MARCH UPDATE

POSTED ON Feb 19, 2024 19:58:16 GMT

Grigori ran faster than he’d done in the last ten years of his life. Thank goodness for his rigorous workout routine, as he clambered over fallen trees effortlessly and around the wild Pokémon that hadn’t noticed him. All without breaking a sweat. That and the environment was drop-dead gorgeous, with its abundant greens meshed with the grey rocks and clear streams.

But maybe that was a trap. A mirage to bait him into certain danger. It felt so, as he looked back towards the creatures that chased him. Vicious, cold, heartless– the Iron Bundles chased after him with a ruthless efficiency never seen before. They put some grunts to shame, the way they only attacked without thought. Cream and Sugar, his two precious Skitty, hissed at them to no effect on his shoulders.

One stopped momentarily and opened its beak. White light built up in its body, and Grigori quickly dodged around a rather large bolder. Something cold struck the opposite side of it with powerful force, and crystals raced across its surface. He looked at them wildly before stepping away from the rock.

Just in time, as the final surge of the Ice Beam finished piercing the rock. Death had been mere decimeters away.

He pulled the two cream-cats into his arms and kept running. It felt like he’d ran a marathon, yet it had only been once around the upper part of the chasm. These creatures could surely run all night– he’d only last an hour, tops. “I REQUIRE ASSISTANCE! PLEASE, ANYONE OUT THERE!”

He’d gladly reveal his identity as a member of Team Rocket if it meant he didn’t perish to a pack of angry robot birds. Or, if his demise was certain, that they'd protect the two fur balls that dug their nervous claws into his arms.

jayden cross
jS1ZQEk0

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played by

milky

jayden

he/him

december 25

ballonlea, galar

bisexual

wyndon ceo

admin

5'10" height

we'll never get free, lamb to the slaughter

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4,139 posts

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TAG WITH @jayden

POSTED ON Feb 19, 2024 20:25:48 GMT

Cillian Quinn and PENELOPE LIVY like this

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It was no surprise that eventually Rocket would send official teams to explore the new areas that had opened up as a result of Reshiram and Hoopa's wrath. What Lulu Flint hadn't been able to do on that fateful day was better left to be explored in official groups.

[break][break] 'The Jayden I knew didn't go alone sprinting into danger,' Cillian Quinn had said.

[break][break] But this wasn't different. He wasn't recklessly sprinting into the jaws of PENELOPE LIVY's deadly flames.

[break][break] However, as the admin neared the cliff's edge, he heard a sudden scream from below. It was hard to see who it was beneath but whoever it was obviously was in dire need of assistance. If it was Leaguer, Jayden determined, he could easily get rid of them the moment that he discovered it.

[break][break] Descending the chasm's side, the Cursed leapt. Blue light gathered at the center of his palm and he directed his power towards the grounds beneath the flock of enraged Iron Bundles. Icicles surged upward furiously, piercing the air. Some of the Paradox Pokemon emitted squawks of outrage as they collided with the sudden icy barrier; others faced the full force of the Cursed's wrath, unforgivingly impaled.

[break][break] Jayden landed just as the snowy clouds cleared, ice-blue eyes blinking as they focused on the sight of a familiar face.

[break][break] "... Sokolov?"

[break][break]

QeAeEUsx [break]

TOTAL 91

[attr="class","symbol"]
[attr="class,"cp cp-skull"]

[attr="class","tag"]
Grigori Sokolov [break]
gc explore #1

[attr="class","milkycred"]
MILKY

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[newclass=".postbody h2"] font:10px 'Poppins'; letter-spacing:3px; color:rgba(250,250,250,0.5) [/newclass]

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played by

Rysa

he/him

forty-eight

December 26

Slateport City

asexual

Enforcer

grunt

6"1' height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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TAG WITH @grigorisokolov

POSTED ON Feb 20, 2024 23:23:05 GMT

Grigori could only watch as the ground behind him erupted into an icy death trap. Several mechanical constructs simply perished, while the rest were temporarily halted by the appearance of a thick wall. He could hear them behind the temporary roadblock. However, there was at least a moment’s reprieve.

Enough for him to take several deep breaths and turn back to his savior. “You have my eternal gratit–”

Fuck. Admin Jayden Cross stood in front of him, a person who had come from seemingly nowhere. Either he had snuck up on the man as he ran for his life, or he had descended from the sky. His eyes glowed a frosty blue, a gaze that quite literally pierced his own. The two Skitty clambered in his arms to huddle together, shivering from the sudden cold wind.

“Mr. Cross! Unexpected to see you here,” he said. “I appreciate the save. Relentless things-they've been on my tail for quite some time.”

This was the last time he ventured out here on his own. To think he wanted to explore the scenery in a way that the rest of the grunts couldn't understand or didn't care about. Instead, he got ran around the chasm and dodged wave after wave of frigid ice and watery beams powerful enough to cut through stone.

Unfortunately, he heard the creatures start to figure out the concept of ‘going around’. The rumble of frigid machinery grew louder as the stragglers prepared themselves to continue their assault. He groaned, and turned back to Jayden.

“Looks like we’re still in danger,” Grigori let the two fur balls jump from his arms and scamper further away. They wouldn’t go too far, and he needed the ability to properly move. The cavalry had arrived.

“Let’s deal with this problem, and we can talk afterword,” Grigori released a third ball from his belt, and a bright red insect emerged from the ball. Scizor, and he looked ready to clean house based on the eager clicks of his claws. Jayden's gift from the awful feline was coming in handy. A phrase he never thought of until now.

jayden cross
J7Y2FrfF

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played by

milky

jayden

he/him

december 25

ballonlea, galar

bisexual

wyndon ceo

admin

5'10" height

we'll never get free, lamb to the slaughter

awards

4,139 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @jayden

POSTED ON Feb 21, 2024 18:39:13 GMT

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It was the first time that they had met since Jayden's unique transformation, but surely, as an experienced member of Rocket's very own, Grigori Sokolov would think nothing of it. After all, it was hardly different than what Elisabeth Fiorelli herself had gone through.

[break][break] “I appreciate the save. Relentless things-they've been on my tail for quite some time.”

[break][break] The admin nods towards the other in acknowledgement, gaze glancing over the broken forms of the mechanical beasts that had been chasing the poor man. Grigori was hardly the first Rocket that he had saved in these excursions. Mentally, he made a checklist to increase the grunts training regiment for the week. They could do with some additional weights, if they were having trouble fleeing hordes of Paradox Pokemon.

[break][break] However, the sound of more beasts awakened his senses and Jayden turned towards them. There was a slight gleam in his eye.

[break][break] "Agreed. Let's go."

[break][break] For his purpose, Chien Pao was by his side this time when the horde approached. Snarling, the Ruinous Beast let out a magnificent roar before a ICE SPINNER cut through the grassy terrain.

[break][break] Jayden followed through with several ice shards, set to impale their opposition.

[break][break]

w7EQXtI1 [break]

TOTAL 160

[attr="class","symbol"]
[attr="class,"cp cp-skull"]

[attr="class","tag"]
Grigori Sokolov [break]
gc explore #1

[attr="class","milkycred"]
MILKY

close tab

played by

Rysa

he/him

forty-eight

December 26

Slateport City

asexual

Enforcer

grunt

6"1' height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

277 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @grigorisokolov

POSTED ON Feb 24, 2024 20:01:31 GMT

Grigori did not follow the admin into direct combat. He was only human, unblessed by the powers of a mythical Pokemon. He couldn’t conjure very sharp icicles from his hands, but he could watch the other one do it with the aforementioned mythical. Even if his hands itched in its presence, he held strong.

Scizor, though, was perfect for the job. It followed right behind the other two with vicious strikes and devastating blows. Bullet Punch after Bullet Punch, he dismantled several Iron Bundles on his own before they even had a chance to fire back. Yet they couldn’t, torn apart by Jayden and the Chien-Pao.

The three made quick work of the initial horde. The grunt didn’t keep track of the time, yet it couldn’t have been longer than ninety seconds. In their wake was crystalline grass that crunched underfoot, a few ice pebbles, and the guts of all the previously active Paradox Pokémon. Grigori whistled. Sugar and Cream came back behind him, their bodies both hiding behind and clutching his legs.

“Good work, you three,” he said. He looked towards Jayden and Scizor, yet pointedly ignored the ruinous beast and how it toyed with his emotions passively. Clenched fists hung by his side. The Skitty did the same. “Once again, I must reiterate my gratitude for the help.”

“They came out of nowhere,” he motioned to the numerous corpses. “A whole horde of them… but I pray that there aren’t more on the way.”

jayden cross
TOTAL: 255
EJjHE4fM

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played by

milky

jayden

he/him

december 25

ballonlea, galar

bisexual

wyndon ceo

admin

5'10" height

we'll never get free, lamb to the slaughter

awards

4,139 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @jayden

POSTED ON Mar 6, 2024 3:43:53 GMT

Chu-e Choi likes this

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It's a glorious dance. The surge of battle sets a fire to his veins, one that he had become accustomed to ever since his fights with bryan delarosa. Once upon a time, he may not have understood such a savage excitement. He fought to kill, and nothing less. Yet now, he understood it, as swords slid against metallic flesh and ice splintered into crystal shards amongst the grassland floor.

[break][break] It ignites a primal thrill within him, a sensation aroused solely by the Ruinous Beast's ferocity. With each swing of his sword, the sensation of HATRED intensifies, fueled by years of pent-up resentment and anger hidden beneath a decade of unwavering loyalty.

[break][break] A surge of indignation courses through him as he thrusts his sword into a fluttering Iron Bundle, skewering it like a shishkebob.

[break][break] How dare these things attack them? Attack Grigori? His friend?

[break][break] "No need to thank me," he said, turning on his heel once it was all over. The vibrant glow of his eyes dimmed as he returned to his senses, fondness creeping in as he glanced down at the two Skitty. His throat closed, reminded of Chu-e Choi, before glancing up again. "I'm just glad I reached you in time."

[break][break] He was ignorant of the burgeoning resentment in the other man's chest for his patron, so full of his own emotion.

[break][break] "Is that the same Scizor you used at the meeting?" A pause. A memory surged forth, the gleam of a wound pierced against declan walsh as the Scizor saved their boss from further injury.

[break][break] "It's trained well."

[break][break]

WTAsX6m3 [break]

TOTAL 286

[attr="class","symbol"]
[attr="class,"cp cp-skull"]

[attr="class","tag"]
Grigori Sokolov [break]
gc explore #1

[attr="class","milkycred"]
MILKY

close tab

played by

Rysa

he/him

forty-eight

December 26

Slateport City

asexual

Enforcer

grunt

6"1' height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

277 posts

DOLLARS

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TAG WITH @grigorisokolov

POSTED ON Mar 8, 2024 17:25:10 GMT

The pair of Skitty stayed firmly behind Grigori’s legs, even once the last Iron Bundle twitched into oblivion. The larger feline was an awful presence, one they both actively shielded themselves from with water-soaked dress pants.

As Jayden brought up the Scizor, he would rejoin them from the mass of broken parts, his red body stained with the grease and fluids from their foes. He clicked his claws idly, still hungry for more. In a way, his Pokémon were more aligned to Rocket than he these last few years. Not a bad thing, necessarily.

“Yes, Mr. Cross,” he said. Scizor smiled and doubled the clicking. His way to laugh. “I’ve had Scizor since I was in Rocket. We’ve been through a lot, these years. A good friend, and even better battle partner."

The grunt’s gaze went past Jayden for a moment. Thirty-one years of service– a long time to crack skulls in Rocket’s name. A flash of frustration ignited his mind, but he quickly calmed it. The work of the Chien-Pao, no doubt. Steady thoughts. To reveal doubt is to reveal weakness.

He returned his vision to the present. “How has your time in this area been? I hope I haven’t distracted you from another mission, like many other grunts surely have.”

Yet his attention was soon distracted again: something moved in the distance, but he couldn’t make heads or tails of it. But he did try to look past Jayden, towards the disturbance that threatened to dispel the brief moment of peace.

jayden cross
TOTAL: 352
8DGZVCAT

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played by

milky

jayden

he/him

december 25

ballonlea, galar

bisexual

wyndon ceo

admin

5'10" height

we'll never get free, lamb to the slaughter

awards

4,139 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @jayden

POSTED ON Mar 27, 2024 6:52:30 GMT

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"I understand," he agrees. Jayden may not have a Scizor, but he has his own ghosts — both literal and figurative that have bonded to him and provided him companionship over the years. For better or for worse, it is yet another thing he shares in common with Grigori Sokolov.

[break][break] He contemplates the grunt's question.

[break][break] "No," he decides on. "I would rather to see you live than die."

[break][break] Beside him, CHIEN PAO opens it's maw, breathing in the frustration that leaks from the other man, like a broken seam.

[break][break] Jayden's gaze flickered, glancing behind him, but he saw nothing.

[break][break] "Do you see something, Sokolov?"

[break][break] Once again, HATRED peeled off him in waves — threatening to overwhelm whoever it was that dared approach.

[break]

5udbJLOg [break]

TOTAL 380

[attr="class","symbol"]
[attr="class,"cp cp-skull"]

[attr="class","tag"]
Grigori Sokolov [break]
gc explore #1

[attr="class","milkycred"]
MILKY

close tab

played by

Rysa

he/him

forty-eight

December 26

Slateport City

asexual

Enforcer

grunt

6"1' height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

277 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @grigorisokolov

POSTED ON Mar 27, 2024 17:01:47 GMT

“I think I see… oh no,” Grigori groaned and pointed at the new disturbance on the horizon. It was a familiar sight, in a sense, but much, much worse than the last five minutes. “You have to be fucking with me–”

The only thing that could make someone like Grigori curse was almost exactly that: across the clearing, like before, was yet another horde of Iron Bundle. Except there was two times– no three times– no maybe four times–

An army of them. They crawled over stumps, fell down from the cover of the trees leaves, and even knocked each other over as they all rushed forward. A literal stampede of the creatures, an endless swarm that came from some unknown source. Scizor sized them up and his eyes widened.

Even with all the hatred in the world at his claw-tips, there were simply too many to count, and even more to defeat.

Grigori finally had to call it quits. He pulled out two poke balls and pointed them at the Skitty by his legs. They hissed furiously at their larger counterpart and the tide of red-and-white murder machines as they were recalled. “Playtime’s over, little ones.”

“Mr. Cross, we must retreat! There’s too many of them!” He tried to pull the admin backwards, further away from the horde that crossed the distance in record time. They kept pouring in from all over, and threatened to drown both them and the environment in their conquest for…

Wanton bloodshed. Wait a second. “Mr. Cross, your Pokémon! It’s making– damn it, it’s enraging them! We must leave, now!"

jayden cross
TOTAL: 425
jfxRuQBa

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played by

milky

jayden

he/him

december 25

ballonlea, galar

bisexual

wyndon ceo

admin

5'10" height

we'll never get free, lamb to the slaughter

awards

4,139 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @jayden