There was something or other going on back there with Dogs; he thought he had seen the messy house lady, the champion, Zac and a few others...

Andy was there as well; angry, too, but what was new? It was something or other about his cellphone. That reminded Doug he needed to ask the youth for his number again at some point; his new flip phone was empty, save for a few work related numbers and Hideo Kino's.

Either way, Doug wasn't much of a dog person, so he had sort of just made a beeline for the blank canvas that was the lighthouse the moment Melody had given them free reign.

He grinned at Chu-e Choi as he caught eye of the man hauling a full bucket of pink paint, hefting up a bunch of spray paint cans in response.

"Hey Ki! How'ya been?" He said cheerfully, shaking the paint cans. He hadn't tried his hand at Graffiti since the days of Rocket occupied Slateport. He wasn't that good then, and he was pretty sure he would be even worse now, rusty as he was.

Poor Melody Miro had better be ready for her lighthouse to look like the back of a middleschooler's notebook.

"Let me know if ya need any help with anything, eh?" Doug called out to Ki as he began to paint fancy 'S's on the lighthouse's wall. The man's pale complexion and out of breathness during his gymn challenge was still fresh on his mind.

Best to play it safe.

Chu-e can't really comment on the cute flower crown that Kazimir Wynter made or on his little ponies with the other dogs, since there is a sudden roar. He glances up, frowns, and already his hand is digging to deep pockets and mind turning. The paintbrush is dropped, leaving a pink splatter on the ground. Eyes light on Zac Ramsay and an idea forms in his mind.

Walking over, he calls back his three Ponyta and his Bolthund; they were not trained for combat and would be of little use. However, at the blooms around his redheaded friend, he calls out one of his lesser used pokemon from her ball- a Comfey, who immediately floats up to rest delicately on Chu-e's head.

A calming scent fills the area around him thanks to her, the Flower Veil working it's magic to protect the pokemon around them. Otherwise, she simply glows with a Growth. Her utility is not in her battle skills but rather in what she can do for the other pokemon on the field.

"Man, I hope this doesn't go as bad as last time."

---

- Chu-e calls back all previously released pokemon
- Calls out Crown the Comfey
- Crown's ability, Flower Veil, activates
- Crown uses Growth on herself

The young man's tongue hung out the corner of his mouth as he put the finishing touches on his masterpiece.

"Hn... Maybe a little more neon green?" The youth said thoughtfully, rubbing his chin with a paint covered hand and twirling a can of paint with the other.

His genius would have to wait, however. Andy Blackadder demanded attention.

"I think they just asked yer aunt." Doug responded dryly, unimpressed with the accusatory tone.

Before he could sass the other youth however, his thoughts were brought to a crashing halt by a booming, earth shattering roar.

He felt the sound wash through him like a wave, making his insides queasy and him stumble slightly from the surprise, his gaze snapping skywards with an alertness that hadn't been there before.

"... That don't sound like our tower-wreckin' friend." Doug said as he dropped the can of paint by the wall and began washing the paint off his hands with a handkerchief, his gaze remaining on the sky the entire time. Small dots fill the sky, fast approaching. "This'ere ain't Meteor Falls either, so I guess no one's getting what they expected today."

He felt strangely calm, given the magnitude of the roar, the spectacle of a meteor shower on Sootopolis, a place which's origin was well known, and the thing being used to 'attract' their steam friend...

"It'll pass when it's least convenient, surely." He said to himself self-deprecatingly while reaching into his jacket, grabbing three net balls.

He was rarely one to jump the gun, so to speak, but everyone seemed to be preparing for thefinalbattle.jpg, and with a roar that massive, he doubted whatever was coming just wanted a tea party.

He honestly hadn't known why a monster like their grumpy friend would turn up all the way in Sootopolis when he claimed his home to be Mt. Chimney, but he had managed to vanish in thin air, so it hadn't seemed entirely far fetched. Whatever this was though, he doubted it was coming because it found the lighthouse offensive to its vista from the stratosphere.

Wordlessly, he slipped away from Andy and into the Lighthouse, beginning the arduous task of climbing all the way to the top. Reaching it, he swung the door open, holding his hand up as the red glare of the primal quartz hit him in the face. Kicking the door closed behind him, the youth sent out Kameba, his Crustle, Garo, his Orbeetle, and Ovni, his 2nd Orbeetle.

The large crablike bug came out with bleary yawn, shaking off some dust from the massive boulder she carried on her back before glancing up at her trainer. The Orbeetle duo for their part, turned their gaze towards the gem instead, tilting their heads curiously at it.

"Sorry 'bout interrupting the nap, love; I need'cha to set up some stealth rock 'round the area. I'll make it up to ya, promise." The youth said, reaching down to rub the pokemon's head.

Huffing with a measure of annoyance, the Crustle still began to wander around the area, setting about invisible rock traps near the edges of the lighthouse.

"As for ya two... just keep an eye out for now." Doug said to Garo and Ovni next, prompting a nod from both.

---

-Doug set up Stealth rock around the top of the Lighthouse.