Moltres 43, 357 EL
The Trial of Courage
In every man's life, there are a few moment that force you to pause and wonder if it was all worth it. The sacrifices, the trials, the things you'd lost: what did you actually accomplish with it? Some look back on a full life bursting with accomplishment, and are at peace. Others see squandered opportunities, and a life not worth living. Anything can force this (sometimes unwanted) retrospection, whether it be the loss of a loved one, completion of a long sought after goal, or the loss of years of work.
You? It's being brought on by the twenty-foot long Charizard in the canyon below you have to steal an Egg from.
Dawn, the Same Day
It was a rather typical day on Cinnabar. The sun was scorching even as it crested the horizon which, coupled with the fact that today was the beginning of Initiation, had caused more than a few of you to sweat through your clothes. Quickly looking around reveals some of the most promising youth on the island. Chantu Katsura, one of the many in line to the throne and Kasai's sponsee, sits still enough to almost be mistaken as dead, somehow not sweating under his armor. On the other hand, Goto's candidate, a boy none of you recognized who could hardly be over the age of ten, fidgeted about almost constantly, rarely stopping his movements for more than a few seconds. Looking around, you can see quite a few of the other candidates. Adrianne Wells, one of the psychics who had worked with Yvonne in the past. Brawley, a son of one of the more common sailors to the island, was also present, carrying a trident of some sort.
And, of course, the four of you.
You'd been told to assemble at dawn, and yet it seemed the actual Knights were late. You were alone, and, after a few minutes, a few of the other candidates were becoming fidgety.
"What the hell is going on? Where's Maddigan?" Studs, the town urchin finally cries, glaring at the sky.
"Patience," you hear Chantu commands, surprisingly causing Studs to fall quiet. "Can you not hear them?"
After a strained moment, the wind begins to pick up, as numerous small orange dots begin to appear on the horizon. Squinting through the dust, you can barely make out just short of a dozen Charizard and their riders, with a massive creature leading the group, no doubt Kuttara himself. Soon enough, the group can make out Ji Choi, Vladamir Ward and Thadeus Alphonse, the latter allowing himself to be seen, likely for the point of ceremony. Ibis isn't anywhere to been seen, but judging by the fact that her Charizard couldn't carry her weight, that was hardly surprising.
In a massive gale of wind and dust eight riders land. You quickly recognize Kasai, Goto, Dreues, Yvonne Brielle and Maddigan, as well as your own sponsors. With a quick pop Ibis appears, Charizard clinging to her shoulder like a snake.
"Welcome to the Initiation," Kasai says with a voice that sounds like two stones smacking together. "You've been selected as candidates to the Charizard Knights. Today, we see exactly how foolish your sponsors are for backing you," Kasai states with a pointed look towards Ji Choi, obviously not approving of her selection. "I'm going to do my best to make sure none of you pass. We need only the most powerful Charizard Knights right now, and I'm not convinced any of you will last more than three seconds against a Dragonite," Kasai snarls.
"Ey, Kasai, let meh handle dis," Maddigan says with such a horrible mix of accents that you can't tell exactly what he's trying to do. "Ahm in charge of yer first trial, the Feat o' Strength," he continues, pulling out a scroll. "Tha military is tha one who puts this forth. As ya might guess, the first thing ya need ta be a Charizard Knight is yer Charizard. You lot are a buncha runts, so ya gotta stert with a Charmander. Fertunately, mah Charizard just had a clutch o' eggs."
"Yer gonna steal one," Maddigan says with an evil grin, drawing a chuckle from Thadeus and Vladimir. "If you get un, meybe Kasai'll stop bein such a grump," Maddigan says, completely unphased by the glare the leader of the Knights threw in his direction. "This is the Trial o' Courage, where ya get ta prove ye got the right stuff. Or, ya know, that yer just stark ravin' mad! Traditionally tha military handles dis trial, but I volunteered to give 'em a little help this year. They wanted 'cha ta kill rats er something dumb."
"Now comon. Ye got work ta do," Maddigan states, turning to walk away, likely towards wherever the Eggs were kept. The other nominees follow, most looking to their sponsor as they follow the Mad Knight.
"Oi, an' word of advice? Don try 'n fight 'er. We don' wan any dead kids."
Spoiler: NeilsAs you turn to follow Maddigan, you feel the all-to-familiar grip of Ibis' Charizard upon your mind.
My master says don't muk this up, the beast commands, the smugness carrying heavily across the telepathic link. Kasai didn't like her appointment, and if you don't impress him you could be in trouble.
Spoiler: HarissonAs you leave, a familiar hand comes down on your shoulder.
"Good luck," Thadeus says shortly, face more serious than normal. "It's not quite as dangerous as Maddigan would have you think, but keep your distance. Use that laziness to come up with a plan, alright? You're ready for this."
Spoiler: Satomi"I'm not supposed to give you any advice, but keep an eye on the edge of the canyon. I doubt it will help you with the Charizard, but it may be of some interest to you," Jin states, looking at you with an appraising eye. "Now go. Find your fuel."
Spoiler: AlorianaVlad nods at you as you walk by, hardly sweating despite the hundred pounds of armor the man was wearing. "Good luck kid. Make your brothers proud."
The trek to the canyon had been tough, but not overly taxing, despite Maddigan's best efforts. The second you'd reached the edge of the canyon the Mad Knight had apparently disappeared, leaving without a word.
Below, down the edge of a forty foot cliff, Shikina lounges about, body covered in the same blue tatoos that Maddigan seems so fond of. You could see various clutches of eggs scattered around the floor, the great female Charizard striding between them, occasionally letting out a burst flame to keep the eggs warm.
"See you at the bottom," Chantu states, anchoring some rope around a stone before beginning to hop down edge of the cliff, obviously not bothering with teamwork or plans. A bit behind, the young boy that none of you recognized was looking on in terror, obviously unsure what to do. The others looked down below, attempting to find some sort of advantage to use against the beast.