As Azura dodges, the Gouging Fire slides to a stop - its claws digging in for traction as it turns around to face the group. Still wrapped up in its Raging Fury, the fire-cloaked beast bellows with rage, and once more goes into a charge!

Ettie, however, steps in now - Scarlet in either hand, the tassels of the Doublade wrapped around her forearms. She raises the twin blades in a Spiky Shield a wall of ghostly energy rising with the motion!

And the Gouging Fire is brought to a stop as it slams into the wall - roaring as the ghostly energies lash out at it in retaliation. It stumbles - startled and dazed from the impact, having been caught on guard...

... Which leaves it open, to a one-two punch from Azura and Aylin both. The Hyper Voice shakes it down to the bone, causing it to stagger - and the Dragon Hammer to the crest causes it to collapse, bellowing in bewilderment and pain alike.

Ettie sees her opportunity. She makes a low half-bark half-growl, and the pack advances - each one bringing their jaws around wherever they can hold to keep the Gouging Fire from getting back up, like wolves on an elk. This gives her time to pull an empty pokeball from her bag - which, as she approaches the beast, looking it in the eye, she taps the ball against it.

The Paradox is drawn in. Ettie - as well as the rest of the pack - watches, as the ball in her hand rocks once, twice, thrice...

... Before finally falling still with a click.

The wildchild lets out a drawn-out sigh of relief with this, returning Scarlet to their sheaths. But as the tension leaks out of Ettie, it's practically whiplash the way that she's suddenly all smiles, bouncing over to Toki. "Toki-friend hunts good! Thank you!"

[roll]
Toki Akiyama

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.

yr47QNJT
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.

AE97NkNb
Nikita Sokolov

The sun beats down on them, harsh and blinding. But the Gouging Fire almost seems to thrive in this heat; perhaps to be expected of a fire-type, but this is almost a step beyond. Its Protosynthesis leaves it energized as it watches the approach of other pokemon, eyes sweeping over its foes. Settling upon Yip, the Paradox charges - swiping with a Dragon Claw!

The Smeargle dances back a few paces - just able to dodge; though she is quick to duck when Anat comes in fast, to retaliate with a swinging Meteor Mash!

As the Gouging Fire takes a couple step backs from the attack, its fur begins to spark up in flames as it prepares some form of fire-type move... But, then comes Azura's Sparkling Aria; between the sun and dragon typing, it doesn't quite take as much damage from the water-type attack. But it's still enough to interrupt it, drawing out a startled snarl as it whips its head around to glare!

But, it seems as though the pack is no stranger to collaborating against a larger foe. The wolves circle around the Paradox, never allowing one of them to be within claw's reach for long. From behind, Ebon charges in - the midnight Lycanroc slamming a Stone Edge into the Gouging Fire's back. And as soon as it whirls around to try and retaliate, he is backing away - allowing for Barbara to strike in with a Feint Attack from another direction.

And in this, it is easy for Aylin to find an opening for her incoming Dragon Hammer! As it slams home, the Paradox stumbles back - clearly dazed by the strike, as it bellows, Howling with rage!

The pack is forced to break the circle and dodge, however, as the Paradox lights aflame - charging in Azura and Aylin's directions in a Raging Fury..!

y3hQSbHq
Toki Akiyama

And finally, there was a Froakie - found at water's edge. Carefully, Ettie would sit nearby - watching the water-type for a little while. Much like the prior two, she knew that someone might be interested in the little amphibian.

Thus, one last ball would be thrown - Ettie being eager to take a new packmate home, and deliver these other three pokemon.

And not long after the Koffing, comes a Toxel! Although, perhaps a bit more unexpected - given how it is found tumbling down a hill and into Ettie, nearly tripping her up! She squeaks a bit - but upon seeing the little poison-type at her feet, she feels the need to dote on it a little.

She knew someone who might appreciate this one, too!

Crystals? Ettie mulled it over, glancing at her surroundings - as if to get her bearings - before mentioning "Ettie saw crystal!" with a bright and proud smile. She's familiar with this route! And awhile back, she had noticed that a number of weird crystals had popped up here and there...

... Though, really, she hadn't known what to make sense of it, besides that it was like the pretty-shiny-glimmery-ness of when one of her packmates Terastallized.

"Was..." She pauses a second to once more glance about, before pointing. "That way, Ettie thinks! Friends follow!" Already, she's bouncing off alongside her pack - ready to lead the way!

Although, as she passes under a tree - and notes the Honchkrow up above - she's happy to lay out some treats for the corvid. She knows well that you want to be in a local flock's good graces, after all...

(... Though, perhaps it'll come as a surprise then, when said Honchkrow is eventually seen following after her!)

Catching Honchkrow

Tempest Quinn

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...

SMVLimzV
Nikita Sokolov

Safe to say, Ettie had smelled the Koffing before she saw it - but for as much as she didn't want to linger... She knew that this was a pokemon she wanted to get - there was a friend (a big disclaimer being that she tended to refer to anyone as friend,) who had been looking for something like this, and like a few other pokemon lurking here today!

Thus, she wasted no time in throwing another ball - eager to continue hunting.

Ettie was in agreement with Toki; there wasn't any sustenance to be found from this strange metallic pokemon. So perhaps, she'd be lucky enough to find it hungry enough to be put in a good mood with food!

Either way, she smiled to Toki - "Ettie careful," she promised, before slowly, cautiously, descending from the ridge. So far, the Gouging Fire did not take notice of her... Although, when she finally reached the level that the Paradox was on, it would raise its head to glance to her, and growled lowly.

Ettie, however, was not deterred. She was quick to remove a wrapped bundle of preserved meats from her bag - and unwrapping it, set it forth for the beast - cautiously stepping back as she did.

Which, the food seemed to get the Gouging Fire's attention. It regarded the meat for a few long moments, before stepping forth. Though it occasionally cast glances to Ettie, its attention was turned to the prospect of food - which it gobbled up readily.

And Ettie saw this as an in. She smiled a little as she play-bowed to the much-larger Paradox - wiggling - and made a sneezing-like sound to convey that very same playfulness. She was putting her all, in trying to convey friendliness in a way that any dog might understand!

The Gouging Fire did not seem interested in this extended olive branch, however. Because as soon as it finished the provided snack (because for as much as Ettie tried to provide, this beast most definitely ate more than what she could carry by herself...)

... It would turn its attentions to the friendly wildchild - and with a snarl, charged!

Though Ettie herself was taken by surprise, she was not alone. Sheathed at the small of her back, Scarlet stirred to life! The sheath would be used like a shield - brought in front to intercept a swiping claw from the Gouging Fire! And as the strike landed, the Disguise fell away - revealing the twin blades within..!

This all seemed to whip the pack into an instant fury - as a chorus of Howls would rise from the pack, emboldening not only themselves, but also Toki's pokemon as well! And leaping down from the ridge, the canines readily joined Ettie's side - prepared to protect their leader.

mfBBGvdR
Toki Akiyama

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.

6TZTUYmW
Nikita Sokolov

Toki's fear would indeed be palpable to the pack. Those most sensitive - Anat and Haru, being a Lucario and a Psychic-type respectively - being the first ones to notice, and the others gradually catching on one by one.

The Lycanrocs seemed to take it in stride - as did Barbara and Madame. But Zeek, Yip, and Haru all seemed unsettled - both at the sight below and in picking up on Toki's emotions. This was a strange pokemon. This was different from what they knew and understood.

Anne would make a low huffing sound that had the pack perking to attention, though - seemingly to snap them out of their unease. The pack gathered closer to their leader, as if to find comfort in eachothers' numbers.

In turn, Anat would place a paw on Toki's side in a reassuring touch. Ettie, too, would reach over to hold his hand. "Is okay," She whispered, with an ironclad certainty. "Pack protects."

But then, her gaze drifted back to the Gouging Fire below, thoughtful. She recognized that this wasn't the sort of pokemon she was familiar with, but... "... Have food. Could befriend, maybe?" She suggested. Most wild pokemon could be made more amicable with some food - and as far as she could see, there wasn't anything that would imply this one would be any different.

As long as she was careful, surely nothing would go amiss, right?

Exp_WVUx
Toki Akiyama

As Ettie proceeds through the safari zone, a flutter of wings catches her attention - and above, she catches sight of a Bombirdier. She has seen one before, out on Route 120 - but to see a shiny variant is interesting, even if only briefly...

... She is quick to decide to bail, however, when it begins dropping rocks onto anything that moves below..!