Well, that was just the natural way of things? Usually, only the innocent would stop and obey, but the guilty, they always ran. Understandable, to an extent. After all, they would be punished either way. And, really? Mirri wouldn’t want it any other way. That was how it happened in the stories, that was how it would happen again.

“You made the wrong de-“ she started to say, but was interrupted by someone with more common sense from behind. Someone who, instead of briefly raising her own blade and making a little speech before running after a foe, already had a Pokemon out that used a ranged attack on the man. Mirri rarely did that, given that attacks like this damaged the roads people walked on and endangered bystanders – even now some had to jump slightly out of the way though thankfully no one got hurt – so she favoured precision.
They both did not exactly act in an optimal way here. Still, she was not completely idle, for the tried to run after him – yet the overturned rocks made it difficult and she lost precious seconds.

Seconds that John used to his advantage. Jagged rock had hit him in the leg, causing him to bleed and stumble. But he caught himself, fortunately for himself, and called out one of his own Pokemon. A stereotypical Rocket Wheezing, it was still more than capable of releasing a thick smock that quickly covered the alley, took their sight and caused not just Mireille to cough. The young woman swiftly put her sleeve in front of her mouth, but instead of pursuing further, moved right where she heard a kid coughing, in order to help.