The distress call came quick and faded fast with the consciousness of the one wounded within GRANITE CAVE. Having just entered back into their world from ULTRA DEEP SEA she was the closest, and most qualified, to respond. She grunted lightly, leaping down from a particularly high ledge to cut the response time in half. A strong gust of wind slowed her fall and she safely landed with a gently thud of her boots.

With no time to waste, she raced forward. Crimson light cracked and expanded from the pokeball clutched between her fingers. A Gallade appeared at her side, matching pace with long, stead strides, “Stab wound, unknown severity, fainted Onyx,” that was all she knew about the situation.

What she wasn’t expecting, was another to be present. The silhouette of a man etched itself into the fading light of the rocky terrain. Peddles skidded across the carven floor as she slid to a halt. Both the trainer and Gallade assessed the Rocket before them, ultimately setting their gaze on the bold ‘R’ of the uniform. The blonde’s gaze snapped between the man and the one crumpled on the floor. Her fist tightened, “Step away from the injured officer,” there was no questioning the confident demand in her voice. This obviously wasn’t her first day on the job.

---

Kouji Matsubara

+50 for participating in mission/battle
+10 per IC post (1)

=60 MP

Tension rippled across the space as the bloodied man turned to face her. It washed over her shoulders and rooted her down in place. He was so young, too young to be caught up in this mess. What horrible life guided him to this point in time? These sins?

For a moment, her mind flashes to the innocent face of Eris Halla. Rocket truly did imprison them young.

“For a wounded officer? Yes,” she stated at point blank. The spoken rules of war were to allow medical aid to those injured on both sides by their own people. Of course, Rocket didn’t play by those rules. Not here, and not in Kanto.

“Final warning,” she took a step forward, a defiant and decisive motion, “Step aside, leave in peace.”

---

Kouji Matsubara

+50 for participating in mission/battle
+10 per IC post (2)

=70 MP

Eva watched him closely, not only to react, but also to read. There are only so many types of Rockets out there and she’s seen them all. This young man appears to be the ambitious type. He did surprise her by conceding to her demands, not without making demands of his own.

In a way, she found it amusing trading violence for violence. She waited for a few steady breaths to ensure this wasn’t some sort of trap he was going to spring while she was distracted. Once satisfied, she moved forward, mindful of where her back was turned.

“A battle, hm?” there was a detectable sense of amusement in her tone, “And what do you hope to accomplish with that?”

---

Kouji Matsubara

+50 for participating in mission/battle
+10 per IC post (3)

=80 MP

The doctor knelt beside her ward. She laid gentle hands across his body, carefully adjusting the limbs and head to sit more naturally against the uneven stone. A pulse was faint, palpable, but fast – not good. His breath was ragged and short. A gurgle rattled in his throat that darkened her features. She had the foresight to see he truly was lost. There wasn’t much she could do in the field.

“Exactly what I asked,” her statement was as blunt as one could get. Ambitious boy, but not the brightest it seemed, “So you want to battle just to battle, then?” her gaze rose to glance at the anxious Absol, “You really think that’s a good idea?” a hand absentmindedly waved in the direction of the exit, “You could just leave . . .”” an invitation to spare himself the effort.

---

Kouji Matsubara

+50 for participating in mission/battle
+10 per IC post (4)

=90 MP

Dead. His final breath was a ragged one, wet with blood or mucus accumulating at the back of his throat. Eva let out a long, exhausted sigh. Another life she couldn’t save. After checking for a pulse on the man’s wrist, she gently placed his hand on his chest, a silent apology extending from her solemn gaze.

There’s a singular flash of anger crossed her gaze when she looked up at the stranger. He did this. Rocket did this. They were a plague to this region, a virus that needed to be snuffed out, “Then you need to rethink what is means to breath,” a threat, but also a piece of advice. Breathing is a necessity, something that brings life. Violence? Battling? War? A luxury for the living that took life.

First thing first, she cracks open a sphere. The crimson light materializes into a Gallade. Th stoic duel type regards the Rocket and their Absol with a cautious glare before turning his attention to the man at Eva’s feet, “To the morgue, please,” with a solemn nod, he scoops up the man into his arms and TELEPORTS to complete his duty.

Another? “Take me to him,” she demands, “Now.”

---

Kouji Matsubara

+50 for participating in mission/battle
+10 per IC post (5)

=100 MP

Her lips grew tight as her silently approached. Was this an intimidation tactic? Suppose to scare her? Rile her up into throwing the first punch? She kept a careful gaze on him but failed to be goaded into whatever response he was looking for.

She was Eva Morales, Kanto veteran, Head Professor, and the chosen of a god. It would take more than a cocky teenager to scare her.

Still, the tension in her shoulders never faded, her light-footed stance, the subtle shifts to keep her back protected as one eye on him at all times. It would seem he was worried about manner more than anything. Eva had very little patience for this when someone else was likely grasping at straws to stay alive, “Like you would have said please,” her emerald eyes rolled so far to the back of her head that her vision blurred for a moment before she hauled the med pack onto her back and followed after the Absol and their trainer.

“So, you got a name, kid? Or do you go by one of those silly nicknames?”

The Wolf, BlackJack, Fox – Rocket really did have a flare for the dramatic.

---

Kouji Matsubara

+50 for participating in mission/battle
+10 per IC post (6)

=110 MP

A soft, actually genuine, chuckle rang from her throat. At least he was self aware enough to know he was a hoodlum. Strange thing to be proud of. Didn’t he have any more desires or dreams? Knowing Rocket, likely not. They tended to smash the dreams right out of people, forcing them to dream within a cone of possibilities that’s border didn’t expand beyond the organization’s best interests.

Eva’s shoulders rise and fall with another shrug, “I don’t know, lot’s of them have silly nicknames to protect their identity,” he was a rare breed to not disguise himself or hesitate to give a name. Of course, that could be a fake name.

“Ahhh, that’s where you and I and all of Rocket don’t see eye to eye,” well, that and a lot of other things, “I have a reverence for life. I’m a healer by trade, a soldier out of necessity,” she explained, “Every life is precious, and deserves a chance to continue on. So yes,” she says firmly, “I do intend to save as many as I can,” her lecture continues when she looks towards him with a subtle grin, “Strength is not measured by how many people and pokemon you best - and I’ll prove that to you,” when they finally battle, “A life saved today has the potential to go on and do extraordinary things if given the chance,” And Eva would give them that chance.

---

Kouji Matsubara

+50 for participating in mission/battle
+10 per IC post (7)

=120 MP