Lilycove was abuzz with news of an invaluable archeological discovery made in a little sea cove right on the rural outskirts of the town. Fossils stacked miles high, the rumors claimed. From wall to wall and floor to floor. They didn't sparkle like diamonds, but they were surely just as invaluable. And while Caroline cared little for the fossil remains of long deceased Pokemon, what did peak her interest was the tacked on rumors discussing a group of pirates (did those even exist anymore) and their pack of mangy of Poochyena. They called them Poachyenas (classy name). Apparently, this group with their mangy mutts were eager to seize the collection of fossils as their own personal trophies. Or chew toys for the Poochyenas. That definitely seemed fitting.

So, while Caroline most certainly could have waited until the morning to investigate. Impatience waited for no one and she plodded along the coastline atop her Rapidash in search of this valuable discovery. A search that, shockingly, took far less time than she expected with special thanks to the loud, soon-to-be altercation, commotion just at the entrance to the cove. Someone else was already here, and just one by the look of it. A Minior hovered just inches above the man's shoulder, but that was surely not much against a whole pack of mangy Poochyenas.

"Looks like he's gonna need a little help." Caroline patted her Rapidash before sliding effortlessly from her pack and tossing a Pokeball up into the air.

"One against a pack seems a little unfair, don't cha think?" She called. If the flash of light from her Pokeball hadn't alerted the pirates, her loud call certainly would. "How about we even the score a little bit, Echo. Show those wanna-be pirates who's boss with a Rock Throw. At her command, orbs of bright light began to appear in the darkness and formed rocks from within. As they grew, one after the other, Echo began to fling the orbs towards the pack of Poochyena which faded away into pure rocks as they approached. Some reached their targets, while others exploded into the ground and sent sharp pebbles and dust flying into the air.

@lev

The element of surprise was not Caroline's preferred entrance, but bravado and impulsiveness that got her into trouble more times than not. It was only fortunate that her removal of this so-called element of surprise was a benefit for the stranger she aided in battle. As Lycanroc sprayed rock and dust through the crowd, the stranger knocked out the legs of one Poachyena and his Minior blasted back their Poochyena.

"Didn't need an invitation for this game." Caroline called back, her lack of skill in hand-to-hand combat forcing her to keep a distance as Echo freely dashed through the crowd and used ACCELEROCK. A Poochyena caught her foot as she ran past, but a startled jump sideways was enough for it to lose its grip and roll away. Daisy kept her distance with a long-ranged FIRE BLAST.

The other man seemed to be enjoying himself quite greatly as he laughed and engaged her in conversation. "A little bit of -" She cut off as a Poachyena broke from the group and ran towards her. Caroline ducked down as he swung a fist towards her face. Rapidash was by her side in a moment, slamming her body against the attacker and snorting fire into his face. "Little bit of bad timing for introductions, dontcha think?" She huffed, but then her face broke out in a grin. "Name's Caroline, though. Nice punch."

@lev

Caroline responded to Alevander's compliment with a sly smirk of her own. "I may not have fighting prowess, but these pathetic wanna-be pirates might as well be dancin' with two left feet." The explosion of attacks from her Lycanroc and Rapidash kept the rest of the approaching Poachyena's at their distance. Nobody wanted to get close to a girl with a flaming horse guarding her side.

The intention of their battle was to drive the group of mangy mutts and their trainers away from the cove, but it seems as though the explosion of attacks had done the opposite of its intended purpose. "Aw, what? No." Caroline groaned as she watched the pirates escaping further within the cove. "No way, come on guys!" Her voice echoed into the cove. She'd have to avoid the more explosive attacks of her Pokemon if she didn't want to destroy the insides of the cave.

Caroline called out to her Lycanroc as she picked up pace behind the other man. "Right behind you." She responded as they dashed into the cove. Her Rapidash's flames bounced off the cave walls as she matched pace with Caroline. "Echo, run up ahead and cut them off. Take out any of the Poochyena that you see. You're bigger and stronger than them, it'll be easy for you." The Lycanroc nodded as she bolted on ahead and, moments later, the sounds of pained howls echoed back towards the trainer.

@lev

The cove came to an end in a massive chamber, fossils embedded from floor to ceiling in natural light. Light sparkled across the ocean waves rolling gently across the rocky border. With no where left to run, the Poochyena and their trainers had begun to frantically pull fossils and pieces from the wall. Anything they could get their hands on was better than leaving with nothing.

Echo was surrounded by three mangy mutts in a desperate attempt to protect their owners. However, the evolved Rockruff was more than enough to deal with them. A power STONE EDGE brought rocks breaking through the ground's surface and scattering the Poochyena as the two trainers approached.

Cosmic Power! Lev's command filled Caroline's left ear as she simultaneously commanded Rapidash to use AGILITY and, with the boost of speed, charge through the lingering Poochyena with a flame-ready FLAME CHARGE. Yelping and whimpering, the last remaining Poochyena ran past the two trainers, leaving their trainers behind.

Lev was already pulling one man off the wall and Caroline quickly joined him, meanwhile Echo had grabbed another man by the shirt and yanked him to the ground. "Your Poochyena have abandoned you, man." She announced as her movements mimicked the Lycanroc and she sent the Poachyena sprawling to the ground. "Give it up already before you get hurt."

@lev

With the Poochyena scattered and beaten down, the Poachyena (leader included) were all that remained in the sea-scented cove. Fossils collapsed to the ground in broken shards as they were yanked haphazardly from the wall. Care for the product had been thrown out the window for sake of something - anything.

Caroline and Echo froze as the Poachyena scrambled atop a mount of rubble with fossils held ominously above their heads. You'll let us walk away with these or you'll be counting them in a million pieces on the floor! I ain't foolin' came the leader's cry as Caroline spun her attention to Alevander.

SWIFT! The cove suddenly lit up with a barrage of stars, striking down the small group. Their hostages fell from their hands as they tumbled head over heels to the ground. Alevander was already moving and Caroline quickly in hot pursuit. Her arms stretched forward as fingers reached for one of the fossils. "Echo!" She cried out as she caught the edge of the fossil and rapidly twisted as she slid across the ground with a gasp.

Echo had already been in movement before the shout of her name. She was faster than the two trainers and quickly pulled the fossil from it's airborne drop. Daisy, on the other hand, had other plans. As the leaders tumbled from the mound, her strengthened hooves crashed against the ground and stomp the dirt around them. Staring at her with fear-glazed eyes, the leader let out a shout as Daisy threatened them with her horn. They scrambled to their feet and, rather than head for the entrance, fell out into the ocean on the opposite side. The sound of shutting, splashing, and cursing began to fade as the cove fell into silence.

"Holy crap." Caroline gasped, clutching the fossil in one hand and propping herself up with the other. "That scared me for a moment, but looks like they're finally gone. You guys okay?"

@lev