” he whispered quietly.

Well one of his requests was completed, now he just needed to find one more nera, he would need to move locations. The three of them set out further into the fields, almost coming upon the hot springs that Groudon had made. He was worried the large legendary may get annoyed at him, or try to hurt him, but to his luck, he wasn’t that close to Groudon. Kohaku let out a breath, stepping around some of the rocks and trying to maneuver carefully. 

The rocks were slippery and on more than one occasion Haku had slipped and nearly crashed into the waters and rocks if it wasn’t thanks to Kazame and Vespa to hold him back from falling forward. He thanked them each time, but this… well this last time there was no stopping him. As he had turned to look, his foot slipped off of a rock and he fell forward before his pokemon could catch him. In his flailing he landed within a decent pool of water, drenching his clothes and hair as they matted to his form. 

There was something else in the water that seemed to look at him and glow, it was small and had a seahorse like shape to it, and the more he stared at it, the more he realized it was the DNA from a horsea or one of its lines. He tried to scoop it up, but the little body danced around his hands. It was quite comical when his pokemon also tried to help at this nearby dance between their hands, over the jar, and through claws.

After some fighting, Kohaku finally managed to coax it into the jar, getting some water with the nera but that should be fine. He stared at the seahorse nera for a moment, and he let out his breath now. 

“Well it looks like that's all of them. Time to report back.”

Kohaku pulled himself out of the little pools of water, his pokemon looking at him as he once again assured he was fine. He checked the bag that held his own personal water and the other nera jar, glad to see that it wasn’t damaged at all. He sighed and smiled, working on making his way back out of the little hot spring pools. 

“You know, when we’re done with our task, maybe we should come out and try to enjoy the hot springs. Feels nice on my ankles.” 

Vespa and Kazame shook their heads a bit playfully at their trainer, though both wore gentle smiles, well Vespa’s was done with her eyes, but either way!

Haku would get back and turn in both of these nera jars. Even a grunt is able to do something for their group, no matter how small or insignificant their role is, they are important in the larger aspects of things.