Wandering A Sunny Afternoon [Mod/Open]

[Da Smiffinator!]

^{I don't want to be a soldier, that the captain of
Some sinking ship would stow, far below....
If you love me, won't you let me go?}

It wasn't too unusual for Zack to be wandering alone, though for him to not even have his Sceptile, Zero, out of it's Pokeball was rare. It wasn't that he didn't want the company of the Pokemon, it was more that he didn't want the poor thing to overheat like he was in the middle of this desert. Winds were scarce, though Zack knew if he didn't find someone to stop that was sheltered, by the time the night hit, he would be in trouble. Sandstorms were pretty vicious in these parts, at least, that was what he had heard.

"Ugh, if only there were a bit of water left in my bottle. I know there's supposed to be an oasis around here, but I keep sinking in the sand with this armor on," he sighed. "Oh well. I'll get there when I get there I suppose."

After climbing another sand mountain, Zack finally saw it. The Oasis. Letting out a joyous call of relief, the young man raced down to the water, and immediately helped himself to a drink by filling up his empty bottle.

However, little did he know that he was not the only one here today....

[★ Ryuujin !]

Until the last breath leaves my body,
[I was never the kind
To be taking my time.
And today's another day
That I've gone and thrown away,
And I don't care where it lands.]

The desert heat had caused the Noble to strip his normal wear down to the white button up shirt that usually laid under everything else. The other clothing was tucked safely away in a bag that hung loosely from his back, freeing up his hands. Tim, the tiny Pichu, hung tiredly from his shoulder, eyes half closed, mouth open as he panted slightly. Like his master, he wasn't used to this heat... at all. For the two, being from the North where it was cool to cold all year round, this was a real shock.

But, Tim wasn't the only one who accompanied Akira through the desert. Keeping his pace, a young Lucario kept a watchful eye out for anything that could be considered as trouble, ready to attack if need be. Though, Akira found no reason for this behavior - this was the desert, who, or what for that matter, would be out here that could bring the Noble any great trouble? He doubted there would be anyone who would want him dead around here... unless... if Adrian had somehow found out that he had made his way here. Shaking his head, he laughed slightly at the idea. He highly doubted that the other noble was never not busy enough to pay attention to every person who came and exited her lands.

In the next moment that he finished his thought, Loki went rigid, taking a battle stance. Of course, this sent Akira on edge as he suddenly began to doubt his previous thoughts. Looking in the direction that the Lucario was, the noble quickly spotted what sent the pokemon into his battle stance. Not too far away, another young man made his way through the desert, a Sceptile at his side. It wasn't unusual to be traveling through the desert with pokemon at one's side, no, that's not what caught Akira's attention. Rather, it was the large sword and the armor that the other wore. Do you work for Adrian... Was his first thought.

He wasn't in the mood for any trouble, but there wasn't anywhere really to hide in the desert. He was stuck. Oh well... If we battle, we battle, and I fight as hard as I can... But then again, there was that offhand chance that he wasn't associated with Adrian at all... and if that was the case, there was no reason to look like he himself wanted to start anything. "Loki, relax."

At the command, Loki looked at his master, slightly confused, but none the less, stood down, stepping back to stand at his side. Though, despite this, his eyes never left the strange man. Akira may be trusting enough, but he certainly wasn't.

I will not stop walking.
[I'm on the front line,
Don't worry I'll be fine.
I say goodbye to my weakness,
So long to the regret.
And now I see the world through
Diamond eyes.]

[Da Smiffinator!]

^{Welcome to the soldier side! There is no one here but me...
People all go to die, there is no one here but me....}

After drinking his fill, Zack was back and raring to go. He stretched out his back and breathed the fresh, dry air. Yes, today was beautiful. Hot, but beautiful. Now he was in a place where he could easily train and not be disturbed... or so he thought....

"Scep!" Zero growled fiercely, causing his trainer to whip around. A small ways away, there was a man and his Lucario, and in the man's arms, a small yellow Pokemon that Zack guessed was a Pichu. "Tile!"

"Zero," Zack said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure they mean us no harm. Now come on, give me your best shot. We have to train, keep ourselves in tip-top shape!"

The Sceptile shot a weary glance a the Lucario, daring it to come over and act threatening again, but soon turned towards his trainer. Zack ordered the Pokemon to use a Leaf Blade, and with quick reflexes, he drew his sword and blocked it. The dance then went on, with Zero shooting random attacks, and Zack practicing his blocking and countering. Of course, it was all in good practice. Neither one was meant to get hurt in this process.