Initially, as the bubble lowers and is burst, it looks as though Ettie won't bolt. Though her eyes still flicker between the different people here - particularly Nikita and his pokemon, and occasionally Johanna and her own - she remains where she is, as the pack begins to gather around her in some sort of protective-comforting huddle. Anne's tongue licks atop Ettie's head, and the wildchild blinks, before relaxing and making a soft chuff in her throat - nuzzling Anne, and briefly licking the wolf's cheek in return.

It's like even her behavior has reverted to that of a wild rockruff.

But, it seems as though something clicks in the wildchild's head, when a second wave of Sharpedo charge onto the scene. Ettie freezes up with fight or flight then, watching the fighting for but a few moments, her mind flickering between preypredatorpreypredator--

Before with a sudden snarl, she's moving. But rather than charging the sharks, she darts away- diving down between Anne's legs to slip away from the pack. Delle rises from Ettie's shadow to try and stop her, but the child manages to avoid the marshadow's grasp. She flees further into the tunnel, caring naught of whether her clothes or hair or skin catch on the sharp rocks that form this portion of the twisting caverns.

Alarmed, Anne barks at the retreating wildchild and runs after her - leaving the rest of the pack without either leader. They glance amongst themselves, confused and worried - though Delle would take charge, the ghost-type barking and gesturing for Duchess and Princess to follow after as the three join in the chase. Haru, Pago, Penny, and Aurien all remain to contribute to fending off the sharks, meanwhilst.

TLDR:

SPOILER: Click to show

- Ettie remains where she is initially, when the bubble bursts. Glances between Nikita/Johanna and their pokemon, but Nikita and his own especially.
- Pack gathers around Ettie - she relaxes whilst interacting with Anne.
- Sharpedo showing up make her freeze up, then flee - ignores sharp rocks catching on her skin/hair/clothes.
- Anne, Delle, Duchess, and Princess give chase - Pago, Penny, Aurien, and Haru stay to help fight the Sharpedo off.

Johanna Joy , Nikita Sokolov

The explanation Elise gave would be met with clear curiosity, although for a moment, concern crossed her expression. "Ne-croz-ma..." She murmured thoughtfully. "Why... cause Darkest Day?" She'd ask, tilting her head a little bit. Even when pokemon decided to hurt other pokemon (without the influence of humans,) it was usually with reason. It was to hunt, to claim territory, or to protect one's pack or cubs.

But with how powerful legendary pokemon sounded, was there really any reason for one to cause an event that sounded to have caused so much hurt? Hunting, protecting, those sorts of things would be easy for such a strong pokemon, even on its own, right?

The mention of the Darkest Day itself was also curious, though. "What-is Darkest Day?" Ettie asked next - was it something to do with maybe... The sun? Glancing upwards - squinting and lifting a hand to shade her sensitive eyes from the sunlight - Ettie could suppose that it'd get really dark indeed, if the sun went missing. It'd be even darker, if the stars and moon disappeared, too! And though Ettie liked to think she could see pretty decently in the dark, well...

... That was too dark for anyone to see, she was pretty sure!

So another one of Morrigan's pokemon enjoyed more physical activities? Ettie nodded with a bright smile. "Ettie want-meet Callisto-friend, one day!" She chirped, adding "Tag-wrestle fun, make fast! Make strong!" It was part of how rockruff pups learned to hunt, in her original pack!

But bouncing back to the subject of Terastalizing, Ettie nodded. "Yup! Terastalize!" She spoke more confidently this time - taking the time to retrieve her Tera Orb out from her bag. "Ettie show!"

Holding the orb in both hands, the wildchild would lift it high - where it would begin to charge, taking in a sparkling energy that swirled about. In the wake of the swirling energy, Ettie's hair and clothes whipped every which way - and once the orb was at max capacity... She'd extend it in Anne's direction - where the energy would envelop the wolf in a blinding light!

As the light faded, one could see that a few changes had occurred to Anne. The lycanroc's hide took on the properties of crystal - sparkling and shining in the sunlight - and upon her head, stood a crown of flames. Sparks danced amongst the wolf's fangs when she let out a sharp exhale, her gaze settling upon Morrigan and Callisto both to see what the duo thought.

"Is terastalize! Anne-sister can-use fire!" Ettie declared with a bright smile, adding "And is pretty-shiny-glowy now!"

Ettie beamed brightly at the praise offered, giggling and wiggling with joy. She might not be as strong as say, Anne, but she liked to think that she wasn't weak, either! Especially when she'd been eating a lot better, ever since she started interacting with humans and society.

As Johanna moved to check on Ruffian though, the lilipup would blink in her direction - at first a bit bleary and dizzy... But as he shook the cobwebs out of his head, he'd puff up and bark at Johanna with something between annoyance and determination. Of course he was okay! He was tough! No silly bell would stop him that easily!

But satisfied with their time spent at the Test Your Strength, the pack would begin to move on - Ettie taking Johanna's hand, as they did. There were still so many different things that they could do, things that they could check out and try...

... But eventually, Ettie's eyes would next fall upon a dart game, where the targets were colorful balloons. "Ooh! What is?" She asked - glancing up to Johanna and pointing towards the game. "How play?"

The final stretch was up ahead - no frills, no bells and whistles, no tricky obstacles to worry about. It was just a straight stretch of running, and Duchess was eager to let her legs carry her onwards to the very end!

Ettie leaned low to nuzzle against the back of the manectric's neck - even as the electricity from the wolf's fur conducted on the sweat of the wildchild's brow, causing a jolt that hurt a little and making her hair noticably puff, she was simply enjoying the chance she got to take a breather in all of this. "Is-there," She whispered encouragingly, a hand brushing over the side of Duchess' neck.

This was the final stretch, before the race was over.

xL|g7BAE

Speed: A (4) // Endurance: C (2) // Reaction: C (2)
Josh Devlin

(Putting a CW for violence here just incase?)

The sharpedo thrashed, it slammed into one of the walls - but even as a sharp rock bit into Ettie's arm and drew blood, that seemed to only further encourage the feral behavior she displayed. When a particularly vicious buck tore her teeth away from the shark's flesh, she simply found a new place to sink her fangs into once more - snarling wildly, her sharpened nails clawing against its skin and digging in for hold.

With how violently the sharpedo is moving, none of Ettie's pack can get close enough to put a stop to the mayhem - even as Anne tries to tackle into the beast to subdue it, it bites down on her and throws her into Pago. Duchess' fur sparks with electricity, and yet she's afraid that she'll shock Ettie as well, if she attempts to attack!

In the end, it's Nikita's alakazam who is able to separate Ettie from the shark - pulling her away, and bringing her into a bubble of telekinetic energy. Initially, her eyes dart about - and upon noticing a nearby Veluza, she slams into the bubble in an attempt to pounce at it. But when she briefly scrabbles at it with her nails and finds it impassable, she lets out a low growl, before stilling.

Unnaturally dark - yet still vivid red - blood drips from Ettie's teeth and nails, and her eyes are wild, less child and more wolf. She is perched in a seated position as her gaze darts between those around her, her breathing heavy as though she is catching her breath from the prior exertion. For a moment, something flickers in her gaze - she moves her lips as if trying to form words, and sounds do escape her mouth...

... But whatever she's trying to say trails off in a soft snarl as she holds her head with one hand, unable to form anything coherent. In such a small body such as her's, even a small dose of nihilego toxin would likely be fast-acting.

The pack's concern is apparent, as Ettie's pokemon begin to gather around the bubble. Anne is pacing, Duchess lets out a soft whine of concern, Haru watches Ettie with worry, and Princess - normally sedate and lazy - is visibly agitated and growling softly. Anne, however, casts a gaze towards Johanna - as if the normally distrustful wolf were hoping that the gym leader would have an answer, in all of this.

TLDR:

SPOILER: Click to show

- Ettie gets a cut on her arm from being slammed into the wall by the sharpedo, but continues mauling it.
- With how violently the sharpedo is acting, none of the pack can get close enough to safely separate Ettie from the shark.
- When Ettie is separated and bubble'd, she initially attempts to pounce at a nearby Veluza - but upon failing, seems to settle down (even if a little growly about it.)
- Ettie's teeth/nails are visibly bloody, the blood itself being unnaturally dark (partly doing this cause they're described as corrupted,) but still noticably red
- Ettie attempts speaking, but instead makes unintelligible noises, trails off in a snarl + holds her head with one hand, unable to put together words. With how small she is, even a small dose of nihilego toxin is likely going to be fast-acting.
- The pack is concerned/agitated over Ettie's current state. Anne looks to Johanna for help.

Johanna Joy , Nikita Sokolov

Though Ettie was a bit of a nomadic wildchild, Fortree was one of the few haunts that she tended to linger around a little longer than others. It was closest place to the wilds that her original pack lived amongst, after all; it also was home to a dear friend, in Julia Davis - someone that Ettie would happily regard as family, given that she was the first human that Ettie had ever seen in a long time when they first met, and also that she was the one who inspired Ettie to go out and see the world.

So, was it any surprise, when she'd end up hearing of a certain school that also rested nearby?

Ettie wasn't sure of all the details - just that it was a school, and to do with swords! That maybe flew? She wasn't sure if there were any human swords that liked to fly around... But as far as pokemon went, Scarlet - her doublade - did a lot of floating; which, that counted as flying, right? So maybe this was the perfect school for the both of them!

It'd likely be a bit of a startling sight, to look out one's front door and see a number of canid pokemon gathering in one place. Ettie didn't tend to use a PC, and pokeballs were less a rule and more of a suggestion for her - only ever recalling one of her packmates if they needed some rest, or if it wasn't safe for them to be out and about. As a result, she and her pokemon moved in one big group, going from place to place. There was strength and safety to be had in numbers, after all.

But as far as actually entering the school went, only a handful of the pack would go in alongside Ettie.

Scarlet the Doublade - a shiny, sized somewhere at the cusp between a pair of daggers and a pair of shortswords, with particularly long flowing tassels - sheathed at the small of Ettie's back.

Anne the Dusk Lycanroc - a rather large wolf, large enough for someone to ride atop, staring distrustfully at anyone who got too close - following close to Ettie's side.

Haru the Delphox - hanging towards the back of the group with an almost shy demeanor, and yet curiously observing her surroundings.

Anat the Lucario - following on the opposite side of Ettie to Anne, watching any demonstrations or lessons that may be going on.

Mina the Rockruff - the smaller pup seemingly lost in her own world, even as she follows after the group diligently.

And finally, Delle the Marshadow - who remained hidden in Ettie's shadow, even as her eyes closely watched their surroundings with a similar-yet-different sort of curiosity to that of Haru.

A colorful group, to say the least - though of the pokemon who were actually visible, there was little doubt as to what variety of pokemon Ettie tended to favor. What would they come to see, in entering Flying Sword School?

Mission

Finnegan Yang

"So... Is-game? Ettie... kick at-basket?"

Was it any surprise, that with the number of secret bases that Ettie visited, she'd be sure to include Julia's base on this list? Of course she'd visit a friend! Especially a very close friend, with a nice cozy-looking den (or would nest be more accurate, in this case?) in a tree!

But more importantly, they'd come across Spot and an open field - with a large basket of sorts on one end and a ball in the middle, oddly enough. It had taken a bit of explaining from both the pack and Spot, however, for her to figure out what exactly you were meant to do. But, the instruction offered - to kick the ball towards Spot and the basket - seemed easy enough! So, winding up, she'd run up to make a hearty kick at the ball!

Bounce, bounce, bounce - the ball had been sent flying a little, but not quite enough for it to reach the net before hitting the ground. Still, that just meant it bounced along in an amusing fashion to Ettie - as Spot caught it deftly. The next two kicks would end up resulting in much of the same - the lucario being able to catch the ball, no matter where and how Ettie launched it...

... But Ettie nonetheless smiled brightly and giggled, especially as Spot retrieved a flag for her. "Thank you!" She chirped - before glancing over at the pack. "Pack want-play, too?"

Oh boy, Spot was about to have a long day...

• player/ooc name: Tsukistar
• character tags: Ettie, El Sunderland, Makoto Kurumi
• dropped characters' tags (if applicable): N/A
• ic posts for characters: El, Makoto, Ettie
• are characters in directories?: Y
• any notes/comments: a a a a a a a a

Duchess would give a playful bark in Blinky's direction as they kept passing by each other - the manectric's tail wagging. She almost wanted to invite some play, but you weren't supposed to nip others in a race, apparently; even thought it's basically like one big game of chase. Ah well - at least the running was great!

Ettie giggled at Duchess' friendly reception to the fellow racer though - briefly scritching along her shoulder. "How feel?" She'd ask - to which Duchess gave a positive bark in response. With the given opportunity to recuperate, they were both feeling good about the obstacle ahead - a familiar twisting slope.

The end of the race was in sight - they just had to keep at it a little longer..!

o|PWrQz1

Speed: A (4) // Endurance: C (2) // Reaction: C (2)
Josh Devlin

Nikita's observation would make Ettie's shoulders jump a bit - and for the briefest moment, there's a hue of fight or flight in her gaze as she glances back to him. As if she weren't sure whether she had heard a friend or foe. But as soon as she sees it's just him, her gaze returns to that of the friendly young girl, even if she was still unsettled. "Kinda," She confirms with a nod. "Johanna-friend alone... Ettie worry."

She didn't like the idea of leaving others behind - a pack stuck together. There was safety and strength in numbers - and Johanna being on her own meant that she didn't have that, at least not to the same degree as if they all stuck together.

But thankfully, Johanna soon returns - and as soon as Aurien caught up with the group, the primarina would carefully set her down on her feet. Ettie - atop Pago - as well as a few of the other canines are quick to move to Johanna's side - Duchess sniffing, Princess looking up and down, and Haru briefly conversing with Aurien and Johanna's pokemon - all to make sure that she and the others were okay.

With things seeming fine though, the group continues moving - and when they come across a crossroads, Nikita chooses that they take the left path. Ettie is happy to be one of the first atop Pago and alongside Anne - though the rest of the pack ends up a bit interspersed throughout the rest of the group, to help keep eyes out for danger.

But even as things were quiet whilst everyone moved, Ettie couldn't help but find herself lost in her own head - the back of her mind itching, pacing like a caged beast. Something was wrong. Something wasn't right. But she couldn't exactly figure out what. It wasn't even as if she lacked any words, but more that she couldn't figure out what she was applying words to in the first place.

And not only that, but her head has begun to throb - low, pulsing, but present. But rather than express it in words, she can't help but whine softly - a hand brought up to massage her temple.

Anne glances to her - and with a concerned gaze, drifts closer to nuzzle Ettie.

The wildchild glances over, and makes a soft chuff in response, rather than reassuring her in words - trying to think of words is tough right now - and leaned down to nuzzle Anne back.

Though, it wasn't long before things began to go awry once more. It would be Duchess's resounding Howl from the back of the group that signifies something is wrong - and immediately, the pack is on alert.

The swarm - fewer in numbers and bottlenecked by the path, but still present - has returned, Sharpedo and Veluza charging forth to try and continue pursuit. The pokemon are immediately ready to go on the offensive to fight them off - though it would likely come as a surprise, when they aren't the only ones fighting. Because as a Sharpedo manages to squeeze through to swim overhead, fangs glinting in the dim light, and scratches on its body dripping with darkened blood...

... It was almost as if Ettie were a shark herself, with the sudden ferocity she displays. Something in her head snaps - and it's with a howl of her own that she leaps at the Sharpedo. It thrashes, but she digs her nails in like claws as she grapples it - and without any hestiation, she sinks her teeth into it with a wild snarl! Prey. Prey. PREY. A voice like-unlike her own has scented blood, and her instincts know injured prey when she sees it.

Anne is alarmed, unsure of what has come over her human sister - and even Pago is bewildered by this sudden act! But nonetheless, they join in the fray in hopes of getting Ettie and the Sharpedo away from one another..!

TLDR:

SPOILER: Click to show

- Ettie confirms she's nervous - particularly out of concern for Johanna.
- When Aurien brings Johanna back to the group, he carefully sets her down on her feet. What a gentleman! c:
- Ettie + the pack come to check up on Johanna to make sure she + her pokemon are okay
- When Nikita chooses the left path, Ettie and co are happy to head on in - the pack being somewhat spread out throughout the group, to better keep an eye out for everyone.
- While everyone's walking though, Ettie's symptoms are getting worse - including a throbbing headache, and a difficulty with words.
- The swarm - fewer in number + bottlenecked in the narrow path - eventually return, Duchess giving a Howl both in warning and to buff everyone.
- While the pack is prepared to fight back, a Sharpedo slips towards the front of the group... Only for Ettie to snap - as she pounces on and begins attempting to maul it, her addled mind regarding it as prey.
- An alarmed Anne and Pago engage the Sharpedo to try and get it + Ettie away from each other.

Johanna Joy , Nikita Sokolov