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"You must be Emma." [break][break]

Those approaching footsteps came to a halt as the sight of a girl with red hair became within view to the woman at the top of the hill. Nova had done as she was requested by her superiors by venturing out to these outskirts in order to join up with another Rocket member. The purpose for her traveling here had been left vague, but if Nova had learned anything during her time here, it was probably something she wouldn't enjoy. [break][break]

Nova knew not of this woman they'd requested her to meet. But of what she'd overheard, she had previously been amongst the ranks of the more elite members of Rocket. As Nova grew closer, she kept her face neutral. However, deep down, she was anything but composed. She held her breath, a building anxiety weighing down on her chest. "They asked me to meet you here... With my Pokemon." [break][break]


Her hands were held behind her back and within them was a Pokeball. The one housing her Dragonite. An index finger teased the ball's button as it hovered around it in a circular motion. Nova wanted to release him; she felt like something was missing without his presence. [break][break]

"I'm Nova," She introduced, bowing her head down slightly, "A newer Rocket member. If I may ask, why did they want me here to meet you?"

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Observant. [break][break]

Nova exhaled, watching those goldenrod eyes scan across her body in a watchful gaze. She could tell that Emma saw right through the facade. Nova may have been a master in playing pretend and masking herself in a faux persona, but there was one emotion that no amount of drama school could teach her how to hide; fear. Despite her face telling Emma otherwise, anxiety riddled her poise, her body language. [break][break]

She smiles and speaks lowly, "Well, this is Rocket, a crime syndicate we're talking about. Am I in the wrong to be a little bit nervous?" Nova asks rhetorically. Hopefully, Emma would humor her sarcasm. [break][break]

The redhead reveals her hands, placing them to her sides, a Pokeball held at her right. Her expression loses its friendliness in exchange for sobriety. [break][break]

"What I fear," Nova began, "Is what may happen if I don't do what I need to here. That's why I came. It's not my favored route, but in the end, working for Rocket is my gateway to getting what I need." [break][break]

She glanced down at her Pokeball again, deep in thought. Her dainty finger gripped around the capsule. [break][break]

"I'll do what I need to do to achieve my goals."

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Crimson brows raise with surprise; Nova's placid expression breaks. She did not expect the violet-haired woman's reply to her mentioning of fear. To Nova, the emotion had always been a limiting one. One could not afford to be afraid of a watchful crowd during a performance on stage. She'd been molded to despise being afraid, to ignore its existence instead of facing it head-on. [break][break]

"...I-I understand." [break][break]

Perhaps this meeting would be more beneficial to her than she'd first anticipated. [break][break]

Not long after, Emma released out a Pokemon of her own. Nova eyed the rabid-looking beast. It was bipedal wolf with a blood-colored coat-- a strange Pokemon she'd never seen. It was intimidating. [break][break]

"I'll battle my heart out-- until the end!" [break][break]

But she knew that, with her Pokemon at her side, any obstacle could be overcome. Her usually soft gaze now steely, Nova cast out her own Pokeball, revealing the towering figure of her Dragonite. [break][break]

"Twister, let's go!" The young lady commanded, throwing an arm out to direct her partner. The orange dragon unfurled its wings and began to flap vigorously, unleashing a mini-tornado composed of high winds at its foe.

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Drayco chuffs with frustration as the dust and wind begin to die down. He sees how his stormy attack had been repelled by the canine's barrier. Before he had time to lunge in for another attack, the Dragonite quickly found that its left arm was being assaulted by the Lycanrock's razor-sharp fangs. He let out a roar of pain as the teeth dug into his tough skin. [break][break]

Nova clenched her teeth and yelled, "Bear through the pain! Take it up into the air!" She commanded. Her concerned gaze shifted back and forth from the sparring Pokemon and back to the lilac-haired woman. Nova frowned. It was far too early to give in to adversity. [break][break]

Her partner winced but began to do as told. He spread his wings once more and pushed his weight into the air, dragging the Lycanrock along with him. He began to fly in a disorderly fashion in an effort to get his foe to loosen up its grip. As soon as Drayco felt a bit of resistance, he'd fling his trapped arm forward to throw the wolf off, following up with an Aqua Tail to its body in order to bat the bloodthirsty wolf back to the ground.

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The Dragonite hissed out in pain, taking a moment to stare at his wound that was now dripping crimson while his foe was sent back to the earth below him. Nova gazed up at him, too. Their opponent's fangs were jagged and as sharp as knives. They'd need to watch out. [break][break]

Drayco's period of grace was only momentary. Rocks began to manifest into the air and shot straight up at the flying lizard. Nova shouted out, "Agh, no! Drayco, dodge it!" [break][break]

But it was a difficult command to obey with the high velocity of the stones that were launched forward. Drayco soared and swooped but the sharp rocks followed his every move. Before long, he found himself battered and cut by the edged weapons. One, in particular, left a serious cut on his right wing, hampering his balance and sending him crashing to the ground. The mix of pain from the earlier Crunch and newest wound was overwhelming. The beast roared out his grievances. [break][break]

Nova could hear the pained tone in her dear partner's voice. "Hang on, Drayco!" She shouted out. The beast opened its eyes, its vision blurry. But it could still see the outline of its partner, her fiery red hair unmistakeable. [break][break]

But he could also see something else approaching. [break][break]

Nova was so enthralled with Drayco's situation, she did not notice Emma's arrival. "G-Get up Dray--" [break][break]

The quick fist made its mark on Nova's cheek. The Rocketess stumbled back before snapping her attention upwards. She held her now reddened cheek in pain, crimson eyes staring back at Emma with fear, at first. [break][break]


But it quickly turned into anger, "A-Are you crazy?!" Nova exclaimed. Everyone knew that battles were between the Pokemon and not the trainers! [break][break]

But this was no League-sanctioned battle. [break][break]

Nova stared back at her goldenrod orbs. She was serious. [break][break]

Meanwhile, Drayco had seen just what happened- seen the fist strike his partner's face. It enraged him, so much so that he mustered enough strength to lift his body up from the ground. The beast turned back at the Lycanrock. A fiery aura overtook his body-- the Dragonite began its Outrage. With astonishing speed it dashed forward, claws and all bore as it began to swipe, punch, bite, do anything it could to tear up its opponent. An action like that would not go unpunished. [break][break]


Somehow, it was as if the same emotion was reflected in the girl. Nova was no fighter-- her frame was light and her skin soft, almost doll-like. She'd been molded for performance and not violence. [break][break]

"Agh!" [break][break]

But none of that was of use here. She'd have to resort to Rocket's own methods to prove her worth. Nova threw a fist back at Emma.

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Drayco's fist drives down at the Lycanrock's abdomen, bloodshot eyes filled with nothing but animosity for the Rock-type. As soon as the opposing Pokemon is flung from its position, the Dragonite turns its attention toward the two humans across from it. Nova yelps briefly as her wrist and arm are twisted by Emma's force, driving the redhead backward. She stumbles to the ground and holds her hurt arm, gazing up at the purple-haired woman with disdain. "You say that fear and anger can be good but as soon as I throw a punch it's all wrong!" Nova exclaimed, clearly frustrated and confused by the whole matter. [break][break]

She wasn't the only one who was irritated, it seemed. Drayco was still huffing and puffing, out of touch with reality. Its fiery eyes were set on Emma and Nova could see that he was just about ready to attack her too. "N-No, Dray! It's okay!" Nova insisted. The girl brought herself to her feet as Drayco marched his way forward. Before him, she splayed her arms to block his way. He tried to push past her but Nova refused to step down. "Stop! It's done, okay? I know you're angry!" [break][break]

Nova leaned in a wrapped her arms around the angry beast. "Please, just calm down Drayco." [break][break]


It took a few moments, but finally, the Dragonite's aura dissipated. He was back. And exhausted. Nova's Pokemon immediately sat down, breathing heavily.

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Finally, for what seemed like ages, Nova could feel Drayco's body relax. She sighed and let go of his body once he sat on the ground. She sighed and shook her head, red bangs of hair swaying gently with her movements. The young lady stood upright again, yet her gaze did not meet Emma's golden hues. She listened to Emma's scolding, too exhausted to fight back with her. All she said was true after all. [break][break]

A hand went to her side, retrieving Drayco's Pokeball. A stream of light hit him and in an instant, his body de-materialized and was sent back into the capsule. [break][break]

"I see..." [break][break]

Her voice was quiet- solemn and calm. It was apparent now that despite being a proclaimed master in the understanding of the art of emotion, she had much to learn about controlling her own feelings. [break][break]

"If what you say is really true," Nova began, "my partner and I will be doing our best to hone that skill." [break][break]

This experience was definitely a learning one for the girl. She glanced at her palms, almost with a terror. Nova couldn't remember the last time she felt enraged like that. Maybe all the things Katherine Fairburne said were right-- maybe she really would change into something more brutal. [break][break]

"As long as it gets the job done..." She muttered to herself, clenching her fists before turning to look at Emma for a last time. "I get why they wanted me to meet you here now. Thank you for the battle." [break][break]


Nova offered a polite bow of her head before turning the other way, walking off.