[@Zarkun]

Lordy this guy wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. 

The bug-maniac narrowed his eyes, as if he was trying to see through that thick headed skull of Jason's. [b]"Do I really need to spell it out for you? You're trainers, aren't you? You go headlong into danger for the sake of adventure and battle anything that has a pulse. You're adrenaline junkies."[/b]

[color=f7941d]"Do you [i]want[/i] me to punch you?"[/color], Connor piped in. In reaction to that, the bug-maniac stepped out of arms reach.

[b]"We have reason to believe that what we are searching for is deeper in the forest. Problem is we aren't skilled trainers, and the Deep Woods are not exactly a place where we want to go unless we absolutely know for certain that it's there."[/b] He sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose. At this point he was just ready to cut straight to the point. At least before he gets socked in the face. [b]"Look, you have to understand that what we are looking for is one of the rarest bug-types out there, even before Cipher. It's considered to be one the pinnacle achievements of bug-collectors, so we trade for things that are of equal value, which I can gather you don't have.[/b] 

He eyed the two of them and silently, from what the duo could tell, assess them. [b]"I'll help you two, only if you guide me through the Deep Woods. Fair enough?"[/b]

One of the other bug-maniacs called out, "Why you?"

[b]"Because I'm the one leading this project!"[/b]

What does Jason do?

[hr]
[@samreaper]

[b]"Er, uh, sorry about that. She tends to forget her own strength."[/b], said Neil while he led the very much winded Tristan down the hall. Judging by the way he said it, he seemed to know all too well just how strong his wife so there was definitely some sympathy for the scrawny lad even though he just took what would be considered a casual pat on the back. If she had put more into that, well, it would not be an exaggeration that Tristan's feeble body would crumple from the sheer force. Thankfully, that reality is one that Tristan nor the narrator, need to deal with. 

Eventually, Neil would lead Tristan back out at the farm though this time he motioned him to follow him to the pens. [b]"Alright, I'm going to inform my workers that you are allowed access in the pens so you can investigate. I wish I had more to tell you, but this thing has somehow evaded every security measure I've taken. If you do have any questions about the farm, or if you find something, let me know."[/b] 

He looked like he was just about to leave before his face lit up as if he remembered something. [b]"I'll be right back."[/b] He ran back inside his house and after a few minutes he came back out.

[b]"Take these."[/b] Tristan was handed a pair of very faded, yet sturdy black boots. They were a size larger than what Tristan could wear, but it was better than nothing. It was pretty obvious what these were for if he were to go in the pen.

[b]"Well I better get back to work. Good luck."[/b] And with that, he went back to do his farming duties.

The investigation is afoot! What does Tristan do now?

[hr]
[@CitrusArms]

So, uh, for being a tick, Joltik wasn't exactly very good at being one. As soon as Kaebe tried to slam the Joltik in the ground with its tail, it lost its grip so instead of being smacked onto the ground, it was sent flying in the air horizontally. The electric tick did land on its feet, a bit disoriented and that disorientation allowed for the green projectiles of energy to land on it. However, due to its superior bulk despite being literally .2 inches, it was able to withstand the blows though its special attack did fall. 

Unlucky for Stella and her team, the Joltik was hidden in the grass due to its absurdly small size. However, what they could see was the crackle of electricity where it landed and then it used Electro Web. The electrified webs flew straight both towards Kaebe and Ocul. 

What does Stella do?

[hr]
[@Lunarlord34]

Freya was watching this whole thing go down and the only thing that ran through her mind was, [i][color=ed145b]Why did her accent just disappear? I'm not imagining this, right?[/color][/i]

She really was overestimating how skilled her opponent was, but hey, it was good of her to acknowledge her own inexperience.

While Dusk's Embers did indeed shoot down a majority of the Ice Shards that flew towards it, a couple did indeed manage to sneak through and collided with Dusk though given the fact that Litwicks resist ice, the damage was not severe. The little candle tanked it like a champ, but even he would give in if he ate too many of them.

Yes, while a battle of attrition would have been the most solid strategy, it wasn't exactly necessary. The Smog did indeed limit the Sneasel's movement as this toxic haze was now lingering against the left side of the alley, hugging the wall and even floating along the ground a bit. While yes, it did limit Dusk's movement options as well, it actually didn't matter. 

The Ember that followed the Smog flew with great force and in fact, the Sneasel was still struggling to get its bearings due to its now limited movement. In fact, it was so caught up with the Smog that it did not even have the time to react to the sparks of fire flying towards it much to his trainer's dismay. The attack met its mark with such a ferocious force that it knocked the Sneasel off its feet and sent it tumbling back. It was a critical hit!

With a great amount of stubbornness and effort, the Sneasel did stand back up before it fell on its knee with a haggard breath. It was unable to battle!

[i][color=6ecff6][center]Petty Thief Arnold was defeated! 
Dusk is now level 6!
Steph received 800P!
[/center][/color][/i]

The greasy petty thief looked upon with shock that he was defeated so easily and so quickly. He looked back at the girls, to the exhausted Sneasel, and back to them with a now eerie grin. [b]"Well that happened. I guess I should return this now..."[/b] He said, holding the Pokedex out with a loose grip, sauntering over. Well, he was. [b]"Like hell I will!"[/b] Arnold kicked the back of the Sneasel who had a look of complete and utter shock and disbelief, sending it flying forward towards the girls. 

It was all too clear that he was using the Sneasel as a distraction as he quickly turned tail and dashed. He knew what would happen if he got close to them and he was sure as hell that he was not going to get caught. 

Freya ran towards the Sneasel and knelt down to check the wound. She turned to Steph and yelled out, [color=ed145b]"Don't let him get away!"[/color]