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The impromptu round of introductions was followed by an abrupt end to Warden's big battle. The performer, Fae Ryan or some such, recalled his Snubbull in favor of forcing a selfie on the poor scientist dude. Cedric shrugged a shoulder and went to pick up his Growlithe before the damn thing ran off again. The pup whined but didn't struggle, and for that Cedric was unspeakably grateful. His leg was still on figurative fire, and he couldn't have handled having to manhandle a Pokémon right now. 

[color=#269788]"Yeah, sure, bet you were just afraid of losin',"[/color] he called out to the supposed-star-to-be, grin forming, when all of a sudden, hell broke loose. A truck veered into sight, unleashing a strange man and his Toxicroak upon the unsuspecting festival crowd. For a moment Cedric was impressed, thinking it was a preplanned event to introduce some action into the otherwise sleepy festival. But nah; the panic on people's faces and the horror in their screams was all too real, and so Cedric's budding excitement turned to horror. He hurriedly clasped a hand in front of Warden's nose, fearing the putrid smell of the acid alone was enough to cause harm. 
  
[color=#269788]"Who the hell's that?"[/color] he asked from no one in particular, glancing at the others to make sure they were seeing what he was — but Olivier was already bolting, taking off in the exact direction the crazy old dude was heading. And so were the other two, right on his heels.

[color=#269788]"Whoa, whoa, wait!"[/color] Cedric gasped, starting after them with a limp. Shit. The guy wasn't stopping, and didn't seem phased by whatever the others had said. Cedric had no idea where the psycho was heading, but he could piece together the guy didn't exactly plan to buy Caterpie rolls. People were still running and shouting, distancing themselves from the man instead of... tackling him or rushing him or [i]something![/i] Damnit, if only he could've gotten there...

Cedric felt wiggling and glanced down at the pup in his arms. Warden was growling, little body tensed and ready to take off if given the go. Cedric knew the look in the Pokémon's eyes, could imagine the adrenaline coursing through his veins. But could... Warden really take on a Toxicroak? 

[color=#269788]"...You sure?" [/color]he asked, brows furrowed. Warden gave an affirmative bark. Cedric couldn't imagine a fate worse than being coddled or told [i]no [/i]when you felt you had to [i]go[/i], so he knew he couldn't impose than on his partner, either.[color=#269788] "Fine, alright, but keep your distance. Go and Rock Slide from afar, should get their attention! I'll be right behind you."[/color]

Warden leapt from his arms, barking as it took off after the man and his Pokémon. Cedric looked to the others further ahead, and shouted: [color=#269788]"What are you waiting for? You got Pokémon too, right? Gonna let my damn puppy fight alone?!"[/color]
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