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



Aurelie Lefevre was well-known in ROCKET for her superior metalworking and weaponry skills, though Admin Bee knew little of her outside her realm of expertise. [break][break]

What else did she bring to ROCKET? How would she do on the battlefield, rather than just providing equipment for it?[break][break]

Right now, she wasn't making the best impression.[break][break]

"There's little one can do to counteract the mist." He replied, his voice devoid of the same fear evident in hers. [break][break]

She was correct, he'd encountered the Interdream Mist several times now, and some instances had been more pleasant than others. Barnaby couldn't help but recall Elisabeth Fiorelli and her sultry doppelganger for a moment, though the image faded quickly from his mind. [break][break]

Now was not one of those pleasant times. Already, he could hear monsters stamping just out of sight, hidden deeper in the smog.[break][break]

"The only thing we can do is push through. Keep your wits about you and prepare yourself," Admin Bee met her uncertain gaze with a stalwart look of his own, though it may have been difficult for her to tell, given the mask her wore.[break][break]

"Who knows what's waiting for us further in."[break][break]

As if beckoned by his words, giant wings the color of a burning sky jutted from the mist, though the bulk of the creature remained obscured. Its silhouette looked similar to a SALAMENCE, but much, much larger.

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

TOTAL: 170 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 per IC post in an RT battle/mission

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



Kouji Matsubara. A grunt that Admin Bee had yet to interact with before now, though he'd heard whispers of positive praise through the grapevine.[break][break][break]

"No kidding. There's not much cover here."[break][break]

Conflicts like these always seemed to drive collaboration between those in differing spheres. While usually Barnaby remained in the shadows of their organization as the head of intelligence, when called to arms all were thrust onto the battlefield.[break][break]

Now was no different. He and Kouji had scouted ahead, looking for valuable information to take back to their larger squadron. That information came in the form of pressure plates — apparently used as a means to enter the large mountain at the center of the landmass. They'd seen LEAGUE personnel attempting to utilize the mechanism, to no avail. But it was only a matter of time.[break][break]

"On my signal. You go left, I'll go right. We'll try to skirt around the battle if possible." It was better if they didn't travel too close together. Aerial attacks were common on this sort of open terrain.[break][break]

Peering out from behind the jutting stone, Admin Bee gestured for them to continue once it seemed like the coast was clear.

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

TOTAL: 170 MP[break]
+ 100 MP for secret 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

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






The fish was not allowed to flop around for long. Barnaby foisted a Safari Ball at it, catching the thing before it could even truly grasp its situation. Surprisingly, it was also fairly uninjured.[break][break]

The admin steadied his gaze onto the TYPE: NULL now lounging in the pond, close to shore. Around it the water shifted pink, where the blood in its fur dissipated upon contact, though it was a haphazard cleaning job at best.[break][break]

"Good enough. Let's continue." Again, the creature looked to Barnaby, considering if it would heed the man's instructions. Their eyes met, holding one another in a tense standoff, before eventually... the TYPE: NULL complied.[break][break]

It stood, shaking off the excess water and diluted blood, before padding up the the muddy shore. As its insectoid feet touched ground, a flash of yellow to its left caught the creature's predatory attention.[break][break]

A PIKACHU. Its instinct was to react, to give chase, and yet — to Barnaby's surprise — it looked to him for instruction.[break][break]

More obedient than it had ever been.[break][break]

"Go."

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

[attr="class","bg"]

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


[break]






Even as the Ruins of Alph pixelated around them, Barnaby's full attention remained on Elisabeth Fiorelli. Her explanation held portions of expected strife, but some parts came as a mild surprise to BARNABY FINCH.[break][break]

I lose myself in feeling what it is they need me to become.[break][break]

He remembered well the ochre eyes that loomed in the darkness: hungry, coveting, resentful.[break][break]

"But what is it that they want? What do you need to become?"[break][break]

The scene faded and they rematerialized within what was now a familiar Pokémon Gym. A younger declan walsh stood before them, monologuing about the fall of Johto.[break][break]

Barnaby didn't care to fight this battle; he already knew how both routes ended, anyway. He gestured for Elisa to follow him to the gym's exit, so that they could continue their conversation.

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

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





As the TYPE: NULL shook its fur loose, bits of blood and viscera splattered onto the nearby vegetation. More of the same remained on its coat, coloring it a deep red on most of its chest and front legs.[break][break]

"Come. Let's get you rinsed off. I'd hate for that to stain."[break][break]

The creature complied, following along at a modest distance behind BARNABY FINCH. Compliant, but still reserved. Unsure.[break][break]

It wasn't surprising to the admin. This was why that had these sorts of sessions together, to breed familiarity and obedience.[break][break]

Before long, they reached the shore of a large pond. TYPE: NULL waded in without hesitance, letting the water rise to just below its jaw. [break][break]

Suddenly, and with a violent SPLASH!, something flopped helplessly near Barnaby's feet. A FEEBAS! Slapped there by the TYPE: NULL.

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

[attr="class","itemcolitems"]

[attr="class","itemcoltextbox"]

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




The expression on jayden cross's face was not missed by BARNABY FINCH. In fact, it left the admin momentarily stunned; the forlorn anger found there was just so familiar.[break][break]

He remembered it well.[break][break]

Elisabeth Fiorelli had the same look, not so long ago, before her emerald eyes had burned away to something more foreboding.[break][break]

As Jayden's eyelids fluttered closed, Barnaby inwardly wondered — would he be able to shoulder this new burden? How would he fare when compared to Elisabeth Fiorelli, who was shackled by two Legendary Pokémon? [break][break]

She struggled with the power she'd been graced with. Felt other, felt used, felt inhuman.[break][break]

Would he be as weak-willed as her?[break][break]

Only time would tell. [break][break]

Suddenly, a blinding flash illuminated the entire cavern, creating kaleidoscope colors that refracted off the walls of Tera Crystals encasing the Cave of Origin. Barnaby shielded his eyes against the illumination, but quickly lowered his arm once the light dimmed.[break][break]

A Galarian trinity awaited him. ARTICUNO, ZAPDOS.[break][break]

MOLTRES.[break][break]

All familiar, but not. Hollow echoes of a bygone memory miraculously come to life.[break][break]

The birds did not linger here, where hate festered in the stale air. Instead, they made for the cave entrance, ignoring the ROCKETs beneath them.[break][break]

All but one. As it flew past, MOLTRES' eye caught BARNABY FINCH's — a fleeting connection, but one that left the admin feeling distinctly unsettled. [break][break]

Without even time to react, he was then hit by a sudden wave of immense fatigue, bringing him down to one knee. Groaning, Barnaby reached out for what was left of the nearby table to steady himself.

[attr="class","barnaby-notes"]
[break]
• outfit check[break]
• inwardly wonders if jayden can handle his new avatarship[break]
• compares jayden to elisa and how she's struggling atm[break]
• oh shit moltres pog?? wtf why do i feel so tired[break]
• falls to his knee due to the fatigue

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


[break]





And just like that, their obstacle was rendered defunct. Elisabeth Fiorelli hadn't even lifted a finger.[break][break]

"Incredible." And truly it was. But BARNABY FINCH was not in awe of her; rather, he was pleased with what she brought to the table, as always. A power like this in ROCKET's palm — in his, even more so — was a boon to be commended. [break][break]

"What does it feel like, Elisa? To manipulate such supernatural abilities?" He was curious, as always. Barnaby had no way to compare himself — he needed information only Avatars could provide firsthand.

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

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





A tiny head popped out from between the TYPE: NULL's forearms, squawking wildly.[break][break]

So, not dead. Good.[break][break]

"Hold it down." [break][break]

The creature tightened its grip, evoking a high-pitched squeak from the TORCHIC. Not injuring the thing, but not making it comfortable, either.[break][break]

One Safari Ball later and its body flashed into the capsule, leaving the TYPE: NULL to stand and shake out dust from its fur.

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

[attr="class","bg"]