[attr="class","skullimg"]

[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skullbody"]Isaac let out a whistle. "Impressive," he said as Annalise recounted her list of Pokemon. Dragon and water types seemed to be, if not her specialty, than at least the types she happened to have the most of on hand. And some rare ones, too. Hoenn's own rarest sea serpent and a fossil hailing from a far off land. Clearly, this ranger knew her stuff. If it needed to come down to a fight back there, Isaac knew he'd have needed to break out everything stored up in his bag of tricks.[break][break]

As for whether Isaac wanted to see or not? "Maybe if things were different," Isaac admitted. "As is, I'm fine taking you on your word." If the ranger was the type to lie to him about her team, she'd also be the type to have the "demonstration" be whatever she sent out launching an all out assault.[break][break]

Though, did she seem the type? For all her conviction, something about her seemed relatively safe. Maybe it was the fact that she hadn't punted him clear off the lighthouse, like, ten minutes ago. Maybe it was the fact that, as intent as she was to disbelieve his words, she was also at least listening to them. Maybe she just had gentle eyes.[break][break]

How did his look, when they weren't covered up by false faces atop false faces?[break][break]

Isaac nodded as Annalise continued fleshing out the plan. Cotton Candy (See? How was Isaac supposed to think this ranger was the trigger-happy type with a Pokemon named that?) would be keeping lookout, and Annalise would be entering first so Isaac didn't sketch anyone out. "I like to think it highlights my figure," Isaac quipped, voice so serious that it wrapped right back around to parody. "But, as you wish."[break][break]

The room was small as is, but close inspection revealed it to be even smaller than it initially seemed. The poor Ampharos' space was being crowded out by generator after generator, haphazardly scattered all around the room. Long, dragging scratch marks along the bare floor indicated that furniture may have been present at one point. Scraps of fibers indicated that there may have even be a carpet. Instead, there was now only bare metal.[break][break]

In the middle of this room, surrounded by these generators, was the Ampharos itself. The poor thing was stuck in a rubberized cage. The only accompaniments that it had to its name were a small food bowl and water bottle (each bolted to one of the walls of the cage), as well as a pile of rags on the floor to serve as a bed. Cables stretched between the cage and each generator, each ending in a strange handle apparatus. When Annalise entered the room, the Ampharos would be right in the process of gripping the handle, trying desperately, oh so desperately, to squeeze more juice out of its body and power the generator. However, it wasn't to be. Instead, it simply slumped against the wall from the exertion, ears drooping and gems fading.[break][break]

Upon seeing Annalise, it first perked up. A wide smile spread across its face, its ears pointed skywards, and its tail stood at attention. Then, as if realizing something, its expression changed. It flinched away, raising its arms while its eyes widened in fear. Its body language still suggested excitement, but whatever it had decided upon made it shift from positive to oh so negative.[break][break]

Finally, after another moment's eye contact, it gained new clarity on the situation. No longer demonstrating elation or terror, now it steadied itself. It tilted its head curiously, apprehension flashing in its eyes. It was becoming clear that, for better or for worse, Annalise was not who the Ampharos had expected to see.[break][break]

Isaac had gotten but a glimpse into the room, and frankly? That was enough. His knuckles were gripped white and his breath caught in his throat for a second. "If it wasn't for my deal with your trainer, I'd be storming right down to Azuma's office to make him answer for this myself," he practically snarled. With that out of his system, he let that hitched breath out. His posture relaxed and his glare eased down to a curious stare. ". . . The battle earlier. Are you alright?"

[break]

[attr="class","annalooc"] + lights out Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","skullimg"]

[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skullbody"]Isaac nodded as the big fluffy Altaria showed the extent (or lack thereof) of her injuries. Between the scrap metal and the bitter cold, that couldn't have been an easy fight. Nonetheless, she handled it like a champ. "Good," he said, a bit of warmth slipping into his tone. "You're a tough one. I know she's proud of you."[break][break]

Sometimes, Isaac felt a little bad about it all. These Pokemon were fighting because they believed in their trainers. Were he and Anna both to disappear, would this have gone the same way? Yet at thr same time, the two of them were just balls on the belts of their organizations, too. It was all just one great battle in the end, everyone taking orders from the trainers known only as Rocket and League.[break][break]

There was motion inside the room. Cotton Candy seemed curious, and hell, so did Isaac. The grinding of an all too large creature's coils against an all too small room. The whsipered plea for a Life Dew. None of it sounded hostile. None of it sounded good, either. He released a Pokeball of his own, Adrenaline the Amoonguss once more appearing. "Alright. I'll check it out," Isaac said.[break][break]

Surprisingly, as Anna offered to break the Ampharos out, his reaction changed completely. His beady eyes widened until even their whites were visible. His jewels flashed a few times in alarm. He shook his head, his cries alarmed, almost pleading with the helpful ranger. The Life Dew eased some of its fatigue, but it only left the Ampharos further empowered to dart away from Anna. He began pawing at the pile of rags in his cage, as if looking for something.[break][break]

Finally, he found what he was looking for. He toddled back up to Anna, bleating one last time as he held a cracked, faded pictureframe up to her. It was a picture of him before all of this; well fed, smiling brightly, eyes shining with wonder. Next to him was an older man from Johto, face well-worn with laugh lines and a fond hand on Ampharos' shoulder.[break][break]

It was the Harune's grandfather, the lighthouse's owner until age and illness took their toll half a year ago. A memory of a better time, and the Ampharos' reason to stay.[break][break]

Isaac had entered by now, but he could barely find the strength to say anything. He only clenched his knuckles white at the injustice of it all. He averted his head to the side, if only so Annalise wouldn't see his tears.[break][break]

If either of them had the strength to keep looking, they eould find but a simple padlock on the cage door. It was clear that other methods had been employed to ensure the Ampharos wouldn't be going anywhere.

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[attr="class","annalooc"] + lights out Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","skullimg"]

[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skullbody"]The Ampharos' eyes widened at the name being called out. He began nodding, making little bleats of cheer and desperation. Yes! That was his grandpa! His favorite human in all of Hoenn! And the two really were so happy together, too! They were a team. They always had been. They always would be. He just . . . he just needed to wait for him to come back, that's all. He looked expectantly at Annalise, as if hoping she'd have the answer for him.[break][break]

It wasn't just Annalise's heart, the Ampharos' heart, and the posthumous Mr. Azama's heart that were breaking today. Isaac's, too, was feeling the strain. Did the Ampharos get it? Did the realize what had happened? And did someone like Annalise feel comfortable breaking the truth to him?[break][break]

As she asked if the Ampharos was happy, its tail and ears drooped. It looked at the picture. It looked at the machines hooked up to every bit of free space in its cage. It looked at the two humans who had come to check on it. Slowly, hesitantly, it began to shake its head.[break][break]

Annalise was right. The lighthouse of old was such a humble installment. There was a reason why its sudden meteoric rise in profits had caught Rocket's attention. It was the kind of instant turnaround only that kind of coup could have caused. Harune threw out all of his grandfather's ideals for the sake of chasing the almighty dollar, and the only one forced to pay the price was Ampharos. Scum.[break][break]

At the idea of his trainer's heart breaking, tears welled in the Ampharos' eyes. He shook his head, bleating in pleas for something, anything other than that to be true. He looked around the room, confused, as if seeing it for the first time.[break][break]

The look in Isaac's eyes was heavy yet soft as he looked toward the Ampharos. "Hey. Hey. It's okay," he said, voice uncharacteristically soft for one in such intimidating garb. "It wasn't anything you did. Not at all. If anything? You were a treasure for him that nothing else in the world to could compare to. He didn't need all of the profit and business his grandson's chasing. All he needed was your smile. And wherever he is right now, I think he'd really like to see it again. Be brave for us? Please?"[break][break]

It was a frail, shaky smile. But the Ampharos managed to work one back up. "Good. Good. Now . . . c'mon. We need to get you somewhere where you can smile like that every day, okay?" The Ampharos froze up again. But he was listening a bit more now, instead of fully flinching away. "See my friend here? She's a Ranger. And that means when it comes to Pokemon, there's nobody you can trust more."

"I can work on the lock. Can you tell him all about where you're taking him?" Isaac asked. After all, the lock on Ampharos' cage was one thing. The lock on his heart and mind were an entirely different story.[break][break]

[break]

[attr="class","annalooc"] + lights out Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","skullimg"]

[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skullbody"]Isaac couldn't help but smile as Annalise got to work. Not that he liked the rangers or anything. Or that he trusted them on any matter besides Pokemon. But with Pokemon, they knew their stuff better than anyone. And . . . much as he hated to admit it, Annalise truly had the heart for it. Sure, maybe a more decisive ranger would've punted off a cliff and been done with it. But it was her tenderness and care that truly shined. As far as enemies went, Isaac could've made a far, far worse one.[break][break]

For enemies, they sure seemed to be making a good team, too. The Dudes popped back out of a Pokeball, bobbing up and down as Isaac looked towards them quizzically. "Killer Dynamo, gimme a hand here?" Isaac asked. The other two Dugtrio heads promptly huffed with indignation, turning away from Isaac and turning their noses up at him. "Hey, hey. Glenn, Martbell, we both know fire and ice aren't gonna do us any good for lapsing a security system." No response. ". . . Is it gonna make you two feel better if you get to do your parts of the Tri-Attack into the air?" A nod. "Ugh, fine. Alright, Dudes. Tri Attack."[break][break]

A pulse of electricity zapped against the padlock, shorting out any alarm system that was uplinked to the otherwise simple looking lock. Fire and ice spewed into the air, looking cool but ultimately accomplishing nothing. "There, happy?" Isaac asked, The Dudes happily bobbing up and down. Isaac couldn't believe these three sometimes. But, hey. They got the job done. And now, with a few easy twists and turns of his lockpick, the padlock popped right open.[break][break]

For the first time, the Ampharos' cage opened. He look a few shaky, hesitant steps forward, and then practically collapsed against Annalise. Poor, poor thing . . .[break][break]

"There you go. It's okay. She's got you now," Isaac said. As if on cue, Dhelmise peeked out from the floor, waving a Power Whip Isaac's way. "And I think Isaac's got a bead on our guy. Shall we pay him a little visit?"

[break][break]

[break]

[attr="class","annalooc"] + lights out Isaac Merlo

[attr="class","skullimg"]

[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skullbody"]"Yeah. Yeah, better we do it that way, huh?" Isaac agreed. "You already covered your half of the bargain, after all. 'Sides, you got a reputation to keep up. Not all of us get to enjoy the privilege of playing dirty." Not that she seemed the type to want to, anyway. Tender was more her style. It was more Isaac's, too, but guys like Harune didn't deserve that.[break][break]

And then she thanked him. Huh. "Anytime. And thanks for the trust. I know these days, it's not an easy thing to give," he responded. He could tell there was something else weighing on her. What that something else could even be, he had no idea. But she wasn't the only one. Isaac's brow furrowed as if deep in thought, pros and cons of an invisible decision being juggled.[break][break]

Fuck it. He was never one for caution. He scribbled a number on a piece of paper and handed it over to Annalise. "If you ever need some off the record backup, well, you never know where I might pop up next," he said. "It's a burner, anyway. So if you did try any funny business, all you'll find is a smashed phone and both our times being wasted."[break][break]

That was all the time they had, though. Already, Dhelmise was guiding Isaac to the edge of the lighthouse platform. "Here? Seriously? Well, I guess it tracks he'd hog the good window seat for himself," Isaac mused. He turned back to Annalise, Dhelmise hovering behind him. "Guess this is my stop. Catch ya later, eh?" With that, he flashed her a winning smile and a mock salute, then spread his arms and fell back off of the platform.[break][break]

Dhelmise's anchor tip caught onto the lip of the platform. If that wasn't enough indication that Isaac was okay, the sound of broken glass and a startled shout would've certainly done the trick. The wind carried Isaac's voice back towards Annalise, before letting it drift off into the distance. "Well, well, seems I finally found you, Harune. Why don't you go take a seat, buddy? We've got some very, very interesting things to talk about . . ."

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