(ACE) The OLIVINE Team

The kit hobbled awkwardly alongside the group, trudging back out into the diseased world for hopefully a better day. She grimaced as walking was again a hassle that allowed pessimism to creep into her mind. Arry’s metallic footsteps caught her ears and she immediately forced away the negativity, giving an ingenuine but convincing enough smile. "Rebel, can you teach me how to fight? I wanna help more so that nobody else gets hurt."

Rebel tilted his head in bewilderment at the child’s proposal, but quickly nodded in agreement. “Sure, kiddo,” he confirmed, “you gotta promise to protect Miyu if I’m ever not around.”
“Hey!” She spat, glaring as intimidatingly as a crippled ball of floof could. “Don’t treat me like a baby, brother, I’m an apocalyptic veteran too.”
He shrugged dismissively, further fueling the fire.

"When we take a bath, do you wanna play with me?" The upbeat tone of her Steel- playmate distracted her from the petty ire that was smoldering. Miyu mulled over the question, taking her condition into account before making any promises. “Yeah, that sounds nice,” she answered earnestly, “I might not be able to do much though.”

Their path was leading to the post-apocalyptic gem of the battle frontier— the oasis from before everything went terrible. The grass was a blessing on their raw pads, the plush coolness nothing short of a gift when the concrete had been torturous.
The duo’s attention shot to Cinder as the Quilava rushed with unknown purpose ahead of them all. Alarm took over as a post-traumatic response and they followed behind as backup for their leader.

"Faux?! Faux! Mel! Mel!! Guys, they're here-- they made it!"

It took seeing the two foxes for it to fully register in their mind what they had heard. True to Cinder’s word, the shapes of their presumed-fallen friends became obvious the closer they got— they lay near the destination oasis, looking worse for the wear but Faux was moving!
Cinder screeched to a halt before them and talked enough to make up for any lost time. "You-u.. y-you guys made it..! Legends I-- I thought.. I thought you didn't g-get out." The Vulpix was silent, but in her defense, most Pokémon probably would’ve been too. "Legends... look at you. Look at you both." She didn’t hesitate to begin fishing the Vulpix out of the water, meanwhile the siblings were too flabbergasted to make a move. "Gods, how? Tell me. Please. What happened? How did you guys.." The sentence ended short with emotion overcoming the tearful Fire-type.

"I.. I dont know." Faux finally spoke, quickly followed by a harsh hacking fit. "It's all a blur. I must have blacked out." Their eyes moved to the Ninetales, almost predicting Faux’s next sentence. "It must have been Mel's doing."

“Damn, Mel is a badass…” Rebel commented under his breath.
The Eevee shushed her sniffling long enough to force out a single question: “You two aren’t hurt, are you?!”


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Melanie couldn't recall when she had fallen asleep. The dark of night was endless, the cold of the wind working against her wet fur and wounds made everything so difficult. Faux never woke up, and any sense of direction she tried to claim was lost with all the factors working against her. Where were they now, what was this place? The sound of water and splashing brought the dryness of her throat to the front of her mind. Boy, she needed a drink.. "Mel? Mel wake up!" A familiar voice broke through her fog, and the big fox's ears twitched. "Faux..?" She wheezed, struggling to make sense of those few short words. "You're awake.." Thank the legends.

Taking in a deep breathe Mel sniffed for anything unwanted. Though the faint metallic ting of dried blood reached her nose and the smuttering of ash seemed to of reached all the primary smell was that of water and mud. Had she brought them here..? The icy chill of water had seeped deep into her pelt. A pond..? Moving her stiff neck over the fox didn't even consider otherwise as she gulped several thirsty mouthfuls. Somehow, somehow she had managed to find them some safety.

Just as the fox wanted to drift back into her sleepy daze more voice appeared, screaming and crying out with excitement. The Ninetales knew them to be her friends, the sobbing sounds bringing her nothing but peace to know Faux found them for her, but one voice reached her ears the loudest. "Melanie?! Melanie! Mel!" Etincelle. A warmth returned to her frozen body at the drumming of paws and the crash of his sweet smelling fur against hers. Pain shot up her forelegs, a reminder of the previous night, but she ignored it for the affection of Etin brushing against her maw. "T-thank the legends... I thought I had lost you.." His short tail thumped the ground nearly as fast as his bursting heart was beating. Pressing her cheek to his Mel said nothing. No words were needed. After everything in the Arcade.. she just wanted this moment to be as it was. Etincelle fell into much of the same, joyful whimpers and sniffs replacing any words that needn't be spoken.

When the 'how' came up Mel hoped Faux would fill them all in, but it seemed she was just as lost as she was. "It must have been Mel's doing." She passed the credit off humbly but Mel shook her head to refuse it. "When I couldn't keep digging the tunnel you did, Faux." She paused, realizing how tired she still was. "When I got to the surface I just kept walking. I don't even remember getting here." She had been striding through the darkness but that's all she could recall. Exaustion must have stopped her. “Damn, Mel is a badass…” One could easily say Faux was the hero. She laid out the plans and continued when she fell apart. Everything I did was blind luck. Had an undead showed up, or a hole, they likely wouldn't be here. Still, the praise warmed her a little more.

“You two aren’t hurt, are you?!”

Melanie rolled her head to the side, and though it was still firmly pressed against Etincelle's forehead her nose pointed itself in the Eevee's direction. "My leg is broken." The words came out on a sad sigh and Etincelle gave a mortified yelp as he moved to the side of the hurt limb. The whole thing was a blurry mess now but Mel knew what could have been a sprain or bruise was worsened by her hasty digging and frantic walking. "Gods-! Sorry-" Etin gasped, concern welling in his pink eyes as he examined the leg. It was swollen and clearly messed up now that he was looking. He had thought its warmth was just her natural heat but now he knew it to be inflammation. After all that dirt and laying in water.. what if it got infected?! "Screw the bath- we need to find medical supplies!"

When Miyu said yes it made Arry happy, but there was that consideration that he had to keep in mind especially from that horrible night. “I might not be able to do much though.” Seeing she was still hurt from that night, he had his answer for Rebel. "I'll help her as much as I can. I promise." Now that he said that he'll have to think of something that would likely be safe for Miyu. Oh they could do an old classic water game. Splash each other with water. It was always fun bath game and a pool game which was a past time favorite. The water was very gentle as it could be. All the dirt and things that was stuck in their fur or in Arry's case his tough body would be washed clean of any of that filthy stuff. Still, Arry would likely have to clean himself which is a tough task. If only Mel was around to help with that, but even then he couldn't help but fear that she died.

Etin's voice shouting for Mel in excitement and relief had then caught his attention. Looks like his fear is no longer needed. "Mel! Yay, your here!" Arry shouts in happiness. This was a happy day indeed. Looks like they're all together again. He could understand why Amber didn't stay, but now that they're together again, they can have fun and make it through this tough time. “You two aren’t hurt, are you?!” Miyu asked them, but the response though had made Arry worried. "My leg is broken." She's hurt and right now a bath wasn't needed right away. There should be medicine somewhere, but who knows where that could be. The last time was a stroke of luck, but this time wasn't that easy. There was no easy way to say this, but they'd have to look for any berries if there's any that isn't rotted or is just sprouting.

Cinder couldn't believe what she was hearing, let alone what she was seeing. They were here, they were alive! Her paws trembled, unable to contain her emotions as she tried to remain quiet and let the others speak. It seemed like they both had empty spots in their memory? It had to of been an intense struggle. Mel's tunnel saved them from the blaze, and Faux's perseverance keep them going to safety from the fall? Truly it was a miracle they were both alive.

Faux shuffled her paws awkwardly, the soft ground threatening to make her stumble. She was humble, and rejected the idea of it being her that saved them. She shook her head, and found some peace in Rebel's comment of, “Damn, Mel is a badass…” Cinder jumped forward, placing a paw on each fox as she barked out, "Damn right. A couple of badasses even." Her teeth flashed in a grin, earnest joy filling her heart. Finally... finally something good was happening to them.

“You two aren’t hurt, are you?!”

...She didn't even think to ask such an important question. They both looked like hell, sure, but serious injuries could be hidden beneath that grime. Faux wheezed, quickly reminded of her cracked ribs and injured leg, but she remained stoic as she spoke. "Nothing I haven't been through before." Pain was something she could manage, but the larger fox.. "My leg is broken." That's right. The fuzzy memories of Mel's hobbling steps and hesitation to dig, and the tunnel stopping when the pain got too great. And she walked all night on that. The fox deserved that title of badass. Cinder backed away, allowing the fox's room to breathe as she looked on with worry. Etincelle jumped away, taking the news hard as he carefully picked himself off her injuries leg. "Screw the bath- we need to find medical supplies!"

Faux was taken aback by the vigor in his voice, but even more so by the stark contrast in objectives. "A bath?" She chuffed while rolling her head toward Cinder. Her voice lighter than before as humor edged her tone. "That was the best you could think of?" With a grimace of guilt Cinder could not meet her gaze. "I thought, I don't know, it could lift our spirits before we hunt for remedies." The Quilava looked ashamed, but Faux just gave her a light shove with one paw approvingly. "Not a bad idea." With a deep breath in the fox stood on her weary paws. Her muscles her stiff, achy, and cold. Looking into the waters surface the fox could finally see just how rough she looked, and it just about matched the others. Mud had dried across her entire body and added extra weight she was not used to, and the thought of a bathe was ever more pleasant sounding.

She paused, feeling out her injuries and looking carefully at the angel of Mel's leg. "Etincelle," she started, making sure to keep her voice calm. "Panicking will not help anything." If Mel truly walked on that leg all night the damage was already done, and waiting out a bath would not harm it more. "Mel does need care- we all do- but cleanliness is an important part of preventing infection and we can do that right here and now." Staring directly into his eyes the fox made sure he could not ignore her. "Wouldn't it be best to help clean Melanie's wounds rather than letting them fester, and putting her back on that leg?"

She kept the tension between their gazes, ready to make her 'captain' status known, when a splash broke the connection. Flipping her head around Faux could see the Quilava had charged into the pond and was already rubbing the soot off her fur. Cinder was grinning, and couldn't help but laugh as she said, "C'mon, you know you want to!"

"Nothing I haven't been through before." There it was! That detached tone neither in the duo knew they would miss hearing oh-so much until they couldn’t anymore. The Vulpix’s matter-of-fact speech was more than welcomed as rejoice for one good event became infectious.
The moment grew less joyous in an instant. "My leg is broken." Somber. The only sounds were of Etin’s panic, meanwhile the others remained quiet and fixed on the Ninetales’ announcement. "Screw the bath- we need to find medical supplies!" The Electrike fretted, bounding away from his companion’s side.

"A bath?" Faux repeated. Her words carried an almost comedic tone, eyes falling onto Cinder. "That was the best you could think of?" How embarrassing… to get called out like that. Rebel’s best efforts weren’t to survive last night— no, he just learned it took a hell of a lot more willpower not to outwardly chuckle at the scene. Actually, no…
"I thought, I don't know, it could lift our spirits before we hunt for remedies." The Quilava was more than clearly a bit embarrassed with the topic. Feeling pretty bad for her dear friend, Miyu blurted out in awkward defense: “I agreed! I think we should get bubbles too! Bubbles always help...” She trailed off, realizing all too late she should’ve just not spoken at all. Rebel, on the other hand, lost the fight to contain his snickering and caught one mean glare from the tiny puff of fur, inevitably making his laughing louder.

"Not a bad idea." Faux gave the Fire-type a light, playful shove with a paw as she commended her.
“She meant the bath, not your idea, Miyu,” Rebel confirmed to his sibling, successfully pissing her off further. “Your idea sucked.” Miyu scowled at the comment but only briefly. Laughter took over shortly after and she couldn’t have been angry if she tried.

"Etincelle," Faux addressed the said hound and his continuing hysterics, "Panicking will not help anything. Mel does need care- we all do- but cleanliness is an important part of preventing infection and we can do that right here and now." He would never admit it, but Rebel really did admire the Vulpix’s cool, calm approach to these things. "Wouldn't it be best to help clean Melanie's wounds rather than letting them fester, and putting her back on that leg?" The silence was heavy but in a more awkward sense than stressful. And with one giant splash, that silence was replaced with Cinder’s mischief once again as she waded the pond, scrubbing away the filth from the night before with the devil’s own grin on her face. "C'mon, you know you want to!"

Rebel gave a toothy yawn and lay flat on his side in the sun. “I’m opting out for obvious reasons. But if you want to splash me—“
Miyu cannonballed into the water, shrieking something along the lines of ‘cowabunga’ before hitting the water all too soon and being tragically cut off. Her plop was just well placed enough to get the Jolteon’s head drenched and he stared, dismayed. “I was going to say feel free, but now I just feel taken advantage of…”

She floated around the pond, repeating ‘ow’ and it’s variants at the pain in her leg but boy howdy was it worth it!

"Etincelle," Faux started with that calm demenor of hers. Was she really going to defend this? She couldn't even remember the past couple hours from the hell they'd been through but she'd rather bathe than tend to obvious wounds? "Come on, you both look like hell." He barked quickly, trying to interrrupt the fox. "You can't possibly agree with this." Faux was supposed to be the wise one, the good decision maker. Had the trauma affected her brain? "Panicking will not help anything." Etincelle clenched his teeth, ready to fight back, but he could say nothing as he stared into her eyes. He could hear the blood pumping in his ears and feel the beat in his chest. He'd never win an argument with Faux if he wasn't calm..

"Mel does need care- we all do- but cleanliness is an important part of preventing infection and we can do that right here and now." "But this is our drinking water!" He argued despite being full ready to put himself in it. "Wouldn't it be best to help clean Melanie's wounds rather than letting them fester, and putting her back on that leg?" The Electrike held her stare sternly. Why, why was she okay with this? Why wouldn't anyone help him..? "Etin," Mel whispered, her gentle voice trying to pull his focus away, but the hound held on until a splash forced the tension to break.

"C'mon, you know you want to!" It was like the air had finally taken a breath and Melanie felt the stiffness fade from Etin's fur. "Could you help me Etin?" She asked lightly, nudging with her paw. The tiny hound stepped further away from the water, a deep frown on his maw. For a few seconds Melanie thought he would continue the fight, but then he turned around and stepped to guide with her light touched. "Step here, and here, but be careful; its soft." Though her limbs shook the Ninetales managed to stand and with the utmost care eased part of herself into the water. A second splash sent droplets flying, and though she could not see the culprit she had her suspicions. Balancing herself carefully on three legs the fox flicked her tails across the waters surface and sent a small wave of water toward her keeper. He yelped, surprised, before sending a wave back. Finally, finally everything felt alright again, and the fox started to wash the reminders of yesterday from her pelt.

Miyu's splash was enough to tell Cinder things would be alright. The Quilava even managed a laugh, fully glad for the break in tension and cheeriness from her friend. The wave of water that was sent flying was just a bonus as splashed down on top of Rebel. “I was going to say feel free, but now I just feel taken advantage of…” "You offered~" Cinder teased, hoping to bring a smile back to his face as she cupped her paws and tossed another wave his way. Thankfully, between the two of them the stress of the situation seemed to have melted away. Etin had calmed himself with the task of helping Mel, and Miyu wouldn't even let pain stop her from having fun. It was a temporary peace, but by the gods Cinder would take it.

Now, she hadn't really planned to completely soak herself within the water, but the feeling was way more pleasant than she was expecting. The water was cool and soothing against her hot, irritated wounds, and each slow stroke of her paw released more and more ash from her coat. Moving closer to the edge of the pool Cinder worked her way slowly through her coat. When was the last time she had really bathed like this? The last time she had taken a moment for herself? It felt so surreal- they had almost died after all. "This is nice," she said softly, pleased with the shine her fur was already taking on. Charging back into the water she dipped in enough to give herself a full rinse. "I can't recall feeling so clean."


Between the splashes and ripples Faux glanced at her reflection. She knew she was filthy, that much was obvious, but she couldn't even see her white markings beneath the mud. Unlike the others she kept her distance from the center of the water and started with her extremities. As her white paw started to reemerge the Vulpix would work to pull the mud from the rest of her fur with the clean surface. "A water type would make this a lot easier." She mused to herself, but while it would trivialize the bath she knew Cinder was right; this was rather relaxing.

Clawing mud from her ears and picking it from her claws the small fox looked on as the water changed from a deep blue to a murky, creamy brown. Her pelt prickled knowing this was their only source of nearby water, but she let it go. It was too late to stop and the water would settle down again soon enough. But it wasn't thirst that was working at her mind. The gnawing feeling from inside would have been audible is not for all the sloshing of water. "Did you return to the Battle Castle? Did we have any berries left?"

"You offered~"

Rebel’s mock dramatics ebbed away, the theatrical facade washed from him on the wave of water the mischievous Cinder threw his way. His jaw hung open as the water flew at him and as a result, he humorously spit a small stream of water straight up as he lay flat on his back.
“He learned Water Gun!” Miyu announced as she floated around the pond. Her fluffy fur hasn’t yet become fully wet and as such, had a buoy effect in the water. Her tiny body ricocheted off the edges of the oasis like the colorful symbol in those computer… saver screens? No… green screen? No, not that either… screensaver? She couldn’t remember. It had been such a long time since the computer shop incident with Rebel and the Lopunny.

Rebel twisted and contorted his back into the wet grass, an extremely makeshift bath and coat brushing in one. It wasn’t ideal but he preferred this over the risk of tainting their water supply.
Meanwhile Miyu had finally become waterlogged and was now having to doggypaddle around the oasis.
"This is nice," Cinder commented, "I can't recall feeling so clean."
Rebel couldn’t relate, and it bothered him. He had made many efforts to clean himself up but even with a spotlessly clean pelt, the stench of death and the disgusting feeling of his own body rotting away was everpresent. He had forgotten what clean felt like and it bothered him on a deeper level than he would admit. Fire… When his eye was plucked from his skull, all he wanted was the cleansing power of fire washing over his reanimated body. How he longed to finally feel warmth again as fire melted away all the impurity.

“I’d make a great Vaporeon!!”

You stopped me.

"Did you return to the Battle Castle? Did we have any berries left?" Faux asked.
Miyu hummed, gurgling a small amount of water in the back of her throat. “We do, but I don’t know if they’ll be sufficient for treating injuries along with feeding everyone…” She paddled to the bank and let out an audible [i]whew![/color] from her practically marathon swim. She began pawing insistently at her fur so she too was cleansed of the remnants of their battle. “I can go on a foraging trip if needbe.”

As the water dripped across his fur so did some of the stress from Etincelle's body. This was okay, he shrugged, though it still felt like an unnecessary speed bump. The water helped bring the pressure off his sore leg, reducing the pain and allowing him to stand and move more freely. Still, his muscles remained tense, mind focused on cleaning Mel's pelt before his own. Even as the others Horsea'd around he refused to be distracted by it and settled on taking deep, calming breaths.

All his instincts told him to wash, to bathe the fur before him with short strokes of his tongue, but the Electrike knew that before he made it through even a fourth of her pelt he'd be sick off the ash. Instead he ran his nose along her fur, checking for mats and things trapped beneath the hairs while he used his pads to work them out. As he brushed down her lifted leg he could feel the hot bump that jutted from within. Could they fix that..? Again he feared this entire endeavor was little more than a waste of time, but he pushed those feelings aside to drip more water along the Ninetale's thick neck fur.


“We do, but I don’t know if they’ll be sufficient for treating injuries along with feeding everyone…” Miyu's berries. It felt like a lifetime ago the team had sat down for that meal. Her paws ached as she recalled the battle with those grass types, and the flames that threatened to consume them. Had it not been for those berries her pads may not have healed. Not that they are in good shape now. Thinking back, she knew Miyu was right and doubted they'd have many left. Hunger had not been something on the forefront of her mind but she was willing to go without if the others needed what they had to heal.

“I can go on a foraging trip if need be.” The offer was so sweet, truly going beyond when they were all down, but the fox felt pain within her own smile. "Are you fit to travel?" Melanie asked with earnest concern. She knew the kit was perfectly capable, she had done that job before with flying colors, but she worried about her straining her injuries. While Melanie didn't know the Eevee's extent of damage her quips of pain around the pool were enough to say something had been harmed. "Don't rush it if your wounds wont allow it."

It was by no means the bath of dreams. The muddy bottom could be felt beneath their paws, and the water was quickly changing color as they mixed it up. The surrounding plants smelled strongly of arbor instead of a relaxing ambiance. The water was cold, harsh and almost frosty in the chilly morning. For a fire type that temperature difference was nearly painful, but the girls could at least say it was soothing against their burning wounds.
“We do, but I don’t know if they’ll be sufficient for treating injuries along with feeding everyone…” Miyu pondered, and both fire types tried to recall how much of a supply they had left. Their expressions said enough; the amount would not suffice. "Making sure we're all healthy is more important than eating. Being hunger for a while longer isnt the worst thing in the world." Cinder tried to rational their options, but even saying the words aloud made her stomach gurgle loudly in protest. The day before they had made plans to cook, now they may not even eat. I wonder if that kitchen survived..?

The idea practically made her fur tingle, but the whimsical idea faded as Miyu offered sweetly, “I can go on a foraging trip if need be.” For a second Cinder stared, unsure how to respond. Was that safe? After everything that just happened, the wounds and limps everyone had, would it be a good idea for any of them? Even with the buddy system Cinder feared the possibilities of their crew being separate again, even in an area the Eevee had been before. In the end, if anything happened, it would be her responsibility for allowing her out there. "Are you sure?" She asked back, hoping she had not just offered out of responsibility of being the prior forager.

"Are you fit to travel?" Mel's question was much more prevalent than her own, and Cinder let her eyes linger on the Eevee's leg. "Yeah, your leg took a doozy of a bruising." Though she had helped the worst of it with Arry's potion the pain as clearly still there. Would it harm the leg further or strengthen it to work it so much? "Don't rush it if your wounds wont allow it."
Faux waded back to the edge of water. The Eevee nearly bounced, active on her paws as she paused to dry off. Though present she didn't seem horribly bogged down, and though rest was good it could wait.

With a subtle nod of agreement the Vulpix rested her brown eyes on the small fox. "If you feel you are strong enough, then by all means. It is your choice." Tossing her muzzle upward to watch the rolling Jolteon she was surprised at the change, or maybe even the lack there of, in his coat from the dry bath. "But you shouldn't go alone, even if you choose the same spot. Can I have confidence in you accompanying her, Rebel?" Faux did not want to assume the Jolteon would go with his companion, but among those present he was the only real candidate.

Miyu scurried out of the pond onto the grass, shaking off the excess water which looked to be half the pond’s contents. Realistically, it was not but man did it weigh her body down. She’d never had the pleasure of being luxuriously groomed, what with being the sidekick of a bona fide street rat, but if she had to guess then it felt something like the freshly cleansed feeling she had now.
"Are you sure?" Cinder double-checked. Her leg still remained high, as far from the ground as she could keep it comfortably and suddenly her new handicap was making her more self conscious than ever. She nodded yes to her dearest friend, determined that her leg wouldn’t keep her down.
"Are you fit to travel?" The Ninetales was in the very same boat— no, her circumstances were worse— and yet she had saved both herself and Faux the very night before. How could she lay down in defeat in spite of that?
"Yeah, your leg took a doozy of a bruising." Cinder pointes out. The Eevee’s eyes trailed down to her awkward leg and then back up as the Fire-type continued. "Don't rush it if your wounds wont allow it."

“I’m okay I think.” Her tail wagged subtly behind her, “I might not be exactly… time efficient but I can do this.” She did need practice walking on it. Better now than with a horde of zombies on her tail.
"If you feel you are strong enough, then by all means. It is your choice." Faux said. The confidence in the Vulpix’s words translated into her own, removing any apprehension she might’ve had. "But you shouldn't go alone, even if you choose the same spot. Can I have confidence in you accompanying her, Rebel?"

The Jolteon briefly stopped rolling, still paws-up as though his mind took a moment to process the question. He then toppled onto his side and made his way to his feet, giving his pelt a hard shake and nodding. “Sure thing,” he chirped. “Ready to kick ass?”
The Eevee giggled quietly and responded, “Always!”
She had a bit of spring in her step as she padded off towards the treeline with her companion in tow. “Wish us luck!”

“I’m okay I think.” Miyu said with an air of confidence. Though Melanie did not know what expression she held her tone was quite telling, and self doubt was not within it. “I might not be exactly… time efficient but I can do this.” A warmth spread through her limbs from within, not a heat based on her inner flame or wounds but that of encouragement for the brazen youth. Who were they to hold her back? "Take all the time you need, dear." Melanie cooed, hoping her previous comment had been taken for the genuine care in which it was meant.

"But you shouldn't go alone, even if you choose the same spot. Can I have confidence in you accompanying her, Rebel?" Etincelle couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy from Faux's request. In truth, he would have loved to join. After all that had happened the thought of sending them off filled him with dread. We should stay together. How else could they know everyone was alright? Yet he knew Faux had the right of it; Rebel could offer better protection than he could and it would be wrong of him to leave Mel's side so soon. Her expression was also strain- did she want to go too, but knew the limitations of her leg?

The pair was quick to start scampering off, calling back, “Wish us luck!” with the utmost positivity. He hadn't the time to consider all that could worry him, and watched the fears melt from Melanie's face as she cheered, "Stay safe!" The warmth in the air started to warm his own cold pelt, and as a smile waxed across his face he too answered the call. "We'll be waiting!"

Arry finished getting himself cleaned up and got out of the water. Seeing that the others went to get something for Mel, the aron walked up and sat beside Mel. Looking at it is, that training will have to wait. For the meantime while they are taking a break from anything else Arry would want to entertain himself and whomever else. In a quick instant of a thought Arry had decided to use the small rocks to make something while Miyu and Rebel was away. The first thing was to gather the small rocks in a pile and try to stack them to the best of his ability into a shape. However the shape should be on what the others would want. Asking Etin first would be wise before asking Mel, then Cinder, then Faux. And so he did starting with Etin. "What shape should I make Etin?" Arry asks ask as he was giddy with excitement. There was shapes that he couldn't make but trying would be better than not trying.

“Wish us luck!”

It was hard for Cinder to watch her head off. They had just found the rest of their friends, and already it was like she was losing them again. Her heart ached like that of a worried parent, a hole in her nest that no other could fill. Not that she would know, of course, but it hurt similarly regardless. With a deep breath and a soft say Cinder let a natural smile melt onto her face. "She's grown a lot," she breathed lightly, letting the loving warmth spread throughout her. "I'm so proud." Though she could say that about all their friends the Eevee struck a special cord. It must have been obvious, as Faux poked fun at it. "Come now, don't age yourself." With a snicker the Quilava just nodded and splashed more water onto her coat.

Faux, now clean and satisfied with her bath made her way to solid, dry ground. Working her tongue through her coat and swelling her inner flame the fox was making quick work of drying herself off. "Where do you suggest we search for medical supplies?" The fox asked without looking up from her task. Without a layer of grime on herself she could easily see each little dent and ding, along with the bruising running beneath her fur. The berries would come in time but they were not a replacement for a splint or cast. "Uh.." Cinder hesitated, though it was unclear if it was from being caught off guard or not having an answer. "I was thinking either the Factory or the Tower." They had choices?

"The difference being?" She prodded, her interest lying in the former for their needs. Cinder waited a moment as she gathered her thoughts. "One's closer and probably safer? The other would more likely have supplies but.." A sick feeling gurgled in her belly. The Battle Arcade was always described as the fun one, the light-hearted but serious games facility. Instead it was a hellscape by those who were left behind. "After the Arcade, I'm not sure I could handle some sort of fucked factory. The reward isn't worth the risk. Not in our condition."
Faux stopped mid-lick, her gaze firmly resting on the Quilava. The hesitation was not becoming despite it being well deserved. Her voice kept its eerie calm as she asked, "Are you prepared to go through both?" Again, there was a pause before the other responded, and the words were all too predicable. "If we have to."

Being so low to the water Etincelle's pelt had easily started to clean itself without much help. Spending all his time and effort on Melanie's fur had paid off though as the much larger Pokemon was practically shimmering with cleanliness already. All that stress was melting away like the much from their pelts, unneeded and revealing a new calm. Both Pokemon had truly learned to relax in the bath, and even though worry and fear plagued the back of their minds this moment could be separated from that for the time being. "All clean," Etin practically purred as he swiped off the last bit of mud from Mel's face, instead of a thanks she pressed her wet nose into his cheek. "Thank you sweet prince."

Etin's fur still needed some work but it seemed the others were done already. His previous smile just grew as he started on himself. Slow as usual. For once, that wasn't a bad thing, and though he wasn't terribly fond of water he could find it within himself to enjoy this bath. "What shape should I make Etin?" Arry asked as he pawed at a small pile of stones. Still beaming the Electrike looked over and mulled on the thought. He shouldn't say anything too complicated, but too boring wouldn't hold his attention. "How 'bout a couple of stars?" He decided, imagining the different sizes and number of pebble each could have. "That'd look nice."

The others started to talk, as though the instant they finished some switch was flipped for more important conversation. "One's closer and probably safer? The other would more likely have supplies but.." "Probably safer?" Etin retorted, though his words were not venomous. "Compared to the Castle or the Arcade? Theres a big difference there." But even as he laughed at the thought of safe exploration he knew both places had been bad. One was definitely more unsafe, but the other was still pretty awful. "After the Arcade, I'm not sure I could handle some sort of fucked factory. The reward isn't worth the risk. Not in our condition." Their condition... he had been ignoring the pain, but it never really left. "Should.. should we go after those two?" Mel quickly asked, her voice shaken as though the thought had rattling around. "It's not like either of them are in great shape either. And we let them go! What if something happens?"

With Arry waiting for Etin to give him something to do, he picked up a small twig with a leaf on it as it was straight enough to look like a flag. "How 'bout a couple of stars?" Oh, that sounds fun to do. He always wanted to make a star so he started placing the rocks in each point to where the star points. "That'd look nice." Now the next part was lining up each rock to the point to the edge of the next. With each rock he placed he had to straighten out the rock to where it would be lined up correctly. The big star was first but after that he would then start on the medium star. Each rock was placed neatly and adjusted as he reached the first angle. Now he started moving up to the next point. Once more neatly placing the rocks in a line. However only one of the rocks was to round to stay in place. Instead of tossing the rock, he pressed into the ground enough to keep the rock in place. "Gotcha, now you won't move." Finally reaching the next point, he had to now go down with it. Arry got another rock and started placing it down to the next point. Hopefully he could show how impressive he can do simple shapes.

The Aron then moved some of this rock pile closer so he wouldn't be running back and forth. Resuming on it, he kept placing rocks and straighten when needed until he reached the next point. Since it was a simple step or two, he started to work on the next part until he reached the next angle. Now it was the tricky part. The angle of the bottom of the star was more difficult than the top. So he had to make sure not to mess up. Arry started to slowly work on the bottom part so that way he could make the angle easier. "De de doo, de de doo, doo, de, doo." The Steel type began singing something to himself while he worked on the star. It was his little thing he does to keep himself occupied from being distracted while he makes things.

"Probably safer?" Cinder could feel herself physical flinch at the retort even if it wasn't to be hurtful. "Compared to the Castle or the Arcade? Theres a big difference there." Rubbing her paws together awkwardly the fire type tilted her head one way and then the other. "Well, safer than the Arcade, worse than the Castle?" Nothing could be worse than the Arcade, but it wasn't fair to call anything safe. "A lot of people saw the Tower as like, 'end game'. No doubt there are some strong beings still there, but we won't really know the situation until we see it." The place was crawling with Pokemon back in the day; on TV it was impossible to see anything of the layout outside the area due to the packed bodies. How many were left now? How many were still trying to fight for top marks? It sent a shiver down the fire type's spine.

"So we'll be strolling into something worse than an Arbok's nest but two steps from hell?" Faux chuffed. "Well that's not vague at all." Cinder did have the right of it; the Arcade had been relatively safe until they stumbled across those remaining Pokemon. Truly anything was possible in their buildings from hell. "Should.. should we go after those two?" Mel voice was shaking, as though the earlier confidence had already shattered. "It's not like either of them are in great shape either. And we let them go! What if something happens?" Faux stared down the other fox. Hadn't they just put that fear aside? Her fur was barely starting to dry out and already those worries were returning.

"Those two will do anything for one another." She assured the other vulpine. "A berry hunt will not end their story." Though a smile carved her face Faux could not shake the nagging dread either. The pair would likely return to the same patch as yesterday, and the fire would have obscured scents from lingering undead, but being separated so soon just felt wrong. Was the reward worth it?
Her doubts were broken up by small hums. "De de doo, de de doo, doo, de, doo." Ignoring the subject for a moment longer Faux padded a bit closer to the joyful child. Like a tiny night's sky dotting the ground he had pressed small stars into the soft dirt. Warmth spread through the fox, a short of calming pleasure in seeing the child's work. "Did you know some Pokemon see stars as a symbol of good luck?" She asked him with a whimsy in her voice. Moving her paws carefully the Vulpix dragged her claws and drew thing lines trailing behind of of the stars. "With a shooting star being the luckiest of all. Have you ever seen one?"

Slow-going was the trip on three legs for Miyu, who already wasn’t the fastest walker. Despite the inconvenience, the travelers were in good spirits. The feeling of a warm beam of sunlight was only a memory the night before, a luxury they took for granted until they thought they might never experience it again.

“Leeeets see….” Miyu hummed. What berries did she get before? She pondered her memory of the shapes and sizes, colors and who ate which of them for what ailment. “Orans are good for energy and minor pain relief… everyone knows that.”
Rebel gave an affirmative hum which went unnoticed by the focused Eevee. “Sitrus… more uumph than Orans. And Nanabs are just snackos.”
“Auguav.” Rebel stated simply. The one word twisted the Eevee’s face in minor annoyance.
”Never. Again. I almost died as a child.”
The Jolteon burst into laughter. “You did no such thing. At worst, you drank from a god-knows how old styrofoam cup to wash away the taste. Maybe that’s what started the epidemic…” He mused jokingly. “Also, you’re still a child.”

Ensued was the classic “nuh uh,” “uh huh,” argument between Miyu and the even bigger child until the pair chanced upon a bush donning some bright blue spheres.
”What are these?”

((I'm actually going to skip with these two this time around.))

The stars had looks like they was all great for an innocent child. How he was able to keep them aligned and different sizes was all from learning. It made him happy and so much more. A moment later and he would have made a much bigger star. Faux came by Arry and said something that made him very happy. It made him so happy that he was about to see stars himself. "Did you know some Pokemon see stars as a symbol of good luck?" Arry didn't know that at all and he was glad she told him that because there was always a lucky star in the sky that he has always seen at night. The star closest to the biggest star in the sky was hsi favorite one. Then something else that Faux said that made him really let out the happiest squee in his life. "With a shooting star being the luckiest of all. Have you ever seen one?" Now he wanted to see one and be very lucky.

Arry then tells Faux what he wanted to do at night if they're safe. "I wanna see a shooting star. Maybe we can be lucky like a family." The steel type said in a voice that was so happy that he wanted to tell Miyu when she comes back. Maybe they can see a shooting star at night tonight if it happens.

Padding away from the pond Cinder put distance between herself and the others. With a firm stance she gave her coat a hard shake, sending droplets and embers showering around her. Naturally fireproof, thick fur made for an easily waterlogged pelt, but as her flames crackled big and lively atop her head and hips she could feel the warmth returning to her skin. In an instant her fur fluffed up, clean and soft for the first time in a hot minute. I should really do this more often. It was a luxury, but the results spoke for themselves.

Looking at the others Cinder could see the bathers were quickly winding down. The fire types were leaving the water, natural aversion or otherwise working its way in, and the clear water had turned a hoary brown. Giving it a silent regard the Quilava would have to wait a while before it cleared up enough for a drink. "I wanna see a shooting star. Maybe we can be lucky like a family." Arry's cheerful voice brought her out of her quiet thoughts, the child having bounced back from the ordeal already. With an approving nod Faux scratched another tail behind one of the small stars before drawing her paws in close to her body. "If the sky is clear tonight maybe we can watch for one. They are pretty rare though, so its a special treat to see one."

Walking closer to the pair Cinder added herself to the conversation. "If one does fall though it'll be super cool! The night's sky has been really brilliant since the city lights stopped shining. And without as much pollution everything shines so clearly." As long as the smoke faded out the sky would be as pretty as ever, though it was still many hours away. The idea made Cinder's paws buzz, her interruption already forgotten until Faux gave a clearing cough. "We'll have to keep a lookout tonight if we aren't too tired."

For several heartbeats silence passed between the fire types. It was early, with the night coming after what would surely be a struggle of a day. No words were spoken but both Pokemon tensed knowing what was to come. A breeze blew across the small pond, lifting cold air and blowing it against their damp coats. "Should we wait here until those two come back?" Cinder asked, and while not cold she suddenly felt exposed. "It feels rude to just leave, but it's not like we'd go very far."

Miyu’s sight remained fixed on a berry, the look of focus so intense lightning striking behind her would’ve been absolutely fitting. If she were capable of sweating, her face would’ve been drenched from the epic strain as her hardest task yet continued to best her.
“Yachee… yeashee… yacht….”
Rebel sat off to her side, the boredom on his face hinting at this endeavor taking longer than he preferred.
He gave a toothy yawn. “Even if you remember how to pronounce it, you don’t remember what the berry does.”
“Zip it, nonbeliever,” she said, quickly followed with more y-sounding words.
“But if I do that, how am I going to remind you that you have no way to transport the berries you collect?”

Her cheeks puffed out in annoyance, the very same way a toddler would do during a tantrum. She huffed. “I have a plan.” Rebel quirked his brow as if to say ‘tell me more.’
The silence in response was a dead giveaway the Eevee was bluffing. He sighed heavily and paced off while she plucked a small amount of berries, trying and humorously failing to hold all the stems in her teeth.

Reb cleared his throat behind her, spooking the kit into dropping the berries at her paws. He dropped a large leaf beside them and sat back down. “There. To-go leaf.”

Though Melanie could not see her pelt and it lay heavy against her frame from all the water the fox could tell it was much cleaner. The fur fell smoothly instead of clumping around dirt, and the itching sensation from the irritation was swiftly fading. As she crawled out from the water, wincing from the pain in her leg, she could feel even more of it falling away. With slow, careful steps onto dry land the fox shook gently, her fur too heavy for a full shake and her balance poor on three legs. "Thank you Etin," she gasped at the end of her shake, "that feels so much better."

The smaller Pokemon quickly trailed after her, his thin coat beading the water way. "Of course." He purred while flicking the drops from his tail. With a couple hobbling steps Mel let her paws reach grass instead of dirt before sitting down. The cold water had done some to numb to her aching body, but without its embrace the pain was quick to come back. Etin must have noticed in her face or stance, as he padded over and pressed against her side.

The pair hardly noticed the others light conversation as they stayed in each others embrace. The sunlight was growing, spreading across the grass and burning off what remained of the mist. Its warmth was still faint and any gust of wind would bring a chill to cold fur, but with their pelts pressed together that was hardly a concern. "Should we wait here until those two come back?" Cinder's question was a bit loader and more noticeable than anything said before. Bringing his gaze up Etin looked at her as she finished, "It feels rude to just leave, but it's not like we'd go very far."

Blinking perplexed the small hound cocked his head to one side. "Leave to where? Back to the castle?" Was that really necessary? As a wild Pokemon all this time spent within human dwelling was making him a bit uneasy, and finally getting to relax within this small patch of nature was greatly relieving. "Surely we could wait a little longer."