Matt held up his hand at him. "I've thought about all this." It was a low mumble. "I already had been on the fence about this... and honestly considered telling you the day I got shot." The huff. "Gonna beat that fucker." Well there's that silly Matt.

"I don't plan to rise in the ranks... Just do what I need to do."

His leg was beginning to to jiggle, staring off. "Whatever it takes to protect the people I care about. You've already seen what I'd do."

Isaac Merlo

Matt had caught the tell end, looking up towards Josh. Frowning, he brought his hand to his face. Did Josh just... not understand how he felt? Sometimes Matt wondered if Josh was the childish one. To blindly follow his dreams and not think of the other stuff..

He scoffed.

Though as they stopped, a brow raised at... that. Well he didn't know that. Slowly coming up, he looked at the water, and Nana growled at it, turning her nose up, she was not getting anywhere near that!

Julia Davis

Matt expected this from Isaac, really. But Matt was always one to go head first into something, with barely a plan. But this time... he had a plan.

"I helped raise six kids, Isaac." His siblings. "I watched them grow up until I moved out with Nico." And he would do absolutely anything for Nico and his family.

"I taught them right from wrong. This... this whole thing. Is wrong." A head shake. It hurt. A lot. "Even with certain people, they're... allowing this to happen. It's not. Good." He honestly couldn't believe Josh was going to allow people to be damned to death by a space rock.

"If you don't fit in, you're out. I kept my head down, took my lashings, and got even more lashed for it." A point at the bullet wound. "I don't believe in putting judgement in people's hands to just.. take lives." And the league and rangers had scorned him so much to the point he had scars on his soul.

"I just.. I can't agree to kill that many people I just can't."

Another glare at the bandages. "Also who the fuck whoever did this."

Isaac Merlo

At Isaac's entrance, he was met by Kazzy. The blue-colored canine bounding up, bouncing on his legs and the top of his head wagging happily in excitement. It was weird having your tail on your head when it wagged! He grabbed Isaac, pulling him over to Matt. Pointing like he did just the best job in the world.

Matt smiled, he had been so worried Kazzy would change on evolution... but he remained the same. It was refreshing. Looking up, he gave him a mock salute. Now how was he going to breach this topic?

"Well I'll, get to the point." He felt really awkward.

"I'm retiring from the rangers." His voice was firm in that, staring off. "...and joining you." Eyes looked up to lock with Isaac. There was no hesitation in his eyes or voice, dead serious.

Isaac Merlo

The next few days in the hospital was... not fun. A combination of nicodemus unken worrying, his parents, actually seeing Torolf, Nico's father, of all people show up to check on him. It unnerved him. Seeing how many people panicked and rushed to see him. It really had him thinking.

He had to protect his family. Just like he protected Isaac. There had to be a way. There absolutely had too- something. He knew about the upcoming missions... and even Nico had planned to join. Which of course, meant Matt was going to go. So he had to rest and heal up...

But something did not settle with him. Who had shot him? All he remembered was the goggles warning him and he jumped into action to protect Isaac. Which meant... it had to be someone within the league, right? Or a rocket? It was confusing. Police were not able to find who did it.

Regardless, he was angry. Angry at who tried to take a life. Even if Isaac wasn't innocent, no one deserved to die. At least, no one deserved to be shot in the back.

Sighing heavily, he had to talk to Isaac. So of course, he had texted him to come. They needed to talk.

There was also some words he would have to talk to Josh Devlin about. About him retiring from the rangers. Would it disappoint the man? Absolutely. Did Matt care? Yes, but he was not staying with them. Not when he knew it had to be someone within the league who shot him.

Thinking back to all that had happened, his blood started to boil. The league mission to stop the meteor, it was a shitty plan. Damn a whole different world. Matt knew it was wrong. It was wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong!

So he was going to help the opposing team.

Isaac Merlo

"Matt Vice." He held his hand out for a proper handshake for her, letting her choose to do so or not. "I'm really thankful you answered. This really means a lot to me and Nana."

Nana kept her paws firmly on her pup, kicking his hair tuff to smooth it down, grumbling at him as he kept trying to move. Giving a warning growl and then back to the grooming she went. He was dirty! So a bath was needed!

"Really, it means a lot to her... she chased those poachers for miles trying to get them back before I stumbled onto the scene."

Kyrenai Black

Matt had no idea what was going on. He had long lost his consciousness before the teleportation. Rushed to a hospital to be tended to by nurses, along with Josh. Not that even knew Josh was there, just the stinging pain that had been in his side.

The next thing Matt knew, he was waking up with a light in his eyes. Blinking as his hearing came slowly, hearing beeping of machinery, the weight of something against his leg- the gust of a heavy breath at his face?

Looking down, he spotted Kazzy laying against his leg- wait, was that Kazzy? That was a Lycanroc... did.. .Kazzy evolve? Turning his head, he saw Nana with her head resting against the bed near his head, dozing. Matt smiled, patting her head gently, then reaching down to pet Kazzy- shrieking at the pain that erupted in his side.

That made both pokemon jump to life, snarling and snapping- before they realized it was Matt. Both of them barking loudly and going to start licking his face. He was okay!

Isaac Merlo Josh Devlin

"Come on, Nana!"

Matt's voice would not travel to anyone but Nana. Who was still keeping her eyes forward, dashing over the small jumps, as Matt buckled down to keep himself from bouncing to high out of the saddle. Knuckles white as he held to her mane and the reigns.

They had to make these turns! To show off that training- they just had too! Matt tore one glance behind him, seeing Josh far in the back- well far enough behind him, anyway, that brought a strange sense of pride, but he went back to focusing forward.

He had to make sure they stayed in bounds!

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Josh Devlin

The minute Nana passed the line- Matt roared towards her. "GO!"

Go.

Go go go.

Nana howled, finally able to let loose. Show all that training her and Matt worked on. Her body tensed as she sprang forward, her legs going faster, and faster, and faster- until he legs were a blur. Everything was a blur. Matt had tucked into Nana's mane, to keep himself low and stable to her back.

As the jumps came, it looked like a white and orange line was hopping over them. Her claws kicked up chunks of dirt, flames left far behind in her trail now. The two were almost in perfect synch, Matt holding her tightly, feeling the speed. His ears were ringing, but luckily his gear was protecting him from the harsh winds.

Even if he didn't win this race, there was one thing for sure.

He was going to prove Josh wrong. He knew what he was doing!

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---


Josh Devlin

Matt snapped his head to Josh. His face hardened real quick, his eyes narrowing. "I really wish you'd quit actin' like I don't hear what you're saying." He snapped back. Matt's bad mood from earlier returning real fast. "All of you act like I don't know what the hell I'm doing." He muttered, though that was to himself.

He'd just prove him wrong. Prove them all wrong- when it came to him challenging the gym. He'll show them.

But that didn't stop his ire from getting the better of him.

A harsh jerk was given to Nana's reigns, pulling himself away from the crowd now. Nana growled at the action, huffing towards him. "Sorry." He said, patting her head. "Shouldn't take my frustration out on you." Aware of his mistake and trying to soothe the canine. She huffed, shaking her head, but forgave him.

Though he let her fall to the back of the pack. Gently stroking some knots out of her mane, his eyes downcast. Maybe he really should just shut up and keep his head down. Seemed to be the only thing that kept him out of trouble. Either follow the order and be perfect or get chewed out. Shaking his head, he was trying to get the negative thoughts gone before someone tried poking the wolf within him more.

Julia Davis Isaac Merlo

No, Matt had just trained his ass off. Worked hard to try and control Nana. If there was anything to be said by Matt, was once someone pointed out a flaw, he was damn determined to fix it. Which was what he was working on with Nana, controlling her turns.

As the turns came, Matt once again was leaning into the them to help Nana. Almost to the point he was right out of the saddle- he had gotten the idea from motorcycles, when one leaned into the turn to handle it better!

But soon a new problem came into view.

He looked up to the hill coming up, cursing under his breath. That was gonna be a problem- but he noted it for later. An Extreme Speed up this would probably be the best bet to reduce the speed drop. Though he felt Nana snarl under him, her eyes glued to that Flareon who was barely in front of her.

Smirking, he nudged her side. Edging her forward to keep going and going. Nana flung herself into the hill, kicking up dirt behind her as she ran.

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Josh Devlin

Nana may have been going off pure rage- but she felt the difference in the weight of her back. Coming herself to a halt, she turned her head back and gently nudged at Josh. Whining and frantically nudging- no she needed him awake. He had to help her trainer. Quickly she trotted the distance close, barking towards Kazzy to gain the canines attention.

Though a squint was offered to the now demasked Isaac- sniffing- oh it was just Blackjack. Very well, she settled, going to walk to the side and lower herself down, motioning to Josh on her back.

Matt however was blacking in and out, feeling Kazzy constantly nosing his side, whimpering, trying to make sure he stayed with them. Kazzy snapped his head to snarl at Isaac's reproach- blinking as he spoke to him. Seeing the mask removed.. he perked up. A slow nod given, looking back down at his hurt trainer.

Whimpering as he shifted to hold Matt in his arms, to try and ease the strain on his side. Holding him up with the pitiful and sad look in his eyes. What could he do? There was nothing to do! He felt so useless.

As Nana came back, he barked and whined at her. Seeing Josh passed out and frowning, that wasn't good! This wasn't why he sent her out! Whining and snarling at her, the two snapping back and forth with a series of barks before they settled, their eyes all on Isaac now. They needed help.

Isaac Merlo Josh Devlin

Matt Vice

Nana the Arcanine - Ganlon
Kazzy the Lycanroc - Ganlon / Perism - No Guard
Dagger the Riolu - Oran - Lucario
Demuu the Poochyena - Perism - Rattled - Aspear - Sucker Punch
Oto the Pidgeot - Leppa - Fly
Ace the Absol - Liechi - Thunder/Fire Blast