[color=D1D0CE]Lumi's smile spread so wide that her face hurt from all of her grinning. Her excitement was practically brimming at the seams. She just wanted to bounce around and all over the place! When were these Pokemon going to show up, anyways? Sitting down next to Sora, she felt her puffed fur brush up against her brother's. To other Pokemon, they probably seemed like uncontrollable puffballs of energy. Who could blame them? It wasn't every day that they got to see a whole adventurer's team return to town after weeks of exploration! Her thoughts were interrupted when a trumpet sounded from one of the rooftops. Lumi glanced up to see that a thick-pelted Raichu had climbed up to one of the ledges and blew into the instrument several times, producing a low, guttural groan that made her belly rumble with the vibrations. 

[b]"The explorers are here! Everyone make way and clear the road!"[/b] the Raichu announced. 

A small cluster of Pokemon appeared at the end of the road. The ones around her shifted anxiously-- even the Tauros got up onto its hooves, looming over her like a big fuzzy rock. Lumi stood on her toes, trying to peer around the large beast. Great. Now she couldn't see at all! A loud huff escaped her as she flattened her ears against her head. She wasn't about to be scammed out of a great view. Sucking in a deep breath, she leaped into the air and landed almost neatly on the Tauros' back. Luckily for her, the Pokemon didn't seem that bothered by her perch. Lumi's eyes went wide as the group made their way into the city center. There was that pretty Swellow! And was that a Luxray?! She was so excited that she hardly noticed the quiet that had fallen across the crowd or the dried up wounds that marked their bodies. 

[b]"What's happened?"[/b] the Tauros below her rumbled with concern. 

Sable, who had appeared rather uninterested in the parade, now sat solemnly and quietly, staring in the direction of the entourage. She bundled Cane close to her.

The adventurers stopped in the middle of the town center, their eyes downcast. That was when Lumi realized that something was completely and definitely wrong. 

[b]"Weren't there more than a dozen explorers? Now there's like seven at most..."[/b]

[b]"Where's everyone else?"[/b]

[b]"They look exhausted."[/b]

Questions flowed through the air like a malevolent storm as the Luxray stepped forward, his crimson and golden eyes narrowing as he turned his head to the crowd.  [b]"The Ember Cave expedition,"[/b] he rumbled, [b]"was a complete failure."[/b][/color]