[attr="class","barnaby-words"]





The AIR CUTTER made contact with Barnaby's BRAVIARY, causing it to reflexively loosen its grip on the SWOOBAT. The creature frantically pulled away, but the admin paid it little mind.[break][break]

His focus was on the escaping DRAGONITE and the ranger riding it.[break][break]

"Stop them." Easier said than done, given the EXTREME SPEED at which they were traveling. Still, perhaps turbulent weather would hinder their progress.[break][break]

Beating its wings with an intense force, BRAVIARY summoned a HURRICANE, aimed broadly forward at the fleeing pair. Meanwhile, SHAYMIN returned and set its sights on SWOOBAT, sending out an AIR SLASH of its own.

[attr="class","barnaby-notes"]
[break]

TOTAL: 190 MP[break]
+ 100 MP for sky mission[break]
+ 50 MP for participation in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission

[attr="class","barnaby-words"]




"I don't believe that."[break][break]

By virtue of being a ranger, he wouldn't be here without some sort of information guiding him.[break][break]

BARNABY FINCH was similar in a way. He had his own goals and ambitions in mind for the island. And there was a timeline to consider, after all. He couldn't waste precious seconds on a stonewalling LEAGUE dog like the one currently between his legs.[break][break]

Without hesitation, the admin plunged his combat knife into the crevice where humerus met torso, being sure to avoid any of Jack's major arteries. [break][break]

The aim was to inflict pain, not kill. For now.[break][break]

But surely no meager pin could possibly compare to the searing metal now lodged in jack wainwright's shoulder.[break][break]

"Now, if you don't want to share the same fate as your Torterra," Barnaby leaned in, intently watching the other man's face. Enjoying how it faltered in agony.[break][break]

"Talk."

[attr="class","barnaby-notes"]
[break]

TOTAL: 210 MP[break]
+ 100 MP for shore mission[break]
+ 50 MP for participation in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP for interdream mist/paradox pokemon[break]
+ 10 MP for killing a person's pokemon[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission

[attr="class","barnaby-words"]




As the cavern quaked, threatening collapse, BARNABY FINCH decided that he didn't quite have the time to play with Neffatari Nzingha as he normally would.[break][break]

A sharp whistle from him signaled to his HOUNDOOM that it need to start wrapping things up. To the giant canine, that meant taking the DARK PULSE head-on (which hurt, but not incredibly so considering its Dark-typing) and then returning the attack tenfold with an INFERNO.[break][break]

Meanwhile, Barnaby got down to business.[break][break]

"I think you know something, or you wouldn't be stationed here."[break][break]

With that, he abruptly pulled away, hold still tight on her arm, and thrust Nenet to the stony earth. He didn't leave her there to recover, however. Immediately, the admin made to straddle her, pinning one of her arms between her body and his leg.[break][break]

The other arm was allowed to be free, if only to be held down by his left hand. In his right hand the knife remained, though his grip had changed.[break][break]

Without warning Barnaby slammed the butt of his knife down onto the woman's wrist.[break][break]

"Tell me what you know," He warned, eerily calm. "Or this will get much, much worse."[break][break]

[attr="class","barnaby-notes"]
[break]

TOTAL: 210 MP[break]
+ 100 MP for shore mission[break]
+ 50 MP for participation in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP use mega evolution in your thread[break]
+ 10 MP for incorporating faction race obstacles[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission

[attr="class","barnaby-words"]






A phobia of SABLEYE? Barnaby noted and filed away that piece of information in the folds of his memory. For now, he didn't probe further and simply nodded in acknowledgment at her thanks.[break][break]

They had other things to contend with, anyway.[break][break]

"And Zapdos." The admin confirmed for her as the birds apparated from the mist, all too familiar in his mind after the recent events that transpired at ROCKET's last leadership meeting — when not two, but all three Galarian birds appeared out of thin air, much like what was happening now. Where was MOLTRES?[break][break]

"Incredible, really," But Barnaby's tone was not awestruck, nor reverent, nor even nostalgic as he looked upon the Motostoke of old. No, if anything, he sounded resentful at the fact that such a memory was being thrust into his face.[break][break]

He held no fondness for Galar. Except, perhaps, of lingering memories with Caleb Harcourt. But even those he actively denied.[break][break]

"This mist is..." Dangerous. "Powerful. To conjure flesh and blood from nothing..."[break][break]

Such a thing would be a boon under ROCKET control. But could the mist be tamed?[break][break]

"We need to keep moving."

[attr="class","barnaby-notes"]
[break]

TOTAL: 210 MP[break]
+ 100 MP for smog mission[break]
+ 50 MP for participation in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP for interdream mist/paradox pokemon[break]
+ 10 MP use mega evolution[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission

[attr="class","barnaby-words"]




The sight of freya morningstar vaulting through the air was not one BARNABY FINCH was expecting to see. [break][break]

In a rare turn of events, the ROCKET admin was actually caught off-guard.[break][break]

He didn't have time to grab his knife. If anything, there were scant few seconds simply to brace for impact. If he wasn't careful, both of them would go tumbling into the writhing, dragon-infested seas below.[break][break]

"Get the fuck off!" Barnaby roared, squeezing his legs against Lucien's sides for support while the Pokémon attempted to remain as steady as possible in the air. [break][break]

She didn't succeed in unseating him, but that left the woman perched precariously atop his CHARIZARD, likely looking for purchase where she could grab hold.[break][break]

There weren't many options here. Barnaby needed to use one hand to keep from falling, but the other —[break][break]

It went for her throat, attempting to grip with all his strength. Maybe she'd pass out and end this headache of an encounter.

[attr="class","barnaby-notes"]
[break]

TOTAL: 200 MP[break]
+ 100 MP for sea mission[break]
+ 50 MP for participation in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP use mega evolution[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission

[attr="class","body"]






With one last lingering look, BARNABY FINCH took in their mist-summoned counterparts. The SPECTRIER, the ARTICUNO, the NECROZMA. And how they all fought one another in a futile frenzy.[break][break]

As Zev beckoned them onward, he couldn't help but wonder if this scene was a portent of things to come.[break][break]

What else lay hidden within the smog?[break][break]

"The mist is only getting thicker the deeper down in the mountain we go." Barnaby commented, apprehensive of what lay ahead.[break][break]

"Do you think its origin point is beneath us?"[break][break]

What awaited them at the bottom?










[break][break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

[attr="class","credit2"]

[attr="class","barnaby-words"]




The weight of the knife in his palm. The feeling of flesh and sinew giving way. The heady rush of combat. [break][break]

These were all sensations that BARNABY FINCH had been raised on. From a young age, ROCKET molded him well. High expectations and severe consequences created a man unflinching in the face of opposition. [break][break]

So when Navy charged ahead, Barnaby was ready to meet him. Knife held in a forward grip, stance staggered, the admin welcomed the other man's rush to attack. [break][break]

Using his momentum against him, Barnaby did his best to try and sidestep out of the way of the oncoming blade and behind Navy as his body moved forward. If possible, he'd then kick the back of the Gym Leader's knee in an attempt to get him on the ground and slash at the outside of his thigh.[break][break]

An attack meant to incapacitate, not kill. For now.[break][break]

Just then, a deep roar carried over the turbulent sea. Unlike his master, the TANGROWTH's hulking body was unable to sufficiently dodge its ursine opponent. It took the DRAIN PUNCH head on, and was even pushed back a bit, up against the broken railing of the bridge. It felt its life force sucked away by the intensity of the hit.[break][break]

But it wasn't done in just yet. With a similar idea in mind, the creature used its own sapping move — GIGA DRAIN — to try and siphon back some of its lost vitality.

[attr="class","barnaby-notes"]
[break]

TOTAL: 190 MP[break]
+ 100 MP for sea mission[break]
+ 50 MP for participation in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP for incorporating faction race obstacles[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission

[attr="class","barnaby-words"]




Barnaby's awe quickly soured at the mention of Caleb Harcourt.[break][break]

"You have a good memory." He replied, not bothering to conceal the disdain in his voice. Naomi Sato would know of the ranger's escape by now. Of Isaac Merlo's treachery. There was no use hiding the malice behind the memory.[break][break]

The admin didn't respond immediately when she asked for a description. For some reason, Caleb being here hadn't really crossed his mind. [break][break]

He'd still be recovering.[break][break]

There was no way the man would be in fighting shape already. Of that, Barnaby knew for certain.[break][break]

But he'd humor the notion regardless.[break][break]

"Tall. A few inches more than myself. Muscular but lean. Short, dark brown hair, if he hasn't changed it to conceal his identity," Barnaby paused, recalling the ranger clearly in his mind.[break][break]

"Roiling blue eyes." Piercing, unforgettable. Beautiful when tears pooled at their edges.[break][break]

"Various scars across his entire body, but more so the upper torso. Oh," He clucked his tongue, remembering quite the specific detail.[break][break]

"And he has a beauty mark on his thigh, near the groin." Why would Nomi ever need to know something so specific?[break][break]

"In case your Unown catch him taking a piss or something." There was amusement in Barnaby's voice now.

[attr="class","barnaby-notes"]
[break]

TOTAL: 195 MP[break]
+ 100 MP for secret mission[break]
+ 50 MP for participation in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 25 MP for using a paradox pokemon[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission

[attr="class","body"]




Unsurprisingly, her information appeared rather detailed on the surface for someone who should be so far removed from the likes of MATIAS SILPH. But there were other factors at play now, which BARNABY FINCH had no qualms admitting to being aware of.[break][break]

"I know I can fuck you better than he can." [break][break]

Video evidence proved as much in his mind.[break][break]

"But that's beside the point." [break][break]

Truthfully, Barnaby didn't really care about Elisabeth Fiorelli's relationship with Matias outside of what it could do for ROCKET. This was abundantly clear in his nonchalant, almost amused tone.[break][break]

"How are you getting your information? Is that buffoon actually telling you?"


[break][break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

[attr="class","credit2"]

[attr="class","barnaby-words"]







It was about what Barnaby expected. They'd progressed enough to converge on the mountain — that was where the final stand would likely be.[break][break]

Of course, it all depended on what they found down there, deep in its depths, where Interdream Mist seeped out in thick swaths of curling, smoky smog.[break][break]

"What are you thoughts? Last I heard we were struggling at an odd mechanism of some sort." The nearby blast nearly shook the admin to the ground as well, if not for his HOUNDOOM's assisting shoulder to lean on.[break][break]

"We're holding," Barnaby replied, pressing forward even as the aerial battle commenced above them. "For now."[break][break]

But they were outnumbered. Guerilla tactics and cutthroat strategies would only get them so far.[break][break]

"Our priority needs to be breaching the mountain. The natural bottleneck there should give us an advantage."

[attr="class","barnaby-notes"]
[break]

TOTAL: 220 MP[break]
+ 100 MP for supply mission[break]
+ 50 MP for participation in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP for interdream mist/paradox pokemon[break]
+ 10 MP use mega evolution in your thread[break]
+ 10 MP for incorporating obstacles[break]
+ 10 MP assisting another character/pokemon[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post in an RT battle/mission

[attr="class","body"]




The mist encircled them, clinging onto the pair of ROCKETs with greedy, smoky tendrils. For now, it drew nothing from either of them — no manifestations of desire, this time, or otherwise.[break][break]

From behind his mask BARNABY FINCH surveyed his surroundings carefully; this included Elisabeth Fiorelli herself, who seemed so uncharacteristically quiet. At least, for this Elisabeth, with her dark hair and carmine eyes and soul touched by the devil. [break][break]

"And we'll be ready for them." In that, he trusted. She was more capable than ever before when it came to combat.[break][break]

"Speaking of obstacles..." Barnaby didn't miss a beat as he continued, obviously probing for information. [break][break]

"Do you know if MATIAS SILPH is on the island?" Or even here, within the mountain itself.


[break][break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

[attr="class","credit2"]

[attr="class","body"]







Isaac Merlo's look of recognition only spurred BARNABY FINCH on further. [break][break]

"You've much to pay for, Merlo." [break][break]

The least of which was treason. No, the irksome pipsqueak was wholly guilty for spiriting away Barnaby's most recent plaything, Caleb Harcourt. The admin hadn't finished his fun before the two miraculously escaped from ROCKET custody. [break][break]

Isaac deserved the comeuppance Barnaby was about to give him.[break][break]

Readying the knife for another charge, in his peripheral vision he saw a flash of blue that made him jerk to a stop. Unable to completely dodge the STRING SHOT, sticky thread quickly coated Barnaby's knife, enough to make it useless. He let the weapon fall to the earth with an anticlimactic thud.[break][break]

This wouldn't do. Three versus two didn't exactly favor BARNABY FINCH, did it?[break][break]

"Take care of it." He ordered the FLORGES that appeared on the field to join the rest of his Pokémon. [break][break]

She joined the fray by aiming a LIGHT OF RUIN at the circling HYDREIGON, hoping to catch it off-guard as it expelled its CHARGE BEAM — an attack that missed its intended mark, as the ARCANINE TELEPORTED away, leaving it to hit Quartz instead.[break][break]

The STEELIX didn't even bat an eye. Its focus was on the bug buzzing around the two men and disrupting their exchange. Summoning a number of large, jagged rocks from the ground via STONE EDGE, it levied them at the VIKAVOLT.[break][break]

At the same time, ARCANINE phased back in and took the BLAZING KICK from the MEGA BLAZIKEN, feeling empowered by the fiery attack. To counter, it looked to crunch down on the same leg used to kick it, sinking in with a THUNDER FANG.









[break][break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

[attr="class","credit2"]

[attr="class","body"]

[break]
[break]


The fiery rage within Caleb Harcourt met its opposite with BARNABY FINCH's cool disregard. [break][break]

The admin didn't resist when he was pushed roughly against the wall; in fact, the small, curious smile on his face barely faltered at the assault. The only move he made was to hold a hand up at his side, signaling for his NINETALES to stand down.[break][break]

She'd almost mauled Caleb for his grave transgression. Instead, the fox stilled but remained close, ready to attack at her master's order.[break][break]

"For good reason." Barnaby replied, sounding unbothered as he leveled his cobalt gaze to match Caleb's turbulent blue. "You obviously don't make the most self-preserving decisions."[break][break]

Where Caleb grabbed roughly the robe gave way and slipped off one shoulder, revealing bare skin beneath.[break][break]

"Why have you returned to me?"[break][break]

"Revenge?" [break][break]

Too calmly for what the situation likely called for, BARNABY FINCH placed a hand on the wrist of the arm pinning him down. Not to try and wrest away — no, it was a soft, amenable touch.[break][break]

"Or did you miss me that much?"[break][break]

His collar was gone but perhaps the sentiment remained.











[break][break]

[attr="class","credit1"]