While the combination of Terastallization and Z-Moves had dealt with the first batch of Orthworm, dozens if not hundreds more were headed their way; a ridiculous number that not even an army could handle without casualties, let alone four measly trainers. This called for the secret Hoennian technique: Run away!

Andrea put two fingers in her mouth and whistled loudly at Chomper. Once the loyal Hydreigon had come back to her, she would hop back on his back and give affectionate pats to all three of his heads. "You did great out there, Chomper!" With that, they flew away, following Shalin's lead.

Once the group had... well, regrouped, the members spitballed various suggestions on what their next course of action should be. "Mr. Cian might be right. Maybe we should leave for now and come back better prepared. If we keep having intense battle after intense battle, our Pokémon will tire themselves out." Andrea gave her own thoughts, worriedly looking at Chomper, who was already panting.

"Besides, isn't it kinda dangerous to stay in this dimension for too long?" The trainer of dragons added. "Is there a way to mark that camping site, so that next time we come here we'll have an easier time finding it?" She looked at the rest of the group questioningly.

Shalin Nariya, CIAN MAHER, boruta maher //z-move for the thread used

☉

it does not take too long until they find themselves regrouped and recovering from a close brush with orthworms of all shapes and sizes. he imagines being swallowed by one, shuddering at the thought.[break][break]

"yeah, we shouldn't be in here for too long."[break][break]

he's already starting to feel exhausted. not quite to the point of delusional yet but he has been focused on the sand for a while now. he swears he hears PENELOPE LIVY's voice coming from below him, muffled as though she were buried.[break][break]

another terrifying thought that makes him want to leave and go home to her.[break][break]

"let's mark the campsite, leave and recover, then come back the same time tomorrow. hopefully the orthworms will have scattered by then."[break][break]

he looks at the group, waiting for their thoughts. even boruta maher, for as much as he dislikes his brother at the moment, he cannot discount bo's ranger expertise and experience.[break][break]

prompts:[break]
- 🗺️ CIAN MAHER must be reminded of PENELOPE LIVY in some way (e.g. hearing their voice in the sands).[break][break]

oVX9XolS

[attr="class","ooc"]boruta maher Shalin Nariya Andrea Vaneau[break]

[attr="class","pkspr pkmn-cacturne"][attr="class","pkspr pkmn-flygon"]

bo leaned towards at least making markers towards the campsite, but shaylin seemed sure of herself, and she was headed off before any protest could be made.

”she seems sure of herself. if she can’t find it tomorrow, we’ll find a different spot. let’s just get out of here. that was a mess.”

on the way back, orthworm were still in a frenzy. To be safe, a few more pokemon were brought out to shield their leave. bo had thought to bring a good defensive team into uncharted territory, where nature might be against them. protect flashed on rotation from a few birds that now joined them, allowing for safe passage through the rift without need for offense.

6I5UPOv5

notes:
- agrees to leave
- using protect on all as they leave to the rift (foresight as ranger captain to focus on defense when planning his team for the expedition? idk)

CIAN MAHER Shalin Nariya Andrea Vaneau

☉

In the end, the group collectively agreed to take their leave for the time being. They had already learned quite a bit from their very first venture into this alien desert:

1. It was too gosh-danged hot!
2. There were territorial Orthworm to be mindful of.
3. Those mysterious obelisks served as excellent landmarks.

"Coming back at night sounds like a good idea. Maybe by then those big worms will be sleeping." The dragon-costumed girl nodded, before she and her shiny Hydreigon followed Shalin through the rift leading back into familiar Hoenn, while being backed up by a retinue of bird Pokémon using Protect.

There wasn't much else to do other than to keep a positive outlook. They had not been defeated by the desert, but merely resolved to come back stronger and better prepared. "For what it's worth, I had plenty of fun!" Andrea remarked, beaming with the thrill of adventure.

Shalin Nariya, CIAN MAHER, boruta maher //z-move for the thread used

☉