Rachel was slightly confused by Sophia's comment about a 'trick.' Though, before she could respond the girl had given small demonstration using Pokeballs. Rachel offered a warm smile, trying to think of any words to encourage the girl before one of the others in their group dashed off to help a wild Pokemon. Normally, stepping between a swarm of zubats and golbats and their target was very unwise. Rachel allowed Cradilly to take the front as she rushed forward to assist. "Cradily, use Flash!" Rachel shouted. Instantly large chunks of the flying Pokemon broke off and retreated back towards the inner recesses of the cave. The bright light made them all quite uncomfortable.
Rheese Laudat
Outside
"Minior, get in there and help any way you can!" Rheese shouted. His Pokemon charged into the fray, ramming random opponents as they came within striking distance. The bright flash from the Cradily seemed to startle many of the flying types in the area, and some of the ones that weren't deterred were at least fairly disoriented. At this point, the whole thing was made much easier.
Instantly, Rheese began to feel a surge of confidence. Yesterday he probably wouldn't have been able to be much help in this kind of situation. Now, he was at the front, actually contributing.
As soon as she ran into the cavern, Amber shielded her eyes from a flash of bright light. Screeches from the Flying types filled the cave, and the researcher looked up, blinking away afterimages to see many of the bats disappear into tunnels.
Others, though, swivelled their ears towards the group, jaws stretched wide - and in the midst of the chaos, the previous target of their hunger writhed. A dragon, overwhelmed by the predators' sheer numbers.
"Kyra! Use Tackle!" As much as Amber wished she had a strategy that would cause minimal harm to the bats, her options were more limited than Rachel's. The Rockruff barrelled towards a Zubat, knocking it aside. Almandine scampered to Kyra's side, only for fluttering shapes to close in on her.
"Alma, hold on!" Amber called. "Use Recover, then Night Shade!" As a growling Kyra dragged a Zubat away from her ally with her teeth, easily shaking off strikes from its wings, light flared. More bats fled, and the ones that remained were quickly driven away by the wave of dark energy that replaced the glow.
"Chalcedony, Larimar, use Harden and defend the others!" The two fossil Pokemon scurried in front of the group, shells shining.
At her level, Amber knew she could only give so much support, but every little effort mattered.
As more help came from the various attacks from other trainers' Pokemon, Skoll and Nomia have paired together on distracted and blinded Zubats and Golbats. With all the all the Pokemon and the dragon attacks, the smaller sensible bats retreated but the more blood frenzied Golbats stayed behind and continued to attack. The battle raged on for a few moments before the remaining Bats fled or fainted from battle.
As the battle came to a close, Oscar sighed in relief but the peace is short-lived as the Kommo-o made a loud thud as it hit the floor in exhaustion and pain. Oscar went to Kommo's side as the dragon started to take swallow breaths and looked as if it's remaining life seeped out of it. Despite the combined efforts of the trainers and dragon, the Bats had been able to get to the young and seemed none survived.
However Oscar noticed a head of one of the young dragons pop out from and disappear into a hole from across the room, he was then prompted to investigate. As he looked the hole, Oscar noted that it is too small for a him or any other human to fit in. Before he could think of a solution, Skoll, with Nomia in tow, darted into the hole. "Come out from there! we don't want to scare it away!" Despite his plea to get the two out, barks, chirps and other sounds came from the hole instead. After a few seconds, Skoll and Nomia emerged from the hole with a shy Jangmo-o slowly pokes it head out. "Hi there, little fella. Do you want to go to your mommy? The bad bats are gone."
The Jangmo looked hesitant at first and looked at Skoll and Nomia for help. They gave a nod of approval. The Jangmo-o rushed out and over to its mother. Many happy chirps and growls are heard but they soon turned to ones of confusion and the sorrow. Oscar went over to see what has happened. When he got back, Oscar saw that the Kommo-o had passed away and the young Jangmo-o was doing it best to "wake" her up. Skoll and Nomia went over to comfort him.
With a sigh of relief, Amber watched the mass of Flying types dissipate. "Everyone ok?" She glanced from side to side. It seemed the other trainers and their Pokemon were, but...
At the sound of an almighty thud, Amber stared ahead. The Kommo-o lay slumped on the ground, breath coming in rasping, agonised growls. Hatchlings lay around her, unmoving. Fainted? Amber wondered. Or...? Chilled by the thought, Amber's first instinct was to reach for her Pokegear, call the town's Pokemon centre. The Zubat line was well known for taking much more blood than they actually needed, but if the dragons got the right attention, it surely wouldn't be too late... Her heart sank as the device failed to pick up a signal.
"Can anyone do something?" Her eyes darted from Rachel, to Vivianne, who grasped what looked like a Hyper Potion from her bag. At a blur of black and white frills in the corner of her vision, the researcher whirled around. "Careful..." She gently rested a hand on Sophia's shoulder, motioning for her to slow down. The dragon, weakened as she was, might still lash out.
Hearing a scurrying sound, Amber turned her head. Her hopes lifted a little. One little dragon had escaped unharmed... at least, physically.
The moment the Kommo-o hit the ground, once more filling the cave with metallic clanging, Sophia hurried towards her. The pain that pulsed through the exhausted psychic's head at the noise almost had her sagging to the ground, but she didn't stop, not even as a hand settled on her shoulder. Shrugging away the touch, she staggered to the dragon's side, all too aware of how hopeless the extent of the damage looked.
"Hang in there," she pleaded, sinking to her knees as Lacey pattered over. "We'll get help, we'll make sure you and these little ones..." A cold, sick feeling spread through her as she glanced around the nest. The dragon's young lay still. No sign of life, except from one. In a flash of grey and gold scales, the Jangmo-o disappeared into a narrow tunnel, prompting Oscar to try and coax it out.
"Lacey... Please, check on that Jangmo-o," Sophia panted. "Just try not to scare it." As the Gothita toddled after Oscar and his Pokemon, Sophia closed her eyes and focused as deeply as she could. The haze of pain, fatigue and muddled traces of others' auras made her task nearly impossible.
What was it Oscar had said the other day? She recalled the words. Think of your powers as an extra arm. Try feeling for Pokemon. Imagining how a nurse would examine a Pokemon with a gentle touch, Sophia reached with her senses to each dragon, instead of trying to assess all at once. The hatchlings gave off no energy, confirming the psychic's fears, and only the faintest flicker of life force thrummed from the mother.
"Please, hold on, there has to be something we can do," she urged, but the Kommo-o didn't respond. Still keeping track of the dragon's life energy as best she could, Sophia glanced up at a chirping noise. "Look, your baby's coming over, it's going to be fine, you're going to be..."
Before she could finish, she felt the Kommo-o's life snuff out like a candle.
"No... Oh, no..." She searched for any remaining spark of vitality, finding none. Maybe she was simply too tired to find it, she told herself, but she couldn't deny what she knew deep down - she'd sensed it slipping away.
Looking over at Vivianne, who crouched with medical supplies, to Oscar, who slowly approached, to the hatchling, who let out heart-wrenching squeals as it nuzzled its mother's body, Sophia could barely bring herself to confirm what had happened. All she could do was give a telltale shake of her head.
By the look on Sophia's face and her shaking head, Oscar knew that the Kommo-o had passed away. Although he never experienced death or loss like this, Oscar can only imagine that how hard it is for one to go though it, especially when one is as young as the hatchling. With some difficulty, Skoll and Nomia managed to lead the hatchling away from his mother and console him. Although it was a topic that he or anyone wanted to talk about, it was necessary to do so. He took out his last pokeball on him before he said bluntly. "This might be a bit wrong, depending on your perspective but it would be better for the little guy to come with one of us. I nominate myself unless someone wants him. If two or more poeple want him, we decide among ourselves in the most reasonable fashion possible." It might have been too soon or too forthcoming but it was better to blunt in situations like this. Wasting time might have been counterproductive in helping the young pokemon.
Looking from the distraught Jangmo-o to Oscar, Amber gave a solemn nod of her head. "You're right. We can't just leave him here, and you're the one who reached out to him." Such a young Pokemon would be unlikely to survive alone, and even if he could, subjecting him to a lonely childhood seemed like the truly wrong thing to do. She couldn't begin to imagine what the poor baby dragon must be going through.
"We should get him to a Pokemon centre, make sure he's not hurt," she suggested. The Jangmo-o didn't seem badly injured, but getting him checked over would be the best thing to do, and if there was anything the nurse or her assistant Pokemon could do to help him with the trauma... She clenched her hands by her sides. She'd come here to study nature, and here it was, at its worst. Here was a family torn apart.
At her side, Vivianne put away the medical supplies and stood up, her movements slow as if her limbs had become heavy. Without a word, the other researcher approached and put her arm around Amber's shoulders.
Sophia stood up on shaking legs, in a daze of shock and exhaustion, and faced Oscar. "Well, that might have had all the subtlety of a Bouffalant's Head Charge, but..." She glanced at the Jangmo-o, at Skoll and Nomia consoling it. Something thawed in the look she gave Oscar, a look of trust. "He could do with a trainer. Someone to look after him."
She crouched down, nearly toppling, beside the traumatised hatchling. "Shh. It'll be ok," she whispered. "Oscar will take good care of you. Trust me. He has his faults, but... he's kind, and caring, and brave..."
Lacey pattered over, helping the two canine Pokemon comfort the dragon. Grimalkin brushed against Sophia's leg, and Arcturus spun to her side. Behind them, the Bronzor tried to catch up, floating in strange zigzagging patterns. Still trying to shake off a Confuse Ray, Sophia realised as it flipped right over in midair and crashed into the cave wall. Bouncing off, it drifted to the ground, where it tried to wobble back up. Its sturdy body was unharmed, but Sophia couldn't help feeling responsible for the loyal defender's condition. If anything worse had happened to this Pokemon...
Trying not to think about it, she caressed its metallic surface, her gaze warm as it shifted from the Bronzor to the Jangmo-o. "Yeah. Let's get both of you seen to."
Slowly, carefully, she eased herself up, resting a hand on the Bronzor. "Don't get me wrong," she said to Oscar. "You're still annoying as all hell and... and you could have at least gone in with some backup! But... I'm sure you'll do a great job of raising this little one." The beginning of tears prickled the corners of her eyes. "And, oh dear Arceus, I'm glad you're alright."
Less than an hour ago, the thought that Oscar could get a full team before her had made her teeth grit. Now, although she'd end up in not just second, but third place even if the Bronzor decided to stay with her, she no longer cared. What mattered was the Jangmo-o's wellbeing.
Happy that there was no objection to him taking the dragon, Oscar decides to officially catch the dragon later when he is more emotionally stable as the catching experience might make the current experience worse. It may rise a few brows but any questions can be easily answered with the truth.
Oscar is also flattered but hurt by Sophia's words but more flatterery. He is also taken aback at her shedding tears for his safety. This is the same girl who seems to only care about her psychic abilities. There is also a name that she spurted that he is unfamiliar with. "Sophia, who is Arceus? I am not too familiar with that name."
Sophia raised an eyebrow. Wasn't the legend at least vaguely known worldwide? "Really? You've never heard of the Original One?" she commented, before deciding to rein it in. Now wasn't the time. "Well, I guess the legend is best known in Sinnoh. A Pokemon said to have shaped the world. My mom visited Sinnoh when she was younger, she knows quite a bit about these stories, told me about three Psychic types supposedly born at the same time as the universe."
She took another look at the Jangmo-o, his head bowed in distress as the group of Pokemon did their best to console him. "But talking about that can wait. We'd better get going, get these Pokemon checked over. It can't be doing this little guy any good to be..." Trailing off, she glanced at the hulking, still form, the bodies of the other hatchlings slumped against that of their mother as if they'd sought her protection even in their last moments. The trainer's grip on the Bronzor tightened. "To be in here."
Oscar nods in agreement. "I hope someone knows these caves like the back of their hand. We can try without help but I doubt we are going to out here anytime soon and safely." This is first time that Oscar went in somewhere new without memorizing the surroundings. He hopes one of the other trainers knows these caves or has a plan to do so.
"Cradily, light the way out," Rachel said, starting to lead the group back down the tunnel as the fossil Pokemon's glow brightened. Having gotten these trainers caught up in quite enough chaos, it was the least she could do to make sure they got out safely, and this little dragon...
Looking down at the Jangmo-o, she gave a gentle smile, hoping to bring whatever comfort she could. "Come along, little one." After an ordeal like this, the baby dragon needed the company of these people and Pokemon in a safe environment.
She turned her attention back to the tunnel system, recognising the crystal-studded walls glinting in the Cradily's light. Although this particular cave had been unexplored territory to her up until now, frequent travelling meant she memorised routes easily. Before long, late afternoon sunlight further illuminated their surroundings as the cave entrance came into view.
If the ghastly flames that—even without wind—flickered with life hadn’t said enough as to the cavern’s paranormal nature, Rachel’s subsequent panic certainly did. Her release of her Pokemon prompted Aedre’s hands to her own Pokeballs, and a few seconds later Aedre saw what the gym leader had instinctively sensed: eyes blinking out of the darkness. wild Ghost-type Pokemon.
Her breath caught in her throat, but she refused to let her fear show. Ghost-types were notorious for their whimsical nature that often turned on a dime, and anything that might change the nature of their interest, such as a sudden shift of emotion in the subject of their observation, may give them the final nudge they needed to finally spring into action.
The Gengar’s Shadow Ball, therefore, took Aedre completely by surprise, not so much because she’d forgotten about the spike-crowned ghost-type—how could anyone?—than because she was newly reminded of just how much of a threat, a danger, the Gengar posed.
Thank Arceus he’s on our side, Aedre thought, and not for the first time, as her gaze turned from the Gengar to his current trainer, then back to Rachel when the gym leader started speaking. Her words brought both comfort and another twinge of uncertainty: would the trainers continue braving the cavern despite the clear promise of dangers they’ve seen and have yet to see?
Her unasked questions, however, were quickly answered, though not without raising different ones. Lan—the gym leader of Mesalon, who, as Rachel reasoned, had to have known of the cavern’s existence—was the new mystery. His status as a gym leader coaxed trust from Aedre, but how much trust should she really have for the gym leader of a region she’d only recently arrived in, only just begun to see?
“Well, I don’t have too much experience myself, but I think keeping in mind that every ghost-type is different but that many are fairly temperamental is a start,” Aedre said when Amber asked about pointers on training ghost-types. “Past that, I think Rachel has about as much knowledge as me, being a gym leader...”
She trailed off, at a loss for words because really, how much advice had she, a fledgling trainer who only recently traded lab goggles for running shoes, to give?
There was a sudden motion in the background, and Aedre turned to catch a scarlet-eyed sarcophagus rising out of the darkness, its shadowy black arms snatching at the nearest trainer, Amber, without success.
“Amber!” Aedre shouted in alarm, eyes wide. What might have happened had the ghost-type Pokemon made contact with the researcher, Aedre didn’t want to know. She’d done her research on the subject since Honedge were notorious for doling out adverse effects if touched, and she knew that with malevolent ghost-types, making contact rarely yielded positive—or even neutral—outcomes.
Thankfully, with Rachel’s Tyranitar lending a very strong, very helpful hand, the trainers quickly made it out of the cave. Outside, they were met with, besides an enthusiastic flying football of a Pokemon, a familiar sight—one that Aedre, despite her limited time with the group, recognized.
“Hey!” Aedre said, grinning and waving at the familiar faces.
As the conversation progressed, it became blatantly clear that Amber and the new addition to the group, Vivianne, knew each other. Vivianne’s subsequent introduction answered some questions, but the heavy awkwardness between the two, despite the ongoing casual conversation between them, was tangible.
“Aedre, aspiring scientist as well,” Aedre said when Vivianne introduced herself. “Nice to meet you.”
The roar, followed by Oscar’s disappearance towards, stirred the group into motion after him. Upon spotting the swarm of Zubats, Aedre quickly released her own Pokemon, minus her Honedge.
“Thea, Charm. Little, Quick Attack them while they’re distracted,” Aedre said, her Pokemon nodding and charging into battle together.
Them tag-teaming a few Zubat should be no problem, Aedre thought, glancing around at the other trainers.
A Flash from Rachel’s Cradily sped the entire process along, and Amber and Vivianne arrived soon after to help. With the Zubat soon cleared out, Aedre’s Pokemon returned to her, Little perching on her shoulder after Aedre bent down and picked up Thea. The wild Kommo-o had succumbed to exhaustion and was being tended to, and nearby, Oscar was leaning over something on the far side of the cavern.
“Wow—is that?” Aedre asked, eyes widening at the sight of a small dragonling appearing from its hidden nest. Following its path with her eyes, Aedre saw Amber and Sophia crouched over the fallen Kommo-o. Amber merely looked worried, but Sophia looked almost stricken, her eyes wide and features tight.
“Everything alright?” Aedre asked, walking over, brows knitting as Sophia shook her head. “What—”
Her eyes snapped to the fallen Kommo-o as realization washed over her.
Oh, she thought, her grip tightening on Thea, who turned to stare at her trainer in confusion, her little arms reaching out for her trainer’s in concern. Oh.
Aedre nodded numbly as the conversation progressed, her eyes fixed on the fallen Kommo-o. Such was the nature of life, wasn’t it? She’d studied it, read it, learned it in articles and dissertations, yet the chilling solemness of the body there, on the floor, brought about a fresh bought of sorrow.
Is this what ghost-type Pokemon remember? she wondered. Or do they not even recall the moments of their death?
“What about the rest of her clutch?” Aedre asked, nodding at the hidden nest once discussion over the bravest Jangmo-o was over. “We probably shouldn’t move them, seeing as they’re probably scared enough as is, but we can’t just leave them here…”
Team:
Pasithea “Thea” ♀ — Togepi (11 +1 = 12)
Attacks:Growl, Charm, Metronome, Sweet Kiss
Ability:Serene Grace
Alitis “Little” ♂ — Fletchling (11 +1 = 12)
Attacks:Tackle, Growl, Quick Attack
Ability:Gale Wings
Decus “Dee” ♂ — Honedge (6)
Attacks:Tackle, Swords Dance, Fury Cutter
Ability:No Guard
Bag Items:
Pokedex (with Kosei Region Map)
Smart Phone
Credit Card linked to a private account that houses a decent amount of money
Poke Radar
Collapsable Bike with two gears (third for bike ramps, fourth for muddy slopes)
When Aedre asked about the rest of the clutch, for a moment Sophia was silent. She bit her lip, hands clenching as she recalled the sight of the tiny forms lying motionless in the nest, not even a spark of life force to be found in any of them. "They..." She gave a little shake of her head. "They didn't make it either."
Her gaze drifted to the one surviving Jangmo-o, shuffling along with the group of Pokemon at his side, with no choice but to leave behind the home and life he'd known. The trainer watched Lacey place a hand on the dragon's back. Everyone had done all they could to help, and yet it hadn't been enough for this Pokemon's mother or siblings. She really should be stronger than this, Sophia inwardly chided herself. Much stronger, not just for her own sake, but to be of more use in these situations.
With heavy, trudging footsteps, she followed Rachel as light started to stream into the cave from outside, indicating safety.
“Oh,” Aedre said, and that was all she could think to say on the matter. The rest of the way back to the surface, Thea’s hand stayed on hers, but she was too distracted to feel her Togepi’s attempt to impart comfort. In fact, her mind was void of thoughts, instead trying to piece together a macabre picture of a sight Aedre failed and did not want to see: a mother and her brood, bloodstained and terrifyingly still.
It wasn’t until they’d exited the cave completely that it hit Aedre: the package.
“Oh—hold on, I need to,” Aedre fumbled for her Pokedex, nearly dropping it in her rush but managing to pull up the call function. “I need to go pick up a package. At the Pokemart. I’ll—um—catch you guys in a bit. At the Pokemon Center, alright?”
With another wave and apologetic smile, she dashed off, Little flying over her head and Thea in her arms. Exploring with the group was so exciting that Aedre had completely forgotten to check the time. Though she still had some time—roughly ten minutes—she would undoubtedly be late, which she rarely was. In fact, the whole thing was very an un-Aedre for her.
Is that what being a trainer is like? she wondered as she ran. A pang of pain flashed through her heart as the image of the Kommo-o and her deathly still hatchlings came to mind, but that pang faded a bit when she remembered that the surviving Jangmo-o, who was now in Oscar’s care.
Helping both people and Pokemon when possible, Aedre thought, squeezing Thea lightly. A trainer…
— Mesalon City Pokemart —
“Hi! Sorry, I’m late,” Aedre gasped as she came to a stop inside the Pokemart, doubling over and setting Thea down with an apologetic pat. “I’m—hah—Aedre. Research assistant. Package.”
“Aedre Charbonnet?” the uniformed carrier asked, checking his itinerary. Aedre nodded, pulling out her Pokedex to show him her trainer ID.
“Alright then, everything seems to be in order,” he said, noting down something with a pen before producing a small box. “Here you are. Have a good day.”
“Thanks!” Aedre called to the departing carrier before looking down at the package curiously. It was a neat square, the perfect size for a Pokeball.
Well, I guess I’ll just tell the professor I got it, she thought, depositing the box into her backpack before zipping it back up and exiting the Pokemart. Finding a nearby ledge to sit on, she pulled out her laptop and composed a exceedingly brief email—Professor, just received the package. What next? Aedre—before closing that too, scooping up Thea, and heading for the Pokemon Center.
Team:
Pasithea “Thea” ♀ — Togepi (12)
Attacks:Growl, Charm, Metronome, Sweet Kiss
Ability:Serene Grace
Alitis “Little” ♂ — Fletchling (12)
Attacks:Tackle, Growl, Quick Attack
Ability:Gale Wings
Decus “Dee” ♂ — Honedge (6)
Attacks:Tackle, Swords Dance, Fury Cutter
Ability:No Guard
Bag Items:
Pokedex (with Kosei Region Map)
Smart Phone
Credit Card linked to a private account that houses a decent amount of money
Poke Radar
Collapsable Bike with two gears (third for bike ramps, fourth for muddy slopes)
As the group left the cave, Sophia squinted through the daylight, which had started to fade but still set her head pounding. Events and exhaustion had left her wandering in a daze. The Bronzor, who had shaken off the confusion, floated in front of her, turning towards her and bobbing. "Bron!" it said as it flipped back round and rotated itself, slipping one of the bumps ridging it under her hand for her to grip.
"Really, I'm not in too bad a way," the drained girl insisted, but there was no fooling the Psychic type, and she wasn't exactly in a mood to keep acting tough. "Unnh..." She let out a groan as she stumbled. "Alright. And... And thanks."
She leaned against the Bronzor, letting it support her as she walked. It was then that a surprised announcement from Aedre broke the solemn silence. As she blurted something about a package and waved a hasty goodbye, Sophia's only response was a nod and the slightest hint of a smile. Even if this girl was a little odd, at least she wasn't as annoying as some of the others.
Probably best for the Jangmo-o not to be too crowded, Sophia thought as Aedre rushed down the street. The brunette turned her head, casting a weary gaze at the others. "You really are one of the world's helpers, aren't you?" she said to Oscar, her tone holding some mild disdain, but not enough to keep admiration from shining through.
"And it won't be long, little one," she whispered to the Jangmo-o. "We'll be there soon."
Oscar picks up on the slight bitterness in Sophia's voice although it was overshadowed by admiration. "For evil to breed and thrive, Good poeple must do nothing. That is all. Anyways, It is not the time to have a moral debate when there are more pressing matters." Oscar still wonders the motives and thoughts of Sophia. She can't be this upset that they saved a live.
On the way to the Pokecenter, Oscar askes Sophia. "Do you want to go to the gym after this? I have challenge it yet and I have a good feeling that I might succeed. There are no guarantees thou."
Sophia gave a slight huff at Oscar's attempt at sageliness - was now really the time for that? - but his words were true. And the way he lived up to that philosophy... Well, she couldn't deny it to herself, that was what she admired about him. Even if he had gone and put himself in danger, he'd saved a Pokemon in the process.
The Pokecentre was just coming into view when Oscar suggested heading back to the gym. In other circumstances, Sophia would have bigged up her battling skill and told him she was sure she could get a badge first. As it was, she glanced from him to the Jangmo-o, then turned her solemn gaze back towards him.
Amber turned at Sophia's protest. "It depends on what he wants," she chipped in. "He might need time to come to terms with everything, or he might want to battle as a way of bonding with a new trainer. Apparently, many Dragon types, after... after something like this, channel trauma into training to protect themselves and those they're close to."
At her side, a sombre-faced Vivianne nodded.
"But whether it's the best way to cope has to be his choice," Amber continued. "Even if he isn't ready to battle, the monastery might be the peaceful place he needs right now."
Oscar looks at the dragon and things about it for a few seconds. "I think I will let him watch. I think It is too soon and I dont know if he is up to it yet. I rather use Roadrunner, Aurora and Daisho for now. Maybe seeing me battle will inspire the little guy." The two canid pokemon are still comforting the Dragon. He is warming up to them as if he is taking them on as adoptive parents or siblings. This makes Oscar smile.
As they get into the Pokecentre, Oscar goes to the nurse on duty at the front desk. "Hello. May I get a physical and possibly a emotional or mental check up of a Jangmo-o, please? He went though a tragic scence of events. You might have to take my growlithe or eevee with too.""
"Then..." Dragging her feet and still leaning on the sturdy Steel type, Sophia nodded. "I'll come along." An hour or so ago, the thought of Oscar of all people getting a badge first would have sent the shame and bitterness of her loss roiling through her again. Now that such a victory might aid an orphaned Pokemon's recovery, things were different. To think she actually wanted to see her rival win... Following close behind, she stepped into the lobby.
Here they were, away from the cave and its dangers, in the light and safety of the Pokemon centre. She straightened her back, letting go of the Bronzor. Everything wavered around her as she swayed, then forced herself to stand steady. The others shouldn't have to look after her as well as the Jangmo-o, and she shouldn't even need looking after anyway.
"Gothi!" Lacey gave her a pointed look, hands on hips, then turned her attention to a chair. It scraped forward across the tiles, stopping beside Sophia. "Gothi-gothi-ta!" the childlike Pokemon insisted.
"Don't worry yourself, Lacey," the drained psychic said, although she eased herself into the chair anyway. "I'm going to be alright."
She hoped the Jangmo-o would be, too, as she watched Oscar lead him to the desk.
"As long as he's alright watching a battle," Amber commented as she followed the others inside, "that sounds like a good plan."
The lobby was fairly crowded, some trainers chatting face to face or on phones, others feeding and grooming Pokemon. Did everyone in this rest stop experience such things? Had they had their own brushes with death? Had they witnessed it? Was this a normal part of being a trainer?
"Amber." At the sound of her name, she turned to meet that steely blue gaze. "You didn't have to follow. But..." Something glimmered in Vivianne's eyes, and the corners of her mouth lifted a fraction. "Thank you." Face turning stern again, the other researcher continued. "Just be careful. Believe me, reading about how tough this world can be is one thing, experiencing it is another."
Amber gave a nod. "I will. And... I know." She didn't, though, she acknowledged deep down. Even after recent events, she didn't know the half of it, not yet. This journey was bound to bring greater and greater difficulties for everyone.
The Nurse gives OPscar a warm smile and looks at Skoll, Nomia and the poor dragon. "Certainly. By the looks of things, I think I will take all three as the dragon seems to taken them as foster parents" Oscar smiles back. "Sure. I see no problem in that. Will you that, you two?" Skoll yips excitedly and twirls around while Nomia nods nervously.
As the nurse takes the three to get the dragon checked, Oscar goes over to Sophia and sits next to her. "This journey is getting better and better" Oscar does a faint smile and trying to keep optimistic. "how are you fairing up? I want a honest answer." Oscar can see that she is tired and spent but he wants to hear it from her. He thinks that he will most likely hear how she is fine and does not need his help but he hopes that she will open up a little more. Sometimes, slow and steady progress is all someone needs.
Watching Skoll and Nomia stick by the dragon as they followed the nurse, Sophia gave a little smile. Such a loyal, close-knit team already. This was what she loved about Pokemon.
"I'm sure they'll be a great family to him," she said as Oscar sat down next to her. Her smile spread slightly at his positivity - which, of course, turned into his usual overbearingness. "Just like I keep telling you," she replied, her expression souring, "I'm fine. I mean who doesn't need a little rest after a day of exploring?"
She wasn't fooling anyone, she knew it. Not Oscar. Not Rheese, who'd shown concern that morning. Not Lacey, whose wide blue eyes brimmed with distress. Not the Bronzor she'd leaned on throughout the return journey, who hovered closer.
"Seriously. I'm ok..." She glanced at the Bronzor, remembering it crashing into the cave wall in its confusion. "Are you, though?" She took the last empty Pokeball from her belt. "Here, if you want to come along, and I'll be able to get you healed right up." The Bronzor approached the capsule, then disappeared into it.
Six Pokemon. Of course, Oscar had already beaten her to it, but given the circumstances, that wasn't among the things bothering her.
Sophia returned all her Pokemon and stood up, trying not to sway or stumble as she strode towards the healing machine. A sudden bout of light-headedness came on, the room spinning as what little strength she had failed. "Ugh..." She gripped on to the machine for support. Well, that was that, she thought as she propped herself back up, taking the six Pokeballs from her belt and waiting for the Pokemon inside to be fully healed. Oscar would take that as even more proof he hadn't gotten the honest answer he'd wanted.
Once she'd retrieved the capsules and let out Lacey and the Bronzor, she traipsed over to the chair, sitting back down. Damn that guy grated on her - but the more she tried to hide, the more he'd worry. Could she really let him worry about her as well as the Jangmo-o? "You know, it's only fair if you give me an honest answer too," she said through gritted teeth. She looked at Oscar, silence hanging heavy between them, before she spoke. "Before you met me... What did you imagine a psychic to be like?"
More than this, she supposed - and more useful in the repeated disasters the group had faced over a mere matter of days.
lv:11 
lv:10
lv:13
