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On a sand dune off in the distance, quills flattened in an attempt to remain hidden, a Sandslash watched the large quadrupedal pokemon. For him, today was like any other day. The ground type was always on the lookout for strangers wandering into his clan's territory. For now, the Aurorus hadn't strayed too close, but his general direction indicated that he would approach the imaginary line that the clan considered the border of their domain.

Unlike other strangers, this one didn't seem to be affected by the heat. Likely due to the fact he was an ice type, the Sandslash thought. There was one thing about the Aurorus that caught his attention more than anything. The giant was stopping for long periods to do something. He wasn't eating or drinking, that much was clear. However, the distance made it hard to tell precisely what it was that this stranger was going. The uncertainty of it set the Sandslash on edge. Normally it was easy to tell if someone was lost or actively looking for something, but in this case it wasn't. The constant looking around was similar to someone that was lost, but the deliberate stops and methodical direction would indicate a search.

Unhappy with the fact that the strangers direction was likely lead him to the ruins, the Sandslash burrowed into the sand. As large as the Aurorus was, he was going to need help if he was to successfully change his course. With his resolve set, and a plan in mind, he headed back to the underground city to get help. Within minutes or reaching his destination, he had gathered several volunteers. Among them were some of the fire types that made their home here as well as some of the other ground types. With the fire types at his side, he hoped to be able to turn the Aurorus around.

Finally, with everyone ready the Sandslash went back to the hallway filled with sand and began to burrow back to the surface. Those capable of following in this manner did so, while the fire types were teleported outside the city and behind a rocky outcropping by the three Delphox sisters that oversaw the sandy entrance. All the Sandslash had to do now was wait for the right moment to strike, and with his team of six, he was confident his attack would be successful.

The ever watchful Sandslash slowed as he neared the surface and poked his head out of the sand slightly. He was searching for the Aurorus he had seen earlier. No doubt the ice type had breached the perimeter of the colony's territory by now, and if so, he needed to be dealt with as soon as possible. The Sandslash didn't like anyone coming so close to the ruins. Allowing such could compromise the hidden city he guarded, as well as all of its inhabitants. They may have recently allowed one group to enter the city, but Kennet - he had been told - had chosen to join them. The growlithe, he knew to be loyal. Those strangers would pose no threat to the colony, because Kennet wouldn't allow it. This put his mind at ease in regards to that group, but this Aurorus was a different matter. The Sandslash was unaware of Claudius' affiliation to the guild where Team Catalyst came from, as well as the fact that his presence here was, in a way, a direct result of them keeping their promise.

After scanning the horizon briefly, the Sandslash spotted his target. Sure enough, the Aurorus had crossed into the colony's territory. If he kept going at this rate, he'd make it to the ruins within the hour. However, the Sandslash was close enough to make out what the Aurorus was doing now, which made him even madder. He was surveying the area. This, could not be allowed. The area had to remain uncharted to protect his home. He was going to stop the stranger before he could come any closer to the colony.

Blinded by his anger, he burrowed back underground, leading the ground types that accompanied him toward their unwanted guest. They all knew how this was supposed to go. They had used the same tactics against others in the past. It was a good and proven strategy. To them, this was just another routine run. Within a minute they reached their target with little noise, and the leading Sandslash initiated the ambush.

Sandslash attempted to strike Claudius as he dug to the surface, launching himself at the Aurorus. The other ground types surfaced behind Claudius after the first attack was launched, attempting to position themselves to strike. The Krookodile, set about readying a mudslap for when Claudius would have to turn to face the group to try and not only damage his opponent, but lower his accuracy as well. The little Sandshrew that was among those who had volunteered also readied a move with the intent to try and lower the ice type's accuracy, a Sand Attack. Lastly, the Sandile readied his Sand Tomb in an effort to try and trap Claudius, to prevent escape.

Meanwhile, the two fire types waited behind their cover about one hundred yards away, still unaware that the battle had already begun.

((I moved the visual ref. down. I'll move it down with each post and remove it entirely after the battle is over.))

The Sandslash, having been closest to Claudius because of his opening move, was unable to get out of range of the Icy Wind in time. He was blown back, chilled because of the temperature of the air. His skin felt as if it was on fire. His most affected area was his left claw though. He wouldn't be able to use it very effectively till after he had backed off and feeling returned to it once more. Once thawed, it was going to be painful because of his weakness to ice. However, he wasn't going to let that stop him. He was determined to drive the Aurorus out, no matter how much he got hurt in the process.

Finally, after a few seconds had passed, he was able to make it out of range of the Icy Wind. Turning to look at his comrades, he quickly tried to assess the situation. The Krookodile he had brought with him was out of range for the attack now and had managed to avoid the brunt of the attack. Overall he appeared only mildly scathed, having been quick enough to move before too much damage had been done. The other two ground types with him however, appeared to have been hit harder. Being less experienced, they had charged in blindly and taken the worst damage. Both were covered in ice. They were lucky to have been able to sustain such a solid hit and be able to retreat. He hoped that they would be more careful until the fire types were able to reach the battle.

Now that the battle was underway, it was time to signal his two companions still hiding nearby. Knowing that it would more than likely not reach the Aurorus, but only needing it to make noise, Sandslash jumped up high and came back down on the ground hard, releasing energy into the earth, causing it to shake with the force of a Magnitude 6 quake. His attack had not been as strong as he had hoped, but it would do. The earth was shaking with enough force for it to be heard quite some distance away. Unable to do much else until the Icy Wind faded, the four ground types kept back to wait for an opportunity.

Hearing the tremor from the quake, the Ponyta and Numel who had been hiding behind a rock face a little over a hundred yards away sprang into action. Both ran toward the scene of the fight, ready for action. It would take time for them to come within striking range, but both were already readying their attacks for their impending arrival. The Ponyta began raising the temperature of its flames, preparing to completely engulf its body in flames for a Flame Wheel once it was close enough. The Numel, slower than his companion, began readying a Flame Burst.

The flame burst that the Numel had fired, caused burst damage to the Ponyta that had just rammed into Claudius' hind leg. The fire type neighed slightly as it stumbled a little. The initial attack had hit the ground, not only sending fire outwards to strike the Ponyta, but shifting the ground in front of it as well. However, it managed to stay upright. The fire hadn't done too much damage to the equine pokemon, but it had taken a hit nonetheless. The Powder Snow now falling from the sky slowed both fire types movement speed, and although it hurt, both pushed through it as they readied their next attacks. The Ponyta galloped to the other side as the Numel finally finished catching up. Simultaneously, they fired an ember, neither one aware of the realization that their leader was now starting to coming to.

The leading Sandslash was appalled at how little the flames had damaged the Aurorus. He was an ice type. The fire should have been devastating, but his opponent didn't seem too bothered by it at all. He had never encountered an Aurorus before today, so he had assumed it to be pure ice, however, it seems that was not the case. What he had hoped would be an advantage, was now hindrance to him and the others instead. He and the Krookodile had been far enough back that they hadn't been hit with the burst damage, but the Sandshrew and Sandile hadn't been so lucky. At the sight of the fire type's approach, they had moved back in to ready themselves for another attack.

Having suffered from the burst damage from the flame burst, the Sandshrew and Sandile didn't have the strength to resist the Powder Snow. As they moved in to try and strike at Claudius - both having already been partially frozen by the icy wind earlier - they finally succumbed to the icy temperatures, and froze in mid-stride. With the Sandile down, the sands around Claudius quit swirling and fell back down to the ground, freeing him up and re-granting him the ability to move from his spot.

The Sandslash leader, was not pleased. He was down by two, and his enemy didn't seem phased in the slightest. He and the Krookodile were going to have to brave the Powder Snow and get in closer. Turning to the other evolved pokemon, he called out "Move in closer!"

The Krookodile nodded in return and ran in, after the embers had been fired. Though the Powder Snow effected him greatly, the Krookodile grit his teeth as he endured the pain. When he got closer to Claudius, he let out a cry, opening his jaws wide. He launched himself forward through the snow, attempting to Crunch down on one of Claudius' legs, hoping to draw the attention of the larger pokemon as the Sandslash burrowed back down underground, intending to dig and come up behind the Aurorus, out of his sight.