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The din of war rang loud against the rock and sea. [break][break]

KYOGRE's ORIGIN PULSE — with its incredible concussive force — was enough to send MOLTRES spiraling down toward the turbulent waters below. Through the dizzying fall, BARNABY FINCH held fast to his patron as it attempted to right itself in the air. As they neared impact, he could feel the spray of an angry ocean on his skin just before the LEGENDARY BIRD'S wings unfurled and sent them aloft once again.[break][break]

Unfortunately, in the chaos following the crater wall's collapse, freya morningstar and ana fell were able to escape into the city. BARNABY FINCH watched as their silhouettes disappeared into the mist and an unwelcome god descended from on high.[break][break]

They'd failed. As jayden cross flew over to idle beside him and contact other operatives, Barnaby could still feel the intense hatred simmering inside of him, stoked by CHIEN-PAO's presence. As if feeding off this energy, MOLTRES let out a low, sinister hiss, its carmine flames flaring around its body.[break][break]

"We need to regroup and reassess the situation." He called out across the storm toward jayden cross, adding grimly as RAYQUAZA loomed ahead, "Things have changed."

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[break]
• masked


[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

TOTAL: 835 MP[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post[break]
+ 50 MP have your character reflect on why they're fighting [break]
+ 50 MP have your character recall a past thread[break]
+ 50 MP character is injured by another's pokémon[break]
+ 50 MP showcase your own character's strength(s) meaningfully[break]
+ 10 MP use a gimmick (terastallization - stellar tera type)[break]
+ 25 MP for knocking out another pokémon (iron jugulis)[break]
+ 50 MP for getting your pokémon knocked out (shaymin)[break]
+ 50 MP have your character experience great fear, hatred, envy, or have a grudge worsen[break]
+ 50 MP have your character's pokémon symbolize or represent in some way, the condition of your character[break]
+ 100 MP for for completing your prelude thread[break]
+ 300 MP for "losing" or having a "negative" outcome for your character and their prelude[break]

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


BARNABY FINCH was barely able to return his fainted SHAYMIN to its Poké Ball before an intense, wailing blizzard overtook the area. With this conjured storm came a deepened, nearly-blinding feeling of hatred toward both freya morningstar and ana fell. A small part of him knew that this was CHIEN-PAO's influence, but he didn't really care.[break][break]

He leaned into the hatred, recklessly urging MOLTRES on toward the MOONBLAST, willing to let his patron take yet another blow if it meant he could get closer to the GARDEVOIR and DUSKNOIR. The beam hit, sending MOLTRES careening to the side, but gave an opportunity for Barnaby to conjure a swath of shadow-infused flames around ana fell's Pokémon. [break][break]

[break]

In the tumult of their battle, BARNABY FINCH saw jayden cross freefall and yelled, "JAYDEN!"[break][break]

A groaning cry then called out above the blizzard, reminding them all that KYOGRE's return was imminent. Suddenly, a barrage of beams shot out from the horizon, hitting the crater wall surrounding Sootopolis City. In tandem, a series of explosions also ignited along the rim, causing rock and debris to fly into the air before hurtling into the sea below.

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[break]
• masked [break]
• SHAYMIN has been KNOCKED OUT[break]
• MOLTRES is hit by MOONBLAST[break]
• barnaby tries to engulf GARDEVOIR and DUSKNOIR[break] in shadow-flames[break]
• KYOGRE uses ORIGIN PULSE on the crater wall


[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

TOTAL: 375 MP[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post[break]
+ 50 MP have your character reflect on why they're fighting [break]
+ 50 MP have your character recall a past thread[break]
+ 50 MP character is injured by another's pokémon[break]
+ 50 MP showcase your own character's strength(s) meaningfully[break]
+ 10 MP use a gimmick (terastallization - stellar tera type)[break]
+ 25 MP for knocking out another pokémon (iron jugulis)[break]
+ 50 MP for getting your pokémon knocked out (shaymin)[break]
+ 50 MP have your character experience great fear, hatred, envy, or have a grudge worsen[break]

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The mask crumbled before he even reached the door to his bedroom. Scars returned, hair receded — the illusion faded just as quickly as the pained expression he’d used to hurt Elisabeth Fiorelli.[break][break]

What remained was a man laid bare. Devoid of the emotion seen only moments earlier. And so, so tired. [break][break]

But there was still work to be done. [break][break]

Sitting at the edge of his bed, Pepin curled at his hip, BARNABY FINCH brought his phone to his ear and waited for THEO BECKETT to answer.[break][break]

“Theo,”[break][break]

Silence hung in the air for a beat — enough time for Barnaby to compose a longing tone of voice.[break][break]

“...I need to see you.”

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Shred. Grigori Sokolov. Unsurprising accomplices. BARNABY FINCH made a mental note of their involvement on top of all the other pieces of information Howard had provided for him. [break][break]

Now, it was time to end their meeting.[break][break]

“I’ve heard enough.”[break][break]

Darkness receded into the corners of the room and light returned to Admin Fox’s dingy office.[break][break]

“Forget our little chat for now, Howard. Continue plotting as you have been.” Barnaby instructed, his voice as soft and sweet as the fire dancing in the other man’s eyes. “We’ll talk again once everything is over. Only then will you remember this conversation.” [break][break]

With that, the flame was snuffed out.[break][break]

In the coming weeks as howard slayte prepared for his heist on Dewford, internal obstacles to his subterfuge and deception would miraculously dissipate: incriminating CCTV footage deleted, manifests altered, operative schedules changed to best fit his timeline, etc. Small, inconsequential things that would go unnoticed — unless someone took the time to look.[break][break]

He’d probably think that it was fate, that he was justified in his convictions. He might even be convinced that the fruition of his plans meant that his indomitable human spirit had somehow triumphed. [break][break]

And while Howard schemed to kill a god, The Infernal, as always, bided his time in the shadows. Watching. Waiting.

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Human will was inherently flawed, just the same as human nature was. Designed to devour at its basest level. It was too bad not everyone, including howard slayte, understood that. They'd linger longer in this flawed world if so.[break][break]

Still, some were more ravenous than others. And his hunger only seemed to be escalating.[break][break]

"Oooh, Howard." BARNABY FINCH clucked his tongue in faux-disappointment. "You've been a bad boy, haven't you?" [break][break]

With a melodramatic sigh, Barnaby sat back in howard slayte's shitty office chair and chewed on the information he'd been provided with for a bit. [break][break]

More secretive than expected, the admin mused to himself, with an apparent chip on his shoulder. Insecure, unsure of his place within ROCKET.[break][break]

But not without ambition. That could be worked with.[break][break]

"How?" He continued, kicking his feet up onto the corner of Howard's desk. A few papers fluttered off into the darkness as he did so.[break][break]

"Tell me your plan in detail. How does Michael fit in? Who else is involved?"

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Even as the storm receded due to Lyune's Z-MOVE, BARNABY FINCH could still feel the sticky wetness of blood beneath his armor. Every movement was painful now, but dulled in part to the adrenaline coursing through him — it egged him on to continue the fight.[break][break]

A sharp whistle guided SHAYMIN seaward, toward jayden cross's MILOTIC, ana fell, and the approaching DRAGONAIR. In an attempt to help the outnumbered serpent, SHAYMIN flew low toward the water and released a volley of AIR SLASHES aimed at freya morningstar's Aeris.[break][break]

Meanwhile, MOLTRES continued its conflict with the IRON JUGULIS and its Pokémon rider. The consistent teleportation made it difficult to evade attacks or even land a blow, meaning the sudden THUNDERBOLT hit straight-on. BARNABY FINCH could feel the bird buckle in pain beneath him; momentarily paralyzed, the two fell into a freefall. As he clutched at his patron's neck in a bid to hang on, he noted that the ocean sped into view much more rapidly than he'd expected it would. Was this the end? An early, watery grave?[break][break]

[break]



From the cliffs rang a familiar cry: ROCKET's CALYREX, invested in their organization's success, with a massive DYNA FRUIT balanced above its head. With surprising strength, and the help of its PSYCHIC power, the King Pokémon heaved its fruit toward MOLTRES — who pushed through the paralysis enough to pump its wings and right itself. [break][break]

The DYNA FRUIT was consumed in one massive gulp and showed immediate results. Energy surged through MOLTRES, revitalizing the LEGENDARY BIRD and giving BARNABY FINCH the opportunity to turn the tides of the battle. Brandishing his TERA ORB, the admin directed MOLTRES to TERASTALLIZE into the STELLAR TERA TYPE. Immediately, a flurry of multicolored crystals sprouted across its body.[break][break]

[break]

Though they'd been revived, there was still the issue of GARDEVOIR's TELEPORTING to deal with. If she didn't stop, it'd be difficult to take down both her and the IRON JUGULIS. Flying closer to where ana fell's Pokémon hovered, Barnaby used his powers to conjure shadowed chains around GARDEVOIR, the end of which coalesced into his hands. If this was successful, he'd tug — hard — to hopefully pull Kanaya off her mount.[break][break]

If or when an opportunity presented itself, MOLTRES would then direct its next empowered attack at Sima to engulf the IRON JUGULIS in a burst of savage flame (BURNING JEALOUSY).

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

[break]
• masked [break]
• SHAYMIN uses AIR SLASH on DRAGONAIR[break]
• MOLTRES is hit by THUNDERBOLT; freefalls toward water[break]
• CALYREX throws a DYNA FRUIT toward MOLTRES[break]
• MOLTRES eats the DYNA FRUIT and is revived (prompt ✅)[break]
• MOLTRES terastallizes into the STELLAR TERA TYPE[break]
• barnaby attempts to use his avatar powers to conjure shadowed chains around GARDEVOIR. he pulls on the end of the chain to try and dismount her, stopping her from teleporting away with IRON JUGULIS.[break]
• MOLTRES uses BURNING JEALOUSY on IRON JUGULIS (+damage)


[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

TOTAL: 240 MP[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post[break]
+ 10 MP per IC post[break]
+ 50 MP have your character reflect on why they're fighting [break]
+ 50 MP have your character recall a past thread[break]
+ 50 MP character is injured by another's pokémon[break]
+ 50 MP showcase your own character's strength(s) meaningfully[break]
+ 10 MP use a gimmick (terastallization - stellar tera type)[break]

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






"Jealousy," Barnaby inclined his head in agreement, adding, "Or fear."[break][break]

Many did not understand the pact between an Avatar and its patron. Even BARNABY FINCH himself was still working out what MOLTRES wanted from him. [break][break]

"Whatever the case, I've prepared myself for a less-than positive reception. I know things are different now."[break][break]

Farther out, a screech from MOLTRES alerted the admin; his attention turned away from Cillian Quinn and, breaking from LUGIA, he saw the Legendary Bird pluck a PALAFIN from the water with its claws. It brought the cetacean closer to the boat and dropped it — as an offering? Barnaby wasn't sure, but threw a Poké Ball to capture it nonetheless.

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

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[break]






Another return to the TREE OF LIFE. He'd been here before, witnessed several endings to this particular scenario. Though he wasn't particular to it by any means, the quiet glade was a more serene place to chat than the UNOWN's ruins had been.[break][break]

"Ah, yes. Kallistatus. Her favorite."[break][break]

BARNABY FINCH didn't doubt Naomi Sato's loyalty to ROCKET, but possible naiveté was a different concern. She trusted the UNOWN so implicitly — would that come back to haunt them?[break][break]



"Holo's favorite, too, it seems. What do you think the chances are that the DRK Triad can still 'see' from that particular Unown?"[break][break]

Passing through the lines of petrified Pokémon, the admin released his STARMIE to water the tree. Its sapphire gem gleamed brightly within the soft light of the glade.

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[break]





"Makes sense." Barnaby remarked as one of the stone statues in front of them suddenly came to life. [break][break]

He didn't looked surprised by this; instead, the admin casually handed the shield over to ZAMAZENTA and continued where he left off, "I feel the same way about Kalos, I suppose. Hoenn's problems certainly take up enough of my attention."[break][break]

The dog, newly transformed, rushed into the fray. [break][break]



Just as he'd done before during his own time here in this poisoned place, BARNABY FINCH released his CHARIZARD onto the war-torn battlefield, allowing it to GIGANTAMAX as a protective force against ETERNATUS' DYNAMAX CANNON.

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