There’s tension I the air before he even speaks. She can feel it, she always can. In the privacy of the elevator and knowledge that the video feed had already been tampered with, she is already reaching for his hand with her own to intertwine their fingers. Slender fingers fill the void between his own, a reminder that whatever faults he feels, she’s still there to fills the cracks.

“You don’t need this, Killian,” Would it be nice? Easier? Yes, “Fuck them and their monsters. They aren’t invincible,” Even if he didn’t find Deoxys, they now know what they’re up against. The brightest light could burn through Gavin’s miasma and Darkriai’s nightmares are only dreams. They may have learned the hard way, but they learned.

Her hand squeezes his. She’d do anything for him. If he wants that meteorite, he’ll get that meteorite. Even if she doesn’t necessarily agree with the why. The last thing they needed was another dominating figure controlling their life. She doesn’t know much about Deoxys, but in her experience, any legendary is trouble.

Killian Decker

Killian's faded, denim-blue eyes fixated on the number above the door. Ten. Eleven. The slow creep higher toward what felt like his destiny stacked weight onto broad shoulders. Bricks of anticipation so heavy they sank into his veins spiraled his mind.

A cigarette. Killian needed - warmth on his palm interrupted his thoughts. "Lex." Her fingers settled into the vacant space between his own, soft like silk as they glided along his skin. Though anchored from the anxious storm amassing inside him, her touch wasn't enough to keep him fully grounded. When the metaphorical gale raged, Killian floated.

"You're wrong." pursed lips parted in reply. "They may not be invincible, but they're stronger than us." She squeezed, and his fingers tensed against her hand. "I need Deoxys to keep you safe." anxiety flickered into anger. The memory of Lex battered and bruised pulled to the forefront of his mind. "From Rocket."

"From Kaito."

Alexandra Briarwood

Strength can be built, bought, and found. It just takes patience and dedication. There’s no reason to think they couldn’t conquer it together. Each has experienced their strength, but it also gave them insights to their weaknesses in a way others wouldn’t be able to spot. That in itself gave them an edge.

She’s not wrong, and she takes offense that he says so with such confidence. The ticking numbers keep her from saying anything else. There’s just not enough time to get into it. Lex opts for simplicity, agreeing with him instead, “Then Deoxys you shall have,” she’d deliver him the sun if he asked. She slips her fingers out from between his as the numbers strike fifteen and the elevator doors open.

Lex knows the Gardevoir is watching, so she calls it back to her through a hand signal towards the camera before stepping out into the hallway. A guard down the hall turns towards them with a smile. He’s not suspicious considering they are dresses appropriately. Regardless, a hand extends out towards him. Smoke’s shadow rushes forward and the pink pulse of HYPNOSIS overwhelms him, “Alright, where is it?”

Killian Decker

There's more to be said. Killian can feel it as she felt his tension. He'd press, but the elevator isn't the place. Thus, he nodded, jaw clenched to keep his tongue in check.

He exited the elevator with a casual stride. Their conversation and his nerves are left behind as the doors closed. Killian pays little attention to the guard, stepping over them as they drop to the floor.

"Hijack." at its name, Rotom broke from its Poke Ball and slipped into Killian's phone. "The meteorite fragment, which direction?"

"You'll find the lab containing the meteorite down the hall and to the right."

Killian nodded and waved the Rotom Phone back into his pocket. No trouble so far, but that changed once they arrived at their destination.

Though smaller than the lab they'd came from, it's packed with several scientists. They're all hard at work examining the meteorite located at the center of the room. Suspended in the air surrounded by a field of energy, various machines scanned the fragment from an assortment of angles. Holographic screens displayed the result in a jumbled mess.

"Just like before. Mist, grab, and then we teleport out." He'd need Hijack to disable the energy around the fragment too.

"Whenever you're ready."

Alexandra Briarwood

The direction the guard was in, of course. After the Rotom’s instructions, it doesn’t take long for the duo to find the lab in question. This has already taken too long. With each passing second, there is the chance of discovery and that meant failure. Lex didn’t fail. She also didn’t leave things up to chance. Sure, a MIST similar to the one earlier would give them cover, but with so many bodies in such a small space . . . resistance was likely.

A shadow races across the floor, melding with hers. For a moment, there’s a violent struggle between the Gengar and Shadow Gardevoir for dominance beneath her in the form of pulsing shadows, “Enough,” she snaps, studying the route to the meteorite.

The ring she wears from Killian pulses with a dark purple energy. The same energy swirls in the shadow beneath her. With a sharp motion of her hand, a Mega Gengar rises from the floor. As mist fills the room, Smoke lunged forward on strong arms, quickly followed by the Shadow Gardevoir. The duo engage with the scientists, firing off over-powered HYPNOSIS left and right, “We have to be quick,” she warns Killian, knowing Rotom will have to disable the energy for her to grab the stone. Once she has a hand on it, it’s time to leave. Lex plants a quick kiss on his lips before disappearing into the mist.

Killian Decker

"Got it" once the guards are asleep and the mist has filled the room, Killian gives Rotom the order with a whistle. The plasma Pokemon zips free from its hiding spot and into the machine holding the meteorite. Discharging electricity it shuts down and Lex is free to grab the fragment.

Alexandra Briarwood

Electricity snaps and cracks. In a suddenburst of light, the energy disappears, letting the meteorite fall quite suddenly into her arms. Thank Arceus she was ready. Her knees buckle sightly beneath its weight. It’s quite dense and surprisingly heavy for its size. Lex grunts, adjusting beneath it before she lets out a sharp whistle.

The ghosts rush back to her. The Gengar disappears into its sphere while the Gardevoir hovers closely. A spectral hand rests on her shoulder. The other extends towards Killian, waiting for him to take it before they disappear in a flash of light, TELEPORTING back to their home in Lavaridge.

Killian Decker