Rowr! She takes this as a challenge, and digs her claws into his coat, clambering up his back to be a Sneasel backpack. But this is her way of joining the party.
"Are you taking an interest in battling, then?" asks the Shadow.
"I will do that with or without you. Battling is also a noble pursuit... But, I don't think I am of use to you in it anymore. I would not presume to pull you away from your path of interest, but I should continue on my mission. As established, there is little chance they came in this direction."
What, you think I wanna pick one "path of interest" and follow it without doin' anythin' else?
[If Vicious had memories he would make some kind of train reference here]
...That's where you're wrong, then. Sounds stupid to me. 'Specially when I don't even know anythin' about stuff, I wanna see all the interestin' stuff I can. Why would I find one thing and then give up on everythin' else?
"It is possible," he says, voice lowered as they are creeping near its territory. "But if that is the case, you will be in a particularly good position to defeat it, with Litten."
"I'm not." But he doesn't elaborate, instead pointing over a snow drift where the head of a towering Abomasnow can be seen, peering around after hearing Vicious's voice. It is trying to find him.
[Vicious doesn't seem concerned with the potential for flames very near his face. Which maybe he should be, since Litten's run of luck is petering a little bit, with a modest roll of 8.]
Litten does let out a Flamethrower from this perch, but it doesn't take the powerful Abomasnow down. Litten got cocky too, and panics now that Abomasnow is still reaching out to attack him. He leaps off of Vicious's head so that Vicious doesn't get caught up in the attack, but Abomasnow's Rock Smash savagely slams Litten down towards the ground from midair, cracking the ice from the impact. Litten will get up to make a comeback soon, but for now he's dealing with actually being hurt for once.
[Vicious takes a half step forward in alarm. He kind of wants to just take out the Abomasnow himself, but he doesn't remember how to do that and gets the feeling it's a bad idea.
The other Pokemon clinging onto you press closer against you, trying to keep you further away from the action. They can tell, too, that Litten still has fight left in him. Litten sways to his feet and uses another Flamethrower, more vibrant than before, and taking Abomasnow out completely. It collapses with a thud onto the snow and ice.
Litten meows triumphantly, turning around to celebrate with you and the rest of your new crew. The Shadow doesn't seem to care much, continuing on down the path.
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"Are you taking an interest in battling, then?" asks the Shadow.
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[Vicious does not object to Sneasel backpack, or even particularly flinch at the claws.]
It's pretty interestin', yeah. I like seein' Litten havin' fun, too. And I bet these guys all have their own ways of fightin'.
[PROBABLY they don't all breathe fire.]
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[If Vicious had memories he would make some kind of train reference here]
...That's where you're wrong, then. Sounds stupid to me. 'Specially when I don't even know anythin' about stuff, I wanna see all the interestin' stuff I can. Why would I find one thing and then give up on everythin' else?
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He just starts backtracking down the way they came then. Follow or don't! It's up to you!!
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Though first he scoops Litten up to place him on top of his head. Top spot for the best cat.]
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Ingo's Shadow heads through the Bibarels along the river, towards the Snover territory.
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So ya think they ran into one o' the other alphas, then?
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[Vicious sounds very proud of himself for having learned something. He does not take the cue to also lower his voice.]
Guess you're lucky I decided to help ya out!
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Abomasnow has located them both now, and is barreling over to attack them. The Shadow is unconcerned, staying still and continuing to point it out.
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[Vicious had assumed Ingo knew him from context, but that's still something to note.
He turns to the Abomasnow casually.]
You're up for it, right, Litten?
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Even though he has a -1 from the alpha he has a massive +4 otherwise in this situation, so you can roll 2d6+3 for Litten's daring maneuver.
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[Vicious takes a half step forward in alarm. He kind of wants to just take out the Abomasnow himself, but he doesn't remember how to do that and gets the feeling it's a bad idea.
He kicks a chunk of ice at the Abomasnow anyway.]
—He got a lucky hit! You can still get 'im!!
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For the few seconds until Litten wins. Then he leaps forward again more enthusiastically.]
Yeah!! That's the stuff!
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[Vicious bends down for Litten to jump back on top of his head and then turns to follow the Shadow.]
Ya think they came this way, then?
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Litten makes a low mrrt, annoyed at the Shadow again. The Shadow gestures back where they came from.
"Any materials to be collected were already collected down this path. Only now are they beginning to appear again."
And also, Snovers who are aggravated at their alpha being taken out are appearing. There are two of them acting hostile!
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