With a few powerful pokemon of their own, it only stood to reason that Makoto would eventually end up having to steel themself against similarly powerful pokemon. Galarian Moltres and Wo-Chien both are fearsome in their own rights; and yet, as Makoto feels over their pokeballs, they find it hard to figure out which one they'd rather fight.

Trial by fire, or by ruination. Either way, it was going to be an experience, to put it generously.

The last thing they expect, though, is for a third Avatar to join them here today.

Cillian Quinn

Makoto is just as surprised to see Cillian step up alongside them; though they aren't sure how they felt about the Underboss' presence, beyond the usual unease and discomfort they found around the more powerful members of Rocket. All the same, as he offers to team up, they respond with a nod and dip of the head in a wordless greeting.

Of the two Legendaries, they decide that they'd much rather go up against the fiery Galarian Moltres; and of the pokemon they did have... Well, between the flames this bird likely employed, and Underboss Quinn's presence, they supposed they only had one option of who to bring out.

Tamamo's eyes flash with glee as she is brought out onto the field; and though she briefly flashes a toothy and dangerous grin in Makoto's way, other things draw her attention. Cillian. His own Shadow Pokémon...

... And before the lot of them, a fiery bird that surely was birthed from the underworld. One that Tamamo was eager to put her focus upon, the prey to the Umbral Predator that she was.

But rather than charge in directly, the fox would enjoy to toy with her prey a little. With a shrieking foxlike cackle, Shadow Sky filled the chamber with a roiling darkness that she and Conri would surely find themselves at home in! Mixed with the Moltres' Poison Gas, visibility was quickly dropping to null; but her crimson eyes and violet sparks of flame shone in the murk, making her look like some hellish phantom herself.

(Makoto, meanwhile, could only bring the collar of their shirt up over their nose and mouth in a futile attempt to avoid the acrid smell that was filling the room.)

Cillian Quinn

Tamamo growls softly as the poison sets in; a pain, to say the least, but no matter. If she simply brought her prey down now, then it wouldn't matter how much poison it spreads upon the battlefield.

However, the bird's Protect wards off any initial assaults; Tamamo snarls as she attempts to leap at the Moltres to try and bite into it, only to be warded off.

But, then the Ninetales notices it - a moment of lowered guard, of having to wind back up before the Moltres can truly attempt another attack. An opportunity. One that she eagerly takes.

Shadowy howling winds and fel violet flames alike form a Shadow Storm at Tamamo's beck and call, and she wastes no time in releasing it upon the Galarian Moltres!

Makoto blinks a bit at the mention of Lugia - glancing to Cillian, and then to Tamamo. They supposed it adds up - half of Lugia's whole shtick was storms, wasn't it? They felt Tamamo's appeal towards it though was simply that it was strong. Useful, in a fight. None can contest the destructive power behind a storm, after all.

But really, that was what Tamamo's MO boiled down to, wasn't it? If she wasn't there to dominate the battlefield as the predator she was, then she was there to toy with her food. Rocket brooked no weakness, and neither did she.

All the same, they nodded. "She's... Certainly developed, since the last time you've seen her." They speak. It was as though she was embracing her status as a Shadow more and more, by the day.

And before long, the training would come to a stop. Makoto didn't hesitate to return Tamamo once things were over - not keen on the Ninetales' attention drifting to inappropriate targets. But, all the same, it was enlightening to watch the Galarian Moltres in action throughout this fight.

Perhaps, though, they'd rather train with their less volatile pokemon next time - if the opportunity for it arises.