Down Below (Mods/Open)

[Kurt Emerson]

This probably wasn't his best idea.

"This probably isn't my best idea," Kurt muttered aloud, and Jello looked wholly unimpressed as the Quagsire waddled beside him. "I guess you could also say all those times we spelunked back in Johto weren't the best ideas either, but we were younger then."

Younger and stupider, Kurt would readily admit. Yet, Kurt could also admit to himself that he was a little giddy at the idea of exploring somewhere new. The caverns that were at the edge of the Apricorn Woods didn't really have any information about them, and Kurt was confident in both himself and his Pokemon to be able to figure out something about the place. What kind of wild Pokemon species, how strong they were, maybe other secrets... Who knew what was down below the island?

Jello didn't get perturbed easily, thankfully, and Kurt also had Chili, Seasalt, and Muffin as backup if need be.

Pokemon Happiness: Jello (Maxed), Chili (Maxed), Seasalt (1/5), Muffin (1/5)
Notes: Random exploration!
Mod Kris/Mod Ava/Mod Ninja, open!

[Mod Ava]

Kurt Emerson

At first, the caverns seemed quiet save for the occasional drip-drip-drip in the distance, no doubt a small leak from the sea surrounding the island.

If Kurt looked up as he walked further, he would spot a trio of Zubat motionless on the ceiling. Perhaps they were sleeping, perhaps they were merely observing the human and Quagsire walking below them. Around the bend of the cavern's pathway, a Whismur saw Kurt coming and turned to flee immediately, its soft footsteps barely echoing against the cavern walls.

At first, that seemed to be the only way forward. However, upon reaching the spot where the Whismur was first spotted, there appeared to be a darker pathway to the left.

[Kurt Emerson]

"Do we dare?"

Jello merely gave his trainer a shrug when Kurt suggested going down the darker path. Sometimes his Quagsire's apathy was one of Kurt's favorite things about him, particularly when it comes to exploring.

Kurt had spotted the Zubat and left them alone, and wanted to leave the Whismur alone as well, especially since it got spooked at the mere sight of him. Kurt had planned on following the same path as the Whismur when he thought that was the only way through, but the pathway to the left presented itself.

He clicked on a small flashlight he had on hand, nothing that was too bright, something that he could shine a little on the ground so he could ensure he didn't lose his footing, and started making his way down the left pathway. Jello ambled dutifully along beside him.

Pokemon Happiness: Jello (Maxed), Chili (Maxed), Seasalt (2/5), Muffin (2/5)
Notes: Choosing the darker pathway!
Mod Ava, open!

[Mod Ava]

Kurt Emerson

The flashlight seemed to have disturbed those that were down the darker pathway. With a hiss, a large, dark Raticate emerged from the darkness, chomping at the air in an attempt to intimidate Kurt and Jello. A trio of Alolan Ratatta followed to back up their leader. It seems Kurt has encroached on its territory.

But the Raticate evolutionary line were known to hoard and hide treasures. Who knows what Kurt could find if he and his team could defeat these Pokemon?

Raticate HP (100%): | female | gluttony Level: 25 Hold Item: None Scary Face | Quick Attack | Assurance | Crunch | Pursuit | Hyper Fang	Rattata 1 HP (100%): | male | gluttony Level: 19 Hold Item: None Hyper Fang | Tail Whip | Quick Attack | Focus Energy | Bite | Assurance
Rattata 2 HP (100%): | male | hustle Level: 18 Hold Item: None Hyper Fang | Tail Whip | Quick Attack | Focus Energy | Bite | Pursuit	Rattata 3 HP (100%): | male | gluttony Level: 18 Hold Item: None Hyper Fang | Tail Whip | Quick Attack | Focus Energy | Bite | Pursuit

>> Raticate is watching carefully...
>> Rattata 1 is watching carefully...
>> Rattata 2 is watching carefully...
>> Rattata 3 is watching carefully...

[Kurt Emerson]

Well, this was a fine mess.

Kurt paused upon seeing the horde of Rattata with a Raticate at its head, Jello stepping forward to half-block Kurt. Kurt wasn't quite sure how tenacious the Raticate line was. Would they try to pursue them if Kurt and Jello turned to go the other way?

With his luck, probably.

"Alright, Jello," Kurt said, going to his belt to get another pokeball out. "I'm going to trust you guys are going to be able to handle them. C'mon out to help, Chili."

Jello got into position just as Kurt's Magmar joined them in the cavern, Chili taking a quick glance around the scenery before sharing a nod with Jello and facing their opponents.

"Chili, Confuse Ray the Raticate," Kurt commanded. "Jello, Slam on one of the Rattata."

Both attacks hit true, and it was evident immediately that the higher levels of Kurt's Pokemon would make this a fast battle. The Raticate seemed a little dizzy after Chili's Confuse Ray, while the Rattata that was the target of Jello's Slam fainted immediately.

The Raticate and one of the remaining Rattata both turned attacks on Jello, but fortunately Jello seemed to shrug them off. The remaining Rattata tried to attack Chili, but it was a glancing blow, and Chili's Fire Punch took care of it quickly.

"Aqua Tail on the Raticate," Kurt said, watching as the Raticate took the hit but ultimately caused itself to faint due to its confusion. Kurt wondered if it was bewildered at how quickly the horde was dropping. The last Rattata valiantly tried to attack Jello again, but Chili ambled over to do one last Fire Punch.

"Great job, guys," Kurt praised his Pokemon. "Both of you alright?"

Jello stretched, seemingly fine despite getting the majority of the hits, while Chili merely shrugged. Kurt chuckled under his breath before thanking them again and returning Chili to his pokeball. To Jello, Kurt said, "Let's see what the Raticate was hiding, shall we?"

Jello HP (100%): | male | damp Level: 40 Hold Item: None Aqua Tail | Mist | Muddy Water | Amnesia | Slam | Yawn

Chili HP (100%): | male | flame body Level: 40 Hold Item: None Lava Plume | Fire Punch | Confuse Ray | Smokescreen | Flame Wheel | Low Kick

>> Chili used Confuse Ray
>> Raticate was confused!
>> Jello used Slam on Rattata 1
>> OHKO on Rattata 1
>> Raticate used Hyper Fang
>> Hyper Fang took off 12% HP from Jello
>> Rattata 2 used Bite
>> Bite took off 5% HP from Jello
>> Rattata 3 used Tail Whip
>> Chili's Defense fell
>> Rattata 3 used Quick Attack
>> Quick Attack took off 8% HP from Chili
>> Chili used Fire Punch
>> OHKO on Rattata 3
>> Jello used Aqua Tail
>> Aqua Tail took off 95% HP from Raticate
>> Raticate was confused
>> Raticate hurt itself in its confusion
>> Raticate fainted
>> Rattata 2 used Hyper Fang
>> Hyper Fang took off 5% HP from Jello
>> Chili used Fire Punch
>> OHKO on Rattata 2

Pokemon Happiness: Jello (Maxed), Chili (Maxed), Seasalt (3/5), Muffin (3/5)
Notes: Gimme treasure please, .
Mod Ava

[Mod Ava]

Kurt Emerson

With the Raticate and the trio of Rattata taken care of, Kurt was able to prod further into the dark tunnel, finding the nests that were created from the horde. The beam from his flashlight originally caused a gleam, bouncing off of a big nugget when Kurt inspected it closer. That could definitely fetch a pretty price.

Looking around more, there was a small sand-filled satchel, a special item that had some imbued power to help Ground-type Pokemon. It may have helped some of the surrounding Pokemon in the underground caverns once upon a time.

The third item that caught Kurt's eye was a brown, seashell-like stone, sticking out amid the gray rock and dirt of the caverns.

Kurt didn't have much time to thoroughly look through all the treasure. Further down the darkened tunnels, even past the Raticate and Rattata nests, there were sounds of other Pokemon. Perhaps more of the Rattata family were returning home. Kurt would have time to take one treasure before he should retreat back to the main part of the underground cavern.

[Kurt Emerson]

Kurt heard the sounds coming from further down the tunnels, and even Jello standing straight up at attention. Kurt would have loved to prod further at the nest to see what items the wild Pokemon were hiding -- his flashlight had bounced off when he was sure was a gold nugget, something that wild Pokemon had no use for -- but he knew he was on limited time.

The trainer was about to reach for the sand-filled satchel, but at the last second he caught sight of the seashell-like stone. Recalling the fossil Kris had found in her own explorations, Kurt was curious if this was another.

Was Gaia Island filled with fossils?

Kurt snatched the seashell-like stone and, with a wordless gesture to Jello, backed out of the tunnel.

Pokemon Happiness: Jello (Maxed), Chili (Maxed), Seasalt (4/5), Muffin (4/5)
Notes: Getting the "seashell-like stone."
Mod Ava

[Mod Ava]

Kurt Emerson, you received a Helix Fossil! Jello gained 40 exp points! Jello grew to level 41! Chili gained 40 exp points! Chili grew to level 41!

Kurt had just enough time to snatch the stone and retreat out of the darkened tunnel to head back to the main pathway of the cavern. Behind him, there were chitters of other Pokemon, most likely more Rattata and the occasional Raticate, who had no doubt come back towards the nest at the commotion. Nothing seemed to have followed Kurt and Jello back to the main pathway, though.

At this point, Kurt could decide if he wanted to continue further into the cavern or if he should quit while he was ahead.

[Kurt Emerson]

He should honestly probably quit while he was ahead.

Kurt knew there would be plenty of exploration to be had in the undergrown caverns but, for now, he decided to backtrack and head back to his ranch. He had what looked remarkably like a fossil in hand now, and he definitely wanted to let Kris and the other ranchers know.

They could honestly be making their ranches atop of land that may have housed ancient Pokemon once upon a time.

"C'mon, Jello," he said, leading the way back out of the caverns. "Let's go home."

Pokemon Happiness: Jello (Maxed), Chili (Maxed), Seasalt (5/5), Muffin (5/5)
Notes: Thank you!
Mod Ava