A dark-haired man, on the back of a Sharpedo, blazed across the water's surface. The former member of Hoenn's Elite Four scoured the seas for any Rockets to fight. As his Clawitzer hung back to snipe at any Rockets, Thomas took advantage of the Sharpedo's speed, in order to get close to his victims, engaging in hit and run tactics.

Below the surface, a Seaking would attempt to aid the Kalosian by blasting opposing Rockets with Supersonic waves, in order to confuse their mounts.

---

tags: Naomi Sato
notes: +50 (Participation)
+10 (Post)

Pulse cried out in delight as the sickly teen reciprocated his affection. His puffy little tail swayed back and fourth excitedly. He would notice the white Zoroark seemingly getting jealous at the sight of his trainer being affectionate towards another Pokemon.

With a soft giggle, the Audino approached the Hisuian Zoroark, offering the spectral Pokemon a hug as well. Not only as a showing of kindness on his part, but also for a chance to feel what the Zoroark's fur was like. Was it any different from the way Kuma Lisa felt?

---

tags: absalom steel
notes: Mission - Summer Camp

Before Thomas could make a remark about how Callan was always making inroads, she brought up Bernstein. He debated on asking her about her encounter with the man, but wondered if it was in bad taste. After all, they were having a good meeting, so far.

"Just trying to give the kids some levity. Hoenn's been a pretty heavy place, these days.", he'd admit to her. The Eevee continued to eat up the pink-haired woman's affection almost greedily. Pulse nuzzled his head into Thomas' side affectionately, prompting Thomas to reach over, and rub one of his feelers, much to his delight.

Between Rocket's machinations, and all of the doomsday scenarios taking place, he knew the kids needed a break. And the chance to prepare themselves for the future.

"Me and Callan met in the field. We ended up helping each other out, from time to time.", he'd tell her.

Recently, Thomas got to be delivered to Rocket as a prisoner, while he, Laurence Anderson, and John Sullivan broke Elinor Anderson out of Rocket's clutches. The ensuing rampage was well worth the beating he had to take.

"I suppose you met Callan in the process of negotiating a deal to release your music, or did you two meet before that?", he'd inquire.

Finally, the heavy stuff.

"Mind if I ask about Bernstein? I heard some ugly shit about the guy.", he'd finally rip the band-aid off.

The Florges continued to nuzzle into the fluffy mane of the Arcanine. The Fairy-type let out a soothing hum, clearly enjoying the company, and the fluff of the beast.

The Eevee would attempt to roll over onto his back, while staying on her lap.

---

tags: DESIREE BLOOMS
notes: tl;dr

"I don't have time for games, Oz.", Thomas answered the CEO dryly. "And unlike you, I'm not an attention whore."

"If it even mattered.", Thomas retorted.

"No, I'm looking for the meaning of death.", Thomas snarked.

"Being here is a calculated risk. Running off, and fucking around like a Torchic with its head cut off isn't.", Thomas told the man.

Unlike Oz, Thomas was cautious in how he approached the bridge. He quickly noticed how the bridge was stretched out and frayed. He couldn't help but question what the cause of this was.

As Oz almost fell through a hole in the bridge, Thomas moved to catch the man. Even if he was annoyed with Oz, he wasn't going to let the manchild die on his watch.

---

tags: Ozni Adebayo
notes: tl;dr

Thomas wasn't surprised that Lydia didn't have his contact information. After all, it had been years since the two last saw one another. "How would you like it?", he asked her, pulling out his phone.

If he knew what transpired, what Lydia had gone through, he'd be hunting the people responsible down.

"These Combee were uncharacteristically aggressive, actually. They're currently being looked over at the Lab.", he'd tell her.

"Humans tend to be cruel, just that kids are less likely to mask it amongst one another.", he mused. "But then, organizations like Rocket allow people a vessel to embrace their innate cruelty, no?"

"Perhaps. I still need to come up with a name for mine, truth be told.", he'd admit to her.

---

tags: Lydia Magnusson
notes: tl;dr

The Zoroark's Tera Blast successfully finished off the Lanturn, causing the Gym Leader to quickly recall her. So far, despite the rough start to the battle, the two of them were evenly matched. He realized that though his Zoroark was still standing, there was only so much more punishment she could take.

Thomas watched as Josh brought out his ace, his Manectric. Thomas grinned, accepting the challenge of the Gym Leader's Ace. The Zoroark stood defiantly in the face of the Discharge, grunting in pain as the electrical arcs rendered her unconscious.

Thomas recalled the Illusory Fox, before bringing in his own ace, a hulking Scizor, Ripper. The Scizor flashed a bloodthirsty grin at the Manectric, before lunging at the Manectric with a Technician-boosted Bullet Punch.

---

tags: Josh Devlin
notes: Zoroark is KO'd by Discharge
Thomas sends out Scizor
Scizor used Bullet Punch

Soaring through the skies above the battlefield was a certain Kalosian, seated on a Roaring Moon. Accompanying the duo were a small fleet of Flying-types and dragons capable of levitation. A Hydreigon, Flygon, Salamence, Staraptor, and Emolga all took to the skies, on the hunt for any Rockets in the air.

Though it was only his job to guard the skies, the former Elite Four would relish in the chance to wipe out any Rockets in his path.

---

tags: Tempest Quinn
notes: +50 (Participation)
+25 (Paradox Pokemon)
+10 (Post)

Among the League forces responding to the distress call was Thomas Benoit, former member of Hoenn's Elite Four. The Kalosian hopped off the truck, joining the rest of the team in rushing towards the cave.

Instead of finding the source of the distress call, they'd be met with Rocket forces, who had arrived through the other entrance. Little did either side know, they were answering the same bogus distress call. And it didn't take long at all for a vicious skirmish to break out between the two groups.

---

tags: Eris Halla
notes: +50 (Participation)
+10 (Post)

What Johanna would stumble across was an absolute slaughter. A single Great Tusk was running roughshod across the battlefield. The broken and mutilated corpses of humans and Pokemon alike were strewn through the area. Only a few Pokemon, and a single human, were left fighting the juggernaut of a Paradox Pokemon.

A small Totodile bravely blasted the beast with a vengeful Hydro Pump. From the hill overlooking the battlefield, a Clawitzer would fire off a Mega Launcher-boosted Water Pulse towards the beast.

As the two Pokemon were attempting to take down the rampaging Pokemon, Thomas desperately attempted to save one of the men who had taken a direct attack from the Great Tusk, to no avail.

---

tags: Johanna Joy
notes: +50 (Participation)
+10 (Post)

"Well, you could always stop by, and see for yourself.", Thomas told her half-teasingly. "But seriously, don't be a stranger, Lyds. I'd always be happy to have you visit us.", he'd offer her.

"I suppose I got lucky. But then, you could say that the Combee attack was unlucky in the first place.", he'd reply to her, with a chuckle.

"I beg to differ.", Thomas told her. He remembered what other children were like, back in his youth. Taking advantage of any opportunity to be little shits. Teaming up on 'weaker' children, making life hell for adults who couldn't put them in their places.

"I found it while reading a book with her. It was the name of an illusionist. She liked the name, so it stuck. Similar story with the little guy, here. I read him a book, with one of the characters being a magician and trickster.", he'd explain to her.

---

tags: Lydia Magnusson
notes: tl;dr