(ACE) The OLIVINE Team

The ceiling was collapsing around them and some fell in chunks heavy enough to take out even the toughest pokemon. After clearing it, Mathias turned around hoping that someone had gotten Arry. Seconds later, Arry was safe with Xiao. Thank goodness for that. However a voice rang out from the debris. “You imbeciles.” It didn’t sound friendly and it had the sound of hatred. From what Mathias could gather, the voice was directed at them. "Run. Run now." Faux said and it sounded more urgent. The Charizard couldn’t fight carrying things currently but running however, he can do. Slowly backing up and watching the figure, he could tell this looked canine like. Though the dust obscured most of the body from being seen, Mathias had an idea of what it was and the risk of the figure being a potential attacker.

Bastet turned and seen the figure herself. The thoughts that entered her head from the figure. It was full of malice. There was no way she could fight this one. Damn it. The first time I ignore my powers warning me and this happens. I’m no match for this one. We better take Faux’s advice and run. Her powers only had a limit to what she can do but against a dark type? It was practically useless against them. Taking a turn, she begins to run.

Mathias turns and runs as well with the supplies as the threat started moving towards them without running. ”Damn it all to hell! What’s with this day already?!” The Charizard was getting agitated with the situation very quickly. Did they have Giratina’s luck or something?  Regardless the focus was to escape before they was to be attacked by the figure. If Mathias didn't know any better, Faux might know who that figure is and she must have seen what it has done before. Something to ask her once they're safe again. Right now, he just has to focus on staying alive since he's be unable to defend or attack with the supplies he's holding.

At first, the sound of the rubble collapsing was all Xiao could hear. Rubble falling, dust settling and the last few rocks of debris falling down with more cracks of the ceiling above giving way a little more. He covered his face with his free hand to kepe it out of his eyes, squinting through the haze kicked up from the drywall and insulation in the air. That had to be bad for everyone's lungs... He had far worse things to worry about though, because they certainly weren't alone now. Golden eyes peirced through the haze to the silhouettes of pokemon ahead of them.

"Everyone alright?" Xiao gave a soft grunt of confirmation. He was okay, he was alive at least. Once the adrenaline stopped running though his body he probably would start to feel the ache in his body from rubble falling on him when he grabbed Arry, but for now his whole body was coiled like a taught mooring line, threatening to snap under the pressure that was heavy in the air. Xiao's mouth parted slightly to bare his tusks and flash teeth at the forms of the pokemon ahead slowly crawling to their feet, his short fur and feathers raising with an uneasy rumble from low in the Togeren's chest.

Arry moving in his grip was enough to snap him from his thoughs though, and the young child in his grip gave Xiao a moment of dilemma. "Th-thanks Xiao. Th-that was scary." He looked down at the little Aron, before glancing back at the forms of the pokemon who were now struggling to their feet, coughing out dust and debris, shaking it off and starting to stand. They weren't dead or infected; the scent in the air and how they were moving was painfully, familiarly alive. Xiao's eyes narrowed and he grit his teeth, wings flaring out a little further.

He hated to have to be the one to turn tail in the face of danger, but with so many others in this narrow pathway, there was little he could do. And with all their supplies... Retreat is our only option. We can't risk what supplies we have in a fight. He thought bitterly, lip curling a little to show sharp teeth before he started to slowly back away, carefully placing his feet so that he didn't trip over more rubble on the floor.

"You imbeciles." Xiao's eyes narrowed as the unknown voice filtered through the deathly silent air now that the rubble had settled, and he glanced back at their group for the next option for them to do. Standing and fighting was probably not a choice given how much they held... it would risk breaking all the supplies they had collected and leave them stranded with nothing to use if they got more injured during the fight.

So that meant their best option was-- "Run. Run now." Faux's hushed voice confirmed his thoughts, and Xiao turned to start following the rest of the group as they all turned tail and fled down the hallway, falling down to his front legs to hobble faster with Arry still tucked under one arm. He still could at least cover more ground this way, even with his uneven gait for having to only use three legs to move.

”Damn it all to hell! What’s with this day already?!” His eyes darted over to Mathias as the charizard complained, and he huffed out a snort. "If you have time to complain, you have time to be running. We can complain once we are out of danger," he replied back quickly, glancing back over his shoulder to keep an eye on what their less-than-friendly newcomers were doing. If they decided to give chase... well, perhaps his teleport would come in handy far sooner than he anticipated it.

A cold sweat ran down Faux's fiery hot body. A weight pressed heavy like a frozen stone in her belly, raw fury boiling up inside her beneath that sheet of ice. She ran, but her paws were heavy and she felt so far away from herself. That Pokemon.. the single shape of her body was enough to confirm her fears, but the sound of her voice begot a new hell upon them. That murderous demon was here. But why, how? Had she not had her fill, satisfied her sickening personal affair? The fox grit her teeth, baring down her fangs so hard they ached. Of course not. His death would never of sated that clinical monster, making the act more and more sickening.

She ran like a Pokemon possessed, her thoughts a million miles away and unaware of her companions as they tried to speak. Cinder eyed her with a worried gaze, the alarm understandable but Faux seemed distressed by the very sighting. The numbers and species, she couldn't pick them out in the haze. Had Faux caught wind of something threatening? For all they knew these Pokemon were friendly, though the Quilava was glad they were not sticking around to find out. The hall they had carefully traveled flew by in an instant, their hurried steps making short work of the path as they ran out of sight of those unknown Pokemon. An intersection was fast approaching, though she could not spot the mark and knew it was not their turning point. Signaling with a quick word of, "In here!" she darted inside an open room, one they had searched earlier that would offer them a moments cover.  

Finally having a second to catch their breath Cinder pushed up onto her hindpaws and put one paw over her drumming chest. The rapid pounding of her heart was only dampened by the quick breaths she was taking in in a symphony of stress. "What.. what the hell?!" She gasps, still dumbstruck by the whole situation, ceiling caving in and everything. They were damn lucky to of made it out okay, let alone to get away from the others without chase. Flames flickering white hot the Quilava tried to slow her heart rate but struggled just to breathe. This place had been soulless until now, why would these things be so high up?!
Peaking at the others she thought to see that everyone was okay, something she should have done before, and instead saw Faux pacing the space, her paws twitching despite the burst of energy. With raised hackles and a deep rumbling growl she seemed ready to snap at them at any moment. "Faux?" Cinder huffs, brows furrowing with confused concern as the fox finally planted her rear down to steady herself.

"That was her," the fox growled, her voice gruff as it wheezed through bared fangs. "That's the bitch that murdered Rosko."

Melanie ran with an awkward gate. She had no time to sense her surroundings, the steps of her companions her only guide for any obstacles. The hall had been mostly clear on their way through, she knew that much, but every slight deviation of debris was enough to stumble her hurried paws and nearly send her crashing into the floor. What had they seen? There was a voice, was it speaking to them? Legends forbid she had been right and multiple things broke the ceiling on them. Was it intentional?! Her mind raced, anything to force the panic aside as she bolted down the hall on three legs. "In here!" Cinder barked, but the words sounded so distant as the Ninetales fled within her own world. Had Etincelle not bolted before her, stopping her charge and corralling her back toward the open room, who knows when she would have stopped.

With a heavy set of pants and wheezes the couple settled in a stressed heap. Adrenaline held back any pain from her leg but Etincelle grimaced at the weird angle Melanie was holding it at. They didn't need this... "What.. what the hell?!" The sentiment was shared, the entire scenario through the Electrike for a loop as he licked dirt from Melanie's cheek. "We shouldn't be here." She chokes out, the words nearly painful as she gives a rough swallow. With a nuzzle Etincelle could not respond; his eyes had locked onto Faux, her many tails flicking with anger as she paced the room. The command to go, the look in her brown eyes, had she also felt the ice in her blood? He would not get the chance to ask before the cold took over him.

"That was her. That's the bitch that murdered Rosko."

A shuddering chill ran throughout his body. The pain of his loss was refreshed, sweeping over him like the moment it happened. That bitch was the one?! "We have to go back!" He demands, instantly leaping to his hardened paws. "We cant let her get away with it!" A murderer out on the streets, his family for legends sake. Clenching his jaw the sweet, placid canine bristled with outrage. "Rosko would never stand for that!"

Mathias was running as much as he could but he noticed that the Houndoom wasn't running after them but more like a walk in a way that this was a game to them. A deadly game no less but if they could evade her long enough to get to the elevator, then they'll come up with a way to defeat the dark type and her posse. "If you have time to complain, you have time to be running. We can complain once we are out of danger," Fair point but none the less, they would remain in danger as long as the houndoom is after them. "In here!" It was one of the rooms that they searched earlier. It was better in there than it was out in the halls being stalked by their less than friendly visitor. Bastet ran in first before Mathias and Xiao did. Getting inside Mathias' tail flame was raised quite a bit. Placing the supplies down on the floor, the charizard started to catch his breath from running. "That was her. That's the bitch that murdered Rosko." Wait, what? That was a killer that was after them? Fighting her without fire moves would be a bit more tougher but maybe if they used any of their non fire moves and Bastet used her powers on objects, they could stand a chance. "Rosko would never stand for that!"

Bastet spoke up hearing that name. Maybe that was the mound they seen earlier. A makeshift grave for a dead pokemon. "This Rosko, you all must have respected him I take it?" She asked as she was curious. But hearing Etin saying about avenging his death, it made her feel that maybe he was right to stop a killer houndoom from killing again. "If that houndoom is a killer, then we should stop her before she kills someone else. Faux, Cinder, it's your call on what we do." The Espeon said showing her willingness to fight against the threat.

Mathias finally was breathing normally. ""As much as I detest harming other living pokemon, I won't let a killer get away with killing others for sport." But the more important thing was to hide the supplies and the charizard had a hunch that the houndoom might have the majority of supplies. That would mean that she'll likely try to kill them in order to get their supplies. "Where would we be able to hide these to keep them safe?" He then see a spot that would be difficult for one with paws to grab or close to near impossible. "There, that houndoom won't be able to get to it over there. What about Arry though?" Mathias wasn't sure if Arry would be able to fight against a strong pokemon like a houndoom.

Even hobbled with one leg not on the ground thanks to holding Arry, Xiao made short footwork of the run as the group fled from the site of the cave-in. It was not usually in his style to flee at the sight of danger, far too used to standing hit ground in the face of adversaries and fighting them back tooth and nail. No matter how much of his own blood spilled on the land, he always came out of it in the end eventually. But with this group, Xiao was in the dark. He didn't know how many of them could fight, he didn't even know what kind of abilities they had when it came to fighting. At this stage, it would be a hinderance to stay and fight with all the odds stacked against him.

So, he had to choose to flee. Xiao's stubby claws gripped at the floor as he ran, pushing him forward with newfound vigor. They had to get somewhere safe, at least. If they were to fight, the ones who couldn't needed to be put somewhere safe first. What will we do if they corner us in one of the rooms? His eyes darted back and forth, lookign for something, anything to use as he ran. Nothing jumped out at him and Xiao cursed under his breath, a growl pulling from the depths of the togeren's chest.

He almost missed Cinder's hurried bark of, "in here!" As they ran, his wings flaring and legs stiffening to skid around the corner and into the room the others had ducked into. Breath heavy and nose flaring as he huffed out sharp breaths, Xiao's jaws parted slightly to suck in more greedy gulps of air, his golden eyes darting over the group to take a headcount. Good, they were all there it seemed. Carefully placing Arry back down on the ground, Xiao reared onto two legs, with his tail down to balance himself as his wings tucked in tight to his back and hips so that he didn't use up as much space in the smaller room.

The togeren craned his head around to look back out where they'd just run from, gritting his teeth and lips pulling back slightly in a tense snarling frown. His short furred hackles rose and he kept his wits about him, not trusting those others to not follow after them. The feeling of stress, fear and anger wa heavy in the air like a blanket, crawling up Xiao's body and gripping him by the throat like a vice. He swallowed hard as if that would alleviate it, wincing slightly when it seemed to make that tight feeling worse. Fuck, he thought, how long until they get here? Are they chasing us? What will we do if we are forced to fight?

His sentiments of confusion at the situation were shared at least. "What.. what the hell?!" He turned his head back to Cinder as the quilava gasped out, pupils thinning slightly with a low hum. Faux was the one who ordered the hasty retreat, perhaps she had more information on why such a rapid sprint was warranted? He seatched the room for the vulpix, pausing once his eyes fell on her pacing form. Agitated... something was up, but he didn't feel like he had the right to ask, he was new here and didn't want to be seen as prying into her business. Still, the duel type's eyes followed Faux as she paced, head cocked slightly to listen to the others as well.

"We shouldn't be here." Briefly his eyes switched to Melanie and Etincelle, before snapping back to Faux as the low growl started from the vulpix. She knew something... did she recognise the pokemon that had fallen from above? Cinder breached the topic for him at least, calling the fox's name with concern, "Faux?"

He watched as the vulpix planted into a sit, carefully lowering himself down to all fours so that he could follow suit as well, his tail wrapped neatly around his feet. Eyes squinting slightly in the dark, Xiao's gaze fixated on Faux, listening intently. He needed to know all the information he could get right now, clearly she had the most intel right now. "That was her," a pause, and Xiao's brows furrowed. Her? Someone they'd run into before? Going by Faux's body language, it wasn't a pleasurable meeting the last time they'd seen these other pokemon.

"That's the bitch that murdered Rosko." Ah. A murder? Xiao sighed, clicing his eyes and looking away. He opened them again to look out the doorway, keeping lookout down the hall. Murder, death, it was all something Xiao had dealt with before far too often than he wanted to admit. However... most others weren't so used to such brutality. He let out a long breath through his nose, feeling the tension in the room ramp up after Faux's words.

"We have to go back!" Flicking his gaze sharply back into the room towards the group, Xiao kept his head tilted away, his nose pointed at the doorway as he watched Etin leap to his feet from the corner of his vision, mouth pulling into a more tense frown. "We cant let her get away with it!" Of course, they wanted revenge. Xiao didn't know Rosko, he didn't have the attachment these others seemingly had to him and he couldn't pull his own judgement on the situation from that. So he fell back on what was usually what kept him going; his job. He was to be used as a weapon, and if that bladed edge was pointed to something or someone else in the name of revenge? He wouldn't complain.

A weapon was meant to do it's job without complaint, and he was loyal to his orders even to the fault of his own benefit. You don't need to benefit. You were tasked for something and that means you're expected to do it without hesitation. He thought, finally tilting his head back towards the group to listen more intently. "Rosko would never stand for that!" The dead had no further wishes in the land of the living, it was up to those left behind to hold their legacy. The thought of former comrades and former pokemon that once worked side by side with Xiao came to mmind and he sighed.

They no longer had wishes of their own, so it was up to Xiao to shoulder their burdens along with his own. That at least, Xiao could understand. Fine. If they wanted revenge for Rosko's murder, Xiao would help. "This Rosko, you all must have respected him I take it?" Respect, maybe... but close bonds and ties these days often went much deeper than just respect. Then again, both her and the charizard seem to be lacking respect on a fundemental level. I can't expect much from them. He thought, tail twitching and flicking as he watched in silence. "If that houndoom is a killer, then we should stop her before she kills someone else. Faux, Cinder, it's your call on what we do."

Putting the call on their shoulders. Could they do it? Could they call the death or injury of another pokemon and leave them to the whims of this cruel, twisted world? Xiao's frown deepened and he clenched his teeth hard enough to hear them creak. Lives were easy to take for one who had silenced the breath of another, they became fleeting and as delicate as a flower crushed underfoot. But often people became caught up int the beauty of the petals and cannot bear to cut the weed, even if it was choking the garden and killing that which lay around it.

This houndoom has already killed. She won't hesitate to do it again, so there needs to be no hesitation from us either. Can I trust this group to go through with it? He listened intently to the group stew over the thought of getting revenge, his own thoughts kept silent for now. He'd add his input later, if he was asked for it, of it the time called for it. Too many voices on a topic lead to mob mentality most times. "As much as I detest harming other living pokemon, I won't let a killer get away with killing others for sport." So he would become that which he detests, because another life was taken? Another life was still going to be taken, no matter the reason. Killing someone doesn't decrease the number of murderers within the globe, it only removes another living soul.

But perhaps that was his own way of looking at it. But you're already a murderer. You've killed before. And you'll do it again, without mercy and without hesitation He thought at himself, brows furrowing. But at least I'm used to feeling blood stain my skin. These sins will never be washed away, will never heal. At least it stops someone else from feeling this sin of being the reason another healthy, living creature has exited this world.

"Where would we be able to hide these to keep them safe?" The supplies. He watched as Mathias set about finding somewhere out of reach to hide them, wings shuffling a little as he adjusted his stance where he sat. "There, that houndoom won't be able to get to it over there. What about Arry though?" The child... he'd need to hide. Watching someone else die was not something such a young life needed to see. Xiao sighed, looking back outside with a narrowed glare.

"I would assume he would need to be put somewhere out of the line of fire." Xiao stated, watching the hall they'd run from, "are you firm on the idea of getting revenge? I cannot speak for the wishes of dead as I did not know them... but I doubt it will be easy to take down that crew in such close quarters here. It would not be wise to fight indoors here." He voiced, looking at the tight hallways. It would become a bottleneck, far too easy for anyone to get injured in the crossfire, or for friendly fire to take out their own group. This was not an ideal place for a battle.

Cinder's flames flared, crackling loud and growing white with enraged heat. "That was her?" She exclaims, golden eyes wide as the weight of the realization hit her like a truck. "Why did we run?!" Of all Pokemon Fuax had taken that loss personally as her fuck up, yet the fox just stared bitterly at the floor, her brown eyes narrowed. Though she clenched her teeth a grunting sigh managed to make its way out, her unresolved feelings palpable while remaining unspoken. "We have to go back!" Etincelle's voice boomed, dripping with all the emotion Faux refused to display. "We cant let her get away with it!"

"We wont-" Faux growls, her voices strained as she struggled to civil, but the fox cut off as Cinder interrupted her. "If we don't she'll spill more blood." Hunching her shoulders Faux wanted to agree, to reason with her teammates, but they were dipping dangerously toward bloodlust. "Rosko would never stand for that!" The Quilava nodded vigorously, her side clearly aligned with Etincelle. "We have to, for him." "You don't know--" She starts again, the energy of the room completely flipping on its head. Were they all hellbent on murder... was she?

With heaving pants Cinder felt prickles all along her body. They didn't have a moment to spare, they needed to get back to that bitch and bring her down. But for all her hatred the Quilava forgot they were not all present; the group had changed a fair bet since that horrible morning, and the burning feelings were not shared among all. "If that houndoom is a killer, then we should stop her before she kills someone else. Faux, Cinder, it's your call on what we do." Turning her head with a violent snap the Quilava shot daggers at the Espeon, her riled emotions not allowing her to miss the slight against them. You think you have any right to say otherwise? Those two knew nothing of the tragedy, of its unexpected speed, of the bitter bite of a kin. They had no right to ask otherwise, let alone undermine their authority. "As much as I detest harming other living pokemon, I won't let a killer get away with killing others for sport." Mathias commented more idly, bending to the idea without much convincing before quickly taking matters into his own hands. Legends help her, these Pokemon were useless. How had they not been killed?

Of the lot, Xiao remaining the most rational, hearing the course of action zipping through the room and giving it proper consideration. "Are you firm on the idea of getting revenge? I cannot speak for the wishes of dead as I did not know them... but I doubt it will be easy to take down that crew in such close quarters here. It would not be wise to fight indoors here." The fox let out another heaving breath. The Togeren was correct, this would not be an easy choice in any sense, and truly none of them could speak on Rosko's behalf despite Etincelle's attempts. "We can't just allow her to walk free." Cinder pointed out, a bitter sting in her voice. Had they, she, been awake that morning, perhaps they could have stopped her. Maybe they could have taken fair blood at that moment. Maybe Rosko wouldn't.. "She didn't give Rosko that choice."

"Let's go back-"

Leaping to her paws Faux stood tall with her tails high. "Violence begets violence." The fox growled, slowly and firmly pronouncing each word to show their weight. "Murder is a not a solution, nor is revenge." Her blood was boiling, inner flame fuming as her toiling emotions threatened to overtake her calm demeanor, but the Vulpix held fast. "She deserves to be punished, yes, to feel retribution for such an unforgivable act. But to kill her?! What would stop the cycle from continuing? What would prevent those other Pokemon from seeking their own revenge?"

"This Rosko, you all must have respected him I take it?" While her wording made him physically cringe the Electrike could not be bothered with semantics. "He was a dear friend," he says on a heavy, weighted sigh, "And we failed him." There was no two ways about it; had they done better he would still be with them. What that meant, scouting with him, fighting alongside him, not letting him go in the first place-- it didn't matter. They, he needed to do better, to pay it forward, and allowing a murderer to callously walk free did not feel like doing better. "We have to, for him." Curling his claws against the floors the small canine grit his teeth. He was no killer, ey, he struggled to even put down undead, but they had to do something, and Cinder backing him up was enough to send a spark through his pelt.

"Etin," Melanie warns, the atmosphere of the room drastically changing as the two Pokemon hyped each other up and the newcomers followed. A sickening feeling weighed heavily in her belly, concern, disgusted, dismayed at the sharp turn this had taken. While justified, even Faux's rage was disconcerting as it spurred the banter before she backpedaled. "There, that houndoom won't be able to get to it over there. What about Arry though?" Mathias was already prepping, another Pokemon putting this act into motion. Had they all gone mad?! Her pelt stood on end, hoping for even one among them to speak up. A light brush against her leg told her of Etincelle's presence, and he was practically vibrating in place with some sort of anticipation.

"I would assume he would need to be put somewhere out of the line of fire." Xiao's words were soft and thoughtful, counter to the emotion filling the older members. "He shouldn't be there at all." She was quick to clarify, though she assumed Xiao had no intentions of sending the boy anywhere near combat. Despite his protective steel skin this was a fire Pokemon, and even more so Arry was a child. Flicking her snout about the room she "looked" at the other Pokemon, their palpable emotions gagging her. "Do you all hear yourselves? You're talking about premeditated murder." While Xiao's initial statement did not soothe her his further questioning was deeply appreciated, showing a wise Pokemon not fueled by their spiraling personal affairs.

"We can't just allow her to walk free." Cinder topped the Togeren, and while the hysteria had slightly calmed her voice still resonated with malintent. The large fox shook her head, disappointed that reason had not stopped her. "But she should walk." She growled back, raising her voice to be heard. These Pokemon were so different from those back home; they had rules, morals, options- "She didn't give Rosko that choice." The cold finality of her words stopped Melanie mid-thought. She was settled then, and from the trembling feeling at her paws, so was.. Etincelle.... Though he did not echo her call he stared at Cinder was resolved eyes, understanding her intent and allowing himself to follow.

"Violence begets violence." Faux growled, her butch, booming voice loud above all others. "Murder is a not a solution, nor is revenge." Finally, finally Melanie could breathe, a breath she did not know she was holding puffing out on an anxious gasp. The voice of reason had spoken up, her willpower smothering the banter. "She deserves to be punished, yes, to feel retribution for such an unforgivable act. But to kill her?! What would stop the cycle from continuing? What would prevent those other Pokemon from seeking their own revenge?" The others.. were they friends or followers? Did it matter, would one be better than the other? "We can't retaliate with more murder. We would just be stooping to her level." The larger fox sighs sternly, her words parroting the smaller fox. "What then?" Etincelle barks at her, his voice a mix of disbelief and hurt. "We can not sit by and let that murderer walk free. Thats not better; we'd be allowing further murders to happen!"

Mathias wasn't sure if he really wanted to go through doing something he hated. Sure there are pokemon that cause trouble but this became incredibly unbecoming of himself. He would be no better than his brother if he went through with this. That was until Arry and the other three said something that got Mathias to actually feel as if the way to do this was not the way. "Cinder....can you and Mathias stay with me? I just don't wanna see anyone get hurt anymore. Please? Can't you just make the mean pokemon leave without hurting her as well?" His arms drop down to where he finally found the sense to their words. His mind was now made up. He was going to stay with Arry. The young aron would need someone to protect him.

Bastet looked over to Mathias and seen something. It was a different sign that was as if he wasn't sure about anything anymore. She could see that the charizard no longer wanted to fight but to protect Arry now. A small frown came on her face as she looked at Arry. What can they do? How can they talk to a dangerous houndoom who doesn't want to listen to anyone? There has to be a way somehow but right now, they can only go on the defense. She already felt tragedy when she lost her trainer and the other pokemon she cared about. It left her scarred in a way. Though she has failed to say it before, every night, she hears both her and Mathias' trainer's death scream when she's asleep.

Eventually psychic communication between her and Mathias went underway to discuss what Mathias is thinking. Mathias? Are you sure you want to do this? I get what the others are saying and I'd be ineffective against a dark type but I'm not sure if we can talk sense into the houndoom at all. The Charizard then looks at Bastet. I...I'd rather keep Arry safe right now instead of leaving him alone in case things go bad and she isn't stopped. Besides, I feel more confident that um, uh, umm. Trying to pronounce the name right, Bastet quickly looked at him with a look that she was expecting Mathias to screw up on Xiao's name again. Mathias stopped short of mispronouncing his name until he finally got it right. Xiao can help you guys come with a solution. Arry would likely expect me and Cinder to answer him.

Mathias then answers to Arry. "I'll stay if Cinder wants me to help her keep you safe." Waiting for Cinder's response, he would see this as a chance to maybe talk with her and protect Arry at the same time.

Tensions in the room were high, people's emotions were mounting to peaks, leaving Xiao overwhelmed and his head aching. The togeren winced a little, keeping his eyes out on the hallway that they'd come from to try and mitigate the stress of watching the fighting. People calling for the death of something else, did they understand the weight of what they were asking for? Did they understand the horror that would follow, that they we the ones that caused it? He understood revenge, but was taking another life in this already dwindling world the solution?

"He shouldn't be there at all." Melanie above all of them, was most level headed; she didn't want to kill someone. Thanking the stars, Xiao finally focused his eyes on Melanie. She was angry, she was hurt, but there was no bloodlust. Xiao latched to that like a lifeline, not wanting to be pulled under the waves of the others crying for blood. "Do you all hear yourselves? You're talking about premeditated murder." Xiao opened his mouth to speak, to agree with her, though he was quickly overspoken by Cinder, he words holding a heavy finality, "we can't just allow her to walk free."

Once more, Melanie tried to reason, to press the fact that this didn't have to resort to murder. "But she should walk." Xiao's breath had shallowed, his breathing shortening as he listened, golden eyes flicking his piercing gaze between the two fire types. His feathers prickled up in anticipation as Cinder's voice didn't seem to back down, only responding more firmly. "She didn't give Rosko that choice."

Flicking his eyes around the room, the grim resolve many of them had worried Xiao. These pokemon were acting in a moment of passion, they didn't know what came after taking a life like this. How it affected someone. he opened his mouth again, wanting to interject, to say something to stop this mad spiral into bloodlust, but the words died on his tongue and the togeren clenched his jaws shut with grim acceptance. He wasn't one to argue here, he was supposed to be the thing used to kill, what he wanted, the lives he wanted to spare didn't mean anything if the wielders of his power wanted something slain.

Thankfully for the togeren, one of their leaders was listening to reason, her voice pulling Xiao's eyes up, head snapping to Faux. "Violence begets violence." Releasing a heaving breath, the togeren stood, wings ruffling a little as the weight over his chest seemed to lessen, the burden of souls lost lifting from his shoulders slightly. Finally, someone who didn't want to take another's life, someone who didn't want to keep the cycle of murder rolling. "Murder is a not a solution, nor is revenge."

Finally finding his voice, Xiao interjected his own agreement, almost breathless with relief. "Faux is correct. Taking another's life in haste is not something that can be cleansed from someone." He said, standing a little taller, his head raising as he looked around the room, a little more comfident about going against the cries for death with more voices on his side. "Killing and killing and killing will not stop this from continuing. If we were to kill this houndoom, what would stop her followers from doing the same back?" He said, one hand gripping at the ground, stubbly teal claws digging into it.

"She deserves to be punished, yes, to feel retribution for such an unforgivable act. But to kill her?! What would stop the cycle from continuing? What would prevent those other Pokemon from seeking their own revenge?" Faux mirrored his own concerns, and his golden eyes squinted at her, relief in his gaze. He didn't want to kill, he didn't want to feel another's blood on his hands, not when there were other options. "We can't retaliate with more murder. We would just be stooping to her level." Xiao huffed a soft breath, his feathers slowly settling down with the idea that maybe they won't kill her.

"What then?" His eyes flicked over to Etincelle, pupils thinning slightly as he watched the little blue electrike as he questioned them "We can not sit by and let that murderer walk free. Thats not better; we'd be allowing further murders to happen!" Xiao sighed heavily, his breath disrupting the dust around him as he thought. What could they do? How would they punish her, without killing her for murdering one of their own?

"There are ways, ones that do not stoop to the same level as taking a life." He said, his eyes on the electric type, before he looked around the room, golden gaze flicking firmly between each pokemon gathered there. "Getting yourselves lost in the bloodlust of wanting another pokemon dead is a slippery slope. It will lead you down the same path of the slain." He said, shaking his head. "I do not want to be the cause of more death, not when there is another option that will have more impact. No lesson can be taught to a corpse"

He heaved a soft breath after his speech, wings drooping lower to the ground. He dipped his head after a moment, looking away from the group to try and calm his nerves, calm his body and instinct streaming at him for speaking back, for disobeying the wishes of the majority. But if even one of them listened, that would be enough for Xiao. He was tired of death.

Faux's muscles clenched tightly as she used every bit of her will to stay above the retort. Spirits were being riled, emotions rolling one way or another as Pokemon spoke up or kept certain thoughts to themselves. Pain, loss, heartbreak, grief, such emotions could make someone act against their very morals and wishes. "We can't retaliate with more murder. We would just be stooping to her level." Melanie rationalized, the Ninetales a surprising voice of reason among them for one usually a bit more edgy. "We will not stoop to her level." Faux repeated with conviction, solidifying the words against those who wanted otherwise.

"What then? We can not sit by and let that murderer walk free. Thats not better; we'd be allowing further murders to happen!" Narrowing her eyes at the hysterical hound Faux raised her voice as she barked, "Enough!" The tips of her many tails twitched, the fur along her spine quivering as she walked the edge of [literally] slapping sense into him. "We are not the paws of justice to make that decree." Nature was a cruel and unjust mistress, and while man's law had its strong points it was not their way. They could not use rules and laws, but the very flow of nature's course.. by letting their hate go. It was sickening, almost immoral, but even as intelligent beings they were bound to a certain code. "We must not continue the cycle."

"There are ways, ones that do not stoop to the same level as taking a life." Xiao spoke collectively, his words nearly blasphemous as the other Pokemon watched him speak. Faux gave him the floor, her head cocking ever so slightly with curiosity. "Getting yourselves lost in the bloodlust of wanting another pokemon dead is a slippery slope. It will lead you down the same path of the slain." She does not nod but feels the weight of his words. Tilting her gaze to the side Faux could see Cinder's golden eyes widen, then narrow, as reality or perhaps memory grounds the fire type once again.

"No lesson can be taught to a corpse" Blunt, powerful, striking, of that didn't knock sense into Cinder nothing would. Resting on her haunches she crossed her arms with thought. "Fair point, but I don't think a lesson will fix a broken moral compass." What ways did he mean, and were that feasible here? "What will stop her from repeating this? Fear and morality won't work." She questioned the fairy, not rejecting his points but inviting them. To kill a peaceful Pokemon in cold blood.. What could they install other than maiming her killing method?

"Cinder....can you and Mathias stay with me? I just don't wanna see anyone get hurt anymore." The Quilava let out a tense breath from between her teeth as her gold eyes snapped to the steel type. Were it not for the heat licking at her maw she would have yelled at the boy. Seriously, why me? Admittedly, she had showed him so little interest, yet he clung to anything he could. With an irked sigh she realized the boy was despite, seeking comfort and support that no one was showing him during this stressful chat. "I'll stay if Cinder wants me to help her keep you safe." The dragon was quick to offer, the reed quickly finding yet another way to sway that brought a grin to her face. "I can't stay here, but look, Mathias would love to!"

"Enough!" Faux silences his rant, the burning feeling from her gaze boring into his skin. "We are not the paws of justice to make that decree. We must not continue the cycle." As the least of them all, Etincelle found her phrasing passing strange. He was the most backwoods, yet Faux seemed to be claiming that his ways were law. "Even wild Pokemon don't follow all the rules of nature." He argued, a bitter sting prickling along his spine. His very existence was evidence of that. With a shuddering breath the small canine wanted to prove a point, but his personal vendetta was becoming more and more evident to himself as his thoughts went around in circles. "Etin, she's not saying to do nothing, just that eye-for-an-eye murder isn't the way." Melanie soothed, her voice eerily rational as she  pressed against his tense side. Letting his head hang down he offered the floor back to the others. Then what difference will it make?


"There are ways, ones that do not stoop to the same level as taking a life." Etincelle could feel Xiao's gaze upon him as he spoke, the sensation for then enough for him to carefully consider his words. "Getting yourselves lost in the bloodlust of wanting another pokemon dead is a slippery slope. It will lead you down the same path of the slain." The same? No, he was nothing like that monster! She killed callously, for some sick, personal reason. Taking only Rosko from them and harming no one else in some.. personal.. vendetta... A shudder ran down the Electrike's spine as his body went cold. What the hell was he thinking? He was such a gentle soul, how could he allow hysteria to warp this thoughts so, so inexcusably??

With wide eyes his head drooped lower, ashamed by what he had been saying. In his heart he still pelt that passion, that burning hatred for her heartless act.. but never would he wish death upon something so vehemently. The change in his stance was painfully clear, his silence unneeded for Melanie to know he regretted his words. She pressed closer to his side, gently licking his forehead as her tails wrapped around him. Staying close, she put those words behind him, and comforted the hound in place for more arguing.

"What will stop her from repeating this? Fear and morality won't work." Cinder continued instead, the debate finally moving away from death in a productive manor. The point was strong, even Melanie couldn't think of anything that would work long term. Her home village had rules similar to man that they could not replicate in their position. If Xiao had a better solution she was all for it, but it wasn't the Togeren's suggestion that next brushed her ears. Arry sobbed, clearly frightened by it all as he sought comfort. "I can't stay here, but look, Mathias would love to!" The fox's heart broke for the boy, and even twinged with a bit of jealously. Were she not wound around Etincelle she could have offered him a place at her side. "Would you like me to stay with you Arry?" She offers, leaving it open to the boy to decide. She would not be much use on a battlefield, a hard pill she was coming to swallow, but would go regardless unless needed elsewhere.

((skip. I'll edit when im not on 48 hour sof no sleep.))

((skip for responses))

((Gonna skip with Etin/Mel as well for the same reason))

At least the swirling emotions in the air had settled. Xiao let out a long breath as the tense air lessened a little, wings pulling in against his back as he shook himself out to displace some tension in his body. There was still unrest snaking its way through the group, but the cries of murder had slowed down at least. He was glad, that despite the calls for this other murderer to be culled, that they had come to the conclusion that it wouldn't solve the problem. "Fair point, but I don't think a lesson will fix a broken moral compass." Xiao hummed at Cinder's words, settling back onto his haunches to lift his hands to the air so he could cross his arms, brows furrowing. "What will stop her from repeating this? Fear and morality won't work." She was right; they had to figure out how to make this work, but without causing more death.

Xiao let out a breath, closing his eyes as he thought. Fear was a no-go, you couldn't scare someone out of killing more people. If she'd killed this Rosko in cold blood, Xiao could bet she didn't have a normal moral compass. Perhaps threatening to take something she held dear, but the Togeren didn't see that as a viable option. They'd have to get close to her for that, and it would be doubtful she'd share that willingly. There was always mutilation, though the thought made his wings twitch, a dull phantom ache running through them. While it wasn't the same as crippling the togeren's flight, the idea of ripping things from this other pokemon sat uneasily with Xiao.

But is that the best option we have? If she can't kill anyone, she's not a threat. But that also means she can't defend herself either, she'd be a sitting duck for the evil that patrols the lands now. Xiao opened his eyes, looking over the group with a frown twitching at his mouth. What ways would be the most effective? "I can't figure out what would be the most effective. All options have cons to them, some more severe than others." He said, tilting his head as he looked over at Arry, the child pulling a frown across the togeren's face. They also had a child to worry about too; Arry would be a prime target, no matter what they did to this houndoom.

"Cinder....can you and Mathias stay with me? I just don't wanna see anyone get hurt anymore." And he once more wanted a babysitter. Xiao let out a long sigh through his nose, his eyes flicking back to Cinder instead of Arry. The child wasn't his priority right now, they had other things to worry about. "I'll stay if Cinder wants me to help her keep you safe." Xiao bit his tongue to hold back his relieved sigh about Mathias choosing to stay. Good, his brash thinking already seemed like too much of a headache for the togeren to factor into his plans.

Cinder it seemed, had the same idea. She waved Arry off with a simple, "I can't stay here, but look, Mathias would love to!" And signed Mathias up to stay in the same breath, getting an almost amused hum from Xiao at the deflection. Well, that was one way to get the child off her back at least.

Still, his mind drifted back to the problem at hand. What were they supposed to do? How did they get back at this murderer without killing her themselves? The only option that seems to be permanent but not deadly is mutilation... but that could very well still end her life later down the line. How do you get the lesson across properly without death? He thought, one hand scratching his stubby claws along the short fur of his arm, where the unique bird-like marking grew in thought. We can't threaten it without going through with it as well, so even threatening to kill her would be a poor choice.

He thought to his ability. Would teleporting her work? Would she simply find her way back to this group? He hadn't tested how far his teleportation could send someone else before... but could that be an option? Would the others even accept it? It was an exile of sorts, removing her from the area with little chance of coming back. There was always that risk though, of her returning and continuing the killing. "If we remove her from the area, far enough that she cannot find a way back here..." He muttered softly under his breath, tail swishing slowly across the ground. How would they do this?

Racking her brain for ideas Cinder's mental gear turned and creaked as she searched for answers. If they couldn't kill her, then what? What was a fair punishment for unjust killing? What would be effective in preventing further harm to others by a Pokemon who had marked herself as cold and cruel? It just.. the ideas were far and few between, to say the least. "I can't figure out what would be the most effective. All options have cons to them, some more severe than others." Xiao eventually admitted, even his seemingly wise and skilled hand coming up empty. Settling deeper onto her haunches and crossing her arms even further the Quilava let out a slow, deep sigh. And most not being effective enough for the effort and risk. Despite having a chance to plan ahead and the numbers to carry out an operation all roads seemed to lead the same way. Cinder blamed no one in that moment, but the regret of their prior failure still burned in her belly.

Faux sat just as stiffly, her shame even more poignant as she had the chance to act, to save him, but failed in her duty and drew yet more blood to her paws. "....Self defense is justified." The fox eventually sighed after much recollection. While in this moment they could not claim a strike as self defense, if she came after them they had the right to act. If she came back to their shelter they could, should, protect it with any means necessary. If they came under harm they could justify their actions, even if they were cruel.

But that was not the situation at hand
They were not in their base, they were not minding their own business. The group had come to this place to pillage, and by all accounts the bitch had been here first. They were the trespassers and deserving of attack, especially given the deplorable conditions in some areas of the Tower. With a strained inhale the fox knew that the situation was not in their favor, and while the blood-lust had been calmed it was far from settled. "If we remove her from the area, far enough that she cannot find a way back here..." Xiao thought aloud, the words soft and curious. Faux perked at the idea, ears locking on to his words as she contemplated the idea. "It would keep our party safe from further threat." She finished for him, her side of the thought likely trailing in a different direction. "Its doubtful she will ever 'change her spots', but displacement could act as a strong punishment without need for further blood or death."

It was something, the only viable idea spoken so far. Faux shuffled her paws with consideration. From the minimal interactions she had had with this Houndoom, the fox knew her to be cold, confident, manic, and heartless. While unlikely, a foreign location could shake her confidence, making for a more careful and cautious Pokemon. Or, counterly, a more unpredictable and careless Pokemon. She could get herself killed in her own heedless actions, or be forced to align herself with other Pokemon in the area for survival. She is not one to take orders. No, she would seek hierarchy, claim the title of boss by force or be killed in the process. ... The fox shook her head and the thoughts away. It mattered not what happened once she was gone; that was beyond their control.

Enacting such a plan was a completely different beast, its feasibility making the Vulpix's skin prickle. A possibility was looking her in the face, and while she hesitated she asked for it nonetheless. "Could you transport an unwilling being?"

"Thank you Mel." The lad chirped, making the smile along Mel's muzzle grow a bit wider as she relaxed. The tips of her tails twitched in a stunted wag, clearly relieved to hear the simple sentence though she would not admit it. Etincelle looked on pensively; if she was here she would be safe. The Ninetales could take care of herself, he knew that, believed it! But he worried nonetheless and would have peace of mind knowing she was nowhere near that demon.

Still, as Xiao's initial idea fell flat he could not help but fret. Every path lead to the same destination, it was just a matter of how painful it would be along the way. What would they be risking, what would come back to haunt them? As Faux had said he did not want more blood on his paws, even that of someone who killed his friend. "....Self defense is justified." The fox said tensely, a conclusion found after much debate. Was that as good as it would get, was that their only 'righteous' option? "Are you suggesting we wait for her to attack us again?" Mel barks back, her tone more curious of the fox's position than shook by the response. Beside her, Etincelle thrust his head to and fro with palpable disbelief. He could not believe that; Faux was above such plans as acting like sitting Ducklettes. Regardless if she came for them again or not she was guilty of murder, of inexcusable bloodshed, and though he remained composed Etincelle could feel his blood boiling once again.

"That's not acceptable!" He whines, paws stamping the ground easily. "There must be something we can do." If they had to trap her in here he would--! No, it would never work, and the dejected feeling sunk deep in his belly. "If we remove her from the area, far enough that she cannot find a way back here..." Remove her? The electric Pokemon looked up at the Togeren, interest grasped. "...It would keep our party safe from further threat." It was the most palatable suggestion by far, but it didn't solve the issue of the Pokemon itself being a threat. "By putting others at risk." He argues, soothed only by the sweep of Mel's tails across his shoulders. "Its doubtful she will ever 'change her spots', but displacement could act as a strong punishment without need for further blood or death."

An uncomfortable cringe rippled across Mel's body. Displacement. That was a good word for it. While she had done it to herself she was nowhere she knew, far from home and without another soul were it not for her friends in this room. Without them, she struggled to imagine what would have become of her. It was.. a powerful experience even a strong being would be effected by in some way. "Could you transport an unwilling being?" Faux then asks their newest, making a it a very real option for them to take. Gritting her teeth the fox said not on the matter; it was an awful thing to do to someone, but the canine had done awful, unforgivable things. "Faux, you're asking a death mission of him!" Etincelle yelps while taking a stance.

The other was talking about the best course of action to deal with the threat. "....Self defense is justified." Faux said as a way in case they had to use a more forceful approach. "Are you suggesting we wait for her to attack us again?" Mathias knew that wouldn't be the case but its a preparing part in case they was attacked while the others are dealing with the major threat. "That's not acceptable!" Etin had protested by stamping his paws on the ground. "There must be something we can do." It may sound easy in words but in actuality it was a bit tricky. Teleporting her away. "If we remove her from the area, far enough that she cannot find a way back here..." Xiao said with a very good idea. Problem is being that the foe is dangerous and they'd have to tire them out before attempting it. The act might save them from being further attacked later on and reduces the risk of sneak attacks. Etin argues but that was the only choice they got. Yet there was chances that she would end up lost or in an area that would keep her isolated for a very long time.

Bastet took the remarks from the others and came up with something to safely get to her without harm."What if we can tire her out? It'll make it easier for us to teleport her out and without putting Xiao in danger of being attacked directly." That was the best option that she could come up with. Exhausting the foe was possible but risky as well.

Mathias was sitting with Arry placing something on the ground for him. Luckily in the room was some blocks that was random shapes. circles, squares and triangles. Something from a human child's toy. "That's it Arry, find where it goes."

His idea about teleporting the houndoom away was met with mixed reactions. Xiao cocked his head as he listened, though he had his own resrvations. "...It would keep our party safe from further threat." Faux seemed the most maleable to his idea, something that made the togeren's tail flick with self-contained pride. Good, they liked his ideas at least, he was being helpful. Xiao nodded a little in agreement to Faux's words, though his attention was quickly shifted when Etincelle spoke up his own argument to the idea.

"By putting others at risk." The togeren sighed, frowning. He was right, of course. Removing her from the area with teleport would put someone else in the firing line, possibly. But they had to bank on that option; what if she killed someone else here? What if Xiao could've stopped it? He shook his head. He didn't want to take the chance that someone else here could die if he could've done something to stop it. That completely went against who he was.

"I could also end up putting her somewhere she can't find anyone," he pointed out, his lower wings flaring outwards as he stood to make his point. "I can't just sit by and do nothing if I have the chance to help." He said, his tail curling as he lifted his head almost stubbornly. Xiao was not an idle pokemon, if he had the chance to do something and he let it go by the wayside, he'd never forgive himself. If he let someone else get hurt because he was too slow... No. I refuse to make that mistake again.

"Its doubtful she will ever 'change her spots', but displacement could act as a strong punishment without need for further blood or death." He nodded in agreement. For someone who wasn't used to teleporting, or living a vagrant lifestyle like Xiao, being completely uprooted from your place of living was something that would completely shake a stronger pokemon to their core. Left somewhere unknown, with nowhere else to go or no idea home... this was sounding more and more like the most likely choice that the group would make.

"Could you transport an unwilling being?" Could he? The togeren blinked, before standing tall and proud. He could transport anything he got his claws on, willing or not. He could teleport more if they were willing of course, but when it was just him and someone else, as soon as he had them in his grip, he could take them wherever, willing or not. "Of course. It is far easier to transport the willing, however if I get my claws on her, I can take the other wherever, willing or not." He confirmed, his head high in a show of his pride.

He wasn't expecting someone to shout in defense of his safety, so Etincelle's bark took Xiao completely by surprise. "Faux, you're asking a death mission of him!" The togeren blinked and looked over at the electrike, eyes lidding and confusion overtaking his features. Was he... concerned for him? The concept was foreign to the togeren, he wasn't used to others putting merit in his own life, especially if it meant they stayed safe because of his sacrifice.

"I am not new to putting my life in danger for the safety of others. I have no concerns about my own safety, as long as whomever I am protecting stays safe." Xiao said, his words an attempt to reassure that he wasn't worried about himself in this situation. He had full faith in his ability, regardless of any injury he received along the way. He was resolved to protect other pokemon and humans, such was his orders when he left his home all that time ago. His own safety was came second in that aspect.

"What if we can tire her out? It'll make it easier for us to teleport her out and without putting Xiao in danger of being attacked directly."
"Absolutely not. Putting yourselves in danger for the sake of trying to make this easier is more likely to cause friendly fire. These halls are too small for a proper fight, and my speed means I can cross a distance fast enough to grab her and go, without putting others at risk." He said, looking over at Bastet with a frown. Of evryone here in their group too... not one of them really had the type advantage here except Xiao either. Bastet would be useless in a fight against the dark typing of the houndoom... and the rest of the group was vry fire-type dominant, also not a favorable matchup.

"I am more than willing to put my life on the line, if it comes to that. I am no stranger to fights, I know my way around avoiding most mortal wounds." He said, glancing back at Faux and Cinder, looking at them for their input. He could try and explain himself away all day, but if they said no to his idea, then that was it, he would stop pushing the option. But so far, it seemed like the most accessable option that didn't involve murder.