Of all the people to stumble upon.

Perhaps she was just shit out of luck?

Perhaps the Gods of misfortune truly did smile upon her?

“I…I..I don’t want to hurt you.” Johanna spoke, her voice trembling behind the mask. Though had her voice not betrayed her, then her shaking hands would as she held up the Pokéball.

“I don’t suppose you’d be willing to just let me go, right?” Johanna knew the question was dumb. If the League knew they were coming, well then they would surely be prepared to do them harm.

And as she stood there clad in brandless black clothes with gloves, a simple white smiley-face mask adorned her face. The only thing that might reveal her would be the long blue hair, which she had done her best to tuck into her clothes though strands of blue might still be visible. She could think of only one saving grace. At least my identity is still hidden




MASK: Smiley Mask
LOCATION: MT. Pyre
OOC: I figure Penny can have a surprise round if she wants, Johanna is paralyzed by fear.
TLDR:
- Runs into PENELOPE LIVY

Why am I here? She was definitely starting to think she would've been better placed somewhere else.

If she had been spotted, then she didn’t know just yet. Still, the sound of battles, even gunshots announced the starting of conflicts around her.

Calm down, calm down. Calm down.

Her hands were shaking, her knees weak, palms sweaty. She needed to get going. The glint of the Primal Point gave her a direction to pinpoint. But she needed to regroup. Perhaps if I go towards the central path? Johanna pondered or was it perhaps fear speaking?

Her feet quickly carried her in the right direction, quickly traversing over what rocky obstacles were in her way, whether they were tombstones or natural rock formations. Either way, she found the way but in doing so her eyes met with PENELOPE LIVY. Standing in front of the enemy, she found herself paralyzed.

Little did she know that in traveling her path there she had made her presence known to the sharp eyes of just about anyone else who was paying attention.

---

After a short battle with PENELOPE LIVY, to whom the victory goes. Using a short-distance Teleportation to escape Johanna now tries to sneak back to her prior position, hoping to regroup with another group of rockets or perhaps hide. Alas, fate would not be kind as she stumbles upon and locks eyes with paxton concordas... The two meet in battle Hyper Beam meeting with Flash Cannon. Klefki vs Claydol. Johanna Vs Gun. Alas Johanna's right shoulder was the victim and she would once again teleport away hoping for safer pastures.

---

After teleporting and running away. She finds herself weakened by the wound and blood loss. Resting for a moment she unfortunately locks eyes with Megan Whitmore... Too be continued.



MASK: Smiley Mask
LOCATION: MT. Pyre
TLDR:
- Starts moving to the middle path
- Eyes lock with an enemy # Hello-there-General-Councilwoman
- First Encounter: PENELOPE LIVY (Penny wins)
- Second Encounter: paxton concordas (Paxton Wins)
- Third Encounter: Megan Whitmore

@rocketganggang

A nod was given in response. Johanna remembered the earlier conversation. She was just surprised it was this little.

Not that Johanna minded. It was nice to meet up with Megan again. Perhaps Megan thought so too, was that perhaps the primary reason for calling her here? Her mind wandered, though Megan’s words pulled her back.

Megan’s words hit hard. Perhaps Megan was unaware of just how much Johanna appreciated them. Truth and trust were concepts hard to come by when your family was rich. People always wanted to ease their way into such a life.

But Johanna didn’t know how to respond to it. And when Megan motioned for them to move and she followed, she figured it better to simply not. Still, the smile it summoned clung to her.

“Oh, I understand.” She knew where Megan was coming from and wished she had had the luxury to pick and choose which expectations to raise. Alas, the expectations had been forced down upon her. “Though I will admit, I never thought of you as being hesitant in any way.” The very idea seemed to almost go against the image of Megan that she had.




LOCATION: Fiery Path

Through sheer force of will, she made the Generator work, or perhaps it was the benevolence of some deity. Either way, as it sprung to life would she almost jump backward falling on her ass, flinching as cold hard concrete softened her landing.

Another series of Oh shit, oh fuck, gotta go struck her thoughts as she hurried up and onwards. Making her way out of the building where this generator was in. If it was like the previous ones then Genesect could appear at any moment. This was not the time to hide. There was one generator left. If she could just get there quickly.

And so she sprinted onwards through the door out onto the street and down it as best she could not even bothering to attempt sneaking. Perhaps this would be her undoing, a decision made in fear.


QorqhF62

@bishop oscar clayton Cillian Quinn

Johanna’s gaze followed as Kyrenai went to get their apology drinks. Johanna followed right behind figuring there was no reason to just stand there. While gazing she found herself amazed at Kyrenai’s bravery in bringing such an energetic Pokémon into such a crowded space.

Though she averted her gaze as soon as she saw Kyrenai turning to them with their drinks. She didn’t want to appear creepy like that. Instead, she turned her attention to Happiny offering to lift it up so it could be a part of the group.

But once more it staunchly refused. It would not be carried nor lifted by Johanna.

A sigh escaped Johanna, but not for long as she turned to gratefully accept the drink with a smile. “Thank you.”

The Happiny mimicked her trainer though more elaborately as if it had been trained in the proper art form of subservience.

Johanna took a sip, finally getting to savor the drink. Its coolness refreshing in the summer heat. The Happiny did the same, though an expression of a mild surprise hit it as the fizzy bubbles scratched its throat.

By now Johanna could return her full attention to Kyrenai as she introduced herself. “There’s really no need to apologize for it. Such things can happen.” Johanna spoke, a smile and nervous chuckle given alongside her reply. “My name is Johanna, Johanna Joy. And this is Acacia.” She gestured towards the Happiny who bowed as deeply as it could all while making sure not a drop was spilled of her drink.





OOC: N/A

Johanna felt the heat in her cheeks announce the increasing flush. Had she not known better she might think a fever had struck her by Isaac’s words.

I do need to trust myself more. She agreed with Isaac, but she did not voice it. It was still hard to admit verbally. She appreciated his words all the same as things began to simmer down. Their training had come to an end.

“Yeah, I think we did.” She replied with a smile. She watched as he mounted the Galarian Rapidash and gave him a wave as well. “Catch you later” The farewell was quick as Isaac rode into the sunset, perhaps never to be heard from again.

Nah, she had a feeling their paths would cross again.

Johanna took the chunks of metal, though their weight was insignificant individually, she found the weight to add up as she tried to lift the bucket. Luckily she had been lifting and definitely not skipping leg day so

“Oh, really?” She replied in surprise bucket of Metal in one hand. Though the weight strained her muscles it was naught but another slightly heavier dumbbell.

The Claydoll halted its progress having already begun digging the next batch. It looked at Megan, its intense gaze questioning why they had even bothered to summon him for this mediocre work.

“Don’t be like that Clay.” Johanna was quick to see the slow simmering annoyance in her Claydoll, and she would not have it when it was turned towards Megan. The Claydoll turned its gaze away and began to cover the hole it had been digging.

“Don’t worry, I trust you.” Johanna returned to the conversation the pair had been having. Shifting the bucket to her other hand for a brief moment as she waited for them to be able to take their leave once more.



LOCATION: Fiery Path

Why am I here?

The question kept repeating itself in her mind as Johanna snuck towards the Primal Point, or at least tried to, within the fog of Mt Pyre. From time to time she would feel the cold sensation of stone slabs through her gloves as she stumbled upon graves. Though there was something else in the air, not the cold chill of the fog, but a sensation she did not know. Perhaps it is the ghosts I am sensing? She wondered.

She was supposed to be following some other Rockets, given her inexperience in handling missions of this size, but they were gone, or perhaps she had left them. Who knows, the fog made it damn near impossible to see anything.

Even with the weather hiding her, she had taken precautions to hide her identity. Clad in brandless black clothes for ease of movement and a simple white smiley-face mask, the only thing that might reveal her would be the long blue hair, which she had done her best to tuck into her clothes so it wouldn’t be swinging around. Still, the color would be visible to anyone that got close.

Though she said nothing as the voice of their leader boomed through the communications device. An audible gulp escaped her. She tried to push away the mental pressure she was experiencing and steeling her resolve, yet there was always that slimmer of doubt in her mind as she would continue to make her way through the fog toward the glittering Primal Point. Though for a moment she wondered

kZWWFB1J



MASK: Smiley Mask
LOCATION: MT. Pyre
TLDR:
- Creeping alongside some graves in the fog
- Got lost from those she was meant to follow
- Tries to convince herself that this is the right thing to do.

@rocketganggang

“Adrian Malcolm ? Like that guy from Teravolt?” Johanna had to ask. Now that the Drakloak had accepted the name she could actually focus on the words that Del Mar offered her.

She gave him a nod as he explained the origin of Xanthos, and while she wasn’t too into linguistics, she had figured it held some significance like that. “Well, it’s certainly a fitting name.” Johanna agreed. There wasn’t much else to it, really.

“So, how long have you had Xanthos?” She asked a rather basic question perhaps. But, hey by keeping the small talk going perhaps he would inadvertently reveal his identity without her ignorance being brought to light.

Meanwhile, the Council of ghost-artists had reached a conclusion they all agreed to disagree. Just in time as a wild Sableye waltzed in ASTONISHING them all through the combined efforts of Shadow Sneak and ASTONISH. It’s Prankster’s nature to bid it to throw a wrench in their machine.

At first the Pokémon there was hesitant, but then it Flattered them into submission only for it to confuse them as it dropped words of wisdom. Art was but a falsehood meant to perpetuate a tyrannical society.

With these words given the roaring flames of debate returned. Ghastly words were exchanged some nice others not so much. Yet all stayed, even the Sableye for they all knew though their opinions differed they were all among kindred spirits.




OOC: Trying to catch Sableye
LOCATION: MT. PYRE.

Pallosand was prepared. Its resolve steeled as it watched the axe of a second death being brought down. It didn’t even close its eyes as it greeted death with open eyes, or so it would have. But the axe never reached him, instead, both ghosts were bathed in a steady stream of Heal pulses. While the Haunter was already out cold by then, the Pallosand appreciated the gesture and even thanked the Galarian Rapidash for it.

Meanwhile, the Houndour kept trying to pounce over the rocks and failing to do so until the Aggron tore down its rocky prison. And though all the Aggron did was rumble appreciatively alongside the jingle from Ringo, Houndour had time for neither gesture. All its thoughts were on Johanna. It rushed over to her as if it had been able to sense her emotional distress.

Yes, she was confused. They had lost. Why were they celebrating? The tension that had found her before did not wish to let go. So accustomed to being a disappointment was she that even though she was TRYING not to think and behave like that, it still happened. But then Johanna found the warm snout of her Houndour against her curled fist. And suddenly the tension was gone. She allowed her hand to pat the valiant canine Pokémon. A smile spread on her lips.

Oh right… She remembered the objective of this battle. A flush spread over her cheeks as Isaac complemented her performance. If only he had been able to see into her mind he would know she was far from in charge. But perhaps that didn’t matter? The thought crossed her mind. As long as she had seemed like she was in charge, didn’t that mean she had actually been in charge?

She would have to mull it over some more. For now, she took Isaacs’s explanation and more importantly praise and stored it all in what would be one of her Team Rocket Core Memories. “I guess you are right… I suppose my Pokémon did do pretty well.” The Houndour demanded more pets from Johanna and would continue to do.

Where Johanna was hesitant to accept praise, Pallosand was quick to bathe in it alongside what was left of the Healing pulses. It Formed a smile out of its sand it sends its best impression of a sandy thumbs-up toward Isaac. It then, with Haunter covered in its sand slithered against the beach over to Johanna and snagged Haunter’s Pokéball, retrieving the ghastly ghost from inside it keeping Johanna in the dark about Haunter’s state of consciousness.

The Galarian Rapidash fell to the hypnosis. For a moment Haunter would sigh in relief. Only for flames to shoot out around it, capturing it in a circle. It looked confused, but then its eyes fell upon the Jolteon and it all made sense. Perhaps slightly infuriated that this Jolteon dared steal a technique from its friend and so gathered a Ball of ghastly energy, and fired the SHADOW BALL through the fiery Prison towards the Jolteon. (Having completely forgotten much difficulty he had when he tried to hit it before)

Unfortunately, since its focus was on the Jolteon, it did not see that the Galarian Rapidash had been pulled out of its sleep. And so, it felt the stinging slash of yet another Psycho Cut upon its back. It howled in pain as its vision grew blurry, it began to fall from the air, getting singed by the fire in the process before he could correct his course. But by then it was too late, he landed upon a coarse bed of sand. Barely holding onto what was left of his consciousness. He definitely did not have the strength to fly anymore.

Houndour was caught in the Rock Tomb, and though it tried to jump from rock to rock to ascend the prison it could not do so.

Pallosand felt a surge of energy as the GIGA DRAIN hit and sucked in the energy. With what power it, it quickly saw how the battlefield was evolving, and it didn’t like the look of it one bit. Houndour was caught in a Prison, and so was Haunter. But of the two it knew Haunter would be more important.

Seeing how the Duskull broke off a piece of its soul. Pallosand knew what was up. But perhaps it could still save its ghastly friend. Ignoring everything else it shot through the sand at a sprint almost never seen in the wilds. Breaking through the barrier of fire, feeling its hot caress as it surrounded itself around the Haunter and build itself like a protective Sandcastle as it used SHORE UP.

Unfortunately, the Curse did not care. Duskull’s intent was clear and so the curse passed through the Pallosand and hit the Haunter. The Darkness swallowed the Haunter as it lost consciousness. The Pallosand noticed the fading friend, and yet it kept doing its thing. Perhaps tricking the opponents to think Haunter was still very much a threat.

But Johanna knew the truth. And should Isaac look upon her face he would see the concern on her face, or perhaps he would simply notice how her hands were curling into fists from sheer effort to keep herself from halting the match right there.

She knew the match was lost. But if Pallosand’s bluff paid off they’d have succeeded in holding out for those three turns.

TLDR:
- Haunter fires SHADOW BALL at Jolteon, but gets hit by Psycho Cut.
- Haunter falls to the ground barely consciousness after taking Fire Spin Damage
- Houndour is caught.
- Pallosand gets energy from GIGA DRAIN and goes to protect the Haunter with its body while using SHORE UP hoping to bluff Haunter’s continued presence.
- Haunter is hit by CURSE, Haunter faints.
- Johanna’s Pokerface is bad.