El considered Isaac's guess - indeed, he had gotten the gears in their head turning for a moment. After a few long moments though, they mused "Maybe... Although, it's not like these Type: Nulls themselves are being spawned from the mist and crystals like other paradoxes are, else we'd be seeing a lot more of them now, right?"

And Josh's own 'better god' seemed a bit volatile.

But as Suicune made a quizzical sound, and Isaac made his own baffled remark, El couldn't help but snicker a bit before nodding. "I mean, it's pretty Suicune-y, so I don't blame him. Similar crest, mane, colorations... It's not like we got a more official name for these guys, either, like how Baron's an Iron Valiant..."

... Though, after a moment, they softly laugh as they add "It made it a bit hard on my brain, trying to talk about his Suicune and our Suicune at the same time, though."

"It was able to like... Heat up the water in the area, and turn the place into something like a sauna. My guess is it's probably powered up in the sun, like the other less metallic and more ancient-y Paradoxes." Which would be a bit strange to think of; usually, water-types didn't do as hot in the sun!

But, as Isaac and Suicune bantered in their own way, El couldn't help a giggle. "I'd think that maybe Josh dreamed them up, with how devoted he is to the Johto legendaries - but I dunno if he much has dinosaurs on the mind, either, unless they're fast."

... Though, then they pause. And ponder. "... What if it was because of one of his avians like Bladestorm." They flatly wondered, looking as though they had a brainblast in that moment. Bird pokemon were often linked pretty closely to dinosaur pokemon, to the point where some people liked saying they were one and the same...

When Bibidi pat El on the head with a heavy sigh though, they couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, okay, maybe I'm overthinking it a bit... But honestly, if you had to pick a speedy or nimble dinosaur, a Theropod or some similar raptor-type is probably pretty up there out of the three."

And, perhaps, the time to actually test that theory was approaching. Because the group's wanderings soon led them to a sizeable cavern - one with a lake in the center - the walls and the basin the lake sits in lined with glimmering Tera crystals. Safe to say, El is awed at the sight - smiling over to Isaac. "This is real pretty; look at how the light's bouncing off of everything!"

Indeed, the water's surface was glimmering as well, as it and the crystals reflect one another. It was a perfectly picturesque sight, to say the least, as El steps forward - giggling to themself as they splash in the shallows a bit with Haro...

... But, danger is soon heralded as a familiar pink mist seeps from the gaps between some of the crystals; rolling across the water's surface, to soon fill the cavern. And with it, the temperature seems to rise, as steam begins to mix with the beguiling mist...

El and their pokemon take note of this - and they are quick to begin backing away, back to Isaac's side... Something was out there...

GCReOZP6
Isaac Merlo

El shrugged a bit at the subject of the names. "I suppose; but it's probably better than calling em just, 'that funny metallic Hariyama'." They mused with a lighthearted smile.

But in the present moment, as the mist and steam alike roll across the water... El's free hand drifts down to their belt - prepared to switch pokemon out as need be. They had come prepared for whatever may happen, and had a pair of trump cards ready if worse comes to worse.

Which, it was quickly becoming a possibility. MUGEN's Techno Blast sails across the waters - mist and steam alike briefly parting in its wake, as the beam slams into the crystals on the opposite side of the lake. There is a flash of blinding light, the sound of something shattering, and a howling cry not unlike Suicune's own...

... A cry, that seems to layer into itself after but a moment.

As vision returns, it seems that the mist and steam are still present - but it begins to thin enough to allow for vision. Two silohuettes begin to form, two figures striding across the waters - leaving barely a ripple, though it's hard to perfectly tell as MUGEN's attack had left the water's surface disturbed.

El finds themself a bit alarmed, however, as the figures reveal themselves to be not one, but two Walking Wakes! Identical in shape, but not in color - one is true to Suicune's own ordinary coloration, while the other is in shades of cyan and deep blue. Both raptors let out low growls as they gaze upon the group, twinned tails lashing.

As Baron readies his spear, El recalls Haro and Bibidi to keep them safe. They trust Bibidi will reemerge on her own if need be - but they weren't about to pit Haro up against a pair of Paradoxes...

But before they can think to make a first attack, the blue Wake acts - throwing back its head and howling to set up a Sunny Day for the both of them..!

TTHlfBzP
Isaac Merlo

At first, the azure Wake was eager to join its brethren in the hunt - to gang up on MUGEN, and take it down before it even had a chance to fight back. But as it attempts to shoot the Genesect out of the air with a Dragon Pulse...

... The attack is intercepted. Baron parts the blast of energy with a Spirit Break - swinging his spear through it, any draconic energy that lingers sliding harmlessly off of the fairy-type's metallic chassis. He stares the Walking Wake down, shifting his grip to hold his spear in one hand.

The Wake, meanwhile, seems to study him - the gears in its head visibly turning. The two circle one another, slow, careful, calculated...

... Until Baron charges, attempting to swing his spear at it in a Dragon Hammer! However, the raptor is swift - leaping aside, and letting loose a Noble Roar that has the Iron Valiant flinching back. It is quick to follow up with a Aqua Jet that bowls him over - though before the raptor can capitalize on pinning him down, he is already gone through a timely use of Double Team.

Which puts both combatants in another standoff - watching one another, not daring to turn their backs on the other, lest the other opponent is given an opening.

El, meanwhile, is watching - thinking. They can feel Baron occasionally brushing against their mind - him briefly checking for counsel and input. But thus far, there was one thing on their mind. "If we don't keep them occupied, they're gonna gang up on one of our pokemon... Baron's keeping the other one occupied so far..."

... But if one of them slips up, and the two raptors can gang up for long enough to take either machine down, things could quickly go awry... El was thankful, at least, that Baron wasn't the only fighter on their team right now.

MB5aPk_V
Isaac Merlo

As Isaac grinned, El's own expression became one of fondly-exasperated resignation. "... I know that look, Isaac. Please don't get yourself hurt, okay?" Is all they had to say on the matter - because they knew there was no stopping Isaac, once he got going. And whatever plan he had, it'd be equal parts batshit and viable.

Though, they'd be a liar if they said that they weren't prone to their own dangerous or impulsive decisions... Which, they blamed Isaac for rubbing off on them in that way; though, perhaps it only went to show how much the two were truly siblings.

Whereas Isaac's side of the fight was one of tricks and gambits though, El's side was far more straightforward. One of a robotic dragoon-knight and an intelligent, calculating beast locked in combat.

The azure Wake and Baron alike prodded at eachothers' guards - looking for a gap, an opening, to exploit. But in terms of agility and smarts, both sides were at at an impasse; trading grazing blows, gained ground constantly being traded. Whilst Baron might have had the advantage of typing in being Fairy versus the Wake's Dragon, the Wake's Protosynthesis and Noble Roar both provided an edge of its own...

... But it was only a matter of time, before the stalemate gave.

As the more normal-looking Wake is struck by MUGEN's Zap Cannon, the azure Wake is distracted - looking to its kin. Its lip curled back in a fearsome baring of teeth - letting out an enraged shriek as it loosed a Flamethrower at the Genesect, moving in to try and back up the paralyzed Wake!

As if a call-and-response - or perhaps more likely a coincidence - another strange cry, one that El had long-since grown adjusted to, calls from deeper within Area Zero's depths...

However, the distraction leaves the azure Wake open - and Baron is quick to take the advantage given. Intercepting with a Spirit Break, his spear sinks into the Wake's side - drawing another enraged cry from the Paradox, who is sent tumbling onto its side..! It attempts to force Baron back with a Hydro Steam - but the knight once more uses Double Team to get out of the way.

Baron takes a step back from the Wake, so as to avoid any point-blank attacks - but all the while, the psychic energy of a Future Sight shines within his eyes as he studies the streams of possibilities before him.

(Koraidon call prompt)

Di2B4_Qa
Isaac Merlo

Baron did not immediately respond - though the barest turn of his head did indicate he heard Isaac. Instead, he was thinking deep.

These beasts were strong. In body, and in will. Even for a machine that did not necessarily feel the same way they did, he could understand the simple fact that they did - and they felt strongly. They were dragons, through and through - either raptor settling for a retreat was exceedingly unlikely, no matter what stream he looked down.

But this did not mean that death was the only option, either.

As Baron pondered though, El was quick to move to the two's sides - glancing to Isaac in particular. "A-are you okay??" They questioned, looking him over. Even if he had been able to avoid being burnt to a crisp by the Flamethrower, scalding steam was no joke, either!

Before much longer though, Baron settles upon an action - rather than an impression - for an answer. He moves fast - glancing to El and reaching into their bag, he pulls out two empty pokeballs. He places one in El's hand, and then tossing the other to Isaac.

The meaning here would surely be obvious. However, even if the solution was clear, getting there was another question. This was especially apparent as the azure Wake - despite a bleeding wound on its side - gets up to its feet, briefly swaying, and lets out another shrieking Noble Roar!

Baron, however, was undaunted by the display. Spear readied, he charges forward once more, into the fray!

Though his energy was beginning to run low, he was still a machine - and stamina was more a suggestion than a rule for his kind. The Wake, not so much - it was beginning to tire from the repeated exchanges in this extended fight, that much was clear.

Thus, as the raptor lets loose a Hydro Steam his way, Baron is already on the move. He charges straight into the attack, caring naught of the way his chassis groans under the pressure and from the extreme heat; in fact, it is his plan to withstand the attack completely. Under the cover of the steamclouds that billow in the attack's wake, he comes in close to land a devastating Close Combat..!

Once more, the Walking Wake is brought tumbling down - and this time, as it opens its maw to try and let loose another projectile attack, Baron strikes its jaw with the shaft of his spear. With a flourished twirl, he brings the blade down to point it towards the beast - a clear threat.

Though the others may not be immediately aware of it, Baron would 'speak' to the Wake. He impressed upon it the simple fact that if this fight were to continue, that it would likely die, as he would protect his charge to the end. And with this knowledge came a simple command; to leave, or to stand down.

The Wake growled in response, as it stared him in the eye. Slowly, almost cautiously, it'd shift to bring its feet underneath it - but it did not immediately stand back up. Instead, it would stay low to the ground - letting out a low warbling sound as it gazed to its brethren, a sound that Baron could only read as worry for the other.

Here, El commented softly "Will MUGEN let up on the other Paradox, too..?"

Baron looked to the other Wake, and to MUGEN - the two locked in a far more violent fight. But he would reach his mind out to the Genesect, with but a simple request that it, too, would allow the Wake a chance to stand down.

Isaac Merlo

Under the Pressure, even the azure Wake - who wasn't as near by Suicune - was a little cowed. It was thoroughly outmatched, it recognized by now...

And El, meanwhile, sighed with relief that these two Paradoxes were spared. Even these otherworldly pokemon, invasive and often hostile as they were, the kindhearted Ranger didn't want to see anyone get seriously hurt - or even die. Letting out Akero, the two would approach the azure Wake.

Which, when the Wake made a soft growl, they spoke softly in response. "It's okay," They murmured reassuringly, carefully kneeling down to get to the raptor's level. "I just want to patch everyone up, okay?" Glancing and gesturing to Akero, they'd have her let loose a Life Dew for everyone - Wakes and combatants both.

As the dew sprinkled down upon Wake, it would relax a little - the pain relief putting it at ease. It let out a chirpy warbling croon, a more curious sound, as it looked to the pokemon, then to the humans. Outside of combat, it seemed that this one had a somewhat milder personality.

And as its eyes fell upon El, their smile grew a little, and they carefully held out a hand to it. "Do you want to be friends?" They asked softly.

The Walking Wake considered it. Its eyes cast over El - then to the softly-whistling Akero - and then to Baron, whose mind brushed against its own in a more gentle and amicable fashion. Then its gaze once more fell upon El - and slowly, tentatively... It'd sniff their palm, before briefly nuzzling into it, feather-light.

El smiled at this - a good sign. They would wait until they were someplace quieter to figure out this Wake's comfort zone - but for now... Bringing out the empty pokeball, they'd reach to gently tap it against the Paradox, to bring it in. And without a fight, the ball clicked - the wake was happy to come with them.

Holding the ball close, El would get up to glance over to Isaac - smiling to his Wake, as it followed after Suicune. "Guess Suicune's getting a little pack, huh?" They mused humorously, joining back up with the others.

Glancing over to Isaac - as they returned Akero, and brought Bibidi and Haro back out - they'd add "This was a real nice find - I'm looking forward to getting to know our new buddies!" But of course, finishing the survey was first - Baron might have taken a bit of a beating, but the others were still plenty good to keep going.

What else would they find, down in these crystalline caverns..?