Penny Sun she hates but Dominick Cloud has a nice ring to it. Maybe she should have chosen a better name. Oh well, too late for that.

She’s gentle in the way she shakes each of their hands in turn, offering each a smile and nod in greeting, “Well, we are delighted to be here,” she emphasizes while stepping back after their quick greeting. A light, airy laugh follows and the red head lifts her pen and paper, “Of course, of course! I completely understand! That’s why I brought the old school tools and not my Rotom Recorder,” Not that the Rotom Recroder would have been dangerous but they made it quite clear there were no unauthorized pokemon allowed into the facility. Lex assumed that meant aids like Rotom as well.

A female security guard approaches her and pats down her rather snug outfit. There aren’t many places to hide things beside some small pockets in the cardigan which are obviously empty. Satisfied, the woman steps back and gives them the “all clear”. Once Killian’s security guard it satisfied, the researcher approaches with a smile, “Excellent! Please wear these Visitor Badges at all times while within the facility,” he hands each of them a rather bland sticker they are meant to place on their chest.

“Alright, now that that’s all taken care of, we may begin! I am Dr. Wick and this is my colleague Dr. Quest,” the dark haired female nods in greeting, “We’ll being our tour with a bit of history,”

Boring. But Lex feigns interest, moving quickly to follow them as they drone on about the Space Center, it’s founders, and their past endeavors. She keeps herself busy by jotting down notes like a good reporter. At least, that’s what she thinks they do.

Killian Decker

Slateport’s Pokemon Black Market had been booming recently. Having been working with virgil roach for quite some time now, Lex is not a stranger. She doesn’t enter through the alley, instead she cuts through one of the many questionable shops in this area of the city. The keeper peers up from examining his wares, simply giving her a nod before returning to his work. In the back of the store, a Klefiki sits lazily on hook beside a bare piece of stone wall. It stirs at the sound of her footsteps – familiar. A soft jingle can be heard before Lex even turns the corner. Once her identify if confirmed by the fairy pokemon, the stone wall shift thanks to the Malamar on the other side.

Lex is inside, waiting for him, leaning against a damp stone wall with their cargo in hand. When Bill Anderson approaches a set of amber eyes flashes towards him, critical, as always.

Bill Anderson

Lex frowns, he may say he’s not excited but his grin and eagerness tells her otherwise. If he was really worried, they wouldn’t be doing this. A few pirates is something they can handle, no problem . . . right?

The thief settles into the Braviary’s soft plumage. He stirs beneath her, adjusting to her familiar weight. KEEN EYES peer towards the Staraport with curiosity. The other bird takes off and Aubie is quick to follow by the command of his trainer. By the time they reach an appropriate height, they’re already nearly on top of the approaching vessel. Lex squints, examining the deck carefully, “There’s only two of them that I can see,” her mind files through what she knows about them, “It looks like they’re doing the whole “vessel in distress” thing to get close,” there were a few tactics she read about that they have used. Currently two “passengers” stood on the bow, waving frantically to help at the boat Killian and Lex just came from. A flare even shoots up from the deck, popping loudly in the sky. Aubie sees it coming, and doesn’t flinch.

“There will be plenty more down below. Waiting,” it could be a nice set up – commandeer their own vessel and trap them below deck. It would give Killian and Lex the upper hand and force them into negotiations.

Killian Decker

A darkness fades, light grows. The WOLL-O-WISP burns strong. Searing flames lick against the Gengar’s body, inflicting a festering wound that would only worsen with time. It’s satisfying for the Dusknoir, knowing what is to come. It’s a deep, guttural laugh that resonated from the jagged smile across the ghost’s midsection. The mouth twists into something sinister and dark, a drastic change in comparison to the Gengar’s comical expression.

A SHADOW PUNCH is nearly impossible to dodge. The ghostly energy seeks its victim despite their best efforts to flee. Even as the shadows build and Umbra is painfully aware of the consequences, she holds fast. She doesn’t want to miss what comes next. She shadows grow, and so does she. The mouth below her large red eye open wider and wider. The massive ghost seems to grow in size with it. It stretches her spectral form to its limits. She consumes the SHADOW PUNCH in one big bite. The energy rattles around her hollow core. A darkness that once threatened to tear her apart from the outside, now actually began to tear her apart from the inside. Her body convulses like a possessed demon.

Still, she watches, waits. She grows weak in her effort to control the Gengar’s attack. Dark purples mist pours form her mouth like drool. A wide smile shapes as the air itself begins to vibrate with the hidden FUTURE SIGHT. The Psychic energy sparks to life, swirling and consuming. It blasts towards the Gengar.

The dark mist hat pours from the Dusknoir’s mouth is release. It open wide enough to consume the Gengar itself. The HEX blends with the bright pink, hungry to consume its BURNED victim.

Greyson Connors
Umbra is hit with SHADOW PUNCH
FUTURE SIGHT strikes
Umbra uses HEX

If Hex and/or Future Sight strikes (1-30 = Disabled), respectively
0TpRJAEI

War’s retaliation for the BITE is swift and powerful. Merciless in his efforts, the specter drives the Flareon into the sand with a powerful BULLDOZE. It’s meant to shock and force the fire-type into submission. War is a vengeful and relentless spirit. That’s why a grunt of frustration rattles through its throat as the Flareon rises from its sandy crater like a phoenix, ablaze with bright, burning fire.

The mythical pokemon stomps one of its hooves, kicking up a burst of sand. It challenges, provokes the Flareon forward. Being the mischievous ghost it is, a wicked grin pulls across its muzzle before it disappears, leaving the Flareon lunging towards nothing but thin air.

PHANTOM FORCE. Cheap? Yes. Does War care? No.

Lex’s lips curl into more of a growl than a smile. She’d get him back for that . . . eventually. Her stubborn, competitive nature starts creeping in. She doesn’t respond to Killian, instead she turns her attention back to the pokemon battling between them. She watched War disappear again. It’s good to know she doesn’t have to coach the Spectrier, it seems to be able to take care of itself. Jolteon, on the other hand, needs a bit of direction.

The AGILITY to recover from Killian’s dirty trick was clever, at least it wasn’t a total waste of a move. The electric-type attempts to dodge the Poipole’s TOXIC but the attack is wide spread and splashes, not only across the sand, but also across the pokemon’s yellow and white fur. It cries out in pain, singed by the corrosive substance that begins to leak into its veins.

Frustration is written across Lex’s features but partially hidden by the black sunglasses. A finger points towards the Flareon, “Copy cat!” Hopefully, the Jolteon could make some hits count before it was consumed by the toxic.

The kit turns, eyes narrowed on its fire-type kin. Lunging forward, the Jolteon opens it’s mouth. A caustic, thick, purple sludge expels across the space between them, looking to consume the opponent in a similar way it was poisoned.

War disappears using PHANTOM FORCE!
Jolteon is hit with TOXIC, she is hurt by poison
Jolteon uses COPY CAT to copy TOXIC on Flareon

Killian Decker

Lex’s lips pull into a frown. Oh, it’s you . . really? Does he really recognize her? She’s surprised, he meets a lot of people. She pushes the sunglasses atop her head, rolling the dual-colored sphere around in her hand expectantly. Regardless, she smiles and responds to his acceptance, “Great.”

Wasting no more time, Lex steps back to put more space between them. It’s an adequate amount for a decent battle, the last of the day, “Let’s get started then,” the pokeball in her hand cracks open. The light that bolts towards the sand materializes into an Electrvire. The beast shifts anxiously on the unstable ground. He’s been restless, itching for a fight.

Both trainer and pokemon wait, one more patiently than the other, “Ready when you are.” The Electrivire agrees, moving forward with a thunderous step. His coat snaps and pops with electricity, CHARGING himself for the imminent battle.

FERNANDO SILPH

Lex fights the urge to reach for him too. A small smile graces her lips at his compliments. She doesn’t absolutely hate this, she is just being a bit dramatic. It’s refreshing to keep working together, just like old times. If she had it her way, he is the only one she would work with. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have a say in that.

A small laugh accompanies fond memories at the mention of the Olivine Battle Tower. As far as she’s concerned, it was a lifetime ago. A different life, “Ahhh yes, I remember playing dress up for that too,” not quite like this, but it worked, and they got what they were after.

Her lips pursed at the mention of the Gardevoir. She had come to trust the Shadow Pokemon. Well, trust is a strong word. She doesn’t trust it on the same level that she trusts Smoke, for example. She believes it’s definitely more reliable than it use to be, “Do you have any better ideas?” the question isn’t meant to sound snarky, she’s legitimately curious.

There’s a sense of security when his fingers lace between hers. She returns his squeeze with one of her own to confirm: yes, better together. She takes the badge and inspects it briefly before clipping it on to her blouse. Lex isn’t exactly sure what it’s supposed to look like, but it looks believable, “Guess we better not be late,” she moves forward, expecting him to follow.

They’re right on time, as they should be. Security along with a lead scientist meets them at the large building’s lobby. They welcome them warmly. Lex smiles, nodding thankfully in return. Her mood turns bright and cheerful, charming as a reporter should be, “Hello, hello~ So happy to be here, thank you so much for taking the time to meet with us. I’m Penny Sun of HNN – It’s always sunny in Hoenn!” she laugh comically at her stupid pun. Inside, she cringes.

Killian Decker

He steals a kiss, it tears her attention away from the approaching ship, “Later,” she grins back, leaning forward to follow him up and off of the lounging chair. She reaches her hands back to scoop her long red hair up into a ponytail while she continues to watch the vessel approach. There are no overt signs of hostility . . . yet.

Lex’s smile grows when Killian notices her excitement. She turns towards him with a grin, “Aren’t you?” it’s strange for her to feel this way, she knows it. And she can see that he finds it strange as well. She feels the need to flex her newfound muscles, explore their limits – her new limits. She still isn’t quite sure what those are yet.

Lex catches the first article of clothing before it hits the chair with a quick, instinctive grab, “What, you don’t wanna see this get ripped off?” it’s a playful tease she knows the answer to: Yes, but only by him.

She listens to his plan as she pulls her pants on, buttoning and zipping them up with a little wiggle, “Seems reasonable,” she eyes the distance of the boat. They needed that illusion up sooner rather than later. Although, she worried about Nova’s ability to extend it far enough to block them from sight as they flew. She trusts Killian, and Nova, enough to give it a shot.

“Nova,” she greets with a smile as the Zororak is freed from her pokeball, “Make it look like we’re still here,” with a nod, the Zororak gets to work. Once Lex feels it’s safe, she releases the Braviary. Aubie ruffles his feathers in greeting and peers towards Lex, bend to let her mount him, “Ready when you are, my King,” she grins, turning to glimpse his progress.

Killian Decker

“Almost,” she grunts from inside the van, struggling to zip up the pencil skirt over her blouse in the limited space. After slipping the jacket over the white blouse, the heels get pulled on next and the van door pops open. She looks none too happy about having to play dress up. It’s not the first time she’s had to but her disdain for it never changed. She slips a pair of large glasses onto her face to complete the look, “I hate this,” she sighs, exiting the van and buttoning a single button to keep the cardigan in place.

Her eyes drift up to admire the large building. It would be a maze, that’s for sure. Making their way to the top wouldn’t be easy, but that’s what her Shadow Gardevoir and her extensive training is for. The pokemon’s INFILTRATOR ability would allow her to easily slip past any security they may have blocking any sort of entry deeper into the building.

Adjusting her glasses, she grabs the notepad, pen, and tape recorder before shutting the van doors. Her red stained lips pull into an amused grin, turning towards Killian, “Me too,” she’s always nervous before a big job, but that’s what keeps her careful and aware. The Gardevoir in her shadow moves restlessly, anxious to proceed, “Easy,” she whispers softly, settling the pokemon. For now, the Shadow Gardevoir would be her only pokemon. The Space Center is very strict about not allowing visitors access to their pokemon during their visit, “Once it’s safe, Gardevoir will TELEPORT back to grab our pokemon,” she reminds Killian, “Until then, we’re on our own,” she shifts, uncomfortable with the fact she wouldn’t have access to Smoke, “Do you have the badges?”

Killian Decker

Her shoulder shrug, a smile growing across her lips, “I don’t agree,” sure, running wasn’t always the answer, she could do better with that, but running was the only way to survive sometimes. They ran in the Cave Of Origin, out-numbered and trapped. She’s been pitted against those significantly stronger, but she was always prepared. On countless occasions, running is what kept her out of jail and alive, “Sometimes, it’s the only way to survive.”

THEO BECKETT

Lex did notice that it wasn’t an order to keep it from Killian. For that, she is grateful. She wasn’t forced to choose between him and Rocket. Eventually, that day may come but she’d cross that bridge when it did. She pushes the thought form her mind with ease, well-practiced.

She’s quiet and listens as he explains himself. Whether he is sorry or not or whatever his intentions were didn’t matter anymore. What’s done is done, there’s no changing it. She was bruised and broken, and Killian Decker rebuilt her. For better or worse, who knows? Whatever she became now is still to be seen. It isn’t the threat of death that festered now, it is knowing that whatever sliver of innocence she had left was snuffed out by forced brutality.

Still, he seemed . . . sorry? Is she reading that right? “Hm,” she exhales at the sound of Kaito’s name. It doesn’t stir the same fear it once did. Perhaps that meant something, “I appreciate this,” she decides after a moment of consideration, “Thank you,” Regardless, she’s still uncomfortable, but forces herself to relax slightly, leaning back in her seat. After a moment of silence she decides to speak, “Is the offer to train with you still open?” Why have just Beckett, when she could have both?

Cillian Quinn

Lex laughs, rolling her eyes playfully at his comment, “Please, Killian, you’re much better at that,” he knows he is. The only silver tongue she has is reserved for him. She uses it when he kisses her, breaking her own limitation and letting it snake past his lips to explore while his hands did. She presses into it; control slowly slips between her fingers. She doesn’t notice the vessel either.

Her red Gyarados, Zephyr does alongside Killian’s. The shiny is much more agitated by the vessel’s approach, letting a low growl rumble through the depths. She snakes through the water, coiling in on herself like an Arbok ready to strike. The beast’s growl and her shifting is enough to rock the boat. Lex breaks away from the kiss, alert and peering past Killian. Her lips curl into a smile, “It looks like we have company,” Strangely, her heart races in excitement at the prospect of conflict.

Killian Decker

Fingers tap the back of the chair anxiously. She doesn’t even notice. There’s still hesitation when she’s told to sit and relax. A part of her wants to laugh, relax, yeah right. She sits, sliding into the chair and leaning against the table. There’s nothing relaxed about the tension in her shoulders. Experience told her otherwise, danger always lurked not far from anything Rocket had their claws in. This sub isn’t her territory, it is his. Naturally, that brought discomfort.

She tenses when he mentions Killian’s name. His threats from their last meeting ring loud in her mind. Although Gavin says he isn’t upset, a part of her doesn’t believe that. Her features turn sour at the unpleasant memories, “It wasn’t something I could hide,” and she was scared, terrified actually. She desperately needed his comfort.

Lex doesn’t smoke, so she subtly shakes her head to reject the offer. When she was summoned for this meeting, she wasn’t sure was to expect. It definitely wasn’t this. The conversation takes an unsuspected turn. It’s not an apology, but it’s probably the closest thing she’d get to one from him. She doesn’t quite know what to say, or what he wants her to say. His words hold the implication that he plans to do things differently. Good.

Cillian Quinn