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You know... Ashley didn't expect this today. Well, he did. He made a promise, and his Roaring Moon, and Naia's Zweilous kept it. And it was as horrifying as he expected it to be. Hearing it alone was a lot to handle, but when she had the little two-headed dragon pull their meal away.[break][break]

He'd have to thank her for the reduction in noise.[break][break]

As she began to examine him with a doctor's eye, he thinks nothing of how this must look from afar. To him, it was innocent enough.[break][break]

Her question led to him immediately responding. "Nah. Nothing like that. Just can feel it now with the adrenaline down." He hardly has time to process it, as she takes a glove off, and jerks him towards her, scooting him, and yanking the man to a more slouched lean, using the wall as support, and he felt the icy chill of her hand, and he shivers, only to feel discomfort at her pressing of the wound. "Yup. That's tender. Great. Kep is gonna kill me."[break][break]

A pained laugh comes through the pain, as his lips turn troubled. It wasn't so much that he would throw up, but he knew how tender that area was now.[break][break]

Her mandate to him to visit a hospital at any sign of complication has him laugh, as he gives a light toothy grin. "You sound like my partner. Trust me, I wouldn't be able to get through the night without it." He informs her, before getting up to grab his clothes, helping to wring them out himself.[break][break]

Pulling the shirt back on, uncomfortable and we as it was, he moves to grab at his side. Light pain, but not unbearable! He gestures with a thumb. "Come on. Let's go celebrate your first mission success. Milkshakes are on me."[break][break]

She needed to be rewarded for saving his life, after all. He wouldn't take no for an answer.

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It hurt.[break][break]

It really did. Not knowing what really ripped into Isaac like this was really cutting into him. It felt like... being torn at the seams. It changed for the better in some regards, and worse in the others. Ripping into him.[break][break]

He speaks, and lets Isaac just... take a moment. He can tell there's enough on the blonde's mind to weigh him down like shackles; Ash would know, the shackles continue trying to pull him down. But he was here, all the same. He was-[break][break]

The hug disarms him, and his arms at his side, he feels himself slowly close around Isaac. It's no longer him trying to smile. Ash's eyes are tearing up, as he pats his back, and just... settles.[break][break]

What else can he do?[break][break]

Isaac was his closest friend. He just needed to be here for that.[break][break]

"Whatever it is, no matter what. I'll be here to listen." The request, the plea, agonizing words leave his lips, and all he can do is feel the free fall begin. His heart sinks.[break][break]

...[break][break]

Because for some reason.[break][break]

He felt like he had an inkling as to where this was going. After all... he was here years ago with jayden cross.

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Why...[break][break]

Did it feel so cold?[break][break]

Chili enjoyed Watson's company, the zeroth brain cell allowing the gator squad to run in, run out, run in, run out, chase each other. It was a lighter scene than whatever the boys were talking about.[break][break]

Reminded him of before Meteno.[break][break]

But this one had a different air to it. An air of finality to it, like... this was the last time they would talk like this. It started to weigh on Ash heavily. In fact, it did so much that as he stared on, and frowned, he turns to the side, seeing Chili and Watson play, it helped him stay above water, as it were.[break][break]

Anything to keep from drowning.[break][break]

Okay as it can be? What does that mean? His expression doesn't sour, but concern is visible. So, he sets himself down on the beach, and looks out at the sea with him.[break][break]

"You know, we met out on Slateport Beach almost a year ago. Like this one. Hoenn is pretty wild, and I wanted to help Grimace be able to breathe." He took a second, and regaled the tale of their first meeting, feeling it necessary to think back on their hayday. "Ever since then, you've done so much for me. You've acted like my rock. You've grounded me. You let me meet a wonderful person that I get to love, and you've kept me from drowning in the tar pit of Rocket multiple times." He's brighter... maybe that was kepler brueshaber's doing, or a combination of any of the Rockets, like Naia Kayode, Cillian Quinn, or Eris Halla. Or those few League members he got to be near.[break][break]

"I can tell something is on your mind. You've helped me, so... shoot. Let me listen in. No judgment. Anything you say is just between us. Okay?" It's a small plea. A hope that Isaac won't just disappear.[break][break]

Isaac still called him a good person, after everything. Isaac was too. He deserved it.

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Naia was still concerned, and Ash can see why. Bulletproof vests can stop a bullet, but the impact of the shot itself still leaves something to be desired. While it didn't feel bloody, he did feel a little winded. If Kep ever did get to know, he'd probably have his ass handed to him. Maybe verbally, anyways.[break][break]

Still. This, was exactly why he took these precautions. One, to help teach. The other... for his own safety.[break][break]

Seeing her make the final shot, an insurance that the man who betrayed Rocket lay in a bloody heap now. Let alone, when Zwei came to... finish up. It only reminded Ashley what the plan was. Hide the body, and by that... he saw his Roaring Moon again, and the bloody smile was only added with skin flakes.[break][break]

That wasn't exactly imagery Ashley needed to see, but as he pets the dragon, he gets up to a sitting position, and doesn't argue with Naia. Quite the contrary, he throws off his hoodie, and shirt underneath, allowing Naia to see the vest. It hadn't gotten much past the vest, indenting it, but it did feel uncomfortable, as Ash winces, pulling that off too. Genetics good, and exercise lifestyle even better, it seemed.[break][break]

A heavy bruise now sits on Ashley's side, as well as a couple of other scars Naia can now see on the more toned body Ashley has. His left arm is coated in tattoos, and a heavy scar on the center of the lower arm, like a tooth punctured it, though the tattoo seemed to cover it. A heavy wound on his side that scarred over from a knife. A number of wounds, and probably, one of the more damning ones.[break][break]

Very light, but very visible scarring on his arms.[break][break]

"Hurts just a bit... appreciate you checking it out though." Ash appreciated the work Naia was doing to assist.

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So much has gone down recently. How long had it been since he even saw the guy? He didn't know what to say. The last time, he made a promise for no more bloodshed. He did.[break][break]

And he kept to that recently.[break][break]

Carrying with him, a little gator boy, a Fuecoco he named Chili, he would reach the beach of the little island of Mossdeep. Isolated, but not Sootopolis level. A beach, like the first place they met. He spotted Isaac without much trouble, letting the Fuecoco hop off, and begin to chase the ebb and flow of the waves, running before he got wet.[break][break]

He chooses his words carefully.[break][break]

"Isaac."[break][break]

He was quiet to start with, dressed in a hoodie, shorts, and some sandals. Little else.[break][break]

"Life treatin' ya okay?"

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Awkward as the silence is, as Ash ruffles the gooey slug, Eris does cock her head at the idea of the protect itself, and her idea was a little more nuanced than Ash's own. Rolling the idea of blowing a bubble to solidify... he turns to Laguna.[break][break]

"Wanna give it a shot, bud?" The little guy begins to scurry forward, and in Ash's grasp, another pebble.[break][break]

Listening to Eris, maybe this would work out! As the little Goomy begins to pull up its sludge to blow a bubble like bubble gum, Ashley tosses the pebble at the bubble.[break][break]

And like gum, it gets caught in that bubble, before it pops altogether.[break][break]

Ash's jaw hangs loose. Eris was right on the first time. It was a matter of perspective. Scratching his cheek, he turns with a smile towards her. "That seemed to work out a lot better... still think it could use work, but... it's a start!"[break][break]

Laguna, in his own little happiness, begins blowing many, many, gooey bubbles into the air, a little dance creating now pouring rain. RAIN DANCE. And Ashley didn't bring an umbrella.[break][break]

"H... happy for you, buddy."[break][break]

How could he be mad at that little slug man? Shooting Eris a smile at least, even in the new rain, he starts laughing. Jelly would have loved this. A tear begins to stream down his face.[break][break]

...

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Man, was he glad to have bought a bulletproof vest this time.[break][break]

Seems he learned after his little inning with his father, and the moment the bullet entered the jacket, it caused Ashley to fall over. It didn't pierce the vest, meaning the vendor he got it from was sure as hell a good one, but in truth... this was a test for Naia, as well as an ambush tactic. If Naia could pull it off, then he could look on her proudly. But, if it went south... Ashley would get up and snap the guy's neck.[break][break]

Watching her in real time though was something else.[break][break]

With a smirk on his face on the ground, he could enjoy the sights of her onslaught. A Dragon Pulse to provide cover in order to get to cover, but the show was only half done. She ran out of that cover, and then another few seconds, she ran out again. Ah... the Zorua. Colie.[break][break]

The ancient Salamence almost ruined the ploy, as he got closer to look, only for Ash to point to the other guy. The target would be Naia's, if her plan was to fruition, and as the man raised a gun to fire out at Naia in fear, screams would fill the alleyway as the ancient Salamence would full-on devour the other of the two, tearing in.[break][break]

Sparing details...[break][break]

As the Zorua fired off the Night Daze, the target would feel that corrosive dark energy on his face, before giving a bloodcurtling scream, and the moment Naia was on him, he knew she had it all covered. As she rose the gun, he felt a bite on his leg, and he bit his lip to keep from crying out.[break][break]

Two. Three. Four. She kept pulling the trigger. All shots silent as the night, as the target falls over from the bullet wounds and the burning face, no doubt bleeding out now.[break][break]

Ashley, now done with laying down, turns over, as he chuckles, though sounding slightly pained by a biting little fox.[break][break]

"Well done, Naia." He coos out, a toothy grin as he looks to little Colie and gives a small pet. "Got it handled, little one." He smirks, before lifting his hoodie to reveal his ace in the hole. The bullet having not pierced the vest itself.[break][break]

"Bulletproof vest."[break][break]

The whole act from the Roaring Moon had the Breloom, Perzerker, and Gengar flee in terror. These two were crazy. They beat one to unconsciousness, shot another, and fully just ate a guy! That dragon was the last straw. So, now proud of themselves, and walking with a waddle, the Roaring Moon's rosy maw looked at both of them with glee. They did great! They ate a guy![break][break]

"Honest flying colors."[break][break]

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The ancient Salamence begins tearing through into the Perzerker, a METAL CLAW attempting to slash through its neck from the cat, as the beast charges and throws the cat through the alleyway without much effort. Sixty pounds of Steel type force soar through the air, as the Gengar and Breloom would begin to aim towards the dragon... until a nasty little Zweilous utilized Scary Face, the nasty move causing both mon to hesitate, as they could feel that sinister aura.[break][break]

And the Roaring Moon's counter was all the better for it, as Ashley smiles to Naia, and looks to his ancient Salamence. "Spin."[break][break]

With a devastating BREAKING SWIPE, the dragon literally spins into the air, swiping their wings to slap both the Breloom and Gengar in the face, and into the respective walls, but it isn't done. Ashley quickly speeds underneath the dragon, sliding below the beast, and the hostile man nearest to them, as he gets back to his feet finds a lovely intimacy into the wall with his face, Ashley not needing the pistol to do his work.[break][break]

While the Breloom attempts to come at Ashley with a SKY UPPERCUT, missing due to its slower speed, the Gengar decides to go after the little dragon that attempted to dismantle them. With a quick seep into the shadows, they appear behind Zwei, and go in for a DRAIN PUNCH, attempting to get their energy back, and giving Naia a very pointed look.[break][break]

It only gets messier though, as Roaring Moon pulls the Breloom back to him, to come at him.[break][break]

Ashley feels the barrel of steel against the back of his head, and he stops in place, letting the man he downed go, only to see the man holding the pistol to his back. "Well well well... looks like you weren't half shit after all, Sawyer."[break][break]

Ash gives one more look to Naia, and smiles with a nod. His serious demeanor comes back. "Bite m-"[break][break]

BANG[break][break]

The man watches Ash fall to the ground, and proceeds to hold the pistol up to where Naia is. "Run, little girl. Back to Rocket. Wouldn't want to kill such a pretty face."[break][break]

Naia had a choice now. Fight or flight time.[break][break]

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There's something to be said for her initiative, and Ashley respects it. It isn't something he wants for her, but he can't just act as a papa bird and assume she will never kill. Better she learns in the controlled environment.[break][break]

So when she takes the pistol, and they round the corner, Ash's face lights up, as he realizes what's going on, and is thrown back before the gunshot can connect with him, and instead zips past Naia.[break][break]

This deserter just made a fucking mistake.[break][break]

As soon as he rolled backwards, Ashley slides, but in that motion, returns Cocoa and throws another ball out ahead of her. This one, a volatile beast found in the unknown space of the Interdream. A paradox being, and as the ball releases to the ancient Salamence, Ashley gets up, wiping himself off as he gives the three men a glare in the rain. The cut on Naia's face infuriates him. Burning fire returning.[break][break]

"Shit... it's Sawyer."[break][break]

"Yes. It's me. You just hurt MY subordinate. So let me be clear-" He takes a step forward, and though the duo are outnumbered, he cracks his numbers.[break][break]

"I'll make sure no one finds the body. Dragon Rush."[break][break]

The ancient Salamence charges at the Perzerker, and Ash looks to Naia. With a single nod, he make sure she's okay first, as he approaches to cover, the Salamence throwing everything into a slam at the cat, roaring with such a volume as to make anyone run in fear, the Breloom and Gengar returning in kind.[break][break]

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The idea was something therapuetic to take a load off with. Ashley promised Kep he'd only go do it to try and clear his mind. Simple horseback riding. No chance in hell he would get attacked. So, here he was, intent to ride horses. He always did want to as a child, but well...[break][break]

An asshole foster father said it was too much of a sissy thing to want to ride horses. That was foster dad number two. That one lasted three weeks.[break][break]

The instructor was busy placing them around, only for him to bump into someone, his little Goomy, Laguna, attached to his shoulder, as Ashley, now fully visible, gives a smile to the blonde, not recognizing them in the slightest. "Don't worry about it, man. You okay?"[break][break]

This was a much different side to Ash. As his little Goomy squelches and makes weird gooey noises, Ashley... acts cordial? And sweet? "Here for the Mudsdale too? Used to love 'em back in the day."

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While her smile definitely seemed more awkward than normal, it was the thought that counted. Being completely honest, her attempts were almost precious, and Ashley just kind of shot one back at her, only to respond with "Takes practice. Don't sweat it." Cocoa immediately finding her way around the girl's shoulders, and enjoying the sight.[break][break]

He could feel his arm getting closer, and it wasn't that Ashley wasn't self-conscious, but he was unafraid. It didn't bother him so much as the killing part did. If anything, this was two friends walking the street who were making it look different so they didn't draw attention.[break][break]

And once they got the deserter alone, it'd be done. The deserter turns a corner into an alleyway up ahead.[break][break]

Still. Had to get to that phase first, and as Ashley turned his head to respond, he merely turns his head forward. "I know the feeling. They only get longer." He still remembers the one hour of sleep he got from the hit on his birth father. That day was long enough to drag on and on and on and on and on and on and on.[break][break]

Didn't invalidate her day though. Maybe she had a lot happen today, so he just tries to comfort her. "... last chance before we turn the corner. You do it? Or me? Giving you the option."[break][break]

And in his hand was the deadly instrument; a pistol with a silencer, held out for only the duo, and Cocoa, to see. His silver eyes are serious, no air of smile on his face. Pure, unadulterated confidence. Him. Or her. One of them was going to gun them down.[break][break]

And that would be that.

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Ash smiles, happy to have made a new friend. Naia was a sweet girl, and being a greenhorn wasn't a bad thing. Maybe... in some way, Ashley wanted to precede over her training aspects on the field, so to her response, he parrots back.[break][break]

"That's that then."[break][break]

It was so simple in his head. If she wasn't great at battles? Ash would help get her on the right path. If she needed to learn, he'd teach her how. In Ash's mind, it went that easy. Hopefully, Naia would be okay with that too... after all, Cocoa could see her more. She apparently liked Naia, so-[break][break]

Naia must have been a positive influence.[break][break]

From the front door of the Devon Corp building, a man in black holding an umbrella began to walk out into the city, Ashley's silver eyes looking that direction. He takes a breath in, as he watches him mingle into the streets.[break][break]

Using the moment to their advantage, he looks to his recruit. "Grab onto my arm and walk with me. Look inconspicuous. Smile. We're going to tail him." He smiles, and holds his hand out to a loop. It was just one mission. It was all pretend anyways, he'd hope.[break][break]

Waiting on her mark, he begins walking, umbrella covering them through the rain, hunters in the summer rain.

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Still virgin when it come to rosy palms... Ashley can't help but smile. When he was younger, he could have said that too. Could have. But the amount of dead men behind him was staggering in number. He could count a few that stuck out. Jubilee. The candidate for Kanto political power that nearly had Kep killed in the Border. The missing person Zev trained him for. The one person who tried to be a hero and paid for it in Ultra Sea.[break][break]

And his birth father. Bitter, though the knife wound had healed. But the memory stayed like the scar on his side, one that he'd never get rid of.[break][break]

Naia raises philosophy, as Ashley cranes his head over, the little Zorua moving to suck up as much bitterness from the coffee as she could. Even if it was ruined by the sweetness of lesser beings, she could still enjoy it, so much so that she was hopping onto Naia's shoulder to drink from the coffee, seeing as she was lower to the ground than Ash. It was working.[break][break]

His lips part as Naia speaks. That was wisdom he didn't have, and much needed. His silver eyes blink, and for a moment, that same smile, much more genuine, took its place.[break][break]

"Your dad's a smart cookie." He can feel himself wishing to wax poetically about it all, but the rain is helping him clear his mind. "Glad you're the recruit I got assigned to. I needed that." That really was saving his soul a bit. A lesson he touched on in Mt. Pyre during Meteno, now exemplified in a few short words with a recruit he hardly knew.[break][break]

As the Zorua continues drinking, he looks down, and raises a brow. "Maybe I'll call you Cocoa?" The little Zorua stops, face turning, genuine for a moment... and for the first time to Ashley, she shrugs, before taking another coffee gulp.[break][break]

Ah. Bingo.[break][break]

"Who knows. Maybe I will have more missions with you after all." It's a sweet friendship-inspiring moment.

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