This was El's first time in the simulations; a strange experience, to say the least, to be transported somewhere so different from the Hoenn they knew and loved. Ancient foliage grew tall and lush around them, and they almost wanted to stop to simply admire the scenery.

But, as Razz addresses them, El perks - glancing over to their partner. They remembered him from a prior Ranger patrol, and they'd smile and nod. "Right, sir." They responded - comfortable enough in the other's presence.

Any small-talk or mingling would have to wait, however. The pyroclastic explosion of the erupting volcano would spur their Cyclizar into action - and side by side, the two would end up having to make a run for it..!

El's gaze scanned their surroundings. They had to find cover, lest they be overrun; and the answer would soon make itself known to them. "There!" They called, pointing to a cave mouth off to the right. That should suffice, right?

At first, the cave is a welcome relief - even if it is dark here, there doesn't seem to be any wild pokemon immediately jumping out at them, and it is sufficient cover from the ash and hellfire above.

El exhales softly as they carefully dismount from their Cyclizar - casting a somewhat relieved smile to Razz. "Y-yeah; I didn't expect the simulation to be so... Dangerous, from the get-go, even if it's only a simulation." It felt so different from the occasional VR games they've messed around with; partly due to the lack of some clunky headset.

But, deeper within the cave comes the glow - the glow of a Wishing Star. And from this fel blight, came an ever-growing sense of unease. El's heart suddenly felt like lead in their chest, cold and heavy and skipping beats - a sense of fight or flight welling up within them. It was not unlike the feeling they got whenever they tread within Ultra Deep Sea; yet all the stronger...

"Wh-what's that, Sir..?" They ask, their voice soft and uncertain - stuck between the urge to keep looking over their shoulder, and yet unable to tear their eyes away from the Wishing Star. This felt wrong. It was wrong. Why was it wrong? They couldn't wholly recall if they'd seen anything like this before, but the red glow making their mind wander in a spiral certainly didn't help...

The chaos of Slateport was a horrifying one; a snapshot into something that could have been, especially if the rumblings of war did not go in their favor. Indeed, their initial instinct was to try and do something - to help - but Razz's hand on their shoulder stops them. And though there was reason to the captain's words, it's plain to see on El's face that they're reluctant.

This was a simulation, sure; no more real than their own roleplaying games. Yet even then, the games they played were based in fiction and fantasy - this was just... A little too close to reality for their comfort. They couldn't immerse themself into some other character here, when they, in a way, were the character here.

"I..." They pause for a second, to consider their words. "You- You said it yourself, this isn't real. Even if we get hurt, it... It won't stay with us." El's grip on their cane tightened a little. "I'd... I don't think I can bring myself to just let this happen, real or not, though." Physical injuries won't stick around, but regrets could.

They recognized that they wouldn't be able to stop this from happening. But they at least wanted to be able to say that they helped at least one person in this chaos. And though their voice may come across as uncertain, their gaze firms as their free hand feels along their pokeballs - the gears turning to figure out who'd help best in this moment.

El did not come in expecting some heroic victory. There were too many grunts, too many combatants to have to contend with. But that being said, it wasn't as though they were unprepared.

Bibidi and Baron, the intelligent, telepathic, and mobile pokemon that they were, El could trust them both to handle their own. Bibidi was able to Teleport away innocents, whilst Baron's Future Sight allowed him to stay one step ahead of the pursuing forces.

Patrasche, meanwhile, stayed close at El's side as a loyal steed - one that Razz could hitch a ride on, if he so desired. The shiny Walking Wake's Sunny Day was like a beacon that left her energized, and foes drawn close are fended off with a Flamethrower or Hydro Steam.

To say that El was fearless would be a lie. Even if this was fantasy in the end, it was far too close to reality for them to treat it as anything like a game. This was a real possibility, a small part of them knew.

Yet despite the way their hands shook as they held tight to Patrasche's reins... Even as the city is bathed in darkness from the Power Plant going out, even as the boss himself is trying to corner the group... They readily spur the draconic raptor into a Aqua Jet, to try and break through the ranks! "H-hold on tight!"

Raziel Beckett