Thomas chuckled in response to her remark. In a way, he was his father's son. Though the two approached things differently, they were both warriors. Both relished in the injuries they inflicted, just as much as the ones they've sustained. Scars were mementos to them, stories to proudly tell those closest to them.

"Why do you think I went underground?", Thomas asked her playfully. Though he was leaning into her teasing, it was true. The man had made several underground biomes, in order to house a diverse selection of Pokemon in their most comfortable habitats.

"Both of us. I got bucked off in a panic, and the Tauros drove its horns into a wall, allowing the Combee to wail on the poor guy. Thankfully, aside from aching for a bit, I was fine.", he'd tell her.

"Shit, that sucks.", he'd tell her, sympathizing with her.

Bunni would begin to eye an ice cream vendor longingly. Thomas, catching onto this, made his way over. "I'll be back, I'm gonna get some ice cream.", he'd tell her, heading over to get a couple of vanilla cones.

As he was coming back, he spotted a boy crying over some fallen ice cream. Feeling bad for the boy, Thomas walked over, offering the boy his cone.

The boy, surprised by the kind gesture, hugged the man, before taking it. "Thank you, mister!", the kid beamed, sniffling.

"Uh, sure.", Thomas said awkwardly, as Bunni walked over to collect her cone from Thomas, squealing happily.

---

tags: Lydia Magnusson
notes: tl;dr

Thomas couldn't but chuckle at her remark. Otherwise, she had it right. He was proud of the fact that he managed to make it on Rocket's kill list.

"Very.", he told her, with a grin. "If I wasn't on their shitlist before, my part in the rescue of former Councilwoman Anderson definitely put me there.", he'd continue.

It wasn't that Thomas was after any sort of fame, or status. But the fact that he managed to be enough of a thorn in Rocket's side to necessitate such measures told him he was having some effect.

"Even if he does, there will be plenty of little ones on my Ranch who'd take it.", he'd remark. Not that Pulse would.

"There was an ill-fated ride on a Tauros that a Combee ruined.", he'd tell her.

Thomas watched as she pulled up the Magikarp. A win was a win, as far as he was concerned.

"You been on any rides yet?", he'd inquire.

---

tags: Lydia Magnusson
notes: tl;dr

"I'm not surprised I managed to piss in the coffee of a Rocket higher up, to be honest.", he'd tell Lydia. "Hell, before he got himself killed in Verdanturf, Silas sent one of his Beasts, the assassin, to kill me.", he'd tell her with a chuckle.

With his prize claimed, Thomas would point to the giant Teddiursa plushie Pulse pointed out earlier. The boy would take it off the hook, handing it to Thomas. Pulse would let out cheerful little cries as Thomas handed him the plushie. Only problem was that Pulse couldn't see over it, and the balloon around his wrist only complicated things.

Thinking quickly, Thomas brought out another Audino, Bunni. Though she was noticeably shy, unlike Pulse, she looked over to her 'little brother', and giggled. After a moment of back and fourth, they'd agree to let Bunni hold onto the balloon, and help guide the fluffball around as he held the giant Teddiursa plushie.

Once Thomas finished tying the Pikachu balloon around Bunni's wrist, he'd turn back to see Lydia fish up a Feebas. He was ready to offer to pay for her next round, when she already put money on the counter for another shot.

---

tags: Lydia Magnusson
notes: tl;dr

Thomas saw, too late, the Thunder Wave firing from the cloud of darkness the Lanturn was enveloped in.

"Lisa!", Thomas called out, trying to warn her.

The warning came too late, the electric fish managed to successfully hit the Zoroark with the Thunder Wave. Kuma Lisa would feel her muscles tense up, her speed lowered. Her eyes widened, she let out a hiss between her fangs.

Despite this, she managed to move just enough to send an Extrasensory burst towards the Lanturn.

---

tags: Josh Devlin
notes: Zoroark is hit by Thunder Wave, and is Paralyzed
Zoroark used Extrasensory

"I suppose it's something to be said about this new species. That perhaps it respects combat prowess above all, and sides with those who prove themselves to them.", Thomas speculated.

"Though I can see there being exceptions to the rule. In the Ultra Sea, I met a prehistoric-looking Salamence, ended up saving it from Gavin Merlino. Though in the process, he turned my Luxray against me, and nearly killed me. In turn, the Pokemon I saved, I believe called Roaring Moon, saved my life.", he'd tell her.

The drunk was easy enough to take care of. Before Thomas could correct him by force, Lydia was already on it, sending the man running for the hills.

Thomas turned to the kid running the game. "You okay?", he'd ask the kid, taking a rod.

The fluffy Audino pointed Thomas to the giant Teddiursa plushie. "You got it, little guy!", Thomas told the Audino, before starting the game.

The former Elite Four member would patiently wait for a Magikarp to bite, before reeling it in. Hooked on the rod was an Orange and Gold Calico Magikarp.

---

tags: Lydia Magnusson
notes: tl;dr

Thomas offered a chuckle at her remark.

When she brought up how she got her Iron Valiant, Thomas listened. "I encountered mine on my Ranch, actually. After Dewford, mine arrived on the Ranch and tried to attack me. My Ceruledge fended it off, barely defeating it. After that, it chose to join me.", he'd tell her.

"It helped that me and Doug encountered one in the Dream Mist during the events of Dewford. It was a brutal battle, one that took the lives of my Muk, and his Kingler.", he'd explain, lamenting their losses.

Upon hearing the Audinos cries, Thomas turned his attention to what the little guy was pointing at. It was the Magikarp Fishing Game.

"Did you want me to win you a prize, Pulse?", Thomas asked the Audino.

The Audino would stare up at his master with Baby-Doll Eyes. Thomas couldn't help but smile, and pet the little one.

"You got it, little bud-", Thomas stopped, before spotting a drunken man stumble over to the carnie running the game.

"Shall we?", Thomas inquired to Lydia, before stepping over to deal with the argumentative drunk.

The drunken man would pause his abuse of the carnie, turning to face the larger man. "Get lost!", the drunk spat at him.

"You're clearly crocked, pal. It's time to retire for the day.", Thomas told the man sternly.

The drunk would take a swing at the former member of the Elite Four, only for the Kalosian to swiftly step back, allow the man to stumble forward, before getting behind him, and putting him in a rear hold, with the threat of it turning into a sleeper hold, if he caused more trouble.

"That wasn't a suggestion. Now, get the fuck out, before I throw your ass out.", Thomas growled venomously.

---

tags: Lydia Magnusson
notes: tl;dr

The Audino's attempt at calming the futuristic chevalier seemed to have worked out.

As the blockage was dislodged, and the blonde started to cough, Thomas released her from his hold, and attempted to pat her on the back to help her out.

"Don't mention it, Lyds.", Thomas told her.

Thomas looked over at the Iron Valiant in her company. Though the image of it holding the Dachsbun balloon was a funny one, he knew the species were no joke.

"I see you got one, too. Where'd you find yours?", Thomas inquired.

The Audino would spot a group of people fishing in a small pond, attempting to fish out some Magikarp. The Audino cried out to his master, pointing hm towards the game.

---

tags: Lydia Magnusson
notes: Prompt: Involve or reference a Magikarp Fishing Game.

Moments earlier, Thomas bought a balloon in the shape of a Pikachu's head. The former Elite Four would tie the balloon around the wrist of a fluffy Audino, who cried out with glee as he got the balloon.

Thomas, looking out of place among the carnival goers, would be easy for the soldier to spot. A man in black boots, black trousers, and a short-sleeved button-up accompanied by an Audino with the Pikachu balloon.

Thomas would spot a familiar face as they rounded the corner. "Lyds?", Thomas blurted out.

As she started to choke on the taco, Thomas moved in quickly. Ignoring the Iron Valiant's threat, Thomas moved in to give the blonde an abdominal thrust, to free the food lodged in her windpipe. He would attempt to get behind her, and attempt to dislodge the blockage that threatened to end her.

Pulse, seeing how the Iron Valiant got into combat mode, attempted to calm the Paradox Pokemon with a Heal Pulse, and a plea that his master was trying to help their master.

---

tags: Lydia Magnusson
notes: Prompt: Buy a Balloon Pokemon

"You know I don't have access to any of that, right?", he'd ask Kyle.

What Kyle said checked out, however. He was in Littleroot, acting as Wraith. After he had finished patching up his wounds, as well as the injuries Andraste Breathnach had sustained, they ventured through the Silent Icelands. That was where Thomas tried and failed to thaw out one of the imprisoned Pokemon.

"I see, thank you for that.", he'd tell Kyle.

He'd listen to what Razz had to say. And he had to agree, if there were any Pokemon that could have an effect on the ice, it had to be Zekrom and Reshiram. Though if Reshiram alone failed to liberate the Pokemon, the next step would be to unite Zekrom and Reshiram in an effort to free the trapped Pokemon.

"I'll have to agree with Razz. If we can get in contact with Calcifet, perhaps he could help us? I know he's big into archeology, so perhaps he's uncovered something about Kyurem in his adventures?", he'd inquire.

"Though at this point, anything's worth a try.", he'd add, throwing the Champion a bone.

---

tags: kyle lopez Razz Kingsman
notes: tl;dr

Thomas listened as the Commissioner grilled him. It was true, he had thrown everything away.

"Because I was convinced that working within the system was an exercise in futility.", Thomas revealed to her.

"Every time I ever allowed the system to work things out, I got burned. Any attempts to work within the system were for nothing. My warnings about Rocket's continued existence after the death of SILAS BLACKWELL were blown off, only to be vindicated during that shitshow of a Press Conference.", the Kalosian spilled to her.

The man who had killed Shadow, got off with a slap on the wrist. His work with Interpol, invalidated with the escape of Amadeus Irving. His career with Interpol, ended because of a madwoman who was forced upon him. It was the story of his life, the system had failed him repeatedly.

"I felt that extreme measures were necessary to defeat Rocket. Extreme measures that the League would not dare take. And if I had to become a pariah in the process, then so be it. I thought I'd be content with knowing that I was the bad man who'd bounce other bad men at the door.", he'd confess.

"Over time, I'd come to realize that my actions had only contributed to the chaos plaguing the Region. And that I squandered a golden opportunity to make the change I wanted to see. I allowed years of dissatisfaction with the League, and anger towards Rocket's atrocities, to cloud my judgment.", he'd confide in her, ashamed at what he had become.

---

tags: dahlia goode
notes: tl;dr