The more Scarlet wore Ettie out, the more intense the fight seemed to get. The twin blades were slicing toward Josh and Saber with the precision and skill of an expert swordswoman. Masterfully backing the mount and rider into a corner, Josh's life was threatened. "Sorry, Johanna! Sorry, Callan!" He faced Ettie and Scarlet head on. "Saber, use--"

Before the command to use Discharge came out of his mouth, the two swords cut into Saber and Josh, landing critical hits on each of them. His head thumped as his right arm would have felt like it was on fire from the exposed nerves if it weren't for the Pollen Puffs. Had Saber not tased Scarlet, that could have been a Sacred Sword that bore down with life-changing force.

As the glowing Toxtricity looked like it was about to get things under control, the Pollen Puffs returned Josh to useful consciousness again, finding himself on the ground next to his Manectric. "Let this be a lesson to you, Ettie: Until you perfectly understand the relationship between you and your Doublade, never, ever wield it. Ever. I'm speaking from experience." While he was not hyperventilating, he was taking deep breaths. He got to thinking about Yagyu again. "And this is why losing mine was so hard. I know the amount of work that goes into developing that relationship."

As the barrage from the prior Rock Slide abated, Anne would respond to Callan's thanks with a gentle chuff - glancing back to Sprite, to doublecheck that the Ribombee was unhurt. Seeing that noone was hurt by the rock attack though, she'd simply dip her head in quiet thanks at the Pollen Puff, before returning her attention towards the fight as a whole.

'Ettie's expression would flicker with surprise once more, as not only Saber got hurt, but Josh too! Briefly, her mouth open as if she intended to say something - although she didn't have much of a chance to express it. Not before another opponent was charging their way!

Bowie the toxtricity darted in close - the poison-turned-normal-type grabbing for the tassels around 'Ettie's arms! In response, the possessed wildchild grinned - raising a foot to try and kick at it, even as the trio end up tumbling to the ground as she loses her balance in the process! It was a practical wrestling match - and it was hard to tell whether the strength the wildchild was putting up was due to Scarlet, or just the result of her body having been honed by the wilds.

But, 'Ettie' was tired and out of breath. Scarlet was paralyzed. There was only so much that the possessed girl could do, before Bowie would manage to get its fingers underneath the tassels, and unwrap them from 'Ettie's forearms - Scarlet being left dangling by the tassels in its grip.

For a moment, things were quiet - just heavy breaths, beating hearts, and the footsteps of the pack gathering around Ettie, Scarlet, and Bowie. But it would be Anne and the pack who broke that peace - low snarls rising from the canids as they made to swarm Scarlet --

-- Only for Ettie to suddenly be on her feet, standing between the pack and Scarlet. "No." She stated firmly, placing a hand on Anne's snout in particular to lightly push the lycanroc back. "Is-friend."

Anne, startled at the declaration and sudden interference, blinked owlishly - and the pack froze in place as well the moment Ettie made her statement... But attempting to push forwards, Anne growled low in retort at Ettie - this was not a friend. This was a threat!

"Is. Friend." Ettie repeated, more firmly - the slightest bit of teeth bared - as she stared Anne in the eyes.

Madame and Barbara shared a glance, Haru would lower her branch reluctantly. This doublade had been nothing but trouble - were they really a friend?

Even as Josh cautioned her, Ettie would cast him a surprisingly serious glance - her train of thought and mood wasn't that of her usual wildchild self, but a packleader putting their paw down. "Scarlet not-want hurt." She spoke in explanation - using her free hand to set her bag on the ground, idly digging through it for an empty pokeball. "Scarlet bored, want play-fight. Ettie play-with."

Anne rumbled, casting Scarlet a sharp stare, even as the doublade (who appeared untroubled by Bowie still gripping them,) waved one of the tassels at her in greeting...

But, once Ettie pulled out an empty pokeball, she'd tap it against Scarlet - pulling them in. The ball didn't even wiggle once, before it simply clicked - the doublade, apparently, was more than happy to come with

And with that, the wildchild's demeanor relaxed - and she smiled to the others as she put Scarlet's pokeball in her pocket. "Is okay. Was-fun!" She spoke in reassurance - reaching both hands up to pet her packmates. Had the possession been a willing one? Before the question could be posed though, Ettie was already now moving to check on the others.

She'd move to Josh first - reaching out to take the arm that had gotten slashed, and check it. "Too-close... Scarlet not-want hit." She spoke with a slight pout of her lips - as if lightly chiding Josh, in her own childlike way, for being right next to Saber like that. "No-hurt? Is-ok?" Seeing that there wasn't any broken skin though - thanks to the Pollen Puffs - she'd nod to herself, before moving on.

Which, she'd then crouch down next to Dorian and Johanna. "Is-ok?" Ettie asked with a gentle smile, offering a hand to Johanna, as if to help her up. "Barbara can-carry, if-want?" Indeed, the houndoom was already at their side - the gentle giant idly sniffing and nosing at Johanna, to make sure she was unhurt.

And finally, there was Callan, who Ettie wasn't worried about - he hadn't gotten wrapped up in the fight like Josh and Johanna did! But, she'd still smile to him all the same, asking "Callan-leader say go-home?" It was what he had said, before this all happened, at least. Stretching her limbs briefly, she'd take the time to climb up onto Anne's back - mentioning "Ettie ready, we go!"

Present:

Callan Young , Josh Devlin , Johanna Joy

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