For a few, glorious moments, Nico flew.

Coasting uneasily through space on a metal surf board was a level of flight Nico never thought he'd achieved, yet always dreamed of. Even though the board was unsteady. Matthew flew alongside him, and he let out a delirious laugh, astounded his idea actually worked.

...Sort of. As they rapidly approached the surface of the meteor, Nico realized a fatal flaw that he hadn't even considered; how to land.

It seemed as though Matthew realized the error at the same time. His boyfriend all-but swooped in to cushion the blow. Both of them had been aiming for what they mistakenly perceived was a "cave entrance." In reality, it was a steep rock face with top to land on, and this sent the small group plunging into the side. It would have almost been comical if it weren't for the heavy damage Matthew and Oto withstood- Teri was blessed with only a bit of a rough landing as she tucked and rolled with the impact. Nico had no idea how, but he'd managed to avoid any personal damage. Probably thanks to Matthew.

Teri had the face of a Typhlosion that had seen some impossible sh-

The shock of the crash left Nico battered and woozy in his suit, but the feelings wore off quickly, immediately rattled at the pained words coming out of his boyfriend. "You're hurt!" He exclaimed, even as they both scrambled to find cover from the chaos happening above and distantly around them. Quickly returning a tired and battered Teri to then send out Tekka.

An unusually large Umbreon purred softly as she took form, her dark blue rings glowing very dimly as she calmly looked over the two, and Dagger. "Hold still, Matty- Moonlight, Tekka."

The dim rings on the Umbreon glowed brighter as she illuminated with a similar light to the moon, leaning back on her hind legs to then reach up and place a paw on Mattew's space suit, right above his chest.

Although Nico couldn't help notice the distant, beautiful sight of their planet, he focused more on his injured paramour.

Matt Vice

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Nico was thrilled when Josh and Saber got straight up after their slide, but they were already charging forward! A certain thrill ran through his spine as the two 'mons raced for the long jump, the thrill only duplicating as they approached the long jump. This was nothing. Their hours trekking through uncharted mountain ranges demanded far longer jumps, yet not always at this speed! Grinning and shifting forward at the right time, the pair clearing the air and landing easily. Nico wasn't surprised or bothered that Josh had raced ahead, Saber finally able to accelerate properly! Honestly, Nico only hoped for more fun obstacles in this race!

However, the obstacle ahead was not one Nico wanted to touch. The eggs littering the track looked like a damn minefield, and if this hadn't been his first race, Nico may have tried to run straight through just as Josh did. Instead, the inexperienced rider opted for the safer route, grasping at Lilypad's horn lightly to indicate his thought process. Luckily, she gave him no attitude, only letting out an unimpressed snort as they veered for the wider turn. "Oh, you bored?" Nico mused at his grass-type, grasping at particular bunch of leaves. "Let's do some good turns then!"

Just before the sharp 90 degree turns, they would kick off into the air, Lilypad pivoting to turn her body and slide through the turns with practiced ease.

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The fly was surprisingly smooth! Nico was grinning proudly, looking over the view and enjoying the wind ruffling his hair and clothes. Flying had always been a delightful experience. Especially since he'd grown up taking many flying trips in the air. I really need to find a bird pokemon... Nico decided.

All too soon, their flight had ended, and after carefully helping the thrilled women off the basket, Nico suddenly went to hug Matt, "That was fun!! Being a flying taxi is kind've a neat job." Such a naive comment as Nico was oblivious to the daily challenges he and Matt had luckily side-stepped today.

Matt Vice

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The 'saddling' process went over relatively smoothly, all things considered. They let Oto take his time and decide the pace, and soon enough, the bird was successfully doing test flights! Nico honestly wondered if the bird preferred the equipment over having two humans saddled to his back... "You're the best, Oto! I think we're ready to do this- so who's first?!"

A number of tourists had already left after realizing how unpracticed Nico and Matt were at this job as volunteers... But a daring-looking pair of old ladies soon approached. "That'll be us!! I came here to fly and dammit, I will fly tonight!" One of the ladies declared, earning a broad, approving grin from Nico.

"Welcome aboard, ladies! There's lots to see from the sky." Nico announced, letting the two file into the basket before following alongside his boyfriend. "Nice and easy, Oto!"

Matt Vice

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"Yeah, it sorta is!" Nico agreed, eagerly watching as Oto was sent out. He hadn't found the right bird pokemon for him, but having Matthew's flying-type to dote on easily filled the void. Smiling wide as he greeted the bird with a nice scratch under his beak, "Hey buddy! We just wanna take a little ride across town, but instead of us sitting on your feathers, you're gonna carry us with equipment! Kinda like a big nest?" He began leading the bird toward the ride equipment, "We'll go slow and make sure it's comfy on you first though, alright?"

Hopefully the process of getting Oto saddled up didn't take too long, and the group would soon be ready for a relaxing flight across the trees.

Matt Vice

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"Eheheheh... I figured as much." Nico relented, laughing breathlessly. Another deep breath, and they both dove once more. Matt took care of a different attacker, while Nico beelined it straight for his Milotic, just in time to see her shooing off a fleeing Mareanie. She seemed calmer now, though he could spot a few pained grimaces in her face. He reached forward to pat her neck, and pointed to the surface, silently convincing his water-type to listen as she begrudgingly swam toward the surface.

Their work hadn't gone unnoticed. Many other Mareanie began fleeing the area, avoiding the giant, easily annoyed Milotic and even baffled at Matthew's intervention. Nico saw the area looked relatively cleared, and signaled to Matthew once he could catch the other's eye, swimming to the surface once more.

"Hang in there, girl!" He called out after a breath of water, swimming to his dejected Milotic's side. The pair waited for Matthew's return, before he began to explain. "I think she just got irritated by them... But she may also be poisoned. Town isn't too far! Let's get to the docks and I'll make it up to you with some dinner, okay?"

Matt Vice

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The Reversal connected. Although Matthew seemingly miscalculated in sending a fighting-type against the flying-type, this ultimately only served to boost Reversal’s power due to Dagger’s lower health. The fragile bird squawked in pain as it was slammed to the ground, a less effective move but still causing damage nonetheless. Not knowing which of his Pokemon to bring out, Nico instead decided to go for the intimidation factor. Quickly approaching both pokemon- a bold move, since he essentially stepped out onto the battle field. The Staravia had been slammed to the ground, and Nico used his height to loom over the bird, eyes harsh and teeth gritted as his lips were pulled back in a grimace.

”You. Are leaving.” Nico spoke, communicating more with an exaggerated, threatening tone. His glare wide and fixed on the bird, whom froze upon realizing a human was hovering over them so closely. ”NOW!” One good shout, and the bird took off.

”…We’re lucky that was just a smaller guy.” Nico sighed once the literal dust had settled, ”Teenagers tend to be all bark and no bite… Great job, Dagger! You set that up perfectly for me!” He bubbled, switching right back into his normal self after dropping the intimidation act.

Matt Vice

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Nico didn't need to hear Matt to know he was incredulous at him, maybe even outraged. The second Milotic had dove down, he knew there would be anger from his boyfriend, but he also knew that they could deal with it later. Nico only had one thing on his mind, and that was the task at hand. Helping his Pokemon, and by extension, the corsola... apparently.

Eyes glinting with steely resolve, Nico used his webbed gloves to his advantage, swimming back down to reach the coiling, writhing mass that was his Milotic, and an unfortunate Mareanie trapped between her scales. The wild Pokemon's appearance alone told Nico that poison was involved, and he winced at the thorns stabbing into his water-type's body. Though they were close to the town, riding a poisoned pokemon would be near-perilous. Hastily, he fetched her pokeball to return her, only to see Matthew swimming forward and physically ripping the two Pokemon apart. Impressive!

Nico quickly swam in her way, the Milotic turned her anger on her trainer, until seeing the motions he was making. Using his arm to draw a ring in the water, fixing her with a stern expression from his eyes. She let out a hesitant call, eyes shimmering and muscles tensing as a ring of water formed around her. Aqua Ring to keep herself healthy, as Nico knew for certain she was poisoned. Then, he nodded, pointing at the next predating Mareanie. Instantly, the Milotic surged forward, coiling around her next victim as he trainer was forced to swim up to the surface for air, gesturing for Matthew to follow.

"Thanks." Nico gasped out once they breached the water, "I think she's just angry." He breathed, "I think if we chase a few more predators off, we can get to town..."

Matt Vice

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(TLDR!: Nico escaped the league rocket via escape pod, his escape pod broke apart. He used a slab of metal from the escape pod and his Typhlosion's Flamethrower to literally surf through space. Matt Vice was trying to help Nico and is now invited to join on Nico's space surf board!)

Nico was not lucky enough today. Much like its parent rocket, his escape pod sustained heavy damage. Not from any direct attacks, but rather from collisions. Debris of all kinds now littered space, pieces of the rocket and other pods were coating the upper atmospheres enough to slam into his small pod. Juvon’s light screen was useless against physical clashes like these. Blaring alarms mixed with Nico getting slammed against the wall, instantly clinging to a convenient handle to keep himself from getting tossed around inside the pod. His Pikachu, panicked and wide-eyed, was quickly returned to his Pokeball for his own safety. Nico could only pray his suit would stay intact, especially upon realizing a large section of the pods outer wall was bent open. ”Shit…”

As his pod careened uncontrollably off-course, gushing thick smoke from its engines the whole way… The trainer came to realize; soon he wouldn’t have an intact pod anymore. Panic could not begin to come close to what Nico was feeling. But it was a calm, uneasy panic. As if he transcended fears and awareness to instead operate on pure survival adrenalin. No rocket, no pod… However, Nico did have an intact suit. He did have a fire-type… As he stared through the glass displays, the smoke trail left by his own pod gave him an idea. The long strips of metal gave him another idea. An idea so simple… ”This might just work…”

Something in the escape pod’s engine had finally given up. The smoke it emitted redoubled as it sputtered and suddenly broke apart, losing its grip on the pod’s shell and dragging listlessly behind the pod. Nico watched as the smaller engine drifted further and further behind before igniting in a second mini explosion, now useless and leaving his pod soaring by pure momentum alone. Metallic walls crumbled and broke apart around him, a seam having been broken open and slowly ripping apart as the pod had no integrity left. An entire wall of his escape pod could be ripped off with the slightest of pressure, even just one good kick…

”We have no choice.” Nico concluded. With no time to panic or second guess his crazy idea, he decided to commit, bringing out a new Pokeball to let Teri take form inside the pod. It was a tight fit with the shiny Typhlosion taking up space, but it wouldn’t be tight for long. ”Teri,” Nico began, grasping the beasts chin to bring her to eye level in front of his suit, quelling any panic that may have erupted from the confused fire-type, ”please trust me. Hold on tight to this wall.” One of his hands released her chin, letting her turn her head to the long, loose piece of metal still barely clinging to their pod. ”Do not let go. I will be doing the exact same, right behind you. We are riding this wall like it’s a rock on top of raging lava. Your fire will move this rock. Do not turn your head away, be sure to and listen for my command when I tell you to fire. Okay?”

The Pokemon, of course, did not understand. She couldn’t fathom the crazy idea’s her trainer had. It was his tone of voice she understood. His specific instruction and near-desperate conviction were both wordless languages she did understand. A deep throated purr echoed from her throat, shoving her nose hard against his suit in an obvious affectionate display before bluntly moving into position on the wall, claws digging tight into the metal. ”Thank you, Teri…”

Finally, the pod split apart. Nico jumped from one side of the pod onto the wall, knocking it free from the structure and sending both he and his Typhlosion free-falling across the upper atmosphere on nothing but a sheet of metal. ”Fire!” He shouted through his suits speakers, and his Typhlosion let loose a Flamethrower that sent the duo flying through the air, escaping the smoke left behind by his now-abandoned escape pod. Immediately, the blond was shocked to see Matt Vice !! Matthew had literally flew through space just for him! His heart raced after skipping a few beats, and Nico was grinning wide at Matthew as the fire-type and him surfed through the upper atmosphere. ”Matty!! Oto!! Come on board~!”

Even if they no longer had a rocket ship, Nico was determined to still reach the meteor, stretching out one of his arms to reach for Matt so he could join on their rickety space-canoe.

Staying out of the way and remaining unnoticed was unsurprisingly easy to accomplish for Nico. He made himself look busy, and allowed everyone else to focus on their own thoughts, giving no one a reason to pay him any heed. Most of the blonds thoughts were scattered, drifting over Matthew, his family, flying in space, and of course, the meteor. Nico was the thoughtful sort, especially when he had to separate from Matthew for 'safety'.

But everything seemed to escalate all around them. Although a literal space battle wasn't surprising, a glimpse of something indescribable had sent Nico running for his boyfriend. Luck and careful planning allowed him to find Matthew on the ship relatively quickly, and no doubt, both had the same idea in mind. "We're going to the escape pods!"

Confident that his boyfriend would follow closely behind, they were both two of many that managed to flee the rocket via an escape pod. Nico was barely able to make out the reflection of his own face as he stared through the escape pod's clear windows. Watching a black hole encase the rocket, where they had been moments before...

Nico didn't have many words to say in that moment, but his mind worked to get back on track. To do something, no matter how fruitless... He'd reach for one of the Pokeballs stored neatly against his space suit (thankful that he had the suit as well), allowing Juvon jump out in the pod, ears twitching in an anxious manner. "Light screen." Nico said simply, knowing it was the only thing they could do to protect their pod.

Matt Vice

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Nico's search yielded nothing so far, but he wasn't deterred just yet. Footsteps prompted him to turn and address the approaching individual, only to see no one there. Standing calmly nearby was Tekka, her glowing eyes boring into him. "...you heard that?" He questioned, but the Umbreon only stared wordlessly at him. "...okay... Um... Help me out here, 'kay?"

Rather than help him search through the room, the fox tilted her head. A brief glow circled her eyes and her ears twitched as she instead used Helping Hand on her trainer.

"...great. Thanks. That'll keep the footsteps away..."

Dione Sutoringu Isaac Merlo Ashley Shepard=

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