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"of course, yes. respect by disrobing..." the commissioner comprehends little, but little is enough for the conflict to resume.[break][break]

the BULLET PUNCHES clash against the TAPU KOKO, its shell shutting and opening like castanets in beat with each steel claw.[break][break]

inwardly, the commissioner is impressed with herself. though she is no battler—and though this may largely be tapu koko's own prowess, she can not help but picture herself third-person, standing across a former elite four, "battling" toe-to-toe.[break][break]

a clang marks the final fist. the island deity soars into the air before diving toward thomas' SCIZOR in a winged-ball for BRAVE BIRD.[break][break]

the winds storm past the field and toward thomas' side.

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”thomas, is this your idea of maintaining composure?”[break][break]

the tapu koko withdraws its shell ever so slightly. around its totem-torso, the electrical currents slow as if to take survey.[break][break]

”make sure you remember the brief!” the commissioner says.[break][break]

another THUNDER SHOCK is loosed, casting across the battlefield toward benoit’s scizor before exploding into a burst of scattering sparks.

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"the inland cities will be the most difficult to contest for rocket." [break][break]

the commissioner taps several keys on her open laptop. above, the holographic screen wakes up. after a flash of the league's symbol, a map of hoenn loads in.

CLICK HERE

"i fear for pacifidlog town and its neighboring islands. we can not afford to lose mossdeep, should they attempt to pincer evergrande."[break][break]

on the screen, she zooms in on sootopolis.[break][break]

"sootopolis was once your home, councilwoman morningstar." the commissioner says. there is an idea she holds underwater and she wonders whether it is appropriate to draw. "will your heart be sound as we seek to take it back?"

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the tapu koko crows. its warcry is emblazoned with the crackling of electricity as it marches forward.[break][break]

"i sure hope so." [break][break]

the commissioner's voice is barely audible above the ruckus of the tapu's electricity.[break][break]

but she the wish is whispered more for herself.[break][break]

an ELECTRIC TERRAIN is immediately established. a sparking sea cascades across the green of the island.[break][break]

"THUNDER SHOCK, tapu koko!" the commisioner commands.[break][break]

and the deity complies. a jolt of electricity is hurled toward the scizor; however, several stray bolts lash close to thomas' feet...

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"doing what is necessary to survive." a sigh strays from her mouth and hardens into the shape of a stone bodhisattva. "i can't fault you for that."[break][break]

the bright chime of the elevator reaching floor level greets them. she does not talk during their march toward the entrance doors.[break][break]

only when they are several paces away from the league and abreast toward the sprawling flower fields and looming dyna tree does she break her silence.[break][break]

"thomas."[break][break]

she lifts a cherish ball from her coat pocket and sets it on her open palm. the capsule cracks wide against the briny winds. from the red bolt of summoning, a TAPU KOKO emerges, its shell pushed outward to reveal a fierce, scowling deity.[break][break]

"prove to me that you can maintain your composure."[break][break]

the commissioner beckons thomas for a battle.

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"we've reached out to them but," the commissioner's lips tighten and the pause speaks for her, "the investigation is ongoing."[break][break]

dahlia leads thomas to the elevator, the doors opening as several HBIC agents flurry out like arrokuda. she invites thomas in.[break][break]

"we have unused manpower within the league." she says as the elevator closes. "that vacuum has been made more evident by recent absences."[break][break]

she looks forward, her reflection warbling in the metallic sheen of the elevator doors.[break][break]

"have you been behaving?"

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EARLY APRIL. reconstruction efforts and aid grace the soot-singed towns of lavaridge and fallarbor. MATIAS SILPH recovers during his suspension, while Melody Miro has risen to a top champion's seat. kyle lopez has died.[break][break]

the council meets again beneath this somber fallout. however, fate allows little rest and the enemy does not sleep.[break][break]

although the aforementioned are available topics to commiserate, the commissioner opens with one ominous note:[break][break]

"intel from the hbic suggests that team rocket's next incursion is imminent. we expect it to be violent, the precursor to true war."[break][break]

and another:[break][break]

"project sapphire has also been able to detect kyogre's latest movements. when it resurges from the deep sea, it appears to swim toward sootopolis before diving back down again. as for the reason why, we do not know."

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the receptionist does not have a chance to respond, for swinging doors answer in their stead. dahlia holds tight, the heavy wooden frame of one. holds it as if she were holding the world.[break][break]

"if you're talking about the disappearances, we're already on it." the commissioner says. "but i've been meaning to schedule a meeting with you, thomas."[break][break]

she leans back into her office and grabs a coat from an out-of-view hanger.[break][break]

"we're going to walk. come with me."[break][break]

the commissioner walks past thomas, expecting him to follow.

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calloused hands are perfect for tickling. her sides spring with laughter, body like a blooming bouquet, silas' fingers the ribbons cinching her close.[break][break]

"i think i'm a lost cause." dahlia sighs. shoulders slump like frowning gladioli flowers. "i've never been a fighter, silas. not even a pokemon battler."[break][break]

nearby, her chikorita rolls lazily across a bench.

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on magical cue, a sharpened pencil graces the periphery of silas' vision. it is held by the softest pressure. for silas, dahlia's featherlight fingers cradle the graphite wand as its tip wags in the air.[break][break]

"dahlia coming to the rescue again." the future commissioner says. "keep the pencil. i've got plenty."[break][break]

she notices the bobbing knee. the emanating waves of anxiety as if silas were lost at slateport sea. [break][break]

dahlia did not mind being the beacon. the lifeline. but one day, she will, for the future fate of a failing saviour fosters white hairs.

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The Commissioner laughs and flutters her fingers. They remember the Staunton wood. The soft felt she'd tickle beneath each sturdy piece. [break][break]

Back when she had time. Time for games. When metaphor did not manifest as flesh, blood and bone.[break][break]

"of course." Dahlia says. "welcome to the elite four, michael navidson."

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"ah, do you hear yourself?" dahlia lifts her finger like a footnote. "we have no control over our herodom."[break][break]

in stacks of resumes and reports, the commissioner finds that heroics can not be quantified. no number of successful operations. no number of townships saved could truly capture the public's perception of what a hoennian hero is and could be.[break][break]

"you call genevieve a hero. others call you a hero. whether you and her like it or not." the commissioner says. "it is up to you to decide whether that is a blessing or a curse."

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"as much as i can!" dahlia laughs.[break][break]

she teeters close to that cold chasm of reality. past the sentimentality of the season, its ribbons, ornaments and fireplaces.[break][break]

but she dare not ruin the moment. though peacetime has not yet come, peace still manifests in a hush between every footstep. every dimple and smile.[break][break]

as her bayleef mews back at ollie's pikachu, the commissioner continues to walk alongside him.[break][break]

"you've filled the seat very well."[break][break]

her hand rests on her heart, as if to keep it from spilling.[break][break]

"and i'm so very thankful for that. you could very well be the best head ranger hoenn's ever seen, if i am to be honest."[break][break]

she wonders if ollie will ever crack.