[Fayne Abernathy]

Molokai (♂) Charmeleon level 18 Blaze 150/150 HP 5/5 EP Gagnier (♂) Salandit level 15 Oblivious 150/150 HP 5/5 EP Palila (♀️) Natu level 11 Early Bird 150/150 HP 5/5 EP Carnelia (♀️) Nosrpass ♦ level 14 Sand Force 150/150 HP 5/5 EP Yin (♂) Eevee level 6 Bashful 150/150 HP 5/5 EP Yang (♂) Eevee ♦ Level 8 Naive 150/150 HP 5/5 EP

It had been months since the two teens had initially met, but they kept in touch over text and phone calls. Even then, their correspondence was infrequent. Both had busy schedules now that they were on their Pokemon journeys, and it probably didn't help that every time they spoke, it ultimately ended with Fayne questioning Elliot's judgement or sounding otherwise condescending. That was never her intention, and that fact was something Elliot must have been aware of, for he likely wouldn't have continued to communicate with her if he took her tone as a personal attack. She only wanted the best for him, and tough love was her way of accomplishing that. In fact, just such a demeaning exchange had led to the agreement that they would meet up and attempt to train Elliot's Pokemon using Fayne's understanding of Genetic Memory. She was actually excited to meet back up with him and to have a break from all her work in Pine Town. It took her a while to figure out which Pokemon to bring with her and which to leave behind, but she ultimately decided it would be for the best to leave the baby, an Alolan Geodude, in the PC while taking the others. The Eevees were pretty low-leveled--especially when compared to her other Pokemon--but they would do better if push came to shove. The Geodude's only experience fighting was play-wrestling with other Pokemon and headbutting rocks. At least Yin and Yang had been in combat before. Besides, the Box Link allowed Fayne to swap Pokemon on the go; if there was ever a need to choose the Alolan Geodude, she had the opportunity to do so. Once prepared with a full party and a backpack slung over her shoulders, Fayne hit the road. After a few minutes, she grew bored, popped in some earbuds, and began listening to a podcast about Genetic Memory. It wasn't exactly what she consider "fun reading," but she needed to know everything could before helping Elliot and his Pokemon. After all, she'd never done this kind of training before, and her friend was counting on her. Occasionally, she would replay a certain audio clip because she wanted to make sure she fully understood what was being said or because she hadn't been paying full attention. Other times, she pulled out her phone and typed some notes into her virtual journal. She managed to listen to an entire series of podcasts on Genetic Memory before she had to stop, sit in some shade, and drink some water. She even let Molokai out of his ball for a bit. After roughly ten minutes, she recalled Molokai and hit the road again, this time listening to a nonfiction novel about an archeologist who wanted to revive his childhood Pokemon using the same technique researchers use to reanimate fossils. Fayne predicted that his attempts would be a success but that the Pokemon would have no memories of its past life. She fully expected it to end of a bittersweet note. And yet, the novel constantly brought up the question of whether or not reviving deceased Pokemon was even moral, and whether the author could handle bringing his old partner back from the grave. What right did he have to play the role of a god? The book covered everything from real life conversations he had with coworkers and family to the extreme lengths he went to in order to recover his Pokemon's bones. This was what Fayne listened to as she made her way to the halfway marker on Route 6. TAG ▸ Elliot Sunderland NOTE ▸ No comment.

MADE BY VEL OF GS, WW + ADOX 2.0

[Elliot Sunderland]

It was all fun and games until the audiobooks got interrupted.

Whatever poor Fayne was expecting as she went through the route, she probably wasn't expecting a loud HYAH! to echo through her brain. And who else could've made that sound but, well, HYAH!? The Starmie came tearing through the clearing, zooming circles around Fayne as they looked her up and down. With how close they were to Fayne, their large size, and their unblinking, ominously glowing eye, it may've been startling for the poor girl. It didn't help that it was barely making much noise, only making quiet beeping sounds and occasionally letting HYAH!s into her head.

Fortunately, it wasn't long before Elliot stumbled out from the clearing, whistling towards HYAH! For all of the Starmie's excitability, they were at least loyal enough to immediately head to Elliot's side. "Easy, easy, HYAH! I know she's new, but come on, we worked on this," Elliot chided, the Starmie nuzzling into him. He turned to Fayne, a sheepish smile on his face. "Sorry, sorry. HYAH!'s kinda excitable around new people. But don't worry! Once they're around you for a bit, they'll relax some.

It's great to see you again, by the way! How've you been?"

As he spoke, a small shape started scuttling up Elliot's back. It was a Wimpod, shyly peeking at Fayne from behind Elliot's shoulder. His big, wide eyes quivered a little as he looked at her, and he seemed paralyzed between fully climbing onto Elliot's shoulder or hiding behind his back again. His appearance may've been subtle, but it highlighted that the rest of the menagerie was soon to follow. A Mudkip scampered out through the bushed, running around Elliot's legs playfully before pounding up and smiling. Next came a Cloyster, approach much less subtle as she pushed several tree branches out of the way. A Lombre, who had been adjusting the branches meticulously so the Cloyster could past, was out right on her heels. Soon, Elliot had an entire team standing behind him, each chirping greetings at Fayne.

Yet where was her test subject for the day?

[Fayne Abernathy]

Molokai (♂) Charmeleon level 18 Blaze 150/150 HP 5/5 EP Gagnier (♂) Salandit level 15 Oblivious 150/150 HP 5/5 EP Palila (♀️) Natu level 11 Early Bird 150/150 HP 5/5 EP Carnelia (♀️) NosEpass ♦ level 14 Sand Force 150/150 HP 5/5 EP Yin (♂) Eevee level 6 Bashful 150/150 HP 5/5 EP Yang (♂) Eevee ♦ Level 8 Naive 150/150 HP 5/5 EP

The reverberating "h-yah!" reached Fayne first and instantly made her stop mid-stride. Her wide pink eyes scanned the surrounding area in search of the culprit. It took no time at all for her to spot a purple starfish whizzing past her face. It circled her, clearly excited about something, but what exactly remained to be seen. Was it eager to battle? Angry that she'd come into its territory? With the audiobook still playing in her ears, Fayne instinctively reached down to her belt and sent out Palila the Natu. She wished she had a electric or grass type, something that could take care of the Starmie's water element, but Palila's single ghost attack would help against the Starmie's psychic dual-typing. As the Starmie circled for a third time, Fayne opened her mouth to command Palila to use Night Shade; however, before she could utter the words, Elliot emerged from down the path, hollering at the Stamie to go easy. It was also in that instant that Fayne realized the Pokemon's name was Hyah. Not exactly the most creative name, but it was easy enough to remember and it was charming in its own way. The Starmie stopped circling the young researcher and instead turned its attention to Elliot. It pressed its oversized body against the teenage boy, doing its best to nuzzle its trainer--a peculiar sight indeed. When Elliot turned to Fayne and offered a sheepish smile, he was met with a sigh of relief from the petrologist and an uncertain, unblinking stare from Palila. The Natu floated in midair for a while longer, cautiously studying the opposing team before conceding and landing on the ground in front of her own trainer. In response to Elliot's explanation that Hyah was excitable around new people, Fayne nodded. "Yeah, I gathered." she muttered while reaching down, pulling out her phone, and turning off the audiobook. "Good to see you too. I've been fine. Better now that I know your Hyah is yours," she admitted with a slight smirk. As the two trainers exchanged small talk, the rest of Elliot's team made an appearance: first a shy Wimpod then a playful Mudkip, a brash Cloyster, and a fairly passive Lombre... Fayne eyed each of them once then twice and finally a third time before making a face of confusion. She only counted five. Didn't he have a full party? And didn't he say he wanted to trainer a Huntail? Heck, for all she knew, it could've still been in its pokeball. After all, her entire party--sans Palila--were in their balls. "Is this the team you plan on bringing to the water gym?" Her attention lingered on the Lombre, for it seemed to be the only wise pick since it could learn grass moves. TAG ▸ Elliot Sunderland NOTE ▸ Sorry about that wait, but I'm back and active again!

MADE BY VEL OF GS, WW + ADOX 2.0

[Elliot Sunderland]

Elliot couldn't help but giggle a little. "Believe me. When I caught them, so was I," he admitted. "Pretty sure they would've followed me clean across the route otherwise. But don't let how excitable they are fool you. I think they're right up there with Echo and Lord Beerus as one of my all-time strongest Pokemon nowadays." HYAH! chirped cheerfully at the compliment, nestling into Elliot's side. Could a faceless star-machine get snuggly? Apparently so!

When Fayne asked about the team, Elliot nodded with a mischievous grin on his face. "Told ya. I'm fighting water with water, remember? We actually came close last time-" You know. Until a Mega Lapras shut Elliot's chances right the heck down. But even a hard 2-3 loss was better than a full shutdown, right? "With all the hard work HYAH!, Curly, and Murex put in, I knew I couldn't just turn m back on the challenge they set up. So instead of giving up, we decided we'd just work twice as hard to pull it off."

While Fayne's focus lingered on Kap, the nervous Lombre didn't seem too eager to return the favor. She took a few bashful steps towards Murex, interposing the Cloyster between her and the human that was currently studying her. Once "safe" and sound, she shyly waved towards Fayne, a weak smile spreading across her bill.

"Y'know, it's funny. Way back when I totally expected it'd be me and my starter taking on every gym. But I think she's kinda glad she has the chance to sit this one out," Elliot admitted. "Pretty funny how things turn out, huh? But when it lets me do something cool and unique in the process, I'm sure as heck not complaining.

Been getting lots of cool research done, I imagine?"

[Fayne Abernathy]

Molokai (♂) Charmeleon level 18 Blaze 150/150 HP 5/5 EP Gagnier (♂) Salandit level 15 Oblivious 150/150 HP 5/5 EP Palila (♀️) Natu level 11 Early Bird 150/150 HP 5/5 EP Carnelia (♀️) NosEpass ♦ level 14 Sand Force 150/150 HP 5/5 EP Yin (♂) Eevee level 6 Bashful 150/150 HP 5/5 EP Yang (♂) Eevee ♦ Level 8 Naive 150/150 HP 5/5 EP

Fayne listened to Elliot's explanation about his previous experience with the water gym, but her expression appropriately reflected how she felt about what she was hearing: dumbfounded with a hint of amusement. Somehow it wasn't a surprise that Elliot, of all people she knew, would be the one to do the unexpected, even if that meant making things more difficult for himself. "You're an idiot," she laughed. Her words could have been taken as harsh and judgemental, but it was clear from the chuckle and smile that she was just teasing. The Lombre, clearly anxious about being the center of Fayne's attention, stepped behind the Cloyster for protection before offering a slight wave in the researcher's direction. Fayne crouched down so she was closer to the Lombre's height, bowed her head slightly to appear less intimidating, and returned the wave. If she was going to help Elliot train his Pokemon then befriending them would be a good start. As Fayne tried to coax the Lombre out of hiding, Elliot talked about how his initial expectations about taking on every gym alongside his starter had since changed. "Your starter?" Fayne asked, keeping her voice low and only briefly looking up at Elliot before glancing back at the timid Pokemon. "The Ralts, right? From what you've told me, she doesn't seem like the type to race head-long into combat anyway, so I'm sure she's fine with it." As Fayne reached into her backpack and pulled out some berries, Elliot wondered if she'd been doing "lots of cool research." "Tons," she replied sarcastically, a faint smile still on her lips. "It's more luck-based than I had initially expected," she began as she held out the berries to the Lombre. The Natu standing nearby stirred and eyed the food but remained where she was. "When I heard that Arciel was rich in evolution stone deposits, I thought that every time I went mining, I'd find something worthwhile. Unfortunately, that's not the case. While there are more evolution stones, mega stones, and evolution items than any other region, it still takes some dedication and hard work to find them." She rolled the berries over in her palm and popped one in her mouth to show that they weren't dangerous to eat. "In short, they're not as plentiful as I expected. I'll probably have to stay in Pine Town longer than I had planned to collect the number of samples required to make lab testing possible." Fayne glanced up at Elliot before adding, "But it's a good experience, ya know? I've learned more about mining and field work than I ever have before. And it's given me and my team plenty of time to bond and train up while fighting off wild Pokemon." She turned back to the Lombre. "So I guess I can't complain," she said with a smile. TAG ▸ Elliot Sunderland NOTE ▸ Lol, did I say I was more active? Whoops!

MADE BY VEL OF GS, WW + ADOX 2.0