In the suspended silence that followed the capture attempt, Barnaby processed his friend's question.

“Yeah, I’m completely fine. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to you doing that, though.” He was referring to Mars’ ability to teleport, of course.

“... how did you come about such a power, again, Martín?”

The admin had first demonstrated his teleportation capabilities during a friendly, if somewhat contentious, sparring match between the two of them. At the time he had been in such a shock that Martín del Mar was easily able to overtake him. After talking such a big game, Barnaby had been keenly annoyed at the loss. What followed afterward, though, served to brighten his mood - as well as distract him from asking too many follow-up questions.

As Mars spoke, a small flame in the growing darkness caught Barnaby’s eye. Peering closer, he noticed that it was a LITWICK coming to investigate the commotion. This was one particular Fire-type that he didn’t have in his collection just yet, so he nodded for his Pokemon to tag-team and quickly subdue the little Pokemon.

Throughout this Mars’ arm remained wrapped around him, something that Barnaby was acutely aware of… he didn’t want to be the one to initiate a release, and yet he felt himself pull away. As the admin’s arm dropped, however, Barnaby’s hand went to catch Mars’ own.

catching LITWICK
Martín del Mar
[psychic/ghost]

☉

"A different world... huh?" The words left his tongue on a wistful breath. Truly, although Barnaby had now experienced Legendary Pokémon in the flesh at this point courtesy of Cillian Quinn's shadow LUGIA and the ENAMORUS at the top of the tier tea house, he was still reluctant to completely acknowledge all of the fantastical occurrences that happened around Hoenn.

But the distortions were proof of the rifts that can occur in space-time. Martín del Mar had spoken of his own travels to other worlds, too. There was no hiding behind ignorance any longer... and Barnaby didn't want to, anyway. It was time to accept the world's new normal.

"I think back then we also went to another dimension.”

"D-did we?" Barnaby thought back to the events that transpired at the atelier, of the challenges, the murals depicting Legendary Pokémon, and the mysterious figures shrouded in darkness... the entire affair had seemed utterly suspicious, of course, but traveling to a different dimension? When had that happened?

Leave it to Barnaby to be clueless yet again in Mars' presence. He could almost feel the admin's esteem for him beginning to dwindle.

"When? I don't recall..."

Luckily, a DROWZEE had decided to waddle up from behind a boulder, allowing Barnaby a moment of distraction from his ignorance. With a nod he sent both of his Pokémon to subdue it; Guerrier got the jump on it using SHADOW SNEAK, leaving it stunned enough for Fantôme to land a powerful INFERNAL PARADE.

catching DROWZEE
Martín del Mar
[psychic/ghost]

☉

The ending of their excursion into the atelier had been such a confusing blur. The presence of not one but two Legendary Pokémon had been astounding enough, but as Barnaby looked back on those memories just after accepting ENAMORUS' blessing... he recalled exactly what Mars explained. A darkening of the room, then their sudden transport to a similar space that included Hoenn's commissioner.

"Yes, I remember now... how could we not have noticed though? That we'd been sent to another dimension?"

The thought of sliding so easily between worlds was an unsettling one. Especially when it hadn't been a consensual act.

Briefly, Barnaby saw from the corner of his eye that his pair of Pokémon had successfully taken down the DROWZEE. No sooner after throwing a Poké Ball to capture it, however, did another creature appear from the shadows. Semi-transparent, a BANETTE skulked near the periphery. Again, Barnaby nodded for his Pokémon to take care of it before turning his attention back to the admin.

The next comment out of Mars' mouth was said so casually, yet it struck Barnaby down to the nerve. He halted in place, casting a serious look towards his friend. The man across from him was not only his friend, though, but someone he cared for immensely. When these emotions had deepened Barnaby wasn't sure, but there was no use burying them now. Not when they were alone out here on Mt. Pyre.

Worry bore a hard line across his brow. His jaw clenched, his lips tightened.

Martín del Mar was closer to the ominous figures in the tea house than Barnaby had first imagined. If they were connected to the Unown Report - something that the admin was personally investigating - then it put Mars in further danger. He was entangled in something gravely powerful.

"... why? Why would those behind the Unown Report infiltrate an event like that?"

catching BANETTE
Martín del Mar
[psychic/ghost]

☉

"I don’t know why.”

And there it was. That helpless feeling in the pit of his stomach that had now become a familiar sensation as of late. He hated not knowing almost as much as Martín del Mar did.

Barnaby squeezed Mars' offered hand, finding a modicum of solace in the gesture, but the look of concern and worry still showed on his face. He couldn't help it. The usual façade had broken in the face of their sobering reality.

"..." The silence was deafening as Barnaby processed what was said.

ENAMORUS' blessing... his mind immediately conjured up images of his beloved Bijou, the NINETALES who he'd chosen to take on the Legendary's blessing. Had that been a mistake? Was she compromised somehow? Why would those behind the Unown Report bestow a gift with no strings attached?

Well, they wouldn't, of course. Damn.

"... what can I do to help?" The question was twofold: how could he help in a ROCKET capacity, and how could he help as a friend.

"I'm tired of feeling useless in all of this." His grip tightened as he gave the admission. There was conviction in his voice; a sharp, insistent plea. Barnaby didn't want Mars to feel like he was shouldering anything alone.

Meanwhile, the BANETTE had succumbed to it's injuries and had passed out. As it awaited capture, a brave NATU flew into range and perched nearest its avian brethren, Barnaby's DECIDUEYE. Guerrier extended a feathered arm and, surprisingly, the NATU alighted onto the offered limb. The two stared unflinchingly at each other... was this the beginning of a new alliance? It appeared so, as Barnaby was able to capture both it and the downed BANETTE.

catching NATU
Martín del Mar
[psychic/ghost]

☉

A gonging sound alerted Barnaby of a BRONZONG nearby, to which he waved his free hand for Fantôme and Guerrier to take care of it. The type matchups were in their favor; the TYPHLOSION's fiery attacks were more than enough to subdue its enemy. DECIDUEYE, meanwhile, remained on the periphery and would step in if needed.

This left time for Barnaby to focus on more important matters, like responding to Martín del Mar.

With a resolute nod, he gave a similarly faint smile to the admin across from him. He understood his duties within ROCKET, how his specialty lent itself to more subtle contributions - ones that weren't necessarily felt immediately. Investigations took time, as Mars knew well. Still, patience had never been BARNABY FINCH's strong suit. He wanted results now.

But that wasn't all he wanted.

The look in his cobalt eyes as Barnaby regarded the man before him showed a mixture of care and concern. His face softened in the moments since Mars had spoken and, with a tightening of his grip, he moved in closer.

"...You'll tell me if there's anything you need from me?" He asked, his tone gentle yet serious.

A small pause, letting the question hang in the air before another is asked.

"Won't you, Martín?"

catching BRONZONG
Martín del Mar
[psychic/ghost]

☉