Standing at the head of it's herd, this wild Vileplume quickly finds itself accosted by a DRAGON HAMMER that sends it into a nearby tree. It's puffed up face soon deflates, realizing what Derek and his pokemon were capable of. That he had no intention of letting it stop him.

And soon it remembered why.

Stepping over the array of Oddish and the seldom Gloom it aspired to protect, Derek's hand holds his jacket to his face in case any of them get any ideas. He continues towards his humble little garden in the middle of the woods. The one marked by a false grave.

As he comes before the flower, it glistens towards him. "Still not ready yet, are ya?" Seldom moments pass by as Derek ensures his humble patch remains indisturbed. It wasn't until the snapping of a twig that his attention averted itself from the GRACIDEA FLOWER that was nearing full bloom.

SKIPPING VILEPLUME!

SOLO WILD

☉

The rapid onset of a wild Cacturne's PIN MISSILE is scarcely something one can afford to ignore. Throwing himself behind a tree, Jonesy does the same while his trainer rummages his pockets for another pokeball.

The Charizard that comes forth is signaled by a vibrant gleam of the pokeball before it's shadowed scales hide it's figure in the night. A violent INFERNO erupts soon after, dissuading the Cacturne from accosting Derek's visit to the garden any further.

Turning his attention back to the flower, Derek observes it for any damage it might have sustained. A few pins stick out from the ground around it, but they have thankfully missed. "Good, good... You're alright."

He'd never thought to of found himself here, speaking to plants. Maybe Elisabeth Fiorelli, or someone of her occupation could be expected to do such a thing. But not him.

Yet knowing well what this flower meant, Derek's optimism had begun to fester. He only hoped not to let it down, like the pokemon whose bones resided underneath the headstone next to it.

SKIPPING CACTURNE!

SOLO WILD

☉

further interruption invites resistance, of which rises some amount of intrigue this time. the shadowed charizard stands before another pokemon looking to ruin the time derek spends in his woods. yes, his woods. he'll never think of them as anything but...

a venusaur, huh?

the creatures petal dance wreaks havoc, but would never be enough to discourage his pokemon from returning fire. a flagrant shadow rave capsizes the pokemon whilst simultaneously destroy many of the petals that might find themselves astray if not for it's efforts.

derek's attention turns to his flower and headstone, which remain unscathed. collecting the fainted venusaur with a spare pokeball without looking, he takes his leave with a few parting words. he'd best be on his way to the pokemon center to get this one some care.

"i've got a good feeling about next time... hope you feel the same." irregardless of all the turmoil in hoenn, on the other side. he was feeling better. as if turning a new leaf... but he could always be wrong, couldn't he?

CATCHING VENUSAUR / END OF THREAD

SOLO WILD

☉