[attr="class","witness"]Three lycanrocs, one of each forme, came tumbling into the gym in a small puff of smoke, snarls and growls were not hear, more like playful barking and a few yips. As the smoke cleared, the midnight form was snickering and doubled over in laughter, while the midday looked like it was going to get hit by a car and the dusk's eyes were blood red with rage.

"Would you three behave?!"

Francie's scolding voice could be heard as she entered behind them. The three doggos immediately straightened themselves, though the midnight couldn't hold it's snickers for long.

"Oh!" Francie's eyes fell on the challenger before her and she beamed. "I'm Francie! This is the Petalburg Gym! You've decided for non-traditional, and-- oh, look at him..." the metagross, she stared, then she was back in the conversation. "A-anyway, yes! Right! So, this way to the entrance!"

Francie returned her pups to their capsules and started toward the entrance, drawing a line with her finger over the white line that was already there.

"Very important, so listen close! Once you cross this line, if you cross back over it, you'll have to schedule another challenge. Furthermore! Beyond this point, no damaging type moves maybe be used or you'll be disqualified! Please remember to keep your wits about you and abide by the rules and regulations you signed upon signing up."

With that, she waved her hand for Lars to go first.

"I'll follow your lead!"

Laurence Anderson - begin rolling!

[attr="class","witness"]Metagrosses were huge. Stranger yet was how the guy, uh, what was his name?

A quick check on her phone and suddenly she was feeling super small. Laurence Anderson, the freaking head ranger of Hoenn. Whoops! She should have paid him a bit more respect.

After tucking her device away, she followed him and his metagross and tilted her head back and forth as she watched them make their way down.

"Hey, if that thing goes much faster, you might lose me."

Francie reminded as she followed behind.

"I mean, it's super nifty though. I wonder if I can find something that I can ride, besides Tilly and Nicky."

Her onix and aerodactyl.

Laurence Anderson - your roll total is 24

[attr="class","witness"]Knowing the maze layout meant she knew the trap had been coming. The hardest part about this route of the gym was that she couldn't just 'give it away' with her face. Not very easy for her, as her poker face really sucked.

But somehow, she managed. Usually by pretending she wasn't paying attention. This time around, she had a hand on her pokeball, ready to save the man with her onix if need be. It wouldn't have been the first time she summoned Nicky in a tight spot. But luckily, and as assumed, the ranger was quick on his feet and able to bounce back just as quickly.

When offered, she climbed onto the beast's back and gave the metagross a pat and a kiss. The steel was cold against her lips, but she didn't mind. She kissed rocks most of the time.

"Thank you thank you! For keeping him safe so I can avoid a lawsuit, and for letting me ride along! Very thoughtful. My calves appreciate it."

When heading left, it opened up to a split pathway. Francie was sitting comfortably atop the metagross, humming happily as she watched his ranger work. Very good under pressure.

Well, being head ranger, he would be, wouldn't he?

Laurence Anderson - new roll total 108

[attr="class","witness"]"I don't know if--"

But it was late, that agility activated and suddenly she was squealing and grabbing onto the only thing she could, the head ranger. She didn't think much of it, if only because she'd given up her hope of ever thinking that way ever again.

"Okay!"

She squeaked, holding onto Lars before slamming her eyes shut and grunting. She really hoped that the agility would help them dodge the silly excuse for 'booby traps' that would be activated by their motion while crossing through this particular part of the maze.

Nothing dangerous. But they did get littered with confetti, and paint, and other various things, if the metagross wasn't fast enough. Not to mention, the sudden drop into a very dark underground of the maze.

"Phew!" Francie sighed as they had slowed. "Welcome to the underbelly!" She kept her hold on Lars, but only with one hand. "You've got to keep your wits about you! It's totally pitch black in here so, be super careful. You're allowed to use non-damaging moves, your pokemon's ability, or even a match or flashlight, if you have one."

Laurence Anderson - roll total 109

[attr="class","witness"]"Not super far, you're not like, stories down if that helps. And! Speaking of, 'if it helps,' going underground means you're close to the finish line."

Francie gave Lars a pat before scooting away. Now that there was a bit of light, she could see far more clearly while being close to Lars and could get her seating better on the metagross beneath her.

"He's a feisty one, huh? Likes a good challenge?"

Leaning down close to where she assumed his eye was, she beamed into the metagross' eye with no fear.

"Me too! We have something in common."

Laurence Anderson - roll total 162/200

[attr="class","witness"]Not being able to help the trainers, and just coming along to make sure they got through the maze and didn't get themselves lost... was exhausting. Already she wanted to go home and take a shower.

But her plumbing was dead. Which reminded her, she had called a plumber, but they couldn't be out until the following day. Which meant that she was stuck without a place to sleep, or pee, more importantly.

That brought her to mentally reminding herself to text kim cole-essam when this all got said and done to ask if she could stay over at his place. Likely that she would be able to, hopefully she remembered to send the text message.

Instead of interrupting the thought process, Francie just hummed. It was easier than staying silent. Quite little hums that didn't have a real rhyme or reason to them. Something to occupy herself while this head ranger found his way out.

He was pretty much there, just a matter of the lift kicking in and--

"Tada!"

Francie gave an excited clap as they started to ascend, the floor below the metagross lifting them up as the ceiling opened and revealed the main battle arena of the gym.

"Congratulations Laurence Anderson, head ranger!"

Francie slid off of the metagross and started toward the podium that held the stone badge upon it, allowing the podium to scan her retinas to open the display case so she could pluck one off for him.

"You've just completed the maze of Petalburg City Gym! And for such a feat, I reward you with this."

Laurence Anderson - roll total 223/200