It was another day marked for training. Not in the usual things like battle strategy or similar endeavors, but the continued training of one of his prospective mounts. Reine, his young and rambunctious shiny PONYTA, was out again learning groundwork and manners. Barnaby himself was atop Soleil, his RAPIDASH, and holding the leadrope attached to Reine’s halter. He’d also brought along Faustin the FLAREON in case the little PONYTA needed to be herded along or required extra goading.

“On your left!” Barnaby called out to the man ahead of him, his voice echoing throughout the passageway. He made to pass on Soleil, Reine by his side, but apparently his FLAREON had other ideas.

The Flame Pokemon was doing well at his job until he spotted the telltale yellow glow of an UMBREON in the near-darkness. Faustin mewed a joyous hello, bounding ahead of his owner so that he was in between Barnaby and Mochi. Although he kept a respectable distance from the UMBREON, it was obvious by his body language that he wanted to approach closer; his creampuff of a tail wagged enthusiastically, his paws stamped in place, and his body practically vibrated with excitement.

“Pardon me,” Barnaby apologized as he trotted nearer atop his RAPIDASH. “Faustin is a bit of a goofball. He loves to play.”

@oswyn
[fire/poison]

☉

Luckily the man didn't seem too bothered by Faustin's goofy antics and, soon enough, they were able to move on through the tunnel and out into the open. Here the Fiery Path was unforgivably hot, something that didn't bother his three Fire-types one bit but was rather uncomfortable for Barnaby himself.

Still, a little sweat didn't deter him from continuing Reine's training. They remained in the sparsely vegetated areas nearest the tunnel's mouth, working on regulating the young PONYTA's response to things she considered frightening - strange sounds, a bit of grass that blew against her pastern, and the sudden appearance of wild Pokémon.

In fact, a DUSTOX flew down from on high close enough to spook the poor young horse. She whinnied her distress and, in her haste to deter the scary moth, volleyed a ball of fire its way. It missed, of course, but was enough to anger the large insect. It turned to the group and flapped its wings aggressively in a QUIVER DANCE, obviously warning that it would attack if further provoked.

Unfortunately, the PONYTA continued to do just that and sent another attack toward the perceived threat. "Reine!" Barnaby shouted, which was enough to snap the small horse from her hyper-focus on the DUSTOX. Pulling on Soleil's reins so that the larger RAPIDASH blocked Reine's sight with his body, Barnaby then ordered his FLAREON to take care of the problem.

"Faustin, use Sand Attack to distract it! Then use Ember!"

catching DUSTOX
@oswyn
[fire/poison]

☉