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[attr="class","textbox"]Luckily, Isaac had an ear for trouble. He wasn't about to just let poor Mochi get obliterated by a blinded, rage-fueled monster. Having already taken plenty of damage, and now having no eyes with which it could see him coming, the Obstagoon was wide open for a heavy fist right to the gut. It wouldn't knock the Obstagoon out, but it'd buy just enough time for Delirium to Body Press it into the ground.[break][break]

Content, Isaac scooped Mochi up, conjuring healing waters around the bends of his fingers. The poor thing was out cold, but at least the soothing sensation of water on its wounds could help ease it into a more restful sleep. The same could not be said for the Pokemon being bludgeoned by Saffron and Halberd right now, but if their trainers knew any better, they'd take that as a cue to recall and retreat.[break][break]

Sure enough, they did. However, Duster saw that as a chance to intervene. Bone in hand, he waited to see just how the Rocket commander wanted to play this. Was he the type to run off first, pushing past his own men to ensure he had the best chance? Or was he the type to make a heroic last stand, holding the line until all of the grunts he was responsible for made their way out?[break][break]

It wouldn't change what Duster did next. It would only change whether his False Swipe was fueled by respect or contempt as he dove off of Halberd's head. A single blow to a key pressure point would be all it took; such a move had an almost supernatural affinity for leaving the target unharmed in any way that mattered.[break][break]

"Seriously, Dust?" Isaac asked, but the Marowak's eyes didn't waver. The commander would have done worse to Isaac if he'd been given the opportunity. Besides, he didn't kill the guy! Just damn near put him to sleep. Isaac sighed, but he knew there was no time to contest the point. If the other Rockets didn't rally, a next wave would surely be on the way.[break][break]

"Well, at least we're getting some info out of this," Isaac said, hefting the fallen man onto Halberd's back with surprising gingerness. Maybe the grunts would note Isaac's goal hadn't been to pursue. Maybe they would be too incensed by their fallen commander to care. War was complicated and it was hell. One man's relief was another's unacceptable line.[break][break]

What else could Isaac do but the best he can?

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[attr="class","bottom"]Isaac Merlo [break]
SECRET (2/2) [break]

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[attr="class","textbox"]"I wish I could've saved yours."[break][break]

It was a sobering reminder. He was as fast as the wind, but there were some things he couldn't outrun. He could do things no other human could, but he wasn't a miracle worker. He could try his damndest to help everyone, but even if he pushed himself to his limits, "try" would always be where his efforts topped out.[break][break]

He turned to Ollie, shooting him a gentle smile. "Hey. Thanks for everything, man," he said, the events of this battle still weighing fresh on his mind. "Once we're finally off this rock, do you think we could talk some more? I think . . ."[break][break]

Back at the hospital, the idea of the Amnesty Program seemed so overwhelming. Greyson Connors's judgments still weighed on his shoulders, and Gunner Graves's that followed only doubled that weight. He knew, no matter what he did, he would always be marked. Others, like Michael Navidson and Caleb Harcourt, valued him as a loose cannon, wanted him tied down to nothing and nobody but his own heart.[break][break]

Yet how different, truly, was rangerhood compared to what he had been doing for the past few months? He traveled the region, solving problems and protecting people and their Pokemon. He'd already fashioned an "outpost" in Petalburg, tending to its woods to ensure they healed after he had purged their decay. He'd already done plenty of searching, rescuing, healing, and brawling after inserting himself into this war. Some, like freya morningstar and illeana reyes, already believed in him with their own hearts.[break][break]

kyle lopez offered him a spot among AQUA's ranks. That, alone, could get the world off of his back. Was that truly what Isaac wanted? Did he want the security of being labelled a Good Person, or at least important enough not to be questioned? Or did he want the chance to do good, no matter what the world thought of him, and help break the chains that strangled his home?[break][break]

"I think I'm ready."