[color=chocolate][center][h1]Amber Pine[/h1]
[h3]Mesalon Gym[/h3][/center][/color]
[@Zanavy] [@ItMeGritty] [@OtomostheCrazy] [@Noxx] [@Typical]

Amber winced at the scene, which deteriorated by the second. [color=chocolate]"Please, everyone, try to rein it in,"[/color] she called to Sophia, Alexis, and an equally loud purple-haired woman, stepping forward to intervene if necessary. It was Ty, however, who tried to defuse the situation with words of encouragement. As Aedre chuckled, Amber gave her own strained laugh.

[color=chocolate]"Yeah. Best of luck, and remember, whatever happens it's all a learning curve,"[/color] she said over her shoulder, following Aedre. Larimar nodded at the three bickering girls before scuttling after her trainer.

Settling into a seat, Amber nodded at Aedre's comment. [color=chocolate]"Well, I'm sure a gym leader will have many different strategies,"[/color] she replied, [color=chocolate]"but it'll give us an idea of what to expect, especially if we watch more than one battle."[/color] Part of her wanted to experience a gym match as soon as possible, excitement and nerves competing as fiercely as any Pokemon. Even so, patience was necessary when learning.

She leaned forward, looking out over the arena to see who the first challenger would be, although she had a good guess.

[hider=Notes]
[b]Pokemon Party:[/b] Kabuto "Chalcedony" lv11, Yanma "Aeshna" lv9, Rockruff "Kyra" lv13, Rowlet "Tacita" lv11, Anorith "Larimar" lv13, Sableye "Almandine" lv12
[b]Pokemon in PC:[/b]
[b]Inventory:[/b] Pokeball x1, Potion x2, Dusk Ball x1[/hider]
[hr]
[color=orchid][center][h1]Sophia Danvers[/h1]
[h3]Mesalon Gym[/h3][/center][/color]
[@Zanavy] [@ItMeGritty] [@OtomostheCrazy] [@Noxx] [@Typical] [@fer1323]
[sub][b](Collab with fer1323)[/b][/sub]

Sophia snickered. As if she wasn't faced with enough of an annoyance already, Alexis had to go and waltz in, doing her utmost to outrank this Poison girl on the insufferability scale. Clearly the wannabe gotten some training in, considering her fourth Pokemon, but that wasn't enough to catch up with her just yet - hopefully.

At Alexis' little comment, Sophia put her hands on her hips. [color=orchid]"Ask for help? Please. This loser's gonna be the one begging me for battle advice after I take that stuffy old man down a peg or two."[/color] Turning to Ty, who recognised her potential to some extent, she grinned. [color=orchid]"You said it! Not sure about everyone else, and not that I need a reminder, but finally someone who gets it!"[/color] Her tone rang bright and loud, as if by shouting enough, she'd fully convince everyone. Including herself.

Glimpsing a dark wisp, accompanied by a drifting chill, she spun round. [color=orchid]"Uh, Fanto...."[/color] The Shuppet, in the process of sneaking up on Alexis, turned his head. [color=orchid]"No need for that."[/color] Sophia wasn't going to risk another fiasco involving her and Alexis' Pokemon, especially not now. [color=orchid]"Well, let's go show that old stick in the mud what we're capable of, I'm sure he can't take much longer."[/color] With that, she pranced into the arena, her team at her side.

She masked her worries with a smirk as, just a few moments later, Lan appeared through the opposite door. [color=orchid]"Ready at last, huh?"[/color] she taunted, raising her head, trying to exude confidence. [color=orchid]"'Cause I sure am!"[/color]

The monk, unfazed as ever, slowly approached and held out a sheet of paper. [color=00aeef]"Sophia. Your friend, Oscar, told me you'd be here shortly,"[/color] he said. [color=00aeef]"He left a note for you."[/color]

A frown replaced Sophia's smirk. Just what did that idiot have to say, and where was he in any case? She grasped the paper, reading over the message. Her mouth hung open at the words.

[color=green]"Dear Sophia

With a heavy heart, I won’t be able to see your gym battle and hopefully victory. Despite our prior agreement, I have left early alone to head to the next town. I need time alone to reflect on the past and future events as well as my role to play in the grand scheme of things.

Please don't get upset or worry about me. I am very capable on my own with my pokemon by my side. I will be safe and sound so we will be able to see each other again soon enough if you plan to do the contest in the next town like planned.

The next time we meet, don’t expect me to give you my ‘sagely’ advice or to help you in general. I feel that my advice should not be wasted on deaf ears. I will keep my wisdom until you feel inclined to be ready to receive it

Yours truly
Oscar Berg"[/color]

It took several seconds for Sophia to bring herself to speak, the hall silent save for the scrunch of fingers clenching paper. Her yell cut through the quiet.

[color=orchid]"That... That JERK!!"[/color] The rant spilled out of her. [color=orchid]"He promised! He promised he'd travel with us!"[/color] She crossed her arms, further crinkling the letter. [color=orchid]"N-Not that I wanted to hang out with him! It's just... Urrrgh! If he'd stick around to watch my big moment, maybe he'd shut up about his so-called wisdom!"[/color]

Lan kept his stony look on her. [color=00aeef]"Sometimes plans change, but that means we must adapt with them. At least he had the courtesy to inform you."[/color]

Lacey backed up the calming attempt with a nod and a comforting hand on her trainer's ankle, but there was no getting through to Sophia. [color=orchid]"Oh, so that makes being a complete flake of a fr-"[/color] She bit back the bizarre choice of word. [color=orchid]"Of, uh, a spectator A-ok does it? Strutting off ahead, while all kinds of chaos keeps breaking loose, no less..."[/color] Her voice shook. The journey's events, and Amber's warning, played through her mind. If there was anyone all too likely to run headlong into danger, it was Oscar.

She took a deep breath, looking Lan in the eyes and sighing through gritted teeth, What she uttered was something the gym leader, and the spectators, would never have imagined she'd say. Hell, she'd never have imagined it. [color=orchid]"This battle... It looks like it's gonna have to wait. I-I can't just let him outdo me like this! I've got to catch up, or I'll never hear the end of it!"[/color]

Catch up by missing out on a gym badge. Yes. Great way to go about it. Before anyone could point out flaws in her logic, she continued. [color=orchid]"It's not that I'm worried about him! That guy just needs some damn sense drummed into him, and a reminder that he isn't gonna breeze ahead that easily! And make no mistake, I'll still wipe the floor with you some day!"[/color] She swept her glance around at the spectators. [color=orchid]"As you'll all see. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a pompous bigmouth to find."[/color]

With her Pokemon in tow, she turned and hurried from the arena, from the monastery. After all that struggle and stress, she'd left the gym with no badge once again, but sticking by Oscar if he got in over his head was more important.

Sometimes plans really did change.

[hider=Notes]
[b]Pokemon Party:[/b] Gothita "Lacey" lv14, Purrloin "Grimalkin" lv13, Staryu "Arcturus" lv13, Darumaka "Lumas" lv11, Shuppet "Fantoccino" lv11, Bronzor "Clarus" lv11
[b]Pokemon in PC:[/b]
[b]Inventory:[/b] Pokeball x1, TM33 (Reflect), Oran Berry x3[/hider]
[hr]
[@Zanavy]

In the meantime, a young, robed man approached Ty. Greeting him with a bow, he held up a Pokeball as he noted the companion at the boy's feet, a Timburr. Many eager trainers brought along Fighting types for their advantage against this particular gym. As a student who could benefit from learning how to counter this advantage, a sparring match would do both him and the other trainer good.

[color=paleturquoise]"A challenger?"[/color] he asked, the capsule expanding. [color=paleturquoise]"Looking to practice for the gym battle, I take it?"[/color]