"I'm not one to stand on ceremony. So I believe I'll have two. You and @eliz, as you've both been by my side as long as I care to remember." He takes a sip, in truth Miles does not have many friends and the few he could count among his own couldn't possibly know about this union lest they plan to kidnap and kill his possible fiancée. It was an odd place to be in without a doubt but he wouldn't give Stormy up for the world, and so his side of the wedding would for the most part remain dark.

Thinking on his future with Stormy Silph makes him smile, even if he is ahead of himself, after all, he'd yet to even purchase a ring. "She's my sun." He finishes the thought on her willing to field a few more questions of course, but no before asking his own.

"Now you've received your fair share of gossip, spill. Who has the esteemed pleasure of bedding the elusive Aria Collier?"

IT'S YA BOY DJ RILLABOOMIN, BOOMBURSTIN FROM YOUR STEREO ONCE AGAIN TO BRING YOU THE LATEST AND GREATEST FROM THE HOENN STAR TOURNAMENT, Looks like we've got quite the show for you this evening. The young Silph Scion MATIAS SILPH vs. Infinity Energies Brightest Miles Sharp . Everything seems cool between these two but I feel something bubbling just below the surface, keep your eyes on these because with cats like these there's always more than meets the eye.

----------------------------------------------

[player]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/833781382554714176/850438308496801822/Yu-Gi-Oh_Duellist_of_the_Roses_OST_-_Mako_Mercenary_of_Bretagne.mp3[/player]

Street lights burn bright as the makeshift arena makes itself known. The cobblestone streets of Slateport's Nightmarket would be the backdrop for this battle. A crowd surrounds the contestants as officials force the masses back for their own safety, who was to say how dangerous the battle got. Stands batten down their hatches no stranger to incidents of this nature.

Miles has a glint in his eyes, there's no joy no excitement only a level of focus, where he'd been jovial for most of the day here and the darkness he was sharper, colder.

"Matias Silph, a man who forced to live in the shadows of his brother. I wonder what you truly have to offer."

And with that a Pokeball flies revealing his first partner and closest ally.

"Only to you Silph."

He begins to circle the man moving from his intial hiding place entirely, the aurorus watches the electivire calmly. Miles stops only when Matias' path forward is blocked. Moving further would lead to Serena and that was unacceptable still stalling was easy enough, after all the two naturally had much to talk about.

"Why do you want Fernando gone? After the death of your parents naturally, those bonds would tighten. what changed?"

It's more of a statement than it is a question.

The short excursion had proven worth. Atop a sand dune sits a rare fossil pokemon, one he'd hoped to find a long while ago. A kabutops flies from a pokeball and with that the battle (albeit a short one) is now underway. The bird attempts to flee recognizing the competitor's strength but the kabutops is almost as fast as it is powerful, and so with an Aqua Jet It soars into the air striking the archen down. It replies with a crunch but the aqua jet was so powerful the bird pokemon's lost the little mettle it had a trait of its defeatist nature. A second aqua jet follows and the bird collapses into the sand, a empty pokeball follows, and with that Miles' excursion for the day has come to an end.

Her persistence ends and he leans forward in his chair, a small wave of internal relief passes.

"I look forward to hearing back from you." He had a meeting with one of the agents who'd retrieved the tree tomorrow and so he too would push for more answers on his side as well.

Is that what I was doing?" He raises his glass eyes focused on the liquid for moments at a time, debating until he comes to a conclusion, marked by a long sip.

"You'll think me a fool. But she's the one." He begins meeting his old friend's eyes. Miles had always been a cautious man, someone who thought things twice over before coming to a conclusion, and so his next words were extremely out of character.

"We've dated for three months, I plan to marry her." He takes another sip curious to see how his dear friend would respond.

As priam begins to recount his tale immediately Miles pulls a pen scribbling down points of note, there were terms Miles didn't quite understand, but he was able to piece most of it together, there were also a few terms Miles knew offhand, something that brought an odd sense of pride in even if he'd never admit it.

"Plot armor like Wyrm Orb X's Caccroot or plot armor like Noruto Bruzamaki's Dad?" His references were slightly dated, but to better get an idea he'd ask questions of that nature, slowly adapting to Priam's wavelength as much as a twenty-six-year-old retired cinephile could. Priam's recounting of the event brought a number of questions to mind, apparently, Yveltal appeared when activity around the tree grew violent. Yveltal and Xerneas were always tied together in lore unmistakeably, one an avatar for life but one an avatar for death, but did the tree actively summon Yveltal? And if it did why did the legendary surrounding death attack it? Miles doesn't understand the relationship the two pokemon have outside of legends, and at this stage that knowledge was no better than conjecture. That said, regardless of Yveltal's attacks the tree and all those beside it remained unaffected. The tree was as much a barrier as it was a bringer of life.

"Did the tree respond to any other attacks or just those launched by Yveltal?"

Another question that transcends his notes, vocalized for Priam to hear. What was even more interesting was the agent's information on the original tree found in Littleroot.

"It revived people, before dying?" Miles scribbles faster now, not only paraphrasing but adding an assortment of little additions, his own thoughts, to the document.

"Priam walk with me, there's something I need you to do." He grabs his white coat obviously unnerved by something. Priam had touched the tree prior and while both he and Chu-e Choi had in the aftermath of the excursion Miles fears something is different something, Priam who'd worked with the tree in a different environment could prove.

"We're going to the labs where we've stored the tree, this is urgent." He grabs his pad and pen, talking to the wolf-like man all the while. Could you tell me everything else you know about the Littleroot tree Priam?" Miles had theorized the tree they'd recovered was still a sapling of sorts just as Priam did, but Priam's talk on both trees brought something to mind.

Why hadn't the tree they recovered grown? These trees were special, they matured much faster than any normal tree ever could. And so miles had his question, and if it wasn't growing, what was it doing. The scientist has an assumption but he doesn't want to vocalize it yet.

He'd lead Priam to the greenery lab where the white-barked tree sat unchanged to the naked eye. Immediately Miles orders his team and any others to clear out.

Priam had touched the tree before, he'd known what it felt like prior to its arrival here and whether the pulse it gave had changed in the time since. Based on the study he'd done with Chu-e Miles had an inkling something would be different.

"Could you touch the tree and compare the experiences for me, Priam?"

He pushes further deeper fingers interlock his falling into the grooves between each digit tightly now, a testament to the depths of which he travels. He's more than happy to give her what she craves, in fact, he wants nothing more. The brush continues to paint its piece each movement so deliberate - desperate to create something she'd be happy with, something she couldn't live without just as he can't live without her.

When he speaks they pause for the moment though they remain together. She doesn't dare let him go and vice versa and so they stay intertwined the brush remains on a single point filling in small details never perfectly still as it blots the point it's been paused on.

His senses are assaulted as she follows her own path now, from his cheek to his jaw and ending at his earlobe. Her scent clouds his mind her freshly washed hair still smells of shampoo, her lips almost burn him, that fire she's known for threatens to spill further, blazing into an inferno. The picture nears completion, a work of art made solely for her in this particular moment, it'd be one of many in the days...months....years to come. He rasps as she breaths against his ear. her staggered breath serves as a metronome for his art timing each new line with her breathing. He can barely think now any idea of a backdrop fades in the minutes following, all save for her and the moonlight peeking against her form illuminating portions of her at a time.

Clouds shift and finally, she's seen in her true form, her radiance is too much to take. Pale skin under the moon's opaque light; she glistens with sweat, Stormy shines further. - She's never been so beautiful, but she's always been this beautiful. She trembles now and He grabs her wrists pulling her entire body against him, he can feel her spasm but he's become a vice, uncontrollable in these remaining seconds. Just as he's been painting she too was piecing together her own work of art against him. even as she reveals her work he doesn't stop pushing through the various waves that wash over them both Until he reaches that final line - With this addition, these works would combine creating a true masterpiece, their masterpiece. The brush blots this final point as fiercely as it can hoping to pull more out of her in this final swipe. All remaining ink rushes from the brush and into her a signature notating the work. - the painting is complete. All ink has spilled for the moment.

Even now he doesn't let go relishing her. His grip is lighter, but he doesn't move, more than content to stay like this regardless of any consequences that came. He looks into her eyes knowingly, why? Because anything that came from this moment would be a joy. Another of the already infinite reasons he had to spend his life with her. And so his refusal to leave serves as a seal and a promise just as literally as it did metaphorically.

A promise that He'd challenge this future and any other with her. Where there was once apprehension, now there is resolve. Her rashness has rubbed off on him. fingers pervade sliding into hers, where they belonged.

"Forever."

chesto
Miles Sharp Amaura ----> Aurorous

Persim
Going Unused

Persim
allows you to change your pokemon's ability. hidden abilities can be selected. | Armaldo Swift Swim ----> Battle Armor

Persim
allows you to change your pokemon's ability. hidden abilities can be selected. | Golett Klutz ----> No Guard

pecha
Going Unused

wiki
Miles Sharp Tyrunt ---> Tyrantrum | Cranidos ----> Rampardos

oran
Miles Sharp golett ---> golurk

chesto
Going Unused

chesto
Going Unused

leppa
Miles Sharp Garchomp Learns Earthquake

aspear
Miles Sharp Garchomp Learns Sandstorm

aspear
Miles Sharp Tyrantrum (Dominatus) Learns Stealth Rock

aspear
Miles Sharp golurk learns Phantom Force

[player]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/849319068737863730/849335243415748628/Yuzo_Koshiro_-_Theyre_Back_Streets_of_Rage_4_Official_Soundtrack.mp3[/player]

The roars match and just like that the second battle has begun.

Greyson's side moves quick the drill pokemon performing a maneuver that'd been seen once before already. The earth shakes and Miles smiles. The scary face released prior is a hidden boon as well it confirms a particular strategy. For her size Isla wasn't a very offensive pokemon, no the colossal steel freight train specialized in defense.

"Hold your ground." A hand brushes through his hair as he takes a knee even he isn't immune to the heavy shaking. The aggron roars now not in pride, but in pain, in that pain came her power.

"Return it with Metal Burst." As the dust rises from her maw an orb of pure silver energy is formed before flying at the Rhypherior. All the pain she'd endured from that earthquake would be returned with interest. The move was comparable to an Aura Sphere in that it was dangerously accurate.

Follow up with a Heavy Slam!

Following the Orb the pokemon makes her approach albeit a bit more cautiously, the scary face having definitely acted on the steel titan.

------

Aggron's speed is lowered sharply
Aggron is hit directly by the earthquake
Aggron uses Metal Burst
Aggron uses Heavy Slam

[player]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/849319068737863730/849335243415748628/Yuzo_Koshiro_-_Theyre_Back_Streets_of_Rage_4_Official_Soundtrack.mp3[/player]

The cascade of punches reveals a fallen alakazam while Golurk stands tall the black and green golem returning to standby mode once confirming it'd won its fight. A hand places itself on the golem's stone leg, "You get stronger every day my friend. You deserve to rest Altor." He notes before returning the pokemon to its respective Pokeball, despite its unspoken will to fight.

"Your alakazam held on longer than I think anyone could have expected. He's strong Connors, but I don't believe our fight has come to its conclusion." Miles pulls a new Pokeball from his pocket. lightly tossing it in its hand a time or two before tossing it high. "Let's see how you fare against her!"

From within a massive form takes shape outlined in red before exploding in color. Her roar pierces the field almost shaking it with force. It seemed Miles would play solely with titans today.

The Aggron waits eyeing Greyson eagerly. It'd been a while since she'd had a good fight.

He listens silently, she's being rash, but it's one of the countless things he loves about her. How she's able to push through his worries in so few words. At the end of the day they would handle it come hell or high water. He's long since resolved himself to make sure she's safe regardless of his own wellbeing. Regardless of how Rocket decided to move, they would not have Stormy, let it be gavin, theo, or even Walsh himself they would not have Stormy Silph. Their duty now was to live as they saw fit, to take care, yes, but still, to live and to love.

She swears herself to him sealing their bond not with blood, but with their bodies nonetheless. Hair falls against his chest, but the sensation goes almost unnoticed in favor of the barrage of other sensations. Lips collide as they'd done so many times before, this clash finds itself deeper than any of the innumerable trenches surrounding Sootopolis, it was her promise and his understanding. She fills all his senses, a slave to their desires. His hand already dark moves not unlike a shadow pushing raven locks behind her ear as tongues brush against each other.

He moves slowly his freehand falls to her side pulling her down like a current while he serves as an undertow fighting against the current of his own creation. That ethereal warmth gifted to her by the gods themselves only serves to enhance what they share. He craves more seeking to secure himself searching for something that he already fully has.

It's calligraphy, each stroke of the brush purposeful moving to create new works on a pure canvas, The brush moves to the corners of the page searching for a point to focus on. Deciphering between sounds echoing across the studio finally a point is determined by the sounds echoing in the studio, only then does the painter truly begin his work.

"You and I against whatever comes."

Decker, for a man who worked in espionage, was as straight as an arrow. At least he was in the here and now. It was an interesting trait for one who made a living out of secrets and deceit in equal measure. Miles finds himself liking the man more and more as the job continues. But even his growing admiration is secondary to the dread that's accumulated in his chest, a dread that Killian doubled down on in that honesty Miles so appreciates.

There's pause in him and he realizes his hand is shaking. He inhales eyes focused on the job before him, only then choosing to speak again. "As they are? No. I don't." There's silence for a moment remembering his talk with Cillian Quinn , seeing what Walsh was willing to do despite the screen he'd showed months ago of Kanto in relative peace. There are a number of warmongers in their organization, of that there is no doubt. But for every Walsh there was a Chu-e Choi , for every Gavin a Emma Wolfe and for every THEO BECKETT there was a Killian Decker .

"But I like to... No, I need to believe that people are capable of change. That we are all bigger than our base desires regardless of what they may be. Once upon a time, Gavin Merlino was a man of science." Not unlike himself. "I want to believe that, that Gavin still exists, a man of logic and pride in his works that helped build humanity as opposed to destroying it. I want to believe Walsh moves with the tide because people like you and I exist and don't tolerate needless slaughter."

He pushes himself off the ground turning fully to Killian his job complete. "I was a fool when I joined. I was lost and full of pain. to an extent I still am. But It's thanks in part to many of our own that I was able to find some semblance of myself again. I believe in Rocket, not for its reputation but for its people. I believe rocket can change this broken-ass system for the better." He thinks of glitch maverick , Serena Malcolm , and Rowan Wrynn alongside the countless others he'd thought of prior.

He's passionate, but he realizes too late, "Sorry Killian, I've spoken out of turn. I've collected what we need on this side."

[player]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/849319068737863730/849335243415748628/Yuzo_Koshiro_-_Theyre_Back_Streets_of_Rage_4_Official_Soundtrack.mp3[/player]

"How Resilient. Stormy wasn't wrong."

He mentions his girlfriend (Stormy Silph) offhandedly a hand on his chin debating as the future sight takes effect its beam of psychic energy strikes the golem. Despite the power of the strike Miles doesn't flinch any time spent faltering could be time spent planning. His shirt billows back, but soon the strike ends and while go lurk is worse for wear the ghost type still has more than its fair share of fight left in it.

The alakazam follows with a psychic, but Miles knows they simply have to push a little harder now. "Shadow punch." The energies attempt to contain and strike golurk to force it down, but the punches fly and while the psychic truly wears on it, the ancient pokemon would continue to strike.
"Enough. Double up!"

The punches double and a barrage of shadowy fists would fly against the psychic type. If one listened closely perhaps they'd hear a groan or cry from the golem, repetitive as its strikes flew.

"Ora...Ora...Ora..."


-------

Golurk takes full damage from the Future Sight
Golurk uses Shadow Punch | No Guard in Effect
Golurk is hit by psychic | No Guard in Effect
Golurk uses shadow punch | No Guard in effect
Greyson Connors