This strange winter was nothing against his bones, his skin. His freshly ‘procured’ wetsuit. Galar had weather like this all the time, and arguably worse. The massive body of water that surrounded Hoenn did not help matters, but it did mean that Mother Nature would be hard-pressed to change it for the worse.

Tavish just needed to not freeze to death. An easy thing to say, as he waddled up to the lick of sea on the beach. In his hands was a very large, bulky thing draped in blue tarp. Its crinkle cut through the gentle lap of sea waves like a knife. He barely gave any attention to the little girl and her strange pixie.

Barely.

“Only real difference I’ve noticed is that people dive intentionally,” He told the girl. If she turned around, she’d see a well-built man in a wetsuit one size too large, with a massive object in his hands, and a Toxicroak by his side. “Most of the time.”

“What brings you here, little one? You and your friend.”

---

Eris Halla

“Explosives.”

Dangerous kind. Very dangerous kind. “Rangers say there’s a school of Luvdisc trapped underneath some rock, around these parts. And they’ve done nothin’ about it. So, ‘ere I am.”

If they wanted to sit on their arses and twiddle their thumbs while innocent creatures succumbed to all sorts of variables– other Pokemon, food deprivation, poachers– then fine. Tavish would help them, whatever it took. And, hopefully, all it took was a well-placed explosive.

“Now spill: not too many folk out ‘ere at this time o’day,” he readjusted his grip on the tarped bomb, “and even fewer with feet in the water. What’re goals? Frostbite?”

No laughing matter, that. Did the people here have an idea on what to do in the face of a frozen limb? It was a common enough problem in Galar, but this was supposed to be a tropical region.

---

Eris Halla

“Hrm.”

So the little one cared as well. Good. World needed more like this one. Willing to wade through the cold waters to help the wild creatures no matter what. He gave her a slight nod, a sign of respect, and waddled forward in his swim fins.

“It very well could,” he agreed. An explosive could cause all sorts of problems for him, for the Luvdisc, and everything in between. “But they’ll die for sure, if I don’t.”

“One thing ye learn early on, in the explosives field, is to get an understandin’ of the bomb yer working with,” he shifted the tarp-bomb up. “And I feel that this one will break through a few meters of rock.”

He waded a little further, past his knees. The Toxicroak gave a mock-salute to the girl and the Mespirit, and then went past Tavish and fully into the water.

“A second set of hands is never amiss, and time’s wastin’. Come along, if ye want to do some good in the world.”

---

Eris Halla

Eris had the help of a mythical, mystical pixie and two other companions. Tavish had a Toxicroak that swam off ahead and started harassing random wild Pokemon, a makeshift bomb, an ill-fitted diving suit, and a dream. Many would argue the lass was far better equipped and prepared for the task.

Tavish would simply ask who made the first move.

Sure enough, he led Eris and her makeshift team through the waters, a small stream of bubbles left in his wake. The steady push of his fins propelled him forward, through the frigid waters. Pokemon of all breeds and varieties swam or scuttled across the sandy floor, through the dull kelp or vibrant plants at the mercy of the tides.

Much like the above surface, the below held much life itself. Tavish, unfortunately, did not have the time nor oxygen to marvel at Arceus’ marvelous creations. Instead, he kept his eyes forward. If the maps and reports he’d stolen looks at were to be trusted, then the Luvdisc shouldn’t be far from the shore.

And rocks started to creep up into the sand, like a rash, and soon enough engulfed the landscape. He turned around to Eris and pointed forward, toward a particular outcrop. He held out the bomb and motioned it to the thing.

Finally, he pointed to the wild Pokemon that hung around the area, and then made a wave motion. 'Get them gone,' he seemed to say. Bloke was well underway of this task, as he scared off a pair of Krabby.

---

Eris Halla

Together, the Pokemon worked in unison to drive off the wildlife from the rocky outcrop. While some did so in a strange, alien-esque way, the task was done and Tavish couldn’t complain too much. Even better, they did it in a way that didn’t bring harm to the creatures. This lass showed potential, and he gave her a thumbs up.

And now that the immediate area was clear, Tavish swam closer to the rocks. They only had one easy, convenient shot at this, so he set down the ‘package’ and pulled the tarp of as slow as molasses. He didn’t want to be the one that got blown up.

Eris would see why, as soon as the cover was fully lifted. It looked less like a bomb and more like a black rectangle. Dozens of wires floated peacefully in the current, tugged along by an invisible hand. The chemist focused on the front of the device and fiddled with various knobs and bits.

Shockwaves were going to be the real bitch of the operation. Those’d rupture their organs if they weren’t far enough or had something in the way. Furthermore, if said shockwave broke their cover, then they’d have to hope they weren’t crushed or buried. They’d need time, and just the right amount. Too much and it’d be a waste. Too little, they’d surely die.

So, he set it for one minute.

He held out a hand, all fingers on full display. Then he retracted his thumb. Then his pinky. A countdown, but no word on just how long they’d have. Probably something they should’ve talk about above water, but it’d be fine.

Tavish hit the big red button and pushed off the rock with all his might. A L.E.D screen on full display started to count the seconds down, slowly yet surely. And he swam like the Sharpedo that the Wooper had scared off.

---

Eris Halla

As they furiously swam away, Tavish kept his eyes locked on the lass. She’d at least gotten the memo, but she had no clue as to how long they had. At least her Pokémon were good ones and helped her keep speed, and even outsped him. Note to self: try to recruit a water-type swimmer to the cause.

Not that Bloke was bad– but he swam on his own. Like he belonged, he crept along the bottom of the sea with efficiency and a strange grace. He continued to shoo and push the wild Pokémon away, and bubbles escaped his lips when he called out to the other Pokémon.

Time was running out, and they’d made a good distance. But… something in his chest stung. His gut grumbled and complained aloud. They weren’t far enough. Furthermore, they wouldn’t get far enough. The clock in his head got dangerously close to zero. Even though the shore was within sight, and within a minute, it wasn't close enough. A minute wasn't long enough. They wouldn't make it.

So, he doubled his pace. He waved to the Pokémon that helped Eris, and furiously jabbed his finger towards the bomb. His respirator escaped his lips, and he started to scream underwater. ‘Barrier, barrier!’ he called out.

Bloke swam up and joined the group. Just as the clock hit zero.

The water shook in the distance, but it didn’t waste any time as it came for them. Maybe it wouldn’t rupture their internal organs. Or maybe it would, and they were two seconds out from death. Who knew?

---

Eris Halla