[IC] Echoes of the Past | Sola & Ithradine

[Carlyle]

---

Haruba Village
Morning

---

It's hot.

Averi loosened her red handkerchief, wiping away the sweat that had accumulated on her forehead. She had arrived earlier than on schedule, hoping to grow used to the warm climate before the expedition kicked off, but Averi was baking like dough in an oven. It wasn't all bad, however, as Averi thought some sun wouldn't hurt once in awhile. Being from Oreburgh often meant being pale, especially for those who worked deep within the mines or trained inside the mountain pass through Mount Coronet.

Taking a glance around the bustling desert village, Averi wondered when her partner was going to arrive. The Foundation had told Averi that someone would be tagging along with her, but she hadn't seen nor met them yet. Maybe they were held up at the dockyard? It wasn't often that the village expected visitors, being so far off from the mainland and with little to offer other than sand.

Averi shrugged as she set her teacup down on a small plate. She did arrive earlier than expected, so some waiting was possible. Nonetheless, Averi still let her mind wander as it circled back to who her partner might be. The Poketopia Foundation never explicitly stated who was to be her partner in the letter they sent to Averi, just that he was researcher in Pokemon history and had connections to Professor Elm. Perhaps they were someone from Johto, a region that Averi had yet to visit.

"I guess I can ask them when they arrive," Averi uttered to no one in particular.

[Ithradine]

✥𝐸𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝑅𝑜𝓈𝑒𝓌𝑜𝑜𝒹✥

Ethan let out a relieved sigh as he walked down the pier, for a couple minutes he'd thought he lost his lucky Charizard claw. It wasn't an actual claw, just a brass imitation of one that hung off a black leather necklace. He'd had it as long as he could remember and always felt better wearing it when going out into the field. If he'd lost it, that would have been a bad omen in his book. Ethan, with a crisis averted, was excited to meet his partner and get to work. The mysterious Hippowdon Temple surely held some secrets that were just waiting to be uncovered. Of course he'd also be searching for Z-Crystals and Mega Stones for the Poketopia Foundation, who paid for his expenses and the expedition.

The temperature quickly hit him like a wall as he made his way into the village to the meeting point. He had experienced intense heat in his travels but nothing like this. For once, he was glad his parents were such athletes and imparted that lifestyle on him. If he was in the great shape he was, this would have been terrible to work in! Thankfully the Poketopia Foundation had supplied him with a desert-friendly outfit, the khaki color and coherent style making him feel official.

As he neared the meeting site, he came from behind Averi in a direction that prevented him from seeing her face. Ethan had a pretty good hunch that the girl sipping tea in a similar outfit to him was his partner so he approached ready to say something but instead caught the end of her muttering "Ask me what?" A smile appearing on his lips "I'm going to take an educated guess and say you're the person the Poketopia Foundation wanted me to partner up with." He quickly added on waiting for her to turn around, a friendly tone accompanying his voice.

[Carlyle]

---

Haruba Village
Morning

---

"Ask me what?" A voice spoke from behind Averi. "I'm going to take an educated guess and say you're the person the Poketopia Foundation wanted me to partner up with."

Turning around in the chair she was sitting in, Averi was face to face with a male around her age, who spoke with a friendly tone and a smile on his lips. Whoever this person was, it was obvious that he must have been Averi's partner, given his similar attire and the fact that he had brought up the Poketopia Foundation. "A-Ah, yes," Averi spoke, standing up from the chair and extending a hand to her partner. "My name is Ave-" She'd continue, yet the words that came out of her mouth would quietly trail off.

Catching a glimpse of the bronze Charizard claw attached to a necklace the man was wearing, Averi found herself astonished. She knew there was something familiar about her partner, and the Charizard claw only sealed the deal for Averi. "Ethan?" Averi asked, a glimpse of curiosity being expressed. "Is that you? By Arceus, it is! How long has it been? At least a decade, right?" Indeed, it had been forever since they last spoke. Ethan's family moved away, far from their hometown of Oreburgh, but they had made a promise that they would meet again some day in the future.

"I hope you remembered our promise." Averi replied, returning the smile. For a second, Averi thought back to their childhood, where Ethan and her would dig up rocks from the ground and pretend they had found fossilized Pokemon, giving their "fossils" childish (yet funny at the time) names. "Anyway, what brings you out here? The Foundation said I was going to have a partner to help with the expedition, but it never crossed my mind that I would run into you here." Averi explained, motioning for Ethan to take a seat. They would at least have some time to reconcile before they got to work, right?

[Ithradine]

✥𝐸𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝑅𝑜𝓈𝑒𝓌𝑜𝑜𝒹✥

There was something familiar about the girl as saw her face, heck even her voice seemed to tug on a memory he just couldn't recall. At the very least he had a cute partner to work with! He gripped her hand in a firm but not crushing handshake, standing up tall a few inches higher than her. His brows furrowed with confusion as she suddenly cut off her name "Something wrong? Is there something on my face?" He proceeded to touch the corners of his lips looking for a phantom piece of barbecue sauce.

He traced her gaze to the necklace he wore, given to his best childhood friend. The moment he heard his name, it immediately all came together as his blue eyes widened "Averi?" A feeling of excitement filled his body, making his smile only bigger "Yeah it's me! Too long I would say! I'm glad to see you doing well." His mind was flooded with fond memories of the two of them using donning their plastic toy hard hats and shovels to dig giant holes. Every time they got together felt like an a new adventure.

Ethan returned his hand to his side and smirked "There's no way I could forget." After all, there was a constant reminder hanging around his neck at all times. He rubbed the back of his neck with a small laugh "I've been travelling across the regions trying to learn more about the relationship between ancient civilizations and their Pokemon. The Foundation heard of my work and asked me to be a part of the expedition." He let out a chuckle "It's awfully convient too! 'Cause I was gonna come here anyway!" He adjusted the straps of the light backpack he had on. Of course he had more stuff but that was being delivered to the place where they would be staying "How about you? I'd love to hear what you've been up to."

[Carlyle]

---

Haruba Village
Morning

---

Averi smiled as they sat down to have a chat. It had been years since Ethan and Averi last spoke, and it would be nice to hear how each other had been doing after so long.

"You've been exploring the world, huh?" Averi replied, taking a sip of her tea. "I still haven't left Oreburgh. However, I did assist Professor Rowan's scientists in an expedition to Stark Mountain a few years ago to help them study the mountain and its Pokemon." As she spoke, Averi would reach down towards her belt and detached three Pokeballs and placed them each on the table. One by one, Averi pressed the button in the center, and the pokeball grew in size to release whatever was inside each one.

"Vibrava!"

"Numel?"

"Larvitar!"

Once released, the Vibrava landed on Averi's shoulder, while her Larvitar stood on the table. Meanwhile, Averi's Numel stood nearby with a dumbfounded look, almost as if it was clueless to what it was doing. Occasionally, small embers could be seen spewing from the chamber inside Numel, which held boiling hot magma. "My father caught my Larvitar for me not long after you left, while I caught my Vibrava and Numel during the expedition to Stark Mountain. What about you; what Pokemon have joined you on your journey? I know you had a Bagon last time we met."

[Ithradine]

✥𝐸𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝑅𝑜𝓈𝑒𝓌𝑜𝑜𝒹✥

Ethan had to admit he was a tad jealous. Professor Rowan was their childhood idol and she got to work with him! "That must have been exciting getting to work with Professor Rowan. It must have been a STARK contrast from digging up rocks when we were little." He smirked at his lame joke. How many times had he punished her ears with ones similar to that? The number was far too high to count. His eyes widened with interest as Averi took out three poke-balls and placed them on the table. Like the scientist he was, he examined them closely.

A wide smile filled his face as the pokemon left their capsule. Astounding. All of them were fantastic specimens and looked to be in fine shape, just as he would expect of Averi. He did the same as Averi and set his three pokeballs on the table upon her asking. Each one was pressed and expanded, ultimately releasing the creature within.

"Shelgon!"

"Beldum!"

"Totodile!"

Shelgon emerged on Ethan's right side while Beldum hovering above his head, observing the two of them with his single eye. His totodile however had jumped right into this arms, where Ethan was forced to hold him where Ethan let out a small laugh "My Bagon evolved into Shelgon after I left Johto and was doing some research in the Hoenn region. Professor Elm gave me Totodile as a parting gift and he's been a huge help on my journey. Beldum I caught while out in the field in Hoenn, it startled me when I saw hovering it over my shoulder!" He set Totodile on the table where the energetic water-type greeted Lavitar in raspy kind of voice. Shelgon came over to Averi and nudged her leg before looking up at her.

He shifted to a more relaxed posture "Looks like we'll be able to finally go on a real adventure together. Now that its you I'm working with, I'm even more excited than before!" His lively personality taking ahold of him. The sense of discovery enveloped him, there was no telling what they would find out in those ruins. They were once a great team and he was absolutely positive they would be again.

[Carlyle]

---

Haruba Village
Morning

---

Averi groaned as Ethan's pun rung within her ears. It was awful, and rather cringeworthy, but hearing it once again brought a smile to her face."You never change, do you? I should've been ready for a bad pun like that."

Shortly after Averi released her Pokemon, Ethan had followed suit with his own. According to Ethan, his Bagon had evolved to a Shelgon, while he had caught his Beldum while out in the field in Hoenn, and his Totodile had been a parting gift from Professor Elm. When Ethan spoke of Beldum startling him when they first met, Averi couldn't help but let out a giggle. Beldum was a mysterious Pokemon, even more so with its one eye staring back at you like the abyss as it floated.

Meanwhile, Totodile and Larvitar were busy greeting each other. Even with the difference in type, the two dinosaur-like Pokemon were having the time of their lives. On the other hand, however, was Shelgon, who approached Averi and nudged against her leg. Reaching a hand downwards, Averi brushed her hand against the Pokemon's barrel-like shell in a petting motion. "How have you been, Shelgon? It's been a long time since we last saw each other." Averi gleefully asked the Pokemon right before Ethan chimed once again, announcing how excited he was to be partners just like those years ago.

Before Averi could respond, however, her Xtransceiver on her wrist begun to ring. Once Averi clicked the answer button, a youthful man appeared on the screen as he stood by his truck. "Where are you? You two were supposed to be here ten minutes ago!" The man exclaimed, brushing sweat away from his forehead.

"A-Ah! Sorry about that, Kai, we'll be right there as soon as we can!" Averi responded to a series of grumbles from Kai, but in the end, he nodded and dismissed the call. "Well, we better get going before we make Kai any angry than he already is." Averi explained, reaching for her Pokeballs to return her Pokemon after she placed the money she owed for her tea on the table.

[Ithradine]

✥𝐸𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝑅𝑜𝓈𝑒𝓌𝑜𝑜𝒹✥

Ethan smirked as he was rewarded with the sweet confirmation of his terrible pun "I couldn't resist!" He was not about to let their reunion happen without one. It was already beginning to feel like they hadn't been apart for so many years.

Shelgon let out a small happy cry as Averi acknowledged him and moved eagerly into her hand "Gon!" It then proceeded to happily trot back over to Ethan's side having said hello and receiving attention in return. Shelgon was as loyal as a trainer could hope for, except when it had come to Averi. He always seemed to take her side against Ethan whenever there arguements.

Ethan unaware of his actions took a few steps closer as Averi answered a call, looking at the guy on the display screen. He appeared to be quite impatient and suddenly Ethan felt guilty that he had made them late for their ride. Kai was his name? He had to agree with Averi that they shouldn't keep him waiting anymore. Besides, they would have more time to talk later considering they were going to be working together for awhile.

Kai

Ethan quickly retrieved his pokeballs and called back all his companions "He'll probably blow a gasket before his truck does if we do." He casually joked as he adjusted the pack on his shoulders, tucking the pokeballs onto his belt. Ethan followed behind Averi as they left the town to meet up with Kai. It was quite a cozy little village. When they finally arrived, Kai was leaning against the passenger side of his truck with his arms crossed. The crease in his forehead was enough to tell he was upset "We really appreciate the ride out to the ruins! My name is Ethan, I heard your name was Kai?" He would try diplomacy first to ease the tension.

[Carlyle]

---

Village Outskirts
Morning

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After returning her Pokemon to their Pokeballs and paying the bill, Averi set out to meet Kai with Ethan in tow. The walk wasn't long, mainly due to Kai and his truck being just outside the outskirts of the village. Riding in a vehicle saved time, and it also would keep them protected in case they were caught in a sandstorm. The temple's namesake, Hippowdon, was known for whipping up sandstorms with its ability, after all.

"We really appreciate the ride out to the ruins! My name is Ethan, I heard your name was Kai?" Ethan spoke as they reached where Kai was waiting for them. The few minutes Kai had to wait seemed to have ticked him off, evident by his crossed arms as he leaned against his truck.

"Yeah, it is." Kai responded, his response adorned with a grumpy tone. "So, are you gonna get in the truck, or what? I ain't standing here for my health, and I don't want to get caught up in a sandstorm thanks to your lateness." He continued, taking a momentary glance at the two of them before walking towards where the driver seat was located without waiting for a response.

Meanwhile, Averi shrugged as Kai hurried off like an angsty teenager. "Well, that was an interesting experience." Averi commented, walking towards the truck bed. The back was still down, as if it was waiting for the two of them to get in.

[Ithradine]

✥𝐸𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝑅𝑜𝓈𝑒𝓌𝑜𝑜𝒹✥

Ethan was left a little speechless at the demeanor of their driver. He a youthful appearance but he talked like a miserable old man. Oh well, it didn't bother him that much. Instead he just accepted that Kai was a tad irritable "Yes, we'll get right in." His energy didn't take a hit and instead he followed Averi to the back of the truck. If a sandstorm did hit them, as was likely, he was glad he brought his special googles.

He slid the bag off his back and lifted it onto the back of the truck while Averi spoke "Maybe he's already got some sand in his pants?" Ethan joked as he grabbed the side of the truck and pushed himself up, then offered a hand to Averi to make it easier for her "So you think we'll actually find what the Foundation is looking for?" He asked casually.

[Carlyle]

---

Haruba Desert
Morning

---

Taking Ethan's hand, Averi pulled her way up on to the truck bed. Once she was in, Averi grabbed the door to the truck bed, closing it to the sudden purr of Kai's truck starting its engine. "I hope we find what they want. It'd be an interesting find, and maybe we'll get ourselves a spot in the newspaper." Averi jested as the truck tires spun, leaving a trail as it drove along the sandy desert. The desert didn't receive much rain, so Averi figured they wouldn't find themselves stuck in mud and unable to move.

Digging into her belongings, Averi reached for a folded map within her bag. "There had been a few people who explored segments of the temple in the past, although due to its size, not everything has been explored. However, those that had visited the temple before had reported that the builders had placed traps throughout the complex, perhaps to keep people out... or something in." Averi explained, handing the map to Ethan so that he could have a look. However, as Averi passed the map, the truck bounced in the air, like it had hit a bump in the road.

"What's goin' on back there?" Kai asked, sliding the back window to the side. His previous attitude was replaced with curiosity, as he had been shaken roughly by the sudden impact.

In response, Averi looked around the surrounding areas. She hadn't seen anything in particular out in the sand, but something stood out to Averi as her gaze returned to the truck. One of the tires had multiple needles inside, as if some Pokemon had used Pin Missile in an attempt to pop the truck's tire. "The tire went flat. Something poked it with a bunch of needle-like objects, but why?" Averi questioned, the hint of black uniforms just barely out of her sight.

[Ithradine]

✥𝐸𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝑅𝑜𝓈𝑒𝓌𝑜𝑜𝒹✥

Ethan sat down across from Averi, his head turned towards his back looking out into the distance as the vehicle moved forward then looked back at her with a grin "I can picture it now...Exclusive! Explorers Birkenhall and Rosewood's amazing discovery." He extended his hands forward a bit making a picture frame with his pointer fingers and thumbs, Averi in center frame, as he put on a stereotypical reporter voice for the last line. He let out a small laugh dropping his hands to his sides.

His body leaned forward as his elbows rested on the tops of his knees, looking at the map as he processed Averi's words. A pondering look filled his face as he took the map "I see, it appears we ma-" He had barely gotten a grip on the map when the whole truck went airborne for a moment, cutting him off.

Kai voiced his exact thoughts, what had just happened? It sounded like they hit a hole or large rock but after looking around he didn't see anything of the sort. As Averi announced the cause of the problem, Ethan moved over to check it out as well "It doesn't look like a accident to me. This is strange..." No quicker did he say this than three individuals dressed in the same black uniform, with a strange symbol on their chest, moved from their hidden position.

The one in front spoke out as the got close to the truck "Are you two Ethan Rosewood and Averi Birkenhall?" His rough voice asked, though it sounded like a command. Ethan hand hovered over Shelgon's pokeball as he replied "U-um what if we are?" His snarky tone was perhaps unnecessary but he had a bad feeling about this. The grunt looked at the other two behind him briefly before turning back to Ethan and Averi "You're going to come with us. We can't have you interfering!"

Before Ethan could react, the three took pokeballs from their belt and released them. A Houndour, Drowsey, and Skorupi appeared before them ready to attack. Ethan took a hold of Shelgon's pokeball and, pressing the button, tossed it forward releasing the tough Dragon-type. Shelgon then postured defensively between the hostile Pokemon and his trainer, as he waited for Averi to join in "I don't think these guys can be reasoned with." He said somewhat sarcastically.

[Carlyle]

---

Haruba Desert
Morning

---

"By Arceus, I can't catch a break these days. That flat's gonna take some time to fix." Kai grumbled, walking to the back of his truck and crouching underneath to reach where the spare was located. It was a short fix, but trying to change a tire in the middle of the desert was a difficult task. One misplaced part could vanish forever in the sand, and the truck could easily tip over due to the shifting winds.

Climbing off the truck shortly after Ethan had done so, Averi tried to figure out a cause for the flat. Had Kai accidentally drove into the territory of some Cacnea, which prompted an aggressive response? She wasn't entirely sure, yet before Averi could come to a conclusion, a trio approached the truck. Each of them had on the same black uniform, likely unfit for the desert, but what stood out the most was the Unown on their shirts as if it was some sort of symbol.

"Are you two Ethan Rosewood and Averi Birkenhall?"

"U-um, what if we are?"

"You're going to come with us. We can't have you interfering!"

Averi had a bad feeling about the group, and when their leader addressed the duo, she was certain of their thug-like nature. Reaching for her Pokeballs attached to her belt, Averi released her Vibrava onto the battlefield. She had more experience with her Larvitar, but Averi wasn't keen on risking her Pokemon when they had their backs to the wall and in an unfair fight. Vibrava was fast, and with a ground attack, the Pokemon could easily defeat the Houndour and Skorupi. The Drowzee, on the other hand, might be more of a challenge, especially if the Pokemon had status moves.

"Keep those dimwits away from us, and I'll have that tire fixed in no time!" Kai announced to Averi and Ethan, although his jab at the thugs only served to anger them even further.

"We'll make you regret those words!" Their boss angrily replied, as they readied their Pokemon for attack.

[Ithradine]

✥𝐸𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝑅𝑜𝓈𝑒𝓌𝑜𝑜𝒹✥

Ethan was confident in Shelgon since its hard shell was perfect for defense plus it was the strongest of his Pokemon. He nodded while staring down the grunts as Kai spoke "We'll send them packing!" His voice was confident, although perhaps more so posturing than anything. There were so many questions running inside his head but no time to worry about them. The head grunt had his Houndour charge in "Houndour! Ember!" The rough voice shouted.

A shot of flames coursed forward aimed at Kai "Shelgon, use Protect and cover Kai!" A shine washed over Shelgon's barrel body as his partner rushed forward to intercept the flames. For a couple seconds, flames encased the body of Shelgon before they dissipated leaving him unharmed. The irritated grunt did not have time to react as Ethan called his next command "Push'em back with a headbutt!" Shelgon did not hesitate, showing the trust he had for his trainer. Despite being notoriously slow and heavy, Shelgon rushed ahead with some speed.

The unknown grunt showed a slight look of apprehension "Dodge Houndour!" It was too late for the Pokemon. As Houndour tried to moved out of the way, the 'forehead' of Shelgon smashed into its side. The weight behind the hit sent the Houndour flying a few feet, sand getting kicked up as it rolled across the desert. Ethan's eyes turned to Averi as the other two grunts' Pokemon came forward while the Houndour shakily stood up.