[attr="class","beck"]there's nothing to tip him off besides the low growl, but by then it's far too late to do anything but succumb to the CRUNCH.

"fuck!"

instincts kick in, sending a hand into his blazer. a flash of white follows, and the malamar that appears instantly slithers to wrap itself around the houndoom in a FOUL PLAY. it attempts to restrain, tentacle sliding around its neck.

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint

[attr="class","beck"]the pain is searing. his mind flashes back and suddenly his entire body's burning. his shoulder pulses just as much as the fresh wound, and he's left scrambling for another pokeball even after the houndoom is recalled.

the presence of the bayleef brings with it an AROMATHERAPY. it knows to start its HEAL PULSES. malamar slithers away, sticks close to the door.

it takes a while but eventually he calms enough to remember.

"what the fuck, flint?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint

[attr="class","beck"]ripped flesh starts to mend together, sloppy, but enough to stop the bleeding. he pushes against the ground, fights the pain to rise to his feet, then takes a step towards flint.

"no, we don't."

the malamar continues to linger, and though it does its best to blend into the darkness, its presence remains.

"what's wrong with you?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint

[attr="class","beck"]malamar slithers forward but by then it's too late. his body falls limp, his vision blacks, and he succumbs to the HYPNOSIS.

when he opens his eyes again, he's no longer in her office. he's standing in a field of green. behind him, shades of brown stretch on until it slopes upwards, traveling for miles and smiles before breaking across into a crater. the volcano looms, presence ever-threatening.

he feels something brush against his hand. he peers down, sees not wisps of grass, but a boy, no older than ten. it's then that he tugs at theo's hand, pulling him down so he's at eye level.

"what's wrong?"

tears flow, drowning words. but the boy points, says something inaudible, and buries himself into an embrace. when theo turns, all he sees is destruction.

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint

[attr="class","beck"]it's suddenly hot. he feels heat rising all around them, surrounding, trapping, and he breathes a gasp as oxygen thins.

tendrils of flame lash out at him, scorching even as he instinctively pulls the boy away. he looks down, heart pounding, and sees not burns, but a single bullet hole. the boy falls limp.

"georgie!"

he blinks, and suddenly it's cold.

the room is small and dark and familiar. he peers out the window, sees saffron, and tenses right as a hand places itself on his shoulder. he turns, and it's Cillian Quinn.

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint

[attr="class","beck"]for a few moments, he allows himself to hope, to feel the same conflicted and twisted comfort that usually comes with the underboss, and for moments, theo is happy.

"gav—"

until a gunshot rings through the air. blood splatters, and he watches merlino fall to the floor. behind him stands SILAS BLACKWELL , deformed, burned, but alive in his presence. blackwell's lips snake into a sinister grin, and once again, the dream fades.

[attr="class","noodles"]Lulu Flint