Sophia Danvers

Mesalon Gym

@fer1323

Sophia's glare sharpened as she took back the TM. "Suit yourself," she muttered. "This isn't the time to argue anyway, and..." She glanced at the Pokemon accompanying Oscar, then faced him again. She was about to completely disregard what he'd said, but there was something she had to make clear.

This wouldn't be easy, since this guy was neither a psychic, nor a close friend. And of course they weren't close. They barely even got along. Just because he believed in her, and reassured her she wasn't alone, and they'd confided in each other, and promised to help each other, and... and those fears and hopes for him had just been brought to light by her Shuppet... That surely didn't mean... Clearing those thoughts from her mind, Sophia focused on just one and projected it to Oscar.

"And there are certain things your Pokemon don't need to hear, not right now."

She grimaced as a wave of dizziness swept over her. Oscar had said to think of her powers as muscles... This felt like using a muscle that had been pushed to its limits. Still, she remained standing. She wasn't going to send Oscar into overprotective mode. That was the last thing either of them needed.

---

Rachel

Mesalon Gym

@fer1323 @Heckno12

"Ah! Just in time!" Rachel called as she rushed in. She beamed at Oscar, handing him three Oran berries.

"Thought you might want these, if you don't already have any berries," she said. "They'll instantly restore a small amount of energy to a Pokemon. And you, feel free to take some too, for when you need them." As she gave Sophia three of the same berries, she noticed the girl's hand shaking.

"Let's go take a seat and watch," she suggested before turning back to Oscar. "Best of luck for the battle! I'm sure you'll do a great job of inspiring the Jangmo-o, how's he doing?"

@LuckyBlackCat @Heckno12

"suit yourself, Sophia. I rather have my Pokémon around me to support me. I can put Kushala away as I understand for him but for the others, they are like an extension of myself. They are as much as me as they are their own being. That is what I believe at least. I don't mean that they are tools. More like a symbiotic relationship. Anyways, i hope you find the answers you are looking for. I am almost done wasting my breath on deaf ears."

He thanks Rachel and takes the berries. He gives one to each of his Pokémon and goes and gets them healed before going and looking for Lan. He seems to be in a battle with another trainer so Oscar waits patiently and talks with his pokemon with last minute encouragement and tstics.

@OtomostheCrazy @Heckno12

Deneb had been standing there, staring at the Gym’s entrance for quite a while. For what reason, barely anyone would know. With an expressionless face, no one truly understood just what it was the child was intending to do...Edea, however, didn’t care. She knew her trainer wanted to challenge the gym, but she didn’t care about whether or not he was nervous, he was taking forever! So she had to do what had to be done: She pushed him in.

Pokémon only have four moves to use in battle, but that didn’t mean they were unable to do anything related. Take for instance, Tackle. With what she’d learned Edea should not know that move, and yet here she was, charging through the Gym doors with Deneb on her front as the target.

Lan had expected more of Rheese's group to challenge him before the day was out, but quite a different person burst into the arena - or rather, was pushed in by a Maractus, the Pokemon clearly much more enthusiastic about a gym battle than the trainer was. The monk stood up and bowed his head, facing the challenger, a child with desert robes and an expressionless stare.

Students leaned forward, anticipating another battle, but Lan remained where he was. "If you're ready," he said gently, "then take your place." Maybe the child was nervous, maybe he just wasn't interested in battling, or maybe he was thinking through a strategy - with that blank expression, it was difficult to tell what he was planning on.

Deneb stood up from the sudden tackle his pokemon had given him, and then stared at the Gym leader for a moment. He turned to Edea, who shook her head and pointed toward their opponent. Deneb nodded and lifted his arm. From a hidden pocket in his sleeve, a pokeball rolled into his hand, and then grew to normal size. He tossed it forward, and from it came the Helioptile that he had caught before.

"Gym Leader..."

Deneb's voice was like his expression, almost nonexistent. It was monotone, and off-putting to the normal person.

"We challenge you."

Challengers were usually more passionate than this, especially trainers as young as this boy, but Lan gave a nod of acceptance. Holding up a Pokeball of his own, he pressed the button. "Furfrou, begin." The poodle Pokemon appeared, sizing up the opponent.

"Start with Toxic." At Lan's command, the Furfrou leapt forward and shook, poisonous spores flying from its thick coat of fur and settling all over the Helioptile.

Deneb showed no reaction to the starting move, but Helioptile started panicking, trying to brush off the spores that hit it, and blow away the ones that had yet to land. It only made things worse for itself as it flailed about, catching more. It began to feel the poison working. It felt drained...

"Helioptile."

Suddenly the pokemon stopped and looked at its trainer. It wasn't a calming sight to look at the expressionless boy, but it did realign its attention, and allowed it to focus.

"Charge."

It suffered through the sting of the poison, and began to charge up enough for electric sparks to come off of it.

"Not a bad opening strategy," Lan said as the Helioptile began charging electricity. Even if this boy seemed rather blase about Pokemon battles, at least it meant he could keep a level head throughout them, an important skill for a trainer.

"Furfrou." The monk turned his attention back to his canine Pokemon, who remained in fighting stance, undeterred by the sparks. "Secret Power."

Despite the Helioptile's increased resistance to special attacks, the energy blast swept it back.

"Thundershock."

Despite the blast of energy slamming right into it, Helioptile weathered it. Following its trainer's command, it released the charged electrical power in the form of a strengthened thundershock.

The dog skidded back with a yelp, twitching and swaying, but had enough strength to follow its trainer's command and retaliate with another Secret Power. At first, it seemed as if the energy blasts and the poison might be enough to wear the Helioptile down. One more Thundershock, though, was all it took for the Furfrou to collapse.

Lan recalled the fainted Pokemon, then held out another Pokeball. "Munchlax." At the press of a button, the chubby teal Pokemon appeared in the Furfrou's place. The challenger had already proven himself capable of countering special moves. Now to see if he could do the same for physical ones.

Helioptile was not doing so good. All it could do was take down one pokemon that wasn't even going for it directly. The poison was taking a huge toll on its body, but it managed to at least attempt to take on the Munchlax with a tail whip. Being a wild pokemon yet to be truly tamed, it did this of its own volition, rather than the direction of his trainer, and this was bad idea, as the munchlax only hit it once with a Chip Away to knock it out cold. Deneb showed no emotion as he returned the pokemon. Truthfully, he was concerned and thankful for its efforts, but he could not show this in any physical way.

He looked to Edea, who was hopping in place, ready to rumble. He nodded, and she jumped in, a grin on her own face.

"Cotton Guard."

Immediately, Edea began dancing about in some strange, chaotically random way, but from her body, a fluffy substance quickly puffed out...

"Chip Away," Lan commmanded, but the cotton covering the Maractus softened the blow from the Munchlax. Recalling the Pokemon for now, Lan looked across the arena at Deneb.

"I see you're prepared for energy and physical attacks alike," he commented, "even if your Pokemon do need to be trained to wait for commands." He took another Pokeball and let out a Doduo, its two sets of eyes fixed on the Maractus.

"Aerial Ace." Rushing forward in a blur, the bird jabbed with both its beaks at the Grass type.

On any normal occasion attacks like Peck would be super effective against grass-types like Edea. It still was in this case, but whatever damage the man had been expecting to inflict upon her was greatly lessened by the cotton. This was was the way Deneb and Edea fought: Nullification. Whether it was minimizing injuries sustained from the incoming attacks or simply reversing the damage, Edea and Deneb had prepared to create a strategy with what they had. Deneb in particular needed to do this. He had no aspirations to pursue a title. He simply needs something that would help him, and Edea was going to help him whether he wants her help or not.

"Cotton Guard again."

Edea complied, and even more fluffy material sprouted from her, creating a sort of soft armor that one could sleep on as if it was a pillow.

The cotton absorbed most of the otherwise super effective attack. Even though he was losing, Lan couldn't help but smile a little. This was the technique he often used with his Furfrou, nullifying damage and then wearing the opponent down. Strategy was an important thing to use, for seasoned and beginner trainers alike.

"Use another Aerial Ace," he called. The Doduo charged again, raising its heads as if to try and pierce through all that fluffy armour.

As it may prove to show, Deneb isn’t always in control over his Pokémon during battles. For the most part, he directs what move and when, but there will always be a few moments where his team acts on their own. Sometimes it’s out of excitement, sometimes it’s out of necessity. This time is the former.

Edea is spontaneous, excitable, prone to overreaction, and hyperactive most of the time. It would be lying, however, to say that she couldn’t be sadistic at times. This is such a time. A gleam was in her eyes, hidden within the fluff of her defense, her body’s needles began to harden and stick out. She was preparing a Spiky Shield, in order to prove just how fruitless physical attacks can be against her.

Deneb saw the gleam in her eyes, and trusted her judgement. Edea usually has good ideas, so he’ll let her do what she wants for now.

Lan watched as the Maractus acted independently of her trainer, jutting out needles through the cotton shield. Instead of doing any damage to the Grass type, the Doduo squawked and reeled back.

"Getting your Pokemon to listen is something you still need to work on," the monk advised, "but that's another useful defensive technique."

What the boy needed to learn, though, was that the technique wouldn't always be reliable. Knowing that Spiky Shield was likely to fail if used in succession, Lan gave the command for another Aerial Ace.

Deneb watched as Edea took another hit from the bird Pokémon. There was nothing else left to do but the strategy that they’ve relied on up to this point.

"Edea."

Edea kept her focus on blocking any other attack that might happen to her, but listened for her trainer.

"Heal."

The Maractus adopted a devious grin, before pointing her arm toward the bird. Her eyes glinted and looked as if they flowed as a sort of energy shot forth and connected with her target. She planned to drain it if it’s energy, and take it for herself.

An attack such as Mega Drain would usually do little damage to a Flying type, but as soon as it hit, the Doduo stumbled, heads drooping. It stood up to the move just enough to strike back as Lan commanded, but the next energy wave proved too much. The bird tottered on its long legs, then collapsed.

Recalling the fainted Pokemon, Lan sent out his last team member still capable of battling. "Munchlax. Your turn again." The much physically tougher Normal type waddled forward, ready to resume fighting.

That was to be expected. At this point, Deneb figured that munchlax and Doduo wouldn’t be able to do much to Edea that can’t be reversed, so all he was thinking about was how to make this go a little faster...so he told Edea to use Growth once. It didn’t do much normally, but it would do enough.

"It is time for this to end."

The Munchlax looked up as Edea grew to twice her regular size. Even though both Lan and his Pokemon kept their usual level-headed focus, the outcome was clear from the moment the Maractus raised her arms, draining green orbs of light from the Normal type's body. Not even eating a Sitrus Berry in between attacks was enough for Munchlax to withstand the enhanced Mega Drain moves. He tottered backwards, then crumpled to the ground.

As the referee announced Deneb the winner, Lan calmly returned Munchlax and approached the victorious trainer. Despite his loss, he smiled, handing over a badge.

"You already know some techniques that will take you far if you build on them," he said, "although I advise that you train your Pokemon to listen to you, and that you don't rely too much on high levels, particularly of a single one. Nonetheless, consider this badge earned, as well as a TM of your choice."

He went and picked out four discs from a storage box, then presented them to Deneb, the names and effects written on the cases. Hidden Power, Double Team, Swagger, and Round.

Edea ran over to Deneb, and grabbed her maracas. She began to celebrate her victory as her trainer listened to the Gym Leader. The words of wisdom were appreciated, but that appreciation was not shown. Instead, Deneb spoke in response.

“If it will provide me the money I need, then I will use your advice.”

With that, he took the TM Round and made to leave.

---

Sophia Danvers

Mesalon Gym

@fer1323 @Heckno12

As soon as Sophia entered the arena, she stopped in her tracks, nearly causing Amber to crash into her. She stared as the trainer in front of her - that kid who couldn't be any older than twelve - coolly accepted a badge, then headed towards the exit.

"What? B-But how?" she blurted. A freaking CHILD had done what she couldn't. A tremor rippled through her, not just from anger, but a sense of utter helplessness like water closing in over her head. She recalled her mother's words from the first day... as well as Oscar's from just now, and the surreal seeming chain of events. Letting her own Pokemon go berserk. That crazed Aerodactyl. Rheese lying unconscious. Hammer's threats. The swarm of bats. She should be the most able out of everyone to deal with all this... and to help. As well as letting her family down, was she going to let everyone else down?

A hand - Amber's - settled on her shoulder, the fossil enthusiast leading her to the spectator's seats as the other two women followed. Sophia wanted to pull away. She shouldn't need comfort. She shouldn't need to be treated like a kid. She cringed, but didn't shrink from the gesture. Instead, she trudged to the nearest chair and flopped down into it, waiting for Oscar to appear and start his challenge.

Leaning forward, she gripped the ruffles of her skirt, not from frustration this time. More like... tension? Of course the Jangmo-o's wellbeing rested on the outcome, but were there other reasons why it mattered? Why couldn't she feel the same resentment towards Oscar that she'd felt towards the kid? Fantoccino wasn't even out, but Sophia remained aware of the feelings that he'd brought to her attention, that grew keener by the second.

"Time for that smartass to back up all those words of wisdom," she muttered, "and... I'm sure he can."

After Oscar has finished talking to and healing his pokemon, he goes and gets Skoll, Nomia and Kushala and takes them to the seating area in the main arena. the gym leader, Lan seems to have finished up and looks to prepared for the next battle. Oscar takes a deep breath and tries to settle any remaining nerves as much as possible. He stands up straight, calls over his three battling pokemon and walks up to Lan. "Lan, sorry to challenage you so soon after a battle but I would like to obtain your badge that you have on offer."

Lan had just received his Pokemon from a student who'd had them healed, when a new challenger entered the arena - the boy from earlier, who had accompanied Sophia. When the boy spoke, Lan gave a gentle smile.

"There's no need to apologise," he reassured him. "My Pokemon are fully healed, and this gives others in my team a chance to battle."

He made his way back to the other end of the arena, facing Oscar with a bow of his head as the referee announced the start of the gym challenge. A cheer rose up from the spectators. "Bunnelby," he said, taking a Pokeball and letting out a little grey rabbit. The bunny hopped forward, flexing his ears in preparation as he waited for his opponent.

Oscar does a bow in response to be respectful as he stands in position across from the gym leader. As the referee started the match and the crowd cheered, the nervousness raises up within Oscar. he is not used to be on this side of the attention, especially when a lot is at stake. He is used to exams but this is like an exam where everyone can see you fail and it scares Oscar a little.

Oscar looks down at his pant to see Diasho tugging at them as to say not to worry and to send him out. Oscar smiles and turns to Lan before saying. "Diasho, go and make me proud." Diasho goes to walk into position and takes a stance against the bunny. Diasho seems to get a little more buff for some reason.

"Begin with Bulk Up," Lan commanded once the opposing Pokemon, a Ralts, approached the Bunnelby. The rabbit nodded and clenched his ears tighter, a red aura flaring around his body as his muscles thickened. Defense wasn't Lan's concern, a Ralts would be more likely to use energy based moves than physical ones, but this would give Bunnelby's attacks a boost for as long as he was out.

Oscar notes that the bunney is gearing up for a big attack. Thanks to Sophia, he has a move to counter this tactic as long as the bunny is a physical fighter "Diasho, Use reflect." Diasho lifts his hands and forms a clear barrier with a slight blue tint in front of him. This should help Diasho survive a hit or two from the bunny

Lan hadn't expected Reflect, but as he watched the force field appear, he smiled. "Good idea to set up a move like that at the start of a battle," he commented. "Bunnelby, offset it with another Bulk Up."

The glow around Bunnelby intensified like a flame growing into a blazing fire, red sparks rising into the air, as he stared down the Ralts. The barrier may soften his attacks, but did nothing to weaken his resolve.

"Thanks thou I have to be honest. A friend helped me out." He was being honest. Getting all the credit felt a little wrong especially as he wouldn't have it cause of Sophia. "Diasho, Use confusion while you still have first strike." Daisho glows purple as the bunny does so too. Diasho forces the bunny to hit himself before leaving the bunny alone.

"Teamwork, an important skill for trainers," Lan replied. Given that Reflect was a Psychic type move, it was probably Sophia who'd helped out. The same girl who'd acted less than friendly towards Oscar in the meditation room, but had ultimately shown respect for him. It was good to know this group could support each other when they needed to, and the current situation made sticking together all the more essential.

When Daisho made his move, using Bunnelby's pumped up strength against him, the bunny staggered then shook off the attack. Both Pokemon and trainer remained calm. "Counter with Quick Attack," Lan ordered.

The Bunnelby charged, that aura streaming from him like the tail of a comet, allowing him to knock the barrier containing the Ralts back several paces.

Oscar whinces for his pokemon as if he had felt it as if it is his own. Oscar nods in understanding of what Lan has to say about teamwork."It is like the old saying goes: Want to go fast, go alone. Want to go far, go together."

As Diasho recovers for Oscar's next command, Oscar gives it with more confidence than in tbe beginning of the match. "You are doing great, Diasho. Now, attack with confusin again. He is on his last ropes." The same thing happened as before with the bunny and the bunny doesn't look so good.

The Bunnelby struggled against the psychic move, but couldn't stop his body moving against his will, his paw-like ear whacking him with a sharp slap. This time, when he stumbled, he didn't steady himself but flopped to the floor.

"Come back, Bunnelby," Lan called, returning him. "Munchlax." He pressed the button of another Pokeball, the chubby teal bear appearing in front of the Ralts. "Use Chip Away." The barrier would absorb half the damage, but wouldn't last much longer.

Before the Muchlax could attack Diasho, Oscar shouts. "Aurora, sub in for Diasho quickly before he attacks. Aurora jumps in front of the Muchlax's attack and soaks it nicely. That was a close call.

Snorlax and Muchlax are even known in Hoenn ti be a dangerously powerful Pokémon. Maybe Oscar can take care of him now. "Aurora, Use your sky uppercut with flair" Aurora dashes towards the opponent, crouch before jumping. As she jumps, she twists and releases some aura. It looks like a showstopper.

As soon as the Riolu appeared, Lan recognised her. The one whose pack had let her stay in this very monastery, a place of serenity for her to hone her aura skills. "So you found a trainer to go with," he addressed Aurora. "I knew that would do you good."

Watching her prepare an attack, Lan decided to make a switch of his own. "Munchlax, return for now," he said, withdrawing the bear cub. "Doduo." In a flash, the two-headed bird stood in the Munchlax's place. Normal types were vulnerable to Fighting moves, but Doduo's Flying type could compensate for this weakness...

... Or not. It seemed Aurora had received some training since she'd left. Both her aura-cloaked fists shot up, striking the chins of each head at the same time. The Doduo didn't even get to fight back before crumpling to the ground.

Lan's jaw tensed, lips pressed together, but he kept his composure as he returned the bird. "Seems it's your turn again, Munchlax," he said, sending out his last healthy Pokemon. "Zen Headbutt."

Oscar was amazed at seeing Aurora one hit knock out a gym leader's Pokémon that has no weaknesses. He thinks that he needs to bench Aurora to make things a bit more fair even for a gym leader. " Aurora, you can stay on the bench for now. You already did more thab enough work. Roadrunner, it is your turn" Aurora nods and Roadrunner excitedly runs onto the battlefield.

Roadrunner was hit with tbe zen headbutt but is still going strong. "Now, Roadrunner, use ember on that munchlax" RR dashes forward and sends small flames towards the foe
Munchlax winced as the flames hit, but once they fizzled out, he simply brushed the soot off his fur. Special attacks were something he could easily withstand.

"Chip Away this time," Lan called. Faced with the new opponent, a move that matched his Pokemon's type would be much more effective. The Munchlax lumbered forward, flailing as hard as he could with his fists.

The munchlax hit Roadrunner quite hard, Forcing the orange chicken to bite down and swallow the oran berry stored in his mouth. It healed Roadrunner up and Roadrunner seems to be pumped up from that as if he likes the challenges. osar smiles as he remembers that Roadrunner always has had a competitive spirit when it comes to battling . the longer the battle, the more worked up he gets.

"Roadrunner, use ember again" Roadrunner dashes forward and spews embers like before but these seem to be more intense that before. The embers hit the munchlax and burn some of the fur badly.

This time, Munchlax grunted and reeled back. He wasted no time in taking out the Sitrus Berry tucked into his thick coat of fur and devouring the fruit, standing a little taller as he did so. Normally, a Pokemon would wait longer before consuming their healing resource, but Munchlax was going to take the first opportunity that arose for a snack.

"That's it, now, Chip Away again," Lan commanded. The Normal type, almost fully revitalised, stomped over and threw another volley of punches.

Oscar grits his teeth as the Munchlax does eats the berry and heals up. He should have remember the saying of 'hungry as a snorlax'. he has to try delay this unstoppable force. The munchlax hits Roadrunner and makes him be on his last legs. Roadrunner get worked up from the fighting and hit.

"Roadrunner, retreat. Diasho, sub in." Roadrunner looks upset from being benched but does what he is ordered. Diasho stands center stage once again. He has lost his muscles but looks to be a little hunger than before. "Diasho, Put up reflect." Once again, Diasho lifts his hands and forms a clear barrier with a slight blue tint in front of him.

Instead of ordering an attack right away, Lan opted for a stalling move. "Recycle," he called.

The Munchlax held up the berry stalk, which glowed, the light spreading into a fruit shape then fading to reveal a Sitrus Berry. He licked his lips at the sight of it, but kept enough self-control to store it in his fur for later. This, combined with his strategy of reaching for berries after just a few hits, would hopefully help him withstand Daisho's attacks until the barrier faded.

"Now, another Chip Away." At Lan's command, Munchlax pummelled at the Ralts, aiming to deal as much damage through the barrier as possible.

The hit from the munchlax causes Diasho to take his berry, with the added gluttony. Oscar grits his teeth as he is now having top fight for the long game. "Diasho, use confusion." Daisho uses the same tactic on Munchlax as he did on the bunny from earlier, hoping to do massive damage.

The Munchlax toppled, his pelt and his considerable bulk cushioning the impact. The attack had only left slight bruises, but that wasn't going to stop him eating the berry at the first chance he got. Righting himself, he chomped down the entire piece of fruit in a matter of seconds.

"That barrier won't last much longer," Lan said. "Chip Away." With Daisho's health restored from having taken on Munchlax's early snacking tendency, now it was a matter of which Pokemon could wear the other down first.

Oscar looks determined to get this foe down one way or another. H e decides to throw Lan a little bit off with the next move "Diasho, use disarming voice." Diasho opens its mouth and sends out white notes that hit the bear thus hurting it

"A variety of moves," Lan commented. "A useful strategy, although if there's no clear advantage or disadvantage, you'll want to go with your Pokemon's strongest attack."

He turned his attention back to Munchlax, who continued to shudder from the noise. "Use Recycle again." Once more, the Normal type restored the berry. Instead of waiting like he had the previous turn, he devoured the fruit right away.

Oscar nods as he heeds the gum leader's advice. Lan was right. Confusion offered more to the fight than disarming voice and Oscar need brute force more than anything. "Diasho, use confusion." Once again, Diasho forces his opponent to attack himself

For several turns, both battlers held out, Munchlax by enjoying a feast of restored berries between attacks, Daisho by keeping up the force field. Finally, though, the barrier dimmed and disappeared.

"Now, strike with Chip Away before he defends himself again," Lan ordered. Before the Ralts could put up another Reflect, the Normal type made his move. No matter how bloated his belly became, it did nothing to hinder him, and he struck with full force at his opponent.

Diasho is knocked back a meter or two. He takes a slow shaky step forward before collapsing on his face, fainting in the process. Oscar recalls to his ball. "You did great. I promise to reward after this, regardless if we win or lose." He puts the ball away before giving the next order.

"Roadrunner, use ember and make it count. Set this Munchlax ablaze. " After calming down, Road runner dashes forward and spews more embers on the Munchlax. It hit the opponent and set some of his fur on fur. This even scared Oscar a little in fear of the Munchlax going into a blind rage.

Munchlax yelped and rolled on the floor, but the burned patch kept smouldering.

"Hold on and use Chip Away," Lan called. If not for the burn, the attack would have knocked out the Torchic, but the Normal type's punches lacked their usual strength. After swinging one more exhausted blow at Roadrunner, Munchlax fell flat on his face.

A roar of applause filled the room as the referee announced Oscar the winner. Lan bowed his head as he recalled Munchlax, then looked up with an expression of calm that contrasted with the surrounding excitement.

"Your Pokemon work admirably together," he commented, "and all brought something to this battle. The one thing I will advise caution about is overzealousness, but in such circumstances, I cannot blame you. I see that you at least took the time to train your Pokemon, including your new Riolu - the two of you will doubtlessly help each other grow over the course of your travels."

He fetched four cases from a box, then presented them to Oscar, along with a badge. Each case detailed a move and its effect. "Take this badge, as well as a TM," he offered. "Hidden Power, Double Team, Swagger, or Round."

Oscar wipes the sweat off his brow. "Thanks. To be honest and fair, I have to give credit to a person who helped me with reflect and another with berries. Without either, the end result would be vastly different." He smiles as best as he can since one of the two is a strained relationship.

He goes over, takes the badge and looks at the tms. He takes the hidden power tm. It is not tbe best but it is a versatile and useful one. "Versatility is a good thing to go for if all else fail. Don't you agree? " Oscar smiles as he shares his wisdom.

Oscar feels more pull at his pants. He looks down to see Aurora gesturing to Roadrunner. He looks to be a little off. He looks to be straining for some reason. Oscar goes to him "What is wrong? I am here."

Sophia Danvers

Mesalon Gym

@fer1323

Before the incident with the Jangmo-o, Sophia had imagined what Oscar's gym battle might be like, the look on his face after finding himself on the receiving end of a total smackdown. This wasn't how she'd pictured things to turn out, particularly her own reaction.

Throughout the entire battle, she craned forward. She shouldn't feel like this. She shouldn't be so... so hopeful, not for someone who'd spoken badly about her family. If that smug know-it-all won, not only would he have gotten a badge before her, he'd use it as another excuse to preach at her and everyone. So why, besides for the dragon, did she want this? Why did that comforting warmth spread through her as he referred to her as a friend? Why was she ignoring her parents' teachings by supporting him instead of trying to outdo him?

Just as the Munchlax looked to be turning the odds around - nearly making Sophia tear her frills by gripping too hard - Roadrunner dealt the deciding blow. Despite herself, Sophia felt a grin of relief spread over her face. Don't let him see that, she told herself, trying to calm down at least on the outside, although Oscar's attention was on the badge and TM selection presented to him.

Once he'd chosen, she stood up, advancing with slow and unsteady footsteps as Lacey scampered behind and Clarus floated by her side. "You know..." she said, pausing to take a deep breath. How would she word this in a way that wouldn't go to his head? "Don't you go and rub this in my face, but just to tell you... You did great." A little smile brightened her features. "And... Congratulations."

She tilted her head, looking at the baby dragon. "You see?" she said. "I told you he's a good trainer."

That was when she felt something. Despite her abilities not being at their best, an energy flare thrummed at the edge of her consciousness. "Huh?" She turned to the source of the aura, Roadrunner, who hunched and tensed to his trainer's distress. "Roadrunner! What's going on?" She crouched, trying to tune into him as much as she could. That pulsing sensation welled, ready to spread... Realisation hit. Her eyes widened.

"Oscar..." She stared up at her rival, her friend, or however she'd grown to think of him. "Nothing's wrong with him. If this is what I think, it's a good thing."

@LuckyBlackCat @Heckno12

Oscar looks confused. He looks at his best friend as Roadrunner starts to glow a neon orange. Oscar squints and covers his eyes as many of his other Pokémon. The light morphs and grows. As the light dims, there is a combusken standing in Roadrunner's place. He examines himself. "Wow. My first evolved Pokémon. What perfect timing too."

Aurora seems to blush as there is a handsome fire type in front of her. The other three Pokémon come over and interact with Roadrunner. Skoll is the most eager, bouncing around. Kushala also looks at Roadrunner and Oscar in awe like a child looking at a firefighter or hero.

Oscar lets his pokemon interact as he turns to Sophia. "I have no intentions to rub my actions in your face. I don't need to do that if I let my achievements and actions speak for themselves. I am my own person. I don't let my parents' reputation be my own." Oscar hopes that he can get into Sophia's head.

Sophia Danvers

Mesalon Gym

@fer1323 @Heckno12



Sophia shielded her eyes and stumbled, yelping as she landed on her bruised knees. When she felt that energy burst fade, she looked over. This time, she couldn't have disguised her reaction even if she'd wanted to. A joyous laugh bubbled from her at the sight of the Combusken standing in the Torchic's place.

"Wow, Roadrunner, look at you!" she said, staring in awe. She knew she wasn't supposed to act like this. It should have infuriated her that Oscar had evolved a Pokemon first, right after beating a gym before her, no less. Yet that utter delight on the faces of both trainer and Pokemon, the way the Fire type examined his new form, Lacey's excited squeal as she bounced over... There was no way not to be happy for Oscar and his new Combusken.

As Amber and Rachel rushed over, followed by a much more cool-headed Vivianne, Sophia stood up and leaned against a wall. Of course, Oscar just had to go and act all high and mighty again while pretending to be humble, but Sophia wasn't going to ruin this moment. Not when she knew deep down how much it meant to him, and why.

"Ok, you've made it clear what you think of my family," she mumbled. "But... It seems we both have a few reasons to train up like this. Come on, admit it."

She closed her eyes, pushing through the exhaustion to send a thought to Oscar. "You've proven yourself to Kushala. But you might..." She sagged, continuing nonetheless. "You might want to return him... He may not..." Waves of lightheadedness threatened to pull her under. She fought harder, a bead of sweat trickling down her face. "Not be ready to hear..."

She sank to her hands and knees, body trembling, breathing ragged. Clarus flew over to her, letting her hold on for support as she tried to stand up. Raising her head towards Oscar, she spoke the conventional way, the rest of the message a whisper.

"The other reason. A certain one we both share."

---

Amber Pine

Mesalon Gym

@fer1323 @Heckno12

As soon as the glow dimmed to reveal the Combusken, Amber headed over and whipped out her notebook. "That's got to be quite something, to have your starter evolve," she commented with a fascinated grin, studying the Fire type and taking down notes. It would be quite a while until her Kabuto evolved, but the thought that the little Rock type would some day be a magnificent living relic with spikes and scythes... It was staggering, to say the least.

She pointed her Pokedex at Roadrunner, reading the information. "Ten kicks per second? Sounds like that may be just a tad exaggerated... Then again, maybe not, given how hyped up he gets. Just like Aeshna, really, it'd be interesting to compare them."

In the corner of her vision, she saw a figure hunch over, then slump to the floor. "Sophia!" She dashed over, crouching next to the psychic, who seemed to have pushed past her limits yet again. "Sophia, please, you've got to give yourself a break from time to time. Let's go sit down somewhere."

When Sophia muttered something about another reason, Amber could guess what it was. The same thing they'd been talking about back in the ambulance.

@LuckyBlackCat @Heckno12



As Sophia laughs for the first time in front of Oscar, his heart melts instantly as it reminded him of himslef when he was younger. The sparkle of joy and glint of awe in Sophia's eyes makes the win ever so more sweet. This was the moment he was waiting for to see her as and gives him hope.

But as soon as Sophia changed her demeanor to questioning his motives, his heart steeled uo again. Thou she wasn't wrong, she made it sound like having this motivation as a grave sin and he should be punished. It is also that he know little of her family but from what he can discern, it is clearly one of the classical cases of the parents pushing a destiny on the child.

Oscar grunts as he adopts a stern look. "First, I don't want to end Kushala's enjoyment prematurely cos of something that can be discussed later. Secondly, yes that is a contribution to the need to win. I won't lie. I am planning on getting stronger to take them on someday or play my part in this 'chess game' but I am not in it for myself or believe that it is my destiny or it is fate for to be the savior. I do it cos I don't want history to be repeated. I am probably willing to do some sacrifices to show my dedication."

Oscar's eyes look to have a fierce fire burning in them. His words carry a weight about them. He seems to have had enough of Sophia and her motivations of pushing her family's agenda. All of healthy Pokémon do take a moment to look at Oscar, especially the dragon. They are not scared nor intimidated by this. They seem to have a morale boost as they know that Oscar will also do anything for them. They need a trainer that is determined and motivated in his orders and actions. It could be because of the gym battle too but it does seem that he means all what he says.

Sophia Danvers

Mesalon Gym

@fer1323

The only way Sophia could stand was by leaning on Clarus as he floated upwards. Although she kept a steely glare trained on Oscar, it was in a much cooler tone than earlier that she spoke.

"How typical of you. Not getting what I mean," she muttered, panting like someone who had run a marathon. "You don't have to tell me all that, because I know. I know you by now. And..." Something in her face mellowed, a trace of that vulnerability showing. "You may or not believe me, but same here. Besides the promise to my family, that's why."

She stood up as straight-backed as she could. This was something she'd say to his face, in front of his Pokemon, like he wanted. "The stories we shared, about our home regions. That kind of thing stays with you, especially... Especially if it starts happening all over again." The wounds on her hands ached as she gripped the Bronzor's ridge, wounds that were nothing compared to what had happened to Rheese, or those paramedics. She took care to keep her phrasing vague enough not to let on too much to the dragon. "Enough damage has been done."

She gave a shuddering breath. "You can think what you want about me and my family. I should be above caring. But back there, on the way to this town, when I said count me in... I meant it." She hoped the sincerity in her words was clear. "And no matter how many things about you get on my last nerve, this isn't one of them. In fact, as long as you're not doing anything reckless..." The corners of her mouth lifted into a near-smile. "Quite the opposite."

---

Amber Pine

Mesalon Gym

@fer1323

Sticking close by Sophia, Amber glanced in the direction Lan had gone to heal his Pokemon, then back towards Oscar. "Let's not let this get out of hand," she urged him and Sophia. "Given recent events, it seems we all have more than our original reasons to grow as trainers, even if it's just to make sure we're prepared. Now, we should go find out if the healing machine's free, and then rest up ourselves."

To her side, she saw Vivianne nod. The other researcher needed to speak to Lan anyway, and so did Rachel. She could take some comfort in that, knowing there were people looking into these matters, even if it didn't completely quell her worries.

---

Rachel

Mesalon Gym

@fer1323 @Heckno12

"Easy there!" Rachel rushed over to the drained psychic, who still insisted on having a heavy conversation. "Yeah, sitting down sounds like an idea."

Trying to lift the mood, she beamed at Oscar and his newly evolved Fire type. "Congratulations! Two milestones in one battle, that's pretty neat! Ooh, with that team of yours, seems like you'll have a good few Fighting types before long! That'll be useful if you battle my Rock types at any point... Ehh, maybe I shouldn't have let that on." She rubbed the back of her neck, chuckling at her own blunder. At least there were ways to get around type disadvantage, and fellow specialist Oscar was probably planning on doing the same.

@LuckyBlackCat @Heckno12

Oscar looks at the other trainers. The other two are just being impartial and not biased, which is the best course of action. Oscar o, n the other hand, is hell bent on making himself clear.

"I am glad to hear that but I am worried about the conflict of interests. I am worried that someday that you have to choose which is more important and it might have dire consequences. Don't bother telling that it won't happen or anything like that. I really hope you can look at the bigger picture instead of the small one. Anyways, I am going to the Pokécenter and some alone time with my pokemon. Sophia, you are my friend and I trust you on some matters but I don't have complete faith in your motivations. It seems you have some help already. I suggest that you rest for now."

Oscar leaves the three other trainers and goes to the Pokémon. His pokemon follow him closely except for Diasho. The all seem to be gossiping and be mostly merry between each other. Oscar looks like a Pokémon teacher or breeder at the moment as he walks across town. It does draw some attention in a good way.

Sophia Danvers

Mesalon Gym

@fer1323

"Conflict of interests?" Sophia tried to step forward as Oscar turned to leave, but the Bronzor wouldn't move from where it floated. "You... You're not even trying to understand! And how is this likely to get in the way? I mean you have other goals! You have people you care about! None of that's stopping you, so why should it stop me?"

Before she could say anything else, Oscar had disappeared through the doorway. "He says there's no getting through to me?" she muttered to the other trainers. "He's one to talk."

She wasn't going to let go that easily, wasn't going to take a promise lightly. Not after she'd nearly died. She'd narrowly avoided losing the opportunity to make her family proud, and like hell was she going to throw away that dream just because some smart aleck thought he knew best.

---

Amber Pine

Mesalon Gym -> Outside

@fer1323 @Heckno12


"Sophia... You really should rest," Amber suggested, backing up Oscar's statement. "I know you want to train up, but you'll be in a better state to do so if you take a few breaks now and again. Come on, let's sit down, I have something that may help."

Lacey, standing at her trainer's feet, looked up and nodded with an insistent "Ita!". Sophia visibly tensed, trying to stand up on her own, only to slump over Clarus again. "Ugh, if you say so..." the psychic muttered. "But I'll be fine in no time."

It seemed Oscar was right about Sophia being difficult to get through to... and she was also right about accusing him of the same. No wonder they ended up bickering if in the same room for more than a few minutes. "Well, while you two talk to Lan, we'll be outside," she told Rachel and Vivianne, then led Sophia to the doors, taking one more look over her shoulder at her former friend before stepping out. Maybe she needed to clear her head too...

The rock garden looked like the perfect place to do so. A sense of calm settled over Amber as she made her way down the path, past simple yet artfully arranged rocks on ripple patterned sand, past bamboos towering high, the rustling of leaves in the wind like a soothing whisper. Sunlight glimmered on a pond, and on the scales of Goldeens dancing through it. After these past few days, most of us could probably do with taking a breather here, the researcher thought as she sat down on a wooden platform, Sophia easing herself down beside her.

The other trainer gave a weak laugh as she leaned against a wall. "Oh please, don't tell me you're going to teach a psychic how to meditate," she scoffed. "That'd be like me teaching you to scrawl down those notes at every possible opportunity. Besides, Lan got me to do all that self reflection and inner peace stuff earlier."

Amber shrugged off the acerbic comment with a smile. "Well, this is just something you might find relaxing," she replied, taking out her Pokegear. "If it doesn't help, let me know, but..." She recalled the first time she'd met Sophia, that humming as a coping technique. "Music cheers you up, doesn't it?"

Sophia rolled her eyes. "Like I need cheering up. But fine, go on if you must."

After a few button clicks, an online video started playing, showing Clefairys floating in dance-like patterns outside a cave under a full moon. "I think we all might need cheering up," Amber said as the fairies' song filled the air, the otherworldly beauty making the hairs stand up on the back of her neck. "Isn't it amazing, the way Clefairys sing and dance like that when the moon's full? It's the moonlight that lets them float. And apparently they create a strange magnetic field! Like certain meteorites... Uhh, ok, I'll quit babbling now and let you listen." Sophia stopped giving her that look, her eyes turning to the screen instead. Irritable as the girl was, there was no mistaking the fascination on her face.

"Let's just listen, breathe slowly and relax," Amber said, then closed her eyes, inhaling the scent of azaleas and letting the melody soothe away the tension she'd been carrying. Hopefully it would do the same for Sophia. She hadn't told the troubled girl this was the video Coral said she used to play to sleep more easily. That would be almost guaranteed to make her feel like a child and do more harm than good.

Coral... Amber couldn't help wondering if, by having sent that message, she'd harmed or helped her sister. She tried to focus on the music, but it seemed not even a fairy song could ease all a person's worries.

@LuckyBlackCat @Heckno12@OtomostheCrazy

Oscar gets to the Pokémon center. He passes Daisho over to the Nurse Joy when it is finally his turn to do so. In no time, he gets Daisho back. The miracles of modern Pokémon medicine, Oscar thought to himself, we can heal nad capture creatures of great power but they can be used for as much evil as well as good. It would maybe ban the use of these things.

Before Oscar could leave, he spots Alexis come into the pokecenter. Oscar hasn't seen her in a while. He hopes that she has changed for the better or grown as a person but he knows that he shouldn't get his hopes up. He goes over to her with all but one Pokémon in tow. As he approaches, he notices that she is in distress. "Hello. Alexis? Remember me?"

Sophia Danvers

Outside Mesalon Gym

@Heckno12

Great, Sophia thought, yet another person's pity. As if Amber hadn't annoyed her enough by going and getting six Pokemon first. As the little pink pixies on the screen started singing and dancing, though, Sophia couldn't help but lean forward, captivated. For once, she could let her troubled thoughts fade to the back of her mind, the mellow tune taking their place.

Music, her source of comfort since childhood, along with the proximity of Pokemon.

Resting a hand on Lacey's shoulder, she closed her eyes and resolved to focus on the song, only the song. Shame tainted the serenity at the thought of needing assistance to clear her mind, but maybe it was a step forward. Plus, she'd never let this on to Amber or to anyone else, but perhaps she did need to get away from everything for a while.

Breathing slowly, she let the haunting melody wash over her like moonlight from an otherwise dark sky...

Something pulled her from her trance. A voice. A nudge. Lacey's squeaks. A hard surface pressing against her face and left arm. She gave a few bleary blinks, then jolted alert as realisation and panic hit.

"I'm sorry!"

As the automatic cry left her lips, she propped herself up, only to wince and hunch over at the pain pulsing through her head. Through dancing lights, everything sharpened into focus. That same gentle voice. Azalea flowers. Rocks on patterned sand. Nobody would criticise her, she realised, surfacing fully into consciousness. Nobody would call her lazy or ungrateful, or ask how there could be any hope for her if she couldn't even get through basic training. It was only Amber, Lacey and Clarus around - although that didn't stop a shudder of embarrassment running through her.

"Look, I-I wasn't asleep there! I just find that position the most comfortable, ok?" she insisted, fighting the urge to roll her stiff shoulders or rub at the crick in her neck. Not that she was likely to convince anyone anyway.

---

Amber Pine

Outside Mesalon Gym

@Heckno12

When the song ended, Amber opened her eyes, that peaceful feeling that had finally settled over her like a blanket staying. With a soft smile, she turned her head. "Did that help? ...Uh, Sophia?"

The girl had curled up on the ground, looking almost calm as she slept. She seemed like she'd needed it, Amber acknowledged, but a hard wooden floor wasn't the best place to take a nap, especially for someone whose body had taken a battering. "Sophia..." She gave the brunette's shoulder a light nudge. "We should probably go back inside, there'll be better places for you to rest, or it might be an idea for you to go back to the Pokemon centre and take it easy."

Sophia groaned, stirred, then woke with a start and a response that took the researcher by surprise - a frantic apology. Amber inwardly winced, the other trainer's words from the ambulance coming back to her. "I have to be who certain people want me to be"... Now she understood Oscar's concern. Just how much pressure was this girl under?

"Nothing to be sorry about," Amber reassured Sophia, who denied the little doze rather less than convincingly. "It happens, easy thing to do, and it likely did you good. Now, let's head inside, and remember there's no shame in taking a rest there if you need to." Putting away the Pokegear, she stood up as Sophia leaned on Clarus once more, and both girls left the rock garden behind them for the comfort of the indoors.

After picking up the package, Aedre slipped it into her bag—since it was around the size of a full-sized Pokeball and therefore too big to put in her pocket—then did her best to rush to the Pokemon Center, but by the time she got there it seemed her friends had left. However, determined not to let the trip be for naught, Aedre got her Pokemon healed—which would defintiely serve to perk them up—before asking if the nurse if she had any idea where her friends had went. Thankfully, it seemed like dropping Rachel’s name was sufficient to recall the necessary information, and Aedre was off to the gym straight away, Little fluttering overhead.

Her trek through the city was slightly slower than it was before, since a gym was more of a long pit stop than a short one and would therefore afford her more time to get there. Still, she must have been walking too fast still since she was slow to understand Little’s cry of alarm. Hearing the cry, Aedre had looked up and was therefore blindsided at the corner turn and sent falling to the ground, barely catching herself with an arm.

“Oh, sorry! I really wasn’t looking,” Aedre said as the woman she’d smacked into helped her up. At her side, Little fluttered nervously, glancing her over for injury.

“Don’t worry about it.” Giving her shoulder a pat, the woman turned to leave, a Sneasel scurrying over to her side with a smirk.

“Well, guess that’s probably a sign I should slow down. Taking a little time to enjoy the scenery wouldn’t hurt.” Little chirped in agreement as Aedre dusted herself off.

The rest of the way to the Mesalon Gym was much more relaxed as Aedre strolled down the streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. Since Mesalon was itself at a higher altitude than the land around it, only clouds and sky lay beyond the city skyline, which posed a stark contrast in color against the brilliant blues and whites. Where air rarely flowed through most cities, Mesalon’s elevation allowed it to capture the currents, supplying constant cool, crisp breezes throughout the city. Though it made her trek a bit chilly, Aedre enjoyed the wind, and she knew Little appreciated the currents just as much up above.

“Well, this should be it,” Aedre said as the Mesalon gym came into view. “I wonder…”

Opening her bag, Aedre felt around for the box. “Pokeball-sized” was too coincidental for its own good, and Aedre felt the familiar, gnawing curiousity of wanting to understand the unknown. As the seconds of empty grasping trickled on, however, she felt a sliver of confusion, then dread seep into her mind. At last, she let gravity drop the backpack in her grasp, her arms unable to muster the strength to maintain the weight. “Arceus, it’s… It’s gone.”

---

Aedre had traced her path from the Pokemart to the Pokemon Center, then to the gym, then back again, then forwards and back until she could scarcely feel her feet—not that she could feel them much at the start anyway. Guilt weighed down on her, of careless failure and imminent and unshakable disappointment. How could she lose something so important as a package her professors had entrusted her with the task of ferrying?

“Little, I think… I think there really might be something wrong with me lately,” Aedre said, slumping into the stray bench she’d collapsed on in exhaustion—in defeat. First there was her strange infatuation with Pokemon training, then her newfound desire to explore and adventure, and now scatterbrained mistakes like misplacing objects of importance? Where was that calm and composed girl she’d been before she’d arrived in Mesalon, all crisp white coats and color-coded notes? The girl who always put things back where they belonged and never had to worry about losing an eraser or pen?

“Fletch. Fletch.” Two gentle pecks sounded against her skull before Little hopped off her head and onto her shoulder. “Fletchling.”

Aedre looked up, baring a small, strained smile. “Thanks Little, but I think losing the package is as sure a sign as any that it’s about time I go back to Hoenn.”

Rising, Aedre sighed, rubbing her hands together. “Let’s go find everyone. I may as well tell them what happened. They’re probably wondering why we took so long.”

Finding the gym was an easy task this time, and Aedre spotted the group easily enough once she entered the building. “Hey Amber, everyone, sorry I was gone so long. I… I spent the afternoon looking for the package I got then lost, but I couldn’t find it in the end anyway. Scatterbrained, huh?”

---

---

@luckyblackcat

Amber Pine

Mesalon Gym

@Dusksong

Moments after Amber and Sophia re-entered the building, the researcher heard the door swing open again. "Ah, hey!" she said, turning to face a somewhat flustered-looking Aedre who explained the reason for her lateness. A missing item. "Ehh, we all do things like that," Amber reassured her. "If you want, I could help you find it."

Pressing at two Pokeball buttons, she let out Aeshna and Tacita. With a soft hoot, the Rowlet settled on the floor and tilted her head at the trainers, while the Yanma zoomed around the hall. "These two could keep a look out, Rowlets have very good eyesight, and Yanmas can see 360 degrees. Did you know their eyes are made up of tens of thousands of facets, and they're sensitive to over three times as many kinds of light as we are? Uh..." Noticing the look Sophia gave her, Amber trailed off.

"Anyway, if you'd like me to come along," she said, taking a quick glance at the doors to the arena, "I'll let the others know, then I'll be right over. Sophia, you going to be alright?"

At Sophia's typically insistent reply of "Why wouldn't I be?", Amber decided it would be a bad idea to answer.

“Could you?” Aedre’s eyes went wide at Amber’s offer. “Wait—no. That would be amazing, but I’d hate to waste your time like that. I had Little with me the entire time, and I retraced my steps so many times. If he didn’t spot it after all of that…” Aedre trailed off. She couldn’t ask something like that of Amber, could she? Surely Amber had better things to do than try and help Aedre make up for her own faults?

But, Amber was her friend, wasn’t she? And friends wanted to help their friends. If she rejected Amber, she’d be rejecting a friend who was lending a helping hand when she needed one.

“But… if you really don’t have anything else to do, I would really appreciate it if you could help me look again.” Aedre knit her fingers together, her eyes flicking around nervously. Amber seemed more than willing, and, now that Aedre was thinking about it, maybe Amber did have a point. Her Yanma was a much better lookout than Little and would likely catch what he’d missed, and, if they were lucky, her Rowlet might even pick out something else entirely. Though she knew she might have been hoping for too much, maybe there was a psychic lead to be found somewhere along the path. Maybe…

“Really, really appreciate it,” Aedre murmured, her eyes trained on the Rowlet. Was it really too much to hope for?

---

---

@luckyblackcat

Amber Pine

Mesalon Gym -> Outside the Pokecentre

@Dusksong

"It's no problem," Amber reassured Aedre. "I'll be right with you in a moment." After heading back to the main hall to tell Rachel and Vivianne she'd be out for a while, she returned, the two watchful Pokemon in tow. "Alright, let's go take a look."

She turned at the sound of laboured footsteps. "I'll help out too!" Sophia called, in that groggy tone of someone who had just woken up. The brunette clung to her Bronzor, still barely able to stand despite her recent nap. "I mean this calls for a skillset like mine."

Amber took a few seconds to think over her response. It would have to be worded carefully, very carefully, so that it wouldn't be taken the wrong way. "Sophia... It's great that you want to help, but you don't have to overtax yourself," she decided on. "Your abilities would be at their best if you let them recover now and again."

Just as Amber had expected, Sophia rolled her eyes. "Oh geez! First Rheese, then Oscar, now you! How many times do I have to tell people I'm fine?"

There was no talking her out of it. "Just let us know if you want to head back," the researcher said as she made her way to the exit. "Nobody will fault you for it." Nobody except Sophia herself, anyway. If only there was some way to convince her she didn't have to.

The air outside was steadily cooling, pink tinges to the clouds. Evening settling over the quiet little town would make for a picturesque scene, Amber thought, if not for the multitude of thoughts rushing through her mind, competing for the forefront. She turned to Aedre, keeping up the pretense that she had nothing else to focus on for now. "So, whereabouts did you last have it?"

In the corner of her eye, she saw Sophia sag, her grip nearly loosening from Clarus. "Please..." Amber rushed to her side. "Don't keep doing this to yourself. Maybe we should stop by the Pokemon centre, then if you feel better later and we still haven't found the package, you can help out."

---

Sophia Danvers

Mesalon Gym -> Pokecentre

@Dusksong @OtomostheCrazy @fer1323

Amber's words sounded distant through the fog of dizziness that filled Sophia's mind. She held on to Clarus with all the strength she could manage, her weakening state proof of something she didn't want to accept. Amber was right. She wouldn't be of any use right now.

"But..." she started. All she'd done was try to sense anything out of the ordinary, yet in her current state, even that had proven too much. Before she could say anything more, or resume her particular way of searching, Lacey backed Amber up with an insistent squeak of "Gothi-gothi!"

Sophia hung her head. "Maybe just for a while then, but I'll be fine before long," she mumbled, trudging along after the others. "If there's anything I can do to help, though..." Surely she of all people should be able to assist her friends.

... Her friends. That bitterness welling through her wasn't just from humiliation, Sophia acknowledged. Aedre may have shown a grating amount of pity after the disastrous gym battle yesterday, and Amber was almost as bad a know-it-all as Oscar, but... She really did want to help these people. Aedre had seemed so nervous, and Sophia knew exactly what the feeling of having messed up was like.

It was when they neared the Pokemon centre that Lacey piped up again. "Gothi! Ita!" she called, pointing a stubby hand at the other two trainers.

"Hm?" As her starter Pokemon stared intently at her, Sophia felt a gentle push at her mind. "You want to tell me something?" Lacey nodded, and a brief image flashed through Sophia's head. An image of the Gothita trotting after the group of flying Pokemon. "You'd like to help them search?" Another nod.

Despite her sulky mood, Sophia gave a little smile. "I'll wait inside for you, and please, let me know if there's any trouble." She turned her attention to Amber and Aedre. "Make sure you treat her well, ok?" These two seemed like people she could trust, but still, she had to make it clear she would NOT be happy if any avoidable problems came up.

Staggering to the doors, she glanced over her shoulder. "See you Lacey... And try not to worry about me." With that, she headed inside. She still couldn't shake the guilt at her own inability to contribute, but even if she couldn't be helpful, at least Lacey could. Now to sit and wait for the group and her starter to return.

She shuffled towards a chair, stopping as she spotted who else was in the lobby. Two people she wasn't exactly in the mood to deal with. Turning away, she slunk towards one of the further ends of the room, for once hoping to avoid being noticed.

@LuckyBlackCat@OtomostheCrazy@Dusksong

Alexis blatantly ignored Oscar as she moved past him and went for the exit. Oscar didn't even go after her as he thought she would be like Sophia and resist his help. As he turned to look at the far end of the room, he saw the other female with which he had a strained relationship. It was obvious that she didn't want him to notice or come over to talk. He was in two minds about it though as he looked down at Skoll and Nomia and their overwhelming joy and happiness. He came up with a plan to help her now and potentially in the future if the pair do have children.

Oscar found a pen and a couple of paper napkins from the coffee dispenser before he sat at the opposite side of the room. With a little difficulty, he wrote the message, 'Let these two cheer you up. Just relax and rest. Dont thank or apologize.' Oscar gave the pen to Skoll and the napkin to Nomia and sent them to Sophia. Hopefully, they can lift the spirits of her. They all have been thought a lot but Oscar thought that Sophia might be taking too much on and too much to heart for her parents and such.

He recalled Kushala and turned his attention to Aurora and Roadrunner. It seemed that they also have bonded pretty quickly and another budding romance seemed to be in progress. Thou Aurora sees Roadrunner as a mate by the looks of her admiring his new form, she is more reserved of the two. Roadrunner sees them more as friends at the current point at time but he does seem to notice Aurora's behavior and takes it in his stride and plays along with the game.

“Yep, no problem, take your time!” Aedre said, watching as Amber approached Sophia, who looked like she’d seen better days. Seeing as they were at the gym, Aedre figured it probably had something to do with badges and accomplishments—stuff she wasn’t really bothered about, now that she thought about it. Her primary goal had always been to learn and document, not to train and adventure, but were the lines really as definite as she’d thought? Could she perhaps fit in some training, adventuring, and growing in her purpose too?

But, all speculation about what the future held and whether or not she’d be heading home soon came second, after the priority that was finding the package she’d lost. When Amber returned, Sophia’s Gothita following closely, Aedre smiled nervously. It occurred to her, now, that she might very well be leading Amber on a wild goose chase. Who was she to say that she could even find the Pokeball? But, it was a bit too late for all her doubts, so she pushed them to the side and straightened up when Amber came back. She needed to find that package.

“I definitely had the package when I left the Pokemart, but past that I’m not sure,” Aedre said, frowning. After slipping the box into her backpack, she hadn’t bothered checking on it. After all, she’d never lost anything from her bag before. “Maybe it slipped out while I was walking.” She trailed, vaguely aware of how that sounded.

But, before she could pursue that line of thought further, movement at the corner of her vision caught her attention. Sophia had slumped over, and Amber was at her side the next second, Aedre too as soon as she’d recovered herself.

“Sophia! Are you okay?” A gym battle couldn’t have drained her this much, meaning it was probably something else entirely, which Amber’s words seemed to suggest. However, Aedre didn’t want to bring up anything that could upset Sophia right now.

Sophia’s Gothita, though, was equally quick on her feet, and she was between the three in an instant, putting herself protectively in front of her trainer and voicing her thoughts on the matter. The Pokemon’s insistent tone surprised Aedre causing her to take a step back, and Little was on her shoulder immediately after, eyes watchful as Sophia spoke. His grip on Aedre’s shoulder tightened slightly when the Gothita moved again, but otherwise he didn’t move.

“Oh, it’d be amazing if you could help out!” Aedre said when Sophia translated her Gothita’s thoughts. Seeing as Lacey was a psychic-type, she’d be able to cover what Tacita couldn’t, tying any loose ends there might be.

“We’ll take care of her, don’t worry,” Or, at least Amber would be able to, Aedre figured, but she didn’t voice that nagging thought. Instead, she voiced a word of thanks to Sophia before she left, turning to Lacey as her trainer left. “Thanks for offering to help. I really appreciate it.”

Waving hello to Oscar, Aedre noticed that Sophia didn't acknowledge the boy, wondering if there was something there but figuring after a second that it was likely just because she was tired. After all, even though her pride would probably have never allowed her to show weakness to others, she'd just done so.

Then, as the de facto leader of the search party, it was again time for Aedre to again try and figure out where they should start looking.

“Um, I don’t have any great ideas as to where to start looking, so I was thinking that we’d, um, just retrace my steps again.” Aedre cringed sligihtly as she finished the sentence. Yeah, retracing her steps sounded like a great idea when she’d already said she’d gone over her trail multiple times. Still, she had no better ideas, so she stopped herself their, submitting herself to Amber’s judgement.

---

---

@luckyblackcat

Sophia Danvers

Mesalon Pokecentre

@OtomostheCrazy @fer1323


As she flopped into a chair, Sophia half expected Oscar to start fussing over her as usual. If not for the wait for Lacey, she'd have locked herself in her Pokecentre room. She'd been patronised quite enough for one day. Thankfully, neither he nor Alexis seemed to notice her.

"Zor!" Taking note of her concern, Clarus floated in front of her, as if shielding her from anything or anyone likely to cause distress.

Sophia's hand still shook as she patted the Bronzor. "It's ok," she whispered. "I won't always be this much of a burden. I'll get stronger."

At a pattering sound, she looked down. Her face lit up with a smile. Oscar hadn't approached her, but two of his Pokemon had, Nomia presenting her a note while Skoll followed close behind. Taking the note, she read over it. So Oscar was just as set on helping her as always... This time, though, she couldn't get annoyed, not with the two puppy Pokemon nuzzling her ankles. She leaned over, slowly to avoid sudden head pain, and let the dogs lick her hand.

"Awww..." She wouldn't admit it, but this was the kind of gesture she needed, even if she'd done nothing to earn it. Skoll and Nomia knew how to cheer others up, as they'd proven earlier with Kushala.

Thanks to them, and thanks to his new trainer, was the dragon settling in? Sophia looked across the room, only getting a glimpse of Kushala before he disappeared into his Pokeball, yet the sight brought her reassurance. It seemed Kushala fully acknowledged Oscar as his trainer. That guy had the most grating tendency to act like he had all the answers, but when it came to his Pokemon, he was doing something right.

Sophia gave a tender glance towards Skoll and Nomia, then the two other Pokemon who looked to be bonding, judging by the way Aurora admired Roadrunner's evolved form. So different, yet growing so close, in both cases... For just a second, her gaze drifted from the Pokemon to Oscar.

Shifting her attention away, Sophia petted the two dogs. This was going to be such an ego boost for their trainer, she was sure of it, but she couldn't help doing what he'd asked of her and enjoying this.

---

Amber Pine

Out and about in Mesalon

@Dusksong

"Well," Amber replied, gesturing towards the group of Pokemon, "the more pairs of eyes, the better. Particularly ones that can see things we can't." She wasn't just talking about the sharp vision of bugs and birds. She glanced down at the Gothita, who'd already started staring from side to side. "Makes you wonder what it's like, the way some perceive the world... I'll have to ask Sophia some time."

In practice, though, it occurred to her that this might not be a good idea. As much as Sophia loved to flaunt her abilities, the insecurities about her limits were clear by now, and the wrong words could hit a sore spot. Amber could only hope there was some way to truly improve the psychic's confidence, as well as that of her fellow researcher.

"And there's no need to be so harsh on yourself," she told Aedre as they made their way back. Beside them, Aeshna darted this way and that, stopping to hover in place for a few seconds at a time. Tacita glided behind, seemingly assisting, but taking every opportunity she could to prank her trainer.

"Hmm..." Amber looked out for anything that may be on the ground or on a bench, oblivious to the Rowlet tucking twigs and leaves into her hair. "Aedre, what did this parcel look like?" Before the other researcher could answer, Amber heard a giggle from Lacey. A second later, Aeshna joined in with a chuckle of "Yan-ma-ahaha!"

Amber furrowed her eyebrows, only realising what they found so funny when a leaf drifted onto her shoulder. Reaching up and sweeping away the makeshift hair accessories, she turned and shook her head at Tacita. "Well, I guess the mood does need lightening," she said, "though maybe that should wait until after the search."

At her feet, Lacey couldn't help laughing again - then stopped as an uneasy feeling settled over her. She advanced, her steps cautious. It was difficult to pinpoint, the sensation much more subtle than the warning signals in the cave, but if she focused, she could be almost sure something wasn't right.

"Huh?" Amber followed the Gothita, who'd cast aside all playfulness for now. "Lacey, what did you find?"