Makoto sighed through their rebreather, as they finally touched down upon the island's shore - hopping off of Ryuu's back, so that they could recall the Kingdra. Though keeping a low profile by navigating under the water's surface certainly did well to get them here, it certainly hadn't been the most pleasant trip. But, it was all in the past now.

"C'mon out, Kuro. It's showtime." They'd murmur - as they brought out their Hisuian Zorua. The fox would nuzzle up against their leg, a brief affectionate gesture, before hopping into their shadow so that he could do his work unseen - weaving an Illusion to disguise them with. Something pieced together from random nobodies that he'd seen throughout Hoenn, so as to hide Makoto's true appearance - but with a recognizably Rocket uniform, to avoid falling afoul of one's own allies.

And with that, they'd begin to move - seeking out the meeting place that they had arranged with their peers, such as howard slayte . There was much to be studied on this island, for Amor Rose , after all...

TLDR/NOTES:
- Makoto reaches the shoreline on Ryuu the Kingdra's back, and recalls him.
- Sends out Kuro the Hisuian Zorua. Kuro hides in their shadow as ghost-types tend to do, and uses Illusion to disguise them as a random Rocket grunt.
- Wandering kinda along the shore, kinda inland. where dafuq is homebase

jack wainwright

It was a soft growl from their shadow, that warned Makoto of Jack's approach. They'd glance back towards the rocks in time to see the man emerging, and the flanking Toxtricity that followed after. Given that he didn't look like a fellow Rocket member, Makoto's hand would drift towards their belt just in case.

Which turned out to be a good idea, as the man quickly turned to trying to arrest them. As soon as he ordered their surrender, Makoto was opening another pokeball - and from it would emerge...

... Another Toxtricity? In truth, this was a Ditto who was Impostering Jack's Toxtricity - Obake. Obake would easily tank the Spark for Makoto, being an Electric-Type; but then came the question of 'now what?' that pokemon and trainer alike seemed to share.

Makoto had to consider for a second, as well - they tended to use Obake's ability to mimic allies, rather than enemies. But knowing their own Toxtricity back home, and figuring that he had a better grasp of what he could do than they did, they'd decide "Go loud." as they quickly covered their ears.

And loud was something Obake could do. As taking in a deep breath, he'd let loose a deafening Boomburst - a shout of pure sonic energy, enhanced by Punk Rock!

TLDR/NOTES:
- Kuro alerts Makoto of Jack's approach
- Avoids Spark by sending out an Imposter Ditto - Obake - that transforms into Toxtricity + tanks it.
- Obake uses a Punk Rock-boosted Boomburst

jack wainwright

Obake's trick worked wonders, all things considered - and Makoto had been prepared to capitalize on it to take out the enemy Toxtricity.

However, Jack was quick to switch out - and as the emerging Aegislash immediately went on the offensive, its Shadow Sneak would strike true. A startled Obake was sent stumbling - his true nature briefly revealed in the way his body wiggled and swayed bonelessly. However, he'd quickly regain coherency, the false Toxtricity finding its footing.

Makoto wasn't too afraid of this matchup, though - cause they knew he had a move that'd work here. "Spark!" They called.

Grinning, Obake's body would crackle with electricity - and he wasted no time in throwing himself at the Aegislash in a sparking tackle!

TLDR/NOTES:
- Obake is struck by Shadow Sneak; his nature as a Ditto briefly revealed as he goes wobbly for a short bit
- Regains his footing and retaliates with a Spark

jack wainwright

Sadly for poor Jack, this wouldn't be the end of the gelatin shenanigans.

As the Aegislash was seemingly stunned by the electrity, Makoto and Obake both were prepared to press the advantage. "Again!" They'd call, eager to prevent an otherwise rather threatening pokemon from regaining its... Footing?

Though Obake was quick to throw himself back into the fray with another Spark, Harpe had his own tricks, and was that little bit quicker on the draw. The electrified Toxtricity would slam into the shield with a GONG..! - paired with the inertia squishing him into the shield bonelessly, as if he were a water balloon.

Bouncing back, Obake would be staggered - stumbling and swaying side-to-side in a wobbly fashion. He was completely open - albeit also a little strange and uncanny to watch.

TLDR/NOTES:
- Obake attempts another Spark, but slams into the King Shield
- Obake is briefly stunned as a result. And also being all wobbly again.

jack wainwright

Another strike, another bout of wobbliness. Makoto winced as Obake staggered about - though he wasn't down for the count quite yet, he was still hurting a bit. And they wanted to be able to save him for when a more favorable matchup comes along.

Thus, they'd decide it was time for Obake to take a break - switching him out for a shiny Forretress.

As Matsu emerged, the bug-type would gaze upon Harpe and decide one thing: that there was no love held for this sword, and that it was time for Payback. They'd begin to rapidly spin, advancing upon Harpe in an attempt to repeatedly strike him with the funnels sticking out from the sides of their body!

TLDR/NOTES:
- Obake is struck once more (to expected effect,) and is beginning to tire out.
- Makoto switches him out so that he can be saved for later in the fight, sends out Matsu the shiny Forretress
- Matsu attacks with Payback

jack wainwright

Moving so quickly, it was impossible to dodge away from the Aerial Ace as Harpe struck across Matsu's armored outside - and sparks were flying, vivid like illumina markings, as a result. Though the blade couldn't quite cut into the armor, it still left a noticeable mark that was a bit more than 'just a scratch'.

But that wasn't going to stop the Forretress quite yet. In fact, being struck seemed to only embolden their assault and desire to get back at the Aegiaslash. Because in retaliation, Matsu would use the inertia applied by the strike to spin into yet another Payback, more vicious than before!

Makoto, meanwhile, would furrow their brows. They weren't sure what else that Jack would have on offer - but safe to say, if they couldn't stop the Aegislash, it could pose trouble for their other pokemon. Particularly, their strongest.

TLDR/NOTES:
- Matsu is struck by the Aerial Ace, but uses getting hit to power up a retaliatory Payback.
- Makoto is Concern:tm: about Aegislash.

jack wainwright

Down went Aegislash - and out came a Chandelure, another ghost-type. Perhaps, if this were a more amicable fight, Makoto could've found some appreciation in Jack's apparent taste in pokemon. It probably would also help, if the Chandelure didn't go straight to cooking Matsu with a Fire Spin.

Given her slow speed, there was only so much the Forretress could do about it - and it was clear she wasn't going to last much longer, especially if Makoto couldn't recall her. So, they would make a call. "Stealth Rock!"

Out from the flames, a number of rocks would fly - scattered across the battlefield - with the last of Matsu's energy. Even if the swirling flames dissipated to reveal a KO'd Forretress - who Makoto promptly returned - the trap would be set for any of Jack's subsequent pokemon.

And from the flashing light of a pokeball, Ryuu would emerge once more - the Kingdra snorting haughtily at the sight of the Chandelure.

TLDR/NOTES:
- Matsu gets trapped in the Fire Spin; lets out some Stealth Rocks before KO-ing
- Ryuu the Kingdra comes out next

jack wainwright