ipve3pVQ

aiming to KILL

---

The monster died.

It took the combined efforts of so many people, it was almost laughable. But Moana's attacks were backed up by the might of all of Hoenn's defenders. (Though, well, perhaps he was the one backing up the real fighters here, but that wasn't important.) Thick black wires were uprooted and severed by more than one legendary Pokemon, and the alien's head was crushed by... some weird equine hybrid thing. Whatever that was.

Moana caught his breath as sweat drenched him, thanks to the unnaturally hot sunlight from Desolate Land. It was over, or close to it. A few straggler alien troops still attacked, but their numbers were diminished.

A moving figure caught his eye, and he spotted the alien general, Jules Cotillard, falling from his high perch on the Xurkitree.

Tynnu was already on it. The little Geodude aimed his arms at him and fired Rock Blast after Rock Blast. Jules was pretty far away, so it was a gamble. But if it worked, that was one less alien they would have to worry about. Especially the general, who was likely too dangerous to leave alive. Moana vaguely recalled that he'd been imprisoned until today as a "human," so who knew what other tricks he'd have up his sleeve?

As Moana pondered this, the already stifling heat became oppressing. The ground glowed red, molten rock rising rapidly to the surface.

Moana looked up, and saw Bailey Cooper being lifted up by Groudon, and terrible realization struck him, along with something else.

Fear.

The same chilling sensation as when he'd been at the business end of the Guzzlord's tail, Keila's bark digging into his skin.

He'd seen what Groudon had done to the huge alien, and the other enemy troops as well. The thought of that power turned against him...

The words tore from his throat as he stumbled backwards, his quickly mounting panic twisting the orders into a desperate shriek. "Fuck! Keila! Protect! Wali! Push it away! Shit!"

The Pineco raised up a Protect for the millionth time that day, the previously reliable barrier now seeming pathetic in the face of the legendary's tectonic fury. Wali glowed with pink Psychic energy as the lava burst from the earth, pushing the attack with all his might back towards its source. Moana was aware that it might hurt Groudon or the champion, but at that moment, he could not have cared less.

Pertapa had her claws raised, ready to take on this new threat, but Moana had gathered what was left of his wits and pushed the button on her ball, recalling her, and Tynnu followed suit. There was no way they would be able to help, bless their brave hearts. As the balls clicked shut, one after another, Moana turned around and hurled them with all of the strength in his arm, hoping they would escape the range of Groudon's attack.

If the worst came to pass, at least the two of them would survive.

---

SUMMARY
- Geodude-Alola uses Rock Blast on Jules! get him
- Bailey "Collateral Damage" Cooper used Lava Plume! fuck
- Pineco uses Protect
- Sigilyph uses Psychic to push the Lava Plume back towards Groudon
- Moana recalls Dwebble and Geodude-Alola.
- Moana flings their Pokeballs as far away from him and Groudon as he can, hoping that they will at least avoid being destroyed

Guard the bodies. An affirmative nod was offered in response to Thomas Benoit 's request, though her lips remained sealed. As she neared the mangled, broken corpses a chill ran along her spine. The closer she got the harder her mouth clamped shut. A silent scream ravished her thoughts and movements.

Emotions were amplified as she stared down at the lifeless bodies. Signs of life had already evaporated. Drained of color, void of movement, the dead no longer seemed human. They looked like porcelain dolls: one touch and their fragile forms would break. Death had touched her before as it took away her elderly loved ones but never had it approached her directly. 

At some point, Duracell and Captcha had returned to the sullen woman's side. Like his trainer, Captcha was a ghost of himself. Worry distorted his face, concern replacing the mischievous glint that usually sparkled in his eyes. Although their bond wasn't always clear - banter and silly fights often obscuring it - it was evident in that moment as Captcha anxiously hovered next to Gigi. His ethereal form burrowed itself in her folded arms.

The static inducing touch caused her eyes to drift down. Corners of her mouth upturned in a forced smile as she noticed the anxious looks of her Pokemon. "It's okay." But it wasn't. "It will be okay." Would it?

Thoughts were pushed back as she withdrew Duracell, "Rest now." The Vikavolt had given his all and more. After all, he entered the fast-approaching catastrophe as a mere Charjabug. His desire to protect and defend resulted in his evolution and helped changed the tides for her struggling team.

"Sorry Terabyte. Can you stay out a bit longer to help guard.." Gigi trailed off as she realized she didn't even know the name of the deceased. The Venusaur nodded in understanding. Although she was hesitant to leave she knew that, in the long run, it would help alleviate some of the current stress that weighed heavily in the atmosphere.

A man (Remiel Calcifet ) approached, remarking on the now martyr status the broken woman had acquired. She nodded a greeting toward the Gardevoir before her gaze turned to the dark-haired man. Attentive eyes trained to notice even the slightest of movements focused on the hand clutched his side. The gun was noted but not addressed. 

"Are you okay?" The male beat her to the question. "I'm okay." It was a lie that she chanted to herself. "Although, my Porygon.." Gigi reached for the Pokeball, a frown tugging at her lips as she stared at the capsule. "Others stabilized her," to which she would forever be grateful, "but I don't know her current condition." Fear caused the hand gently caressing the capsule to tremble. She was terrified to release Ethernet, to assess her status. 

"I should be asking you that, though." she gestured toward the hand clutching his side, "Are you okay?"