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In the focus of the battle royale, Fenelle fully missed the whole banter going on. There's been little room for it when hyperfixation kicks in, and even as it's only been dem and Kepler, dee focused on the goal ahead.

Didn't work out, but finale is further than anticipated. Exactly as calculated. It's complicated.

Now, that hyperfocus leads to a vague surprise to find Hitoshi being quite talkative - but given his quick team-up with Dorian back then, it might not be surprising. Both of them recognise the strength you have in numbers. Dee is relieved to see that the other doesn't hold a grudge. The Rotom tablet floating next to dem translates every word to text, and der gaze flickers constantly between Hitoshi proper and the tablet.

As dee lifts der hands to sign, the Rotom would translate those movements into robotic speech, "Thank you, and likewise. It was enlightening to have fought against you and Westcliff, too." A first ruthless target to steel the nerves. Dee actually doesn't find demself too bothered by the smoke, but give an acknowledging nod nonetheless.

"Congratulations to your promotion," dee also adds as Hitoshi remarks upon SPECTRA. "I've started officially in December of last year, but I've studied before. My main field is hacking, but I deviate." Strength is something that left an impression on Fenelle - and something that dee would desperately need in the times to come. "I'd be honoured to if the higher-ups might also view it like this," dee replies - not daring to speak out of step. Deep down, it's also still a terrifying thought and a goal to aim for. But dee would never admit not being entirely ready demself, and delegate that to the nebulous "higher-ups".

But still, dee is curious. "What is it like, being a SPECTRA agent?"

Throughout it all, dee is connected to der Metagross that keeps a psychic eye and feeling out for anything that might approach and interrupt the mission - and there's a vague ping, at the very end of a radar. "There might be something coming."

Hitoshi Inoue

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Honestly, the idea of files triggers something in Fenelle. Curiosity about a new source of knowledge - something dee has not previously considered. SPECTRA is not to be taken lightly, so merely reducing it to a source of gaining more knowledge is ridiculously, but it's der first instinct here. Because ... knowledge is power. It's truly a sweet deal to combine this with the other resources SPECTRA offers, as well as the general acknowledgement.

"Who do you wanna kill?" dee asks, however, first with more curiosity, wanting to reply to the other thoughts later- but there's no time, as a small fleet interrupts their conversation. Would have been too easy to simply get this job done and over with over a small, pleasant conversation.

As dee reads Hitoshi's last words, dee halts for a significant moment lasting several seconds.

"That's a good one. I should get some Axe moves," dee eventually signs with an approving look, before calling out all of the pokémon dee has brought with dem today. Grimmsnarl, Hisuian Goodra, Metagross and Dondozo. The Dondozo would find itself placed in the water, while the others would operate from the ship. "I'll bring up the rear if that works."

To der pokémon, dee would sign the commands with a single sign, adjusted to the pokémon in question. Grimmsnarl-Swagger, Hisuian Goodra-Mud Shot, Metagross-Meteor Mash, Dondozo-Bulldoze.

Hitoshi Inoue the way i was flabbergasted at hitoshi's pun omfg love it LMAO

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Ever trained on visual cues, Fenelle doesn't immediately write off the small Kartana flying in the wind as something usual, and instead tries to follow its movements until dee recognises the Ultra Beast. A small, formidable foe, and quite fitting for Hitoshi if dee could judge.

But, the battlefield only leaves small room for chatter, though Fenelle would still sign a response to be spoken by der Rotom, "I think you'll do it. Let me know if I can help."

Despite a partially anti-social attitude, at der core, there's a helper.

And a fighter despite all odds, or more of a trainer. Once der pokémon got the first wave of attack commands, they charge into the fray and are free to do as they see fit. Dee does gesture for Grimmsnarl to stay nearby as body guard, but Hisuian Goodra leaps onto Dondozo (after getting a pat from Fenelle) who charges towards one of the ships with Bulldoze. The Arcanine's Sunny Day coats the air with fiery heat, unfortunately nothing dee could use - but nothing that should hinder dem either.

Hisuian Goodra's first Mud Shot simply goes somewhere, but now that he and Dondozo are nearer, he throws one more Mud Shot at the propelling of the ship, causing it to come to a standstill. All the while, Metagross' Meteor Mash takes out another ship, before it starts to launch into yet another.

Grimmsnarl's Swagger's effects are unremarkable, subtle - but the nearest ship's suddenly finding themselves attacking friends or even themselves ... Still, counter-attacks are launched against them - the Rocket Ship is shaken by attack after attack that hasn't been blocked, but nothing dee grows concerned about as the opposing fleet surely declines in numbers.

"I really wonder how they thought they ever had a chance," dee scoffs, but remains on guard, "Or do you think they got a trick up their sleeve?"

Hitoshi Inoue

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There's a complacant feeling of satisfaction at seeing the pirates retreat - almost too quickly. No way they'd ever think of doing something else, no way that there would ever be a different result, but still, seeing the event you predicted happen ...

... and then, something changes and shifts.

Fenelle frowns at Hitoshi's cut of bo, not sure what this might mean - there's plenty of words that start with this. However, der thought process it brutally interrupted as the ship tilts violently to the side, allowing Fenelle only a glimpse of the magenta-coloured energy - Dynamax. Too busy holding on to sign, dee simply frowns as dee clings to the reiling, almost threatened to fall off. Grimmsnarl and Rotom are the only pokémon nearby right now, with Metagross, Dondozo and Hisuian Goodra out in the seas. Geimmsnarl pushed his weight against the upper border, trying to get the ship to tilt the right way.

Dee reads Hitoshi's transcribed message and nods, doubling down on hugging the reiling with one arm, while barely managing to sign with the other hand, ATTACK.

Dee can almost see the visible distress of der Hisuian Goodra, but the three would resume their attacks, and at least be a nuisance. Metagross Electrifies Goodra's Mud Shot, sending the mud flying with crackling electricity - somehow. Dondozo lets out a Noble Roar to further weaken any potential incoming attack.

And Fenelle simply holds on for dear life.

Hitoshi Inoue

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Fenelle looks surprised at the Corviknight's appearance, unaware of his storied past. The only focus dee has is on the red glow that surrounds him, his size growing as his form shifts, and distorts. It seems like the dog has not been left without a dynamax of his own, something that Fenelle is really grateful for in this moment. There's multiple goals dee works towards, but admittedly, a Dynamax Band hasn't been amongst them. Maybe dee should reconsider, but ... maybe.

The gigantic Corviknight sets the ship right much to Fenelle's relief, and dee nods, maybe even grins, at Hitoshi's words. Grimmsnarl is back on track as every of der pokémon continue fire at the Blastoise, showing that there's hell to be reckoned with if you really are stupid enough to cross Rocket of all enemies.

Grimmsnarl hurls Spirit Breaks, beautiful pink balls of energy that shatter and show their dark, insidious intentions. Metagross and Hisuian Goodra keep up a partnership of Electrified Mud Shots in support of the Corviknight, attempting to slow any bit of already slow movement from the massive enemy. And Dondozo attempts to open up a Fissure even in the ocean to further break barriers with everything he got.

Dee glances at Hitoshi, nodding as the pokémon continue to carry out the fights. "That Gigantamax'ed Corviknight comes in real handy. Think now there shouldn't be any more tricks they can use."

Hitoshi Inoue

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The battle concludes with a powerful and lucky combination of Fissure and Guillotine, acting as perhaps something like a judgement call. The pirates didn't stand a chance against the powerful Wind Rage by the Corviknight that sweeps them away, truly like leaves in the wind. Dee nods, tapping the reiling in Morse Code to recall der pokémon, even if most of them are already on their way back, Come up again.

The Hisuian Goodra especially displays astonishing feats of strength and agility as he hops from the Dondozo, onto the Metagross, and quickly back by Fenelle's side again. Absent-mindedly, dee pats the Hisuian Goodra as dee looks over der other pokémon, assessing the degree of injury they acquired throughout the battle, before nodding to let them mingle with the ones they battled alongside with before. (Like der trainer, most of them are fairly socially awkward.)

As dee turns back to Hitoshi, dee cracks a grin momentarily at his open enthusiasm, nodding, "We indeed did," the Rotom translates der signs into speech, "Good job. It's been ... fun to fight there."

And now, truly time that they get a move on!

Hitoshi Inoue