Marianna walked at a leisurely pace down the street, whistling a cheerful tune as she strolled along through the woods, already breaking past the tree line, the town of Petalburg City already in view. There weren't many others around her, people or pokemon, what few there were gave the teenager a fairly wide berth, and why not? After all most people did so when they saw a large Pinsir, even one walking behind his trainer, the large bug type clearly happy to be out of it's ball, even if its mouth couldn't make the smile to show it. "Having fun Spike?" Marianna asked, glancing behind her at her partner, "Piiiiii!" Spike answered with a happy cry.

It didn't take but a few more minutes to make their way to the pokemon center, especially with what few people were out and about making way for the somewhat odd pair along the sidewalk. She saw the girl in front of the large red building, recognizing her from the picture that was sent to her. Marianna hurried along and approached her, Spike rushing along to keep up, "Hey there, I'm Marianna!" she said cheerfully, before pointing back at her partner to introduce him, "This little cutie is Spike", Spike gave the closest to a smile his features allowed and a wave to Aito

Tarynn left the Rustburo Pokemon Center smiling, all her friends were well rested and ready for the ordeal to come. The letter she received told her everyone would be meeting in front of the Petalburg Pokemon Center, she had stopped in Rustburo because she was rather certain she wouldn't have time to stop in Petalburg once everyone arrived. She thought about all the they would need to overcome to succeed in their mission as she walked through the busy streets of Rustburo City. None of the people here were worried about what would happen should the kids fail, most people didn't even know that the world was in grave danger. Tarynn's smile faded as she approached Petalburg Woods, if they failed the world as we know it was over. As she walked through the woods she saw silcoon and zigzagoon running around playing her smile faded even more because these young pokemon might not have a chance to grow up, she then though of her own pokemon, the youngest being torchic and snivy, they might never have the chance to grow up and evolve, no that won't happen. Taryn wouldn't let that happen. She smiled again as she left the woods feeling more determined than ever, she just hoped her companions would have the same resolve she did.

She took a deep breath and put on her "mask", she might need to trust these people to get through the trials to come but, she couldn't trust them to know the real her, they'll just assume she's just another pretty face if she doesn't put up a tough front. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, she lit one as she entered the city taking a drag as she walked up to the pokemon center where there were two trainers already standing there waiting. She paid them no attention as she walked past them and leaned on the wall of the pokemon center smoking her cigarette.

Kelsier stretched as he walked out of the Oldale Town Pokemon Center before releasing his Axew. "Well buddy we're almost there. Just a bit longer and we get to meet our new partners." 'Xew!' Axew responded excitedly jumping up into Kelsier's arms. "Alright buddy lets get going we don't want to be late." As he began walking towards Petalburg City Kelsier's mind began to wander thinking back to how his journey had begun just a few short years ago. His thoughts were interrupted by Axew headbutting him in the chest. "What?" Stopping in his tracks Kelsier saw the tree he was about to walk into. "Oh thanks Axew I guess I was a bit distracted." Axew shook his head grumbling at Kelsier.

Continuing on their journey the pair quickly arrived at the edge of Petalburg City. "Alright Axew we're almost there just need to find the Pokemon center." Axew grumbled again wiggling his way out of Kelsiers arms and began running through the street. "Hey! Axew where are you going? Wait up!" Kelsier ran after the little pokemon dodging around the confused people on the street. After minutes of chasing his friend Kelsier finally caught up to Axew who was standing right in front of the Pokemon Center. "Oh I guess you found it didn't you buddy? Good job." Looking around Kelsier noticed a few trainers standing around the entrance of the center. "Hey are you guys the other trainers who got selected to battle teams Aqua and Magma? I'm Kelsier nice to meet everyone." Axew headbutted Kelsier's chest again. "Oh and this is my partner Axew he's happy to meet you all as well."

Marianna's eyes lit up and she broke out in a broad smile at the sight of the others, namely the little Axew, "awww you have an axew! i always loved them, they get so adorable when they evolve!" she exclaimed excitedly, before she managed to get herself back on track, "So we're gonna go and save everything right? no problem! We almost won the Johto League" Marianna said proudly, "Though i also had my Nidorino and Charmeleon back then, they're at home now with my little bro though, but with all of us i'm sure we'll do great" she added, smiling warmly, clearly already confidant in their group, though beneath her innocent exterior she wasn't quite as trusting as she seemed. She was especially wary of the stranger who seemed to be part of their group though had yet to say anything.

Beyond the others as individuals the entire scenario seemed rather suspicious to Marianna, after all why would a bunch of random trainers be mysteriously enlisted to stop well known and infamous crime syndicates like Team Magma and Team Aqua rather than the authorities or at least more powerful trainers, like members of the Elite Four or even a Champion or two, she'd met Lance briefly before she knew he was the Johto Champion and knew he certainly wouldn't have needed convincing to help on this kind of thing. But before she became too lost in her own thoughts she returned to the current situation, "So, where are we off too first? anywhere in particular? if we ever need to travel over water my pretty little Gyarados, Fury, can carry us, she likes passengars"

Looking to Marianna Kelsier got excited. "Yea Stephen gave him to me when I started my journey we've been to gather for years." Absently scratching Axew's head Kelsier looked around at the rest of the apparent group. There was the one with the Murkrow who seemed to have been waiting for everyone. 'Hmmm I expect her to be the leader of our group she seems to have a better ides as to what's going on. I don't even know what I was invited to join this team... Then he looked toward the trainer with the Pinsir making what Kelsier could only call a strange face almost a smile it didn't suit the rather tough looking pokemon's features much at all. Then there was the other one seaming to have already dismissed the rest of the group leaning against the Pokecenter smoking. 'I don't really care about the smoking, but I get a bad vibe off of this one she's hiding something.'

Kelsier stepped in closer to the group as they began talking about plans. "I have almost no idea where we should go. I've ran into a few of the members of the groups but I couldn't tell you what their planing or where they are. The grunts I ran into didn't seem to be all that strong so I don't know what to expect." He shrugged setting Axew on his shoulder. "Oh well it's nothing to worry about I'm sure we'll be able to track them down no problem." He smile to the group hoping to get everyone excited. "I've never seen a Gyarados. Are they as big as the stories say?"

Marianna smiled widely, "Yeah don't worry, Fury loves giving people rides, she's really friendly, just don't touch her whiskers, they're sensitive" Marianna assures and warns. As they made their way along the path Marianna pulls a pokeball off her belt, the yellow top as opposed to the usual red identified it as a Park Ball, the type given in the Johto bug catching contest. "Ok spike, i know you get sea sick so i'll put you back in your ball for now, bring you back out later Spike" She said, pointing the ball toward her beloved Pinsir, the large bug type gave an obedient nod as the red beam from his ball enveloped him and pulled him back into the ball, and placing back in her belt, "Plus she's super fast, it shouldn't take too long to get there at all" She stated proudly.

She then pulled another ball from her belt, mostly white with a splash design, Fury's Dive Ball, and tossed it up and down as they walked. Turning to address Tarynn, "so miss smokey... are you gonna talk? it's hard to make friends if we don't talk about stuff..." she said, "We can play a game or something to pass the time if you want" She said before turning back to the beach and tossing the ball into the air, "Come on out Fury!" she calls, and with a bright flash there in the water stood the massive sea serpent pokemon, large even for the already huge species, Fury gave a deafening roar upon being released, so loud it shook the water around her, but soon after showed a bright smile as she leaned down to gently nuzzle her trainer, giving an oddly friendly growl as she did, "heehee That's a good girl Fury, cmon, we're going down to Dewford and we need a ride" Marianna said happily, Fury nodded and curled down into the sand, "well c'mon guys, all aboard!"

Tarynn leaned against the building listening to what the rest of team had to say, no having much to say herself she just listened. "So miss smokey are you gonna talk? It's hard to make friends if we don't talk about stuff" Marriana said addressing Tarynn. "Well, hello, the name's Tarynn, and I specialize in grass and fire types, and my preferred battle method is doubles, but I'm as efficient in singles as well. It seems we have a plan and with my lack of water types I appreciate the lift." She said rather matter of fact like. She rubbed the butt of her cigarette on the wall to put it out and then after checking the butt to ensure the flame was out put it in the trash. These guys sure are talkative, maybe we'll talk some battle strategy or something on the way, I hate pointless pleasantries... she thought to herself as they climbed on the large water serpent.

With the trip underway Tarynn was getting restless, she hated sitting still this long without a cigarette but out of respect for her comrades she elected not to light up while they were in such close quarters on poke back. She ended up settling for pulling out her zippo and playing with lighting and putting out, an age old time killer known to many smokers. "So ... " Tarnn began with the hopes of coaxing some useful information from her newfound team, "I was wondering what types you all trained and how you like to battle?" After a short pause she continued, "As I said I prefer doubles but we are just as effective in one on one match ups. We make great use of Ninetales's and Snivy's Sunny Day to boost my teams attacks working in tandem to be as effective as possible. At the moment Venosaur and Charmeleon are the core of the team but I have high hopes for Torchic and Snivy when the grow up a bit." Tarynn explained hoping to get the conversation flowing in a direction she actually enjoyed.

Kelsier almost fell back onto the ground as the giant Gyarados emerged from her pokeball only to be saved by Axew. "Woah! Ha, thanks buddy couldn't believe how embarrassing it would have been if I fell." He lets out a hearty laugh looking over the giant serpent. "Wow Marianna she's amazing! I didn't think Gyarados would be this cool!" "heehee That's a good girl Fury, cmon, we're going down to Dewford and we need a ride" Marianna said happily, Fury nodded and curled down into the sand, "well c'mon guys, all aboard!" With that Kelsier picked up Axew climbing on to 'Fury's' back with the rest of their group.

The more mysterious Tarynn was surprisingly the first to speak on the journey. "So ... " Tarnn began with the hopes of coaxing some useful information from her newfound team, "I was wondering what types you all trained and how you like to battle?" After a short pause she continued, "As I said I prefer doubles but we are just as effective in one on one match ups. We make great use of Ninetales's and Snivy's Sunny Day to boost my teams attacks working in tandem to be as effective as possible. At the moment Venosaur and Charmeleon are the core of the team but I have high hopes for Torchic and Snivy when the grow up a bit."

Kelsier shrugged a bit. "I'm not much of a doubles battler... Much more of a fan of the one on one's. As for my type coverage I'm a steel and dragon type trainer. In addition to my buddy Axew here I've got Ferroseed, Gabite, Metang, Shelgon, and Scyther. I know Scyther's not a dragon or steel type, but I'm hoping some time soon I'll be able to find a Metal Coat so he can grow." He smile and looks to the rest of the group. "So what about you guys?"

Sitting up on the front, astride the back of Fury's head, holding onto the tall spine on her head, gently stroking her beloved pokemon. "I'm good with all kinds of battles, though i like good old one on one the best" Marianna answered, "We're great with doubles and stuff too though... or um.." she said, trailing off somewhat. "We were anyway, our teamwork is kinda weaker since my Charmeleon and Nidorino are back at home with my little brother." she explained, pulling out two other pokeballs from her belt, one blue ball with yellow streaks, a Quick Ball, and a gray one with weighted balls on the sides, a Heavy Ball. "i also have an Electivire and Pupitar, they're named Zap and Tyrant, Zap is great close up, and Tyrant is good at range but um... since he's a Pupitar he doesn't exactly... you know, move well." She explained, giving a little laugh.

"I kinda feel bad for little Tyrant though... he always gets jealous of everyone else when we eat because he can't eat until he evolves again." she said, placing the other balls back on her belt in their respective places, "Oh by the way..." she starts, unzipping a pouch pocket on the strap of her backpack, pulling out a small stone, a Keystone, "Spike can mega evolve, he's super fast and way tougher when he does, still haven't found anything for a good setting for my keystone though..." she says, placing the stone safely back in it's pouch. "But all the rings and bracelets for them are all expensive..." she mutters in complaint.