The First Test

Lexi was mildly pleased that the Natu had avoided the attack so gracefully. After all, she didn't want an accidental critical hit to knock the thing out before given the chance to capture it! Still, something in the girl was irked by Aysel's failure to land the hit. It was very confusing in her own mind. She had to focus for now, finally shaking off the internal monologue as she watched Natu's tiny beak make contact with Aysel's rather large head causing her to stumble back a bit. Fortunately, Teddiursa were pretty tough and had relatively high defense.

Aysel growled, baring her teeth as she glared at the small bird. "Aysel, this time how about we do it my way?" Lexi asked with a rather sarcastic tone. Aysel spat on the ground beside her with slight irritation. "Right then, start with yawn!" Aysel staggered back, rubbing her eyes cutely as her mouth opened wide into a rather convincing (and contagious) yawn. Aysel used Yawn!

The Natu was quite pleased with himself after landing the hit. "Na-tu, na-tu." he said aloud. His monotone voice still gave off little emotion even in his triumph. He landed on the ground in front of the Teddiursa, hoping his own agility would save him from attack once again. Unfortunately, the Natu had a perfect view of the Teddiursa's huge yawn. His eyes squinted as he realized what had just happened. He opened his little beak as wide as he could and made a strange twittering yawn of his own. He felt a bit drowsy, but he wasn't going down yet. He hopped off the ground to go for another peck, using his remaining time on offense.

Lexi smirked, clenching her fists eagerly. Her move had worked, and she knew it was now only a matter of time before the Natu fell asleep. Time to inflict some damage. "Alright Aysel, good job!" she praised, but it may have been preemptive as the Natu quickly rushed in to attack once more. This time Aysel was more prepared though, raising her paws to soften the blow taken by the sharp beak.

"Quickly, counter with fury swipes!" Lexi commanded, raising her fist triumphantly. Aysel looked serious, quickly breaking contact with the foe's attack to slash at it multiple times with her claws. How something could be so adorable, yet so dangerous was still beyond Lexi but that was why she chose her partners. Aysel used Fury Swipes!

In such a sleepy state, Natu had a hard time dodging the fury swipes. He was hit by one, two, three slashes before he managed to fall out of the way. The little scratches stung, and the Natu winced in the pain. He stood on his tiny feet, ready to go for another peck, but he felt his consciousness fading. He had time to Leer at Teddiursa, and then fall asleep. "Na-tu, na-tu, na-tu," it yawned hypnotically. While it had Early Bird as an ability, it was unlikely that Natu would be given enough time to wake up. He slowly tilted over, finally resting his body on the tufts of grass.

Aysel wavered a bit from the intimidating leer, successfully lowering her defenses slightly. However, that didn't matter at the moment as the Natu was now unconscious. The perfect time to strike. However, Lexi wasn't new to abilities and knew that it was possible for most bird Pokemon to have the Early Bird ability, meaning she might not have much time to take action.

"Okay Aysel, use your Covet attack!" Lexi commanded, knowing her Teddiursa's natural ability to pick up items might be enhanced by the thieving move. If there was anything in those feathers Aysel was more than likely going to find it as she attacked with a decent force to the sleeping foe. Aysel used Covet!

Natu's feathers ruffled around plenty, but the bird didn't seem to be carrying any items. The Natu continued to snooze despite this move, laying its purple head on the grass. The wind blew through the grass and Natu dreamed of a sunny forest where tons of other Natu enjoyed a huge buffet of berries. Natu enjoyed plenty of the dreamy berries before he suddenly remembered that he needed to wake up. His ability kicked in, and he quickly woke up only one turn after falling asleep. Unfortunately for Natu, he didn't wake up in time to attack or defend himself from Lexi's next move. His big, strange eyes fluttered open, and he hopped up on his tiny bird feet.

Only slightly disappointed at failing to find an item with the attack, Lexi knew she had to act quick. The bird was already shifting and waking up. Making a move now would potentially guarantee Aysel another safe hit before Natu came to 100%. "Aysel, quickly use your fury swipes once more!" The young girl commanded. She knew to stay away from that Shadow Claw in this instance. It would be good for a quick win but that's not what she was currently after.

"Ursa!" Aysel grunted, rushing in on her stubby legs. She looked determined and rather intimidating at the moment, teeth bared and paw brought back before swiping at Natu with her claws at the ready. Aysel used Fury Swipes!

Natu staggered under the force of two - no, three - no, FOUR powerful hits from Aysel. Already signifigantly weakened, Natu crumpled, unable to even stand. "Naa-tuu..."

Natu has fainted! Aysel gained 9 EXP!

The battle didn't take very long, and the grasses are still rustling with Pokemon. A few Wooper can be seen playing in the mud by a pond, with a Poliwag joining in. Zubat cries pierce the night, with an occasional call from a Smeargal mixed in. Without a doubt, the night is still young.

Aysel brushed the fur on her chest with her claws cooly, acting as if what she'd just accomplished was an easy task. However, Lexi had planned on trying to capture Natu and now wouldn't get the opportunity. She frowned a bit, walking over to the fainted bird Pokemon. She really felt a little bad for it, but at least it had issued the challenge. It wasn't like she chased it down and forced it to fight, right? She sighed softly, kneeling and scooping it into her arms.

Walking over to what appeared to be a safe bush she gently placed it within the foliage. Hopefully away from predators until it could recover, anyway. Now the question was on what to do next. She had claimed to be headed out here to capture a Pokemon, but one hadn't succeeded yet. "Maybe if I find one more..." she started, muttering to herself as she scanned the rustling grass in the dusk. "Yes, I'll try once more then head back to camp," she assured, clenching her fists and trying to pump herself up for an adventure.

"Aysel, you up for another battle?" Lexi asked, to which the Teddiursa gave a cute salute and chime of her name. "Good, let's keep looking then. We still have time left before we need to head back." Aysel nodded, and the two began searching, pulling back branches of bushes and parting rustling grass in search of another willing Pokemon to battle, and perhaps even items to help out. That was one thing Lexi loved about Teddiursa, the Pick-Up ability.

While no items were found, a wild Pokemon did come from the bushes. It was rather small, and black with pointy ears. Growling menacingly, the Houndour was clearly ready to battle.

Houndour, Male, Level 10

((This RNG. It tried to spawn a Houndoom. I figured Lexi might prefer the little one more.))

Lexi was all about cute Pokemon. That is, what was cute to her. Houndour might have been met with a tough rating by other eyes. However, it was Lexi's whose fell on it and widened a bit. "So CUTE~" she cooed, clasping her hands together. She pulled out her Pokedex, reading the information on it. "And a fire type, too! Houndour, huh? Alright, you're gonna help me beat Bugsy!"

Putting on her determined face, Lexi shifted to a fighting stance. Her silly little quirks and mannerisms, she wouldn't like anyone to see but still performed in the dark. She didn't know why, it just made her feel closer to her Pokemon during battle. Rituals she's made into superstition, like pushing down+A+B in her games; she felt a compulsion to perform.

"Let's go, Aysel! Start off with Yawn!" Lexi ordered, trying a more direct approach. Incapacitate, weaken, capture. She had let the Natu get a few hits in before trying this strategy. Time to change it up.

"Ursa!" Aysel replied, running up between Lexi and Houndour, creating an effective field effect. "Urrr~" she cooed, rocking back and yawning widely. A few drowzy looking tears appeared in her eyes as she rubbed them cutely. Aysel used yawn!

Yawning back, Houndour's eyelids started to droop. He wasn't going down without a fight, however. Shaking its head, it tried to fight off the sleep for as long as possible, before digging in its feet. Houndour opened its mouth, releasing a small burst of flame in Aysel's direction. Houndour used Ember!

Aysel tottered back on her heels, surprised by the sudden burst of heat. Up until now she had really only dealt with attacks requiring physical contact. This was all new to her, and the scorch marks in her fur were clear proof as she grimaced in pain. "Sa..." She gritted, wincing as she bared her teeth.

"Aysel!" Lexi shouted in surprise. She hadn't really expected it either. Though she didn't know why, after all Sutara could use ice shard. Still, she had gone into battle unprepared and wa mentally repremanding herself. Stupid... "Aysel, it's gonna be okay! Look, Houndour is getting sleepy!" She said, trying to reassure her Pokémon. Aysel nodded in recognition.

"Okay then, time to cause some damage, start off with covet!" The young trainer commanded, her small teddy bear like Pokémon quickly responding. She rushed her opponent, frisking him for any items with the equal force of a quick attack. Aysel used Covet!

Aysel quickly found Houndour's Charcoal, and would have seriously upset him if Houndour hadn't just fallen asleep. Collapsing to a more comfortable position, Houndour began snoring lightly.

((There are some Pokemon where I can't help but wonder how they hold items. Houndour is one of them...))

"Urr," Aysel said grinning toothily as she held up the charcoal. That explained the extra bite that came from the ember, anyway. Now she had the upper hand. Tossing the Charcoal to Leki for safe keeping, she awaited her next order.

The young trainer picked up the mysterious black stick and examined it, glancing then back up to Houndour. "Boosts the power of fire type moves, eh?" She said aloud, reading the item's info out of her dex manual. "Okay Aysel, let's not let him hit us like that again!" Lexi said, prepping her next move mentally. "Now use your Scratch attack!" Lexi commanded. She didnt want a repeat of what happened with Natu, so she was playing it conservatively.

"Sa!" Aysel exclaimed, rushing up and drawing back her paw. An glint in her eye in addition to her smirk made the teddy bear look almost evil and malicious. She swung, slashing at the opponent with her claws. Aysel used Scratch!

Unable to defend himself, Houndour took full damage from the attack. He would have recoiled in pain, but he was still asleep. Dangerously close to being knocked (even more) unconscious, Houndour struggled to wake himself up, but failed.

Aysel brushed her claw against the tuft of fur on her chest, something she'd seen on TV performed by 'cool' people after landing a strong hit. Lexi giggled momentarily at the action, then turned to the Houndour. It looked a little beat up now but still struggling. She jumped back, unclipping a pokeball from her waist, "Aysel get back!" She called.

Aysel did as she was told, jumping back and out of the way for Lexi. "Pokeball, go!" The young girl called out, tossing the red and white sphere toward the black figure. She watched it hit fly on a dead course for the Houndour, heart beating. Would she manage to capture the Pokémon? The suspense was killing her, waiting with bated breath. Lexi used a pokéball!

The Houndour was turned into a red light, and absorbed into the ball. The Pokeball wobbled a few times, then - *Ding!*

You have captured Houndour! Would you like to give them a nickname?

"Alright!" Lexi cheered, rushing forward to lift the pokéball. "We did it, Aysel!" The girl said, holding up the ball, a glint of light from the moon reflecting off it. In reality it was the first Pokémon she'd captured, as Amiya had joined her team willingly. "Now you're gonna need a nickname..." The girl said, trailing off.

She stared at the pokéball intensely, Aysel lifting her paw to mouth and tilting her head cutely. "I think I'll call you Deimos!" Lexi said, deciding on her new partner's name. Looking around, it was already very dark out. "We better get back to camp..."

Lexi clipped the ball to her belt, and headed back to the campsite. She quietly opened the door to the cottage where the researchers had set up shop. She slipped onto the couch, the glow and hum of electrical equipment quickly putting her to sleep. She awaited morning, and the exploration to come. The team had promised to take her back down into the area of the ruins she had discovered.

The night progressed rather uneventfully. As the dawn broke over the horizon, however, there was an air of unease. Perched on the windowsill was a Natu, but this one seemed... different. The red on it's feathers seemed golden, and the green was more muted. As it watched Lexi, it whispered, "And so the story unfolds... from within the depths, the spirit is saved. Yet they return to the ruins, where only the spirit can save them. If only... but, no. The explorations will bring light, which will in turn awaken the spirit. The complications that arise will challenge them all. The strength tested... this little one may in fact have it. We shall see." The Natu flew off, seemingly satisfied.
After a few hours, the scientists woke up, and began their preparations for the coming excursion. The head scientist knocked on Lexi's door. "Um, miss? We're going to be heading out in about an hour, and we wanted to give you sufficient time to get ready."

Lexi was outstretched on the cot, Aysel laying across her tiny torso with her paw angling over one edge. The other paw being suckled mindlessly by the slumbering Pokémon. The words of the Natu though poetic and foreshadowing fell on deaf ears, the girl only stirring when the rapping came at the door. "Huh-wha?" She muttered, shooting up causing the teddy bear Pokémon to flop over onto her lap. She looked around drowzily, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Her hair was a mess and she smacked her lips.

"Oh right," the young girl said, yawning as she stretched her arms above her head. She then rubbed her hair, scratching her head and then smoothing it down. "Guess I better go do that," she muttered sluggishly. She rolled Aysel off her lap and back onto the cot, the Pokémon not even flinching as she snored cutely. Lexi went off and groomed herself, washing up and changing her clothes into something fitting for exploring the ruins.

Walking back out, Lexi casually flipped the cot over, succesfully waking Aysel who flopped onto the floor with an Urr~. She exited, eating the breakfast prepared (though most of it seemed to be anything microwaveable). Still, she was grateful to not have to rely on her own rations for now. "Ready!" Lexi chimed, having finished her bowl of rice pourage. She quickly moved outside, inhaling deeply the crisp morning air, awaiting the team to head down into the depths of the ruins.

The scientists were surprised Lexi was ready so soon, but they weren't far behind her. Each of them excited, they were practically running towards the open area of the ruins. tying the rope to a large boulder on the surface, they all began arguing on who could go first. Suddenly, one of the scientists pointed at Lexi. "SHE found it. Why not let her, if she wants to?" This stunned most of them, and they all turned to Lexi, expectant of an answer.

Lexi was sitting against a rather large boulder, tapping her foot and chewing on a piece of reed as she listened to the arguments. Over who was worthy, and how they would decide. It was all pretty amusing, but Lexi seemed to stay out of it for the most part. Aysel had since been returned to her pokeball, for safety in the ruins as well as having healed Deimos during breakfast. She hoped to be in tip top shape ready to take on anything.

When she herd the attention turn to her, her head perked to see everyone looking at her. "Huh? Me?" She queried, thinking about it momentarily. She'd been pretty hopeless and desperate when she was down there before. Even though she was excited to go again, she still felt hesitant for some reason. She stood, hopping down from the boulder and landing with a confident stance. She tossed aside the reed cooly.

"Fine, I'll go first," she said in a very casual tone. She picked up the rope, looping it through the safety gear they provided her before jumping into the gaping hole in the ground. She used the brakes to slow her descent, looking around slowly as she spiraled. Finally her feet touched the ground with an echoed clap. She had made it safely down, and unclasped the rope to allow the next explorer down. "Okay, we're ready for the next one!" She called up to the others, giving the rope two tugs then standing back.

The scientists came down the rope rather quickly, all of them excited to see the inside of the ruins they'd been researching for so long. The head scientist quickly took the lead, sending out his own Pokemon for lighting. "Go, Magneton! Use Charge!" The floating Pokémon generated enough electrical charge to give off a luminescent glow, and lit up the small hallway. All of the scientists began to examine the walls, ecstatic over this discovery. One of the scientists spoke up. "These markings are identical to Unknown shapes. We need to get an expert down here to begin to decipher them." Nodding in agreement, the rest of the scientists began to move down the hall, until they reached a split in the path. Now they were arguing, because only one of them had a Pokemon that could light the way. Which path were they going to take?

Lexi walked along, hands tossed behind her head as she now saw the ruins from the day prior in a new light. It still wasn't that impressive to her. The markings were the same as in the upper temples, and aside from the staring statues and strange presence hanging in the air there seemed to be nothing down here. In all reality, Lexi just felt like she was wasting her time at this point. Letting out a yawn, she paused in the hall to stare at the encrypted message in the wall, scratching the back of her head in a sleepy fashion.

"They look just like letters," she said, tilting her head to get different angles. "Mostly, anyway..." She muttered, before hearing the argument taking place back at the group. She hopped the few steps to catch back up, listening in to find out exactly what the problem was. Coming to an understanding, she thought for a moment then spoke up.

"I have an electric Pokémon too. And a fire type that I captured last night. I could go one way and someone else can go the other," she suggested, releasing Amiya the Mareep from her pokéball. "All I ask is for Magneton to give her a quick charge. It should cause her tail orb to glow if I remember right." Amiya rubbed her nose against Lexi's leg cutely, the pink carnation clip still tucked safely in her wool.