As the Sobble worried, a pokemon did in fact sneak up on them. Thankfully for the little lizard, Derek took note of the vibrant glow and released another pokemon. He wouldn't admit it, but Jonesy was more or less acting as bait.

The Grimmsnarl, Crota, that came out knew all too well what it'd been let loose for. Accosting the Spiritom with a savage play rough, it sent the possessed rock flying far enough away that it wouldn't be bothering them again. Hopefully, anyway...

"Say thanks." Looking to the Sobble, it's also scared of Derek's Grimmsnarl, though seems brave enough to approach it's lower leg for a brief hug. Collecting the pokemon back into it's ball, Derek and Jonesy continued further down the path.

SKIPPED SPIRITOMB

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Thankfully the next pokemon they crossed paths with didn't desire to do battle. Well, not so directly at least. The Delphox looked at them with peeled eyes, perhaps because it sought to maintain the peace. Ghost pokemon meant there were nearby graves, marked or not. Disturbing them was disrespectful in the eyes of many, and perhaps this Delphox thought so too.

Though when it meets eyes on Derek's Sobble, it seems to sense that it is afraid. Rather than give it anymore cause for fear, it makes a nod-like gesture and continues it's way past them. Derek is surprised by the gesture, though seeing as it was a psychic species, perhaps he shouldn't be too surprised...

Now that they could continue forward, part of him wondered what other odd pokemon would cross their paths this time.

SKIPPED DELPHOX

☉

The following pokemon they came across was one Derek already battled and caught before, prompting him to steer him and his pokemon clear. He didn't need to do the same thing twice to feel confident he could do it.

Realizing that a fair amount of time had elapsed since they arrived, he tells his pokemon it's time to start heading back. Avoiding the Solrock, they manage to see the Delphox again and wave goodbye on their way out.

END OF THREAD

SKIPPED SOLROCK

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