Thanks to Splashfest, both Slateport and the league's finest had been consumed by the vibrant festivities plaguing the region. From surfing to fishing - most trainers were left too exhausted to walk, much less investigate. And so, it was during these lighthearted nights that Rocket sunk its fangs into the opportunities that lay in wait.

Rows of cages were laid out across the harbor, each one containing a different species or breed of pokemon. Some were as small as mareeps cowering in corners, while others were more of the feral variety; sloppier dragons with wetted fangs and lethal claws.

Positioned along the top of the docked ship, the newly promoted admin stood, peering down at both the cargo and line of men moving it. So far the operation had been moving smoothly -- 50 crates had already been moved and secured within the ship, leaving 80 more to go. If they finished it off, it would be one of the largest purchases of the year.

Dragapult kept hidden in the nook of the ship's bow, his dreepies already creating an INFEASTION within the area. Any signs of movement would cause the pokemon to LOCK-ON to it.

annalise henderson MATIAS SILPH

annalise henderson and MATIAS SILPH would come to realize how thoroughly guarded today's shipment was. Porygon 2's and Magenmites raked along the shuffling line, moving up and down both the dock and the ship itself. Their pointed, dull eyes scanned and surveyed their surroundings at reoccurring intervals, ensuring business proceeded as planned. The dreepies would be harder to see -- slipping in and out of sight, the small ghostly reptiles traveled through the peeking shadows tucked beneath pieces of the boat and dock.

When the togekiss flies over, the barrier of surveillance would immediately look up, LOCKING-ON to it. In unison, the group of them clicked twice, processing its appearance before considering it a non-threat and returning to its monotonous job. This distraction, however, lasted long enough for the two to slip in without detection. Being near the back of the line, the two were still well out of Felix's line of sight, but with the speed of movement, that would soon change.

annalise henderson + MATIAS SILPH

Every grand entrance deserves an explosive response.

When the muskateer took flight, easily knocking out the row of magnemites and porygons populating the dock, Felix's own Porygon-Z screeched. LOCK-ON took grasp of the culprit; not the two stowaways slipping in through the chaos.

The Rocket admin's eyes widened at the scene.

Gesturing for his Dragapult to continue monitoring the boat, Felix fished out two pokeballs from his bag, throwing them over the railing and onto the dock with practiced ease. From it, two pokemon emerged: Gallade and Amoongus. Immediately, upon release, Gallade attempted to hold the Green Legendary in place with PSYCHIC, all while the amoongus let out a wave of yellow, static inducing spore (STATIC SPORE).

Nimble fingers worked at his walkie talkie as he hurried down the steps and into the main stomach of the ship. "Assistance might be needed," He spoke into the device. Only sputters of static came back.

All while this occurred, small dreepies continued to rake the floor of the ship, moving backwards and forwards, up and down, their yellow all-seeing eyes lurking in the most unexpected places. One, in particular, seeped out of the shadows long enough to be spotted by either MATIAS SILPH or annalise henderson . It gave out a shrilly whimper before slinking backwards. A second later, a Dragapult emerged, jaw slacked as black tar dripped from it's lips. The same tar that would soon pool around annalise henderson 's ankles, attempting to force her into a PHANTOM FORCE portal that would drop her back to the pokemon's trainer, who was still approaching from the far end of the ship.

@tag

When the psychic failed to hold the legendary, the duo knew they were in store for a tough fight. The shine of PROTECTION barely defended the Amoongus from the sharpen spear of Virizion, all while Gallade easily fell victim to Togekiss' taunt. To avoid another incoming attack (LEAF BLADE) the swordsman TELEPORTS up above the Togekiss. From there, he pushed weight down on his right arm, as he attempted to use NIGHT SLASH on the flying type before falling down.

Inside, more dramatic shifts in battle were occurring. Following behind his captive, the dragapult slid out from the Phantom Force and coiled around the ranger, jaw still slack as black ooz dripped out. Towering over her, the Rocket admin silently stared down at the woman, eyes narrowed and lips tight. "Hm." With one free hand, he sent out for another Pokémon -- Dusclops --, and with the other, he reached for his gun. At the same time he'd step forward, attempting to stomp down on the woman's ankle hard enough to break it.

By the time any reaction to his movements were made, the muzzle of his pistole would already be out, pointed down the bridge of her nose.

annalise henderson MATIAS SILPH

The Gallade took the fairy wind right to the face, unable to fully block it out with his arms. The LEAF BLADE, however, was barely able to be blocked out with a NIGHT SLASH, allowing the two blades of black and green to clash against each other, eventually sending the fighting type back to the ground.

From the side, Grassy roots sprout out from the ground as the amoongus spreads out a GRASSY TERRIAN, healing both himself and the Gallade slowly.

From inside, dreepies still raked the floors of the ship, including the one that initially spotted annalise henderson . Still tucked in its place, its bug eyes poked back out, noticing Matias returning to work his partner failed to complete. But, this time, there were no dragapult to report to. So instead, he whisks off to the side, ready to pull the attention of some nearby grunts to assist.

Above, Felix is still dealing with Annalise, a gun directly pointed at the bridge of her nose. Dull eyes stared down at her as he spoke out, voice low and gravelly, "Don't move." But, alas, the movement was made. Two sparks of energy spat out, forcing the man to take a moment to dodge. Dragapult, though, who was still nearby, was able to still loom over the Ranger, small dreepies leaking out from it's mouth as he created an INFESTION. These dreepies would attempt to cling onto her arms and legs, trying to force her down and in place. 

MATIAS SILPH + annalise henderson