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“Pleased enough to do this.” Barnaby crooned into his ear, unbuttoning THEO BECKETT’s shirt as he trailed hungry kisses down the muscular plane of his body.[break][break]

Eventually he reached the limits of his position and slid to the floor between the other man’s spread legs, unbuckling Theo's pants as he did so.[break][break]

The darkness flared silently around them, wavering at its edges like a fathomless black flame. The admin didn’t seem to notice, however, preoccupied as he was.[break][break]

It hadn’t been long since MOLTRES had chosen him as its Avatar. Because of this, BARNABY FINCH still found it difficult to control his powers in moments of heightened sensation.

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BARNABY FINCH sat beneath the monstrous, fanning branches of Sootopolis City’s DYNA TREE. A bench had been erected here a few months ago for those interested in appreciating the inherent nature of the tree or, at the time, to woo CALYREX with extravagant tales.[break][break]

The admin quite liked the view. It gave a pristine panorama of Sootopolis’ bay and the city built on its surrounding tiered cliffs. As a bonus, it also gave an open line of sight for those traveling on the path toward the tree.[break][break]

“Aurelie,” Barnaby called out, his voice casual and warm. He’d pat the space beside him on the bench, gesturing for her to join, though she had no obligation to do so.[break][break]

“It’s been awhile. I hope you’ve been well?”[break][break]

Overhead, MOLTRES perched upon one of the outer branches and gorged itself on the fleshy fruits of the DYNA TREE.

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THEO BECKETT’s reassurances were enough to sufficiently stroke BARNABY FINCH’s ego.[break][break]

He’d always been the type of man to crave validation through physical attention. It satisfied him to know that someone like Theo desired him in that way; his contentment showed in the gratified smile he wore as he peered down from his perch on the underboss’ lap.[break][break]

"Alright. I believe you," An acknowledgement spoken as he took the long-cooled cup of tea from Theo's hand and leaned over to set it on a nearby table.[break][break]

In the end, how could Barnaby fault him? If their situations were reversed he'd have likely done the same.[break][break]

"And I'm pleased to hear it." The admin admitted, sliding a hand up THEO BECKETT's shirt where he'd plucked it away from his waist. [break][break]

It was a soft touch, but meaningful in its implication. He'd held back long enough. After all, since his union with MOLTRES all his innate hungers only seemed to have intensified.

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“It is.” The admin flexed his arm for Zev Harcourt to inspect. “I’m still testing the limits of its durability, though. Perhaps that’s something you can help me with another time.”[break][break]

It was an offer that would have to wait. For now, DYNERGY swelled around them, sending invigorating shocks throughout Barnaby’s body. Just being in its presence was enough to give something akin to a contact high.[break][break]

Suddenly, a figure in the gloom grew in size to an almost unimaginable degree. The MEGANIUM that emerged towered over the two men and began craning its head in a threatening manner. It didn’t attack, but it also happened to be in their way.[break][break]

Time was scarce. Best to take care of this obstacle quickly.[break][break]

BARNABY FINCH raised his arms – simultaneously, huge, arcing magenta-black flames sprung up at the MEGANIUM’s feet. The DYNAMAXED Pokemon screeched in pain and, after a moment, fell to its knees due to extreme fatigue.[break][break]

Sweat beaded at the admin’s brow. It was clear that the use of this power caused a strain on him.

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As the pair fell into the unknown, swaths of shadow coalesced around BARNABY FINCH. This summoned darkness carried him into a graceful landing beside Zev Harcourt and, for the first time since the Beast’s union with NECROZMA, Barnaby felt as if he was on equal footing with the other man.[break][break]

He didn’t verbalize this, of course, but his demeanor might tell as much. Or not, Zev didn’t usually care about things like that. Curious of his reaction, however, Barnaby tried his hand at manifesting matching shards along his skin – each one a fathomless black.[break][break]

It would make for a sufficient defense, should anything happen. Like a scientist attacking them, for instance. [break][break]

“Oh?” His eyes looked over Pierce Creighton with a predatory intensity. “What happened here?”[break][break]

Barnaby stepped closer, only for the scientist to hurriedly back away. Any attempts to pry information from him proved futile, outside of brute force, which seemed a waste of time given how much of the catacombs there was left to explore.[break][break]

They moved on, leaving the scientist to his own devices.

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The resounding echo of screams bounding off solid brick roused BARNABY FINCH awake. Was that Elisabeth Fiorelli? Zev Harcourt?[break][break]

At first he jolted upright from where he'd been relegated to the floor, his masked face snapping in all directions in order to acclimate to what he'd soon realize was his new normal. [break][break]

Dark, damp, cold. Rough stone, heavy air, putrid smells. [break][break]

A prison.[break][break]

Panic welled inwardly, but BARNABY FINCH controlled the uprising that threated to compromise his composure. He took stock of what he could see: two figures slumped in the cell with him, the sickly blue skin of MEGALOPOLAN jailers outside the bars, other prisoners in a circular ward.[break][break]

The suffocating feeling of being trapped and isolated continued to rise, burning into fear in his throat. Probing fingers lifted to touch at the mask clamped around his face, slid down the TOXIC CHAIN binding it to him. [break][break]

Could he cut himself free? With an open palm, Barnaby willed the darkness to coalescence into a blade. Instead of freedom, however, he was only met with more restriction — the TOXIC CHAIN dug into his throat, warning of eventual asphyxiation if he continued to try and use his powers.[break][break]

He needed time to think. To take stock of what was available to him. Turning, BARNABY FINCH approached the two bodies on the floor and shook them both by their shoulders — roughly, to make sure they were awake.[break][break]

Then, he'd claim the single cot in the cell. [break][break]

Sitting on the edge of its dilapidated frame, he'd call out to his cellmates with a haggard sigh, "It's time to get up. We need to talk."

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The magenta glow of the POWER SPOT called to him.[break][break]

Much like Zev Harcourt and NECROZMA, BARNABY FINCH's patron hungered for DYNERGY. Its taste for DYNA FRUIT was not its only vice; MOLTRES craved more and more to drink from the font of ETERNATUS' power, its appetite never truly sated. [break][break]

By extension, Barnaby carried this same hunger.[break][break]

"Of course." [break][break]

There was no doubt in his mind. His hubris was boundless now.[break][break]

"Into the belly of the beast we go."[break][break]

He stepped forward into a freefall.

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THEO BECKETT's sighs perplexed him for some reason. [break][break]

The underboss' mild exasperation hadn't been expected. Ulterior motives came second nature to men like them, after all. It didn't seem silly to BARNABY FINCH.[break][break]

Were Theo's intentions more genuine than what Barnaby initially thought?[break][break]

"I wouldn't enjoy the feeling, no." Absently, the admin's fingers fiddled with the other's shirt where it was tucked into his pants. "But I've been used before in much worse ways."[break][break]

He assumed THEO BECKETT would understand, given his tenure in ROCKET. [break][break]

"Why, then? And don't sigh this time." Barnaby warned, his eyes narrowing in faux-annoyance.

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