"Nikita-Friend! Winter-Friend! Hello!" Ettie perked up as Nikita and co showed up - and safe to say, she's chipper as can be to see them. It's been a bit, after all! As Winter approaches to sniff, Ettie would idly scritch him behind the ear, smiling. "Happy to see!"

Ettie does take pause when she notices the Nihilego - recognition crossing over her features, that split second of an animal assessing the situation. But, when it does not make any aggressive motions, she relaxes - turning her attention back to Nikita.

Safe to say, this is most certainly not the place for the little wildchild; but given the sheer size of the Giant Chasm, there were far too many avenues of entry for someone to set up a proper perimeter. Especially considering the fact that Ettie had entered from above, atop the back of a Corviknight.

But, at the very least, it was clear to see that she wasn't alone or unarmed - her pack following close behind, and Scarlet sheathed at the small of her back.

"Is new. Noone's territory." Ettie said simply, and surprisingly thoughtfully, before continuing "But many come. Look for dens, for territory, for food." This space did not belong to anyone but those who can stake their claim upon it and back it up. But, there were a wide number of people moving in - Rocket, League, and even wild pokemon from above filtering down to make use of the newfound space. "And is like wild. Not like Deep Sea. So Ettie belongs."

Briefly, she wondered whose territory this place would be, with time.

But, glancing to Nikita once more, Ettie would ask "What-doing, friend? Ettie exploring, cause new. Ettie see lots-Hoenn, but not here."

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Nikita Sokolov

"Is dangerous..." Ettie agrees, with a gentle nod. Any venture outside of one's den had its risks, she knew quite well. Many a time in the past, in the original pack she grew up amongst, hunting parties would return with at least one injured packmate. Sometimes - and most often - these were injuries that could be healed off, scrapes and bumps and the like.

But there was the rare time that a packmate returned with a more serious injury - one that rendered them unable to hunt - or didn't return at all.

With the varied nature of Ettie's own pack, and the healing aptitude of packmates like Anat, these risks were greatly reduced. Even if Ettie did not form this pack with the benefits of variety in mind, everyone was able to fill different niches and cover for eachothers' weaknesses much better than a pack of a single species could. And with the pack together...

"... But safer in numbers." She concluded, smiling to Nikita. She trusted in them - and they trusted in her. And Nikita would be safer, too, with the pack at his side. "And Ettie like here more. Deep Sea more dangerous." Nihilego toxins, as Ettie learned quite well, could cause mayhem if even one of her pack got stung.

With her confidence and awareness well established though, the subject shifted to what Nikita was up to - which was that of hunting. Ettie perks a bit at this, curious. "What prey?" She questions, cocking her head. Glancing ahead, her eyes narrow in brief focus - scanning the path ahead for any footprints or other such clues.

And seeming to share in this curiosity, a few of her packmates would begin to sniff about for any interesting or strange scents. Madame in particular would step to the front - barking for Zeke to follow. The two Mightyena employed Odor Sleuth together, clearly eager to go on a hunt.

So far though, the closest thing to anything of interest that the pack could find, was a small cluster of Joltiks, who scatter as the group passes by.

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Nikita Sokolov

As Nikita describes his target, Ettie listens close. Though, the mention of a daycare being destroyed - even if it takes a second for Ettie to process through it - seems to get a soft growl from her as she gazes ahead. A certain protective side of her bristled at the idea of young being endangered. The desire to sink one's fangs into whatever threatens one's younger packmates.

Thus, as Nikita mentions the Skuntank, Ettie nods. "... We track." She speaks simply in response, glancing and gesturing to Yip and Anat. The Smeargle and Lucario both step forth - Copycat-ing the Mightyenas' Odor Sleuth to aid in the tracking. The rest of the pack falls in line, following after.

Though, the detective is not the only one to notice marks in the environment. While he gazes to a stone, Ettie's own takes note of crisscrossing marks on one of the walls. A fight had happened here, at some point; the nature of the fight was beyond her, however.

Still - she thoughtfully traces some of the marks as she passes, before glancing to her pack. "Stay alert." She instructs - more a reminder, than anything. "Scratches from fight." She adds, with a gesture to the marks on the wall.

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Nikita Sokolov

As the explosion shakes the tunnels, the pack is briefly put on alert - eyes turned in every direction, ears swiveling every which way. Ettie, too, stiffened a bit - scanning her surroundings - until the group's gaze drifts collectively to up ahead.

The explosion even seems to spook some Spinarak, who come scuttling past the group.

But, it seems that Nikita isn't affected the same way - he instead lights up in a way that Ettie hasn't seen before. This shift in demeanor is first met with surprise - but then she perks up, the pack beginning to follow after him. His gaze is that of a hunter who's found their prey, and she recognizes it; readily falling in line, to join this hunt.

"Near prey?" She asks - her voice softening, and the pack even seeming to become more mindful of their own steps. They didn't want to alert their target too quickly, after all, even if these tremors might help to cover up said approach...

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Nikita Sokolov

Though Nikita doesn't notice the strange tracks, the pack does. The wolves scan their surroundings - noting the freshness of the scent, the fact that none of them could identify whatever left these trails... Something here wasn't right.

But before the pack could communicate it to the others, chaos rings out. Nikita is shouting a warning, and Ettie doesn't question him - quick to back away from their prey, drawing Scarlet from its sheathes to ready a Spiky Shield.

And then comes a cacophony of sounds; an explosion, collapsing stone, a beast's screech, a human scream--... Then, momentary quiet.

As the dust settles though, it is not the end of the danger. A Walking Wake comes forth, shrieking in clear aggression; and the pack is automatically gathering close to one another, a defensive cluster. Those at the front - Anne, Maria, and Ebon - give warning barks and growls in response; they are not interested in a fight, but give clear communication that they will not hesitate to protect themselves and the pack.

Ettie, similarly, curls her lips back to growl - stepping closer to Nikita with Scarlet in hand, as if he were the one that needed protection. Either way, it's clear that she's just as ready to square up if the situation called for it as her pack was - gripping tight at the Doublade's hilts.

The main question was whether the Walking Wake would instigate and attack, or avoid an outnumbered fight.

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Nikita Sokolov

As the Walking Wake lets loose a deafening roar, the pack flinches a bit; a few of them casting unsure glances at one another. Even Ettie's heart skips a beat at this, knowing she's in the presence of a predator. Perhaps something that could be called apex, if it weren't for the sheer numbers that the pack had on it.

But, Anne holds her head higher and snarls - and as she stands her ground, the pack similarly finds comfort in sticking by their leader's side.

Ettie is surprised, however, as the Nihilego - Delphi - pulls a surprising trick, swapping places with the Paradox! With the way ahead clear, Nikita is eager to resume the chase of his prey... Though, as he casts an apologetic look to the child - she, in turn, glances to him and simply nods. "Hunt. We protect way back."

Because indeed, the Walking Wake was still present. The pack would still rather scare it off than force a fight - no 'reasonable' wild beast would risk an injury that could ruin its ability to hunt if it could help it, and they knew it quite well.

Thus - as if in a similar show to the Walking Wake's prior Noble Roar - Anne throws her head back in a Howl; and one by one, the rest of the pack joins in the mighty chorus. Even Ettie howls with, her call high and keening. The shared song emboldens and empowers the pack...

... And Anne takes full advantage of this fact, letting out a bolstered Stone Edge that she allows to stop just short of the Walking Wake, a clear warning shot and display of the pack's strength.

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Nikita Sokolov

As the Walking Wake retreats, the pack does not give chase. They simply stand their ground - watching, listening, and waiting... But before long, there is no sound nor sight of the Paradox - no double-backs - and that is enough for the collective to relax.

One by one, the pack turns back towards the tunnel that Nikita had gone down - and with Ettie in the lead, they move to rejoin the detective and his hunt.

Even if said hunt had already completed, Ettie at least wanted to check in on her friend.