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“Oh, dear,” Xiura muttered, wincing as she saw Zev’s Type: Null in the middle of harsh combat with the Tyrantrum. They had anticipated resistance but Xiura had hoped, perhaps foolishly, that there wouldn’t be so many. But of course the League would be on high alert, considering the situation at hand.
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Xiura, mounted on Tropius, clenched her teeth so hard her jaw ached. The situation was very dangerous. Both League Pokemon looked strong. She eyed the men and women on the ground and decided it would be wisest for Tropius to stay in the air and keep a safe distance, to strike from a safe vantage point with her on its back. Metagross was not a Flying type, and so would have difficulty reaching him, and her by extension, she hoped.
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“FLASH CANNON!” Metagross released a beam of light energy, easily missing Tropius as he dodged nimbly in the air. Well, it was a little vindicating, knowing that League had no qualms about striking someone out of the air. She could die here, she realized with a little thrill of dread.
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“Tropius! Use MAGICAL LEAF!” Tropius’ accuracy with this move was immaculate. A flurry of bright green leaves scratched the Metagross’ carapace, but it seemed to shake off most of the damage.
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“You’re at a disadvantage, Rocket! Tropius is a terrible match for Metagross!” the Ranger shouted.
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Xiura realized the Steel typing of Metagross rendered it strong against Grass attacks. And furthermore, it was Psychic, wasn’t it? So any Flying attacks from Tropius would meet similar resistance.
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“Oh, dear,” she said again, considering her options.

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“FLASH CANNON,” the Ranger shouted, the ball of light energy zooming past Xiura and her acrobatic flying Tropius.
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“Please stop!” Xiura called out politely. It was worth a try.
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“A-are you kidding me?” the man cried out. Metagross stomped his feet, similarly agitated.
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Maybe she could wait this out, Xiura considered, watching Zev advance his attack on the ground. But perhaps she could save the man a gaping wound if she dropped his Metagross quickly. One could hope.
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She whispered to her Pokemon, "Okay, Tropius. Change of plans. Let me off, get as high as you can, and then body slam that Metagross."
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Tropius grunted his understanding, swooping down to alight on the ground. She then carefully let Xiura slide off his back. Xiura fled to hide behind a tree as Metagross used the opportunity to ZEN HEADBUTT Tropius. Tropius bellowed in pain. Xiura’s heart skipped a beat as Tropius nearly flinched from the impact. But Tropius shook off the attack and launched into the air, his yellow banana beard nearly incandescent as the sunlight glinted off it. Tropius flew away, and Xiura watched him go up, and up, and up.
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"Did your Pokemon abandon you because it couldn't hurt my Metagross? Wrong move," one Ranger said. "Now it'll be even easier to arrest you." The Ranger and Metagross advanced on Xiura, who retreated further and dove behind a boulder to hide. If she got hurt, she'd never forgive herself! Also, Zev probably wouldn't either.

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The Metagross swayed from the injury from the impact, looking unsteady on its feet. "You got this, Metagross! Use Meteor Mash!" its master said.
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The Metagross pummeled the Type: Null with its dense body. The robotic Pokemon puffed up in size, more determined than ever from the encouragement of its Ranger.
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While the Pokemon was focused on Zev's Type: Null, Tropius was a pinprick in the sky. And then the pinprick grew larger, and larger, until a giant KABOOM resounded through the area and shook the ground. Tropius had body slammed Metagross while it was distracted. "Good one, Tropius!" Xiura cheered from behind a boulder. Tropius burbled in pleasure before Metagross flung him off, clearly damaged and very angry.
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Xiura thought about slipping Tropius a treat for his excellent performance, appearing like an ultra beast out of a wormhole, but decided to save it for after the battle.
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She nodded at Zev and called back her Tropius, replacing him with her Cherubi. "Let's get them to relax with some Sleep Powder," she coaxed her Pokemon. Perhaps it was a bit of a questionable move to call forth Cherubi, but the berry-like Pokemon innocently and obediently shook its leaves at her request. A pale glittering powder filled the air above the League members.
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The League agents slumped to the ground, barely able to fight the tantalizing call of restful slumber as the Type: Null remained alone on the battlefield. "Thank you," she whispered to Cherubi, cuddling him close.
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Cherubi chirped happily, waving its leaf. Xiura turned to Zev as the last perceived member of the League fell asleep. "Are you and your Pokemon okay?"

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“Thank you,” Xiura said, feeling a little excited about riding a new type of Pokemon, one whose power and potential could possibly rival an Ultra Beast. Xiura plopped her Cherubi onto her shoulder and climbed onto the Type: Null’s back with Zev’s help.
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They rose into the sky and flew away, heading to the relay station. She looked down and back at the shrinking forms of the sleeping League members, then faced forward to the horizon. “Hope the relay station is secured,” she thought aloud. Cherubi spun around in her lap, thrilled at the impromptu ride. Xiura patted the Pokemon’s head, smiling.
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The relay station was soon in view. Xiura tilted her head curiously, Cherubi mirroring her action as she noted some agents with League-coded armbands advancing up a nearby hill. "Zev... Think you're up for another round?"
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In time, they would relay the message about Rocket's advancement into the island's center. Their success was a given.

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