[color=orchid][center][h1]Sophia Danvers[/h1] [h3]Mesalon Cave Complex[/h3][/center][/color] [@fer1323] [@Heckno12] The group had nearly reached the caves when a shout caught Sophia's attention. [color=orchid]"Ah, hey!"[/color] she called, turning around as Rheese ran up. [color=orchid]"We were just going to go explore the caves. That way, I'll fill up my team in no time!"[/color] The latest addition to her team scampered up to the newcomer, bouncing up and down, letting out chattering noises. [color=orchid]"Ehh, Lumas here only seems to have two settings. Off and turbo,"[/color] Sophia explained, setting Lacey down and petting the baby monkey. This little one was turning out to be quite the handful, but there was something oddly endearing about that. [color=orchid]"Everyone ready?"[/color] she asked the group, strutting forward, taking the lead again, ignoring the slight sigh from Vivianne - and the shiver of tension the sight of the cavern brought. [i]Get a grip,[/i] she scolded herself, [i]so a few low-level wild Pokemon might be acting out. Like that's anything to fear.[/i] As soon as Sophia stepped into the cave, Arcturus' core took on a brighter glow, revealing a myriad of gemstones jutting from the walls and floor. The brunette stared through the dim light. Such a place of beauty, and yet... there was something off about it. That feeling hadn't just been nerves. Focusing her senses, she froze. She recognised that kind of presence all too well. [color=orchid]"Oh geez..."[/color] She stumbled back, goosebumps breaking out over her skin. [color=orchid]"This place is haunted."[/color] With a glance around at the others, she tried to regain her composure. [color=orchid]"N-Not that I'm scared of ghosts! In fact, I'm rather used to them."[/color] The last bit was true... and the first bit was sort of true, in some situations. She'd taken a few visits to the Celestial Tower her mother helped to maintain. There was a big difference, though, between ghosts kept calm by a bell in a well-staffed cemetery, and a cave full of wild, potentially harmful spirits. Reaching to her belt, she recalled Lacey, who seemed rather less than comfortable judging by her twitching bow-like organs, and Lumas, who likely didn't have much of a sense of danger. The paranormally-gifted girl drew on as much of her power as she could, sensing all around her despite the dull ache flaring up in her head. Most of that spectral energy seemed to be coming from a tunnel leading deeper into the mountain. There was something else, too, something nearby. It wasn't easy to pinpoint, especially with that ghostly aura seeping from the cave's recesses, but after glancing around, Sophia noticed what it was. A metal disc with a blue patina, propped against a rock. Giving it a wary look, Sophia felt the unmistakable tingle of a psychic presence. The being must have sensed her too, its aura crackling as it awoke, rising into the air and spinning round to reveal a pair of yellow eyes. "Bronzor!" it cried, turning this way and that before its attention settled on the group. "Zor?" Sophia took a step back, but the Pokemon seemed more curious than cautious or hostile, floating over and studying the newcomers. [color=orchid]"Eheh... You alright there?"[/color] the psychic girl asked, thinking back to the Darmanitans and how she'd disturbed them. The Bronzor bobbed in the air as if nodding, then tilted to one side. "Bron? Bronzor?" There seemed to be a hint of concern in its voice. It drifted towards her, flipping around, protecting her like a shield. Sophia stared in surprise. This was one brave Pokemon - especially considering its type disadvantage. What if it got itself into danger? What if the entire group got into danger? [color=orchid]"I'm fine really,"[/color] she reassured it, before glancing at the others. [color=orchid]"But, uhh... We might want to try a different cave. I mean... Maybe the ones nearby have more Pokemon! And more gems!"[/color] She seriously needed to work on making her tough act convincing. [hider=Notes] [b]Pokemon Party:[/b] Gothita "Lacey" lv13, Purrloin "Grimalkin" lv12, Staryu "Arcturus" lv12, Darumaka "Lumas" lv11 [b]Pokemon in PC:[/b] [b]Inventory:[/b] Pokeball x2, TM33 (Reflect)[/hider] [hr] [color=lightsteelblue][center][h1]Vivianne Cypress[/h1] [h3]Mesalon Cave Complex[/h3][/center][/color] [@fer1323] [@Heckno12] The arrival of a newcomer - a friend of Oscar and Sophia, it seemed - briefly snapped Vivianne from thoughts of her task. [color=lightsteelblue]"Hello there. Yes, it'll make for a great training and field research opportunity, as long as we're careful,"[/color] she said, taking a glance at the cave mouth. Somebody, namely Sophia, was currently being rather hasty, bragging and striding right in. Sighing and shaking her head, the research assistant followed Sophia into the cavern. Her attention settled on the Pokemon revealed by the Staryu's light, mostly Sandshrews scurrying along tunnels, and the occasional Zubat flitting past. Nothing out of the ordinary - or so it seemed, until Sophia stood rooted to the spot, her already fair skin turning sickly pale as she blurted a warning. Ghosts. [color=lightsteelblue]"Shortout."[/color] Pressing the button of a Pokeball, Vivianne let out a sparking orange ball of plasma. [color=lightsteelblue]"Keep a look out for any trouble... and speaking of trouble, please don't get into anyone's Pokedex this time."[/color] With a disappointed mumble, the Rotom drifted ahead, whirling round as a Pokemon appeared. Vivianne's eyebrows raised at the sight of the living, floating metallic mirror. [color=lightsteelblue]"Bronzor. One of the species of artificial Pokemon that have existed since ancient times."[/color] That was a Pokemon she simply had to study at some point, but right now, staying safe was the important thing. [color=lightsteelblue]"Ok, we could take the training and study session elsewhere,"[/color] she said, turning to the group, [color=lightsteelblue]"or, if you'd rather stay here, it should be alright as long as we stay by the entrance. Shortout can fend off other ghosts, and Pixel's immune to many of their attacks."[/color] Although the thought of the cavern's secrets piqued her curiosity, she couldn't drag a group of new trainers into potential danger. She couldn't help but wonder what a trip into a cave like this would be like if she'd come to Kosei accompanied, as planned. She knew exactly who'd be fascinated by a place like this. [hr] [color=chocolate][center][h1]Amber Pine[/h1] [h3]Mesalon Cave Complex[/h3][/center][/color] [@Heckno12] [@AbysmalDemon] [@Dusksong] [@Noxx] [hider=Things get dangerous...][youtube]https://youtu.be/pCucn1VDOME[/youtube][/hider] Just like that, the expedition was over before it had truly begun. Amber didn't know if it was more of a disappointment or a relief. [color=chocolate]"Well, at least we know where this place is,"[/color] she commented. Seeking out this cavern again probably wasn't the best of ideas now she'd seen a glimpse of what was inside it, but surely they could come back once they were better prepared? [color=chocolate]"And it wasn't a total loss. We got some new Pokemon, after all."[/color] She brushed her fingers across the newly-occupied green capsule. [color=chocolate]"Training Ghost types, that's going to be, uh... interesting. In a lot of ways. Aedre, would you be able to tell me and Nyxx what it's like to train one?"[/color] An opportunity to learn more about ghost behaviour - albeit a rather unwanted one - came right up as, to the side of her, something stirred. Amber spun round, letting out a gasp. Just in time, she sidestepped a shadowy hand that reached for her ankle. Looming before the group, glinting in the soul flames, was a coffin of gold. Open blue segments at its top revealed a pair of glaring red eyes. [color=chocolate]"Well, uh... There are certainly better ways to study them!"[/color] Amber pulled back as two pairs of ghostly arms stretched from the casket. It must have mistaken them for grave robbers, she realised - and she knew the stories of what a Cofagrigus could do to intruders into ruins. [color=chocolate]"Let's get out!"[/color] [hider=Notes] [b]Pokemon Party:[/b] Kabuto "Chalcedony" lv10, Yanma "Aeshna" lv9, Rockruff "Kyra" lv12, Rowlet "Tacita" lv10, Anorith "Larimar" lv11, Sableye (currently unnamed) lv10 [b]Pokemon in PC:[/b] [b]Inventory:[/b] Pokeball x1, Potion x2, Dusk Ball x1[/hider]