[ti]spawn[/ti]Sand Drifting

❝We can always choose not to engage if it looks dangerous.❞

The Mudsdale looked thoughtful. It seemed uncertain what his trainer's goal was for this particular excursion. The team was quite big, and it looked like Arthur didn't have any concrete plans to look for specific Pokemon to add to the team. Nonetheless, the ground type figured that getting a lay of the land was generally not time wasted, especially as there were whispers of building a settlement somewhere in the area. Something that reminded him of his previous home, before he was handed to his current trainer. He vaguely remembered clipped moments of hooves clopping on grass, layered cries of fellow Mudbray, waiting to be given to trainers who need their services.

<Can't believe that there's more sand here than back on the island.> Zoro remarked. <I thought that the beach was already too much sand...> the Zorua was plenty content not setting his tiny paws on the ground, though he was not looking forward to be asked to fight if he had to.

No, that wasn't Solgaleo. This cat's coat was hard to see as the sun continued to set, bringing the night sky in full view. It wasn't dazzling white, easily mistaken for a colorless Pokemon. He supposed that this was one of the cats they saved in the dungeon, which so happened to be the same species as the one the Legendary took when he was weakened.

<Parley! Please, I mean no harm.> the cat's voice was surprisingly deep for his size. Not exactly like Solgaleo's, but it carried that heavy gravitas that this Pokemon was wiser than he appeared. It wasn't like his Kricketot, who simply had an old-fashioned way of speaking. There was a certain weight that Arthur couldn't describe; a confusion setting in, a lowered hand.

<You, boy, do you recognize me?>

A pause, a wonder on how to react. ❝No, I mistook you for another Pokemon I knew.❞

In the midst of their conversation, the cat approached cautiously and stopped at a certain distance where they didn't need to yell to properly hear each other. There was no wind, nothing to carry their words away or drown them out.

<...I suppose that would be a miracle if you did; I would've called it fate.> he did not lower his guard, still ready to pounce, or perhaps feint and make an escape. <Can you tell me what happened here?>

❝There is not much I can tell. By the time I got here, it was already like this.❞

For some reason, this response affected the cat. Shock? Denial? He trembled, <But...that can't be...>

<I don't like this.> Zoro muttered under his breath. Earlier, Arthur had put his other hand up; a gesture to Banko not to move forward and attack. He had since lowered his hand, but had not entirely relaxed his stance. It didn't seem like the cat was hostile, but it did not mean that he wasn't dangerous. After all, it seemed like the cat could evolve into Solgaleo, or could be hiding another form for all he knew (or maybe that was just that particular lion's gimmick).

❝Then what do you plan to do now?❞

The cat did not reply immediately, but then he spread his paws out, lowering his head, eyes narrowing. <When in doubt, return to the familiar.> he muttered, <You are a trainer, correct?>

<Oh it's on.>

❝Wait,❞ he gently held the Zorua down on his shoulder before he could jump off. ❝Not right now. I'll equip you into a class later.❞

<Hrmph. Fine.>

If Gou were here, he might've used him to spar with the cat. The size different didn't matter, because he felt like this Pokemon had the edge on them in experience and power. He pulled out a Poke Ball and tossed it in the air. ❝Kanya.❞

The attack sent the Litten flying, but true to the nature of cats, he was able to fix his position upright so that he could land on the ground with his paws instead of his back. However, it only took a moment's pause for the wild Pokemon to show that he was struggling. A boosted direct attack was just too much to handle for his size. He didn't let that deter him though. As Kanya moved in for another attack - and Kyukon was thinking of telling him to stay back - the Litten's eyes glowed translucent red; an aura coated his body and made his fur stand up on end. This was transferred over to the Meowscarada, who suddenly stopped in his tracks and looked completely dazed.

❝Kanya?❞

Meowscarada is confused!

The masked cat whipped his head to his trainer's direction before snarling. Specifically, he was looking at the Zorua on his shoulder, which was of a similar shape to what he was just fighting, never mind the fact that he had been facing the correct direction not a moment before. Glowing claws were extended as the Meowscarada slowly moved forward to attack, barely any grace in his steps. Arthur cursed, quickly trying to get Kanya's Poke Ball so that he could return him and cure the confusion, but he fumbled at a crucial moment.

❝Banko, Iron Defense!❞

When the claws struck down, they hit something akin to steel, but it was actually the Mudsdale's hardened head. Letting out a deep exhale, he lowered his head to position himself to be able to shove the cat away, but this ended up hitting the requirements for Counter, becoming a powerful attack on its own. A boosted attack that was now going to hit twice as much? He wasn't surprised that after Kanya was sent to the ground, he couldn't stand up.

<Ughhh...everything hurts...>

<That was short.> Zoro commented, appearing to be unimpressed. Arthur decided not to reply and returned the Meowscarada so he could rest. He already felt like he was going to get an earful of complaining later. As for the Litten, well, did he need Banko to finish him off..?

He approached the wild cat and crouched down. The Litten mainly used whatever energy he had left to stand. ❝Did you actually want to be captured again?❞

<I don't think I belong here. I find that a human's presence is...soothing.>