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Ruby didn't know what she was doing here already. This was her first real gym battle, or at least her first attempted battle. If she could even find her way out of this maze, that would be great. Her progress was slow but consistent at the very least. Hearing stories of some trainers getting lost and sent home when the gym closed, Ruby made sure to show up as soon as the gym had opened, beginning to make her progress through the beautiful indoor nature wonderland. It was absolutely beautiful, the pretty flowers, the Pokemon calls in the background, the fruity, floral scents that seemed to hang in the air. If she wasn't here on a mission, Ruby would have honestly spent the whole day just relaxing here. Hopefully, the gym leader let her just relax after the battle, whether she won or lost!

Just following the left side of the maze eventually led Ruby out towards the other side, but it was certainly a bit time-consuming. Perhaps some other challengers had some flying pokemon that could lead them over and around the maze, but she didn't worry about it for now. Her eyes of course, widened at the sight before her. The cute little river, the beautifully laid stone, this was definitely a place Meddy her Medicham would have absolutely loved to meditate in. It felt so calming, just like she was back home again in her family's woods.

Eventually, of course, Ruby managed to make her way onto the circle of stone and called out with a soft tone, almost afraid to raise her voice and ruin the peaceful sanctity of the place. "Uh, hello? Is anyone there? I'm uh, here to challenge the gym leader...?"


notes: Traditional Battle Please!

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Ruby was just about two seconds from failing to convince herself not to lay down atop the beautiful, soft wool of all these Wooloo. They just seemed to bounce against everything, and overall it was a rather relaxing atmosphere. So what if it was a tiny bit muddy? Nothing a nice shower couldn't solve. Before she could give up and lay down, she spotted someone else in the distance approaching. Her interest immediately piqued, Ruby separated herself from the flock as she moved towards the entrance of the ranch.

"Oh, hey!" Ruby smiled widely as she spoke, greeting the girl in the incredibly cute outfit as she approached with her two pokemon. "Are you uh, some more help? The owner here said he'd go running off looking for more people to help while he went away for a while." She slowly opened up the gate, making sure to keep an eye on the Wooloo around them to make sure none of the cute little guys tried to run out while she was just trying to be nice. Of course, Ruby's interest suddenly piqued once more as she saw the Drednaw. That was a guy from back home!

Growing more and more excited by the second, finding someone who not only was dressed adorably but with a Pokemon she recognized from home was a good feeling. Especially considering they seemed to be about the same age. With a quiet laugh, she would give a little, small wave towards the turtle pokemon in the back, grinning sheepishly.

---

From the edge of the woods, red eyes were staring into the ranch with a hungry gaze. These red eyes seemed to suddenly duplicate, as more and more of them slowly crept up to the edge, staying in the shadows, just watching and waiting. A total of six pairs of eyes stared at the ranch, slowly planning their next move.

notes: Mission

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Ruby had to admit, she still enjoyed the snow floating down all around them. It reminded her of home a little bit, especially during the wintertime. She had expected not to see a single snowflake in her entire time in Hoenn, but that didn't seem like it was to be the case. She had heard about how unnatural it was on the news, but she didn't know nearly enough about how the weather worked to really worry about it. It was just like home, and that was more than enough for her at the moment.

Walking through the light snow was relatively easy, but it was a bit chilly. At home, she was used to huddling up in her family's cabin and staying nice and dry and warm. Here, her feet were getting a bit soaked. It seemed like the boots she had purchased here weren't exactly the greatest of qualities. Still, hopefully the trek forwards would make her walk across any frozen puddles to sink into and get even wetter. Hopefully the cave up ahead would be warmer and dryer.

Were that... footprints? It seemed like someone else was already here and ahead of her. Curious, Ruby suddenly ran ahead, trying to see just

notes: Route 116: Normal/Psychic. Ice spawns as well.

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It was a strange time of year for the Hoenn region. There was snow. Snow! Like, actual snow and not the ash from the volcano raining down from the sky. This tropical land rarely got such weather, or at least from her understanding, but she didn't care about why or how, only that it was happening! Taking the opportunity to travel in the snow on her way towards Verdanterf Town, while they were still outside of the cave Opal the Aurorus joined her. Walking side by side, the massive ice pokemon was definitely enjoying their time. Walking through the snow, trailing footprints behind them, Ruby had to smile up at the beautiful fossil pokemon. Back home, she never would have imagined walking so casually amongst a giant, but Opal was one of the friendliest and calmest Pokemons she had ever met.

Of course, with a change in the weather, came a new set of Pokemon that would be running around. Hopefully, she'd find something a bit unique running around! Maybe Opal and her friendly, already frozen nature could help? Unsure, but certainly curious, Ruby optimistically held a Pokeball in her hand, tossing it up and down as she spoke softly to the gentle giant. "You know? Maybe we should stop and make a few friends if we can find any. What do you say?"

notes: Route 116 - normal / psychic. Want Ice Types to spawn as well!

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Ruby knew how bad it looked when her Pokémon just ran away like that all the time, simply nodding her head and letting out a quiet sigh. Whisper was always getting the two of them in trouble, or more accurately just her, taking the blame for their behavior. But she didn't blame them! Whisper came from the woods, where there was hardly any noises or strong emotions around for miles asides from her own home. Speaking up with a soft tone, she'd slowly tuck the Wobbuffet's ball into her backpack as she spoke. "Uh, I'm Ruby. I'm really new here, so I uh, don't really know anyone. Just uh, followed my Pokémon here. She's not uh, heh, fan of music. Do you uh, mind if I ask of your two names? I promise I'll be out of your hair soon!"

She definitely didn't want to cause any more problems than she had already caused, but it seemed like their conversations were only attracting even more wild Pokémon! There really wasn't a moments rest in this area, was there? Off in the distance, she saw an aggressive little Mr. Rime heading her way. Almost immediately, Ruby's eyes widened. That was a boy from back home! They didn't normally have that Pokémon here! Her interest immediately piqued, and seeing that angry look for one reason or another convinced her that another little friendly encounter wasn't going to happen. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea, but Ruby really wanted to capture him. She quickly retrieved her Pokéball, quickly tossing one out. "Go-" Before she could say Whisper, as she was planning, Squishy the Inkay came out instead! Whoops, guess she grabbed the wrong ball. "Uh, Squishy!"

The curious, slowly shy boy glanced around the cave, floating around with a worried look. Of course, the tap-dancing immediately echoed around the cave, once again encouraging Whisper to remove herself from her Pokéball in anger, standing next to Ruby. Oh well, fate had decreed that it was Squishy's time to shine today. "Go, use Foul Play!" She shouted, only to get gently nudged by Whisper for being so loud. "Whoops, sorry."

Squishy immediately floated towards them, covered in a dark, almost ominous aura. Slamming straight into the Mr. Rime as it tried to defend itself, but his strengths became his own weakness. His own strength was returned against him in exact form, only leaving him even more weakened due to being unable to resist the dark-type move!

Ruby immediately felt the urge to leap for joy, but Whisper's gentle hand on her shoulder was a nice reminder to stay calm. Mr. Rime didn't seem to be doing so hot after that attack either, leaning heavily on its cane as it fired an ice shard towards Squishy, who was able to avoid the blast with his unpredictable movements. Quickly breaking out an empty Pokébal, not wanting to risk hurting him any more than they needed to, Ruby quickly tossed it at them. Managing to hit them right in the forehead, they quickly vanished into the ball, but whether they stayed in there or not was a better question.


notes: Meteor Falls - water / psychic / dragon. Attempted capture of the Mr. Rime.

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Ruby didn't often get mad, but when she did, she took action. This stupid jerk dressed like some know it all sailor had been harassing her for too long, and she had it up to here with them. When they laughed at the 'little girl' telling them to stop teasing her, she immediately challenged them to a Pokémon battle. She didn't call this way to see the beautiful city of Sootopolis just to get teased and pushed around by some ugly sailors. Whisper no doubt wanted to smack them all upside the head, but she fought to keep her inside the ball, today she wanted to prove her worth as a trainer. If all she relied on was just Whisper to actually fight all her battles for her, she'd never be anywhere.

Standing across the area used for battling, the Sailor and his group of buddies were pushing each other around, laughing at each other and staring at her as she stood across the small battling arena. With the count of three, they both tossed out their single mon's they'd be using for this fight. His Sharpedo formed, angrily staring forwards and gnashing his jaws, but Ruby couldn't help but smile despite her upset state. From her Pokéball revealed Beta, a Luxio borrowed from a very kind individual while she explored her time at sea to protect herself. The laughing stopped on the other side as they realized she had the type advantage. And not only that, they all looked suddenly scared, even the Sharpedo seemed intimidated as it quickly took began to move.

"Use charge, and dodge! Let's take this out as fast as we can!" Beta seemed to agree with this statement, their tail crackling with electricity that spread all across their fur. Across the field, the Sharpedo suddenly began to launch themselves forward, the sailor issuing some command that she didn't even hear in her own anger. She never got like this, but... Everyone has their breaking points. Beta swiftly dodged out of the way, barely managing to avoid the large, gnashing jaws of the shark-like Pokémon. "Now!" She shouted out, "Use Wild Charge!"

---

Unknown to Ruby, however, her bag had been tossed back onto the ground, trusting that nobody would just up and grab it, but it seemed like she was mistaken. A young figure dressed in a hoodie, clearly trying to be inconspicuous took the chance. Quickly making his way towards her bag, hoping to quickly steal anything of value, but most importantly Pokémon. Unluckily for him, however, the first ball he grabbed was an individual who certainly didn't enjoy the stranger's presence. Suddenly forming from their ball, Whisper the Hatterene stood at their full height of 6 foot 11 inches, staring down at the thug who thought they could get away with stealing from the distracted little girl.

The man's eyes suddenly widened, not only has he never seen a Pokémon like this before, but Whisper had hostile intent in their eyes. They could sense the intent of the thug and intended to end it. Quickly rearing up a punch, the fist attached to her hat suddenly smacked them in the face, sending them flying and dropping the Pokéball of Whisper's in their hands. Almost immediately they got up and began to run away, but Whisper wasn't done quite yet. Feeding off of Ruby's own frustration and anger, upset by the mere thought of her being stolen from, Whisper immediately began to chase down after them!

---

"You did it!" She quickly ran up to try and give Beta a hug, only to be shocked a little bit in response. "H-heh, still charged up, huh?" He had a few nicks and scratches from the fight, but nothing a quick visit to the Poké Center wouldn't fix. Before she could talk to the group of sailors, Beta suddenly turned around, glancing over at the bag which drew Ruby's attention too. All she saw was the bag spilled over, Whisper's Pokéball rolling on the ground, and Whisper herself chasing down someone in the street. "Oh dear-" Not even bothering to waste her time with her previous foes, Ruby immediately ran to grab her bag as Beta followed behind her.

"Oh Whisper, not again..." She let out a heavy sigh, packing up the spilled belongings before chasing down after the protective psychic-type Pokémon.

notes: N/A