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Luka grins. "Well gosh, Mister!" she drawls, swapping out her natural Kalosian accent for something more Driftveillian, "Don't mind if I do!"[break][break]

It's a pleasant ride to the tavern. Luka sits behind Flowers on his Mudsdale while her Ponyta trots alongside them, careful to balance well so she doesn't have to throw her arms around his waist. But that peace ends as soon as they approach the tavern and hear the sounds of a commotion inside.[break][break]

Luka hops off the Mudsdale first, though the horse is far too big for her and she ends up mostly falling instead. She winces but scrambles to her feet just as fast, and offers a hand up to Brandon who refuses out of pride. "I should've been the one helping you down, not the other way 'round," he jokes as he dismounts, taking her offered hand with an abashed nod of thanks.[break][break]

This time, Luka notices his grimace when he puts weight on the knee. She's glad Parfait is on standby, because there's no time to tell him to take it easy![break][break]

The pair burst into the tavern and for a moment, Luka just stands there, gawking at the chaos. Jam notices her and, cackling like mad, the little Poipole zooms over to her side. It's clear that they're thriving on the mayhem.[break][break]

"Ummm..." Against human assailants she has few weapons. Luka simply can't stomach the thought of hurting another person. But the pokemon...well, that she can handle![break][break]

"Plum!" That's right, she's using yet another 'mon. It's like a PC showcase tonight! But her Musharna is her oldest companion, and knows exactly what the plan is when she's summoned. "Use hypnosis!"[break][break]

A ringing drone echoes around the little tavern. To all those it's targeted against, it sounds like the most soothing of lullabies. Soon enough, some of the cacophony dulls as Mankey start to nod off, and a sleepy lull hangs over the entire establishment.[break][break]

Of course, Luka only intends on putting the rampaging Mankey to sleep. But if it works on the bandits as well, she certainly won't be complaining!

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"Are you sure you'll be okay on your own?" Luka's brow furrows in concern when Audric stands. He's more than proven himself as capable when they'd dealt with that fire together— more so than her, no doubt. Still, it's in her nature to worry.[break][break]

"Here, wait! Take Jam with you," she says quickly. "And be careful!" With a flick of the wrist she releases her Poipole, the ultra beast chittering excitedly and flying loops around her head. They might be flighty, and a bit of a prankster, but they're a good fighter. And perhaps their mystical presence might help to ward off troublemakers.[break][break]

Or it could attract them. Luka rarely thinks these things through.[break][break]

But Jam follows after Audric agreeably enough. Sure, they might try to pester and tease the man during their walk to the tavern, but at least he won't be bored![break][break]

Several minutes later, Parfait has finished working her magic on Flowers' leg. Luka watches him test his weight, but her eyes are on his leg and she doesn't notice the wince. Even so, she's a bit wary about them traveling so far despite the healing.[break][break]

"Mmm! Okay, but let's take it easy. Do you have a Pokemon you could ride? Might make the trip a little faster, so we can catch up to Monsieur Blackbell quicker." A helpful suggestion, and a way to keep his weight off his leg. Not a bad plan, if she thinks so herself![break][break]

One way or another, the pair manages to reach the tavern after Audric has already arrived. Luka keeps an eye out for the ranger and her Poipole, hoping that he's secured some good information in their absence.

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While Thomas continues more advanced treatments, Luka sticks with the simple things. Changing bandages, disinfecting wounds, offering comfort to pokemon in distress. She's not much of a medic, but at least she knows the basics. With busy work out of the way, Thomas can focus more on the patients that need his immediate attention.[break][break]

She finishes bandaging up the font paw of a Rattata and glances up at her pokemon. They seem to be doing just fine— her Audino have settled in with all the rest, and the other healers are hard at work trying to treat more serious injuries. Life dews and synthesis are abundant.[break][break]

"Oh, it was no trouble! Really, I'm just glad I could do something. I'm not very good at fighting," Luka admits, "So this is the kind of thing I'm best at. I guess that makes me a support class?" Soft laughter punctuates the air, an attempt to brighten the otherwise somber mood.[break][break]

Though it's hard to stay sunny when Thomas brings up her father directly. Luka chews on her bottom lip, focusing her attention on an injured Mareep for far longer than necessary. When she finally does speak again, her voice is quiet, a bit more subdued. "I'm not sure if the Rockets here would know anything about those in Kalos. Their takeover kind of failed at the door, so it's not like they were very active anyways. But..."[break][break]

What would she do if she could find out who killed him, and why? Would it provide closure? Instill in her the desire for revenge? Or would it just sink another shard of grief into her heart?[break][break]

Despite all the what-ifs, it's still tempting. And if she knew how brutal Thomas' tactics could be, it's likely she'd want no part in his assistance. As it is, she can only assume that her father's former colleague is always admirable, his actions always just. "I'm not sure that I want to know. At the same time, I feel like I should. Does that make sense?" She smiles, though it doesn't reach the corners of her mouth quite right. "So if you ever do hear anything...mm. Let me know, please."[break][break]

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Luka listens to Thomas quietly as she works. The Linoone's leg is freshly bandaged with little resistance, and she gives the poor thing a few good scritches behind the ear before moving on to the next Pokemon.[break][break] This one, a Taillow, seems to have a fractured wing. They coo sadly in her arms as she cradles them in her lap, using only the gentlest of touches to make sure the wing has been set properly.[break][break]

It's heartbreaking to see up close. And she gets why Thomas hates the people responsible so much. But no matter how horrible Rocket proves to be time and time again, Luka's fury has always been a softer, quieter thing, like a fire smoldering beneath a blanket.[break][break]

Of course she's against Rocket. With her past, how could she not be? Most would probably see her as naive— her good heart has always gotten her into trouble. But she doesn't see it as a weakness. Her kindness is strategic and necessary. It's how she's learned to survive through everything.[break][break]

It would be easier to hate, but that's not how she wants to fight. Darkness rises, and the light to meet it— she can only hope to help the world in her own soft, small ways.[break][break]

"I think what you're doing is very admirable," she finally says, running her fingers through the Taillow's soft feathers. "But it's also dangerous. So please be careful, okay? I wish I could offer you some advice or something...but I'm not really good at this kind of thing," she continues with a soft laugh.[break][break] "Still, um...if there's every anything I can do to help you, just let me know! Helios too. I'm sure he'd be happy to kick Rocket butt sometime."[break][break]

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There's a rustling in the grass, the chittering of insect legs around them as Luka's team heads towards the entrance of the safari.[break][break]

Brr...ack, it's creepy! Luka tries not to reflect on it long though, and hurries ahead with her group in tow. This lil cotton candy spider will be free to get captured by someone who's not quite so arachnophobic!
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"Mm! Let's go! Please get us there as fast as you can, Sakeru!"[break][break]

Luka's Dragonair shoots forwards with a burst of agility, her serpentine body weaving swiftly through the air. Below them, the two canines race towards the flock as well, in direct competition with the pack of predators that approaches from the woods. Their vague shapes solidify as the distance closes; Lycanroc, by the look of it.[break][break]

The sound of frantic bleating almost drowns out Herdier's barking— if the Lycanroc are making a sound, Luka can't hear it. They approach with a practiced swiftness, a clear predatory formation. But their ranks are soon disturbed as Herdier approaches at their flank, with Fae's Mightyena not far behind.[break][break]

Luka tenses as she watches the dogs battle below— they're outnumbered, but their presence gives the frightened Mareep ample time to flee. As their prey escape, some of the Lycanroc attempt to give chase, though others run back into the woods with disgruntled barks, lamenting the loss of such easy targets. And when they're close enough, Sakeru unleashes a dragonbreath onto the field, scattering the remaining Lycanroc even more.[break][break]

With Herdier and Cicero chasing off stragglers, the pack is dispersed before they can do any real harm to the sheep. That's what they call a mission clear, right?[break][break]

"Phew!" Luka pats her Dragonair's side as she exhales a sigh of relief. "That was a close one..." She turns back around to grin at Fae, eyes gleaming with triumph. "We should be careful though, just in case they come back."[break][break]

Luka and her Mareep hops down to join the flock, the latter baa-ing happily when the rest of the fluffy babies crowd around them. It'll be slow work, getting the flock all the way back to the farm, but Luka doesn't mind. She's looking forward to continuing her chat with Fae on the way, and maybe she can finally figure out where she'd seen the other woman before.[break][break]

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Annalise is a real sweetheart. And Luka blossoms under every bit of kindness, like a rose. That simple reassurance is all it takes to lift her spirits and dust a carnation blush against her cheeks.[break][break]

Maybe someday she could consider proper ranger work. For now, she'll try to stick with what she's good at.[break][break]

"Mmm, I get that. It's hard to shake up the status quo sometimes. But I think you're right! If the rangers are spread thin as it is, I think it would help for them to have one less thing to worry about."[break][break]

She's convicted, but not insistent. Luka's more than happy just doing things like this: volunteering when she can, helping out in small, meaningful ways. If only they involved a little less dirt...[break][break]

She giggles at the face Annalise pulls and then immediately squeaks and draws away when the Boltund shakes muddy water all over her. With a grimace, she wipes off her face and upper body, ignoring a few pointed stares from onlookers. She'd rather listen to Annalise instead.[break][break]

"Ehe, yeaaaaah...I still really enjoy working with MATIAS SILPH though. He's someone I respect a lot!"[break][break]

It doesn't feel appropriate to get into details, so Luka skirts around the issue as delicately as she can without outright lying. What kind of agent would she be if she can't handle a bit of spin? "It's regrettable when coworkers get into disagreements, but it happens! Even the elite four are only human at the end of the day. And anyways, what matters most is that they're still able to set aside their differences and do their best for the sake of Hoenn."[break][break]

The smile she flashes Annalise with next is a bit cheeky, as if to say, see? I'm so good at this, you should definitely hire me.

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Everything happens all at once.[break][break]

It's hard to keep track of it all but Luka can feel the ship quaking as it's struck by multiple opponents. Lights and sirens blare so intensely she can barely think, but she manages to find SHEBA INOUE when the other woman calls out to her.[break][break]

"That's a great idea!" she yells back. "And listen! I have, um, my Musharna, and we—"[break][break]

Her train of thought is interrupted not only by kim cole-essam's much better suggestion, but by a voice over the comms radio. So far Luka hasn't been able to recognize many of the speakers, but the voice of FERNANDO SILPH is unmistakable, and his intel is chilling.[break][break]

Three of Rocket's avatars are here.[break][break]

Perhaps it's just intuition, or perhaps the lunar wing around her neck can sense Darkrai's nearby presence. Either way, her conviction is strong enough that she feels compelled to speak.[break][break]

"I-I think one of them is called Lulu," she answers over the League comms, still shouting to be heard over the sound of their falling ship. "She has a Darkrai! If it tries to trap us in a nightmare, come and find me. I-I can help, I think." A pause. "Oh! Th-this is Luka Chêne, by the way."[break][break]

There's a horrible sound of metal grinding against metal as the ship starts to splinter and break. Even though kim cole-essam offers a far more efficient solution, Luka isn't sure that there'll be enough time to evacuate everyone before it truly falls apart. To that end, she's actually able to think of a solution.[break][break]

"Ume! Frenzy plant, please !L-let's keep the ship from falling apart!"[break][break]

At her command, her Clefable is swapped for a Musharna. Ume's frenzy plant conjures vines that quickly wind themselves around the falling ship. They hold it in place, wrapping around and around splintering metal in order to keep everything together, just long enough for every passenger to escape through kim cole-essam's hoops safely.[break][break]

"Go on ahead of me," Luka tells SHEBA INOUE with an encouraging smile. "I'll meet you down there, promise!"[break][break]

It makes sense for kim cole-essam to go last, as he and his pokemon are keeping the portal open. Still, Luka waits until it seems that everyone else has gotten off before she slips through ahead of him. "Jump in fast, Monsieur! Once we're gone, these vines won't hold for long!"[break][break]

To simply run into...whatever these rings are seems a foolhardy decision. But it's the best chance they have. Luka takes a deep breath, clinging to Ume tightly, and hurries through.[break][break]

The pair of them tumble through Hoopa's rings together. Ume's vines go down with them, the frenzy plant unfurling towards the ground to try and provide a cushion and safter landing— foliage is better than hard stone by a mile. And as they make to the meteor (hopefully in one piece!) the Musharna provides one more act of assistance. Scouting ahead, her forewarn ability activates to scope out the meteor and any enemies nearby.[break][break]

Luka may not know much with any certainty, but she's at least sure that this is only the beginning of their struggles.

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- sugar we're going down swinging[break]
- musharna uses frenzy plant to hold the ship together before everyone can disembark[break]
- attempts to additionally utilize the frenzy plant vines to create a safe landing place[break]
- goin thru hoopa hoops[break]
- musharna's forewarn ability activates to try and detect any danger on the meteor[break]
- spacesuit[break]

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"Eh?" The bandages fall from Luka's hand. For a moment she simply stares at Thomas, eyes wide in shock.[break][break]

He'd been attacked— most likely by Rocket. And though he's clearly survived, fear and bile churn in the pit of her stomach. Though Thomas certainly hadn't meant it as such, she can't help but remember how she'd felt when her own father was killed by Rocket. It's a sinking feeling: hopelessness and grief and a deep, deep terror.[break][break]

But this isn't her father, and Thomas is okay. Injured, but okay. Luka releases a shaky breath and picks up the bandages she'd dropped, her expression softening when the Linoone gives her a look of concern. She's the one that should be fussing and fretting over their wellbeing, not the other way around.[break][break]

"That sounds terrifying," she says softly, returning her focus to the Linoone's wounds. Old gauze is discarded and she starts replacing it with new bandages, though the Pokemon does squirm when she tries to disinfect the abrasion. "I'm so sorry...h-have you told anyone else? My neighbor paxton concordas is an officer! If it was Rocket, maybe he can help?"[break][break]

It's never that simple. Luka knows that, but she wants to believe otherwise. She has always seen the world the way it could be, in spite of the way that it is.[break][break]

"I just can't understand Rocket," she laments softly. "Why would they hurt you? And attacking the city, causing all these innocent pokemon to suffer...how can anyone stomach it? It's just...it's so sad."[break][break]

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Their break passes peacefully. As the day wears on, Luka can hear the sound of late season insects whirring, of birds calling in the distance. The sun adopts a deeper golden hue, and eventually she decides it's time to keep moving.[break][break]

"Okay, cuties!" she chirps, springing down onto the soft grass. "It's getting late! We don't want to be stuck here overnight, right?"[break][break]

There are a few sounds of protest, but eventually their little ragtag group gets moving again. Luka hums as they begin the walk back to the safari's entrance, carrying her new Fennekin buddy this time around. Though Purrloin and Murkrow look on enviously, they don't complain. After all, they've already had their turn!

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