Troublesome Hounds

[Midnightive]

Oh how this trainer we getting under both the trainer and her Pokemons skin. Travis smug grin turned to evil nervous laugh as they went on battling. "come on kid, just walk away if you know what's good for you" he waited for a response from her but there was nothing just other attack order. Shrugging his shoulders and letting out a deep frustrated sigh. "Sneasel use scratch again, we're not losing."

Sneasel listen to it's master and dashed forward slicing at the Floating now water type. Easy hit, but one that didn't do much damage. In return Sneasel got a bashed to the face letting out a cry of pain as it flew back. While Travis was angry that his Sneasel might be down for the count he started shouting what you stupid Pokemon! You going to let something like that beat you?! Get up!" his orders were barked.

While Sneasel used everything in his strange to get to his feet once again. To be greeted by the new and fresh Charamander standing where the weather Pokemon used to be. "What! You can't just sub out?!" he raged. In the rage he pointed his finger at Red. Use quick attack!!!"The badly damaged was slower on his feet he moved towards red, hitting him with a power but slow quick attack. He stumbled back once he hit the Chamander and stood there panting away.

Battle

---

Weather: Rain.

Sneasel | Level 10 |
Health : 5% (2/34 HP)
Status : Normal
Used Scratch
Used Quick Attack.

VS

Red | Level 7 |
Health : 70% (17/24)
Status : Normal
Moody used Tackle!
Red was sent out!

---

HP Tracker
Red: 24 / 24
Tide: 26 / 26
June: 32 / 43
Moody: 28 / 45

[Lamont]

---

She'd ignored the 'kid' comment; her blood boiling a little at the tease. But she stuck to her plan, switching out with Red to add a little more insult to injury. Not only was the fire pokémon well known to be at a severe disadvantage in this weather, and it was plainly obvious that Red wasn't nearly as strong as the sneasel to begin with, but she was planning on using Travis' own mundane attack against him to finish off his abused prize.

Lenore laughed once again, giving her umbrella another quick twirl simultaneous with a twist of her hips as she bubbled with excitement.
"Oh? Is that unfair?" she spoke with an exaggerated mocking tone. Red wasn't as enthused by the matter, keeping her tail tucked tight into her body to try and keep as much rain from the flame as possible. "I didn't realize you were a whiner too." She had to catch herself before saying too much. While she spoke she noticed there was another pokéball on the hunter's belt, meaning he likely had another one to send out himself. She bit her lip for a second as she reconsidered her waste of resources in order to toy with Travis. If the trapper was holding back an even stronger pokémon she could start heading into actual trouble but... She was having too much fun with this.

"Anyway, I thought I'd show you how you use Scratch properly. Go on Red, get those claws ready. Show this man a real Scratch!" The charmander huffed, a sizzle of smoke trailing from her nostrils as she readied for Sneasel to come in. It seemed a bit of a shame to be sent out when her opponent was barely conscious, but Red would enjoy it all the same. She had to get some payback for that quick attack.

---

((Adding 307 words to incubator))

[Midnightive]

Travis's snorted in anger. "What are you doing do you not know my Sneasel is going to be faster then that glorified lizard" he scoffed. With that Sneasel rushed into action, but this time instead of an attack. He just... stood there and used his long claw like hands to tell Red to come a little closer if he dared. Well Red fell for it.

Red dashed forward and hit the poor Sneazel making him faint. "Ahh how dare you! Sneasel return go zubat" A very angry bat like Pokemon flapped his wings on the makeshift battle field. Travis's was clearly angry from this whole battle, but it be over soon. Just maybe not the way he wanted it to go.

---

Red fought well in battle.
Red gained 3 levels making them level 10.
Red learnt Smokescreen and gained +1 happiness,

Moody fought well in battle.
Moody gained 1 levels making them level 14 and gained +1 happiness.

Tide is holding an exp share.
Tide gained 1 levels making them level 8.
Tide is trying to learn Water gun forget a move to learn?

Hunter Travis sent out Zubat (level 10) to battle! switch pokemon?!

---

HP Tracker
Red: 17 / 24
Tide: 26 / 26
June: 32 / 43
Moody: 28 / 45

[Lamont]

---

The woman released a tirade of laughter, buckling over with an arm holding her sides. "What was that?" she managed to say between breaths. Such a cocky pair they were, dashing up right into Red's face and performing a taunt. This hunter didn't seem to have any brains at all. She pitied the poor sneasel even more, watching its unconscious body disappear through teary eyes. Lenore wiped a finger across each as she regained composure, smirking back at Travis' bright red face.

"With strategies like that, I don't know how you're ever going to win," she taunted further, still chuckling. The woman took a deep frosty breath, exhaling a puff of mist that swiftly disappeared into the light patter of rain. "Come on back Red, you did very well." The charmander, having mimicked her trainer in a lesser extent of laughing mockery, dropped her shoulders and sighed with relief at the command. The fire pokémon happily returned to her pokéball.

Moody bobbed side to side by Lenore as she hmmm'd in consideration of what to do with the screechy bat. "Hmmm, no I think it's June's turn buddy." The castform chirped in reply, turning from the battle and gliding back out from the cover of the showgirl's umbrella and into the rain. Well, what was managing to break through the leaves hanging over the area. Soon the defiant blue duck was on the scene, puffing up her feathers for a second to adjust to the chilly weather.

With another playful laugh Lenore began her instructions. "Alright girl it's all you! Time to finish off this inferior fool and claim my prize." She gave a wink to the flustered trapper. "Let's give the bat some of it's own medicine by using a Water Pulse! Then follow that up with a Wing Attack." The woman then proceeded to hum the tune of 'Anything You Can Do' while watching the next part of their battle unfold.

---

HP Tracker
    Red: 21 / 30
    Tide: 28 / 28
    June: 32 / 43
    Moody: 29 / 47


((Using Running Shoes. Adding 323 words to eggs in incubator. Tide will not learn Water Gun.))

[Marchbaby]

Travis was caught between a rock and a hard place with both sides closing in on him. The terrible moves he had taught his Pokemon did not help in the least but his own cocky attitude was hurting him most of all. As he bit his tongue before saying anything else he might regret he knew he had to try and win this battle as bad as things looked. " Zubat use Supersonic to buy us some time. We will need more than a turn or two to turn this battle around." He said as Zubat went to make its move. Before it could strike June had already began her attack.

The young duck fired a ring of pulsating water towards Zubat at a high velocity, the bat had no chance to dodge and the rain only increased its power more. Zubat took a while to recover but as soon as it did it fired a supersonic attack at June trying to desperately buy more time. As Travis tried to come up with a plan Lenore kept up the pressure by attacking again hardly giving him a chance to breathe. " Zubat quick use Leech Life before it is too late." Before the bat had any chance to move June was able to stay focused long enough to launch her next attack.

She ran up to the bat and smacked it with her wing. As she did Zubat fell to the ground knocked out while Travis was speechless. Before the man could even open his mouth a loud siren and a Growlithe's bark signaled the arrival of the police. " Travis you are under arrest for Pokemon poaching and abuse." After cuffing him and putting him in the back of a car Officer Jenny walked over to Lenore. Reaching into her pocket she handed Lenore some pokedollats as a reward. " Take this reward money for helping us capture Travis, it took longer than I had hoped but justice can finally be served." As she finished speaking she went to check on the Houndour while Travis cried his eyes out in the back of the police car.

---

Battle

---

Zubat | Level 10 |
HP: 0% (0/31)
Status: Normal
Used Supersonic, KO'ed!

VS.

June | Level 13 |
HP: 74% (32/43)
Status: Confused
Used Water Pulse, Used Wing Attack!


Weather: Rain

---

Hunter Travis has been defeated. Officer Jenny gives you 1000 Poke as a reward for his capture. 


June gain 2 levels for her victory and +1 happiness. She is now level 15 with +2 happiness overall. She is trying to learn Aerial Ace but she already knows 4 moves. Would you like her to forget a move so she can learn Aerial Ace?


Tide gains 1 level thanks to her experience share. She is now level 9.

Would you like to go down another path?

Ooc: Everything has been updated.

[Lamont]

---

The blonde's eyes sparkled with glee, hands clasped together with the umbrella angle just barely covering her as she leaned forward. This was going to be it! Travis at least showed some twinge of strategy by calling out the move Lenore had alluded to previously, though it was a tad bit a wonder if the dummy would have called the attack if she hadn't mentioned it, but it was far too late for him. Fingers breaking away in order to cross the woman bounced up and down with anticipation; watching the final moments of the battle unfold.

When it ended, Zubat crashing to the cold muddy ground, Lenore squealed and jumped into the air. "Haha! You're such a moron!" She recalled June after a brief congratulatory word. Calming her laughter she was about to continue when a siren cut through the air. The noise startled her, heart pounding against her chest as air caught in her throat. What was happening!? Was she in trouble? Her mind raced as the iconic badge burst through the bushes with her companion growlithe and swiftly cuffed the incompetent trapper.

Lenore stood, partially frozen in place, watching the spectacle a bit dumbfounded. She considered taking her leave when Jenny turned her back but that darn pup was giving her a look. After a worried smile and fragments of a wave to the dog the officer spun around and began making her way toward Lenore; hand in pocket. The showgirl's eyes darted side to side, noting the trapped houndour which only made her more worried.

But then Officer Jenny spoke, holding out her hand with a monetary reward in place of the anticipated cuffs. Lenore blinked a few times before shaking herself from her stupor. She reached out and accepted the cash, "Just doing what I could to help those poor pokémon. He's a real nasty piece of work isn't he?" As Jenny turned away from Lenore to inspect the cage of hounds she, too, took a longing look at the shining black coats. She took a deep breath then sighed. Well... there were still two other trails she could follow. Best not to waste any more time here.

Slipping away from the clearing and backtracking across the muddy path that brought her here, Lenore trudged through the woods to try and pick up the trail of the nearest houndour. One bright side was it seemed the rain wasn't coming down as hard. Peaking through the occasional breaks in foliage above it looked like the once drone grey clouds were beginning to break up. Some sun was a nice thought.

---

HP Tracker
    Red: 21 / 30
    Tide: 30 / 30
    June: 35 / 48
    Moody: 29 / 47


((June is holding the Soothe Bell so gets another +1 happiness (total 3). Replacing Wing Attack w/ Aerial Ace. Lenore following the middle path. Adding 400 words to egg in incubator.))

[Dan]

Lenore and her team of youngin’s traveled into the middle path, the one that Havoc had escaped to Whatever was at the end of the wood would be quite the toss-up. A slight flooding could be noticed on the trails, in fact, much of Cherrygrove was experiencing a wave of water. No doubt that it would peak soon and then go back down, but as for now, water filled much of the pathway that Lenore and her team needed to navigate through.

Lenore came upon a large tent with a apprehensive boy looking outside of it. It seemed as though he was gravely worried about something. He turned and saw Lenore, tip toeing over to her. “There is a very bad man in that tent. He beats his Pokemon into oblivion. You have to help teach him a lesson.” The boy said, whispering. The flaps to the tent opened up and a sharply dressed man walked out. “I can here you talking about me. If you want to battle, let’s battle.” Behind him, a Glameow stepped out along with a limping Houndour.

Coordinator wants to battle! He sends out a Glameow (level 10)!

[Lamont]

---

Finally! It had stopped raining. Lenore took a deep breath of what people tended to call 'fresh air'. Her nose crinkled up at the smell of wet grass and mold. Not exactly the piney aroma she much loved. To top it all though was the pathway she'd turned onto. The show girl stopped, staring at the lake that had formed thanks to the still half frozen ground being poured onto with days of rain mixed with the occasional nice days that actually got warm enough to melt the lingering snow. This trip just couldn't get any better could it?

A quiet groan radiated from her throat as she folded up her umbrella and considered how she wanted to proceed down the middle pathway. It looked like she'd just have to get off the beaten path and trudge through the bushes a little ways. It was still flooded, but not nearly as bad as the dip of the main trail through the wood. Each step sloshed with a gross wet slop sucking at her steel lined heels. A shiver went down her spine in response to the sound of walking, goosebumps growing on her arms as the spindly branches of the wild reached out to scratch her. She wasn't sure how this could get much worse! This had better all be worth it. The only thing keeping her going at this point was the thought of those ebony pups glamored up and shining under the light of a stage.

So caught up in her fantasy in order to bear the cold waters splashing against her feet the woman didn't notice the tent until she was practically standing in front of it. A whisper hissed from beside her and she screeched, swinging her umbrella in his direction as if fending off an attacker. The tent flaps opened and out came a striking young coordinator followed by a prissy looking feline. Blinking twice, a bit dumbfounded at the man, Lenore pivoted and pointed at the guy who'd spooked her.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?! Sneaking up on me like that," she shrieked angrily. A blast of light erupted from her coat and out popped Moody, hovering in the air mimicking the chastising posture of his trainer. The castform giggled right after, twirling round to take a gander at the coordinator and his cat. "I don't need to help you do anything buster. I'm not here to--" Lenore cut herself off when Moody whistled; impressed with the company.

Her eyes shifted back to the tent and onto the injured houndour sulking behind. A gasp escaped her, her free hand going to cover her mouth. Those injuries weren't something caused by the pup's watergun battle with Lenore; those were new.
"What kind of monster are you?" she raged toward the green-haired trainer. "Moody, I don't think it's getting warmer out: is it?" She spoke rhetorically, her glare never leaving the coordinator. The castform nodded, eyes narrowing as he began preparing to summon up some snow flakes.

---

HP Tracker
    Red: 21 / 30
    Tide: 30 / 30
    June: 35 / 48
    Moody: 29 / 47


((Adding 400 words to egg in incubator. Moody using Powder Snow))

[Dan]

“Monster? I’m no monster. I value strong Pokemon that can do excellent in contests. If they can’t pull a great show out from their skills and knowledge then they get the belt. It’s a training tactic, we all have different styles of shaping our Pokemon into strong competitors and this is mine.” Glameow knew that her trainer’s rage was certainly a minefield, one wrong move and a bomb could blow off leaving her and Houndour in a bruised condition.

“That’s quite a strange Pokemon you have there. Castform, yes? I’d love to have one of those some day; don’t worry, I’m no hunter. I’m sure it’s great in contests.” As the naughty coordinator thought about the interesting combinations Castform could utilize, the little ball conjured up a flurry of snowflakes to hurl at the pussy cat! The Glameow hissed, she hated the cold! In return she leaped forward, scratching the weather Pokemon!

Battle

---

Weather:

Glameow | Level 10 | No hold Item
HP: 69% (22/32)
Status: Normal
Used Scratch!

VS

Moody | Level 14 | No hold Item
HP: 85% (40/47)
Status: Normal
Used Powder Snow!

[Lamont]

---

A shiver went down her spine. The look of all those bruises, purple even over that furry coat and bright pink accents. How the heck did he expect to win any contests when his pokémon were having the beauty whipped out of them? The showgirl grabbed her arms in comfort at the thought, turning her eyes away from the thrashed houndour. There's no way she could take that pup now, just look at it.

Her rage continued to bubble, though now it was angled more toward this abusive mofo taking the dark hound away from her. That was two, TWO out of the three that she couldn't have now. What luck she was having. The double experience of whip loving freaks populating this forest was really turning her off of this little venture into the woods. Lenore lightly bit her lip, eyes narrowing further in on the green haired coordinator. Moody was picking up on her vibes. The usually jolly pokémon dancing in the air while his trainer shouted back and forth in playful banter was now keeping still and focused. She hadn't had the castform for very long but he was very empathic; and right now she appreciated the quiet obedience. This wasn't just fun and games like usual.

"Oh, I bet you would," she seethed. "Though it's going to be hard to partake in any contests in the hospital. I'm going to put you down right here, see if a little beating won't encourage a better performance from yourself." A devious tint sparking in her eyes. "We're going to go through your pitiful cat and then it's your turn you delinquent."

Moody hummed in agreement, bobbing slightly as he awaited his next instruction. "I'm sure that feline's just loving the flood Moody. Why don't you give it a good splash, hm?"

---

HP Tracker
    Red: 21 / 30
    Tide: 30 / 30
    June: 35 / 48
    Moody: 22 / 47


((Adding 303 words to egg in incubator. Moody using Water Gun. *Note - Moody's HP should not have started full, I believe he should be at 22 HP now after that last round [-7]. ))

[Midnightive]

Co-ordinator blood was starting to boil, Lenore was just wrong. She didn't know anything, she was just being an aspiring co-ordinator he was one with a record. "Me? In hospital? I wont win this! he spat. Moody spat a long stream of water at Glameow face, Glameow hissed as it's body got covered in cold water. "It's just a bit of water get up and attack use fake out!"

The cat Pokemon didn't even react to the boy shouting from behind it. jumping forward it attack, hitting Moody. A grin appeared on the smug cats face. "m...meow" it said. " I'll win this, and send you to the hospital!!"

Battle

---

Weather Status: Clear

Glameow | Level 10 |
Health : 37% (12/32 HP)
Status : Normal
Used Fake out

VS

Moody | Level 14 |
Health : 34% (16/47)
Status : Normal
Used Water gun

---

[Lamont]

---

The woman almost didn't laugh, but the hilarity of getting under this guy's skin was just too much to resist. A single breath of mockery slipped her lips and as they came back together her face construed into a dark smile. "Oh I'm scared now, the little boy turned my threat back at me. Oh I'm so scared," Lenore taunted, increasing the pitch of her voice as she toyed with him. The moment of playfulness lifted her own spirits a tad but the constant visual reminder of the coordinators indignity in the form of that houndour refused to let her rage ebb away.

"Alright Moody, good boy. We've got this just about wrapped up. Now, I want you to hit it with your weakest Water Gun; got it? Your weakest! Try your best, I know it's difficult not to overdue it on these weaklings." The woman smirked, glancing from her own pokémon to glimpse the green-haired coordinator's face with the further insult. She considered just straight up ordering an ember. With the forest path flooded the way it was any fire attack was surely to be rather weak. But... she didn't want it to do nothing either. The cat was certainly less vigorous but it wasn't on its last legs and she didn't want to underestimate it.

Plus, it wouldn't be a loss if Moody managed to knock the feline out cold right here and now. If anything it would only allow her to mock the man further and open the field up to following through with some of her promise. Lenore twirled the umbrella in her hands then slapped the dripping parasol against her hand as an omen of what was to come.

---

HP Tracker
    Red: 21 / 30
    Tide: 30 / 30
    June: 35 / 48
    Moody: 16 / 47


((Adding 284 words to egg in incubator. ))

[Kataya]

Battle!

Rod huffed in annoyance. "It should, because I'm serious." he growled. His Glameow looked back at him, concerned as to what would happen if she lost. If there was one thing rod didn't like, it was losing. The only thing he hated more than that was Pokemon that lost. Where she had kept her cocky composure up for most of the battle, the look in her eyes as she turned back to Moody was nothing but pleading, maybe even an apology hinted.

She didn't want to fight anymore, especially with what might happen if she lost. She was taken aback as Moody launched a light water gun in her direction, it hitting her square in the face and causing her to wince as her previous injuries were really starting to take a toll on her. She tried moving forward, and collapsed on the spot.

"Get up you stupid cat!" the boot being driven into her side caused the cat to screech in pain, and as Rod backed up, the cat struggled to her feet, staggering as she finally managed to stand. "Scratch!" The cat painfully forced herself ahead, claws ripping against Moody once again, who felt the attack, but the weakened state of the cat didn't prove too injury inducing. The cat stumbled backwards, breathing heavily. "Useless cat ain't got much time left on her anyway." he hissed at Lenore.
---

Rod's Glameow |Level 10 ♀|
HP: 1/32
Status: Normal
Glameow used Scratch!
Nggh...

VS.

Lenore's Moody |Level 14 ♂|
HP: 10/47
Status: Normal
Moody used Water Gun!
That wasn't hard enough...

MADE BY ★MEULK

[Lamont]

---

"Perfect..." The woman's eyes squinted with pleasure as Moody did just as she instructed; flawlessly in fact. The little cloud pokémon was quickly becoming one of her favorites. Now, though, Lenore just wasn't quite in the pausing to compliment kind of mentality. Moody surely understood with the way he had shifted into as serious a disposition as she'd ever seen in their short travel together. His bobbing in the air had less flourish than when she was taking on the Hunter.

The showgirl slipped a hand down the side of her jacket and snatched a couple pokéballs from their resting place. Securing her umbrella under her arm, Lenore tossed the empty one to her other hand, "Nicely done bud. Now, I think you deserve a rest for following my instructions so well. I'd like to humiliate this fool a bit more before I finish him." With those words she expanded Moody's ball and called him back, the blaze of red light enveloping the castform and rushing him to the comforts of his pokéball. Next she tossed the other ball into the air to reveal her charmander.

"See Red there?" she began with light indication of the fire pokémon. The flaming lizard lifted a foot from a puddle in disgust. "She's the weakest on my team. Go ahead, take a free shot." Red's face scrunched into confusion, her eyes scanning over the coordinator and the bruised cat. The comment about being Lenore's weakest pokémon wasn't true at all: Tide was. The charmander quickly surmised it must have been some bluff, aimed at toying with another of her opponents, and readied for the free attack offered to her foe.
"It won't matter what you do, you're going to lose. It's convenient the area's flooded, as it means we get to play with fire." Lenore grinned darkly, lips curling in a wicked fashion. She wasn't talking about defeating the glameow.

"Let's get started Red, give him a fiery teaser."

---

HP Tracker
    Red: 21 / 30
    Tide: 30 / 30
    June: 35 / 48
    Moody: 10 / 47


((Red uses Ember. Adding 326 words to egg in incubator. ))

[Noerd]

Rod growled furiously. It wasn't clear whether he was angrier at Lenore or his own Glameow, but both had obviously drawn his ire. "Humiliate...?" he started, practically spitting toward his opponent. "You see, this is your own fault, you useless furball!" he shouted at his partner, who had started to feebly lick her own wounds in the midst of the brief respite that she was being offered. "Whatever comes out next, you Scratch it. Hear me?" The feline whimpered softly, which hardly sounded like agreement at all. When a fairly lively-looking Charmander appeared on Lenore's side, the Glameow looked so terrified that it might have a heart attack at any minute. The co-ordinator didn't look particularly impressed, and his attention was focused on Red's trainer. "Your weakest?" His words were becoming a little quieter with every breath now, the realisation of what was about to happen evident on his face. He muttered something inaudible toward his Glameow, turning away from it.

The weak Glameow dragged its heavilly-scarred frame toward Red, its legs shivering more with each step. Rod huffed audibly, sounding as if even Glameow's attempts at pleasing him were irritating him. His Pokemon couldn't hear him, fortunately. It was now only focusing on its current goal. Red stood and watched the pathetic sight in front of him, waiting for his chance to get an easy KO. On reaching its target, Glameow weakly dragged a claw across his belly. Red winced a little, but it didn't look like the most threatening of blows. Sighing deeply, Glameow repeated this action before collapsing onto the floor, willpower depleted along with its energy. The comparatively energetic Charmander opposite it gratefully accepted the invitation to hit, belching out a soft series of flames. The fire covered the now-resting Normal type, scorching its fur and finishing the battle once and for all. Rod pulled out a Pokeball, grimacing. "Useless piece of..." he mumbled, recalling his servant and turning around to leave.

Battle

---

Glameow | Level 10 |
Health : 0% (0/32 HP)
Status : Normal
Used Scratch x2!

VS

Red | Level 10 |
Health : 30% (9/30)
Status : Normal
Red switched in and used Ember!

---

"Alright! Good job, miss!" a voice called out. Rod stopped in his tracks for a moment to determine who was speaking. The boy that Lenore had met just a moment earlier ran over to her and grabbed her hand, shaking it vigorously. "Now then, um... Ah, here they are!" Sirens could be heard in the distance as he spoke here. Alarmed, Rod scarpered, realising what was about to transpire. "The police should be able to take it from here. Now then, miss..." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a fancy-looking Pokeball. "I don't have much on me, but take this Luxury Ball. It's the best of the best. It'll make any of your Pokemon happier to be with you just by being inside of it." He smiled proudly as he explained the properties of the ball. "And... hey, you know what? As thanks, if you ever want more of these balls, I'll sell them to you. 3,000 each. Come find me in Cherrygrove." He turned on his heels and started off in the direction that Lenore had come from. After a couple of paces, he stopped and called out again. "Oh, my name's Sammy by the way, miss! Anyway, see ya around!" With that, he ran off into the distance.

Lenore received 1 Luxury Ball!

---

Congratulations! Lenore has defeated Rod!




Red's easy KO has earned him 3 levels. He reached Level 13!
+1 Happiness!




Moody's hard work earned him but a single, measly level! He reached Level 15!
Moody can learn Headbutt! Should he?
+1 Happiness!




Tide gained 1 level via EXP Share, reaching Level 10!
Tide can learn Confusion! Should she?

---

Lenore may now buy Luxury Balls for 3,000 per ball.

Will Lenore explore the one remaining path?