ToT Intermission 4-1

App. Team Pathfinders

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Sonya and Yang sit in their tent at the campsite where all the teams from Tabira were staying. Each team preparing in their own way for the upcoming battle with Gilgamarsh.

Sonya and Yang trying to prepare themselves for when that time comes. Yet, both are tense and uneasy. Sonya due to the magical presence of not just the marsh witch, but of the other witch presence so close together. Back in Tabira she was fine due to so many spread out or keeping their power hidden well.

Now with the strong presence of a witch's malicious magic present, it makes the other witches present nervous and slightly leaking out their own magic. To which Sonya can sense which in turn, makes her huntress instincts act up.

It annoys her badly and making her edgy that she doesn't even want to leave the tent. Presently she's laying down on the ground, frowning while looking to the ground.

Yang not doing much better either. The malicious aura of the witch they're facing so strong it takes everything she has to not to sense it and shake or feel scared. It's so far yet feels so close and it worries her.

She is currently organizing their berries they brought with them. Something to help distract her for a bit. She can feel Sonya's own struggles in her aura so she knows its best to remain silent for the moment until the need to speak is required.

The only noise they hear are passing footsteps outside and a few other teams talking in the distance.

The young Lucario's footsteps against the wet dirt of the swamp caused no end of an uncomfortable feeling for him. He had traveled through marshes before, but the environment just never really agreed with him that much. Perhaps it was the humidity and off coloured nature. However, how much that was contributed by Gilgamarsh's presence was up for debate.

Tightly clutched in his paw, he reread the note he had found out in the open over and over again. This was too bizarre to be considered a coincidence. He had to go and see the girls about this.

Wading through the cramped campsite, Reef tried his hardest to find the tent that held the auras of the familiar Mienfoo and Sylveon. Passing over each and every one so he wouldn't get sensory overload as he kept his aura vision active. After some time, he spied some very familiar presences: The shape of a grumpy looking Fairy-type and a timid Fighting-type lit up as he zeroed in on their aura signatures. Giving a smile, he approached the tent. Uncomfortably getting on his knees, Reef felt the mud soak into his fur as he called out to his friends.

Yang slightly jumps as Sonya's ear twitches when they hear approaching footsteps coming to their tent. Due to the wet ground it was easy enough to pick up footsteps far away or close up.

"Hey Sonya, Yang," his voice carried through the material of the tent, "It's me, Reef. Do you mind if I come in?"

Yang relaxes at the familiar voice of their Lucario friend Reef outside. She looks to Sonya who raises up her head to look over and nods.

Yang stands up and walks opening the flap of the tent. She smiles uneasy to their friend. "H-Hello Reef. C-Come on in."

She moved aside to allow him to come in. "I-Is there something you needed?" Yang asks curiously. Sonya watching him silently but curiously as well. The Sylveon obviously still tense and on edge but Reef has her full attention.

"Hey girls," he smiled towards them both. Able to tell that they seemed rather upset. Probably because they both were feeling the same thing he was of the campsite. Crawling into the tent, he zipped the flap back up and sat on the ground, hunching over so his head didn't hit the roof of the tent.

"Ugh, the atmosphere is so oppressive around here," he commented thoughtlessly as he tried to relax. "Hope you both have been alright," giving a thoughtful look, he decided to try and not beat around the bush.

Sonya humphs softly annoyed as Yang laughs with a nervous smile. "W-We're, hanging in there. I-Its been a little hard lately. W-We've already decided what team we'll stick to. B-But it wasn't easy deciding."

Sonya sighs deeply but remains quiet.

"Anyways, I found something today that I thought you'd wanna see," Holding the note between his fingers, he flicked the card over towards The Pathfinders. The writing on it was all too familiar.

Sonya narrows her eyes and is quick to catch the note with her feeler when Reef flicks it to them. Yang jumping softly then looks to it curiously as Sonya opens it and scans it over as Reef continues to talk.

"Found it on a rock just outside of the camp. It's talking about a temple deep in the marsh, around the jungle area" he explained, "I already had it crossed referenced. It's the same handwriting as the one about the temple in the desert."

Sonya's eyes narrow suspiciously as Yang looks surprised then uneasy. "A-Another temple?"

Sonya humphs with a frown and finally speaks up, "This is a different description from the first temple. Needless to say it's probably another trial of sorts for a treasure."

"Got some info from one of the locals too," Reef added, moving about to feel more comfortable where he was sitting.

"A Carnivine, Seymour I think his name was, said that the temple in particular it might be talking about is in tribute to a Electric Spirit or guardian," he explained, "He said that a lot of people from years ago would offer things up to this guardian, though no one has done it in a while."

"I couldn't really find out anything else except those facts though: It's clearly been written by the same individual who wrote the last note; and it's got something to do with a shrine or temple dedicated to a guardian of some sort," with a sigh, the boy gave a pained look, "Sorry girls."

Sonya makes a face as she keeps looking over the writing.

Yang watching her curiously then looks to Reef next. Their auras, are so tense and negative. Sonyas more so due to her struggling with her instincts and her frustration of the situation.

And Reef also feels uneasy and is surprisingly more quiet than usual. He doesn't sound as cheerful as he usually is.

This whole upcoming fight with the Marsh witch even affecting their Lucario friend too.

Yang can't stand it. The shiny Mienfoo makes a troubled face, then her eyes land on the note.

An idea comes to her. She has a small lingering doubt deep in her mind, but with the situation as it is now she feels somewhat desperate.

"L-Lets go."

Yang suddenly speaking makes Sonya's ears rise up and she looks to shiny friend in surprise.

Yang having a look of determination in her eyes. "L-Lets go see what this new temple is like."

Reef himself seemed taken aback by Yang's suggestion. Knowing the Mienfoo for as long as he had, he never would have thought she'd say she wanted to check something as shady as this out. Even still...

"I ain't got any issues with that," Reef commented, crossing his legs as he brought one of his knees to his chest, "It'd probably do me some good to get away from all of this. Let my mind relax, you know?"

He opened his eyes, looking at the Sylveon across from him. "What do ya say, Sonya? As suspicious as this is, being active's better then just sitting around here waiting, right?" he smiled, looking over towards the shiny Pokemon herself.

'Good thinking Yang,' his thoughts projected themselves into her mind, 'I did notice Sonya doesn't seem to be herself. So maybe this will help her out a little bit. Thanks,' he secretly gave her a wink as he finished his communication.

Ever since evolving, Reef had been sharing his thoughts with Yang a lot more often. Even Sonya sometimes, though due to their shared control over aura, it was much easier communicating with the older fighting-type. He had no idea why, it just felt like it was more personal.

Yang looks to Reef with a small smile. Surprised at first ever since the first temple she and he can hear each other's thoughts now. Yet with practice they've learned to get used to it and use it when needed. Such as now.

'I'm also doing it for myself. All this stress at once is getting to me as well.' Yang thinks to him back. 'Sonya though, it’s harder to explain. Just don't bring up why she's like this, it'll make her more upset.'

Yang warns Reef. Keeping her thoughts of the reason why Sonya's so on edge a secret for now. It's not her place to tell him.

Sonya has to do it herself.

Sonya frowns to the two suspiciously. "Now Reef I get why he'd want to go. But you Yang. What's going on?"

Yang sighs and smiles softly to her. "N-Nothing Sonya. I-Its just, with all this talk of witches, that Gilgamarsh, and everyone on edge. I-I think getting away for a bit would be beneficial to help us relax like Reef said."

Her eyes narrow seriously. "We need to preserve our strength. Going on a side quest that might put our lives in danger like the first temple won't help."

"B-But what if it's not. I-It could just be a simple exploration or puzzle. W-We usually like exploring right?" Yang says trying to convince her teammate.

Sonya still looks skeptical, but a look in her eyes shows she does agree with Yang.

Yang gives her a pleading look. "P-Please Sonya. I-It's been, very--"

"Suffocating around here." Sonya finishes Yangs sentence with a sigh.

Yang nods in agreement. "G-Getting some fresh air would help."

Sonya groans, "Alright. Fine. Let’s check it out."

With a nod of understanding, Reef crawled over towards the enterance. "Alright," he exclaimed, sounding rather excited now.

"I got the directions to it marked on a map I got from Seymour, so it'll be a relatively straight shot to the temple from the camp grounds," unzipping the tent, Reef pulled himself back up onto his feet and waited for his companions.

"Don't forget to take some snacks and water just in case," he warned the girls in a concerned tone.

Sonya seems a bit better at the thought of getting away for a bit to clear their heads. Yet she still releases a huff at what Reef said and gets up and stretches. "Remember it's us you’re talking to. This isn't our first outing kid." Sonya says in a grumpy tone but not in a way to be rude.

Yang smiles to her then grabs their bag and starts to get their water and berries ready. Glad she decided to organize them just a minute ago. It didn't take long for them to get their stuff together as Sonya carries the bag this time. Walking on two legs, they follow Reef out of their tent.

Yang giving a small sigh and looks to Reef worriedly. 'I hope I'm not making a mistake by offering to do this.' She projects her thoughts to Reef.

Sonya adjusting their bag with another huff. "We better not be making another mistake by seeking out this place."

Yang looks to Sonya then giggles softly. The two thinking the same thing except Sonya like always, speaks her thoughts outloud.

'Don't worry Yang,' he smiled to reassure her, holding out a map and compass to check their direction. Giving a bit of a laugh at hearing Sonya say basically the same thing as the Mienfoo. 'After what happened last time, I think we'll be just fine.’

Yang giggles softly to Reef. Silently hoping he's right. From the last temple it was thanks to him she had the confidence she needed to help him and Sonya. Or at least, that's what she thinks. Sonya says she's always had that confidence in her, and Reef seems to believe in that too. She just needs help to let it out. Ever since then she's been trying to become confident. Yet with things as tense as they are with Gilgamarsh, it hasn't been easy.

The young Lucario started to lead the trek up an uneven hill just outside of the camp grounds. Supposedly they'd come to a point where the beaten path branches off into a stone walkway which would lead up to the front of the temple. It was still nothing but a dirt stomped road before them, so Reef and the Pathfinders weren't there yet.

Sonya remaining behind Yang on her two legs as they climb, Yang in the middle of her and Reef.

Careful to not slip and fall, Yang keeps track of her footing as Sonya keeps an eye out around them for anything suspicious.

"Hopefully this Seymour is right in his information. We still need to tread carefully incase those Marshtoids are lurking nearby." Sonya says keeping a careful eye out.

"The Marshanoids haven't made it this far in it seems, so it's possible we're safe," Reef replies to Sonya, "Still, best not give them the chance to corner us."

Careful to not slip and fall, Yang keeps track of her footing as Sonya keeps an eye out around them for anything suspicious.

Sonya looks ahead at what Reef said. "Yeah. They're weak and slow, but if enough of them come they can overwhelm us."

Yang glances behind her. "B-But your bell can slow them down further and let us get away. I-If it comes to it."

Sonya smiles to her and nods, moving her ear slightly to make her bell ring out. "Yup. So no worries for now. Keep going."

Yang smiles back to her then looks forward. Relief that Sonya seems to be doing better since they left the camp.

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Finally putting this up. I was originally going to do all one comic and written portion together, but way to long for the written portion So going to be doing this in sections
Also if some get confused, it's around this time Reef had evolved to a Lucario.

Collab with who owns Reef

Sonya and Yang belong to me