(ACE) The STARK Team

((ooc: Regretfully, I will need to skip this turn. Life has decided to pile it on over the past few days.))

    "If yer can't fight, run!" Smith's shout coupled with the thundering of hoofs made Olive tense, immediately burying herself into the thick fur of the Arcanine. Through the dense pelt she could hear the battle, voices shouting urgently at each other coupled with one she couldn't recognize. The Zubat yipped in surprise as the world shook, feeling Sahara stumble and fall.
    "Are you al-" coming up for fresher air the bat instead gagged and choked, lungs invaded by some kind of disgusting smog coupled with smoke and bursts of heat. Quickly she ducked back into the canine's fur, gripping tightly as to not fall out, fighting against the turbulence. She grit her teeth, fearing for her life.
    Suddenly, the Arcanine's body whipped around, lifted into the air by something pulsing with heat and rot, and slammed back down--nearly crushing the Zubat in the process. "Please!" she could hear the strained bark of Sahara, and Olive struggled to not be squished under the combined weights. "Someone get this off me!"
    Angling herself to where the heat emanated from, she hissed. Despite the disgusting miasma that intoxicated her, she opened her jaws, releasing a long Supersonic at the undead in hopes to ward it off. She half-lunged forward at what she thought to be it's face, a dark aura surrounding her as she unleashed an Astonish, hoping that it would flinch her foe.

[OOC: sorry for the bad post, writing this in my quick 10 minute break. ;v; ]

Nikora beamed with pride at the Arcanines praise, feeling her self confidence sky rocket for the first time within this group. Unfortunately, the moment had to be cut short as she noticed the sickening plume of gas enfulling the others as well as fire raining down from above. But George doesnt have Flash Fire! Shock rooting her to the spot the Growlithe hardly noticed Sahara's voice. "I wonder how fare the others?" Swallowing dryly, her throat burning painfully, Nikora felt almost like she was in a trance as she stared blankly at the thick cloud of dangerous air. I should be doing something.. I need to do something for them, for George! Her body moving on its own Nikora took two great strides forward before she heard, "Please! Someone get this off me!"

Paws coming to a halt, the gas already seeping into her lungs and causing them to burn feverishly, Nikora had to make a choice. She couldn't abandon George again but.. but she had been helping the Arcanine, and now she was abandoning her! Forcing her worry for her mate to the back of her mind Nikora took off back toward the Arcanine. Leaping forward with all her might the Growlithe slammed her body against the undead creatures head, her jaws clamping around the broken areas of skull. Sahara's force had done the brunt of the work and now the bones cracked under the smaller canines fangs, putrid fluid pouring from the spot. Putting all her might into the Bite attack Nikora prayed it made the camel move instead of kill it on top of her kin.
One of her ears lifted, eyes flashing wide open at a disturbance. Something was wrong. All sound around her seemed to suddenly echo and distort into white noise, her vision starting to go fuzzy. The Camerupt bellowed but all she heard was a low hum. Despite her Confusion the word attack seemed to sing to her mind, keeping the canines jaw locked in place through her body felt numb and hung limping from the undeads head. Attack.. attack..

George yelped in both shock and pain as the ground shook beneath his paws and fire rained down above. The scent of burning fur hissed around him as multiple stones struck his pelt and hurt his body. Toppling over and scurrying to his paws multiple times the Growlithe finally managed to stay standing once the earth stood still. Shaking the sizzling embers from his orange pelt he was gasping for air already. George's head felt heavy, his thoughts growling slow in the sickening gas. Geez, we just waned away from the flames.. Shaking his head out, though it might of made the feeling worse instead of better, the Growlithe looked for the Pokemon that was causing the discomfort. I feel like Im on fire.. worse then when I was in the fire. Hazy vision sweeping through the thick smog the first shape that came to view was that of the Camerupt.

Launching himself toward it the canine engulfed his body in flames. An odd feeling of pain swarmed over his body but the confused pup did not stop until he slammed against the fallen Camel. His fire extinguishing almost instantly and the hard bodied camel caused George recoil back to the ground barking in pain. His lungs felt like he was breathing in shards of glass, bouts of coughing wrecking his trembling body. The hell was happening to him?! His paws scrabbled and scrapped at the earth in his panic, clouds of dirt and dust flying up and mingling with the dark air. Burrowing his muzzle into his scarf for even a slight bit of sanctuary George desperately tried to quell the pain that raced inside him.  
Stinging eyes squeezed shut, nose in the black fabric, the disorientated canine felt utterly blind to his surroundings. A deep growl sounded in his one ear as the Camperupt regained its footing beside him. George tried to run but got nowhere before the undead slammed against him, sending the pup skidding across the ground.

As the Arcanine struggled underneath the behemoth, she was becoming increasingly aware of how futile it was. Nobody was going to save her. She was paying the price for her sins. The pressure on her body restricted her breathing and she began choking for air. The Camerupt was snapping it's teeth at the suffocating canine, longing after a bite of her tender flesh.

Her eyes slid shut and she stopped fighting back. She deserved this. She was ready to accept death at this beast's hands.

In an instant, all the weight lifted off Sahara. She snapped her eyes open and gasped, breathing hoarse and burning from the gas, but breathing nonetheless. She rolled to her paws and looked around. Being so low, she could see the feet of her comrades in the fierce struggle through the gas. She took in a deep breath and pushed herself to her paws. Who saved her?

She stood on trembling paws as pain racked her body, starting in her chest. Sahara refused to let a whimper escape her, she wouldn't show any more weakness than she had already. No way.
After she gathered her thoughts, she realized there was still a very real threat looming. She snapped her attention towards the Camerupt who had put her in this state, and was utterly shocked at the sight.

Olive and Nikora. They had saved her.

Sahara stared blankly at the duo... They really had saved her, didn't they? Her jaw slightly fell open as she contemplated why they would help an outcast mutt like herself. Surprise had dulled the pain she felt following each inhale.
I won't let them down, too.

Sahara could feel emotions swirling around as she stalked towards the Camerupt, waiting to back up the others the moment she needed to.

Smoke, fire, and the enclosing walls of the cave were all that Katyusha could recognize in her reality. Everything was happening so fast beneath the haze of poisonous gas and flames. Sahara's cry for help roused the ninetales to leap to her aid, but she soon found herself lost in the shuffle. In the midst of battle the fire-type caught a glimpse of the female growlithe lunging for a camerupt that had the arcanine in a bad position. Bunching up her hind legs she leaps forward in an attempt to help, but ends up getting hit by something or someone and is sent sideways into an alternate passageway. With the smog still coating her eyes, filling it with stingy tears at the irritate the ninetales charges forward intending to rejoin the fight once again, but accidentally running in the opposite direction deeper into the cave.

Smoke reaches the swoobat's nostrils, filling it with a distrubingly familiar stench...burning fur, burning flesh...his recent failure. A few others have started to rouse around him. Some fleeing to and for. Lost in instinct Zephyr charges towards fresh air wanting to stay far, far away from the death that will surely await him in the other direction...


((ooc: It's been fun guys! However, I will be taking my leave.))

    Her grip tightened on the canine's fur as she managed to gt back on her feet, the bat slowly crawling through the fire-type's thick pelt and latching onto the back of her neck. "You okay?" she asked, wheezing at the noxious gas and thick smog. "I'm not really a good fighter but," she coughed, gagging at the miasma. "-but whenever you need it, just tell me the word and I can send a Supersonic out,"
    Beneath her she could feel the movement of muscles, the Arcanine beginning to lumber towards the Camerupt. The Zubat managed a grin, slowly becoming accustomed to the thick gases around her. "Let's get 'em!"

[OOC: sorry for the short post! having a hard time writing for olive fdukshfd]

Nikora felt as though she falling, falling down a long cliff into nothingness. Her paws scrabbled hard at the side of the Camerupts head, blood beginning to well between her clawed paws. I don't want to fall! She screamed out in her mind, jaws too full to even make a sound. As the camel moved the Growlithe felt her body swaying, rocking back and forth and threatening to throw her off with each lumbering step. It seemed to of had enough as it shook its mighty head and, though she fought desperately for grip, tossed the Puppy Pokemon to the ground. Hitting it with a hard thud it only made the confused pup even more disorientated as she kicked and flailed, her paws unable to find the ground she lay on. With a soft groan she blinked her pale brown eyes only to find the world spinning around her.

It let up for a moment, just long enough for the canine to find her footing once more and stand on wobbly legs. She could see the Camerupt still, its discolored body seemingly clear compared to everything else, and a sense of urgency came over her. She had to attack! There was danger present and she was simply standing there. Attack. Attack! With a vicious bark Nikora blinked her stinging eyes before spitting an Ember as the undead. They barely seemed to faze the Pokemon, a few strands of its course fur were sizzling but didn't even get a passing glance. Swaying on her paws the Growlithe struggled to stay standing, the pounding feeling in her head becoming too much to bear.

George whined in pain, his paws clamping the scarf tightly over his muzzle to further the air restriction. However, he felt he couldn't breathe in general now instead of just due to the gas. A loud below sounded nearby and again the pup tried to flee from the danger. By his luck the Camerupt didn't trample him but George did however smack himself face first into a stone. "Bloody hell." He wheezed before starting another bout of coughing.  Im out.. I can't fight under dreadful conditions like this crap.

Stumbling forward the male made his way along the cliff face, looking for anywhere to shelter himself. Through watery eyes he managed to spot a cave entrance and slowly scrambled his way into him. Coughing even harder the Growlithe kept his body close to the ground all his energy sapped away.  I dont think I even contributed to the battle.. He didn't care though. He didn't think he could help even if he wanted to.

A sound whispered from behind him, an eery sound that send a shiver through the pups orange pelt. He looked himself only to see the foggy shape of two red eyes staring at him.

It was working ... so far. A ring of light rippled over Jude's body from head to toe, his new illusion folding over the last one. He now took the form of a Milotic, tossing his graceful head from side to side as the startled Weezing looked on. The Zoroark grinned from behind his facade; clearly this guy had never met one of his kind before. As the Milotic disappeared and a Dragonair took its place, the gas creeping from the Weezing's small craters scattered around its body began to fizzle out. The distraction was working, and the superheated air began to cool down. Jude knew, however, that this wouldn't last for long - while it was still occupied, he needed to attack.

Bursting out of his illusion, Jude unleashed a Fury Swipes at the Weezing, repeatedly slashing its face as it repeatedly failed to fight back. One last swipe sent it reeling back into a rock, the unconscious Poison-type falling to the ground and lying motionless in the warm ash.

"OK, good boy," Jude muttered to himself, confident that the Weezing wouldn't be a problem for the moment. "Now ... the others..." He turned back and squinted through the fading mist, trying to catch a glimpse of the others.

A sick, dull crunch made Jude's spine shiver; he crept forward to see the Aggron holding his Camerupt by the head, its crushed skull seeping with blood and brain matter from the cracks. Immediately turning away, Jude held back the vomit rising in his throat. He'd have to reserve his admiration of the Aggron's strength for later, when he wasn't in danger of throwing up on him.

"ONE DOWN!" Smith bellowed, hopefully loud enough for the others to hear. He let the beast's body drop to the ground with a splat before eyeing the black fog slowly fading, revealing the others. One of the Camerupt was stalking its way towards George, the pup frozen in terror as he turned to see its burning eyes staring at him.

"RUN, LAD!" Blue rings surrounded Smith's body, forming pointed chunks of rock that orbited him. "GET DOWN!" The stones zoomed at the undead monster, one of them impaling it through the side and shooting out through the other side, ravaging its insides. The creature staggered, its feet tangling in its own intestines. Smith used this opportunity to charge, his tail glowing fiercely in bright, white light. The Iron Tail slammed down hard on the Camerupt's head, crushing it and sending blood and pieces of skull flying. It fell with a crash to the ground.

"THAT'S TWO DOWN!" Smith called, immediately searching for the last one. He found it confronting Sahara, and prepared another Stone Edge just as a rumble from beneath the earth stopped him in his tracks. Something was on its way, and it was pretty damn big.

A tug at her mane reminded Sahara of the Zubat hanging onto her neck. She had nearly forgotten, and an alien feeling of guilt ate at the nearly emotionless dog. Without Olive and Nikora, Sahara would've been fresh-kill for an Undead. She knew she didn't deserve their help. She should've died like Vale.
Just like Vale.
"You okay?" Olive asked. Sahara wasn't feeling so hot, but at least she was alive. "Yeah, thanks to you and that she-Growlithe."

"I'm not really a good fighter but," Sahara perked an ear up to hear Olive over the sounds of battle,  "-but whenever you need it, just tell me the word and I can send a Supersonic out,"
Sahara nodded, "Okay. I appreciate it."
The female Growlithe pup was hanging onto the Camerupt bravely, despite the swinging of the Undead's face. That was a pretty gutsy move. They swung to and fro, until finally the pup was flung to the ground with a thump. "Let's get 'em!"

Sahara jumped forward, landing beside Nikora protectively, uttering a growl toward the Camerupt. She wasn't sure why her mind urged her to act, but she followed her instincts. Nikora rose again and spat an Ember towards the Camerupt, but it did nothing much. Something seemed to be wrong with the smaller Fire-Type. Sahara didn't have time to tell Nikora to take a breather, as the Camerupt neared. She snapped her sapphire gaze toward the orange and purple beast, "Get ready to die."

"THAT'S TWO DOWN!" Sahara's eyes caught Smith through the thinning gas, readying an attack. "I don't need--!" She began to snap, but was stopped dead in her words as something rattled the ground. She was dumbfounded for a moment, but she quickly realized she had no time to worry about that while the Camerupt was alive.

The tiger dog latched her fangs onto the Undead's face sideways, holding on as the beast flailed. Sahara's paws clawed up earth as she tried to gain footing, until finally she caught her feet on a rock, giving her the support she needed to finish this menace off. She pulled down, twisting the zombie's head along with her, then continuing counter-clockwise until an echoing snap rung out and the Camerupt stopped fighting back. It crashed into the ground, head twisted at an unnatural angle.

Sahara backed away from the fresh corpse and sat on her haunches, "And that's three." She couldn't deny it, she was hurting pretty bad now. But more importantly, what the heck was that shaking on the ground earlier? She had a feeling this battle wasn't quite over.

George felt like his head was pounding, the sight before him refusing to registrar. "RUN, LAD!" He can hear the Aggron's voice booming at him, the order probably for his own good but what did he know. Struggling back to his feet the Growlithe forced himself to lop at least a few feet away. Struggling to breathe still George was almost thankful for the next instruction. "GET DOWN!" Instantly he flopped back to the ground and stayed as flat as can be. Noise rumbled in his ears, something was whizzing past him and something else was taking damage. A small ruffle in his fur told the pup his had just missed a projectile by the skin of his teeth.

Nikora wavered lightly on her toes, only vague aware of the Arcanines presence beside her. The Camerupt was still coming, they were all going to be hurt! Her paws refused to listen, remaining in the area they stood. Unable to move for even keep her vision straight the pup let out a series of encouraging barks, hoping that if nothing else she could give her teammates a Helping Hand. With a loud call back and sound of struggle Nikora finally regained control of her paws and managed to stumble backward. Rumbles and growls continued until she heard a sickening snap. Once it went quiet the Arcanine's voice came in rather clearly. "And that's three."

"We did it," She wheezed heavily, breathing as deeply as she could now that the air was beginning to clear. The feeling in her head was starting to fade yet the disorientation was still apparent. She still felt off balance, like she couldn't stand straight. Wait.. No, she wasn't hallucinating, the ground was moving! "What's going on now?" She gasped, practically losing her footing within her Confusion. There.. couldn't possibly be more, could there?

Shaking his own head clear George got back to his paws padded back over to Nikora. Ignoring the rumbling as best he could the canine kept his head down, still feeling awful for no decent enough reason. He grunted, buck up already! "Careful love," He muttered to the female, pressing his face into her shoulder, "Its not over yet." But as he pulled his face away from her he stared deeply into her pale brown eyes. They seemed.. blank. "Nikora?" He asked as the ground shook fiercely, fear lacing his voice.

As the last Camerupt fell to the Arcanine's jaws, Jude could've done a dance of joy. "We did -- we -- wow, we did it!" he beamed, looking around at all his new companions with admiration. "That was -- brilliant! Why, we make such an amazing--"

"Quiet, lad."
"Oh, but--"
"I said quiet!"

Flinching at the Aggron's sharp tone, Jude did as he was told. His ears flicked from one side to another, trying to make out what the Steel-type was hearing. Indeed, there was a distant rumble, like a roll of thunder. Jude tentatively placed all four paws on the ground and concentrated. It seemed that his excitement was short-lived; the ground was trembling.

"What's ... that?"
"I'm not sticking around ter find out," Smith replied, and Jude could've sworn he heard a flicker of panic in the large Pokemon's voice. What did that guy have to be worried about, what with his size and strength? The Zoroark watched as Smith hauled himself around and marched with as much haste as possible with his weight. "Come on, let's mo--"

There was a dreadful, terrifying sound, like the earth was about to crumble, and the ground shook harder than ever. Even Smith was having trouble keeping his balance. "GO!" he bellowed, "GET AWAY FROM--"

There was an explosion of rock, ash and weeds as the Steelix erupted from the ground with a bone-quaking roar. Splotches of red mold and rust coated its steel skin, its burning eyes scorching through its prey. Jude dived out of the way just in time to avoid a swing of its mighty tail. Oh brilliant, this was just brilliant, he thought. Who'd have thought that any joy would last longer than a minute?

"HEAD NORTH!" Smith roared, barely audible as the Steelix let loose another ear-splitting bellow. "I'LL KEEP IT BUSY!"
"What?! But--"
"FUCKING GO!"

This was so very, very bad. No way could that Aggron take that giant down by himself; even though he was strong, that Steelix was well over twice his size. But he could see that Smith was adamant and wasn't going to take no for an answer. Get them all to safety, Jude thought, pulling on his mane anxiously from behind his rock. As long as the others are safe, it'll be OK. Maybe you can come back and help out-- He quickly ducked again as the monster's tail swung above his head again. Well, we'll see...

"Come on, this way!" he called, bounding off northwards towards Stark Mountain.

Sahara flicked an aggravated ear as the somewhat bubbly Zoroark talked rather loudly. If she had to snap off one of his limbs to quiet him, she was tempted, her ever present foul mood worse than usual. Finally, Smith ordered the Dark-Type quiet and the sweet silence was so quickly disturbed, it was nearly non-existent. There was a slight rumble, faint enough that the Arcanine had to strain her ears. Great. Just what the heck was on it's way NOW?

Sahara lowered her frame onto the ground, feeling for whether the quaking was coming closer or moving away. It was difficult to tell, but she was sure that it wasn't leaving. She wasn't a Pokémon to run, but common sense told her hanging around this area was quite a stupid idea. Sahara lifted herself back to her feet with a slight tremble of her weary legs, noticing even the Aggron was making his way outta there. "Come on, let's mo--"
The ground shook with far more force than earlier, nearly sending the Arcanine to the ground again. She steadied herself on her four paws, unnerved by the horrible sound coming from underground. "What the--! What's going--?!"

Faster than Sahara could speak, earth shot up nearly volcanically, dust blinding her eyes and sharp stones cutting her sides unprotected by thick fur. She snapped her sight back just in time to see the Zoroark diving out of the way; A beast that towered over Sahara had slithered from the depths of the ground, looking for blood judging by the hungry eyes and decorated steel covering it's body. "HEAD NORTH! I'LL KEEP IT BUSY!" Smith hollered. The Zoroark began to speak against the idea, but obeyed the Aggron like an abused Poochyena. Sahara could've scoffed. It would take a lot more than one order to get her off the battlefield.

"Come on, this way!" The Zoroark shouted, dashing Northbound.
Sahara was not going. Despite her earlier being roughed up, she was standing against this beast. Common sense be darned, she was going to be stupidly brave forever, and this was no exception.

"Friend of yours, Smith?" Sahara remarked sarcastically.

    Everything was moving fast, the young bat clinging to dear life while sending a couple Supersonics out to where she detected enemies. It wasn't long before she lost hold, yelping as she attempted to fly in the closed area. "Oh god--OH GOD!" she screamed, gasping for air as she furiously flapped her wings, barely staying in the air. Everything was a mixture of sounds, debris raining down near her. She screeched, a stone knocking her wing and flinging her to the ground. She barely got up, confused and fearful.
         "HEAD NORTH! I'LL KEEP IT BUSY!"
         "Come on, this way!"
    Olive cried, confused by the mixture of sounds, she sprang forward, limping as fast as she can to where she believed the second voice was. "W-Wait!! Please wait!" she screamed, stumbling down a path. "I don't want to die!"

[ooc: leaving post!! Olive went through a different path, and got lost in the tunnels. i'll be back one day, but for now, gotta cut down on characters. ;v;]

Worry pained so deep in the male Growlithe's heart he could hardly even feel the rumbling of the ground despite it getting even stronger. Something was very wrong with Nikora, she would never give such a blank stare at a time like this! "Hey are you fe-" He was cut off as the violent shaking became too much to ignore. Thrown to the ground yet again his heart felt like it was going to burst as Nikora whined, obviously not expecting the shake. She toppled and rolled over sideways, paws flailing in fright through it did nothing to right her. Though he tried to scramble his way closer to her pain shot through the males legs, the shaking seeming to more into his body and quake deep in his bones. As the giant metal monster erupted from the ground George pushed with all his might, plopping himself next to the female and quickly shielding her from any debris that may of come their way.

"HEAD NORTH! I'LL KEEP IT BUSY!" "What?! But--" "FUCKING GO!" Well this wasn't good at all. Limbs still trembling the pup carefully found his footing, regaining himself and his poise. Their was no time to lose and as soon as he felt sturdy on all four paws George pushed Nikora back up onto her feet. "George.." She moaned, the confusion still spinning wildly in her head. "Just relax, I'll get us out of here." He cooed softly though panic shone bright in his blue eyes. The Steelix roared, bashing is one ear with a ringing pain. "Come on, this way!" He hesitated. He couldn't just leave Smith alone with that monster after how poorly he fought but he couldn't leave Nikora again either. Especially not like this. Taking a deep breath the canine looked into Nikora's dull brown eyes again only to see the same distant gaze. You need me right now.. Smith is strong, he can handle himself Feeling resolved George gripped the end of the females scarf in his teeth and gave her a little shove before stepping in front of her and bringing them up to speed with the Zoroark.

Nikora didn't know what to think of the pulling sensation. Each tug away from it only made her gasp and following it hurried her paw steps. Was it George? Her vision was too swamped to to make out shapes even a foot in front of her yet that orange shape had to be George. Let it happen.. Yes, she would be okay, no undead was trying to spirit her away this time. "W-Wait!! Please wait! I don't want to die!" Die? The Growlithe panicked, an Ember quickly shooting from her maw and paws kicking wildly. "No, Nikora relax!" George spat, putting the bulk of his weight into his paws and putting them on her shoulders. The female sagged, refusing to squashed but unable to struggle against it.

Once satisfied that she had relaxed George released the pressure from her shoulders. Once they were safe he would find out what happened.. for now he just had to manage it. Glancing back out of the cave he could see the Arcanine had stayed back to help Smith and silently he thanked her. I would of helped too if I could.. But he wasn't worried, they were strong Pokemon, it would be alright. Grabbing at Nikora's white scarf again the male paused, brow furrowing. "Hey," He questioned, eyes looking left and right, "Where did Katyusha go?"

Well, this had all gone to shit really quickly. For the first time in many years, Smith was actually unsure as to whether he could win this. This Steelix, this massive, undead serpent, was over twice his size. It wasn't very often he was outmatched in that regard. What was more, he was fighting it alone. Yes, he could occupy it while the others made it to his cave, but at what cost? His life? Yes, his opportunity to live through this nightmare to see the other side, to reunite with his mate and, indeed, to meet his child for the first time, was hanging in the balance.

That's why yer have to win. Smith cracked his knuckles with a mighty crunch. He wasn't about to let some giant heap of rust deny him that chance. He was going to give this Steelix the thrashing of a lifetime. He'd live to see his son - there was no doubt about that.

"Friend of yours, Smith?" A horribly familiar voice from Smith's right forced him to turn - Sahara was standing nearby, looking ready to fight. The Aggron could've bashed that stupid bitch's head in if he didn't have bigger problems. "I told yer to go!" he roared as the Steelix raised its tail up high. "There's no way I'm lettin' you-- LOOK OUT!"

Surely enough, the Steelix's tail came slamming downwards, glowing bright white with an Iron Tail attack. Smith countered with one of his own, the two shining tails colliding with a mighty clang. Both attackers recoiled, Smith nearly losing his balance at the force of the collision. This was going to be a difficult battle.

"Fine," he spat at Sahara, watching as the Steelix snarled and prepared another Iron Tail. "But if yer do anythin' that I don't like, I'll kill you too. Got it?"

Yer'd better move," he added, as the Steelix's burning eyes latched onto the Arcanine and swung its glowing tail towards her. Smith prepared a Stone Edge, his mind racing with possible solutions to this fight. I wonder... He eyed the jagged ends of each of his conjured stones. If I went for the skull...?

---

Jude, meanwhile, was quite certain that he'd never ran so fast in his life. The thunderous roars of the Steel-type giant from behind only spurred him on. With each massive bellow, the Zoroark put on a brief burst of speed, bounding forward on all fours towards the cliffs to the north. A cave ... that's what the Aggron said. But where? That line of cliffs went on for a good mile or two across the edge of the ash field. What if he couldn't find it? What if that Steelix killed Smith and Sahara and came after him; snapped him up in its deadly jaws and crunched him up like a Poke-Puff--

That won't happen! A brief shake of his head managed to clear his head of morbid thoughts. He dared to glance behind to see whether he was being followed, and spotted the two Growlithe. The female in particular looked as though she was struggling, being practically dragged along by her male companion. The Steelix, he noticed, was still where it had appeared, and Smith and Sahara were engaging it in battle. Silently pleading Arceus to watch them, Jude looked forward to see that the cliffs were getting closer.

"Come on, keep going! We're nearly there." He narrowed his eyes, trying to spot any sort of gap or crevice. To his unfaltering relief, he soon spotted one, roughly Aggron-sized, just a few metres off to the right. "There it is!"

"Go on, after you." He stood beside the entrance, ushering the two dogs inside before edging in himself. The darkness was somewhat welcoming, the roars of the Steelix now a mere echo as he felt his way along the dusty walls. Once he felt he was in far enough, he stopped, let out a gasp and collapsed onto his front.

"Are you ... both ... OK?" he panted, desperate to get his breath back in case they needed to run again. He thought it strange how only the two Growlithe had followed him - hadn't there been more of them? He could've sworn he saw another Zoroark -- no, a Ninetails? -- and a little Zubat on the back of the Arcanine. Jude's brow furrowed in concern - where had they gone?

"Hey." The male pup's voice echoing off the walls snapped Jude out of his worries. "Where did Katyusha go?" Jude merely shook his head - he had no idea whom he was referring to, since he hadn't been blessed the time to learn names.

"I'm not ... sure whom you're referring to," he said, his face flushing with embarrassment. Why he found this exchange so awkward he wasn't sure. "B-But I'm sure that they'll be fine. Er..." Just stop being an idiot and focus on what matters.

Are you ... are you all right, miss?" His head bent low to the female, his eyes wide with concern. "Maybe you should lie down or something...?"

"I told yer to go!" Well actually, if Sahara remembered correctly, Smith had said something along the lines of the group moving North. Not for her specifically to go. No time for that point to be made though. And chances were, it would just start a war. Sahara was admittedly getting sick of fighting today, though. Now, tomorrow on the other hand... Hmm.

"There's no way I'm lettin' you-- LOOK OUT!" Smith's warning came just in time for Sahara to jump backwards and watch the two behemoths counter each others' Iron Tails. "Look." Sahara began, watching the duo come back from the attacks, "I'm not doing you a favor. I simply refuse to run from some jackass zombie."
"Fine, But if yer do anythin' that I don't like, I'll kill you too. Got it?"

Sahara rolled her eyes, "Riiight." I would rather kill myself with some dignity. She added mentally. "Yer'd better move," Smith advised. Sahara snapped herself out of sassy mode, dropping her body low to the ground as the Steelix's glowing tail brushed over her mane. A small gust of wind flowed through her fur from the move, giving her a graceful appearance despite their grim situation.

She flew back up and shot a Flamethrower towards the Steelix's face. Embers stung it's eyes, but that was pretty much all it did. She growled curses, she was too exhausted to send a Flamethrower high enough to reach it's face. Fire roared around Sahara for her Flame Wheel, the hound dashing forward and crashing into the Steelix. It sent a tremble ripple effecting through it's body, Sahara back-stepping so it couldn't swing it's tail at her again.

I must get closer to it's face...

George tugged a bit harder on the scarf between his teeth. It was one thing to hurry the pair along but he couldn't stand the idea of losing Nikora in the dark of these caves. Whatever had happened, to add the darkness and being alone, the thought terrified him. Regardless, he pulled a little bit more until the dim shape of the Zoroark came to a stop. Halting himself the male pressed close to the female, their orange colored fur mingling together as he released the fabric and took deep breathes. Normally, caves had a damp, dank taste to the air but this one.. it was dry and hot, not much different then that outside aside from being a bit cleaner.

Licking the side of Nikora's face gently the male Growlithe looked away as the Zoroark answered him. "I'm not ... sure whom you're referring to," A hint of worry sparkled in his blue eyes. "It was the grey Ninetales with us. She looked a lot like you, actually." Hell, he would of thought them the same Pokemon had the dark type not been male. He inhaled deeply. The fellow fire type had been a good acquaintance though they didn't know each other long. Its not everyday someone risks their life helping someone they didn't even know. "B-But I'm sure that they'll be fine. Er..." George flicked his one ear, forcing a smile to cross his muzzle. "Yeah, probably.." He muttered before continuing to groom Nikora with soft, soothing strokes.

Nikora's head was pounding. She was walking in a fog, a dark, hot fog. Only the gentle feeling of George's touch was keeping her calm at this point. Something deep in her head still shouted at her to attack.. Are you ... are you all right, miss?" The voice was so close, she had to screw her eyes so they could focus on the face before her. The eyes were blue but they didn't look like George's. The voice didn't sound like George either but it did seem to be directed at her. Or so she thought. "M-my head.." She groans, feeling her pas sway at the thought. "Maybe you should lie down or something...?" Almost on cue the female's knees buckles and she binds before laying on the ground. Though her eyes are squeezed closed she can feel George wrap around her and continue growing her fur. An essence of calm washes over her, speech slowly becoming easier. "My ears are ringing.. Supersonic.."

Georges ear fell as relief washed over him. "Ah, that makes sense, you're just suffering from confusion. It'll go away soon, I promise." He whispers to her softly, pressing his muzzle beneath her cheek. She was just Confused. Not that that was a good thing, but there was so many worse things that it could of been he would gladly take confusion. You'll be fine. Tail wagging he looked to the Zoroark, straining to properly see the dark furred creature in the cave. "I don't think I caught you name," He said smiling. "My names George, and this is Nikora."
The darkness of the cave is uncomfortable. Even within its safety the Growlithe can feel the rumbling of the ground as the Steelix raged outside. Maybe they should move further.. no, not yet. "Sure is dark in here.." He mutters softly, wondering is there was anything flammable within this cave.

Smith's fired his Stone Edge attack with a loud cry of effort, the jagged rocks shooting towards what he hoped would be the Steelix's head. But the creature was simply too tall for the attack's range, and the stones barely left a dent in the solid skin on its front. He knew that his attack wouldn't be very effective, but experience had told him that even the worst combination of attack would at least have some effect on the undead if there was an impact to the head. The beast was getting a pummeling from Sahara, her Flame Wheel attack actually managing to stagger it.

"Keep it up," he advised her, watching the Steelix as it suddenly reared back its head. "These things hate fire." He could see a blue energy building up in the back of its decaying throat, and it released the Dragonbreath attack with a mighty bellow. The blast of air nearly shook Smith off his feet, the Aggron plunging both fists into the ground to try and stay standing.

"Yer hit?" he asked Sahara once the attack had ceased. It stung a little, but at least he didn't seemed to paralysed. "We need to try and get it ter lower its head. Keep up those fire attacks," he ordered, charging at the behemoth and delivering an Iron Tail of his own to its belly. All the while he watched the Steelix's head, waiting for it to lower its head and try to bite him. Instead, it started to charge another Dragonbreath attack. "Here comes another one. Brace yerself!"

---

Ah. It was just Confusion. Jude sat back on his haunches, a relieved smile softening his face. As her companion said, it would go away soon. The Zoroark took this time to have a quick look around, not that there was much to see. Just a long, dark tunnel on either side of them. Most caves he had been in had been damp, but this one looked and smelled like it hadn't seen a drop of water in years. The dry air tickled the back of Jude's throat, and he hacked out a cough just as the Growlithe introduced himself and his friend. Or was it sister? Mate? He wasn't too sure.

"Ack! Excuse me," he grinned, thumping his throat. "My name is Jude. It's a pleasure." Jude flinched as a sudden clap of thunder boomed from outside, his ears flattening against his head. "Sounds like that storm hasn't moved away after all," he said, scratching the side of his face. "Won't be long until it starts to rain ... b-but I'm sure that those other two will be able to handle it, right...?"

He grew silent, listening as the thunder subsided. He turned his nose towards where they'd entered, the unmistakable scent of rain wafting in. He pulled on his ear nervously - what if it got so bad out there that Smith and Sahara couldn't see properly? They'd lose the battle, get killed and then the Steelix would burrow back underground and come hunting for them as well, snapping them up in its jaw as it burst out from underneath them-- Now that is enough!

"Sure is dark in here..." George muttered from his space next to Nikora. "Yes ... You two are Fire-types, right? Shame we have nothing we could-- hang on a second!" He had remembered running past a fallen dead tree on the way in here - maybe they could use one of its branches as a torch.

"Wait here a moment." Jude bounded off back the way he had come, skidding to a halt at the cave entrance. The battle still raged in the distance, flashed of fire and thunderous roars still heard over the hiss of the rain. Cautiously, Jude edged his way towards the tree, snapping off one of the branches in his mouth. He ran back inside, jumping as a flash of lightning lit up the black sky, and held out the branch to the two Growlithe.

"It's a bit damp but ... at least we know it won't just burn up," he said with a shrug. "Might as well try it."

Sahara spat an aggravated breath of fire from her nose, murmuring choice words for the Steelix. She was hoping to whatever higher power that existed, that Smith would be able to Stone Edge this mofo into oblivion. She concluded gods did not exist - She watched as Smith's move did little more than dent the steel hide protecting the serpent. What now?
"Keep it up," Sahara glanced to Smith as he spoke, "These things hate fire."

"Yes, well, as a Fire-Type, I am also not fond of these creeps." She stated flatly, watching the Undead prepare some move that would surely not be something beneficial for the duo; Of course these guys didn't know Heal Pulse or something. Jerks.
The Steelix gave an ear pounding roar and shot a wave of power at them. Sahara hunkered her large body down as the wave hit, nearly losing her footing. She looked to her comrade to make sure he was still standing. "Yer hit?" Smith asked.

She lifted herself back up, "I will not die, at least." Smith moved to deal an Iron Tail to the Steelix, "We need to try and get it ter lower its head. Keep up those fire attacks," Sahara was on her toes instantly with a Flamethrower rushing toward the Undead beast. Fire collided against it's rusty plating, leaving a dull orange glow for a moment after the fire died. Sahara noticed, the beginnings of an idea forming in her mind.

"Here comes another one. Brace yerself!" Smith's voice broke her out of her thoughts. She rose her eyes to see the blue wave of energy crash into her, sweeping her to the ground in a heap of orange fur. The tiger dog tried standing, but her limbs remained sprawled out under her as she laid quaking on the ground. "I-It..." She stuttered with the added effect of Dragonbreath, "paralyzed me..."

She must've looked akin to a helpless pup needing be protected. She had a moment to think while she was incapable of moving, her idea blooming in her mind, "What if... I weaken the steel with fire, and you attack it?" She slowly rose up to her haunches with teeth showing dangerously, "Perhaps that will get a reaction."

Nikora focused as best she could on the two males around her. Their conversation was a strain to listen to but the longer she kept at it the clearer it became. I'll take a headache over this any day. Between the rhythmic licks and gentle words the Growlithe found herself relaxing despite the fact they had huddled in a spooky dark cave. The battle of her friends raging outside, what little she had contributed earlier, and the attention needed to listen to Jude on top of it was enough to lull the exhausted pup into a doze. If she could just close her eyes for a few minutes she would feel so much better. If she could just manage to get some rest..

"Yes ... You two are Fire-types, right? Shame we have nothing we could-- hang on a second!" George grinned causally. His own typing was always a second nature thing, just kind of there, but the pup always adored the fact he was a fire hound. 'Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war.' Where had he heard that quote from? The elder of the clan maybe? He didn't exactly know what it meant but it just made the Growlithe boast with pride, his fur fluffing out. "Wait here a moment." George chuckled, tail wagging as he placed his head on top of Nikora's. "No rush." He cooed, letting her soft fur tickle him. After living in a cave so long he had grown rather accustomed to the dark and stony surroundings.
This cave wasn't much different, no, it was the fact this cave was unfamiliar and that undead were already lurking that made him want the light. Yet his muscles had eased and his mind was calm. Once Smith made his way in this cave could easily feel like the last he had lived in, that is, if all the heat was replaced with water. Yeah.. things might even become homey.

The females ears twitched at the sounds coming from outside. What was happening in the battle? A low hum echoed, what could it be? A loud crash sent a shiver down the pups spine, taunting her brown eyes back open. "It's a bit damp but ... at least we know it won't just burn up," Letting her vision come into focus and adjust to the darkness Nikora could see the faint outline of what looked like a.. branch? held by the Zoroark. Did he say damp? She blinked. Hadn't that rain just been the faintest drizzle? Guess it picked back up. Well, a little rain never hurt nobody and after all that heat it might help. Help it get humid, haha. "Might as well try it." George rose to his paws and stretched for a moment. "Wont hurt nothing." He looked at the stick for a moment before readying himself. "You might want to hold it away from you a bit."

With a flick of his head the black-scarfed Growlithe spat a stream of burning embers at the branch, trying to aim at one particular spot. Hopefully, it was one of the drier places but he could not tell with only the orange light of his fire to go on. Nikora perked beside him, yelping encouragingly and stamping her paws in a positive banter. She is feeling better! The very idea allowed him to kick up an extra large Ember and, with a loud crack, George watched as the smoldering stick grew a weak flame. "Well look at that!" He cheered, "I guess it wasn't too wet to work." The light might not of been much but it was better then sitting in the dark. He pressed closer to Nikora, the light returned to her eyes, but as another rumble from outside echoed in his good ear the canine cast a glance back at the entrance. "Should we, go further in?"

Smith ducked as the Dragonbreath attack almost seemed as though it would aim for him, but as it fired the Steelix twisted its head round to Sahara and engulfed her in blue flames. The Arcanine was sent sprawling backwards, and Smith would've thought it funny if she wasn't the key to killing this damn thing. Save it for later, he firmly told himself, standing up and calling to the fallen hound, "Y'all right?"

"I-It...paralyzed me..."
"Aww, shit." Just his luck. Now what? Was he expected to be able to overpower this giant on more than one consecutive occasion? That last successful time with the Iron Tail was just a one-off, he was sure - this Steelix was looking more and more pissed off by the second, and Smith knew he needed to get rid of it before it pulled out something much worse. He didn't want to know how much damage an Earthquake would do to them.

But he racked his brains for the moves that it had used so far. Let's see ... Iron Tail and ... Dragonbreath. Hopefully it was a wild Steelix and didn't know such moves. If he could learn its moveset and find ways to counter each attack--

No fuckin' TIME for that! He got ready to retaliate as the Steelix swung its tail once more, raking it with a Dragon Claw as it got close. The recoil once more almost sent him reeling off his feet. Although outmatched in size, clearly strength was on almost equal footing between him and the giant. Perhaps this Steelix, if his theory about it being wild was true, wasn't quite as skilled as he was. Least that's one thing ter thank the Galactics for.

"What if... I weaken the steel with fire, and you attack it?" Sahara suggested weakly, trying to get upright again. "Perhaps that will get a reaction."
"Yer can try it," Smith grunted, narrowly avoiding a tail slam from the Steelix that left a split in the earth. "But yer need to hurry it up!" Another Stone Edge began to form around him, Smith's eyes narrowing as he aimed towards the head again, hoping that Sahara's attack would prompt it to lower it ... and that the sudden gusts of wind and rain didn't throw off their aim.

---

"Wont hurt nothing," George replied as he got up and stretched. "You might want to hold it away from you a bit." Jude nodded and held the branch to the side at arm's length. The Growlithe then spat bright little embers from his mouth, and surely enough a small flame flickered to life. "Well look at that! I guess it wasn't too wet to work."

"That's great!" Jude smiled as he held the torch aloft, relived that it indeed helped to illuminate the gloomy corridors. "Much better! Not too fond of the dark myself. Odd for a Dark-type Pokemon, indeed, but ... y'know." He crept a few feet further in, examining the walls. Rather than the regular smooth walls of most caves, these were rather ragged and uneven. Jude even swore that he noticed claw marks raking them.

"I wonder if that Aggron outside dug this cave?" he wondered aloud, pausing to give the flame a little blow to intensify it. "Very impressive, really." He gazed into the blackness of the interior, not sure what awaited beyond. Would undead really choose a mountain to inhabit, or did they prefer cities? He hoped the former.

"Should we, go further in?" George queried, mirroring his own thoughts. "I don't know," Jude replied, wiping some dust off his chest. "I don't want us to end up getting lost or anything. Plus the other two out there - if they come looking for us..." A sharp gust of wind came blowing in from the entrance around the corner, and Jude had to quickly shield the flame on his torch. "Storm sounds pretty bad ... Maybe just a little bit further in, yes?" He began to hop forward on three legs, his fourth holding the torch high, illuminating the dusty path. "Don't want to catch a cold or anything ... heh."

The falling rain shot down against Sahara's orange pelt, each cold drop stinging more than the last. Her limbs felt like they weighed tons, and she feared if she went down again, she wouldn't be able to get back up. "Yer can try it," Smith replied to her idea, "But yer need to hurry it up!"

She staggered up, taking an inhale for preparing a Flamethrower. Sahara broke into a sharp cough, spatting out weak embers of fire. Smith was already preparing a Stone Edge for the Undead, which meant it was Sahara's cue to move.
She exhaled a breath of flames towards the Steelix, but the wind faulted them. What should I do? She wondered as the wind redirected the fire away from the Steelix.

The wind... She stopped for a moment to stare at her fur. She noted the direction the cream colored fur blew, giving her another idea. As quickly as her paralyzed form could carry her, she stalked upwind. The Steelix turned to face her, and as it did, she released a fire storm at it. The flames were guided by the wind and this time, she seared into it's rusty steel plating, leaving it vulnerable for attack.

"Now, Smith!" She shouted over the enraged roars of the Steelix, as it prepared an Iron Tail for her.

((OoC - Feel free to choose where Sahara burnt the Steelix and/or help her. :3))

George's tail wagged gleefully at the light. Something was better then nothing and in unfamiliar territory like this the little torch was definitely something. "Much better! Not too fond of the dark myself. Odd for a Dark-type Pokemon, indeed, but ... y'know." A Dark Type, huh? The Growlithe honestly didn't know what species Jude was though he probably could of inferred his typing had he been inclined. Pushing his muzzle into Nikora's cheek again his one ear twitched at the Zoroark's voice. "I wonder if that Aggron outside dug this cave?" He shrugged with a grin. "I think he said something about digging a tunnel. But I thought he meant, you know, in the ground. Not through the mountain." Padding closer to the rocky walls George squinted at its rough surface as he ran one clawed-paw down it. "Very impressive, really." Its jagged surface wasn't even fazed by his thick claws. "No kidding." Steel Types were strong, sure, but this was something else entirely.  

Nikora was already making her way to her paws, taking it slow as not to stumble or lose balance from her aching head. There was a look in George's blue eyes, a mix of worry and pride, that helped to keep her legs strong. He believed in her. "I don't want us to end up getting lost or anything. Plus the other two out there - if they come looking for us..." Peering through the dimly lit tunnel as best she could the female swore she didn't see any branches to it. At least, not close by.  "Storm sounds pretty bad ... Maybe just a little bit further in, yes?" The sharp breeze was rather welcomed to her thick, hot pelt though it was still a bit surprising. Giving herself a shake the canine smiled at Jude, "I don't think we're gonna get lost in here if its just one path." Padding past the Zoroark she sniffed at the dusty air. How far did this tunnel go? Did it widen out later or brighten at all? Why did he dig it in the first place? Her ears twitched at the sounds of the battle raging just outside. Will I ever have a chance to ask? She'd rather not think about that.

Following the others George stepped along, guided by the orangish glow on his companions and surroundings from the little flame. "If we hit a fork we could stop I guess. Or maybe we could do something to mark which way we went." If Smith really did dig these tunnels maybe he would be familiar with them enough to notice something odd. Maybe. Pops doesn't seem like the brightest though. For the Aggron to notice something it'd have to be painfully obvious. He chuckled to himself, stopping for a moment to scratch behind his one ear. "Ether that, or it could lead us back to safety if we bump into trouble." However, the canine doubted his own idea, they had nothing to mark the way with and it would be dark when the others came in. "Lets just hope that battle isn't too serious."

((Nngh ... I'll skip for now I'm afraid but I'll give a brief summary so we don't grind to a halt, lol:

Smith launched a hastily-aimed Stone Edge at the Steelix's damaged hide, one of the stones jamming it's way in and injuring it. It thrashes it's head and roars, launching itself at Smith and trying to bite him. While it's guard is down, Smith slashes at it's face with Dragon Claw, destroying its left eye. While the beast flails and bleeds [its head dipping halfway down to the ground] Smith tells Sahara to aim her fire at its other eye, hoping to blind it completely.

Jude decides to snap off little pieces of wood from the bottom of his torch to mark the path every few metres. The path starts sloping upwards but Jude abruptly stops and tells George and Nikora to be quiet, worried that there may be Zubat ahead.))

Paralysis caused Sahara's paws to be heavy as stone. She couldn't get them in motion fast enough and braced herself for the coming move, knowing she was going to be critically injured or even killed in seconds. At least, the Steelix had better hoped she would be, otherwise there'd be the wrath of the tiger dog to pay.
The move never came, and a horrid roar echoed instead. Sahara looked from the Steelix to Smith and back, realizing her comrade, if only a temporary one, had placed a Stone Edge in the foe. Whether he had meant to or not, she had been saved by the Aggron.

The Undead lashed around and gave another cry of rage, throwing it's head down after Smith. "Watch it!" She yelled, heaving herself up onto her feet. Sahara darn well wasn't Smith's greatest admirer, but nothing good would come of this. Before she could send a Flamethrower to Smith's aid, the Aggron eliminated the beast's left eye with a Dragon Claw. Black blood spurted from the eye socket and it foolishly let down it's defenses.

Adrenaline ran strong in the Fire-type as Smith ordered a Flamethrower towards the Steelix's right eye, giving her the power she needed to help end this monster's rampage. Sahara threw a massive heap of flames towards it's eye, the singeing flames boiling it's eye into oblivion.
She ceased the move and smirked devilishly as she watched the Steelix recoil and thrash, trying to ease the burning pain. She had finished her part.

"At best, it can only see bleeding colors now, if anything." She murmured, watching it swing it's tail around their right, missing them painfully. Sahara snorted, "But it can obviously still hear us. Any ideas on how shall we finish it?"