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

If there's one thing that might apply to every single one of Cass' pokémon by chance or time spent together, it's resilience. Stubborness. And numbers, frankly. While they can hold their own, they're even stronger together ... though this time, it's not Jon and Martin who should fight.

She isn't surprised at seeing the Rocket not fight "fair", or as curated as a gym battle would be. Martin is hit, though he doesn't show any signs of going down as he releases Aromatherapy more in defiance, pushing away the other's Sweet Scent. Thanks to the flowers he made bloom, he's partially healing up already as Cass picks two pokéballs. One clad in pink and green metal with golden ornaments, the other ... "Del-" Cass yelps as she loses the chance at being cool because the other's outer metal shell has been heating up. It's an ungraceful toss, and Cass doesn't even really try either as she throws her Tinkatuff Sona's ball to join the Charcadet Del.

It does surprise her, however, that the other admits of her pokémon going too far - just to add that Cass definitely wants her stopped. "In a way, that's worse," Cass replies with a grimace, not actually meaning it but also ... she doesn't hide that she cares more about pokémon than humans, really, though she does have a specific shared hatred towards gods and authority. (Though, as all things are, things are complicated.) "Fake Out, Fire Spin," she commands, though the duo already has leapt to action - Sona because she knows what to do in a first round, and Del because she's lost her patience twenty-three years ago.

The duo leaps forward, with Sona getting a first strike attempt with Fake Out to give cover as Del spins into flames. Putting down Jon onto the ground next to Martin and a flower patch, she hisses "Leave the pokémon here alone, they're already getting the worst end of the stick."

Marvie Hiiragi
post count: 2
50 MP involve the pokeballs of your pokemon in a meaningful way (e.g. type of pokeball described to reflect the pokemon or character, damaging them, seizing them).
50 MP have an antagonistic exchange of dialogue between your character and another writer's character or NPC.
50 MP showcase your own character's strength(s) meaningfully. (generally: cass' bond with her mons)
50 MP include a motif or recurring symbol of some kind in your thread. (it's going to be willpower. big surprise. LMAO)

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"How is forcing pokémon to servitude not injuring them?" Cass replies sharply, perhaps getting way too heated up on the topic. "And for a purpose like war at that, too," she adds, her bitterness about the whole sitution a bleeding wound in her words. Nothing to be done if the entire world is attempting to destroy her home - hell, if the entire world is out to destroy itself. Or is there?

There's gotta be merit in something.

"There's exceptions to every rule," Cass replies, shaking her head as she feels her resolve crumble, the paint flaking away that she's just put on onto a previous iteration of herself. Not even an actual reality - just a reality she's ... made peace with. Not even close to, simply been at peace with in one corner of her mind that doesn't keep lying. But there's a push, too, a smell of sweet garbage. The feeling of crystal in her hand. "How's taking pokémon out of their habitat good then? To strangers they've never seen, when they're already agitated enough ... when you've already taken that home."

A moment of levity that could easily result in another attack - but Cass is Cass, and she does see the other care about her pokémon. It's something that puts her mind at ease, though the situation itself also has anger gnawing on it. Why then?

But she's grown numb against silly nicknames in ... whatever attempt. She isn't even sure if the other is trying to rile her up or not, though frankly. No one could rile her up more than herself. "Nice try, No-face," she sighs, "Congrats on the assumptions." Given that she's not psyched about the League and some points, she honestly just wants her gone from here, though she realises it's a large order. If not here, then there's capturing going elsewhere.

Del leaps into action herself then, seeing as Cass seems to consider that conversation part over, lunging for the first Mawile with Will-o-Wisp this time. Sona joins her quickly after, using Skitter Smack to position herself opposite of Del to flank it. However, Cass yelps with surprise as another Mawile appears right next to them- but not out of the pokéball, or did she miss something? Martin is quicker on the uptake than his trainer, pumped perhaps to fight after that humiliating first attack, as he uses Trailblaze without hesitation, and Jon hurries to throw up Protect in front of the Comfey.

Marvie Hiiragi
post count: 3
50 MP have your character earn the respect of another character in some way.
50 MP have your character learn to respect another character in some way.

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Cass' flame is a fickle one - it soars high into the sky at the drop of a needle, and mellows out just as fast, though there is one certainty: it surely never burns down completely. Right now, it seems to flicker as she grows weary of the other's words. "I'm not the only one making assumptions here," she sighs as the battle continues over their conversation.

On the front of the field, Sona leaps in with another Skitter Smack to prevent Del from being Crunched, though her hammer chips a bit in the process as she leaps out of the way as Feint Attack comes aimed for Del who doesn't even try to doge. It hits hard, but with Sona safely out of the way, she goes in for a Lava Plume that sets their surroundings ablaze. Through the ashes, she still recovers thanks to Grassy Terrain.

On the back end, Martin's Trailblaze hits a Stufful instead. Trusting Jon to keep the other Mawile occupied, he starts charging for a Solar Beam. Though his trust in Jon is well- and misplaced, as he's hit by the Shadow Ball, but doesn't go down yet. But even his muddled mind knows that he can't hit the Mawile with a poison attack, so he decides to go for Pain Split instead.

"To make something clear - everyone's full of shit, that's just how it works." Both literally and figuratively. She prickles at the other's assumption of her words, though she's done the same - hypocrite through and through. "Do you think they know?" she then asks, her voice more tired than anything. "Do you think they can tell who's doing what here when everyone's just going ham on destruction 'because that's just how it is'?"

Tired of Rocket, now that she's realised she could try and shape the deep-rooted fear that she's hidden away since childhood. Tired of the League who hasn't managed to do anything. "Never thought about what uniforms do?" Take away the human and see what's left. There's still human underneath, but does that matter when you're presenting something else at the forefront? "And ... that's just so fucking manipulative, you know? Create the problem and then reap in the benefits. Scare them and come around like a saviour."

She tastes the bitterness on her own tongue as her mind drifted to something else. The idea of gods and how almighty they are in their might, and yet so utterly useless as everyone cries out in hopes of salvation.

"You're assuming again. There's not even just two participants in a fucking war."

There's the invaders and the defenders. And everyone caught in between. Like herself, like Vespa Baskerville, like Thea Naito who's lost her mother in another invasion. And so many more who're just on the sidelines, marked simply as "casualty".

She feels her hand shaking as she breathes out deeply and instinctively lays her hand on one particular pokéball, her eyes fixed on Jon fighting valiantly. A pokéball radiating comforting warmth - so old with so many scratches from a younger Effie. Being so emotionally raw, she feels herself tearing up at the mere thought of how much she's grown over the years, and how she had to grow even more in the last weeks. She believes to hear a call, but doesn't heed it as she shakes her head.

Marvie Hiiragi
post count: 4
50 MP reference (tag) another character that is not in your thread in a meaningful way.
50 MP showcase a meaningful moment between your character and their Pokemon.

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"Good for you," Cass snaps, the comforting warmth of her Talonflame's pokéball the only immediate thing keeping her sane, now that Jon's out on the battlefield. There's a gentle shake, too, as if asking if she should come out on the battlefield ... maybe.

For now, people are ganging up on Del with Sona doing her best to intervene, as well with Del dodging out of the way of attacks. The many attacks wear them down, and it's clear that something has to happen fast. And fast ... "Okay, dear," she murmurs, tossing the ball inside her hand high up into the air. Immediately upon appearing, the Talonflame beats her wings powerfully, revigorating her side with Tailwind and increasing their speed to allow Sona to move faster - Skitter Smack, just towards Martin this time as she gently knocks him closer to Del, as she personally comes to face Jon with the Stufful and the other Mawile. She slides in behind the Trubbish, who throws up Protect around the two of them, seeing that Bide could go off any moment.

A familiar attack for Sona that makes her look over again - and both Cass and Sona realise at the same time oh shit.

"Y'all ..." she murmurs, thinking about a blue pixie as Del calls Martin sharply to use Helping Hand, just before. Cass' hands go to slowly cooling metal - it's warm still, hot even, but not scalding anymore. Her heart cracks as she thinks about it cooling down, even if it's just a matter of rest. Del's decided. Running towards the Tinkatink, waiting for the Mawile to get close ... and then setting a Lava Plume ablaze, a flame that soars high into the sky, scattering flowers of ashes that grow tiger lilies as Martin renews Grassy Terrain.

"So coming in only after the work's done. Though there's always more, so grats. And then don't 'but the League's done dirt' me." Cass hisses weakly, additionally made ineffective given how she's still staring at the patch of tiger lilies. She hates it. What is she even doing here? There's a gust of wind carressing her cheek, and she feels slightly electrocuted by one of her pokéballs. Sona and Jon, Martin ... it feels like a moment's frozen, but she knows it isn't.

"Saude, Electroweb." She'd let the Emolga decide upon emerging where to, and he decides to fly over to Martin's side and assist him while Effie ... technically looks over at Jon and Sona. But Cass can feel her intense side-eye. "There's a battle, Effie."

But in Effie's eyes, there isn't. One glance exchanged with Saude, and the duo leaps into action. A Flame Charge from Effie demands attention with a fiery spectacle as the burning bird sweeps across the battle field with Saude in her talons, who uses Electroweb not to ensnare enemies, but gather allies.

Cass looks at her beloved pokémon with a defeated look as she sees their planning, but she can't be angry at them. Not when Effie returns back to her and the flames do not burn, when the Electroweb with Jon, Martin and Sona, immediately moving to snuggle, lands in her arms as Flame Charge remnants scoop up below her, warming her as she feels so cold inside. With one more powerful Tailwind, they take to the skies.

Marvie Hiiragi
post count: 5
50 MP showcase your own character's weakness(es) meaningfully.
50 MP describe your character's pokeball throwing style.
50 MP have your character make a regrettable decision or make a sacrifice.
50 MP have your character "hit rock bottom" (their lowest point).
50 MP for getting your Pokemon knocked out in your skirmish thread.

25 MP for completing your Skirmish thread.
150 MP for "losing" or having a "negative" outcome for your character and their Skirmish thread.
150 MP for having Rocket and League characters and faction-based conflict in the thread (no NPCs).

TOTAL MP COUNT: 1185