Oscar looked a lot less graceful than the Mad Dog of Rocket, sitting cross legged on top of his xurkitree as it carried a heavy load of supply crates. Its idle slow spin as it floated did nothing to help, but it at the very least allowed Oscar to keep an eye on their surroundings (Magnet Rise). Oscar had not been very talkative since their journey began, he was not really sure what to say. He had never met Dorian until now, and the stories he heard made Oscar hesitant to engage in conversation.

But it was a long flight across the Ultra Deep Sea so he might as well try! After all, maybe Dorian was more affable than what his reputation would lead you to believe. Oscar reached under his mask to scratch his chin, causing his real voice to mix with his digitized one as he asked Dorian a simple question.

"Hey so um--how's it goin' today?"

dorian westcliff

Oscar could not have sighed heavier. "Already? These fuckers are everywhere." Their push forward had been halted by a band of League trainers, no doubt patrolling the skies in search of cargo to pillage. It was unfortunate for them that their opponents turned out to be two former beasts of Rocket.

Dorian wasted no time, jumping right into the thick of battle. Just as Oscar had heard, Dorian was a vicious combatant. Oscar just leaned back, watching Dorian do his thing while tapping Navitas's head-spikes. Eventually Oscar would decide what he wanted to say.

"So do you miss being a beast or are you cool doing your own thing?" A League trainer managed to slip by Dorian, only for Navitas to whip them in the face and knock them off their mount. The trainer's pokemon disengaged immediately, flying off to catch their master. Oscar barely noticed.

dorian westcliff

Oscar watched the trainer Xurkitree had knocked off fall, his eyes widening as Dorian's chandelure casually set them on fire. Oscar whistled, "Nice shot." He turned his attention back to Dorian, who was already focusing on the rest of the would-be bandits. He tilted his head as his crobat tried to confuse an enemy, "You should ask. I'm sure Walsh would hear you out if you were interested in getting back into it. I mean, you clearly haven't lost your touch."

Another trainer got past Dorian, riding rather comically upon a kicking dodrio. Oscar kept forgetting that the three headed bird could fly. Xurkitree reached forward as it approached, latching onto the duo with its tendrils. It began to rapidly constrict, choking both the pokemon and its rider with a nasty Wrap. It was really impressive considering that it still held onto the cargo with its claws. Oscar looked down upon the struggling trainer, making sure they could at least see him flipping them off before they passed out.

Oscar looked back to Dorian, just in time to see a sneaky trainer trying to come at his blind spot. "Yo watch your left!"

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Oscar's warning came too late, and a League trainer would execute Dorian's crobat. Oscar watched the torn body of the bat fall into the ocean, his eyes twitching behind his mask. The image of his dearest crobat Nostra, blown apart by Nekrozma in less than a second, once more invaded his thoughts. To see another crobat torn down in such a heartless fashion made Oscar quiver, why must he be tormented with such savagery?

Luckily Dorian's pokemon avenged their comrade instantaneously, sending the hapless trainer and their pokemon hurdling within a ball of fire. Good riddance, Oscar nodded while ironically unconcerned with Dorian's own savagery. He looked to Dorian and sighed, "I'm sorry about your pokemon. At least its killer got what they deserved."

The attackers' numbers had dwindled down to one, and as Oscar's gaze rested upon them he would quickly point them out. "Hey that one's runnin'!" Indeed the sole survivor was attempting to make a getaway, clearly realizing how outmatched they were. Xurkitree reeled back and tried throwing the now blue-in-the face trainer and pokemon it was constricting at the fleeing foe--but these makeshift projectiles only got about five feet before plummeting into the ocean. Oscar rubbed Xurkitree's head, "That was a good effort, way to think outside the box."

dorian westcliff

Dorian seemed unbothered by his loss, and Oscar could not tell if the former beast was used to it or just did not care. Either way, reading into it would only make Oscar feel worse. Repression was the name of the game, stuff your negative feelings inside until they become diamonds or whatever.

They pushed forward, and Oscar would look back to watch the sole survivor of the League ambush fly off into the distance. Perhaps they would spread tales of terror, of their poor team being torn apart by what should have been easy targets. Or perhaps they will say nothing, internalizing their shame as they recount their failure to their superiors. Their future suffering put Oscar at ease, this was no escape.

Their cargo was safely delivered, and after landing Oscar would stretch loudly. Dorian expressed interest in working together again, and Oscar would nod in agreement. "Bet on it, I'll see you on the other side Dorian!" Oscar could not linger, he had other business to attend to. Xurkitree would take off once more, floating toward Oscar's next objective.

MP TALLY

+10 (assisted Dorian)
+50 (10 per post)
+50 (participation)
+100 (completion)
+200 (Win Battle/Mission)
410

dorian westcliff