Josh returned from CIAN MAHER 's Gym astride Komainu, his Moundoom, minding his speed on the municipal roads. He got stares from motorists and others riding more common Pokémon due to how unusual his mount was, though he got an equal number of waves from people recognizing him as Mauville's Gym Leader. As he made a turn eastward toward highway 116 and Rusturf Tunnel, he heard the sound of canine Pokémon fighting.

His Ranger instincts taking over, Josh turned his Houndoom mount toward the noise, finding a fierce-looking kennel with a Houndoom that was also Komainu's size. The two growled at each other, Josh's Houndoom bucking him off for his own safety. "Hey, what's gotten into you?" he asked the dark-type. When it looked like the two were about to get into a fight, the Elite Ranger remembered he still had some leftover sweet treats from his visit to @micah 's Secret Base. Unwrapping two hard candies, he fed one to Komainu and attempted to feed the other one to the snarling, horned canine guarding the base.

Provided his offering was enough to end the confrontation, Josh would gratefully accept the fire-type's flag, mount up, and flee the iron kennel on Komainu's back.

There was an unexpected delay from Verdanturf's tanner, necessitating a trip to the nearby Mauville City to finish the saddle for Grimmie, the Houndoom that had taken over two months to warm up to her. The vicious-looking dog was almost as big as Caprice was, the Ninetales and Houndoom chasing one another with the golden fox bringing Shalin along for the rush in the process.

The trainer and her two Pokémon, on the way to a pit stop in Rustboro city while waiting for the delivery to arrive in Verdanturf, happened upon a long tunnel that she sworn she could have heard the howls and barks of canine Pokémon coming from, she withdrew Caprice, landing on her feet as her mount disappeared from underneath her. Walking alongside Grimmie, Shalin saw a pack of vicious-looking Houndoom at what appeared to be quite rough play, a spike-collared one similar to an Alpha Pokémon in size watching over the rest.

A reckless but fun idea got into the girl's head. While the alpha was distracted not only by a sour treat she intended to give to Grimmie, but by the tough talk Grimmie was retorting with after the large one's attempt to belittle her, Shalin thrust her hands onto the black dog's sides and mounted it without warning! She moved her hands to the backs of the Pokémon's horns, as though she was steering Grimmie.

The wannabe cowgirl whooped as the smaller Houndoom retreated to the edges of the kennel, watching as the uncooperative duo put on white the show for them. The larger Houndoom lt out a terrifying howl before running in sharp circles around the arena, sliding and swerving to reverse direction and use the unwanted rider's momentum against them. It only took a few sudden turns and about-faces to unseat her, the Houndoom flinging her out the tunnel entrance and bopping her shoulder with the pole of the base's flag before retreating to her rightful place in the den.

This might have been one of Alec's craziest escapades to date. However, he was fairly certain that he'd be able to get the flag here with no problem. Alec walked inside the large the kennel, catching the attention of the houndoom to snarl at him, however, despite their snarling, Alec continued his steady pace inside without even faltering. Alec spotted the Alpha chained up, making his way towards it, stopping a fairly safe distance as the houndoom attempted to lunge at him, only to come up a few feet short of him.

"Now is that any way to treat a friend who brought ya a treat?" Alec had said, grinning while flashing a lollipop in front of the alpha houndoom, making it whine. Putting a treat in front of any dog-like pokemon was the best way to earn their respect. "If I give you this, how 'bout you give me the flag, yeah?" Alec grinned. At first, the houndoom seemed hesitant, but seemingly enough it sat down on all fours, conceding to Alec's exchange. Alec tossed the lollipop in front of it, letting the houndoom go to town. Once it was finished, it got up to go get the flag, returning it with it in its mouth, and dropping it in Alec's hand. Alec gave the houndoom a good petting and then decided to make his leave before the houndoom got bored of him. Inferno won't like the fact that I gave the last lollipop away, but it was either that or beat the crap out of the entire kennel ..." Alec thought to himself, and as much as the latter seemed enticing, he'd rather not deal with the headache.

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Notes:
- Flag Captured!
- Prompt Completed: Interact with the secret base guardian.
LORELEI DU'MOT