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Their training continued, even as the morning sun rose higher, causing sweat to bead at Barnaby's brow. He couldn't imagine what his TYPE: NULL must be feeling, so contained as it was within its mask. The humidity had to be monstrous in there. Perhaps that was why the things was so grumpy all the time.[break][break]

It seemed worse now, though. Somehow, it'd restrained itself in the last several encounters.[break][break]

Would it be able to continue to do so? The look of frustration in it's eyes made Barnaby doubtful.

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TYPE: NULL's strike was lighting-quick. It upended the FEEBAS from the water itself, sending it flopping onto the nearby shore. It almost continued its attack, if not for Barnaby's sharp whistle — just loud enough to break the beast's hyper-focus.[break][break]

It stilled, but looked particularly agitated at having to temper itself. TYPE: NULL was not meant for this sort of restraint.[break][break]

After catching the FEEBAS, Barnaby gestured to a small clearing near the water's edge, about fifteen feet from where they stood, semi-obscured by creeping willow vines.[break][break]

"The Pikachu there. Bring it to me — alive." [break][break]

Those oh-so intelligent eyes narrowed in response before the TYPE: NULL disappeared into the undergrowth, skulking toward its target.

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[break]






"A weak link indeed." Weak enough to be split in two. Barnaby remembered it vividly; he was there when it happened, after all.[break][break]

Unfazed by the gruesome display, the admin simply turned to leave the alleyway, gesturing for Mint to follow.[break][break]

"Do you think he could be persuaded to our side, then? Maldacena helped, once." Why not Father Winter?

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[break]





They materialized in front of the barren Tree of Life, surrounded by stone figures resembling Pokémon. Barnaby feels the essence of the tree beckoning him, but he does not immediately heed its call.[break][break]

"Agreed," The admin responded instead, eyeing Cillian Quinn with a sidelong glance. "Though I wish we knew more of his... motives."[break][break]

Maldacena was drenched in mystery. [break][break]

And Barnaby hated it. He detested the feeling of not knowing. [break][break]

With that said, he approached the tree and grasped the large watering can at the base of its trunk. He knew where this scene would lead.[break][break]

Watch fell from the spout, drenching the soil below.

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TYPE: NULL lunged forward with its insectoid claws extended, landing just-so in order for the TORCHIC to fall between the two limbs when it hit the ground. The bird struggled to get free, but ultimately succumbed to the Safari Ball Barnaby levied at it.[break][break]

"Better. Minimal injuries this time."[break][break]

Pushing its body up to regain its footing, the creature eyed its master with an unsettling stare. It was an expression that was hard to read, given the mask it wore. [break][break]

Was it unsatisfied with that sort of hunt? Did it want something more?[break][break]

Perhaps a small break would do it good.[break][break]

"Come. There's a pond nearby." As they approached the water, Barnaby silently wondered if the thing even needed nourishment.[break][break]

TYPE: NULL approached the bank. Before dipping its feet in, it noticed a small fish near the surface. A FEEBAS, unaware of its presence. Immediately the Synthetic Pokémon began to crouch, preparing to attack.

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Ice melted and the sludge manifestation disintegrated before Barnaby's eyes, only for the wellspring of hatred permeating the room to crescendo into...[break][break]

The birth of a new Avatar. A furious storm of snow and ice heralded his coming, forming stinging crystals around Barnaby's eyes and mouth, where flesh was thinnest. Many attempt to brave the maelstrom and heed declan walsh's commands, while others like fern delaney decide to defy.[break][break]

Some even plead for the admin's compromised humanity.[break][break]

But mint frost was wrong. jayden cross was a threat now, freshly beckoned by a ruinous creature and under the influence of its power. There was no guarantee he could control that which he'd just gained. Elisabeth Fiorelli was proof of that.[break][break]

jayden cross needed to be subdued. [break][break]

He and CHIEN-PAO.[break][break]

Cillian Quinn's directive confirmed as much.[break][break]

A sharp whistle passed through BARNABY FINCH's lips, calling his STEELIX's attention. Between the snowstorm and the clangorous sounds of battle, it was the only thing that could cut through the noise. Barnaby gestured to the newly-freed, mysterious book on the cavern floor and to the ruinous cat still stirring up dissent. [break][break]

With a swing of its crystalline tail, large, jagged rocks erupted from the earth. STONE EDGE would entomb both the book and CHIEN-PAO, protecting the former and imprisoning the latter.

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[break]
• outfit check[break]
• STEELIX uses STONE EDGE[break]
• stones jut up to protect the curious book[break]
• stones also attempt to entomb CHIEN-PAO

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TYPE: NULL gave its grudging assent with a low, deep rumble. Again, not trying to be stealthy.[break][break]

There was little use now, as the TORCHIC was sprinting through the undergrowth, terrified of the enormous beast at its heels.

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The warning did little to lessen the TYPE: NULL's inherent viciousness. [break][break]

Against such a small creature, even an attack meant to subdue rather than kill was overwhelming. The TREECKO screeched in pain, grabbing at the open wound that had been ripped into its side. Slick blood wet the grass beneath its webbed toes.[break][break]

"Not your best attempt." Barnaby remarked dryly, clicking his tongue. [break][break]

He'd have to be sure to seek medical treatment for the TREECKO. For now, it remained within the Safari Ball used to capture it.[break][break]

A fluttering of tiny wings nearby drew Barnaby's attention to the side. There, he saw a small TORCHIC trying to escape from what it perceived to be a threat.[break][break]

It was right to be scared.[break][break]

"Try again. This time without cutting it open."

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The thing was massive, really, compared to most Pokémon. Measured from the tip of its shackled crest, TYPE: NULL outdid Barnaby's height by a few inches. Its bulking shoulders pushed through the brush easily, but that also meant stealth wasn't exactly on their side.[break][break]

The scurrying of critters and the fluttering of wings proceeded every stride. Nothing wanted to get in the creature's way — unfortunately, some didn't have much of a choice.[break][break]

Quick on its feet, an oddly-colored TREECKO sprinted from a nearby cluster of shrubs. Where its teal sheen may have hidden it better in the spring months, now the surrounding vegetation was beginning to brown, leaving it starkly vulnerable.[break][break]

"Remember, temper yourself." The TYPE: NULL snorted roughly and pawed the ground, ready to strike.[break][break]

"Go."

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The upper floors proved to be more hospitable than the last few. It was a relief to wander into a space without moaning Megalopolans.[break][break]

Working technology was quite the surprise, though.[break][break]

"How hard could it be?" [break][break]

Barnaby likely had more experience with computers than most. He used them and even more advanced equipment on a regular basis to monitor his intelligence network. [break][break]

Pulling the chair in front of the desk back, he plopped down, displacing dust particles into the air. [break][break]

A few clicks and some tapping on an oddly-shaped keyboard? later, something eventually happened. Barnaby wasn't exactly sure what, though.[break][break]

Light spilled from the screen. He half expected a zombie to pop out at them when it did, but thankfully the room remained quiet.[break][break]

"... hm." Images and documents began springing up from nowhere, one after the other. Flashes of information.[break][break]

"Zev," Barnaby called, pointing to the screen. "Look familiar at all?"

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[break]
34 encounter documents or depictions of necrozma traveling around ultra space, granting its light to various planets, civilizations, before coming to megalopolis.