[attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"]

Effie and Saude return to Cass' side as the group comes to a halt near the Rockets and the Rangers. Her birds (in the widest sense) are a warm, crackling sensation that gives her a little bit of comfort, as well as their unafraid eyes. They're so much stronger than herself ... and she feels a new presence emerging, too, a protector. Hanna's been agitated in her ball ever since they set foot in Petalburg again, and the fact that they're unmoving is unnerving to her. She only needs to get to her woods ...

"It'll be another moment," Cass whispers to Hanna, "but do you think you could help?" The protector looks at her with pleading eyes. She cares little for the world outside of her place - but this has changed, recently. A little bit of compassion that Cass is immensely graceful for. "Thank you. We'll figure the woods out, we will." She's not confident in her words, but between her and her Sigilyph, there's gotta be something worth a brighter future.

Azelf on the other hand frowns, not paying mind to Mesprit's whining yet because it's focused on the Genesect, too, and finds something ... lacking. It would tell its siblings this, talking of machines that do not seem to have a will - or much of it, anyway. But even a little bit could be manipulated, and expanded upon ... like embers to a flame, like a balloon that fills with air more and more until it pops ...

A Luxray leaps into action first, and Azelf hurries after its sibling to use Expanding Force with its personal twist - let the will of some Genesect crack and echo, build up and rise.

The Will of the Used ... the Following.

"Tailwind!" Cass hurries to command, but Effie's already on it, providing her allies a speedboost with her powerful wings. Saude joins the others with Discharge to knock out some Genesect while Hanna's boldly flying into the mix, too, using Light Screen to soften incoming Techno Blasts. Jon meanwhile jumps from her arms as well, using Endure to tank some hits while being reduced to tatters- a sight that hurts.

She knows that it'd come down to this, but the fight's a violent one - chaotic and with intent, and seeing her beloved pokémon get hurt is ... she feels herself waver once more, wonder if this is really worth anything. But who else- who else is here?

Only three kids and their shattering dreams.

A pitfall in her stomach.

Eris Halla Hideo Kino
MP +10
character's strength: cass' bond with her pokémon
self-doubt: first battle in a proper war and lethal scenario is not going too hot mentally

MP TOTAL: 460

Uxie prompted Hideo the moment the others went into, the boy letting out his white Zoroark. It had no Illusion to cast over its body - that ability taken by Uxie - but it could instead Levitate, floating through the air as if flying with its mind. It flew in, courtesy of the Fletchinder's Tailwind, and fired Swift stars around - not only at the Genesects, but at their trainers as well, to keep them disrupted.

Hideo didn't need to order it to do anything; he could trust its judgments. It's how he'd trained his Pokemon, and he had faith they would do the right thing. And he could trust his friends to command their Pokemon as well.

Uxie, meanwhile, took the opportunity to investigate a bit further. It went for the one Genesect that wasn't already paralyzed by Reiner, a Mystical Power holding it in place as it peered into the construct's mind, to see how much there was to see.

And it communicated what it saw with its siblings: there was a mind there, but it wasn't much. Almost like a newborn life, a mind that could be so much more - yet was stifled, filled only with knowledge of how to fight and take orders.

Yet Uxie knew it could affect its mind, just like it had done with the patrolling Genesect and its trainer. It wouldn't even take that much work, either…and Uxie was interested in studying just what this Pokemon was.

All the while, Hideo made his way to the hostages, his Beheeyem and Shadow Alakazam accompanying him. While the others fought, he went to go rescue the hostages - while making sure they didn't spot the Lake Trio. He merely needed to unbind them, then have his Alakazam Teleport them to safety.

Mopping up the Rockets would be easy from that point.

Eris Halla , Cassandra Kubrick

[attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"]

With Uxie's further prodding, it's easier for Azelf to find the little rivulets of will that is needed for these robotic pokémon to move at all - and expand, expand. Arguably, simply giving the robots free will might be a bit of a bad idea, but gladly, it's not alone. In combination with its siblings, the Genesect often simply stop fighting, seemingly malfunctioning.

As Hideo leaps to help the rangers and Eris actively is in the mix, Cass finally moves from her spot, snatching up her Trubbish as it's too slow to Endure another time - the stray attack manages to hit her shoulder, however, the exact spot where she's been injured by Ogerpon during the prison break. And that's also only been three months or so?

She tightly hugs her Trubbish, but knows that he wants to fight again after Martin's used Aromatherapy to at least ease up on some status ailments. For now, she'd keep him here, however, looking at the turning tides of the battle. Allowing herself a moment to breathe, before she'd look around with hesitation again, Martin taking care of her wounds as somewhat possible. "Is it over yet ...?" she murmurs, but knows there's always another battle in war.

She shakes herself, walking to actually finally help, too, as she notices Hanna just floating still.

Her eyes are fixed onto the horizon, on smoke rising behind the buildings in the city.

That's ... where the Woods are?

Eris Halla Hideo Kino
MP +10
have cass directly be injured by a pokémon: shoulder wound
have confidence grow: maybe they'll manage after all

MP TOTAL: 570

Hideo's job was certainly made easier when the Rangers he freed went to work freeing the others. The Genesects were disabled by the Lake Trio's efforts, and his Zoroark was at work taking down the Rockets themselves.

Uxie, meanwhile, worked its domain on the three Genesects, putting some information in their heads: that there was more to life than just fighting and taking orders from people that saw them as just weapons. That following the kids would give them a far more satisfying life than what they had right now. That they could experience so much more if they stayed with the kids.

Perhaps it might've been too rough an attempt, the Genesects seemingly dazed by its efforts.

But it seemed to stick to the one Uxie was sat upon, the Genesect walking over to its original trainer and taking its Pokeball away, before turning over to Hideo and making its way to the boy. His Beheeyem and Alakazam were less than thrilled (as were the Rangers they'd rescued), both ready to fight, but Uxie assured them it was alright.

It handed its Pokeball to Hideo, who was moderately confused by the development. "You…ok, I guess. Can it fight right now?"

Uxie seemed to take a moment before answering, before a small look of regret showed itself on its illusory face. "Maybe not" was the gist of the answer. "Well, at least we got it on our side," Hideo said, recalling it to its Pokeball.

With the current threat handled, they could wrap things up. Hideo took out his radio, turning it back on. He could hear DESIREE BLOOMS 's voice as he went through the channels, trying to talk to DEREK HOFFMAN - who didn't seem to immediately answer.

Must be busy.

"Hideo here. I'm gonna be sending over some Rangers I saved from some Rockets. The Rockets'll be joining them. Expect my special Alakazam to Teleport them in."

With that, his Alakazam would round up the Rangers, teleporting them over first. After a short while, it'd return, to take over the Rockets as well - giving enough time for the kids to do a brief interrogation if they wanted.

As he waited, Hideo could smell smoke. More than before. Something out there was on fire, something big. "...we can't stay here much longer."

Hideo Kino will hear fellow Gym Leader DESIREE BLOOMS's comms to DEREK HOFFMAN; he too, will realize that DEREK HOFFMAN is not responding.

the trio will encounter several GENESECT and their trainers who have rounded up League troops for execution. although the Genesect are machines, they can be affected by the Lake Trio's ability to manipulate EMOTIONS, KNOWLEDGE & WILLPOWER, providing the trio with a chance to save them.

Eris Halla , Cassandra Kubrick

[attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"]

After a pause, one Genesect seem to mimic what the one going to Hideo did, taking its pokéball very sneakily. Cass and Azelf only happen to watch it happening because they were focused on it, but not even the trainer seems to notice as they still try to command their robot.

"GRAB THEM!" they scream, but the Genesect doesn't respond, much like the one Eris is dealing with.

"Are you sure it worked? I mean it did, but," Cass whispers to Azelf, who seems to shrug - it seems like free will might manifest itself in various, various ways. She shrugs, hiding her trembling hands as she turns away from the tied up Rocket. "It's over, have some dignity, man."

A picture of her mom flashes across her mind. Even in defeat, she wouldn't cower and wimper like that. Even in an invasion of their hometown, she would make sure to keep hers safe.

But hers isn't also Cass'.

Her mind's interrupted as the last remaining Rocket's shouting at Eris. With a frown, Cass just wants this yapping to stop, until the words sink in. The cadence, the tone. All too familiar. She knows she spoke like that just minutes ago - it feels like an eternity.

Eris ... what?

She feels her entire body freeze. The battle's over, but the storm hasn't passed yet - she isn't even, it's not like Eris is with Rocket now. But a lot of things make more sense now - why the League might want to keep a closer eye, how she's so distrustful of the League, everything ...

(Her mind races back to her mom. How it makes sense that she dislikes the League. How there's truth, for sure - how everything just becomes a mess.)

Her hands tremble and not even Jon's presence, climbing up into her arms again, could actually ease the heaviness in her heart that's threatening to suffocate her. You need to say something - is Eris looking? Does she know that you heard? You need to say something- what did she go through? We need to-

In a hurricane of contradictions, she can't pick out what needs to be done. She briefly glances at Eris, but her image calls forth another of purple hair and an aloof, yet warm smile, and she shakes her head, looking away- "Are you ... okay?" The sky is burning, and she isn't entirely sure if it's only a metaphor. "Eris-" But she doesn't find any soothing words to say in this moment.

Her face is a mask of shock with more layers than meets the eye.

"We need to go," she agrees with Hideo. "Hanna needs to see the Woods," she adds with a murmur. It's astonishing how she's still here, despite everything drawing her further on - away. Towards her home.

Hideo Kino Eris Halla
MP +10
have an antagonistic dialogue with a rocket npc: o7
make a regrettable decision: "ignoring" (hard to describe) eris after the rocket reveal

MP TOTAL: 680

The Genesect's original owner could do little but thrash and curse at their own Pokemon, calling it a useless traitor that would've been better off as scrap.

"No wonder they'd abandon you," Hideo mocked, "If you only treat them as tools, then all it takes is a bit of care to-"

"Fuck you, shit lips."

Hideo let out a sigh. That Rocket would be the first one his Alakazam Teleported back. No reason to keep them around. The second one was taken away shortly.

Which left one more remaining…one that seemed to recognize Eris. Hideo'd only started paying attention halfway through, but what he started hearing was enough to tell him to put a stop to it.

And he would've ordered his Beheeyem to shut them up - had Reiner not done so first.

His Beheeyem told him how Reiner did it - and what he would've done if Mesprit didn't interrupt. Only then did his Alakazam Teleport the Rocket out - the longest it'd taken to Teleport someone out.

"Eris," Hideo said, a moment passing as his mind raced, trying to think of what to do. He settled on the same comfort he'd always give her. "Eris, it's alright," he said, moving in to give her a hug - if she'd let him. "I trust you."

He wanted to trust her, to let her know that she didn't have to return to her cruel life in Rocket. He did trust her, for all the risk she'd taken to help him and the League stop Rocket.

And he knew he didn't have any room to judge for what Reiner almost did. He knew his Lycanroc might've done the same - and he was certain a Pokemon he had on him would too.

Hideo turned to Cass. "I…I don't have any Pokemon on me that could safely go there. But if you want one of your Pokemon to go check it out, you could…dunno what Rocket would get from a forest fire."

He knew they couldn't stay long. He knew they had to keep moving.

But he also knew Eris needed a moment.

Eris Halla , Cassandra Kubrick

[attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"]

Cass feels a nauseating pang in her heart as she thinks about trust and how today, truly, has not been a good day for this. She just stays motionless for the while that Hideo and Eris share a comforting hug, one that she truly wishes she could join. However, her body only moves to hold Trubbish gently, to look as Azelf taps her uninjured shoulder while Martin tends to her other shoulder carefully.

Azelf still looks like a Ralts, but she feels like she can see its true form underneath.

A little bit of willpower goes a long way, but she shakes her head. "It's okay." More than anything, companionship's what she's looking for at any given moment.

She takes a breath, belatedly replying to Hideo's question, "Effie ... could, but I'm afraid both her and Saude might make fires worse." Fuel the flame and everything. Hanna is already starting to inch away, and she knows she should not - could not let her go alone.

The roaring storm of emotions has calmed, ever so slightly, so that she catches Eris tugging Hideo towards the forest. She takes a deep breath. "Think it's best if we go together?"

She carefully walks closer, but it's still a raw, open wound - they'd have to keep moving for now. Hanna keeps very close to Cass, aware of what she might do if she saw the beginnings of the forest fire ... and as they approach, the Sigilyph starts trembling more, eventually flying more than an arm's length ahead. "Hanna-" Cass calls out, stumbling forward awkwardly to get a hold of her pokémon.

But there's something else lingering in the air, too, Azelf feels. It looks at its siblings, alarmed as he projects the imagery of three so-called guardians, of so-called loyal ones. What's that doing here - why? Azelf starts trembling ever so slightly at the memory of its captures, filled more than ever with determination it seems - a hint of fear for history to repeat itself.

It might also not be the only thing lingering in the air ...

Hideo Kino Eris Halla
MP +10

MP TOTAL: 690

Hideo did nothing else but hold her, comfort her. He didn't begrudge Cass for not joining in as well - this was probably her first time finding out Eris was an ex-Rocket. Though thankfully, Cass didn't seem to be mad at Eris over the reveal…not now, anyway.

And when Eris was ready to get out of the hug, Hideo let her go. And when she started leading him by the hand, he didn't resist.

But it felt like she was guiding him towards where Cass said the fire was.

He was not eager to go there. He still had unpleasant dreams from that one night the Xerneas avatar set fire to a hotel he was in. And he didn't have any water-types on him.

He'd just have to hope his Sygna Suit could hold up to the flames. "Guess we're all headed there, then," he answered Cass. "Safer to go together."

He recalled his Zoroark, leaving just Uxie and his Beheeyem to accompany him. His Alakazam still hadn't returned from its last Teleport - perhaps something held it up? But there wasn't any time to wait.

Uxie looked over to Azelf, receiving the images of the Loyal three. The Pixie pouted, a stubby fist punching into an open palm: if those jerks showed up again, Uxie was ready to beat the snot out of them again. That part of history, it would gladly repeat.

Eris Halla , Cassandra Kubrick

[attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"][attr="class","emapkmn"]

Cass flinches too, seeing as Eris flinches at her approach - a gap between them that might need immediate attention, or else. But war and battles do not wait until you've sorted out your personal feelings - they need to move onward, ever onward.

The forest in flames is another punch to her guts, and she barely manages to catch up to her Sigilyph Hanna before she'd simply charge blindly towards the flames. "Don't go- We need you here." The Sigilyph remains still for the moment, watching helpless as Eris calls for several Wooper to help along. Cass really needs a water pokémon ...

Uxie's display of determination and confidence lets Azelf relax the tiniest bit, maybe even chuckling a little before its expression becomes serious, too, and briefly flexes little pixie arms. (It is the Being of Willpower, it couldn't let Uxie just one-up it here!) It then tries to help with the flames, establishing Safeguards to prevent their allies from being burnt. Still, there's something else as Mesprit went silent, and Azelf stands to attention, too.

"Wh-" Cass starts as Eris pulls her all of a sudden, and she stumbles several steps back. Her vision turns white, as the heat of a Blast mere steps away from her threatens to burn her skin. She almost can taste desert sand, the only other instance where she's been witness to such a power before.

Azelf feels the Mystical Power before he sees the familiar red glow, and reaches out with its own. It tries not to be sentimental about how long it's been - putting its entire Willpower into the shield.

Hideo Kino Eris Halla
MP +10

MP TOTAL: 700