"Understood." He agrees with her mentality.

Without the hostages, they could have easily sunk the lot of them, but there were new nuances to the situation and they had to be respected lest those three lives were injured. Miles takes a breath sifting through the information they had on hand, between he and Stormy's team they had twelve or so pokemon, the majority of Stormy's were most likely fire types and on a field like this would be at some slight disadvantage, especially due to the civilians in play. He was better off in that department a number of his pokemon despite their rock typing were powerful swimmers. It's in this he's formed something of a plan.

"If I may, captain I have an idea of sorts." He doesn't think she'll be pleased with it, but to protect the hostages he decides to voice the thought.

"I'll become a hostage." He lets it sit only for a second. "While you pretend to negotiate their release I'll begin to get the hostages out. If I can get them overboard my pokemon can carry them to safety. After which, you just have to save me. business as usual." Not like she hadn't done it tens of times before. He'd release his water pokemon into the sea before being captured it'd leave him at a disadvantage but he trusts Stormy with his life and more, it was an intense plan undoubtedly but it was doable if she cared to agree to it.

He pushes against the woman's body cradled against her back. She'd feel the beat of his heart and all the serenity that came with it. He had no fears at the moment, after all, he'd spent the last year training, no longer was he a meek scientist, and to have Stormy as his insurance there was no reason to fear.

"Thoughts, concerns?" It's almost a whisper as they soar through the skies bodies pressed against each other.

It's the second time Silph has asked for his name, the first occasion was marred by violence, now there's uneasiness this time. Moments ago they'd fought to save each other his back bleeds from a wound meant for Matias, and seconds later the Silph had returned the favor. Still, he has to keep his cover, and so answers honestly.

"Sharp, Miles Sharp. Yours?"


One day he'd have to kill this man.

Miles finds a spot to work soon after removing himself from the walls with pieces in tow. He has his team guard him while he begins sifting through the collected pieces as he'd done so many times before. The process truly brings him back to his time at Devon what was initially a process that took the man-hours to complete became one that he could in less than twenty minutes on a good day

And today was a good day.

He sifts through the pieces brushing edges off removing excess dirt carefully before aligning each piece until finally, he has the full shape. When Glitch calls he joins the group on the right with his completed fossil. It seemed there were a few stragglers, but just as many had been successful and so he wonders what exactly the next challenge would consist of and how it would involve so many people.



Fossil Piece 1 - Confirmed

Fossil Piece 2 - Confirmed

Fossil Piece 3 - Confirmed

He can tell by the look in her eyes that she's fallen into the trap. Truthfully this second slice belonged to a certain Stormy Silph who would simply go without tonight, such were the sacrifices of education, though Miles has faith she'll survive. That said perhaps if Eris studied hard perhaps one day she too would be able to learn the man's tricks regardless of how little they had to do with math.

"Ah someone seems a little confident."

He takes this opportunity to crack open one of the books, it was surprising how at peace he was in the situation, there certainly was a simple joy in working with children, Eris in particular in her wryness was particularly fun to work with.

"But we could, as long as they're all right of course."

And this would be the beginning of the many Lessons Miles Sharp and Eris shared, a small oasis in the darkness that was Team Rocket.

It bends and bends until someone breaks.

He's fully prepared to fight but Silph steps aside, affirming that the two could work together in some kind of capacity.

He bows and Miles walks past not yet recalling his pokemon, though the auroras follows close behind her trainer, eyeing the electivire all the while.

"Goodbye Silph."

He says but he doesn't leave. Instead, his hand reaches his ear and the comms cut.

"Slateport is a city fortified by many angles. Its own island protected naturally by the elements. A location with many uses."

And only then does he recall his pokemon and exit, most likely on his way to regroup with Serena. He wonders if this evil is truly necessary, if he's becoming more like those he despises.

After introductions, but before any real conversation could begin the two are interrupted by an all too familiar face, though the link between the newcomer and Miles is unknown.

Miles too had no idea Priam was acquainted with the famous doctor, but he supposes that's on-brand for the wolf-like rocket in that the man was filled to the brim with all nature of surprises. He offers his hand to Priam as he would anyone in their first meeting, Morales seems slightly embarrassed by the show, but Miles is all too familiar with the man's odd tangents at this point. Thus he offers a simple smile allowing the awkwardness to pass naturally.

"Far be it from me to stop a man on a mission." He offers when the doctor apologizes, soon after she presses into business ready to satiate her curiosity, Miles obliges. "Thanks largely in part to our various teams at Infinity Industries with particular note to a number of contractors as well as our CEO oscar clayton , we've managed to capture and contain the energies expounded by the process of mega evolution, particularly the energy mega stones naturally generate."

Miles nods over to one of his analysts who'd immediately begin displaying holograms of the prototype generator as well as an assortment of mega stones. "We then learned to convert that energy into electricity and forms of energy better maneuverable by the general public. Because these stones are so powerful I believe they're the most efficient form of fuel humanity has at this point. It far surpasses coal and fossil fuels, and it's harnessed far faster than both solar power and wind power." He pauses for a moment glancing at the holograms himself.

"Of course, that's just the gist we have a few future projects on the horizon that I of course cannot reveal on account of the tens of signed NDAs, but know that we plan to further perfect this technology." And now it was time to push. "One of our main initiatives is to deliver power to those who've been without it since the Three-Day War. Reconstruction in many areas has been slow, and the homelessness in the region is - pardon my frankness - inexcusable. To better be able to first house and deliver some degree of normalcy to those many lives affected is my utmost concern as both a scientist and humanitarian."

He focuses on the duo directly as he finishes his lecture before it becomes too much of a diatribe.

"But what of you Dr. Morales? As most here have I've read many a journal concerning your various research initiatives, particularly those concerning the lives of civilians in the region, those outside of the war effort. Though perhaps I've been too buried in my own work to hear much of the outside, I've admittedly heard little of your latest projects doctor."

He feels his white dress shirt become slicker with blood, as he's rolled with the Silph to avoid another swipe. When the rolling ends another follows focused on Mattias. Mattias moves and the bear begins to close in on the man. Miles huffs adrenaline beginning to course as he forces himself up, grabbing the sharpest branch beside him.

The bear closes in on Mattias, but Miles is there, behind the two and with all the force he can muster he aims the branch into the pokemon's leg, still unwilling to take its life. The ursaring falls to a knee and it flurries wildly it's claws barely missing miles the man drops to the ground rolling away his back beginning to burn as he pressures it.

"Seems as good a time as any to make like a - before he can finish a cry overhead reveals an Aerodactyl spiraling towards the two.

"The Calvalry arrives five minutes late."

[player]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/849319068737863730/852531767847550976/Tekken_7_OST_Poolside_Remix_Island_Paradise_-_Round_1.mp3[/player]

"Well even I have to see the light of day on occasion, Rowan."

A hand comes to his mouth and he chuckles. Rowan was a good man and he seemed to be in good spirits. It always brought joy to see a respected comrade happy and in the light. Perhaps it was out of line, but this was a life he wanted for Rowan, one outside the darkness of their daily routines. And Miles believes the man will one day exist in this light permanently, that there will be a day when the emotions in this moment aren't impermanent. Why? Because Rowan Wrynn is both too smart and too determined not to achieve his dreams.

That said, for all his determination Miles has no intention of losing this bout, after all, the scientist sought something too, and today that something could only be found in the heart of battle.

Small waves crash against his ankles like stones in the sea. He grips the wet sand with his toes and inhales. The sun is warm, the water is cool. He can feel the tension rise. There's no day more perfect for a fight.

Rowan calls out his pokemon and Miles can't help but smirk.

"I'm honored to have influenced your choice." And what a choice it was an Omastar and a beautiful one, he'd trained him well the shine of its shell and the glossiness of the pokemon's tentacles a testament to the pokemon's health. Miles bounces a pokeball in his palm twice before shooting it high revealing the Omastar's counterpart its silver sickles shine in the sunlight. Mare was ready to battle.

"I won't have to!" he teases from across the field and with that the crash of the next wave the battle would begin.

"Let's start it with a Swords Dance, and transition into an Aqua Jet!"

BqlTstll

[player]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/833781382554714176/851008494705705020/Makotos_Theme_-_Spunky_SF_III.3.mp3[/player]

Miles can't help but smile.

Joining the tournament was a fantastic idea. How long had it been since he pushed himself, honed his own skills in battle. His stint as an official pokemon trainer was short, but not for a lack of skill. For all her weakness Miles was still raised by Gloria Sharp, a gym leader. And with that came training sessions, practices, battles that were constant.

And that fire.

The fire that one in the heat of battle can't avoid regardless of how much he wanted to run from it, how much he looked down on it, and what it took away.

His mother lost everything throwing herself into fight after fight. That fire cost her so much of her life, but here in this moment on the cusp of victory and defeat, he understands. He'd joined only wanting to bolster his power, he has things - people to protect a life that requires a certain amount of battle savvy.

And so now when partner garchomp is flung directly past him propelled not by his own speed but by the precision and weight of the steel menace across from them; Slate eyes glaring into its cold silver maw. Miles only feels anticipation, a drive to overcome.

Because he's still the son of a gym leader, and that means something.

He doesn't bother turning around "Pistri!" The Garchomp recovers at his trainer's call making its way in front of the trainer shaking the sand off. He'd sustained a hard hit that much was clear, but there was still plenty of fight left in him, thus the two weren't done by a long shot.

"I'll show you something special Greyson."

A hand brushes through his hair and from behind his braid a light shines piercing through the dust storm. A stone hung on a chain around the pokemon glows in unison.

"The storm calls - Mega Evolve!"

And he does.



"Show him your dragon rush. And burn him to the ground!"

A purple aura surrounds the landshark shaping itself into the form of a massive dragon before the coated beast spirals through the set defenses at speeds unimaginable. He decimates hundreds of astroids set by the magnet rise like a meteor unabashed. The pokemon's goal? Not to slash into but through the gargantuan steel type. To slam the creature with its pure might and speed. As the attack fades another burning cross forms spilling from its jaws, this one far more powerful than the previous would attempt to light the Steelix.

This was the thrill of the fight, and he hopes to make it last.

------
Heavy Slam Hits!
Garchomp proceeds to Mega Evolve
Garchomp uses Dragon Rush
Garchomp uses Fire Blast
Sandstorm (4/5)

Miles doesn't know it yet, but he's a strong believer in househusband solidarity. In the future, I imagine there are many recipes, and lifehacks shared between angelo vestri and Miles. After all, they both had good sensibilities and would eventually become master handlers when it came to the lives of their adventurous, hard-headed, reckless, messy, and occasionally inconsiderate wives. I'd even go as far as to say the two would eventually share a google doc - a master list or bible of their accumulated knowledge to pass down to future househusbands revealing hidden techniques such as but not limited to:

- How to get blood out of literally everything because chances are...
- What to tell kids when mom is fighting deities on Live Television
- How to explain wife's busted eye and profuse bleeding to hospital (among other injuries) / Keeping track of medical finances for dummies
- Dishes to make when wife is running late - because when isn't she?
- Meditation techniques for self.

But this anthology hadn't yet been created and the friendship between Angelo and Miles hadn't even been planted. And so when Miles orders his Rampardos to deal with his future ally's Dragonair he has no qualms.

Iron Head


Dk0FNff4+50

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Total:  4901 + 112 = 5013


Surf, Rock Slide, Zen Headbutt, Iron Head, Thunderbolt, Fireblast