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When the arrow first hit, the pain was blunt and hard, like getting punched.[break][break]

But as the seconds tick by, that blunt pain turns piercing and sharp- hot somehow, like she'd been stuck with a fireplace poker. It's only when Luka looks down at her own stomach and the rose petals of blood that are blooming there that she really understands what's happened to her.[break][break]

Her instinct is to cry out, but all that escapes her lips is a pitiful whimper. She watches, gasping in pain, as Greyson crosses into enemy lines to grab Rocket's cargo and hurries back, thankfully unharmed. Whatever his Veqpiquen had done has their opponents turning tail and fleeing— and thank goodness, because all the fight has been knocked out of her.[break][break]

Greyson apparently hasn't noticed the arrow sticking out of her gut, because otherwise why would he ask her to run? But she knows it's imperative for them to get out of here— and quickly, considering what they may have just managed to steal. Luka grits her teeth and yanks the arrow out, which anyone else might know to be a terrible idea, but she's a bit clueless in this department.[break][break]

Thankfully it seems that it hadn't hit deep. Even though she'd deactivated her sygna by withdrawing Sylveon, the suit seems to have helped protect her somewhat. The arrow tip is only buried an inch or so inside her, but even that is enough to hurt like an EXPLETIVE when she pulls it out. Luka tosses it to the side, stuffs her jacket over the wound to staunch the bleeding, and tries to limp after Greyson as quickly as she can. It's far from a graceful exit but considering the circumstances, it's the best she can manage.[break][break]

It won't be until later that they realize they've been hoodwinked, and that this entire affair has been a colossal waste of time. And in a situation like this, where time is of the utmost essence, it's an immense loss indeed.[break][break]

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The sound of fighting- of fists hitting metal and Pokemon crying out in rage and pain- is terrible to listen to. It's worse since Luka can do nothing to help. All she can do is put her faith in her Lopunny and pray that everything will turn out all right.[break][break]
Eventually, an angry metallic screech announces the end of the battle. Relief floods her, though the silence that follows is almost as unnerving. However if something was wrong, Razz surely wouldn't be so casual. In fact, his small spark of optimism is rather uplifting.[break][break]

"Umm...I-I'm not sure," she answers him. "But I can try. Is Bonbon okay?"[break][break]

Her Audino holds her up by the elbow, and Luka leans gratefully on her in order to stagger to her feet. The wound on her stomach screams in protest as a trickle of fresh blood leaks from it— she winces and sucks in a breath, but at least manages not to cry. In fact, she barely cares about the pain, for her gaze is drawn to the prone form of her Lopunny instead.[break][break]

"Bonnie! W-wait, oh no. I-is she okay?" Worry has her in a chokehold until she notices Bonbon's chest moving, and the wave of relief is almost enough to knock her off her feet again.[break][break]

She reaches out to grab onto Razz, letting her Audino free. "Can you take care of Bonbon, please?" she asks, and Pudding nods and scampers away on her chubby little legs. Satisfied that her Lopunny will be fine in her partner's care, Luka turns back to Razz.[break][break]

"I kind of wrapped it up as best I can," she says, gingerly lifting the corner of her shirt to show a swath of gauze that's covered in blood. "B-but I don't think it's good enough..."

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Jam is full of pluck, but that's not quite enough to overcome a titan like Zapdos. They cackle with glee as the legendary seems to become angrier and angrier, sprinkling it with showers of poison as though they're throwing out confetti.[break][break]
But although they seem carefree and cheerful as they zip around and gleefully antagonize the bird, the hurricane is buffeting them quite badly. And the heat wave that blasts them next proves to be too much for the little thing. Rain-slicked skin is buffeted by a searing heat, and they hiss with pain as their body starts to steam, almost roasting in mid-air.[break][break]

They fall out of the air as Zapdos rises, and Luka is just barely able to recall them into their ball before they hit the sand. She feels awful for using her companion as bait like this— it doesn't feel like a victory at all. Someone far more competant than she would have been able to come up with a proper strategy, not just resorted to simplistic tactics.[break][break]

She tries to reassure herself that at least the rangers are safe. Injured, yes, and badly— but no casualties have been reported so far. However, their camp has been completely destroyed. Their supplies are decimated, and they've lost the small stronghold that they managed to establish on the beach.[break][break]

And as Sugar plods back onto the sand, drenched and empty handed, it's clear that they'd failed in capturing the person behind this attack. Luka frowns as she stares back at the water and the retreating form on the waves, but doesn't give chase. Perhaps that's selfish of her, but as her broken ribs throb along with her pounding head, she knows that she'd probably not survive such an encounter. It's a miracle she'd made it out of this one in the first place.[break][break]

But possibly worst of all is the fact that this has dire consequences for Project Sapphire. Luka hates being the bearer of bad news, but she'll have to inform ollie morales and Laurence Anderson sooner or later that, despite their best efforts, it seems that Zapdos has fallen into Rocket hands.

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Trying to argue with this woman is a futile task. And as she speaks, Luka's blood boils with an unfamilar emotion: anger.[break][break]
She doesn't hate people. It's not in her nature. She's too sweetly forgiving, too determined to see the good in everyone else.[break][break]
But this woman...she doesn't like her at all.[break][break]
Thinking about it leaves a foul taste in her mouth; it's acrid and bitter, like biting your tongue. Her teeth clench as she watches the battle unfolding in front of her, her Pokemon gaining a clear upper hand. It fills her with an emotion she isn't accustomed to: the fervent desire to crush this woman and her terrible views at all costs.[break][break]
But that kind of victory becomes impossible when suddenly, her opponent vanishes. Luka blinks in surprise and rushes forwards, but neither she or her Pokemon are anywhere to be seen. Is this a trick? A product of the interdream zone, somehow? She feels paranoid that this might be some kind of sneak attack, but as the seconds pass and nothing happens, she starts to relax.[break][break]

"T-that's right!" she shouts into the cloud of smoke, "Run away! You might talk big, but you're a coward! If your viewpoint is so important to you, t-the least you can do is fight for it!"[break][break]

She bites back a shout of frustration and stomps her foot just as a crash echoes on her right. Luka whirls around to see that Ume has fallen; the tapir had been injured more than she let on in the fight against Gengar, and this combined with her damage from previous fights has finally taken its toll. This isn't a good thing, but at least it provides Luka a distraction from her anger.[break][break]

"I'm sorry, honey," she coos, sinking to her knees and pulling a revive out of her bag. "But you guys did so well! I'm so proud of you. Let's rest up for a while...and then keep on going, okay?"

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If Bonbon could, she might say you're welcome.[break][break]
But instead she's busy getting slapped around by that force palm, the impact sending her small body flying. The rabbit grits her teeth but is slow to get to her feet, already staggering under the pressure of the fight and all the ones that have come before.[break][break]
However, she won't go down without a fight. Huffing in indignation, Bonbon runs forwards to add to the swift attack with her own play rough, though this means that once again she's within reach of Iron Hands' giant fists. She pummels the robotic Pokemon as best she can, and their combined attacks do start to stagger it.[break][break]
At this close a range, it only makes sense for Iron Hands to engage in close combat with it's attackers. Sparks fly as fists clash against metal and by the end of it, the paradox Pokemon is looking badly injured.[break][break]
Bonbon, however, has been tossed to the side, her body limp and useless, but at least still alive.

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"Razz?!"[break][break]

She's so frazzled by the sudden attack that for a moment, Luka forgets her manners. But not using formalities with the Head Ranger is the least of her worries. She cranes her neck to try and see over the top of the crystals, but up close this Pokemon only looks like an amalgamation of shining steel and machinery.[break][break]

"Bonbon," she hisses through clenched teeth, "I-I'm fine! So go and...a-and help, okay?"[break][break]

Her Lopunny is reluctant to leave her side but does so anyways, hopping over the crystalized barrier and onto the field. She stares warily at the Iron Hands for a moment, then bounces up into the air as another hand attempts to slap her down.[break][break]

The strange gravity in this place means she doesn't descend as fast as she's used to. However, her bounce still manages to hit their assailent right in the arm that's pinning down Razz, so hard that it dents the chrome exterior. A cybernetic cry echoes in the air as it retaliates, releasing Razz so it can try and strike Bonbon down with a powerful force palm.

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Luka sinks down to the ground with her, a hand still resting lightly on her shoulder. She doesn't know this girl at all— they're little more than strangers. And yet she feels connected to her in the most tragic of ways; grief has a funny way of bringing people together, bonding them in ways that many people can't understand.[break][break]

Her own eyes burn but she swallows down her tears. "You're right. It's not fair, a-and I'm so sorry this happened to you. But...but you're still fighting, you know? It's so hard, but you're still here. A-and that's amazing! You should be proud of yourself."[break][break]

Teeth worry her bottom lip. This is not the way she expected things to go, but Luka has a heart too soft for the world around her. "Listen...[break][break]

She shouldn't be doing this. It's a terrible, stupid idea. And if this young woman gets hurt, it'll be on her conscience. But perhaps giving this girl a chance at closure is Luka's way of consoling her younger self as well.[break][break]

"I can't leave my post. I-I wish I could, because I want to help you more. But please take these, okay? It's the best I can do."[break][break]

She hands over a pack filled with various supplies provided by the League. Inside is a plethora of healing items and human first aid, as well as an odd assortment of tools. Rope and a utility knife seem standard, but there is also a handful of scatterbangs, sticky globs, and chunks of mysterious red ore.[break][break]

"Just...please be careful, okay? My name is Luka. If you need anything at all, please come and find me."

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Luka braces herself, preparing for the worst when the footsteps around her little safehaven grow louder. But then Razz's voice rings out from the other side; clear as day, and not just in her headset.[break][break]

"I'm here!" she answers, though her voice is weak and strained. "Ohh...oh! The thing I saw...that was you!"[break][break]

Except it wasn't. The creatures that lurk within the Interdream Zone seem to come and go as they please, either masters of the domain or created by it. While Razz is distracted with finding Luka, a large titanium creature emerges from the mist, it's giant iron hands poised at the ready.[break][break]

Luka yelps, but that's the only warning Razz gets before it tries to backhand the head ranger and crush his body against the crystal cage.

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"Mm. Yeah, um...thanks."[break][break]

Her voice is stilted and awkward, the conflict she's feeling made manifest upon normally dulcent tones. There are too many thoughts whirling about her head to process in any meaningful way.[break][break]

Remiel is a Rocket, and that makes her furious. But he isn't anymore— or so he claims, and that makes her confused. And relieved, and frightened, and frustrated for allowing herself to get caught up in his mess again. It would be better if they never meet after this, if their paths never again cross.[break][break]

She can tell herself that she'll never see or speak to him again, but even in her head she knows it's a lie.[break][break]

There's silence on her end of the line for a long while. It's unclear what Luka might be up to, though it's safe for Remiel to assume that she's headed for the exit. However, when her voice filters through the comms again it sounds alarmed, confused, and disoriented.[break][break]

The words are garbled and hard to make out. Eventually some manage to filter through, though they're laced with unintelligible static. "Um.......dr-...mist. G-... some cover, please."

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Her poor audino has been expending all her remaining energy to keep the remaining stragglers afloat. But the powerful hurricane gales that ravage their pitiful campsite prove too much for her, and her body collapses into the sand. With two of her best healers down, Luka's position is starting to look worse and worse, though she isn't able to give up yet.[break][break]

One of the cadets that remains seems to have broken their leg when blasts of thunder ravaged the beach. Another has a piece of sharp debris lodged into their side, splattering the beach with a wine-deep red. The rangers that remain are trying to evacuate the two most badly injured, but they'll need more help and a whole lot of luck to make it away safely.[break][break]

They can't save the camp or any of their supplies but as long as no one dies here, Luka will consider that a victory— no matter what happens to her in the interim. She's not particularily bright or battle-savvy; someone else might be able to think of a way to counter the legendary bird, but even with her sygna suit improving her concentration and keeping her head level, no clever plans come to her.[break][break]

Instead she goes with her gut and prays for the best. Though Helios is her most powerful fighter, a Blaziken is at a severe disadvantage against Zapdos. On the other hand, using her Poipole is always a bit of a wild card; unpredictable and tempramental, the little alien isn't always the most helpful. But they might make for a good distraction, even though Luka feels horrible for viewing them as such.[break][break]

Jam bursts from their ball with a high-pitched cackle, zipping around the storm with glee. They grin again upon seeing the Zapdos— they're dwarfed in size and power by the bird, and should all rights be terrified. But this just seems to thrill them more as they zip towards it, a speedy purple blur poised to become a perfect annoyance.[break][break]

They laugh again and spray Zapdos with venom, their gunk shot aiming for the eyes. Even if it doesn't land where they want it, Jam continues to fly in circles around the larger bird, spitting globs of poison towards it and being a general nuisance.[break][break]

Hopefully, it's enough of a distraction to allow the rangers to get everyone off the beach safely. Luka watches the evacuations with bated breath, though she hasn't even considered how she might escape. It's getting harder and harder to see; sand stings her eyes as the unforgiving hurricane whirls around them, the winds so fast that she can feel the air pressure pulling at her skin, her clothes, her hair.[break][break]

But through the sand and wind and storming rain she glimpses something else: the figure of someone running in the distance. Could this be the one responsible for siccing Zapdos on them? Surely the legendary bird has better things to do than attack a campsite at random.[break][break]

"Sugar!" she yells, her voice barely audible above the winds that whip around them, "That man! S-stop him, if you can!"[break][break]

With a yip of agreement her Sylveon turns and charges towards the fleeing figure. She isn't the swiftest, but her prehensile ribbons stretch out ahead of her, attempting to reach the man and prevent his escape.

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"Mmm...yeah. I don't really like that either. I don't think I'm gonna touch those, ehe." Most of these resources are useful for defense, but Luka can't see herself ever using one of the poison barbs. It feels like a cheap tactic— underhanded, like something Rocket would do.[break][break]

There are those that call both organizations sides of the same coin, and for a moment she can understand why. But she shakes her head to dislodge those thoughts; her own scruples don't matter much in the grand scheme of things. It's just comforting to know that her companion shares the same opinions in this respect.[break][break]

But this is where their similarities end, for Milo stands to leave and Luka blinks up at him, confused.[break][break]

"Eh? But...b-but that's not the mission," she protests. "And of course I'm going to worry! Here..."[break][break]

With a flick of her wrist she releases her Audino, who swiftly recognizes that Luka's partner is injured. A heal pulse may not be enough to close up Milo's wound, but it at least acts as an effective painkiller for the time being.[break][break]

"See? T-that probably feels better, right? I won't hold us back anymore, so let's go together!" Unfortunately, Luka proves herself to be a very good thorn in the side. If Milo wants to get away with his portion of the goods, he'd best either strike out, or make a quick getaway.[break][break]

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