[color=chocolate][center][h1]Amber Pine[/h1] [h3]Mesalon Cave Complex[/h3][/center][/color] [@fer1323] [@Heckno12] [@AbysmalDemon] [@Dusksong] [@Noxx] Shadows billowed through the cave as a horde of Ghost types advanced to back up the Cofagrigus. [color=chocolate]"Eheheh... I guess that's a few theories confirmed!"[/color] Amber commented, stepping further away. The next moment, a brilliant flash of light drove away many of the would-be attackers. The ones who remained kept their distance, their once-menacing gazes now wary as one of the most utterly magnificent Pokemon Amber had ever seen towered over them and roared. [color=chocolate]"A Mega Tyranitar... Wow. An actual Mega Tyranitar,"[/color] she breathed, craning her neck upwards. As the last of the ghosts fled and Rachel suggested the group should make their own hasty retreat, Amber rushed alongside the others. [color=chocolate]"Well... On the bright side, I assume not many people get to see that many ghosts and their defense mechanisms in action, and live to tell the tale!"[/color] she said as she began to recover from the shock. [color=chocolate]"That must have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Uh, without the rather morbid other meaning. I mean, we'll have the chance to make that twice if we want! When we're much, much more experienced trainers, that is... Rachel! Look out!"[/color] Amber watched, stunned, as instead of dodging to avoid the hurtling Minior, Rachel casually reached out with one hand and stopped it as if it weighed no more than a foam ball. [color=chocolate]"O...kay? I guess considering who your brother is, I shouldn't be surprised..."[/color] She trailed off as something else rather unexpected caught her attention. A familiar face. [color=chocolate]"Vivie...?"[/color] Seeing her was like a twinge from an old wound. This was the last person she'd expected to meet here. After everything else had changed, hadn't the other researcher's plans? Hadn't she decided to make a fresh start in Hoenn? [color=chocolate]"Uh, Vivianne."[/color] She gave an awkward smile. [color=chocolate]"Nice to see you."[/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] [hr] [color=lightsteelblue][center][h1]Vivianne Cypress[/h1] [h3]Mesalon Cave Complex[/h3][/center][/color] [@fer1323] [@Heckno12] [@AbysmalDemon] [@Dusksong] [@Noxx] [color=lightsteelblue]"Ahem."[/color] Vivianne turned a sharp, steely gaze towards the Rotom as it snuck towards the new boy's backpack. It spun around and drifted away from Rheese, letting out a moan, bolt-shaped appendages drooping. [color=lightsteelblue]"Pokegears, laptops and phones are off-limits too. As are all other people's electronics."[/color] Catching a glimpse of red and blue by her side, she turned round. The Porygon Z, seemingly still rather hyper from earlier, recoiled in surprise, multicoloured squares briefly appearing all around its body. [color=lightsteelblue]"Pixel, Shortout, that applies to both of you, and my belongings as well as everyone else's."[/color] The research assistant faced Rheese. [color=lightsteelblue]"I do apologise. These two rather like to find loopholes."[/color] She caught sight of another Pokemon, this time a little wild Ghost type, starting to bother Sophia. [color=lightsteelblue]"Shortout, drive it away."[/color] Just as the Rotom prepared a Shadow Ball, the creature fled to avoid the combined efforts of the stronger ghost and Sophia's Pokemon. [color=lightsteelblue]"Agreed,"[/color] Vivianne replied to Rheese with a nod. [color=lightsteelblue]"A place where we can study and train in peace might be better..."[/color] Her stern eyes widened at the sound of terrified yet excited babbling echoing from further in the cave. She recognised that voice... and only one person she knew said things like that... As the group of four emerged from the tunnel, Vivianne didn't even react to Rachel stopping the Minior with one hand. She and the travelling Rock leader had already crossed paths a few times, and she'd heard rumours that Rachel and her Tyranitar wrestled. Instead, her attention was on someone else. Someone she'd hoped she wouldn't run into, for both of their sakes. [color=lightsteelblue]"Amber... Hello there."[/color] The corners of her mouth quirked up into the slightest of smiles. [color=lightsteelblue]"It's a small world, isn't it? There was a change of plan. A research opportunity."[/color] She hoped her brief, formal explanation and neutral tone masked the guilt that welled up, guilt she'd tried to keep tamped down over the past two years. Amber still wanted to talk to her, even after that mess back then. A mess that had poisoned and withered a seemingly solid friendship. A mess that Vivianne had nobody but herself to blame for. [hr] [color=orchid][center][h1]Sophia Danvers[/h1] [h3]Mesalon Cave Complex[/h3][/center][/color] [@fer1323] [@Heckno12] [@AbysmalDemon] [@Dusksong] [@Noxx] Sophia cringed at Rheese's words. [color=orchid]"N-No! It's not that! I'm fine! I mean... Yeah, let's explore more caves while we're here. But... But not because this one's a problem for me! I'm telling you, it isn't!"[/color] It really didn't help that the Rotom who was meant to protecting them seemed more interested in pulling pranks than keeping guard. Right on cue, Sophia felt the ghostly aura grow stronger as something approached. Letting out a yelp that ruined the already less than credible act, she whirled around, staring frantically from side to side as she tried to figure out exactly where it came from. The many spectral presences permeating the cave, as well as the ever-growing strain she put on herself, made doing so particularly difficult. The next moment, something covered with a flowing black cloth burst from the shadows, grinning as its yellow-and-blue eyes glinted with mischief. [color=orchid]"N-Nice try!"[/color] The psychic stood tall, still attempting to save face. [color=orchid]"But I think you'll find I'm not exactly easy to sneak up on!"[/color] The Bronzor remained in front of Sophia, protecting her with its metallic body. "Bron," it grumbled. The ragdoll-like creature simply giggled, slipping into the darkness again. As Sophia focused on the telltale presence, something moved over the cave wall. She jumped as the Pokemon's Shadow Sneak stretched out two giant hand silhouettes, which crossed into the shape of a bird, morphing at alarming speed into a winged, demonic monstrosity on the rocky surface. Reeling back, the trainer watched the image dissipate and the Pokemon reappear next to her, its laughter echoing. "Purrrr..." came a growling noise by her feet. Grimalkin sprang up, claws outstretched - and passed right through the Ghost type. A fresh shiver of panic ran through Sophia. What level did a Purrloin have to be to learn a Dark type move? The cat ran out of the way as a jet of water from Arcturus knocked the puppet several paces back. As soon as Vivianne's Rotom joined the fray, the Shuppet slid through a wall, but Sophia could still feel it lurking. [color=orchid]"Heheh, good job,"[/color] Sophia said - then looked over. This time it wasn't the Shuppet, or any other ghost, but shouts and hurried footsteps. The psychic shifted her focus as much as was safe. The group of people felt unharmed - as far as she could tell, anyway, given her tiredness and divided attention - but the tunnel they ran through was the one that radiated that otherworldly energy. Four people rushed into the chamber - Amber, Aedre, Alex, and a dark-haired woman Sophia hadn't seen before. For a moment, she thought she picked up on the faintest trace of something unusual, but it was difficult to tell for sure. Just as Sophia was about to brush it off as nothing, Rheese's Minior charged at the woman - who effortlessly blocked it with one hand. All the young psychic could do was gape at her. It was only when Amber spoke that Sophia realised who the brunette looked rather like... Dammit, why did everyone with these abilities outshine her? The bitterness that welled up disappeared just as fast as it had come on, leaving her completely calm. That was odd... Realisation hit, the flare of fear and annoyance it brought fading quickly. Unnaturally quickly. She sent a thought towards the hidden being she could sense close by. [i][color=orchid]So now I'm a food source, am I?[/color][/i] She gritted her teeth as that irritation rekindled. A moment of calm would certainly be nice, if it wasn't caused by a ghostly stalker. Considering its earlier behaviour, this probably wasn't even about helping her. [i][color=orchid]I bet you just love this, don't you?[/color][/i] Edging away, she looked back over at the group. [color=orchid]"Are you ok?"[/color] she asked, eyes wide. [color=orchid]"This isn't just any hangout spot for spooks. What... What exactly did you find in there?"[/color] [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]