Amber Pine
Outside Mesalon Pokecentre
Amber called to Oscar and Solanna, leaving with Nyxx. She smiled slightly at the feel of the cool air against her face. This peaceful little town would give the group a much-needed chance to relax - and for Amber, the best way to relax was to study Pokemon.
"Seems like most wild Pokemon here will be found in the caves. Though first, maybe we should stop by the mart for some potions..." She trailed off as something caught her attention. A flock of Fletchlings stood perched on a roof, their combined melodious chirps sounding more like an actual song than a mere series of cries.
"Is it alright if I just quickly record this?" Amber asked Nyxx.
"It won't take long. This might provide insight into how they communicate." Sitting on a bench, she dug out her Pokegear and set up the camera function.
Chal let out a mildly exasperated "Kabu-to." Trust Amber to get sidetracked. Noticing something his trainer hadn't, he gave a harsher, warning cry. Aeshna darted over, hovering next to Amber.
The researcher stopped filming, glancing over in surprise to see a small, grey-brown dog sniffing and nipping at one of the pockets of her bag. It could obviously smell Pokefood.
"Nice try, but that's not yours," Amber told it. The Pokemon backed away with a whimper, its blue eyes wide.
"Ruff! Rockruff!" it whined.
That was when Amber saw just how skinny this Rockruff was, its ribs showing. Was this an abandoned stray?
"Ohh! I'm sorry. Here, you could do with a good meal." Amber gave it some of the Pokefood, which it gobbled down. Giving a happy yip, it put its front paws back up on the bench.
"Well, I've fed you, so I guess that's it," Amber said with a soft laugh.
"You've adopted me, haven't you?" The Rockruff yipped again, playfully headbutting Amber's hand.
"There's just one thing to do now, huh?" She petted the stray and took an empty Pokeball from her belt. The Rockruff pressed it with its nose, disappearing inside the capsule.
Amber checked the newly-added information on her Pokedex. Rockruff, level 9, female.
"Kyra," she said, holding the Pokeball.
"I'll call you Kyra." The name had two meanings. It could mean sun, or it could mean dark. Whichever way the Rockruff evolved later on, the name would fit.
Sophia Danvers
Mesalon Gym
As her footsteps echoed, Sophia felt oddly small inside the huge building. Was she taking on too much? No, of course she wasn't. Before the morning was out, she'd prove her worth as a trainer.
There was just something she needed to do first.
Still in the front room, outside the arena, she crouched down and let out her Pokemon. Alexis' reappearance had reminded Sophia how badly Gothita had reacted after snapping out of that berserk state, and then there had been that fight they'd all ended up involved in. If her Pokemon didn't want to battle just yet, she'd wait. She'd prove herself later.
"Are you all up for a gym battle?" she asked.
"I know yesterday was rough, to put it mildly. So I'll only do this if you're ok with it."Gothita and Purrloin nodded, while Staryu gave a "Hyah!" of agreement, its core brightening.
"Ok then! Let's show everyone how a gym challenge is done!" Standing up, Sophia returned all three Pokemon and, with a proud grin, strode into the arena.
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