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[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skullbody"]That day, three new graves stood tall atop Mt. Pyre.[break][break]

The first of these graves was the burial site of a memory. After all, there was nothing left of Bullet to bury but the ironic implement of his demise. It was a simple stone for a simple Starly, and if it weren't for being a little off the beaten path it would have easily blended in with the rest of Mt. Pyre's graves. But to those who stood vigil today, it couldn't have been more significant.[break][break]

The second grave was a cairn of lunar rock. Of all of the Pokemon to lose their lives in that battle, Pluto's may have been one of the most tragic. Out of anger and hatred, he was ordered to put all of his might into ending his foes. Out of obedience and love, he went through with it, even at the cost of his life. The shattered stones would stand as a reminder to never lose themselves again.[break][break]

The final grave was marked by a steel plate, every bit as unyielding and regal as its bearer was in life. Even in the midst of Mt. Pyre's fog, it shined as if being basked in the sun. At a glance, it may seem out of place, just a large chunk of metal embedded in the ground. Yet something about it just radiated a sense of belonging. Engraved on the plate was but a name and a sentence:[break][break]

Kiryu - She gave her life so that hope would live on.[break][break]

Standing amidst these graves, Isaac paid his respects to the dead and tended to the living with the best of his ability. He wiped the blood from Knuckles' eyes and treated the cut that paxton concordas had given her; ultimately shallow, yet startling. It'd likely leave some sort of under the eye scar, but unlike her trainer she'd at least have her full vision.[break][break]

And then there was Ash. There wasn't much Isaac could do for his mangled arm at this juncture. Maybe if Toto hadn't already spent every bit of energy he had on a last spray of Life Dew, Isaac could've tried some emergency field surgery. But as of now, all he could do was help set the bone best he could, using the ruins of his mantle as a makeshift sling to keep it from slipping out. It wasn't easy; Knuckles basically had to guide Isaac through the whole process, all while Isaac softly ran his hand across Ash's arm so he wouldn't have to rely on his own depth perception.[break][break]

Truth be told, it was hard not to think about it. The arm he was tending to was the same arm that had damaged his eye, likely beyond repair. A part of him felt bitter, ugly resentment fester in the back of his throat with every touch. But he had no time to dwell on that. Ash wasn't in his right mind when he did that. He may as well have been blaming a channeler for being possessed by evil spirits. They were okay now. They had to be.[break][break]

A world without Ash hurt more than any switchblade scar ever could.[break][break]

"There we go," Isaac said, voice gentle and fraught with concern. "That should be everything." It was a hilariously poor choice of words, because as soon as Isaac said that, the real Everything began. The Primal Point erupted into energy. Walsh was gone, and some dour looking fuck had taken his place. And backing him up was . . . Something. Something resembling a Palkia that had been twisted in crude effigy of Arceus. Subservient. Powerful. And hellbent on ending their reality.[break][break]

"Or not. That's bad, isn't it?" He paused, giving Ash the chance to respond. "Our job's never gonna be done here, is it?" Another pause. "Well . . . guess that really only gives us one choice, huh?" Isaac eased himself onto his feet, offering Ash a hand.[break][break]

Games. Mere games. Their world was being turned into a plaything for forces far beyond their control. Like hell Isaac was going to play along with them (though if he had to pick, he'd be choosing Tails, like the underdog he was). No, despite his wounds, despite his grief, despite being surrounded by people he feared, distrusted, and even hated, he was going to rage against the dying of the light. Because he was Isaac Merlo. He had people he needed to protect, the only direction he knew was forward, and he was going to press on until reality broke against the sheer force of his stubbornness.[break][break]

"C'mon, man. We got a world to save."[break][break]

DUWTbU5p[break][break]

TEAL DEER;[break]
Isaac buries the dearly departed and tends to Ash's wounds.[break]
He has elected to heal Knuckles, putting her back in her fighting prime.[break]
Isaac calls a mental Tails, but has no interest in playing this sick game.[break]
Instead, he rallies Ash so the two of them can save the world.

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