Josh was riding his Raging Bolt, Raikou, deep into Area Zero, after a close encounter with a Terastal Lugia forced him to turn back from the entrance to the Underdepths. For a Pokémon that didn't look aerodynamic, the Champion's sure was fast. Fast enough that Aleph the Type: Null was struggling to keep up. As he slowed his mount down to conserve his strength for the long ascent, he noticed a young lady and a Natu right in their path.

Reining the paradox Pokémon to a stop, Josh noticed her observing the large Terastal crystals, one of which looked like it was about to burst and allow wild Pokémon nearby to Terastallize. "Hi there!" he waved, Raikou craning his neck around to face the female. "Wasn't expecting to find anyone else down here so deep."

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It seems like Teein's pride clearly was broken, so Katharina just gave her a pat on the hand with a sigh screaming exasperated fondness. After a moment has passed, she then picked up her Natu, just before she flinches at the sudden voice of a stranger. However, she quickly settles upon seeing that he (probably) doesn't have any hostile intentions ... ...

"Huh," she squints then, her attention immediately caught by the strange pokémon that the other is riding. (And that face ... familiar. She'd have to think on that later, though.) "Ah, sorry, was a bit startled. What kind of pokémon are you riding? It looks like Raikou ... in a way ..." She squints. "But it's not, is it?"

Another pause. "So ... beings of legends also have paradoxical counters, possibly?" That's ... interesting. She does know her way around legendary pokémon (mostly), but she's fairly new to this particular research - as most people are, really, given how recent of a phenomena it is. She wonders why it might even have been dubbed paradoxical, but it's a question that might be beyond answering at the moment.

"Ah, and, yeah, where exactly are we? We're still in the Great Chasm, right?" It does look like what she's read about Area Zero, but ... what. "We are kind of here by ... accident. My Teein here got a talent for teleporting, and I mean that genuinely," she adds, patting the slightly defeated little head body.

Josh Devlin

Katharina's courage to approach the Raging Bolt impressed Josh. Many trainers fled in terror upon seeing the long-necked, yet still impossibly fast, Beast. Anyone who was brave enough to remain in the presence of such an imposing Pokémon, well-behaved or not, deserved an answer. "Funny you speak of him. His name is actually Raikou," the Champion introduced his electric steed. "I used to think he was a Raikou in the same way Ice-type Ninetales are still as much Ninetales as the traditional fire-type. He's actually his own classification now. The League's called him Raging Bolt, but he's still a Raikou to me." Raikou's purr sounded just like the Johtonian Beast of legend -- indistinguishable from thunder. His color scheme was just like a Raikou, as did his tail, crown, and face. "I'm Hoenn's number one fan of Raikou."

That sort of thinking from Katharina Strophe was exactly what caused the League to make the determination that the paradoxes were their own species, rather than regional forms of the familiar Pokémon. "Far as we know, seven. Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion, and Cyclizar all have paradoxical forms. There is one I'm searching for today, and that's Virizion's, known as Iron Leaves." The Iron Leaves Josh wanted to catch when Kyurem opened up Area Zero to begin with. The Iron Leaves that Sigmund stepped in front of and blocked his capture.

"Far as where we are?" Josh asked to confirm. "This is Area Zero, located beneath the Giant Chasm. It is not the deepest the cavern goes, but it is as far as most trainers who explore can make it." The rider reined Raikou away from the stranger when his thundercloud was getting a little close for comfort. "Oh, I'm sorry! I never introduced myself! Champion Devlin or Gym Leader Devlin, but please, call me Josh. And this Pokémon's name is Aleph," he gestured toward the Type: Null on alert.

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Katharina's lack of hesitation to approach the Raging Bolt might be coming from her occupation as a nurse, and also just her general nature. She can't allow herself to hesitate to approach a kicking and screaming beast if she seeks to help it, and it's translated into everyday encounters as well. She also regards Raikou (not the Raikou-Raikou) from a scientific angle, fascinated by the clear similiarities and absolute differences. The neck length, for example, as she looks way up. "Like a thunder cloud up above," she murmurs, an image that is only strengthened by its thunderous purr. She then snaps out of it, clearing her throat.

"Sorry, ehm, woah! Seems like I got quite some reading and catching up to do," she remarks after the information that the other relays to her, and she nods. "... but wait, you did mention Cyclizar amongst the others. But that's not exactly a being of legend, as far as I'm aware?" And she is pretty sure that she's correct in that regard - but it's an interesting thought to consider, having a legendary variant in such a way, and then ... "And these ... Raging Bolts, Iron Leaves are just ... out there, then?" ... legendaries, varied, be normal. "How the turn tables, huh?" she comments, before taking a few steps back, then forward in an attempt to find the best spot to still look at Josh while also not craning her neck weirdly when she wants to look at Raikou's face.

"I did read on Area Zero ... but I didn't think we've already gotten close enough for a teleport." She continuously pats her Natu in her arms furiously, who still doesn't seem like her confidence has recovered much. Maybe she'd need to bring out her other pokémon to console the inconsolable later, but for now ... "Ah, oh! Nice to meet you, Josh, I'm Katharina - just a nurse. You can drop the -harina if you like, Kat's also enough," she says, before turning her head towards the Type:Null. Another pokémon she's only read about - and where her gaze seems to grow compassionate as she greets it with a nod, "Hi Aleph. Oh, also hi, Raikou!" She says a bit louder (but not loud enough to be a shout).

Josh Devlin

The news of Raikou and Swift being separate classifications of Pokémon was still a bit jarring for Josh to get used to. Hearing them made him debate changing Raikou's name to something else; having both a Raging Bolt and a Raikou on his team was bound to cause confusion in the event he needed to use both of them simultaneously.

Josh could understand Kat's confusion; even for him, it was a lot to take in once the Chasm had been opened up. "How much time have you spent within the RKS Simulation?" he asked the nurse. "There's a scenario within that will explain... a lot." The thought of Pokémon on par with legendary Pokémon in power just roaming Area Zero en masse was terrifying. It was part of the reason the Chasm was so dangerous. "That's right. While they're rare to find still, they are down here in numbers. You could probably catch one yourself if you looked hard enough."

Once introductions were out of the way, Aleph growing antsy around Kat and shooting her a threatening glance, Josh was ready to lead Kat back to the surface. "I haven't had any success using a teleporting Pokémon in here," he frowned before noticing the Type: Null's unwanted behavior. "Aleph, she doesn't mean any harm. You don't have to point your claws at everything that moves, you know?" Turning his head back toward Kat, Josh apologized for his Pokémon's behavior. "Aleph and I are still trying to understand one another. We've known each other for a year now, and it still feels like I've made little progress with him." Raikou was much more friendly, the Raging Bolt at ease within Area Zero. He seemed as controllable as a normal Pokémon. "With teleporting being a challenge, do you have a ride Pokémon of your own?" Josh asked.

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At the mention of the RKS simulation, Katharina frowns as she recalls what Xuying Zhou has told her about his experiences there. There seem to be wild things happening there, and she isn't entirely sure if she actually wants any of that. "Haven't been myself, but you hear stories. Kinda like Hoenn's afflicted with something," she sighs, knowing that she'll succumb eventually, too. The nature of a researcher is to explore the unknown, and gods does it seem like there's a lot of Unown in there.

It's interesting how the unreal terrors of the simulation do faze her more than the idea of being with powers beyond imagination right here, right now. "That would be really interesting," she replies with a thoughtful expression, looking around the cavern brimming with terastal energy. "I heard that they can also summon hallucinations, or something like that tho. How do you tell what's real?" Honestly, if she followed that train of thought, she'd probably start questioning whether Josh was real - but she keeps from that, instead cycling to the topic of teleporting.

Katharina pats her flinching Natu gently, giving her time to process the biggest backlash she got for a while. Even with mis-teleportations, it never gotten quite as bad ... or maybe she's scared of her environment, the tera crystals around her. Either way, Katharina keeps reassuring her while nodding along Josh's words. "Teein's raw power is something alright," which is a statement not quite fitting with the Natu dejected and soooooooo close to sobbing in her arms. "My little psychic super star~," she singsongs sillily to calm her down further, as Josh introduces his pokémon proper.

At her greeting, the Type:Null doesn't react too well, however, though Katharina doesn't appear particularly bothered. "Oh, no worries - I expect it'll take a good while till anything," she replies, thinking back on the articles that she's read about them. Fascinating in the most tragic sense possible. "I'm more of a walker myself, so ... nope." Looking around, however, it does seem like out is a long way away.

Josh Devlin

"Without spoiling much, I'll just say that one of the scenarios features a legendary Pokémon that looks a lot like Cyclizar," Josh cryptically answered. Perhaps one day he would be able to pay Kora a visit, the two of them racing one another on Raikou and the Koraidon. As efficient as the fighting-type's streamlined body was, there was something about being jostled up and down on Swift's back that brought joy to the Champion. Even if Koraidon was faster like he suspected, he loved the feel of the galloping feline too much. "What you have to remember is that despite how real it feels on the inside, it's just a simulation. You have effectively infinite lives as far as the simulation goes. In the real world, you only have one. The simulation will help you make it count."

Josh hoped that Katharina had a ride Pokémon of her own, because he had brought his most fearsome of Pokémon to Area Zero. "Do high speeds make you sick?" he asked, making sure before he offered the girl a ride on one of his Pokémon. They were all capable of running at incredible speeds -- even the long-necked electric-type he was astride.

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"Guess I'll ... look forward to that?" Katharina replies with a lopsided grin that isn't exactly sure in which direction it might tilt - the idea of a Cyclizar's paradox becoming legendary is still quite interesting, and definitely means that, whatever the origin, they're not exactly parallel. "I really hope your words ring true, Josh," the nurse smiles with a hint of sorrow as she thinks about how carefree some handle their life, as if this was just a story where maybe, nothing bad could happen. Or where fates worse than death are more common. "Well, you convinced me to give it a try when the time arises, however. Seems like it's rather crucial to see and understand what's going on in this region."

She has no ambitions to solve any of the problems here, but she's decided to take refuge here from old and stubborn ways - she shouldn't fall into it on her own as the others ease up with her wanting to pursue something like biology instead of physics. A trivial discourse, and yet.

"I'll be fine, I think," she ponders, though it's also bold words for someone who has no idea what they're possibly about to deal with. And it seems like for now, they might not move just yet- as Froschl, her Froggiursa just appears, seemingly alarmed.

"What's up, buddy?" she asks, confused, as Teein in her arms also seems alarmed. Maybe she's been alarmed the entire time-? And the cause would show itself briefly after, as a roar fills the cavern. Something shadows them above, as something fearsome enters their area of sight - a being that looks a bit like Salamence, but not really. "Oh."

Froschl runs out as if to face it, but within a flash, the pokémon's swept up- Froschl managed to somehow evade, though his inherent stickiness lead him to now ... stick on the side of the paradox pokémon, flailing as he's taken for a flight.

"... help?"

Kat's a bit dazed by this turn of events, though she'd start panicking soon.

Josh Devlin

This was... not good. Roaring Moon were dangerous. They were immensely aggressive, strong, and fast; he knew if he gave Ao enough altitude to work with, the Roaring Moon could break the sound barrier by diving. Without a flying Pokémon on his team, Josh would have to get a bit creative. "Entei and Suicune, we need your help, too!" the Champion cried. clicking open two more Cherish Balls containing the Gouging Fire and Walking Wake that knew Raikou well.

Entei couldn't fly, but the Gouging Fire could jump. While not able to leap high enough on his own, he could springboard incredibly high with a little help. "Suicune, flex your legs and ready an AQUA JET! Entei, DRAGON DANCE! Jump into it!" The Gouging Fire tromped forward, accelerating like a cat chasing down its prey. Just as the paradox sprung toward the Roaring Moon, Suicune fired his AQUA JET straight upward, giving Entei a massive upward boost -- enough to attempt to impale the Roaring Moon with his mean-looking horn.

While the two legendary paradoxes engaged the wild, Josh rode his Raging Bolt toward Katharina. "Do you have a flying Pokémon? Otherwise we'll have to watch where it falls and catch your Teddiursa!"

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As Josh calls for Entei and Suicune, Katharina knows now not to expect the actual bearers of the name to appear - though it's hard to say they aren't somewhat related, as Walking Wake and Gouging Fire appear on-stage. In collaboration, they leap towards the Roaring Moon which has snatched Froschl. Seeing action being taken immediately is reassuring, and gives her a moment longer to look down at the pokémon in her arms.

"I don't, but there's her," she tells Josh, "We'll figure something out-"

She gives him a thumbs-up, before turning fully to Teein. "Okay, dear. Teleport to Froschl and bring him back here, okay? We don't want him hurt himself," she says, already seeing how their Froggiursa is attempting to Play Rough while remaining stuck via frog-super-glue to the side of the Roaring Moon as it roars, evading the Gouging Fire, but not quite managing it. It's struck, but not knocked out yet despite the bleeding wound.

Teein takes a deep breath, before nodding. She's quickly teleported beside Froschl, holding onto his honey-covered, flailing figure, and then teleports again.

Easy enough, in theory.

Except that Teein also somehow teleports the entirety of the Roaring Moon, attached to Froschl, right next to Katharina. Blinking for a moment, instincts on what to do with an extremely injured pokémon kick in as Katharina reaches for a Heal Ball and- throws it.

...

...

Click.

Josh Devlin

The clicking noise, quiet as it was, seemed louder than the sound of battle that its coming had halted. What a golden ending this was to their trip to Area Zero. Not only had Katharina Strophe 's Pokémon saved the Teddiurse's life. The use of the HEAL BALL didn't go unnoticed, either; while the remedial Poké Ball wasn't as effective as a stock Ultra Ball for catching powerful Pokémon, it would put an end to the Roaring Moon's suffering from Entei's terrible horn.

The three paradoxes gathered around Katharina and her new catch, Josh relieved that the threat was over. "Amazing..." the Leader trailed off, unsure what to say in the sudden and rare calm within the Chasm's depths. "I've raised one of those Pokémon myself. It took months of care before Ao would even listen to me. Be patient with them... but once you two get to know one another and understand each other, you'll have a hard time finding a faster aerial mount." Entei lowered his horn, letting Josh wipe it clean of blood with a thick cloth.

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The click of the pokéball serves as a reminder for Katharina's heart to start beating again, lest she'd faint from a cause different to "have a terrifying beast breathe into your face" (and gladly, it smelled more like tera crystals than anything ... bloody). Still, the strength leaves her legs as she collapses, with Froschl quickly running up to her to provide some emotional support. She pats the stickiness incarnate with a faint smile, as Teein also goes to demand comfort in her trainer's arms again. "You did really great, you two," she tells her pokémon as she goes to pick up the Heal ball.

That now contains ... a Roaring Moon.

"Yeah, I can imagine that this is gonna be ... very interesting indeed," she replies, though the experience is still shaking her bones a little bit, even if she can pull herself upright and standing again. It's an exciting and terrifying idea, though she can't deny her curiosity regarding those type of creatures. But before she can think on that topic further and how to approach it best, the pokéball in her hand moves.

Shakes.

And a healthy Roaring Moon appears by her side.

Immediately, it roars- though that's quickly halted as it takes a step almost behind the much smaller blonde woman as it sees the Gouging Fire that's injured it before, and its companions. "Up to speed and only got nonsense in your head, hmm?" Katharina couldn't help the light jab, playful and usually only reserved for less ... unusual pokémon. "But it seems like for now, we got the benefit of stronger company here."

She looks at the paradox.

... should she try and ride it? She doubts that any of Josh's pokémon are better suited for her, and this should still be the slowest amongst the present mountable pokémon, given that the others have been trained by the Master of Faster himself.

Josh Devlin