---

It took a bit of time, but Ravi got up the tree, and started slapping berries down with his tail. Trevor scrambled to catch as many as he could, and... while he missed a few, he did an okay job of not letting them splatter, at least. Something started howling as Ravi made his way back down, and he suggested that they should go back to the cave. "Yeah, that's probably a good idea," Trevor agreed as he started heading back... sure, there were a few of them, but if the enemy was the pokemon he was thinking about, at least one of them would be at a type disadvantage, and potentially unable to do anything back. As Trevor led the group back to the cave, he noticed that Ravi had something in his mouth, and Trevor asked "Hey... would you mind if I carried that back? I mean, it'd be easier to carry with arms, no offense," Trevor was then reminded of the fact that there was a thunderstorm, and remembered when Lance said he could see some lights in the distance... perhaps that wasn't civilization, after all, but merely a downed, burning tree. With the rain, unless it was a big fire, it wouldn't burn for too long, which meant that the light would eventually dim, and go away... perhaps there wasn't any sort of civilization here, now, but Trevor could always try to start one, at least... of course... first, they'd have to to get this food back, and, you know, survive. One step at a time, but maybe one day things will be different around here... maybe one day.

---

Ah, food. Good for them. Less chances of them dying and all that. Though, less food for her if her assumptions were correct. Watching them starve might have been entertaining and filling short term, but long term she'd need to find something else. Vi was mostly silent as the others went about their business, making sure to keep watch for anything that might be trying to sneak up on them. That howling was not reassuring.

"Yea, we should get going." Vi said. "As much as I'd love to find out whatever is doing that howling, I like living....sort of." She chuckled lightly. "Can't really help though. Holding onto Trevor's head is about all I can do. I need to practice my hovering skills or something, otherwise I'ma be beat by a gentle breeze."

With the food secure, the trio left the tree back to the cave. However nothing would ever be so easy. As they ran away, suddenly a figure bursts out from the forest, slamming a smaller creature to the ground. The bigger beast appeared to be some sort of furry poodle, but unlike the sort of prim and fancy show dogs one might expect to be hanging around rich classy socialites, this dog had a more ragged and barbaric look to it. His mouth was locked in a snarl as he smashed the smaller beast into the ground. The small animal, likely another pokemon, looked to be a rabbit of some sort but there something... Off about it. It appeared to be monochromatic with red piercing eyes.

Another slam and and the creature went limp. But unlike most dying animals, this pokemon didn't just go limp. It's form faded away as the wind blew it's remains to dust. The poodle pokemon looked at the trio with some confusion but before he could do much, four more strange looking pokemon arrived. Each one was different, yet they all had the same monochromatic color scheme with glowing red eyes. The poodle growled. "RUN!" He shouted as he turned towards the strange looking pokemon.

As Lance and Nathan left the cave, they would soon find a surprise themselves. A monochromatic pokemon, turning towards them with a dead expression. He looked like some sort of goofy beaver, but he didn't seem interested in doing anything silly. The pokemon approached the two slowly but as he got closer he started to gnash his teeth together threateningly.

---

Celina just stayed in the cave for a bit, going to go and practice flying a bit before hearing the lightning outside. She frown as she shake her head. This dang rain, when will it stop. She tried to just relax when she heard something outside, something gnashing its teeths. She though about it, considering 2 Lance and Nathan were leaving the cave. She just went to look outside, before seeing a monochromatic bidoof, just moving towards the group, threateningly. Celina frown a bit at this. They just freaken left the cave and already they would get attack. One thing came to mind... beat that dang 'meme' beaver face into the dust and make it eat dirt for just trying to threaten the group like that.

"I don't think its friendly guys..." she then says before flying at quick as she can and trying to swoop down and peck at the thing as hard as she could right there, before triyng to fly back to evade the thing's teeths. Sure she was told to stay in the cave... but for crying out loud, if this was like in the game, she would need ot get some training also here. Least she could do is get some training here so that if anyone else invade the cave she could try to fight them off. She just hoped the group would figth also here so that we could take out that thing.

---

After receiving a troublesome rejection of Vi saying they were unable to provide assistance, a moment of thoughtful contemplation transpired from Trevor’s assertion that he should carry the nest and berries. Considering the circumstances, if he took his survival into account alone that statement might be true. But his actions were already heavily considered and he strongly disagreed. Firstly, the horrible weather was entire point of him volunteering and it was still ongoing with no significant signs of slowing. If the Charmander carried the nest, almost regardless of whatever measures were taken, it would get wet and become useless for the fire. Trevor should've had plenty of the larger fruits knocked from the trees and the berries weren’t weighing Ravi down. As his mouth was designed to hold more and risking exposure to the elements by letting him theoretically lighten the load wasn’t worth it. The ground was becoming increasingly soaked and slippery. One fall could lose them precious resources, but they weren’t going anywhere in Ravi’s maw. Holding a firm belief that sacrificing his maneuverability was for the betterment of the team. He fought off the nervousness of potentially appearing uncooperative to his team, shaking his head and hoping they’d understand and lead the way. Fortunately, his crammed cheeks looked silly enough to outdo his unintentionally vexed-looking expression he had.

While following closely behind the other two, danger suddenly lunged forth from the forest and fought with such brutality he might’ve thrown up if he'd actually ate anything. Leaving an unpleasant churning of his stomach as he witnessed pokemon decomposing. Ravi didn’t require the poodle’s prompting, every inch of his body was ready to flee. Adrenaline providing the fuel he lacked. No. He mustn't be overcome by such overwhelming fear-

“Run run run run run run run run run run!”

While Nathan was more than a little relieved that Lance decided to come with him, he had no idea what moves the bladed Pokémon could learn. Before he could really contemplate what they should do if they were attacked, a red eyed Pokémon jumped them.

Honestly the Seedot didn't really need Celina's warning thanks to it's eyes, but it was nice to see others being aware of stuf like that. As far as Nate knew he still was the only member of the group with an attack, so if the beaver Pokémon was hostile, and it was very likely that it was, he would have to the one to fight it.

Unfortunately that meant Nathan had to let it hit him and hope he lasted long enough for Bide to activate and hopefully take it. "Hey, bucktooth over here." As he taunted it he moved away from the cave and the others in hopes it would follow him.

---

For a short while, nothing seemed to happen, well, nothing other than Ravi shaking his head to tell Trevor that he would be keeping the berries in his mouth. As a response, Trevor just shrugged, and kept moving on, assuming Ravi had a few good reasons why he would continue to hold them there, and trusting that he won't simply eat all the berries. Soon enough, the group encountered a furfrou, a later-generation pokemon, but, since there weren't any barbers, or, at least, since Trevor assumed there weren't any, the poodle-like pokemon had rough, shaggy fur. Trevor was trying to get into some sort of fighting stance when the dog finished off a buneary... one that simply disintegrated into dust particles... shortly after, the furfrou shouted for the team to run, and Trevor could see why... there were more of them, and only a handful of us. He would have urged the furfrou to join him, but, unfortunately, Trevor thought he might be in the middle of a last stand situation to try his best to save whoever might be in the forest and NOT a grey zombie, so, he just nodded, and tried to get back to the cave as quickly as possible, only to find his teammates fighting one of them. Celina had the right idea, and just tried her best to use peck, while Nathan seemed to be taunting it... maybe he had a trick in mind, or something. As soon as he got close enough, Trevor tried to use scratch on the creature, doing as much damage as he knew how to with his claws... at least, for now.

While he was fighting, he remembered the poodle pokemon, and that seemed to prove a few things. One, they weren't alone in this place, which Trevor had assumed from the start, two, that the pokemon were capable of some form of speech, and three, the fact that there were at least some pokemon out there who were ready and willing to help other pokemon, despite any differences in species, which may indicate that they have at least SOME culture and morals to begin with. This was all good news, however, the zombies certainly were NOT. Trevor hoped that these things didn't spread via biting, or Nathan might be done for... or even spread via touch, lest Trevor be the first to go...

---

Well things had just gone from bad to worse. Storm, check. Creepy rabbit things that wanted to kill them? Check. Death? Most likely. The poodle thing seemed not entirely hostile at least, but the things it was chasing most definitely were, and there were far too many of them to engage at the moment by themselves. She had zero combat ability as far as she could tell for the moment.

"What the hell are these things?" Vi gave Trevor's head a few annoyed pokes. He was an expert, right? He should know more about these things, then. "You, expert, better have a good explanation or I'ma steal your soul!"

---

As they left the cave, they were attacked almost immediately. It was some kind of beaver-like creature, completely grey save for a pair of bright red eyes. Even without the bird's warning, Lance could clearly tell that it was hostile. While this rodent probably wasn't the source of the howling, Lance was ready for combat nonetheless. "En Garde!"

The bird, despite being told to stay in the cave, swooped down toward the creature to peck it, while Nathan tried to goad it into attacking him. Some of the people from the other group had arrived to assist them, as well. The moment after Trevor attacked it, Lance lunged forward, swiping one of his blades at the creature, then quickly jumped back in an attempt to avoid a counterattack.

As the party reconverged back to the cave, they had to face off against the lone violent bidoof. Celina’s peck seemed to have done a small bit of damage, poking into the beaver’s skin enough to make a small wound. Oddly enough, no blood. The bidoof flared at Celina but knew it could t attack her while she was still in the air. Instead it turned its attention to the insulting seedot. Figuring him for easy prey the bidoof ran full tilt and tackled the seedling. Unlike running into the walls, this actually hurt Nathan, but not enough to knock him out.

It was in that moment that Trevor and Lance would have the most optimal moment to land a hit on the bidoof, but when their claws came I to contact with the Pokémon, they felt nothing. Their hands went right through the bidoof as if it was thin air. But it surely wasn’t an illusion as Celina and Nathan could attest; it had some physical presence to harm and be harmed. But those experienced in Pokémon might know why their attacks didn’t work.

Somehow or another, this Bidoof was also a ghost type. It snarled as it readied itself for its next attack.

---

Ravi knew his spacial awareness was a stone’s throw from surrounding darkness. An ironically accurate idiom for a limbless body as his vision was perceptive as blind faith. At least the emptiness of his stomach made for light travels when fleeing for his life...

Admittedly, his optimistic spin doctoring needed work. But his mind was currently firing on all cylinders, which might as well of been running with the aid of imaginary fat hamsters rolling along with their wheels to explain how speedily he was still slithering. Yet by some miracle, he kept up with his companions and found himself in front of the cave in the presence of other members. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to celebrate their safe return. In fact, it seemed that they were also danger of being attacked — by an evil, blood-eyed beaver. For lack of a better explanation...

Wanting to provide assistance in protecting the smaller team members in spite of expending most of his energy and warmth out in the storm. But he was cold, starving and winded from his experience because of such a severe lack of the previous things mentioned. Left with little heat retained from the fire after his prolonged exposure to the elements. Having so much food available that he could literally taste it, but not at the risk of choking on a twig. And while exerting his strength provided ample sustenance that was more than enough to pay for itself. It came at a cost and having never done so much in a tiny, weak body before...Ravi was spent.

Thinking that even a little R&R would make a big difference. In order to be helpful, he needed to quickly head inside. Start or fuel the fire and rest by it while helping himself to a couple of the berries currently occupying his cheeks. Prepared to do just that and hope once again that the others could handle it themselves...

The return of the others was good news, as it showed they unharmed plus they could help against the Bidoof. It was even better to see Celina use Peck as it showed that Nathan wasn't the only one capable of attacking. The good news ended there as the Bidoof took the bait and tackled him which actually hurt significantly.

Unfortunately the Seedot missed the fact that Normal-type attacks didn't seem to work on the insane beaver as he got back on his feet. "Ugh I need at least one more hit before I can return the favor, let's hope I can take it." "That the best you can do?"

---

Just what in the hell was going on here, Vi hadn't a clue. She had been relying on the physical guys to handle any threats so far, since she didn't seem to have a very good grasp of her abilities yet. Yet as soon as shit hit the proverbial fan, they were being utterly useless. Their claws went right through the strange otter creature as though it was made of nothing. Were they similar to her? Some sorta ghost thing?

That said, now that they were back in the cave...Vi let go of Trevor's shiny bald head, moving swiftly as she could back into the cave. Time to play hero, as they say. Perhaps she had been wrong about before. Maybe it had been her that flung that stick. Only one way to find out. Focusing her mind once more, luminescent blue eyes focused on the bidoof as she tried to concentrate on frying it alive with her mind once more.

---

Lance was sure that his attack hit, but as he swiped his blade at the creature, he felt no resistance. It was as if he was cutting through the air. Trevor's claws were affected as well. It seemed that neither of them could harm it, despite attacks from the others clearly leaving wounds behind. "I don't understand." He remarked to himself. He pointed towards Trevor. Surely the lizard would understand better than he did. "You. I'm sure you must know what's going on. Explain."

---

When Celina saw that the others arrived, she was rather happy. At least they were ok... but what she saw next made her confused. She looked at the bidoof who took no damage from the normal type attacks of the group. She then frown at this. "You.. got to be kidding me... is it a ghost type? Seriously?" she then says before going and then flying to swoop down and hit the bidoof again with a peck attack, hoping to do more damage now. She tried her best to do this, trying to do some damage at least. Best she could do was to try to weaken it. At least they didnt end up against a charizard or something very big... or else they would have needed to make a run for it, that for sure. Considering how weak we would be considered... and seriously.. what was up with that bidoof? How can it be ghost type anyway? Is it related to what is going on in this world and how they arrrived here? That she really was wondering. "Lets keep hitting guys, and try to evade using normal type attacks if possible!" she then says to the group.

---

Well, this was annoying... it would seem like Trevor was forced into a purely support role, now, that is, unless he could do something that might not work. Of course, he had to tell the rest of his team what he figured out, but, Celina beat him to the punch, this time, so he simply added "Yeah, uh, Nathan... that means Bide isn't going to do any damage to this thing," and he just stood there and growled. At least they had a couple pokemon capable of harming these things, but MOST pokemon started off with a normal-type move, so encountering one of these ghost type pokemon this early was... well... REALLY annoying. Trevor then remembered the mud on the ground, and started to gather some of it up... sure, this won't be a tough pokemon, but any damage at all was likely to help against this otherwise almost invincible enemy.

All the Pokémon present piled their attacks onto the lone bidoof. Had he been a mere bidoof he would’ve been easily defeated, but his surprising ghost typing cut much of the power of the other Pokémon. The ghostly beaver flared at all the Pokémon surrounding him and growled loudly, with a macabre echo that made his cute growl sound more like the revving of a chainsaw. Such a fearsome growl would quickly cut the attack of the Pokémon closest to him.

But alas, he would not survive the next assault. Vi’s Attack once more didn’t seem to give her any feedback on her end, but she would notice some sort of an effect as the bidoof suddenly flinched by some invisible force. Unlike before the shimmering was more vibrant, almost a translucent flame. As if Vi’s desire to “fry” the bidoof did manifest as a psychic flame. It was this moment that would give Celina an opening to peck the bidoof in the face, causing the Pokémon to fall to the side. But as soon as it struck the ground the bidoof’s red peircing eyes faded and the body vanished into dust blown by the wind.

It sounded like the larger furfrou from before was still fighting his own battle, but fortunately it seemed like the fighting wasn’t getting any closer to the cave. The weather however only seemed to get worse as the clouds darken as the rain picked up. Cecilia and Vi would find it harder to stay stable in the air as the combination of wind and rain battered their floating forms. Even the other nonflying Pokémon would occasionally have to avoid a leaf or twig from smacking their face as the wind started throwing things around. It was best that they return to the cave more this storm does more damage to them than the bidoof.

---

While most of the group seemed to be fighting off the seemingly dangerous pokemon, Ravi slithered inside the cave where the Dunsparce was staring off into space. Having no time to question what his deal was, he headed into the furthest corner. Making sure his valuables would be safe from both the storm and the suspected enemy if it happened to intrude. With a loud gagging sound as his maw cam unhinged expelling the berry-filled nest. “GAK!”

Relieved to be back in the shelter as even without the fire, no longer being exposed to the wind and rain had lifted several heavy burdens from his shoulders...the point was he felt better. Consuming just the minimal amount for him to not feel so hungry, not really able to enjoy them as they still had an earthy aftertaste. Overestimating how far he was able to push himself; not even finding himself capable of separating the berries from the nest, so that it could be put on the dying fire to fuel it. Curling himself up in a sluggish manner to keep warmer. While it was a good endurance test and necessary practice to develop his abilities, too much more would be pushing the body of the young Pokemon's limit. Aware that he was in no condition to fight as he took a slow and deep breath to ease his scattershot mind. His eyes were half-shut in preparation from getting some well deserved rest. Despite it coming at a rather inopportune time...

Fortunately his optimism in trusting others would handle stopping the Bidoof proved to be correctly placed. And it seemed as they arrived just in the nick of time as the storm outside only got even worse.

While Nathan was thankful for the warnings that Normal-types were useless he didn't understand how that was possible. Worse yet was the fact that he had no idea on how to fight the Bidoof, unlike the Charmander he couldn't even use an impromptu mad-slap because of his lack of hands.

He briefly considered that he could at least block attacks but he didn't know if he could even take one more without fainting or dying. Eventually he decided that the best he could do was stay out of everyone's way. So he tried to sneak back into the cave without the impossible Ghost-type noting him.

Welp, it didn't seem like he was really needed much, anyways. Once the bidoof started dissolving, Trevor dropped the mud he was going to use for an attack, and he wiped off the rest of it on his leg. Still holding the rest of the berries in his left hand, he headed into the cave, and placed them... near the bird's nest, and started working on removing the other berries, and eventually putting the nest on the fire once it was empty. Once everyone else was in the place, Trevor explained "To everyone going to eat a berry, please keep the small, blue ones, since they heal injuries. Yes, I know healing statuses is also important, but, considering our low levels at this point, the blue ones, known as oran berries, will heal for a lot... though, it heals for different amounts depending on whether we're going by a certain spin-off's rules, or if we're going by the actual game's rules," Trevor then took a short break to get a bit closer to the hopefully now very much ALIVE fire, and added "Also... if our main enemy is going to be a bunch of ghosts, we need to be able to train at least until we get a non-normal attacking move. Should be easy enough for me, a bit less easy for Nathan... but, at least you'll have evolved by then, as well, and better yet, your evolution has actual arms and hands, Nathan. I KNOW you've been missing those, who wouldn't, right?" after that little... speech, Trevor spotted the revive, and picked it up... he knew at least someone had to keep this thing safe, lest it get stolen. This revived proved to Trevor that, at the very least, there WERE things like potions in this place, thus, the berries, while possible to plant for more, would not heal for TOO much. Of course, Trevor's main idea was to keep a bunch of them in stock to heal anyone who came back with injuries, since, if they found an actual safe spot, away from potential danger, it didn't matter how little they healed, so long as they healed. Trevor thought about using the revive for something in the future, but, of course, that would require a steady supply of them, as well... there was no way he was going to waste the team's only revive on an experiment that might not even work.