The chemistry between these two was palpable. Lex suddenly felt like an unwelcome third wheel to their reunion. What a coincidence that of all the people in Hoenn that was after the same thing it would be this Dross woman. Lex remained silently obedient, securing the woman for Lulu to question as she pleased.

Even as the tentacles snapped past her head grab Lulu’s arms, she remained in place, only a small flinch at the rush of the appendages. The Dark Void was something entirely different. The sinister energy flashed out of the corner of her eye. The sheer pressure the god’s energy was enough to drive Lex away. He fingers uncurled from Skyler’s hair while she stepped back. It was clear Lulu didn’t need her help.

Lulu’s frustration grew, manifesting as a loud smack as she slapped Skyler across the face. Lex flinched, her eyes locking on to Lulu in surprise.

---

Within the silent dark of the shadows, the Kecleon’s nervousness called to her like a beacon. It was close. A shimmering aura swelled around the Gardevoir. She reached into the part of her left behind after the transformation. The DAZZLING GLEAM penetrated the darkness, erasing it entirely until she found a clear path towards her prey. The energy burst from her like a rocket, aiming to drive the Kecleon out of her realm and back into the sight of the humans that hunted it.

notes: skyler dross & Lulu Flint

tl;dr: Lex happily let’s Lulu take over the Skyler situation. She lets go of Skyler’s hair, forced away by the tentacles, dark void, and aura sphere being too close. The Gardevoir finds the Kecleon, and tried to blast it out of the void with DAZZLING GLEAM.

Mr Smee had no defenses against the sudden onslaught that befell him. The fairy energy chased away the shadows and sent the small Kecleon slamming against a nearby boulder, the sudden cry heralding his and his trainer's defeat. The bag cradled in his paws would become obvious to anyone looking his way - at least until a SUBSTITUTE left a Kecleon-like shape where he'd been a couple of seconds ago.

At the same time, Malamar would reel from Lucario's defensive Aura Sphere, a DISABLE following in the wake of Darkai's Dark Void.

---

"Would you like that, Lu?" 

In another time, in another world, Skyler might've made good on Lulu's suggestion. 

When she'd first met Lulu, it'd been the sense of danger that had helplessly pulled her into the woman's orbit. Instead of heeding the warning in amber eyes, the captain had been encouraged by it. Had challenged it with insolent grins and lots... lots of tequila.

It'd since become Captain Dross's drink of choice.

So when Lulu's grin turned into something far more sinister, a chill ran down the captain's spine. Fear sank into her bones like an old friend, but not enough to rise above the savage turn of her lips, daring the woman to do her very worst. Expectant silver eyes drunk on the edge of damnation, begging to fall from grace. 

The blow still sent a shock through her system, lips parting in a gasp before Skyler could think to reel it in.

"Apparently not." A pause. "I thought you'd at least punch me." Her hand didn't rise to cradle her cheek, her eyes didn't hesitate to find Lulu's again. And perhaps for the first time since they'd become acquainted, Lulu would see Skyler's eyes, piercing in their unyielding and defiant stare, leeched of warmth for the briefest of moments. 

A dagger in the making.

Skyler's hand immediately shot out to curl around Lulu's wrist, and an abrupt tug would bring the woman to where Skyler's words could brush against foreign lips, gentle like a lover's caress.

"Fuck off, Lu."

A sharp movement of her hand, and Lulu's wrist would break under the pressure.

Lulu Flint Alexandra Briarwood
mission