Aren't You Scared?

_{[It's evening when Jack appears on the Network for the first time in quite a while. The purple-roofed houses behind him make it obvious as to where he is. He looks tired but also frustrated. There are no smiles on this pumpkin.]}

I've arrived safely. Forgive me for not checking in sooner, but I've been in Lavender Town for a day or so no. I have to say, I never expected this amount of unrest in the air. It's absolutely oppressive. The spirits here are not happy.

_{[Jack flips the 'gear around to show the Radio Tower in the gloom of sunset.]}

I'd so hoped my arrival would be happier. I have wanted to visit this town since I arrived three long years ago.

_{[The feed flickers on to show THE WILDERNESS. Specifically, the outskirts of Goldenrod. The camera is jarring slightly as Jack walks. He's already puffing slightly. It's been a while since he's stretched his legs somewhere besides pavement.]}

Today's the day! I'm getting out of that stuffy house and making my way to Lavender Town. Why...I don't think I've even been to another town since I arrived in Goldenrod years ago. This is so exciting!

Needless to say, Drama classes will be canceled and if anyone needs to send me anything, forward it to Ecruteak. Wish me luck!

Good morning-- er. Good night-- HELLO, Johoto!

_{[Jack wastes no time face-caming it up. He is all smiles and his murkrow, Edgar, is on his shoulder.]}

For anyone who's interested in attending the Dead Man's Party, we now have a date and location! It will be held in Goldenrod, on October the 27th! The lovely Miss Rangiku has offered her home to us for the evening. There will be refreshments, story swapping, and music if we can repair her piano in time.

Other Father, do you think you could help?

I'll be sending out invitations with directions to anyone who is interested. The living are welcome as well!

<sub>[The first thing Johto is treated to is a blurry 'gear-video shot of a book cover. Jack realizes this eventually and pulls it away so that it comes into focus. The cover is black with a single, bold word on it.]

[DIG]</sub>

I bought a copy of this for a friend last year, but I don't think I told anyone else about it. I think this has to be the very best horror story I've come across since arriving in Johto. It's about a man who ventures into Diglett's Cave and becomes horribly lost...which is a feat since that cave is one of the less complicated ones that I've heard off.

_{[His face blanks momentarily as he remembers the horrors of Union cave...then his smile returns.]}

There's more to it than that, but I wouldn't want to give anything away! I know all of you have horror stories where you're from. Tell me about them!




(OOC: GET YER A/C HERE! FRESH HOT A/C HELP FOR EVERYONE!)

DENNIS, COME OUT!

<sub>[Equipped with goggles, a coat, and a big ass blue fishmonster, Jack searches the streets of Goldenrod for anyone who might need help. The Gyarados slithers behind him in the waist-high sludge and rumbled loudly, complaining about the smell.]

[It's evening and with the lights out, the town takes on an eerie, almost familiar look. Dying sunlight glistens off the trash-filled water. They had ventured out in a short lull between storms.]</sub>

Sort of looks like the swamps back home...wish you could have seen them, Dennis, you would have liked them.

_{[The feed opens and focuses on a weary face. Or it would be looking weary if there were any skin on it. There is a skull staring pleadingly at you with cold dead eye sockets. 8c It's gone and happened AGAIN and though he doesn't mind being his old bony self at all, he knows he's going to end up scratching his glasses if this keeps up. They had fallen right off! He's hooked them onto his coat collar.]}

I really really hate to be any trouble but--

_{[The video shakes as Jack stumbles on the spot and catches himself against a lamp post. Busy Goldenrod can be seen behind him.]}

--but I need help. Someone has... oh, this is embarrassing. Someone has taken off with my left leg! I'd really like it back. It's about...well long as a leg, I suppose.

_{[He angles the 'gear down to show his limp pants leg flapping in the wind from the knee downwards.]} It should still have my shoe on it. It looks like this. _{[He shows the 'gear his shoe before the feed cuts.]}

(( OOC: Feel free to run into Jack as he limps around town and help him look for his leg or lol at his misfortune!))

<sub>[Anybody passing by the Goldenrod Breeding Center will notice the front yard of the property is a horror scene of guts and flesh--pumpkin guts and flesh that is!]

[Jack is sitting in a folding chair enjoying the sunshine and elbow-deep in a pumpkin, scraping it out for carving. He's got his sunglasses pushed up on his forehead and a huge grin on his face. There are dozens surrounding him, most of them carved, each face more twisted than the last. His pokemon, Edgar the Murkrow, and One the Houndour are chasing each other around through the carnage.]

[He's got his 'gear in his free hand, holding it awkwardly because pumpkin goo has made it slippery .]</sub>

How is everyone today? We're halfway to Halloween! Well...almost halfway. Anyway, I'm warming up my carving skills because I haven't done it in over a year. I'm open to requests! Just go easy on me, I'm rusty.

Have you ever seen such a big city?

_{[A winded Jack points his 'gear at the entrance to Goldenrod in all its glory. The camera is unsteady and the little Houndour puppy in the shot looks anxious. His trainer's been wobbling for a while.]}

Halloween Town was big, but this place is amazing! Hooh, it was...it was a hike, I'll say that much. My memory's a little off right now, but whoever said that forest was a maze, you were right. It's no Union Cave but...

Who can tell me anything about this place? How is everyone?

_{[Jack starts walking and gravitates towards a bench which he then flops down on and films the street traffic from. One the Houndour chases some Pidgies away from a nearby statue.]}

[Today instead of looking cheerful, Jack's feed flickers on to reveal a somewhat weary face. He's sitting hunched over and doesn't look nearly as attentive as he usually does. Edgar is on his shoulder with her head under her wing, snoozing away.]

Good mor-- I mean afternoon, Johto. How is everyone? I hope everyone had a better night's sleep than I did last night. You know, I love a good nightmare as much as the next dead guy, but I have the strangest feeling that it wasn't a dream. I think it might have been a memory. And I died. I've been dead for years, it shouldn't shake me so--

[He pauses to yawn. The ex-skeleton had woken up in the middle of the previous night and tried to power through the day by training for the gym extra hard. Now that it was getting close to bed time again, he DREADED it.]

--excuse me. But...I noticed another thing. In a week or so, I will have been here an entire year. I haven't been away from Halloween Town this long before--not even to do research. Someone told me that time stops back home, so I'm not too worried... but I don't think anything can stop me from missing it...

But I'm very glad to have met all of you. You've all taught me so much about being alive...listen to me ramble. I'm half asleep, I apologize. I normally don't drink coffee but I think tonight I just might make an exception. I don't think I want to sleep.

Haha, let's see how long I can stay awake. I bet I can pull fourty two hours-- how do you all say it? Like an employer?

...no, that's not right.

[YAWN]

_{[ Joining the buzz of confusion filling the Poke'Network today is a very concerned face--or the lack of a face really. No skin, no hair, no lips or eyes...a bleached skull peers into his poke'gear's camera with a pair of glasses pinched in his boney fingers.]}


I really hate to be a bother to anyone, but...my nose has disappeared. And my ears. Not that I'm complaining, you see! But...is it just me?

_{[Jack tries to put his glasses back on out of habit and fumbles them to the ground.]}

Whup--- NO! NO NO NO!

<sub>[The 'gear's view swings wildly to reveal that Jack was on a sunny route, minding his own damn business, but traveling, as one must on some routs, near a Ledge.

Jack groans.]</sub>

Oooh, I swear these blasted natural formations will be the death of me...now I've got to go all the way back aro-- what is that?

_{[He peers at something off-camera with much interest. Soon, a rumbling can be heard.]}

Why...it's a automobile. It's going terribly fast, I don't think that's safe..._{there isn't a road way out here in these woods} what in the WORLD do they think they're doing?

_{[ Le squint.]}

Are they...?

_{[ Jack's face, though he has not an inch of skin to speak of, goes through a hilarious kaleidoscope of expressions before settling on D8!!!!!!!!!!!4 He tears away from the ledge and abandons his 'gear in the middle of the path in favor of some nice, inviting bushes to dive headfirst into because....]}



~*FUCK LEDGES*~


[OOC: Help a rattled skeleton find his glasses in the wreckage of several innocent trees or run for your fucking lives with him. Oh Jesus help us all. Cruella will be tagging around this weekend under my personal journal wolfyttwisted.]

[The feed opens with THE SUN. It holds the great fiery sky-star center frame for a good half minute before anyone starts talking. The audio no longer warps as Jack is using a shiny new 'gear.]

Do you see that, people? That is the sun and it is glorious. Never ever forget how wonderful it is.

[The camera flips back around to show Jack's face and he looks...some kind of rough. He's got bags under his eyes and his color is a bit off--even for him. Even that goofy Exeggutor-print Hawaiian shirt isn't enough to make him look like his cheerful self. He blanks for a moment, as if he's forgotten why he even turned his 'gear on.]

OH! I'm finally out of that cave--er. Well. I suppose you can see that, huh? Dash and I made it safely to Azalea with the help of Mr. Cooper's Noctowl. Thank you so much, sir! I still owe you!

It's nice here.

[Edgar flaps into the frame and lands on her trainer's shoulder, butting her head against his neck. She's worreid about him.]

I've...forgotten what else I was going to say. I'm so tired. I think I'm going to stay here in the Pokemon Center for a little while.

Have I missed anything? My poke'gear...malfunctioned while I was in the cave.

Badge was approved by Okami <3

( WELL ITS ABOUT TIME, JACK )

// ACTION TAKING PLACE AFTER THE BATTLE. Feel free to message or walk up to him!//

[Jack sits on one of the many benches in the Violety City Pokemon Center. Hindenburge drifts around his head babbling (or “Floon! Floon!”-ing) about the battle excitedly. In the seat next to him is the egg he was given nestled down in Jack’s coat.

He holds his chin in his hands and stares thoughtfully at the tile between his feet while his birds are in back getting fixed up. You’d think a winner would look happier! ]

This is just dreadful!

<sub>[Boy, it sure SEEMED like this was going to be a normal day when he got out of bed that morning. And now something awful had happened! Something was wrong with Doc! The normally obscenely irritable Hoothoot was circling the entrance to the Violet Poke' Mart and chirping happily. Edgar sat on Jack's shoulders and looked just as worried as he was.

;-; their teammate was BROKEN.]</sub>

Doc! Doc return!

_{[He brought out the owl's poke'ball but the red return beam missed him every time!]}

Oh, boy. Edgar, go see if you can bring him around! It's too COLD for this!

<sub>["KROWH!" With great prupose, the Murkrow took wing and flapped up to where her feathery teammate was circling. And then, a most alluring smell hit her beak! "KrroooOOooOOOwwwww!"

Doc took notice of her for what felt like the firs time.


And that was how Jack ended up with two mushy lovebirds trying to sit on his head at the same time and cuddle with each other.]</sub>


ASKDKFJDSndsdsaff.

<sub>[The video opens with...a blurry screen. It looks like somebody has fogged up the 'Gear's lens or spritzed it with water. THEN ALL GOES BLACK and lots of annoying creaky plastic sounds assault your ears. When the picture clears, all is revealed!

It's day time. People are playing in the snow and laughing on the other side of the Violet cafe windows. BUT ALL IS NOT WELL IN THIS WINTER WONDERLAND.

Have a very...unhappy looking Jack squinting at you. His nose has gone red, his eyes are puffy, and his hair looks like he's been attacked by a rabid pikachu. He is wearing no less than three sweaters and they are all fugly. The Pumpkin King has caught his very first cold. D'awww. ]</sub>


Hhhkhhg--I'll give-- I'll give anyone who brings me some cold medicine one of my potions. Or lunch. And my undying appreciation. I'll name my next Pokemon after you this is dreadful!

O-oh before I fhhggorget! Minni Mouse! I have your Christmas gift!


There was something else but I forgo'd what I was talking about--

_{[The screen is suddenly covered by an explosive sneeze. Classy.]}

[Ever since the Sprout Tower Fail, the old Pumpkin King has become something of a ghost himself! (as has his player ;-; fff I suck). Slipping in and out of town only to take on the odd job or to heal his pokemon are the only times one could catch the odd gangly man. He hasn't been as bubbly or social. Though sounding distracted during 'Gear messages, he hasn't been unfriendly. Why? 

Jack has finally acquired a new goal: BECOME AN UNHOLY TERROR on the battlefield!

but that is not what this post is about.

This post is about the old man flailing around in the middle of the street because he thinks he's covered in squirming, flesh-eating, technicolor insects. That are also singing. Luckily, he's got long sleeves on so he won't be able to chew his own skin off. Hopefully. Up until now he's tossed and turned, dealing with the nightmares privately, chalking them up to stress. This is the first time a full-blown hallucination has jumped him while he's awake and it's a whopper.]


AAUUUUGGHLAFHGHGLLGGLGLFf--- SALLY!

[Boop!  Today, Jack's feed focuses on a much more alert and determined face than his last video. His pokemon are healed, his spirits are high, and he is ready to prove to everyone that he is totally not zubatshit insane! Behind him looms the Sprout Tower, silhouetted by the sinking sun.]

Good mor--er afternoon! I have finally made it to the tower! It reminds me of home so much. The ghosts inside are going to point me the way home, but if I find a way back, I'll definitely visit! You have all been such wonderful company and great help! Edgar, are you ready?

[The Murkrow pops into the frame with her GAME FACE on. She has no idea what Jack's babbling about but she's seen some ratatta rustling around the grass at the tower's base and she's ready to go kick some purple rodent ass. "KROW!"]

Everyone take care!


[Oh, he'll be back....]

[Whoever's holding the camera is doing a lot of running and jumping. The 'Gear points at a cluster of Driftloon in the sky. Jack has split off from his little traveling group momentarily to spazz out like a dork.]

GHOSTS! LOOK! THE POKE'DEX SAYS THEY'RE GHOSTS! COME BACK! I NEED TO TALK TO YOU! Edgar, go! Go!

[The video is very shaky and blurry at first but eventually focuses on...Jack's hand. There is a thin cut stretching across his palm which bleeds freely. Behind it is the beach.]

This is the most amazing thing! Look! Look at this! I can feel the nerves firing off and-- everything! Wow! Hah!



...ow.


I cut it on this--

[He tilts the Poke'Gear down to show a bit of broken seashell in the sand by his feet. Edgar is nowhere to be seen.]

[CLOVERFEILD SHAKY-CAM, AWRIGHT! The Poke'Gear is pointed at the tiny town of Cherrygrove which, right now, looks like a bunch of legos in the distance. It's the middle of the day. The feed is very wobbly because Jack is stumbling. Like a huge doofus, he did not sleep last night and traveled the whole time. He hasn't stopped to eat, catch Pokemon, or even battle very much. Now he's starting to pay for it. Jack is still a newbie to this whole 'human limits' thing.]

Look, Edgar!

[He stops walking and wheezes. The Murkrow hops into the frame and looks back at her trainer, worried. "Krowh?" ]

I told you plowing right on through would work! We've saved a whole half-a-day! I want to thank everyone again for being so helpful. And think--just another week and we can look at that tower...Edgar! Look! It's a Whoot-Whoot like Zack told us about! What's it doing out in the middle of the day? Let's catch it!

[Edgar looks back at a stump with some charred bits on it that MIGHT have looked like a Hoot Hoot's strange ear tufts. What.]

Edgar, use Peck!

[When Edgar doesn't attack the stump, Jack comes to the only logical conclusion.]

It must already be knocked out! This is our lucky day!

[Jack hurls a pokeball at the stump. It bounces off and lands in some bushes. Sleep deprivation and stress are fun!]

[The Poke'Gear, being held sideways, reveals the face of an older gentleman with trees behind him It's evening. There is a big white plaster over the bridge of his nose and an even bigger frown situated below it.]

Hello?

This is important! The ledges here are cursed somehow! Has anyone else noticed this? There has to be a very powerful witch behind all this.

[Jack's brows drift up at the thought of that. He adjusts his glasses.]

I would love to meet them! Strangest thing...I haven't encountered a single ghoul since arriving. Can anyone point me to a graveyard? I'm on a road called Route 29...I wouldn't suggest 46. At all. It's that way.

[Jack turns the Poke'Gear towards a mountainy road. His Murkrow, Edgar, who is also sideways, is tugging at a blade of grass next to the path.]

If you see a tree that looks like that, just turn around. Turn around and walk very very far away. It's not worth it.