Transporting goods was a little different from the usual tasks of scouting and infiltrating that Makoto was being set to - and yet, in a way, it used a lot of similar skills. Speed, stealth, and a keen eye - they had to be able to deliver the supplies in a timely manner, to be able to avoid the notice of enemy League, as well as avoid any traps or signs of the expanding rift and interdream zones...

... But, only so much could be done in a world of cavernous tunnels. A trainer would come into view long before Makoto heard his approach - and internally, they were thankful that they had a disguise. Dark concealing clothing obscured their true appearance, not that anyone would see that past an illusion from Kuro - who was hidden in their shadow like the ghost that they were - overlaying it, to make them look like someone else entirely. But this was still trouble.

Being from Johto - rather than Hoenn - they didn't know every single big name around here, at least not yet. And yet, it only took a glance for them to tell that Derek had more than a little experience under his belt. He had the confidence, and a fearsome pokemon at his side to match it. Would anyone blame them then, when they decided that they had no intentions of sticking around? Standing their ground and fighting would risk the cargo being lost or damaged, anyways.

Of those carrying cargo, it would be themself, Tsume the Zoroark, and Nobusuma the Crobat. It wasn't a big haul compared to say, what a proper vehicle could carry... But it was still a respectable amount of supplies all the same. Of the three, Nobusuma most certainly had the most - given that he was large enough to act as a proper steed. But with two of their speedier pokemon burdened, just hopping into Tsume's arms or onto Nobusuma's back wasn't the most efficient option.

So, they instead would just try to make it more trouble than it was worth to catch them. Not wasting any time on chitchat, Makoto would instead toss down two pokeballs, already giving directions to the pokemon within. "Obscure us - we're making an escape."

From those two balls would come an Alolan Ninetales - Tsukiko - and a shiny Forretress - Matsu. Just by being on the field, Tsukiko would bring down snow with Snow Warning - but on top of that, she would also use Mist, to fill the tunnel with a thick white fog! Matsu, meanwhile, would lay out Spikes between the two opposing groups, hidden by the fog, but no less dangerous.

With that, Makoto returned Matsu to their ball, and the group would begin to turn tail and run - the thief's heart beating hard in their chest all the whilst. This wasn't all that different from them fleeing from a heist, really - although they would've much preferred this to be a quick and easy job.

TLDR:
- Makoto has two layers of disguises - the lower layer being dark concealing clothes (think hoodie/jeans/mask), the upper layer being an illusion made by Kuro (who is hidden in their shadow, being a ghost) to make them appear as a nondescript different person entirely.
- Tsume, Nobusuma, and Makoto are carrying respective shares of the cargo.
- Upon being confronted by Derek, Makoto lets out Tsukiko and Matsu.
- Tsukiko uses snowfall from Snow Warning and Mist both to obscure the vision of Derek and his pokemon
- Matsu sets up Spikes within the mist, before being recalled to their ball
- Makoto and co all turn tail and run while they have the chance.

DEREK HOFFMAN

The Spikes were still present, even as the mist and snowfall was being pushed back by Clear Smog. They'd likely scrape and poke as the Onix charged forwards, the ground shaking under the great stone serpent's advance - and that wasn't the only opposition that it'd face.

As the Onix drew near though, Tsume snarled low - a dark orb forming in his palm, to attempt to fire off a Night Shade towards the beast, to hinder its accuracy! And Tsukiko, joining in the barrage, would briefly turn to fire an Ice Beam as well, to try and force it back.

Makoto's expression furrowed, as they glanced back at the attacks being fired off - so far, just a single Onix charging them was a little spooky but not quite as scary as they had expected... What else did this other trainer up his sleeve?

TLDR:
- The Spikes from Matsu last round are still there. Owchy pokey.
- Tsume (Zoroark) and Tsukiko (Alolan Ninetales) attempt to stop Onix's advance with Night Shade and Ice Beam respectively.
- Makoto is wondering what else Derek's gonna throw at them.

DEREK HOFFMAN

Makoto grimaced from under the illusory mask Kuro provided. Between the Rage Powder and the Onix disappearing below the ground, they had to figure something out to get rid of their pursuers... But if the Foongus wanted them to focus it, then they'd oblige. Sort of. "Taunt. Aurora Veil."

At their command, Tsukiko threw her head back and howled - a veil of multicolored lights coming off of her, to envelop the team. As long as she could keep the snow going, she could set up the Veil to increase the team's defenses.

Meanwhile, Tsume would glance back at the foongus, and begin making quite the rude gesture - flipping the bird with his claws. And not only that, but he'd begin shouting equally rude remarks at the grass-type! This had Tsukiko blinking - she supposed that worked for a taunt... But he probably didn't need to say that about the foongus' mother, or that trainer, either.

TLDR:
- Makoto is displeased at the Onix not being completely vibechecked
- Tsukiko uses Aurora Veil, proccing off the snow from her prior Snow Warning
- Tsume uses Taunt on the Foongus, making some rude gestures/remarks towards the foongus in the process. Tsukiko is quietly judging him.


DEREK HOFFMAN

As the foongus comes close, Tsume did not think much of the grass-type; especially with Aurora Veil active, the foongus slamming into his hip doesn't so much as make him flinch. He bared his teeth in a dryly unamused expression, prepared to strike at the grass-type and get it out of the way...

... But suddenly, the earth beneath him began to heave - the Onix surfacing, and slamming into him in the process! Thrown upwards, Tsume would tumble onto the ground with a startled snarl - the cargo strapped to his back getting knocked about in the process.

Makoto hadn't the time to worry about or check on the cargo, however. Instead, they were more focused on the fact that the Onix had emerged. And not only that, but the placement meant that they were pincered between the rock-type and its trainer. "Focus it!" They called to their pokemon.

As Tsume was busy picking himself up, it would be Nobusuma who acted instead, alongside Tsukiko. The Crobat, turning around in mid air, would swoop overhead with a Supersonic aimed at the Onix, and Tsukiko would fire off another Ice Beam in turn!

TLDR:
- Tsume cares not about the Foongus' attempts to Struggle; he cares a far lot more about being struck by Dig.
- The cargo Tsume is carrying is dinged up in the process - but Makoto doesn't exactly have time to check its status.
- Onix is in the group's way - they are pincered between it + Derek and co
- While Tsume is busy picking himself up, Nobusuma and Tsukiko attack the Onix with Supersonic and Ice Beam respectively.

DEREK HOFFMAN

As the foongus came in close, Tsume wouldn't even attempt to dodge it - it hurt a little, sure, but the Aurora Veil did well in protecting him just as it did the others. With the close proximity, he fires off a Night Daze at the mushroom - looking to KO it as soon as possible.

But with the onix down, two other pokemon join the field - a magnezone and a scizor. The scizor's Bullet Punch would strike true against Tsukiko, causing her to yelp and stagger backwards. And all the whilst, Makoto could feel as their hair began to stand on end from the static caused by the Electric Terrain...

"Disable! Defog!"

Whilst the scizor was still close, Tsukiko would suddenly open her eyes wide - looking to make eye contact with the bug-type, so as to Disable and prevent any further Bullet Punches.

Nobusuma, meanwhile, would wildly beat his wings - kicking up clouds of dust with Defog that would dampen out the Electric Terrain. The less that the enemy team can set up, the better.

TLDR:
- Tsume is hit by Struggle; retaliates with Night Daze against the Foongus
- Tsukiko is struck by Bullet Punch, but attempts to use the proximity to Disable it
- Nobusuma clears the Electric Terrain with Defog

DEREK HOFFMAN

With multiple pokemon on the field, things were getting hectic. With the orbeetle firing off a Psybeam, Makoto would make a call "Cover!" - which prompted Nobusuma and Tsume both to move. The crobat would swing low, swooping behind the zoroark - who would tank the psychic-type move without a problem.

Tsukiko, however, wasn't having as nice of a day. The Air Slash would cut at her flank as she attempted to dodge - which made her flinch enough for the Flash Cannon to hit home, sending her tumbling across the ground, KO'd.

Makoto cursed as they had to return her to her ball - but they had to keep fighting. Switching out pokeballs, they'd send out Haguru the klinklang - and they already had two commands in mind. "Lock On on the scizor. Focus the orbeetle!"

Haguru, floating at the backlines of the fight, would begin preparing - using Lock On much as directed. The gaze of their one face-gear would focus upon the scizor with an eerie amount of precision, watching, waiting...

Tsume and Nobusuma, meanwhile, were prepared to retaliate. The Crobat in question would fire off Air Slashes to harry and harass the orbeetle, so that the zoroark could attempt to snipe at him with a Night Daze!

TLDR:
- Nobusuma uses Tsume as a willing meatshield to hide from Psybeam
- Tsukiko is struck by the one-two punch of Air Slash and Flash Cannon and is KO'd
- Tsukiko is switched out for Haguru (Klinklang)
- Haguru uses Lock On on Scizor
- Nobusuma and Tsume target Orbeetle with Air Slash and Night Daze respectively

DEREK HOFFMAN

The Discharge is sure to hurt - Tsume stumbles back, and the static electricity that lingers along his muscles makes it clear that he is paralyzed. Nobusuma gets off a bit luckier - though between it and a glancing Air Slash that he just barely fails to dodge, it's clear he's not in a good shape, either. The Aurora Veil was surely the saving grace, in this moment - but it likely won't last much longer...

Makoto quickly sees that they'll have to rely on some tactics that are... Not quite regulation, to say the least, to get the cargo out of here. "Do you think you can force out a move?" They question as they move to Tsume's side - and the zoroark thinks for a second, before nodding. With this, they'd smile dryly, pulling out an object to quietly pass to him. "U-Turn."

It's a struggle, making his muscles move - though Tsume manages it. Leaping forward, he moves as though to strike at magnezone... However, rather than make a physical attack when he gets close, he throws a Sticky Glob at the electric-type's eye(s), in an attempt to blind it! Wasting no time, he bounces back towards Makoto - and though his limbs spasm, threatening for him to not stick the landing... The cargo he had on him thuds onto the ground as he's returned to his ball mid-air.

And in his place, Matsu the Forretress comes out once more.

Meanwhile though, Nobusuma attempts to capitalize on the opportunity offered - and with a ghostly glow wreathing his wings, he beats them furiously, letting loose an Ominous Wind upon the hopefully blinded magnezone!

Finally, there is Haguru, who - having settled upon a trajectory - fires off a fearsome Zap Cannon in the scizor's direction!

TLDR:
- Tsume and Nobusuma are struck. Neither of them are in good shape, and Tsume is paralyzed.
- Tsume manages a U-Turn to get in close to Magnezone - but rather than attack, he throws a Sticky Glob (2nd used between threads) that Makoto slipped him into their eye(s) in an attempt to blind them!
- Tsume is switched out for Matsu the Forretress
- Nobusuma attempts to strike the hopefully blinded Magnezone with Ominous Wind
- Haguru fires off a locked-on Zap Cannon at Scizor

DEREK HOFFMAN