By finding Anne, the group would also find the den - the entrance tucked into a crevice big enough for even Ettie's largest pokemon to pass through. Just outside the crevice was an open clearing, which appeared to more or less be a 'commons area' for the pack to idle about and mingle with one another in. On the ridges above, Ettie's corvids - a couple of Corviknights and Honchkrow - can be seen roosted, watching the visiting trio closely.

As the two Arcanine approach, Anne's gaze falls upon them - sharp, assessing, judging who they were. It seemed that being so close to the den also had gotten the attention of the other canids. But once she took notice of Josh, and got a whiff of their scents, she relaxed - recognition shining in her eyes. And in turn, so too did the rest of the pack present.

Though Josh's approach had been unexpected, he was welcome here.

Ettie, too, would take quick notice - and with a happy giggle, she waved. "Josh! Friends! Hellooooo~!" She called, from her spot next to one of the Corviknights. She carefully hops down to meet him proper - continuing to giggle with visible glee. Tailing behind her were a few packmates - including a Hisuian Arcanine that appeared big even by Arcanine standards, and a Smeargle. "Happy to see! How is?"

(What would likely be an interesting sight, was the presence of two Shaymin - Sky forme, no less - that followed her down from the ridge, flitting about here and there as they examined these newcomers.)

Ettie's gaze would briefly drift to the Rainbow Feather - and the curiosity was plain to see. It was pretty, if you asked her! And on top of that, she didn't recognize what sort of bird it might belong to. But, she didn't immediately comment on it - instead glancing to Josh once more and offering "Storm coming - can hide with pack, when is-here." She wasn't sure how long it'd be, but it was definitely on its way.

It's cold.

That's the first thing that occurs to Ettie, as she begins to stir. Though the sweat on her skin is hot and clammy, the air - and the hard floor beneath - are cold. Everything - touch, smell, sounds - feels wrong, she recognizes distantly past a disorienting and hazy grogginess. Something is horribly, horribly, wrong - even if it takes a second for it all to filter in properly.

The next thing she notes, is the mask. Her initial instinct is to take it off - but no matter how she pulls on it, all she feels is the press of the Toxic Chain wrapped around it. She whines at the back of her throat, quite uncomfortable with all of this - but as her eyes adjust to the darkness, and the grimy visor... "Sister..? Anat..?"

... She realizes, that she's trapped in a strange, enclosed, room. And that her pack is missing. Where were they? Why was she alone? She could have sworn that they had been hunting in the woods not long ago! And yet- and yet--..!

She does not immediately notice Andrew Fisher 's presence; instead in an almost frenetic panic. She was alone. Alone was dangerous. Alone meant you could be picked off by predators. She needed her pack - she needed to find someone - she wasn't safe like this--

And following her instincts, her first thought is to howl. A keening cry, in hopes that maybe one of her packmates would hear and respond. Any sort of response, so that she can at least know they're somewhere nearby.

TLDR: Ettie is in Dummy Ward. She is spooked by waking up without her pack, and is letting out a howl in hopes of getting a response.

If you asked Yip, having a floating letter bouncing all over the place was weird. She didn't wholly understand the deal with Wulkos - it just sort of showed up one day, and Ettie happily accepted the psychic-type's presence around the den.

But, one thing that she did notice about them, was the move Hidden Power. Sometimes, whenever they had to chase off a wild intruder, Wulkos' Hidden Power seemed to - without fail - leave the foe smarting! And each time she saw it in action, she was more enamored with the move. Something that she could use in any situation, against any enemy? Sign her up!

Thus, the next time she saw Wulkos putting the move to use, she was quick to Sketch it for herself; no doubt, she'd find use for it.

Redeeming:

- Root of Pugnus (VCT)
- - Wulkos the Unown learns Close Combat

- Powder of Ferrum (Excursions)
- - Wulkos the Unown learns Iron Head

- Disc of Conversion (BBS)
- - Wulkos the Unown learns Conversion 1

- Poison Tera Shard (PP2)
- - Yip gains Poison Tera

- Starf Berry (2023 Advent)
- - Sirius the Yamper becomes Male

- x3 Free Evolution (Pokejob, VCT, PP2)
- - Zeit the H. Growlithe evolves into H. Arcanine
- - Mina the Greavard evolves into Houndstone; learns Last Respects
- - Snowboy H. Zorua evolves into H. Zoroark

- x2 Kasib Berry (VCT, Tales)
- - Scarlet the Doublade gains a moveslot
- - Anne the Lycanroc gains a moveslot

- Eligible Normal Move (BBS)
- - Zeit the H. Arcanine learns Double-Edge, forgets Crunch

- Eligible Fairy Move (BBS)
- - Anne the Lycanroc learns Play Rough

- Eligible Dragon Move (BBS)
- - Apex the Gouging Fire learns Dragon Cheer, forgets Lava Plume

- x2 Ability Capsule (VCT, PP2)
- - Garden Rockruff's ability becomes Own Tempo
- - Sirius the Yamper's ability becomes Ball Fetch

- x11 TM/TR (VCT, Tales, MMMM, PP2, Excursions)
- - Scarlet the Doublade learns Aerial Ace, Shadow Claw, forgets Rock Slide
- - Apex the Gouging Fire learns Temper Flare, Earthquake, forgets Outrage, Flare Blitz
- - Daea the Shaymin learns Zen Headbutt, forgets Leech Seed
- - Graci the Shaymin learns Tailwind, forgets Healing Wish
- - Gruff the H. Arcanine learns Power Gem, Solar Beam, forgets Head Smash, Thief
- - Haru the Delphox learns Psychic, Shadow Ball, forgets Psybeam, Mystical Fire
- - Maria the Lycanroc learns Trailblaze, forgets Rock Tomb

A storm was rumbling. On one of the ridges surrounding the den - where the Flock often roosts - Ettie sits, swinging her legs over the edge and looking out to the open cloudy sky and the distant horizon. Though the clouds in the immediate vicinity were pale, those towards the horizon were darker, a clear and visible portent - especially when paired with the distant rumble of thunder.

She isn't the only one to take note of such; the smell of approaching rain, though faint, is on the air. Ettie can spy down below, where Anne is sniffing the air - before gazing to the very same dark clouds.

When the duo's eyes meet, Ettie is the first to speak. "Call hunters?" She suggests with an inquiring tilt of the head. A hunting group had departed for the nearby woods, further down the mountainous terrain they lived upon. It wouldn't do for them to get caught in windy rainy conditions - they wouldn't be able to catch much prey like that anyways.

Which, Anne concurred - best to call them back now, before the storm arrived. Thus, throwing back her head, the Lycanroc would let out a howl - one that a few nearby packmates joined in. The chorus would carry far from here, far enough for those in the woods to hear.

And indeed, as the howls petered out, there soon came acknowledgement in the form of another set of howls, from far off. The hunting group would return soon, with whatever they'd been able to gather. Perhaps, a certain pair of Arcanine would recognize some of the voices behind either set of howls?

Of verdant treetops
Dotted with fruits aplenty
A monkey's delight

Mochi (20) :

SPOILER: Click to show

- x10 - Iron Moth
- x5 - Rabsca
- x5 - Amoongus

Rewards: x1 TM/TR, x1 Free Evolution, x1 Devolution Stone, x1 Gacha Ticket, x1 Abillity Capsule, x1 Premium Gacha Ticket, x1 Draught of Purification, x1 Poison Tera Shard, x1 Dynamax Candy

Buying a Furfrou for 50 PD

FUR COAT
HEADBUTT
COTTON GUARD
CHARM
SUCKER PUNCH
WILD CHARGE
MIMIC

Mary snorted, the Dubwool pawing at the ground briefly. These Iron Moths were causing trouble aplenty - but for his herd pack, he wouldn't back down easy! This was what a sheep in wolf's clothing could do!

With a Guard Split, he would weaken the Paradoxes, by averaging his lower special defenses with their higher ones - protecting himself better in turn. Which more than happily opened the way for others, such as Haru or Astus, to clean up the rest!

While more specialized pokeballs like Net or Nest balls were most certainly safe, it seemed that an infestation against the more common ones - such as ordinary Pokeballs - was posing a threat.

Ettie, at the very least, had tools aplenty to clear out any impostors - the packs' keen noses, Haru's flames, and Astus' Ominous Wind, Tailwind, and Heat Waves. Spores are kept at bay, Foongus and Amoongus are cleared out, and toxic chains burned away....

And once they sent a group of recently de-chained shroom 'mons packing, the wildchild would let out a sigh of relief.

With the Gouging Fire in hand, things had calmed down considerably - and with it, Ettie was content to help tend to the pokemon, much as the pack tended to one another. She was especially eager to give Azure attention aplenty - giggling brightly at the newly-grown Primarina. "Azura grew big!" She chirped happily.

As Toki commented on the synergy though, she simply smiled. "Pack helps Pack - pack trusts pack." was all she had to say to that.

He was most certainly right, though, in regards to the fighting having potentially drawn attention. Hunts always had scavengers eager for whatever is leftover - and their pokemon had just been in a decently big fight. Now was the time to find someplace safe to rest - and Ettie was eager to have a quiet time, to familiarize herself with her newest packmate.

So, she'd smile and nod. "Yeah! We go - Ettie knows safe-spot!" League members had set up a number of outposts and research stations throughout the Great Chasm and Area Zero alike - and Ettie had kept track of any she found.

Thus, taking his hand, she'd lead him back up the way they came.

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.

With Autotomize, Ettie is on the move, Scarlet in hand. The pack herds the Rabsca, chasing them into strategic locations, allowing her to cut the virulent chains off with relative ease. But even as she moves, she is disturbed... This is not natural, not at all...

What's going on...?