(ACE) The FARAWAY Team

Rokai's gaze traveled over their small group, and though he didn't realise it, he was shaking. His legs trembled, though for what reason, he couldn't pick. "Well said." He looked over towards Javolt, then to Lone, who had puffed up like a pidgey they had been given praise for taking flight for the first time. "I'm so sorry, Lone, that you had to endure that," In a way, so was Rokai. None of their lives would be on the line now if that was the case. "Yeah, me too." Rokai clicked his tongue, making a 'tch' sound. With a deep sigh, he stood tall, with only the roll of his shoulders making him hunch.

"You trying to blame someone else?" Rokai almost flinched when Lone snapped at him for his comment on what may of actually killed the phanteon. "Why would I? It seems we know who did it anyway." He mumbled under his breath, gaze dropping away from Lone's red one to look back to Javolt. "You speak like you know how you died. So certainly you must know who did it!" Tilting his head, Rokai looked back at Katyusha, allowing himself a small smile. Kat' wouldn't let Javolt kill anyone. "I have my suspicions." His smile dropped, and his eyes dragged themselves back to look over at Javolt and Lone. "Are you badgering the witness?"

Rokai winced slightly at the Manectric's tone, averting his gaze to the gold badge on his collar. "I have my main suspects then. Abby, take the Eevee and see if you can find some food. This looks like it may be a long interrogation. It may be dangerous so don't go too far and keep an eye out for danger. If you feel threatened or find any new evidence return immediately, I don't want to see you injured. If you're not back by noon I will come to find you but be warned," The fire hound stiffened, subconsiously stepping closer to TinyDragon for both his own comfort and the vaporeons.

"I will take attempting to flee as an admission of guilt." Dear Darkrai, were they actually on trial for an execution? Rokai's eyes widened, but he forced himself to keep calm. There was no point in arguing, lest the Electric type round on him. This is ridiculous... He thought bitterly.

"Inspector, make sure TinyDragon can see your mouth when speaking to her. Her hearing is either severely damaged or gone." With a surprised glance at Abby, Rokai's eyes widened, before shaking his head to clear his thoughts and smiling at the togetic. "S-s-sor-ry" He glanced down at TD, who had shuffled closer to him. A part of his pride glowed at the trust that the vaporeon had in him, while the other part was worried if the manectric would take advantage of that fact. "D.. No no It's okay." Once more, Rokai's emerald gaze dragged down to TD, before shifting to glare at his ashen colored paws. "I-I was born deaf," Rokai's glare turned to bore into a wall just off Lone's shoulder.

"But I wead lips, its dalwight."
"Deaf?"

This time Rokai shifted the glare to Lone, his emerald eyes narrowing. The hound however, kept his jaws firmly shut. His teeth grated against one another, distracting the fire hound from speaking out something that he probably shouldn't. "Well then." He took in a deep breath, calming himself down. He held the breath for a few seconds, before exhaling through his mouth, a puff of smoke following the rush of air.

"Lone, I'm relying on your testimony. Give me an account of events as detailed as you can make it and I'll see if we can't find your murderer." Finding a testimony would be all good, they could find the killer easily, except Rokai was pretty sure Lone's would be full of unfair holes.

"Well, we were headed toward this cave," Rokai sat down, yawning as he settled to listen to what Lone thought happened.

"Er.. I was with Lotta, a Gible, and.. Crane.. a sick.. Fearrow.." Rokai frowned. Crane... Was that the name of that large fearow? "I think there was a.. human, and a Zorark but only for a second.." He hadn't seen a Zoroark and Human, so possibly they had gone before he came in?

"We were looking for this cave, Lotta's cave, when a bunch of undead attacked us. Linoone to be exact, and in that clearing you found me in. Things instantly went to chaos, attacks everywhere, screaming, blood, and Rokai appeared during the fighting." Rokai returned Lone's glare, before he returned his gaze back to the wall above Javolt's head. "I took a few hits but something hit me so hard at the end.. and it was after all the Linoone were dead so there was no reason for it. I was blacking out but I know Crane was gone by then, and I could hear Lotta fighting with Rokai.. She was protecting me.."

Rokai clenched his teeth so hard that his gums started bleeding. "She threw the first attack, I was defending myself." He mumbled, diverting his gaze.

"I... they were fighting and I was.. taken away from them. I thought I was dying, well, I was dying.. It was just leaves.. blurry leaves.. There were teeth around my throat and I couldn't breathe.. and so much... pain. So much pain I could.." Rokai took a breath, almost gagging at the iron tang that followed the blood that pooled in his mouth from his gums. "All I could see was her face." Rokai glared at Lone as the Phanteon glared at TD.

"Something was touching me and.. it was just dark.. her face and dark."
"....I died."

As much as Rokai wanted to pity the Phanteon, all he could see was Lone gripping onto TD's fin with a malicious glare in his eyes. "She was there when I came too. The Houndoom too, and the Ninetales." With a heavy sigh, the Houndoom glared at the ceiling. "We went through this when we first talked to you Lone." His voice was muffled as he muttered the words to himself, his gaze travelling down to the floor in front of Javolt.

"Are you badgering the witness?" Katyusha's jaw clenches together more tightly. It was logical, to side with the victim of the scenario. After all, he had died. However...in this case, the victim was Lone and she certainly wouldn't put lying about his killer knowingly past him. For the moment, all she can do is listen anxiously as the manetric begins his speech. Her multiple tails twitching behind her. Glancing over at Rokai and TinyDragon, the ninetales notes that neither of them look particularly happy about the situation either.


"I will take attempting to flee as an admission of guilt." So then the old dog really meant it. He was going to put them all through an "interrogation" and execute which ever one of them he deemed a killer. This was insane. None of them did this...but there was no solid way to prove any of it. "Inspector, make sure TinyDragon can see your mouth when speaking to her. Her hearing is either severely damaged or gone." Deaf? That would certainly explain several things. Katyusha momentarily glances upward, as if looking to a non-existent image before her of their past events. The vaporeon's speech has a noticeable slur  to it, is this why?

By the time she focuses again on the present, the fairy and normal type are already making their way out from their makeshift camp site. Leaving the "suspects" alone with the inspector. "S-s-sor-ry" TD's words break the tension of the otherwise tense situation. "D.. No no It's okay." The fox pokemon blinks slowly, eyes turning to watch the fish as she stands on shaking legs. "I-I was born deaf," She was backing up as she spoke, getting closer and closer to the houndoom like a shield. "But I wead lips, its dalwight."

TD was so kind and sincere...there is no way the inspector could even think she would be capable of killing Lone...right? Katyusha's gaze turns sympathetic, her jaw loosening as she takes a step closer to the water-type. "There's nothing you have to feel sorry for." When Lone speak again, all of the tension returns for Kat. This was it...what would he tell the manetric? At first, she couldn't recall the pokemon he mentioned nor the events. There had been no fearow, zoroark nor human when she arrived. It didn't take long for the story to reach a point she did remember.

"I took a few hits but something hit me so hard at the end.. and it was after all the Linoone were dead so there was no reason for it. I was blacking out but I know Crane was gone by then, and I could hear Lotta fighting with Rokai.. She was protecting me.." Was that what she was intending? Because Rokai sure didn't appear like the type to try and hurt anyone needlessly. Beside her, she could hear the hound's disapproval of the wording. "She threw the first attack, I was defending myself." It didn't stop the phanteon from continuing his tale.

"I... they were fighting and I was.. taken away from them. I thought I was dying, well, I was dying.. It was just leaves.. blurry leaves.. There were teeth around my throat and I couldn't breathe.. and so much... pain. So much pain I could.." For half a second, she almost felt sorry for him. Almost...the feeling pricked at her like a thorn within. Now is not the time to forget what he's capable of... "All I could see was her face." Once again, her teeth clench together and Katyusha has to focus to keep herself from outright baring her teeth. If it were anyone else, she would just count this as an accurate recall. He wasn't lying per say, but...the hostage situation flickered past her mind's eye. She just couldn't shake the itch at the back of her mind that he was trying to frame TD.

"You're right, I was there. I found you at the scene...in a bush, with TinyDragon and oran berries." She states, in something certainly not a friendly tone, but without the outright harshness of her previous statements.

((ooc: Skipping Marvin for this round.))

The Manectric stands with his tail erect, keeping his good eye towards the suspects. So it begins...
"Inspector, make sure TinyDragon can see your mouth when speaking to her. Her hearing is either severely damaged or gone." The Togetic takes care to remind him before he leaves.
Javolt turns to the Vaporeon.
"S-s-sor-ry." The Water type seemed nervous. "I-I was born deaf, But I wead lips, its dalwight."
"There's nothing you have to feel sorry for."
"Understood." Javolt turns so she can see his face. "Your disability will not be held against you."
The Manetric listens closely as the strange ghost starts his testimony.
"Well, we were headed toward this cave," Lone seems uncertain. "Er.. I was with Lotta, a Gible, and.. Crane.. a sick.. Fearrow..I think there was a.. human, and a Zorark but only for a second.." The list of suspects grows.
"We were looking for this cave, Lotta's cave, when a bunch of undead attacked us. Linoone to be exact, and in that clearing you found me in. Things instantly went to chaos, attacks everywhere, screaming, blood, and Rokai appeared during the fighting."
Javolt turns his good eye on the Houndoom. So he was a witness too.
"I took a few hits but something hit me so hard at the end.. and it was after all the Linoone were dead so there was no reason for it. I was blacking out but I know Crane was gone by then, and I could hear Lotta fighting with Rokai.. She was protecting me.."
"She threw the first attack, I was defending myself." The Houndoom interjects.
Javolt glares at him. The testimony should not be interrupted.
"I... they were fighting and I was.. taken away from them. I thought I was dying, well, I was dying.. It was just leaves.. blurry leaves.. There were teeth around my throat and I couldn't breathe.. and so much... pain. So much pain I could.."
The Manectric patiently waits as Lone avoids eye contact.
"All I could see was her face." The ghost spits venomously. "Something was touching me and.. it was just dark.. her face and dark.....I died." The ghost shivers.
"She was there when I came too. The Houndoom too, and the Ninetales."
"You're right, I was there. I found you at the scene...in a bush, with TinyDragon and oran berries." The Ninetales interjects.
"Thank you Lone." The Manectric says strictly but not unkindly. "Further testimony won't be required." From Lone's testimony he believes cause of death was due to a blow from behind; which could have been struck by anyone present or one of the Pokemon who has since left. He needs more information.
"Now the victim is spoken I would now like to examine the other witnesses. Seeing as the gible is not here to investigate; TinyDragon, Rokai, Katyusha as witnesses to this event do you have anything to add to Lone's testimony or points to be made in your defense? As it stands..." He turns so the Vaporeon can see his lips. "Miss Dragon you are currently the Prime Suspect. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

As Abby and Oracle traveled along, she decided that it would probably be easier for him if she also walked. Despite the questions she had earlier, she suddenly found herself tongue-tied. Making casual conversation was usually easy for the fairy, but she could not think of anything to discuss that wasn't depressing. When they were out of earshot of the rest of the group, he nervously initiated conversation, "The fire is... Actually good, in a way. A lot of the dead leaves and shrubs that were covering the earth ended up getting burned away, leaving plenty of room for new plants to take root. In that way it's kind of... The start of another generation of fresh life..." Poor dear is so nervous, too... she thought, and she was going to take the ice breaker before he looked away. He has something else bothering him. He then asked the questions that he really wanted to ask. "Do you know anything about what happened? I mean, I heard what you said, but... I don't know. It's been a while since I last found living Pokemon, and I'm happy not to be alone anymore, but this sort of thing is... I mean, I never expected to..."  When his words started tripping over each other, she realized that he was unsure about the impending execution.

"I understand," Abby started sadly as she looked down. "I don't believe those three Pokemon are capable of murder.  They all..." she struggled for the right word to explain her Togetic senses, "felt like kind Pokemon." "Unfortunately, Javolt is a stubborn sort, and arguing with him would only make the situation worse. I'm hoping that the interrogation lets him see that they are innocent," she explained.  I don't think I could take the alternative... Thoughts invaded of coming back and finding one of the three dead and their blood on Javolt, and she shook her head quickly to clear her mind. "Whatever happened to Lone occurred before I found them.  When I arrived, an undead Gyarados was staring Javolt down... " she began.

Then a sharp bark behind the pair caught her attention. Arceus no... She brought up a charge in her downy feathers in preparation for a Thunder Wave, and she positioned herself between Oracle and the unknown threat.  Then it spoke. "Togetic-- that scarf, where did you get it? Is it your's?--" At the question, she dropped the static and turned around fully to look at the Pokemon. That doesn't sound like a monster out for blood. He sounds like he's looking for something or someone.  He looked like a Ninetales with violet eyes, but he was significantly smaller than Katyusha and missing eight tails.  He bore scars underneath his eyes, around his remaining tail, and the ones on his legs held a suspicious pattern. As she took in his tattered and youthful appearance, she was overwhelmed with sadness for the unfortunate Ninetales. She was about to answer him when he noticed the service Pokemon symbol on her scarf, and he apologized profusely, "I- I'm sorry. I thought it might of been.... I am looking for someone." He suddenly changed the subject, as if the admission was embarrassing or uncomfortable. "...Forgetting that... Are you pair travelling alone? Do you know a way out of here?"

Arceus above... The world hasn't been kind to this poor Ninetales. At this thought, she resolved to try helping him however she could. "The two of us are currently looking for food for our group of six Pokemon. The other four are near a cave, though I wouldn't recommend going over to them at the moment,"she answered gently, intentionally leaving the reasoning vague for now. Abby looked up in thought as she considered the various ways one could get off an island, "As for a way out... I don't believe there's an easy way off an island if you can't swim, teleport, or fly. I'd offer to help, but I'm needed here, and I'm not sure how long I could carry you."  After answering the Ninetales's cover up questions, Abby introduced herself and her companion,"I'm Abby, and this is Oracle." She couldn't let the previous topic completely drop, however. "Who are you looking for, dear?" Abby inquired kindly. She offered the scarred Ninetales, "If you want, you can travel with us while we look for food and a river. We'll probably have to cover a lot of ground, and if the one you're looking for is here, we might see them."

"I don't believe those three Pokemon are capable of murder.  They all... felt like kind Pokemon." The Eevee's face seemed to brighten ever so slightly at those words, happy to find someone who shared his sentiments. This had to be a huge misunderstanding, right? After all, the world had become so dangerous as of late, the living should had been the absolute last thing anyone needed to fear. At least that was how Oracle felt, as naive and optimistic as he was. More and more the Normal type was beginning to realize just how sheltered he had been in his upbringing; his clan had been a paradise in comparison to the outside world, and he would have given anything to return to it. "Unfortunately, Javolt is a stubborn sort, and arguing with him would only make the situation worse. I'm hoping that the interrogation lets him see that they are innocent. I don't think I could take the alternative..." The hopeful look on Oracle's face seemed to fade quickly after that, the Eevee turning his attention down towards the ground.

"... Pokemon shouldn't hurt Pokemon. I mean... Not like this." The Normal type muttered, gears in his mind turning in a half-hearted attempt to figure out what exactly he was trying to convey. Oracle wasn't really sure if he himself knew. "We're all just trying to live. And trying to do that isn't easy, so..." His voice cracked at the end, and he frowned, clamping his mouth shut in an attempt to keep any additional words from spilling out. When Abby began speaking, it was actually a bit of a relief, though that feeling was incredibly short-lived when an unfamiliar sound reached the Eevee's ears.

Goddesses, what kind of Pokemon is that? His first instinct was to crouch low to the ground, leg muscles tensing in preparation to run away. Wait, no... He hesitated, glancing towards the Togetic. I... I can't leave her behind. She's nice; I can't leave her alone to fend for herself like this. But he was useless in a fight; all he could really do was flee. Sure, those round discs his clan had collected- gifts from the goddesses, they had told him, as denoted by their circular shape- had given him the ability to spit poison and fire Shadow Balls, but Oracle was by no means battle-experienced enough to make use of such powers.

"Togetic-- that scarf, where did you get it? Is it your's?--" Everything changed when the strange Pokemon opened his mouth, however. The Eevee blinked, allowing himself to relax slightly despite himself as he looked him over. There was something familiar about him; he was familiar with another Pokemon like this, wasn't he? Had the scars and lack of tails confused him? "I- I'm sorry. I thought it might of been.... I am looking for someone... Forgetting that... Are you pair travelling alone? Do you know a way out of here?" Abby spoke before he could, though Oracle didn't particularly mind, his gaze sweeping over the newcomer while a thousand questions balanced precariously on the tip of his tongue. "What's your name?" However, he could only hold out on saying something for so long, and a small part of the Eevee acknowledged that he was probably desperate for something to distract him from what was going on back at the cave. "We could share what we end up coming across. Um... We have a lot of mouths we need to find food for, but..." Tentatively, his expression brightened. "We carry more this way, and having an extra pair of eyes would be useful. Everyone needs to eat."

Still stinging over his humiliatingly wrong assumption, the Ninetales' eyes flickered to the grass as the flying Pokemon responded first. "The two of us are currently looking for food for our group of six Pokemon. The other four are near a cave, though I wouldn't recommend going over to them at the moment," the owlet explained gently, though not pitying. Caine allowed his violet eyes to flicker up. Maybe he hadn't made too much of a fuck up calling out strangers. They did not seem angry, at least. The fairy turned, looking above them as she thought before answering, though her companion remained quiet. "As for a way out... I don't believe there's an easy way off an island if you can't swim, teleport, or fly. I'd offer to help, but I'm needed here, and I'm not sure how long I could carry you." Caine cringed. Swimming. No. Teleport? No. Flying? Yeah, why not. Sure, I can grow wings. Snorting silently in his head at himself, the vulpine shook his head. "...I suppose it was worth asking."

Turning to leave the pair, he was surprised when the Togetic continued: "I'm Abby, and this is Oracle." He slowly tuned, his expression uncertain as if he should tell them he has no interest in a group or if he should try to make friends. ...On second thought, that shouldn't even be an option. He looked from Oracle, the Eevee, to Abby, the Togetic and nodded awkwardly, but the avian added softly, "Who are you looking for, dear?" Now, he really did not want to answer that. "...er... A Chimchar. His name's Oliver, he has a blue scarf," he replied bluntly. The less information he gave them to use against him, the better. Caine allowed himself to let his eyes study Abby. She seemed genuine, not nosy, but actually concerned for him. That was what her questions suggested, at least. His fur ruffled uncomfortably at the thought. No one gives a shit about you, ol' boy. Stop being paranoid.

"If you want, you can travel with us while we look for food and a river. We'll probably have to cover a lot of ground, and if the one you're looking for is here, we might see them." Okay, that was way more than he asked for. Alarm widened his eyes, for the first time the cold stare vanishing as he floundered for an opt out. Oh fuck. I just met them and they're trying to recruit me?? His throat dry, the Ninetales coughed as he attempted to speak through his shock at the unprovoked question. "Uh, that is... really kind of you, but, uh, I'm just passing through. Really." As if he wasn't already being awkward with the owlet, the Eevee bounded forward then, blurting out, "What's your name?"

Caine's violet gaze snapped to Oracle, taking in the optimism in his bright eyes. A Pidgey, a Ralts, and then finally a Chimchar flashed behind his eyes and he visibly flinched. Don't look at me like that... "...Caine," he responded softly, the fight leaving his eyes as he resigned to his fate. He couldn't leave now, not when someone looked at him that way."We could share what we end up coming across. Um... We have a lot of mouths we need to find food for, but..." The fire fox watched as the youth brightened noticeably. "We carry more this way, and having an extra pair of eyes would be useful. Everyone needs to eat." Looking over his head to the Togetic again, Caine knew he was trapped. Not by his body, but by his bleeding heart. "...Sure. I'll help you guys." What had he gotten himself into.

Would Oliver be disappointed or proud?...

"Thank you Lone." The Phanteon pushes his head back a bit as though he was proud to say he had been murdered. "Further testimony won't be required." Nodding, he stands and moves to a slightly different spot.
"Now the victim has spoken I would now like to examine the other witnesses. Seeing as the gible is not here to investigate; TinyDragon, Rokai, Katyusha as witnesses to this event do you have anything to add to Lone's testimony or points to be made in your defense?" Diverting his eyes Lone wonders what the Inspector thought of Lotta. She wasn't present, did that make her void in this? Thats not how these things work. No, the Inspector wouldnt do that, but what else could they do, and.. Wasnt I trying to put it off her? Puffing out his chest the Phanteon lets his eyes glaze over with lack of concern. He wasn't the smartest Pokemon around but if he played for time.. There might be a way out of this. He just had to think of how first.

TinyDragon can feel her fragile heart pummeling against her ribcage."As it stands... " Much more of this and she is positive it will burst from her chest. "Miss Dragon you are currently the Prime Suspect. Do you have anything to say in your defense?" Wha wha wha no no why! Panic pulses through her like wildfire. Why is she the prime suspect! She would never harm anyone, let alone kin! Taking another step back, her tailing slide across the ground with the movement, the Water Type suddenly feels very cornered. The cave felt so small.. She didn't want to run but oh gods this place was much too cramped. Lone and Javolt blocked the exit, running further in would only corner her- W-why am I thinking of running? She, she was innocent. She was innocent she didnt need to run. Why was she trying to act so guilty..? Looking to her dark-furred companions the Vaporeons eyes sparkle brightly with desperation. Please! They begged. You know I was only trying to help, I would never harm anyone!

"I-I-I.." She whimpers softly, "I-I s-s-saw vu fight and Wone was h-hurt.." Her voice shakes harshly and her body even harsher. The Vaporeon could not stop the shaking or even keep her eyes steady for more then a moment. "I-I was scured so I wook him a-awuy!" Remembering the foul taste of blood on the Eevee's scruff as she ran sends another violent shiver though her body. "I troyed to help.." Her words fall to no more then a whisper. I only wanted to help.. Katyusha and Rokai knew that. They.. they wouldn't let anything bad happen to her. Would they..?

The Phanteon narrows his ruby gaze at the Vaporeon. The thick fog and blanket of anger coating those memories is too hard to see through. The Vaporeon could of tried to eat him, or help, he didn't know. He knew she hadn't caused the actual killing but.. he was no longer positive if she was completely innocent. Bitch is trembling like a leaf. What is she so worried about?

This wasn't going well at all.

Rokai's emerald gaze flicked from Javolt, to Lone then down to TinyDragon. What was going to happen? None of them had killed Lone, as none of them really had the heart to kill the eevee - well, back when he was one. "You're right, I was there. I found you at the scene...in a bush, with TinyDragon and oran berries." Rokai glance back at Katyusha, thinking back to the oran berries that TD had tried to feed Lone so that she could heal the eevee. Rokai frowned. How was that evolution possible from eevees anyway? He knew that they were adaptable, but to come back from the dead? That was a little bit of a stretch.

Yet he had been there, and seen it happen with his own two eyes.

"Thank you Lone." Rokai's mind snapped back to the present conversation when the Manectric's voice adressed the rest of them. "Further testimony won't be required." Further testimony..? Rokai's ashen fur pricked up at the thought of what was coming next. "Now the victim is spoken I would now like to examine the other witnesses. Seeing as the gible is not here to investigate; TinyDragon, Rokai, Katyusha as witnesses to this event do you have anything to add to Lone's testimony or points to be made in your defence? As it stands..." Rokai blinked and followed Javolt's gaze over to TinyDragon. His tail flicked absent-mindedly as the Houndoom's eyes narrowed slightly. His fur pricked at the the tone in the other canine's words. He did not like what that tone foreshadowed.

"Miss Dragon you are currently the Prime Suspect. Do you have anything to say in your defence?"

Wait,
WHAT?! Rokai's eyes widened as the information sunk in. TD was the Prime Suspect? Does that mean she was going to be executed? Like hell I'd let that happen. I don't think anyone would let that happen. Lone, maybe, but I don't think even he'd go this far. He thought, stepping forward to offer TinyDragon support. "I-I-I.." Taking a deep breath, Rokai steeled his nerves. Surely they'd stop before something as drastic as executing someone happened, right?

"I-I s-s-saw vu fight and Wone was h-hurt.." Rokai stared at the ground at his paws. Javolt wasn't serious about this executing thing, was he? There's no proof that any of them did it, and whatever killed Lone had to of been from someone who they didn't expect to hit them like... Rokai blinked. What about those meteors? He thought, frowning. None of them could make those meteors, and the only one that would of been able to create them was... "The gible..." Rokai's words were hushed as the fire hound tried to sift through his thoughts.

"I-I was scured so I wook him a-awuy!" Jostled from his thoughts, Rokai blinked and looked back up to lock eyes with TinyDragon, who seemed about ready to bolt. But that wasn't a good idea considering what Javolt had said about them trying to flee. "I troyed to help.." Rokai frowned. They all did, but Lone had run off anyway, even though all they had done was try to help him. Lone had gone and gotten them into this mess. The fire hound doubted that the Phanteon would try to get them out of this mess as well. Darkrai he felt so useless not being able to do anything, lest he get himself and TD on the wrong side of Javolt's temper.

"Thank you Lone." As the ninetales watches the phanteon after completing his statements he almost looks...proud. Proud of what? Why? The questions and unknown made the back of her head throb. "Further testimony won't be required." Whatever this trick from the ghost was, she wouldn't let it end his way if she could help it. "Now the victim is spoken I would now like to examine the other witnesses. Seeing as the gible is not here to investigate; TinyDragon, Rokai, Katyusha as witnesses to this event do you have anything to add to Lone's testimony or points to be made in your defence? As it stands..."

As much as the fox would have liked to interrupt, to blurt out everything she had observed the day before, how the victim had attacked them and the holes in his story. However, she remains silent as Javolt speaks. Instead, she uses the time to consider what to say during her own testimonial. Would it be beneficial to address Lone attacking them? Or would the inspector just brush it off as Lone acting in "self defense" or assume Katyusha herself is using it to cover something else up? Hm... "Miss Dragon you are currently the Prime Suspect. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

The poor fish looked like her heart would burst from the accusations and reality of the situation. Though the water-type remained perfectly in place, their eyes looked frantic. Desperate to get away? The thought crosses her mind that this action correlate with those of a guilty 'mon. Those thoughts; however, she squashes quickly. "Tiny Dragon did nothing to hurt, much less kill him."

---

Disappointment. That was the only thing Marvin had yet to find for breakfast. Since finding the berries hanging just perfectly out of reach, his search had turned up nothing. Marvin didn't consider himself picky; however, the poison-type DID have standards. Such as, rotting meat and fruit were terrible meals. With his head low to the ground, he forged on, sniffing along the underbrush. Occasionally the action came out as a gentle snort.

So focused on his task, the skunk only mildly kept track of his location. Besides, even if he did get lost, the place he holed up in the night before was no real catch, he had no possessions, and he fancied himself decent with directions.He doubted he would have to worry about that anyway. Finally, something stands out among the other scents, something familiar--not one of his favorites, but hunger was an excellent seasoning. Raising one clawed foot, Marvin gingerly uproots several small mushrooms he finds peeking out from the underside of a downed tree.

Digging his teeth into the soft flesh, he attempts to chew slowly, to make the moment last. Of course though, it always ends too quickly. Hope flaring that there might be more around, he lowers his head again to continue searching, but finds another familiar scent...smoke. Perking his ears, faint noises begin to reach him as well, ones that sounds far too much like voices for his liking. Come here to burn down the rest of the island did you?

The Manectric turns his ice-blue eyes on the diminutive water type. She didn't look like a threat at all but he had learnt the hard way that just because a pokemon appeared innocent they probably weren't.
"I-I s-s-saw vu fight and Wone was h-hurt.." The Vaporeon's voice is shaking and stuttering, nervousness not helping her condition. Javolt patiently waits until she has finished speaking.
"I-I was scured so I wook him a-awuy!" Her voice drops to a near whisper.
"I troyed to help.."
"Understood." Javolt replies.
Things were coming together...his face remains expressionless as he goes over the information he has been given so far. The Vaporeon's testimony appears to be sincere; she didn't appear to have cause the ghost's death by anything more than moving the body. If other statements were to be believed there was more evidence that she had attempted a resucitation than struck the final blow.
The aging electric type began to pace, staring down the other pokemon. So then, there was the question of who had struck the fatal blow.
"Well? What do the rest of you have to say about this?" He barks, hoping that someone has seen something else useful.
He turns to the Houndoom and pads up until he can look into the black-furred fire-type's bright green eyes.
"You said something earlier when Miss Dragon was testifying. What was it?"

"...er... A Chimchar. His name's Oliver, he has a blue scarf," the strange Ninetales answered. Ah, that explains why he called out to two strangers. Abby realized.  She was glad that the Ninetales didn't find out that this was the same scarf since the implications would be be heart-rending.  

"Uh, that is... really kind of you, but, uh, I'm just passing through. Really," Caine responded to her offer.  He almost seemed to be panicking.  She thought about taking the offer back just to calm him back down, if traveling with them seemed that scary. Then Oracle's curiousity got the better of him, and he asked,"What's your name?"

The Ninetales seemed to stare at the young Eevee for a moment, and he flinched at something that only he could see. "...Caine," he answered quietly after a pause. He seemed to calm down, and the fight or flight look left his eyes.  I wonder if that has to do with the Chimchar he mentioned earlier... If Oliver was a child that he was looking for, then that doe-eyed stare that all Eevee posessed would remind him of his friend. She prayed to the legends that his friend was alright, no matter how unlikely.

Oracle continued with his request, his eyes brighteninging with optimism as he spoke."We could share what we end up coming across. Um... We have a lot of mouths we need to find food for, but... We carry more this way, and having an extra pair of eyes would be useful. Everyone needs to eat." Abby smiled at the young Eevee's attempt at convincing Caine to come along. The Ninetales seemed to be resigning himself as Oracle talked, and this encouraged Abby.

Caine dragged his eyes back to her, after apparently making his decision.  "...Sure. I'll help you guys." Relief graced her features at his answer. She had hoped that Caine would agree to come along, if anything, so that he wouldn't be alone. The scars on his forelegs seemed far too neat and orderly to have been inflicted by an attacker, and she worried about leaving the Ninetales alone.  She had seen scars in a similar pattern once, and she had sensed a great and terrible sadness in that person.

"Thank you, Caine," Abby beamed, "Oracle is right! We need all the hands and paws that we can get." As she finished her encouragement, she thought she heard something in the bushes further off the path.  She turned her head to get a better location on the sound, and she whispered, "I think I hear something..."  She debated leaving the group behind to investigate, but she didn't like the idea of leaving them behind for multiple reasons. "Caine, did you see anyone else around here?" she inquired quietly.  Her wings were prepped for immediate take off in case a fight came to them, and her eyes bore a look of determination.  She'd protect these two as best as she could.

((OOC: Nyra, if you don't think Abby would have heard Marvin, just message me, and I'll edit.))

If Oracle noticed the Fire type's flinching, he didn't draw any visible attention to it, instead smiling brightly at the unfamiliar Pokemon. Perhaps it was naive of him to be so trusting towards an individual he had just met, but he was alive, and he wasn't infected, and the Eevee had spent so long wandering aimlessly and hiding from the dead that he found himself tentatively trusting towards anyone with a pulse. "It's nice to meet you!" He said, dipping his head ever so slightly- just as his Mother had taught him to, of course. The very thought caused something to twinge painfully inside of him, though he tried his hardest to ignore it. He had been groomed to become a benevolent leader of his clan, and not only had he abandoned his fellow Pokemon in a moment of weakness, but it was uncertain whether Oracle would ever manage to find his way back home again. ... If that's the case, then maybe it's better this way. Goddesses, I wouldn't have been a very good leader. Not like this...

"...Sure. I'll help you guys." The response managed to shake him out of his thoughts, and he blinked, expression cheerful. It was a relief, not only because there was power to be found in numbers, but because he genuinely wanted to help another Pokemon, even if he was only passing through the area. "Thank you, Caine. Oracle is right! We need all the hands and paws that we can get." Because Abby had already thanked him, he settled for nodding in agreement with the statement.

Of course, his cheerful mood couldn't last forever.

"I think I hear something... Caine, did you see anyone else around here?" The niggling need to decide between fight or flight rose back up in his consciousness again at the first sign of danger, and Oracle inhaled sharply, hating his cowardice. "Do you think something could have been disturbed by... What happened yesterday?" Images of vicious, undead monsters flashed through his head- he had barely explored even a fraction of the island thus far, after all; who knew what could have been lurking about.

"The gible..." Feeling the fur along his spine twitching Lone can only wonder what has come of his dragon friend. Could he blame her? Did he blame her? Was he going to say anything? Was it irrelevant or being withheld? He grits his teeth, still surprised by new size of them since evolving. Evolving.. Phantom pain runs down the length of his body. The Togetic had since healed his wounds but the aching still lingers in a form which he does not hold. Wounds didn't last forever and in this day neither did death. So what if he got someone killed? Not like the curse hasn't done that many times over already.

"Understood." A massive breath puffs out of the Vaporeons lungs but her scales are still flaring and sensitive. Did that mean he believed her, he knew she had done nothing wrong? The hard vibrations of her pounding heart pulse through her body. Is it audible..? The feeling was overwhelming for her but she doesn't even know if it makes a noise.. "Well? What do the rest of you have to say about this?" While her eyes had never left Javolt TD was forcibly brought back to full focus upon his face. He.. that did seem like he believed her willingly. Another weight starts to crush her shoulders.

The Manectric comes closer, too close for comfort then further until the stressed Water Type must skitter out of the way with a squeak. He was not coming for her, thankfully, but Rokai instead. The Houndoom was completely innocent what could he want with him! Javolt says something she can not catch. "You said something earlier when Miss Dragon was testifying. What was it?" Feeling the cramped space once more the Vaporeon takes another step back and is careful not to bump into Katyusha as best she can. "Tiny Dragon did nothing to hurt, much less kill him." The tiniest smile creeps along the corners of her mouth. Katyusha believed her, just like before she knew she had only tried to help! "I, I had healing berries!"

Lone growls, finding himself pacing uncomfortably along the entrance of the cave. This reminded him so much of before.. the conversation, or in this case trial, just going in circles with nothing new being added. His stomach growls. The other members of their group were off finding food but what is they never come back? What if they dipped and wanted no part of this? Im starving.. It had been well over two, maybe three days since he had eaten. Couldn't they put this bullshit on hold and eat first? No, 'justice must be served' and to ask for it to wait would be suspicious. The Phanteon forces himself to sit. Oh how he wanted to scream 'so whats the verdict' but keeps his jaws shut. It would end one way or another.. he just hoped everyone had the stomach for it.

The longer this dragged on, the more jumpy Rokai got. His posture was stiff as he watched Javolt, his emerald eyes almost burning holes into the cave wall behind the Manectric. "Understood." Blinking, Rokai forced himself to relax as Javolt looked at their small posse of five. "Well? What do the rest of you have to say about this?" The Houndoom clenched his jaw. Should he mention the meteors?

"You said something earlier when Miss Dragon was testifying. What was it?" Startled from his thoughts, emerald eyes met icy blue ones. He had said something..? Oh, right. Rokai took in a deep breath, looking over at Tiny Dragon for a moment, then over to Katyusha. "Tiny Dragon did nothing to hurt, much less kill him." So, it seemed they were all mostly on the same page, Kat, TD and Rokai were all sure that they were all innocent, while Lone still believed one of them was guilty and Javolt... Who knew what was going through the old canine's mind.

"I, I had healing berries!" Finally Rokai's mind started on a set track. He still needed to say something to Javolt. Finally after what felt like an eternity, Rokai took a deep breath to start his 'testimony', so to speak.

"I don't know how helpful this'd be, but before TinyDragon took Lone, there was some sort of an attack, and there were meteors, raining down everywhere. As far as I can tell, none of us have the ability to summon these meteors, and from what little I saw, they might of been the things that killed Lone." He said, gaze unwavering as he stood a little taller. Surely Javolt would see the fact that none of them could use the move that had brought those deadly fireballs down, and they would be declared innocent.

"Understood." The aging manetric stated and with that, everyone seemed to go silent and wait with bated breath for what would come next. Would he agree with TD's testimony? Did he have a theory of his own? "Well? What do the rest of you have to say about this?" Again, nothing. No one wanted to be the one at the stand it seemed. Katyusha gulped, over thinking every possible comment she could make until the electric-type spoke again and decided himself where to take the conversation next. "You said something earlier when Miss Dragon was testifying. What was it?"

The ninetales' eyes follow the canine as he comes to stand directly in front of Rokai. Beside her, the vulpine notices Tiny Dragon is backing away from the confrontation. Katyusha herself stiffens from the tension in the air. "I don't know how helpful this'd be, but before TinyDragon took Lone, there was some sort of an attack, and there were meteors, raining down everywhere. As far as I can tell, none of us have the ability to summon these meteors, and from what little I saw, they might of been the things that killed Lone."

"I-I only know of one move involving meteors--draco meteor. If that was the cause of death, it would be illogical for any of us to be the killer. It can only be learned by dragon-types, which none of us are....just like the title..." The fire-type trails off, unsure how to finish her thought and worried she rambled.

---

Marvin's ears twitch at the sound of muffled voices. Perhaps he had strayed farther than he thought...The skuntank pauses in his forging, hoping to catch some of the words. However, nothing can be discerned. Wait--did that last phrase sound different? More than one 'mon maybe? Creeping with his belly closer to the ground, the poison-type stalks closer. He had to know what he was up against. Perhaps it was a bit foolish, this guys could be anyone, but the risk was outweighed by the anxiety of uncertainty.

The closer he gets, the more he can make out, but only in fragments. along with a sharp inhale and the flutter of wings. Heard something did they? Guess I need to be more careful. The closer he gets, the more familiar one of the pokemon in particular becomes even while lacking grandiose tails...Long time no see one-tail and I thought you weren't the friend-making type.


((ooc: Feel free to sense/smell/run into/notice Marvin.))

The Manectric weighs the evidence.
So far it appears reaching a verdict was going to be difficult. Everything depended on the testimony of others; if there were no further points to be made he would have to execute Tinydragon as the main suspect.
"I don't know how helpful this'd be, but before TinyDragon took Lone, there was some sort of an attack, and there were meteors, raining down everywhere. As far as I can tell, none of us have the ability to summon these meteors, and from what little I saw, they might of been the things that killed Lone." The Houndoom speaks up. He stands tall and confident in front of Javolt, speaking with conviction.
He wants to tell the truth.
Lone has been struck from behind by an unidentified assailant and approached by the Vaporeon while dying. It appears that her attempt to render aid was mistaken as an attempt to finish him off by the strange ghost. However the real killer...
"I-I only know of one move involving meteors--draco meteor. If that was the cause of death, it would be illogical for any of us to be the killer. It can only be learned by dragon-types, which none of us are....just like the title..." The Ninetales with the strange fur markings begins to babble in her eagerness to share. Her voice has none of the composure of the Houndoom's but it also sounds like an honest statement.
Javolt had not served in forensics but he knew enough to know that the other Fire Type's statement was entirely correct. Draco Meteor was a move with a wide destructive area and enough power to kill. However none of the party were Dragon Types and thus could not have been the ones that summoned it. The Gible mentioned earlier was the only party capable of such a move.
Things were not settled however. Manslaughter was still a crime and if this Gible was responsible they would have to be hunted down and put to justice. Until then there was nothing else he could do here.
"If no-one has anything else to add then Court is adjourned." He stands and pads over the entrance of the cave.
"I will need to closely examine the crime scene before I can make a final verdict but for now there's no compelling evidence for me to detain you and we all need to eat."
He draws himself up like a military hound.
"Dismissed!" He barks.

The soft sounds of movement continued, and this helped Abby to get a better idea of where they were coming from. She focused on the direction they were coming from, and her downy feathers started sparking with electricity.  If it was something that planned on attacking, she was going to paralyze it immediatley. Near her, Oracle inaled sharply, and asked "Do you think something could have been disturbed by... What happened yesterday?"

"It's possible," Abby quietly answered. There were multiple things that it could be. There was even a chance that this was just a pokemon that had been displaced by the fire.  Unfortunatley, until the unknown was revealed, it was better to assume something was an enemy unless proved otherwise. She kept her eyes on the area where the sounds were coming from when they suddenly stopped, and she saw a flash of purple and beige in the spaces between the foliage.  There was also a glint of a pair of eyes, but she couldn't distinguish much else. "Not glowing red..." she whispers to herself.  That was promising, at least, but the undead weren't the only threats to the living.

She quietly requested of her two companions, "If this thing attacks, run. I'll try to paralyze it and fly off, and we can meet back at the cave."  She didn't want them getting hurt unnecessarily, and it would be easy for her to find the cave again from the sky. However, she couldn't make herself attack for no reason. There was a chance that this thing was just lost and scared because of the fire. "We know you're there." she says loudly enough for the hidden creature to hear, but not so loud it would attract other things. "If you come out peacefully, I won't attack you."

Oracle was scared.

He was getting a bit sick of being scared all the time, to be honest; it was becoming less of a fleeting emotion to experience when it was strictly necessary and more of a state of being. A part of him wished he was stronger, so he wouldn't have to be afraid anymore, but his pessimistic side felt the need to remind him that, with the way the world had become, such a thing was all but impossible. "If this thing attacks, run. I'll try to paralyze it and fly off, and we can meet back at the cave." He blinked in response to that, glancing at the Togetic with an uncertain frown on his face. It seemed like a relatively sound tactic in theory, and the Eevee certainly knew if there was one thing he was good at, it was running away, but there was one thing so glaringly wrong with the plan that he couldn't possibly ignore.

"I don't want to leave you alone to fend for yourself if it's hostile." Oracle muttered, ears and tail drooping ever so slightly as he spoke. "What if you end up getting hurt?" What if someone couldn't find their way back to the cave? There were a million ways he could see things going terribly wrong- which was probably in part due to the fact that he was nervous and thinking harder about things than he really needed to. "If there's only one thing there, only one Pokemon, wouldn't we have a better chance if we took it on together? There's three of us and only one of them, and I'm sure if things go wrong, we could always run away, but..." He had just found a group of nice Pokemon again after being alone for so long, and quite frankly, he was terrified of losing them.

"... I hope they're friendly." He muttered to himself with a sigh.

Abby smiled at him. "Thank you, Caine," she seemed to praise him. Odd. He had not done anything right. Distrustful eyes grew more wary than hostile. What could a bleeding heart Togetic and a baby Eevee do to him anyway? He just nodded numbly. "Oracle is right! We need all the hands and paws that we can get."

"Glad to help," he murmured, but his mind was far away. Oliver. Where are you?

Suddenly, though, they all froze. "I think I hear something," Abby whispered as Caine lifted his head up high. Perking tall ears, he heard little, but could scent something. The smell of... illness. A poison type. His lips curled even before the Togetic asked him, "Caine, did you see anyone else around here?"

"Oh, I saw someone before alright," he huffed unhappily. "A Skuntank. Coward must still be hiding."

Oracle, though, grew fearful, asking in a hushed tone, "Do you think something could have been disturbed by... What happened yesterday?"

Caine frowned, shaking his head. No, no he doubted that... The skunk had seemed just as put off by the surroundings as he had been. "I doubt it," he said bluntly.

Abby was staring behind him, her eyes sharp. The Ninetales slowly turned, stepping to block the pair from whatever it was, if it were the Skuntank or not. Despite his protective stature, though, the fairy had other plans: "If this thing attacks, run. I'll try to paralyze it and fly off, and we can meet back at the cave."

Cain whips his head around, staring at her with surprised violet eyes as Oracle protests before the fire type could speak. "I don't want to leave you alone to fend for yourself if it's hostile. What if you end up getting hurt?" He narrowed his gaze, eyes hardening as Caine nodded, agreeing with the Eevee.

"I ain't leaving you to some fuck alone, Abby," he growled.

"If there's only one thing there, only one Pokemon, wouldn't we have a better chance if we took it on together? There's three of us and only one of them." Caine looked to Oracle from the corner of his eye, nodding again approvingly.

"We stand together," he agreed.

"We know you're there. If you come out peacefully, I won't attack you." After Abby's call out to the stranger, Caine waved his tail in the air, feeling heat accumulate around it in the breeze behind him. He would have a heat wave ready, though the fox would have to jump forward, in front of his companions, to avoid harming them.

"You're outnumbered," Caine added his thinly veiled threat with Abby's.

"I don't know how helpful this'd be, but before TinyDragon took Lone, there was some sort of an attack, and there were meteors, raining down everywhere. As far as I can tell, none of us have the ability to summon these meteors, and from what little I saw, they might of been the things that killed Lone." The Phanteon stops pacing. His gaze grows distant as once more the scene flashes across his ruby eyes. The rainstorm of fire and death, the Linoone's turning to fluid as the massive stones obliterated their rotten bodies. The ground caving beneath the might of the meteors before they vanished and all turning to death. Then they hit.. him..

"I-I only know of one move involving meteors--draco meteor. If that was the cause of death, it would be illogical for any of us to be the killer. It can only be learned by dragon-types, which none of us are....just like the title..." Slinking his line of sight slowly across the room Lone stares at the Ninetales. Illogical is it. He had seen stranger things then a Pokemon knowing a move it shouldn't naturally be able to use. I freaking died and then evolved, coming back to life in the process! However, he was not angry anymore and didn't scoff at the Ninetales words. Something washed over the male similar to relief as he watched the Vaporeon let go of a giant breathe that was too big for her tiny chest. Doing the same he can assume they are thinking the same thing- She's safe, at least for now.

"If no-one has anything else to add then Court is adjourned." The Manetric concludes. "I will need to closely examine the crime scene before I can make a final verdict but for now there's no compelling evidence for me to detain you and we all need to eat." "Do you need me to go with you?" He asks unenthusiastically. Seemed this court thing wasn't going to die until a proper conclusion is reached. So be it. He tells himself as he turns to leave. "Dismissed!" With a small sigh the Ghost Type muses quietly to himself, "Funny her name is TinyDragon." and he walks out of the cave, letting the sunlight pierce his purple, spectral form.

The Vaporeon looks to both her friends with the biggest eyes ever. Thank you..! They say so earnestly that her tail starts to wag slightly. Javolt seemed to finally understand that she was innocent, that this was all a big misunderstanding like they had explained to Lone before so many times over!
Her paws start to shake once more. She.. was lucky. It seemed so often that she couldn't help herself and needed others to do it for her. But, I have others who care. A warmth swells in her chest and TD beams a smile at her dark-furred companions. They were all friends and, if she could, she would do the same for them!

Javolt dismisses them but her mind is still swirling with thoughts on what just happened. Staying low to the ground the Water Type skitters out of the cave and into the small clearing. Her stomach was nothing but knots and the idea of eating hadn't even crossed her mind. Without looking back she pelts into the shrubs she takes in a deep breath, grateful that last nights fires hadn't quite made it this far. Racing along through the trees she can not stop her paws as she is wrapped up in her thoughts. I could of just died.. The thought is as heavy as a stone. And it wouldn't of been the undead but my.. companions..

Icy claws tickle at her scales and without thinking the Vaporeon slows to a halt. "They wanted to kill me.." The whine barely whispers out of her mouth but the words are as clear as day. It hits once more that death was moments away and the youth squashes herself to the ground, huddling into a small ball. A new thought pulses through her thats even scarier.. Why Lone.. why do you hate me so?

((OOC:Skip, lost my post and can't get it back. Chrome refuses to work and I have to redownload it.))

"We know you're there."

Marvin tenses. The skuntank had known they were there and cautious, but it appears they have sensed him as well...At first, he makes no movements to either reveal nor conceal himself. Still as a rock, the skunk watches the small party more closely. The eevee sure looked ready to sprint. Wasn't that species known for that? The poison-type focuses on Oracle, straining his ears to hear the hushed, nervous words he speaks. Run...fighting...more of us... He repeats to himself mentally as he gleams information.

Any hope Marvin might have had of the party simply losing interest and moving on evaporates as Caine adds his input. "We stand together." Ugh. "You're outnumbered." Now he didn't need to be a genius to know what the canine meant. 'Don't do anything stupid' along with a 'show yourself' and the most important part 'I'll kick your ass.' There really was no nice way out of this one, so picking the lesser of two evils, the skuntank steps out of the foliage. "So then, I'm a coward for not buddying up right away?" Marvin comments, bringing himself out fully to stand before the three pokemon.

His stance was as relaxed as it could be when facing three strangers in the post-apocalyptic hell. They could technically be anyone. However, as he looks to each of the 'mon in turn, he doubts at least 2/3 of them are really interested in brawling with him. The togetic wore a symbol he remembers seeing on medical devices and buildings, a healer if anything. Eevee ready to bolt and his 'acquaintance' one-tail who would be the other 1/3. "I'm not here to waste energy on a fight." Marvin sits down, as if to emphasize the point though his eyes remain coolly on each movement made by the others...just in case...

---

"Dismissed!" And like that, it's over. At least, for the moment. There is no evidence against any of them, and as the weight of the trial starts to slide from her shoulders, Katyusha lets off a sigh of relief. The ninetales has to fight the urge to flop to the ground. The relief and dropping adrenaline really reminding her how little sleep she actually got and how yesterday played out...had it only been one day ago this all happened?

A gurgling from her stomach wins over against fatigue. When was the last time she ate...? Katyusha couldn't recall, but out of reflex, as TinyDragon charges out from the cave and into the woods, she follows. Surely they would go together to look for food, right? The thought of getting cornered alone with an undead...it sent shivers up the vulpine's spine despite the warm tropical air. "TinyDragon! Slow down I'm-" As if on cue, before she can finish her sentence, the vaporeon is slowing to a halt. "TinyDragon...?" Katyusha asks softly, though she wonders if the other 'mon is listening. Something was off... "They wanted to kill me.."

Completely lost for words, the fire-type grits her teeth against the uncomfortable truth. She considers moving closer, telling TD it will be alright, offering an encouraging nod or shoulder touch, but her paws remain firmly rooted. This was serious...they might have tried to kill her. Javolt could have taken any one's side, they didn't know him, but here he was as their judge. "I would have battled on your side...if it came to that..."

The grizzled Manectric steps out into the morning light as well. The cave was not the most comfortable place to rest and his old bones didn't react well to a night on cold stone but that was the complaints of an old body and there was nothing that could cure that.
The air still smells of wet charcoal. The fire has burnt out in the night, leaving the formerly green little island with a scar at its heart. Some of the largest trees, by benefit of their thick bark, will grow on but for the others the blankets of leaves was their kindling. It is a scene of grim death, the old ashes left after a great fire. It'll be many years before the forest heals.
"Funny her name is TinyDragon." The strange ghost mentions as he leaves the cave.
"The trial isn't over yet." The Manectric is quick to reassure the ghost. "There may be an execution yet. Currently food is our priority."
The Electric Type stands tall to address the group.
"Be wary; there will embers sheltered by ash that will flare up if exposed. Don't go poking at anything." He warns with a growl. Most of the fire has burnt out but they aren't prepare to handle flareups. Stepping in the wrong place could cause a painful burn.

Abby wasn't sure if she should feel relieved or scared that her companions refused to leave her. "I don't want to leave you alone to fend for yourself if it's hostile. What if you end up getting hurt?" Oracle quietly inqured as his ears and tail drooped. Frankly, as long as these two weren't hurt, she'd be perfectly okay with getting injured. However, the fact that the Eevee wanted to stay, even though it looked like he wanted to run so badly, gave her pause.

Caine nodded at Oracle's statement and question, and his violet eyes took on a determined look. "I ain't leaving you to some fuck alone, Abby," he added. These Pokemon wanted to stand with her, even if the fight could be dangerous... Her training had never really accounted for that, and the idea warmed her heart while simultaneously worrying her. It had always been that she was supposed to protect her charge at all costs, but here were two Pokemon that she didn't know well who were worried about her well being.

If there's only one thing there, only one Pokemon, wouldn't we have a better chance if we took it on together? There's three of us and only one of them, and I'm sure if things go wrong, we could always run away, but..." Oracle continued, though a little unsure. He had a logical argument, and also, he seemed scared at the idea of losing her. She couldn't disagree with his sentiments.

"We stand together," Caine stated with a finality that left no more room for argument and nodded in agreement with the Eevee. Then, he directed towards the unknown thing that was stalking them, "You're outnumbered." Standing near the Ninetales, she could feel the heat building up behind his tail in preparation for an attack. Probably a fire move of some sort. Considering that her feathers were still sparking, she couldn't blame the fire fox for preparing a move as well.

"... I hope they're friendly." Oracle mutters, and Abby can't help but feel the same on the whole matter. "I hope so too..." she murmurs back to the nervous Eevee.

Eventually, she hears the foliage move as the unknown thing moved towards them. A purple skunk walked out calmly, and he commented, "So then, I'm a coward for not buddying up right away?" Okay, good, not infected or undead, and he's not attacking immediately.He moved carefully, as if trying to make himself not  threatening. Which, considering the situation, was a really good idea.
"I'm not here to waste energy on a fight," He placated and sat down. He kept his eyes on them, probably to guage their reactions.

"I don't want to fight either," Abby began, and she then explained, "Lurking around like that put us on edge." She wasn't getting any feelings of wrongness from this Pokemon either, and that helped make her decision. She dropped the sparks from her wings in a show of peace. "You don't seem like a bad sort, but we needed to make sure," she carefully walked forward with her hands where the Pokemon could see them. "We're just looking for food and water right now."

"Oh, I saw someone before alright. A Skuntank. Coward must still be hiding." Oracle's ears pricked up at the unfamiliar word. A Skuntank? Living in relative seclusion with his clan had left the Normal type completely clueless about other species of Pokemon save for a small handful. He had encountered a few here and there on his travels, of course- though only a portion of those were friendly and didn't try to harm him, and even fewer took pity on the Eevee long enough to try to stay with him for more than a couple days at a time- but that was apparently only a fraction of the innumerable types living in the world outside of the bubble he had been raised in. "Were they... Friendly, at least?" Oracle asked tentatively. He hoped so; dealing with the vicious and diseased was difficult to begin with, and conflicts with the living only served to complicate things.

They were all trapped on the same island together, after all. The Eevee knew what it was like to have to rely on a small group of other Pokemon in order to survive; he had grown up under such conditions. Conflict was inevitable- dealing with it was the difficult part.

"So then, I'm a coward for not buddying up right away?" He glanced over at the sound of the unfamiliar voice, blinking curiously at the Poison type. He didn't look sick. That was good, wasn't it? And from the sound of things, he seemed to be the very same Pokemon the Ninetales had encountered- certainly his words implied a sort of familiarity, though Oracle couldn't quite go so far as to call it friendliness. He allowed himself to relax a fraction despite himself; seeing what they were dealing with was a lot less stressful than facing down a mysterious foe. "I'm not here to waste energy on a fight."

"I don't want to fight either. Lurking around like that put us on edge."

"Well, that's good then, right?" Oracle blurted, taking a step closer while the bones on his necklace clicked from the movement. "Neither party here is looking for a fight; we're just looking after our own- all of us. We don't want to hurt you and," he hesitated, "you... Don't want to hurt us." The Normal type could only hope. "So there shouldn't be a problem, then. We can... Relax. A little." As much as one could, anyways.