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dreaming of[break]black & white

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Emma does her best to lift Nikolai out of the ashes. She's too late to pull him to safety from the falling beams, the fire engulfs him. But she's there in the aftermath, she suffers through the smell of his burning flesh, his likely screams of pain. At this point, she isn't sure why she's helping him anymore. He's not likely to make it after a blow like this.

Despite this, the Rocket beast puts his good arm around her shoulders. She heaves him to his feet should he haved stumbled, and she drags him up the stairs. The flames lick at her heels as they ascend, but she is otherwise unscathed. Her breath comes hard and heavy as they reach safety, and not too far behind, Lycanroc joins them.

There are singes in his fur, but the fire is in his eyes. He's unhurt, and wild with adrenaline.

But at this point, it's time to reassess the situation and figure out what to do from here. She sees Mercy come towards her, and as Emma leans Nikolai against the nearest doorway or wall so she can move on, Mercy pulls her away.

The two speak in hushed tones, Mercy apparently convinced that Nikolai won't survive. She's probably right.

Emma doesn't respond to her verbally, simply stares at her with indifference. Nikolai's fate doesn't matter to them. The only thing that matters is making sure Raskolnikov is dead.

Lycanroc returns to Emma's side, and the woman rests her hand on the beast's shoulder. Its eyes are dark, it's breathing slow and steady as it stares into the eyes of its master. Emma straightens her back, eyes watchful and calm as she surveys the room. Mercy has already moved on to help tend to anyone injured. Emma has never been as kind, but seeing senseless injury and pain makes her stomach clench.

She's a murderer, but she only chooses to hunt criminals. She isn't a monster like Team Rocket's made her out to be.

The woman releases two other Pokemon and returns Lycanroc. Joltik and Ariados appear in a shimmer of light. The pair stand close to their master, eyes darting around the room. They take in the smell of smoke, of charred skin, of burned clothes, of death.

"Help me treat wounds. Your webs will be helpful in closing gashes and soothing burns."

Emma takes another quick look around the room, and her Pokemon do the same.

"If anyone is in need of stitches, me and my Pokemon will help you."

[attr="class","runruntag"]@mercy NIKOLAI PETROV

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