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[attr="class","eris109"]Limp as a doll on Suicune's back, one might imagine just how this child would get jostled and jerked around by their movements through the blinding sand and shaking earth. And yet she is safe, sheltered from the howling winds as the beast carries her through this storm. She will be kept safe, for as long as their promises still remain standing.[break][break]

The permeating scent of ashes and the clacking of rubble. In this storm, she can still remain ignorant to the fate that has befallen her city, drifting in and out of consciousness with every piercing scream and wail that prickles at her skin.[break][break]

Just a little bit of rest.[break][break]

If only the pixie that sits beside her would allow her to close her eyes and be done with this mess. Instead they prod at her cheek, sharply chirping at Suicune as if telling them to go faster. Thanks to Reiner, she had been spared the brunt of the attacks, but she is still in a relatively horrible state. Riddled with fresh burns, taking in slow breaths as her eyes sting with tears and her throat aches.[break][break]

A rather ugly sight for when they finally pull up to what remains of Petalburg General. Suicune does not slow his steps until he is right by his chosen's side, the sea of voices briefly sparking life in the girl as her eyes flutter open. Unable to focus on anything, her gaze wanders, lost until it latches onto familiar faces.[break][break]

_"El..."[break][break]

There's an injured Gunner Graves and someone tending to an unconscious jack wainwright. Even through the haze of her mind, she still has some capability of piecing what must've happened here. And even with Mesprit worriedly chittering away, she's certain that she can hear him -[break][break]

_"Isaac?"[break][break]

fpm25egb

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[attr="class","eris109"]Phione? In a place like this? She frowns, keeping close to Navy as Shuwen carves a way through and she tugs at her pokeball, flinging it into the fray.[break][break]

"Jack! Follow up!"[break][break]

Not quite a weapon of legend or notable renown, the Doublade is still one forged of cold steel and formidable spirit. Following Shuwen's flow of battle, they indulge in a waltz of sharpened sword and falling thunder, slicing through the ravenous waves.[break][break]

"How'd they get here??"

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[attr="class","eris109"]They're in his stomach. Never has he said something that disgusts her as much as this.[break][break]

"Does this place not change even with all the distorting forces?" Her breaths feel a little shallower than usual. Perhaps, because she really doesn't want to take in the stench, nor commit it to memory. Green liquid churns in the pit below, the faint scent of rust making her press her lips together as morbid curiosity beckons her to take a closer look. Crystals, shredded flesh, the spines of Naganadel and overly large tentacles of half-submerged Nihilego.[break][break]

"Chewed through..."[break][break]

Up above, the sound of movement causes her to tense. Previous expeditions in this realm have told her that her mind isn't as guarded as she'd like it to be.[break][break]

"Watch your ass, Navy." A step back. She needs to keep to the path they took to get here. "They sound pretty hungry."

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[attr="class","eris109"]With the question, she never meets his gaze, nor gives an answer. There are things that are better left unsaid, stories that are better left buried by time. She simply walks on, her eye still latched onto the singing Skarmory and the path he lights forwards.[break][break]

"Creeps is a mild way of putting it, no?" She's certain he has a colourful repertoire of descriptors. One that he's choosing not to use in front of her lest she pick up on it.[break][break]

"Can't say I appreciate walking around in Eternatus' organs." Hell, she can almost imagine Reiner's look of disgust as he's forced to have his bare paws grace the squelching flesh under their feet. "Where even are we?"

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A MILLION MILES AWAY

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[attr="class","eris109"]It takes Eris everything in her to keep Teostra from flipping over, the sharp 'fwip' of his tail indicating his wish to turn on the Gallade and thrash him right then and there. Thankfully, the Gallade descends faster than he does, forcing the dragon to dip and follow after with parted maws aglow.[break][break]

"No!" Her yells are but a note lost in the whistling wind, her hands fumbling for her belt as she picks at his pokeball. Right as the Salamence readies to launch his attack, his head is latched onto by numerous red chains, a forceful tug redirecting the shot towards the skies.[break][break]

A momentary loss in control spells the undignified landing of the dragon and his rider. With his pride smashed right into the ground, he immediately bucks Eris right off, slit-like eyes snapping right onto his next meal.[break][break]

"Nonono -"[break][break]

But before he can lunge right at the Gallade, he disappears, pulled back into the confines of his pokeball where he will surely continue to seethe.[break][break]

"So -" A deep breath. With one hand on her hip, she releases that breath and takes another. Rinse and repeat for a few more times, right as Reiner pulls up with utmost disappointment at the lack of battle. Peering back over his shoulder, he raises a brow at the piles of now defunct clockwork creatures left behind. And he nudges her, scrunching his nose as he jerks his head towards the clock tower door.[break][break]

"Actually, yeah. Let's get inside before we get noticed."

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[attr="class","eris109"]Alright, the time for site seeing is over. Appearing in a flash of red, Teostra takes flight as soon as Eris climbs right onto his back.[break][break]

"Reiner, help them below! I'll get the other one!"[break][break]

Easier said than done, but when has he ever cowed from a challenge? Lightning crackles and dissipates in his trail, a dastardly grin betraying his thoughts as he races towards the fight. Save for those that ignore his presence, the aggressing machines are treated to a buffet of claws and fangs ripping them apart. All the way towards the Gallade and miraculous little Togepi.[break][break]

"Hey! Mister boy scout!"[break][break]

On her end, the rescue should be marginally easier by all accounts and standards. Just swoop in, pick the guy up and attempt to put him back onto solid ground. Teostra, however, has different plans. Staunch in his refusal to let such a man sit upon his back, heinstead grabs him by the scruff and begins to pull.[break][break]

"Hang on tight!"

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[attr="class","eris109"]The trip to the clock towers is always a struggle and a half. A long walk in contemplation as she listens to their footsteps fall into rhythm with the pulse of this kingdom.[break][break]

Things like where this kingdom came from or whether it had been here all along are questions that must be asked to entities that have a far greatest grasp on the world that she lives within. And yet, she isn't one to simply take a non-answer and be satisfied. Instead, she is a remarkably foolish soul that dives deeper into this kingdom with journal in hand, despite knowing the dangers of doing so.[break][break]

To record the layout of this fallen history and unravel its lost history. To grasp at the stories that have been washed away with time and in turn, hopefully derive meaning from the lives and choices made by those who once walked these lands. For that is what her mother would have done, what she wishes nothing more than to be able to do in her stead.[break][break]

Pausing upon yet another bridge, she looks up and is graced with a clear view of the tower she seeks. With fingers carefully reaching into her bag and hoisting out a camera, she begins to line up a shot and its focus -[break][break]

"Wait..."[break][break]

She knows that most of the clock towers in this region are dysfunctional, but none of them have a smear across their faces -[break][break]

"Oh boy."

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[attr="class","eris109"]Diving is so similar, yet so different from drowning. The way the water washes over your head as the lights dim from above. That churning of bubbles when you flounder in the water attempting to reorientate yourself. If not for the calming presence of her Woopers and their patience, she probably would've lost track of which way was up and down.[break][break]

"Got it!" Her voice comes out a little sharper than expected but other than that, she's mostly fine. "Watch out for any stray pokemon."[break][break]

With Einar and Socks on lookout duty, Pips begins to chip away at the sunken wood whilst Nessie lends him a helping hand. And Eris too, helps in her own little way, drawing upon the powers of her Wooper as she begins to purify the contaminated water.

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[attr="class","eris109"]"You can take the deep corridors." She does not bother to argue with him. The further his pokemon is from her, the better.[break][break]

To walk in silence would be best for her, simply listening to Reiner's footfalls and her own as they continue down the corridor. But then, he decides to bring up the weirdest thing. Seeing her? In a dream? What the hell is he on?[break][break]

Her pace quickens, her hands fluttering to her belt.

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[attr="class","eris109"]Oh, brave souls who dare to dream. Dearest brave souls who dare to roll the die. The courage they display with all their chest will surely become fuel that sparks the same hope in many others.[break][break]

She too, must do the same. Whistling to her Mantine, she runs into the waves. It's time to believe and face the ocean's fury.[break][break]

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D9d2hsut

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[attr="class","eris109"]The mecha may be strong but it will not be given time to best utilise that strength. This is her chance. With her beady eyes staring right into the souls of the Stakataka mecha, her jaw unhinges and she leans in, ready to consume the head of her challenger.[break][break]

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[attr="class","eris109"]"Sure..." She frowns, then puts the thought away with a simple sigh and a shrug. Whatever happens will happen, as and when it wishes to. For now she'd much rather choose to focus on how to handle the job.[break][break]

"I think so?" Fumbling around with the pokeballs on her belt, she calls forth two Wooper. Pips looks to Einar for direction, his mouth shaped into a perfect 'o' as the other begins to look around. With a little wag of his tail, he begins to glow a soft purple, tapping upon the powers of Woopers beyond just for a glimpse of the future.[break][break]

"Should we clear the debris or can we use it to help secure the place?"

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