“Not where we’re going.” Grim words. Maybe it would be better to lie to her, kindle the flames of hope. They’ll survive. Navy is not delusional enough to think some god is watching. To tread the path of delusion is a dangerous, dreadful thing. All the same, he has faith this is not where he’s going to die. Life is many tiny decisions that lead to a moment where it all ends. You have little say, once you’ve stepped into certain predicaments, except to accept what happens with grace.[break][break]
A loud snap signals that their camera, the only means by which they can see, has snapped a picture. It will take time to develop – time they likely don’t have if there is truly a threat out there. Looking back at her, he enjoys the sense of closeness. Even if this artifact of other travelers is cramped, he doesn’t mind.[break][break]
“League says we’re investigating a cave system. Truth be told…I think we’re inside a blood vessel.” He doesn’t let that thought linger long. “We’re harvesting all this ore from him, but we should be treating this place like hostile territory. Nothing in here’s good for anyone. League or Rocket.”

[break][break]

+ Melody Miro[break]
encounter an operational pod-like submarine to ride through liquid or air. it is a claustrophobic vessel with a limited view of its surroundings. instead, it can be prompted to take pictures of its surroundings to reveal what is around it.

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Meloetta hears the song of the sea. Eternatus’s song. A song that beckons eternal life, speaking of an unbroken circle. There’s a better home waiting for them, somewhere beyond the sea. Looking back at the crying Pokemon, Navy is hit by a vision.[break][break]
He remembers being in Galar. Lord Navidson rocks his little girl to bed. He’ll have to go again tomorrow. He always has to go. Never staying in one place, always on a mission for the King and Queen. Helping them control the flow of information, serving as the kindle upon which bonds are built. That was his life. A life shared with her. A life spent in love.[break][break]
“Hush, Crystal.” He urges before he can stop himself. Only afterwards does he realize what he’s said. Moving past the point, he looks at the picture. What he sees is a giant, smiling face. Something dead is being piloted by the Nihilego. Navy barely registers the photo before something slams into their sub.[break][break]
Falling back into the pilot’s seat with deadly urgency, he pushes their craft forward. Only a map readout in front of him shows where they are. They’re halfway down the vein. Just a few more turns around the bend and they can be free of this place. They can get out and kill whatever follows them.[break][break]
This is not where they perish.


[break][break]

+ Melody Miro [break]
38 explore a deeper, water-filled cave system or trench that requires diving suits, a vessel, or the creative use of a pokemon. in the trench. certain sections are more acidic and unhealthy than others, while others are purely channels of blood.

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

They reach landfall and burst from the pod like wild, angry things. Navy finally has room to release his Pokemon. With Meloetta out, he thinks it only fair that Shuwen come out to play. Tossing the ultra ball out, Shuwen comes bellowing his terrible fury.[break][break]
His great black bear hates being in the confines of his pokeball. He prefers to walk and roam. Only when circumstances force him does he allow himself to be confined. Here beneath the sea, he is at last free. The pupil he watches over and the woman he loves are lost in the darkness stand there together. His fists will clear a path to freedom.[break][break]
“We can tell Goode we explored the vein. Now we just need to secure this landfall. After that, we’re free to go back home.” And so Shuwen punches. He punches so hard that Navy’s mega stone activates, transforming him into a taller, lumbering beast.[break][break]
Back to back he stands with Cinderella, never letting his fists stop. Pupil and bear alike gasp in shock at how strong she grows with each kill. These lost souls are finally put to their final rest.


[break][break]

+ Melody Miro[break]
35 encounter megalopolans, pokemon, and/or poor humans who have ventured too far into this realm who have subsequently evolved into grotesque marine monsters. they do not appear to have a conscience or recollection of their past selves and are aggressive.

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Their dance is as beautiful as the dance of their trainers’ wedding night. Above them, like on that night, is a dark sky. It’s thick with poison. Things cry above them, stars nowhere in sight. Navy stands by her side, watching the fight impassively. Everything is within expected parameters thus far.[break][break]
Two heads are better than one. He’s made that a policy that he’s told to the rangers and officers under him: never, ever come here alone. If you treat this place seriously, cover one another, you will not be overwhelmed. It still stands as a testament to the trust placed in their capabilities by the commissioner.[break][break]
“I hate this place…but they told me to keep it secure, so I will. Someone’s gotta keep the townsfolk safe.” Somewhere far away, a heartbeat pulses like church bells.[break][break]
“And someone has to fight Eternatus while everyone else handles other problems.”[break][break]
Something rises from the depths behind them, dripping with poisoned blood. It is the monster that followed them down below. It roars, lumbering out of the bloody brine towards them. Angels puppet this supermassive thing like they have so many others.[break][break]
“…showtime. Looks like we’ll have a clear way back.”



[break][break]

+ Melody Miro [break]
19 be hunted by the corpse of a large megalopolan with a nihilego controlling it by way of its toxin in the open realm or The Quaestor Lucis.

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“You heard the lady, Shuwen.” Shuwen skips forward, taking advantage of the opening. One fist cascades into two, into three, four. On and on he punches, slamming into the monster, taking it apart piece by piece. Line by line, Nihilego by Nihilego, it is destroyed. Afterwards, Shuwen ushers Navy into the sub.[break][break]
Back into the vein, back into the flow of blood. This time they will be fighting against the tide. Soon enough, though, they’ll be back in a world that makes sense to them. They’ll bathe in blessed sunlight.[break][break]
“You know…we should just pick somewhere normal to go on a date next time.” He teases.

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[break][break]

+ Melody Miro [break]
🗺️ use a legendary/mythical pokemon in an advantageous way.

[attr="class","pokeclass"]