"Hi," he replied to the one who introduced himself a Lucien, the other founder. Lucien hadn't said much except introduce himself. Aura was the main one doing the talking.

Ian saw that there was a bit of tension in the conversion between his new friends and Aura . Aura had the right to be cautious, even though her reply was a bit cold. It wasn't like Ian had assumed they would automatically be accepted. He didn't mind though. He smiled nervously and cut himself in between the two. He looked at Max and then to Aura, keeping a half smile on his face. "You're right. You don't know us so there isn't really any reason to trust us," he said. "But given time, we'll prove that we mean well," he said sincerely.

He nudge at Max's side. "Right, Max?," he said, hoping his new friend would not feud with her. Ian gave Max a pleading look, not wanting there to be any trouble. He understood why Max had said what he did, but Ian was tired and the last thing on his mind was to get off on the wrong foot with the people who ran the Stronghold.

Jalen let a low growl escape his throat. It was directed at Max. He didn't yet know his place, and that annoyed him. Lucien placed his hand on the houndour's head, calming him down. It was a good thing his temperamental persian wasn't out.

He nodded in greeting to Ian, who seemed the more level-headed of the two. Max was starting to get on Lucien's nerves already, arguing with Aura. He shifted closer to Aura, as if to protect her.

Max nodded, then smiled slightly. "Good. Just wanted ask. You don't have to be so mean about it. What's a little question among... survivors?." He tried to choose the words as carefully as he could, but he couldn't help sounding mean. It was just his personality; critique the others. See if they are paying attention. It was what his father always told him.

He gritted his teeth bitterly at the comment about Aura's father. He just wanted to blurt out, Well, some other peoples' parents may be heroes too! Don't be such a jerk, but he held it in. He was already on both of their nerves, he shouldn't annoy them any further.

"You bet, Ian. We'll prove ourselves." Both Staraptor and Charizard nodded enthusiastically, then the giant red pokemon nudged Max's backpack. "Oh, sorry boy." He reached in and brought out a netball, then released a Wartortle, who bounced happily over to Charizard. They were best buddies, pals, and they loved each other dearly.

Aura sniffed, then left it alone. The better part of her brain told her to leave it. Glancing at Lucien, she gave a mental nod. She had his support, at least. Not that she ever doubted it. Running a hand through her hair, she addressed Ian first. "I hope so. We need no dead weights at a time like this, do we?" Aura gave him a small smile.

Aura ignored Max. Had he not dealt with others before, where the right insult could get you killed? Mentally shrugging, she turned. "Please keep one pokemon at least out at a time, preferably a small one." She walked through, leaving Blaziken who'd been a silent watcher to close the gate behind them. Without looking back, her head up, she walked forward with her Umbreon, who had calmed down enough to trot with her. Her blue eyes looking up, she saw it was sunset. Soon, they'd all gather.

Ian nodded when Aura said they could keep at least one pokemon out. "Alright, cool. Let's go, I choose you, Havok!," he called to rerelease his Monferno. A flash of light blinked and revealed the firey monkey. There was a grin on his face, obviously happy to be back out again. The Monferno looked around to see where he was and then to his trainer. Ian smiled and followed Aura. He kept quiet as he followed her, not really quite sure what to say. Plus, he felt a little sure now wasn't the best time to ask questions. At least, not until he knew he was going to stay.

Havok followed by his trainer's side, his eyes gazing around as he walked. Havok looked back when he heard the gate close behind them.

"C'mon, Havok," Ian said to his pokemon.

"I'm going to find my sister." Max told Ian, then nodded at Havok and smiled slightly. "Good luck!" With that the boy turned heel and walked away, Charizard, Wartortle, and Staraptor following close behind. After a moment or two he turned around and returned Staraptor to his pokeball, then bent down to look Wartortle directly in his eyes.

"Go for a swim, Wartortle." The water pokemon nodded eagerly, then ran for the pond and jumped happily in. Charizard blinked and turned to his trainer, large black eyes wider than normal.

"Don't worry, we'll find June soon." Max assured the giant red pokemon, then turned around to scan the area once again. His sister was no where in sight, maybe she was asleep or something...

"Max!" A jolteon ran up to the boy, followed closely behind by an Umbreon and a Vaporeon. Max recognized them as Jolt and Crash, both his sister's pokemon, but didn't remember the name of the Umbreon.

"Hey brother!" June appeared out of nowhere and hugged her brother warmly, then took a step back and narrowed her eyes. "You shouldn't have talked like that to Aura. She could throw you back out into the forest with a flick of her wrist, and then where would you be?"

"Not with you?" He asked, a little bored.

"No, you would be dead." June told him hastily, then smiled once again and looked down at the Umbreon. "Race, I want you and Crash to escort Max to Aura so he can apologize," she gave him a mean look, "then take him to his room."

The two nodded and went on either side of the boy, who sighed and let the pokemon lead him over to Aura. Crash gently nudged his leg with his snout and took a step back.

"Sorry. It's just my personality to be a big jerk." He said quietly. "My father taught me to criticize first and look for weaknesses in personality."