While more specialized pokeballs like Net or Nest balls were most certainly safe, it seemed that an infestation against the more common ones - such as ordinary Pokeballs - was posing a threat.

Ettie, at the very least, had tools aplenty to clear out any impostors - the packs' keen noses, Haru's flames, and Astus' Ominous Wind, Tailwind, and Heat Waves. Spores are kept at bay, Foongus and Amoongus are cleared out, and toxic chains burned away....

And once they sent a group of recently de-chained shroom 'mons packing, the wildchild would let out a sigh of relief.

With the Gouging Fire in hand, things had calmed down considerably - and with it, Ettie was content to help tend to the pokemon, much as the pack tended to one another. She was especially eager to give Azure attention aplenty - giggling brightly at the newly-grown Primarina. "Azura grew big!" She chirped happily.

As Toki commented on the synergy though, she simply smiled. "Pack helps Pack - pack trusts pack." was all she had to say to that.

He was most certainly right, though, in regards to the fighting having potentially drawn attention. Hunts always had scavengers eager for whatever is leftover - and their pokemon had just been in a decently big fight. Now was the time to find someplace safe to rest - and Ettie was eager to have a quiet time, to familiarize herself with her newest packmate.

So, she'd smile and nod. "Yeah! We go - Ettie knows safe-spot!" League members had set up a number of outposts and research stations throughout the Great Chasm and Area Zero alike - and Ettie had kept track of any she found.

Thus, taking his hand, she'd lead him back up the way they came.

As the Walking Wake retreats, the pack does not give chase. They simply stand their ground - watching, listening, and waiting... But before long, there is no sound nor sight of the Paradox - no double-backs - and that is enough for the collective to relax.

One by one, the pack turns back towards the tunnel that Nikita had gone down - and with Ettie in the lead, they move to rejoin the detective and his hunt.

Even if said hunt had already completed, Ettie at least wanted to check in on her friend.

With Autotomize, Ettie is on the move, Scarlet in hand. The pack herds the Rabsca, chasing them into strategic locations, allowing her to cut the virulent chains off with relative ease. But even as she moves, she is disturbed... This is not natural, not at all...

What's going on...?

Safari catches, all from here!

Shiny Toxel goes to SIO SOTÍ
Shiny Koffing goes to ameena abadi in return for an Applin for El Sunderland
and Shiny Froakie goes to CIAN MAHER in return for a Yamper for Ettie

PRISMATIC PENITENTIARY[break]SIGN-UPS

LOCK IN

CHARACTER: Ettie [break]
WHICH WARD?: Dummy[break]
PREFERRED CELLMATE(S): this element is subject to change[break]
PKMN TEAM (6 MAX): [break]
WHY WAS YOUR CHARACTER SORTED INTO THEIR WARD? (OPTIONAL): She might have the wisdom and experience to survive in the wilderness, but she struggles with more civilized concepts. She will always be a creature of the wild - even if she has been socialized to humans - and it shows.

As Azura dodges, the Gouging Fire slides to a stop - its claws digging in for traction as it turns around to face the group. Still wrapped up in its Raging Fury, the fire-cloaked beast bellows with rage, and once more goes into a charge!

Ettie, however, steps in now - Scarlet in either hand, the tassels of the Doublade wrapped around her forearms. She raises the twin blades in a Spiky Shield a wall of ghostly energy rising with the motion!

And the Gouging Fire is brought to a stop as it slams into the wall - roaring as the ghostly energies lash out at it in retaliation. It stumbles - startled and dazed from the impact, having been caught on guard...

... Which leaves it open, to a one-two punch from Azura and Aylin both. The Hyper Voice shakes it down to the bone, causing it to stagger - and the Dragon Hammer to the crest causes it to collapse, bellowing in bewilderment and pain alike.

Ettie sees her opportunity. She makes a low half-bark half-growl, and the pack advances - each one bringing their jaws around wherever they can hold to keep the Gouging Fire from getting back up, like wolves on an elk. This gives her time to pull an empty pokeball from her bag - which, as she approaches the beast, looking it in the eye, she taps the ball against it.

The Paradox is drawn in. Ettie - as well as the rest of the pack - watches, as the ball in her hand rocks once, twice, thrice...

... Before finally falling still with a click.

The wildchild lets out a drawn-out sigh of relief with this, returning Scarlet to their sheaths. But as the tension leaks out of Ettie, it's practically whiplash the way that she's suddenly all smiles, bouncing over to Toki. "Toki-friend hunts good! Thank you!"

[roll]
Toki Akiyama

As the Walking Wake lets loose a deafening roar, the pack flinches a bit; a few of them casting unsure glances at one another. Even Ettie's heart skips a beat at this, knowing she's in the presence of a predator. Perhaps something that could be called apex, if it weren't for the sheer numbers that the pack had on it.

But, Anne holds her head higher and snarls - and as she stands her ground, the pack similarly finds comfort in sticking by their leader's side.

Ettie is surprised, however, as the Nihilego - Delphi - pulls a surprising trick, swapping places with the Paradox! With the way ahead clear, Nikita is eager to resume the chase of his prey... Though, as he casts an apologetic look to the child - she, in turn, glances to him and simply nods. "Hunt. We protect way back."

Because indeed, the Walking Wake was still present. The pack would still rather scare it off than force a fight - no 'reasonable' wild beast would risk an injury that could ruin its ability to hunt if it could help it, and they knew it quite well.

Thus - as if in a similar show to the Walking Wake's prior Noble Roar - Anne throws her head back in a Howl; and one by one, the rest of the pack joins in the mighty chorus. Even Ettie howls with, her call high and keening. The shared song emboldens and empowers the pack...

... And Anne takes full advantage of this fact, letting out a bolstered Stone Edge that she allows to stop just short of the Walking Wake, a clear warning shot and display of the pack's strength.

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Nikita Sokolov

Though Nikita doesn't notice the strange tracks, the pack does. The wolves scan their surroundings - noting the freshness of the scent, the fact that none of them could identify whatever left these trails... Something here wasn't right.

But before the pack could communicate it to the others, chaos rings out. Nikita is shouting a warning, and Ettie doesn't question him - quick to back away from their prey, drawing Scarlet from its sheathes to ready a Spiky Shield.

And then comes a cacophony of sounds; an explosion, collapsing stone, a beast's screech, a human scream--... Then, momentary quiet.

As the dust settles though, it is not the end of the danger. A Walking Wake comes forth, shrieking in clear aggression; and the pack is automatically gathering close to one another, a defensive cluster. Those at the front - Anne, Maria, and Ebon - give warning barks and growls in response; they are not interested in a fight, but give clear communication that they will not hesitate to protect themselves and the pack.

Ettie, similarly, curls her lips back to growl - stepping closer to Nikita with Scarlet in hand, as if he were the one that needed protection. Either way, it's clear that she's just as ready to square up if the situation called for it as her pack was - gripping tight at the Doublade's hilts.

The main question was whether the Walking Wake would instigate and attack, or avoid an outnumbered fight.

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Nikita Sokolov

The sun beats down on them, harsh and blinding. But the Gouging Fire almost seems to thrive in this heat; perhaps to be expected of a fire-type, but this is almost a step beyond. Its Protosynthesis leaves it energized as it watches the approach of other pokemon, eyes sweeping over its foes. Settling upon Yip, the Paradox charges - swiping with a Dragon Claw!

The Smeargle dances back a few paces - just able to dodge; though she is quick to duck when Anat comes in fast, to retaliate with a swinging Meteor Mash!

As the Gouging Fire takes a couple step backs from the attack, its fur begins to spark up in flames as it prepares some form of fire-type move... But, then comes Azura's Sparkling Aria; between the sun and dragon typing, it doesn't quite take as much damage from the water-type attack. But it's still enough to interrupt it, drawing out a startled snarl as it whips its head around to glare!

But, it seems as though the pack is no stranger to collaborating against a larger foe. The wolves circle around the Paradox, never allowing one of them to be within claw's reach for long. From behind, Ebon charges in - the midnight Lycanroc slamming a Stone Edge into the Gouging Fire's back. And as soon as it whirls around to try and retaliate, he is backing away - allowing for Barbara to strike in with a Feint Attack from another direction.

And in this, it is easy for Aylin to find an opening for her incoming Dragon Hammer! As it slams home, the Paradox stumbles back - clearly dazed by the strike, as it bellows, Howling with rage!

The pack is forced to break the circle and dodge, however, as the Paradox lights aflame - charging in Azura and Aylin's directions in a Raging Fury..!

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Toki Akiyama

And finally, there was a Froakie - found at water's edge. Carefully, Ettie would sit nearby - watching the water-type for a little while. Much like the prior two, she knew that someone might be interested in the little amphibian.

Thus, one last ball would be thrown - Ettie being eager to take a new packmate home, and deliver these other three pokemon.

And not long after the Koffing, comes a Toxel! Although, perhaps a bit more unexpected - given how it is found tumbling down a hill and into Ettie, nearly tripping her up! She squeaks a bit - but upon seeing the little poison-type at her feet, she feels the need to dote on it a little.

She knew someone who might appreciate this one, too!

Crystals? Ettie mulled it over, glancing at her surroundings - as if to get her bearings - before mentioning "Ettie saw crystal!" with a bright and proud smile. She's familiar with this route! And awhile back, she had noticed that a number of weird crystals had popped up here and there...

... Though, really, she hadn't known what to make sense of it, besides that it was like the pretty-shiny-glimmery-ness of when one of her packmates Terastallized.

"Was..." She pauses a second to once more glance about, before pointing. "That way, Ettie thinks! Friends follow!" Already, she's bouncing off alongside her pack - ready to lead the way!

Although, as she passes under a tree - and notes the Honchkrow up above - she's happy to lay out some treats for the corvid. She knows well that you want to be in a local flock's good graces, after all...

(... Though, perhaps it'll come as a surprise then, when said Honchkrow is eventually seen following after her!)

Catching Honchkrow

Tempest Quinn