The oddities and anomalies in the tree’s appearance become more and more evident the closer Rowan steps to it. Reality in itself is distorted as cracks appear, revealing the poorly-maintained apparition.
[break][break]
Zoroark’s ILLUSION dissipates in a manner that resembles shattered glass, revealing itself and its partners-in-crime. The glimmer in Sableye’s diamond eyes stands in contrast to the lifeless, beady eyes of the Mimikyu. Differences aside, each of the three cracks a wicked smile, pleased with their performance.
[break][break]
The three marionettes, now revealed, begin to move.
[break][break]
Spectral orbs of WILL O WISP flames shoot from the PRANKSTER Sableye first and foremost, but Mimikyu’s COPYCAT act is not far behind. They target the Kingler and the Swampert both— targeting the physically strong first, seemingly. These can’t be wild Pokémon.
[break][break]
They aren’t fighting erratically. There’s reason and logic behind their choices.
[break][break]
But why?
[break][break]
”I’ve been expecting you.”
[break][break]
Her voice, both soft-spoken and slow, remains motherly in some twisted way. The mocking undertones are hard to miss, but that’s to be expected with Katherine. In a manner befitting Hoenn’s most notorious ghost-specialist, the Malevolent steps through a rift, emerging from the distortion world. She comes bearing gifts, allowing the rift's influence to spread in the forest like venom, painting their surroundings in dark shades of violet.
[break][break]
It acts as a safety measure, but it also ensures that Rowan stays for a little while longer. This projection of the distortion world seeps into their reality, providing the avatar with familiar comfort.
[break][break]
"You know... I've been wondering how long it'd take for Walsh to send someone after me. For a time, I thought Cillian Quinn might try doing it himself. But he didn't. Then, I imagined that girl I almost killed would try doing it herself— but no!" They've ignored this, her, for too long. Come to think of it, it wouldn't have happened in Silas' era. So much for the glory of Rocket, huh?
[break][break]
"Hrm, I suppose... I gave you guys too much credit. You're all cowards."

[attr="class","ooc"] Rowan Wrynn [break]

[attr="class","pkmnparty"]

”Aha.”
[break][break]
His insults bounce off her, failing to make any sort of impact, almost as though a PROTECT was issued from her side as well. ”Not worth pursuing, hrm?” The taunt is like music to her ears. It’s a challenge. Rowan Wrynn wants her to prove him wrong, doesn’t he? Fortunately… He’s in luck. Katherine wanted nothing more than to make him regret his show of pride.
[break][break]
“Is that really what they’ve been telling themselves? That I left for money and fame?” She almost laughs at her own words, barely containing herself.
[break][break]
”It wasn't personal, you know. I simply outgrew all of you.”
[break][break]
The organization, Walsh, and everyone else.
[break][break]
The FLASH CANNON makes a direct hit. Smoke erupts from where Katherine had been struck, and when it clears, it reveals that the woman is perfectly fine. Behind her, a part of the forest appears to have been struck by the beam of energy.
[break][break]
It passed straight through her.
[break][break]
But she doesn’t let the failure fester in Rowan for longer than necessary. Her fingers snap, gesturing for her pokemon to take action once more. A second round of WILL O WISPS is executed by both Sableye and Mimikyu, whereas Zoroark targets the Blastoise in retaliation to its attack - blasting it with a SLUDGE BOMB.
[break][break]
As the battle commences, she steps forth.
[break][break]
Slowly but surely, at a controlled pace, the woman advances past her pokemon and straight into the fray. Whether if she’s on a suicide mission or trying to goad Rowan into fighting her upclose and personal is left to be determined, though.
[break][break]
notes:[break]

SPOILER: Click to show

- sableye & mimikyu use will o wisp against kingler & swampert[break]
- h!zoroark uses sludge bomb against blastoise[break]
- kat is starting to walk towards rowan directly, despite the attacks being launched by both parties

[attr="class","ooc"] Rowan Wrynn [break]

[attr="class","pkmnparty"]

“You’re giving your little group a bit too much credit. Rocket didn’t give me shit.” No, far from it. One could argue that she earned certain things— but that too wasn’t how she’d describe it.
[break][break]
“I took what I wanted by force, and between us?” A streak of red glimmers in her eyes, wicked and devilish in nature. ”I still do.” Not even becoming part of the League could change that. She could very well be Hoenn’s next champion and she still wouldn’t think twice before taking what she’s owed.
[break][break]
After all, power is taken… Never given.
[break][break]
The RAPID SPIN is successful in reaching the Zoroark, but the attack merely goes through the specter. Naturally, the ghost-type is quick to follow up with its BITTER MALICE, taking advantage of its innate, newly-discovered trait.
[break][break]
However, both Sableye and Mimikyu are less fortunate. They are indeed struck by their opponents’ attacks, with the latter of the two appearing to have suffered little to no damage. The Mimikyu’s disguise is now clearly no longer in effect. Nevertheless, they retaliate with a breeze of ICY WIND. Sableye leads the charge, with Mimikyu still copying its style.
[break][break]
”Do you really think you have what it takes?” Could Rowan kill a god?
[break][break]
A step, and then another. She's eager to meet the Beast head-on for whatever bizarre reason, despite not wielding any weapons.
[break][break]

"I like your confidence... But I'm not convinced. Don't you know it takes more than just a pawn to kill the Queen?"

[break][break]
notes:[break]

SPOILER: Click to show

- zoroark is unaffected by the rapid spin, due to its typing. it attacks blastoise with bitter malice.[break]
- sableye & mimikyu are both struck by crabhammer/mud bomb. however, mimikyu sustains no damage due to its disguise ability.[break]
- sableye & mimikyu both use ICY WIND. they seek to slow their opponents down.[break]
- kat closes what little distance there was between her and rowan. she doesn't attack, but taunts him further.

[attr="class","ooc"] Rowan Wrynn [break]

[attr="class","pkmnparty"]

If her heart hadn’t been consumed by ungodly greed and contempt for everyone except for her, perhaps she would’ve felt sorry for Rowan and how brainwashed he came off right now. Unfortunately, she’s far too focused on herself to even consider that someone else’s got it worse.
[break][break]
The earth quakes under Swampert’s weight, throwing the Mimikyu off-balance and into the air - but it recovers just in time to respond with its WOOD HAMMER. The ICE BEAM, however, hits Zoroark uninterrupted. The illusion pokemon retaliates with its own FLAMETHROWER in an attempt to shield itself from the remainder of the attack, but not quickly enough to avoid having one of its legs frozen solid.
[break][break]
Sableye stands as a beacon of experience. Light consumes the darkness pokemon, allowing for its ruby gem to grow and manifest into a proper shield. The mega-evolution is followed by a METAL BURST that meets the incoming STEEL CLAW. The damage it sustains is reciprocated and doubled, forcing the Kingler to endure a similar - albeit harsher - blow.
[break][break]
“Are you now..?”
[break][break]
A brief interval of silence is shared before wings spread from behind the woman, tearing another rift into their earthly realm. A harsh wind billows from it, blowing Rowan back before his knife reaches the elite four. “Bow before your god then,” Katherine drawled as an arrogant smirk danced upon her lips, smug and proud.
[break][break]
“..King.” The title is spat out mockingly, revealing how little she believed Rowan.
[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

[break][break]
Giratina waits for none.
[break][break]
Rowan may send out another pokemon, but the Renegade God certainly won’t wait for it to arrive. Instead, it unleashes its DRAGON BREATH and breathes azure flames into life, threatening to consume the Rocket Beast whole.
[break][break]
notes:[break]

SPOILER: Click to show

- mimikyu is hit by the EARTHQUAKE and is launched into the air. it attacks M!SWAMPERT with WOOD HAMMER.[break]
- Zoroark is hit by the ICE BEAM, suffering a partial freeze. It responds with a FLAMETHROWER to shield itself from the rest of the beam.[break]
- Sableye MEGA EVOLVES and uses METAL BURST to counter the STEEL CLAW, doubling the move's damage before sending it back.[break]
- Giratina emerges from behind Katherine, blowing Rowan back before he can stab Kat. It uses DRAGON BREATH in an attempt to burn the BEAST.[break]
- feel free to add/send out another pokemon if u want!!

[attr="class","ooc"] Rowan Wrynn [break]

[attr="class","pkmnparty"]
[break]

Although Katherine would be content with watching Rowan burn to a crisp until nothing is left of him, Giratina senses that his patron had no intention to take the man’s life. Not today. In fact, there’s a certain relief in seeing another Pokemon of his joining the fray.
[break][break]
She could send a message through a dead body but something told her that it wouldn’t have the same effect. The Malevolent wanted Rocket to fear her more than that she wanted them to hate her.
[break][break]
Inciting hatred was easy. Controlling people through fear, however, was the real challenge.
[break][break]
Rowan’s pokemon rush to his aid in an expected way. Some choose to retaliate with an attack, whereas two others are more occupied with protecting their fallen trainer and ensuring that no further harm comes to him.
[break][break]
Katherine’s own pokemon respond in kind. Mimikyu, the COPYCAT, erects a barrier around Katherine and Giratina both, shielding the duo from attacks whereas Zoroark SNARLS to reduce their effect. The shield does crack under pressure however, finding Kat’s mega-evolved Sableye prepared to withstand the remainder of the combined assault with its hefty gem-shield.
[break][break]
An ICY WIND billows forth from the Renegade god, sharing an unspoken threat.
[break][break]
This battle was over.
[break][break]
“Your majesty.” soft, tender, and still wickedly motherly. Katherine addresses Rowan as if he were her son who’d just tripped and hurt himself. In the meantime, shadows retreat and gather closer to her party, amassing near Giratina himself. ”I don’t expect gratitude for sparing your life… But I do expect you to deliver my message.”
[break][break]
A pause, and then a step forward. Behind her, a rift begins to take shape.
[break][break]
”I want my plates.”
[break][break]
Which, exactly? If Rowan was familiar with them, then he’d know. If not, then he’d figure it out once he’s recovered. ”..And I am way past playing nice— so consider this my final warning.” Finally, she takes a step backwards into the rift. Her pokemon follow suit, including Giratina.
[break][break]
“I will kill every last one of you rats if you get in my way again.”
[break][break]
Somehow, she finds a way to make her threat sound like a promise.

[attr="class","ooc"] Rowan Wrynn [break]

[attr="class","pkmnparty"]
[break]