The old man Elise mentioned numbered among the injured taken into League custody. Originally, Gunner thought nothing of it; it was only right for the League to provide medical assistance to those injured during a terrorist attack. But days had passed since then, and he hadn't seen or heard any news about them. [break][break]

"Rest assured that the old gentleman and others injured during the attack are being taken care of," Gunner said, hoping that the smile he offered Elise was reassuring enough for her. [break][break]

He took a seat opposite her and took out his phone. [break][break]

"Do you mind if I ask you a few questions about the incident? The conversation will be recorded for the sake of the investigation into what happened."

TAGS – Elise Calcifet[break]
NOTES – social

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If the earthquake hadn't struck, Gunner did not know what would have happened to him. He might have continued his revenge-fueled rampage until no Rockets remained. He could have accidentally set fire to the city in his recklessness, endangering more people than he helped. [break][break]

He could have died, taken out by an enemy or their Pokémon in his blind spot. [break][break]

Instead, the earthquake snapped him out of his rage as he stumbled for footing. Survival instincts overrode every other thought and emotion; he turned for his Bayleef to recall her into a Pokéball. [break][break]

A great shadow fell over Gunner, and his Typhlosion cried out in warning. [break][break]

Before he could act, strong arms grappled him and sent him flying. The world spun and the wall of Petalburg General Hospital collapsed onto the ground where he'd been mere moments before. Heart beating wildly, Gunner looked over to see the face of his savior. [break][break]

"Jack!" he yelled, just before a small piece of debris struck the Ranger's head. Jack slumped, instantly unconscious. [break][break]

Gunner scrambled to his feet, hauling Jack up with him. "Shit! Guinevere, grab Jack's Pokémon! We have to get out of here!" [break][break]

The Typhlosion obeyed, snatching up the duck in her jaws. As the pair picked their way through the rubble, Gunner patched into the League comms. [break][break]

"Lancer here. Petalburg General is lost. I repeat, Petalburg General is lost. Retreating to the nearest medical station."

TAGS – jack wainwright[break]
NOTES – the first wave: prelude[break]
– Gunner recalls his Bayleef, picks up Jack, and retreats[break][break]

MP EARNED[break]
+50 MP: showcase your own character's strength(s) meaningfully.[break]
+10 MP: using a gimmick (e.g. mega, z-move, tera, sygna, avatar) in your prelude thread. only redeemable once.[break]
+50 MP: have your character experience great fear, hatred, envy, or have a grudge worsen.[break]
+50 MP: include a motif or recurring symbol of some kind in your thread. (Sayori's death)[break]
+50 MP: have an antagonistic exchange of dialogue between your character and another writer's character or NPC.[break]
+50 MP: have your character make a regrettable decision.[break]
+50 MP: total IC posts.[break]
+100 MP: for completing your prelude.[break]
+300 MP: for "losing" or having a "negative" outcome for your character and their prelude.[break][break]

TOTAL MP: 710

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In a conference room at HBIC headquarters, Gunner sat down across from Eduardo Hisakawa. Gunner's investigation into the attack on the League conference involved interrogating each member of the security team. So far, however, he hadn't turned up any leads. [break][break]

"Thank you for coming today, Mr. Hisakawa," Gunner began formally. Dressed in a bespoke suit and tie, he embodied the grave professionalism of his organization. [break][break]

"I just have a few questions to ask you regarding the incident a few days ago in Slateport." [break][break]

He placed a manila folder on the table between them and his phone next to it. [break][break]

"Before we begin, I'm obligated to inform you that this conversation is being recorded," Gunner added, meeting Eddie's gaze. "Now, was this your first security assignment with the Hoenn Bureau of Intelligence and Counterterrorism?"

TAGS – Eduardo Hisakawa[break]
NOTES – social

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Gunner knocked before stepping inside PENELOPE LIVY's office, mindful to close the door behind him. Though everyone knew about the highly televised attack on the conference at Slateport, the case investigating the incident was highly confidential. [break][break]

"Hey, I noticed something strange as I was looking through information from the attack," he said to his boss. [break][break]

"We took a bunch of people and bodies into League custody, but I haven't been able to find any report on their exact numbers or identities. We're also getting phone calls from family members of conference attendees, asking why their loved ones haven't come home yet." [break][break]

His eyebrows knitted together, and the corners of his mouth curled into a confused frown. [break][break]

"Do you know what's going on with that, Penny?"

TAGS – PENELOPE LIVY[break]
NOTES – social

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Gunner stood at the entrance to the café inside the National Museum of Natural History. Dressed in a bespoke suit and tie, and wearing a somber expression, he appeared more like a member of staff than a guest. [break][break]

In truth, his visit was a matter of national security. One of the museum's curators, Yuina Higashi, had been present at the League conference just a few days prior. Gunner had arranged a meeting with her at the café to inquire about the events that had transpired. [break][break]

His vigilance was soon rewarded, for as the clock's hands pointed to noon, he caught sight of the young woman approaching. [break][break]

"Miss Higashi, hello," Gunner said, extending his hand to shake hers. "Thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to meet with me. How have you been doing since the attack, if I can ask?"

TAGS – Yuina Higashi[break]
NOTES – social

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Gunner entered Elise Calcifet's office at the Galarian Embassy, ushered inside by a secretary. Dressed in a bespoke suit and tie and accompanied by his Umbreon, he exuded a sobering sense of professionalism. [break][break]

When an agent of the Hoenn Bureau of Intelligence and Counterterrorism paid a visit, there was often little reason to celebrate. [break][break]

"Good afternoon, Ambassador Calcifet," he greeted the young woman, recalling their first encounter at a book club, of all places. Their meeting now contrasted that one in every way. "Thank you for taking the time to meet with me." [break][break]

He stepped up to offer a firm handshake, then the small talk required of polite society. [break][break]

"I know it's only been a few days since the attack, but how are you feeling?"

TAGS – Elise Calcifet[break]
NOTES – social

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Gunner whirled around at the explosive sound of gunfire, Jack's warning crackling in his ear over the League comms. A familiar cry cut through the air as his Bayleef fell to the ground, knocked unconscious while trying to protect an injured child. [break][break]

The sight of the masked Rockets set Gunner's blood boiling. Red overtook his vision, blotting out details in the periphery. Sounds receded into the background. All he could focus on was the enemy and the deaths at their hands. [break][break]

As Gunner advanced, flames licked up the arms of his Sygna Suit. "You're going to pay for everything you've done!" he roared at them. [break][break]

Several Rockets aimed guns at him. He raised his hands, and fire burst forth from his palms as he conjured a LAVA PLUME. [break][break]

The devastating conflagration engulfed the nearest Rockets, scorching their clothing and bodies, melting their masks to their faces. The smell of burning flesh filled the air.

TAGS – jack wainwright[break]
NOTES – the first wave: prelude[break]
– Gunner's Bayleef is knocked out![break]
– Gunner goes berserk, uses LAVA PLUME on several Rockets[break][break]

[break]

MP EARNED[break]
+50 MP: showcase your own character's strength(s) meaningfully.[break]
+10 MP: using a gimmick (e.g. mega, z-move, tera, sygna, avatar) in your prelude thread. only redeemable once.[break]
+50 MP: have your character experience great fear, hatred, envy, or have a grudge worsen.[break]
+50 MP: include a motif or recurring symbol of some kind in your thread. (Sayori's death)[break]
+50 MP: have an antagonistic exchange of dialogue between your character and another writer's character or NPC.[break]
+50 MP: have your character make a regrettable decision.

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Of course, Gideon had to ask that question. Any normal person would. And Gunner, who was so practiced at lying to his brother, found himself falling into his old habit. [break][break]

To protect his family. [break][break]

In a terse and hateful voice, he said, "No." [break][break]

Technically, the HBIC had not found evidence of Naomi Sato committing the crimes they claimed she had perpetrated. But to Gunner, that did not matter. When he recalled the encounters he'd survived in the Giant Chasm, at the Silent Icelands, and on Mt. Pyre, his conviction only grew stronger. [break][break]

For years, live footage from Kanto played through his nightmares. The screams, the bodies, the phone call—he'd never be able to erase them from his memory. [break][break]

"She tried to kill me, Gideon. She used her Avatar powers on me. Not only that, but on a Council member!" The letter crumpled in Gunner's shaking fist. [break][break]

He was willing to do much more than lie to prevent the same fate from befalling Hoenn.

TAGS – GIDEON GRAVES[break]
NOTES – mission

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"I'm sure Miss Livy appreciates your concern either way," Gunner said, resisting the urge to tell Greyson to mind his own business. "She's a busy woman in a high-stress career, facing great challenges, but she's managing." [break][break]

There was nothing else to say. Gunner was not about to tarnish his own boss' image, even to someone who claimed to be her friend. He didn't know how close Greyson and PENELOPE LIVY were, but he was willing to bet that if she truly wished for the Elite Four to know her feelings, she'd tell him. [break][break]

Then, just to turn the question on its head, Gunner asked, "How have you been?" [break][break]

Naturally, Greyson had every right to deflect or avoid answering as much as he wanted. In fact, Gunner expected it. They weren't close, after all. [break][break]

They weren't friends.

TAGS – Greyson Connors[break]
NOTES – mission

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Dust clouded Gunner's vision. A high-pitched ringing filled his ears. Pain throbbed in his leg. His breath came in rapid, shallow gasps, and his heart pounded so fast, it felt like it might explode. [break][break]

In the far distance, someone called his name. Much closer, the glow of HEAL PULSE washed over him. The ache in his leg dulled, and as the smoke cleared and the ringing abated, he started coming out of his shock. [break][break]

All around him, bodies lay crumpled beneath fallen debris. Those still alive screamed from mouths slashed red with blood. Men begged for their mothers, women for their children. The children simply cried. [break][break]

A young woman's voice cut through the cacophony, its clarity suggesting her nearness to Gunner. "Please! Please help me!" [break][break]

He looked to his left, where the most harrowing sight filled his vision: a beautiful face layered with blood and dust, tears flowing down gore-slicked cheeks. A heavy slab of metal and stone crushed the woman's body; her heart's blood pumped freely onto the ground. Yet she struggled to live, reaching a hand out to the agent for help with the last of her strength. [break][break]

Sayori died like that, he knew, deep in his gut. Sayori died crying for help that never came. [break][break]

Flinching away from the nightmare, Gunner tried to scramble to his feet, but pain shot up his leg. Looking down, he saw a long wound in his calf. Blood seeped through the torn leg of his pants. His Bayleef called out, a worried look on her face. Her presence at his side grounded him a little, and he hauled himself to his feet with a grimace. [break][break]

"Wainwright!" Gunner shouted, a fresh wave of fear spiking through him at the thought of Jack dead in the rubble. Thankfully, the Ranger stood some distance away, his Sirfetch'd engaging with a squad of Genesect. [break][break]

That's right, Gunner recalled with sudden, perfect clarity. The airstrike. It's their fault. It's ALWAYS THEIR FAULT! [break][break]

Fear gave way to fury. Gunner took a steadying breath and gestured to his Bayleef. "Titania, go tend to the wounded." [break][break]

He opened a second Pokéball, releasing his Typhlosion. With his other hand, he activated his SYGNA SUIT. Power thrummed through him, hot and ready. Blue eyes fixed upon the invading Genesect with single-minded wrath. [break][break]

"Guinevere, take point." [break][break]

The Volcano Pokémon bounded ahead, blasting the nearest war machine with LAVA PLUME. Gunner followed more slowly, gritting his teeth through the pain of his bad leg. As he closed the distance between himself and the enemy, he spread his hands, tapping into the power of his suit. [break][break]

A raging INFERNO erupted among the Genesect, burning with the full force of Gunner's hatred.

TAGS – jack wainwright[break]
NOTES – the first wave: prelude[break]
– Gunner's PTSD triggers![break]
– Gunner sends Bayleef to help survivors and summons Typhlosion; activates his SYGNA SUIT[break]
– Typhlosion uses LAVA PLUME and Gunner uses INFERNO on the Genesect squad[break][break]

MP EARNED[break]
+50 MP: showcase your own character's strength(s) meaningfully.[break]
+10 MP: using a gimmick (e.g. mega, z-move, tera, sygna, avatar) in your prelude thread. only redeemable once.[break]
+50 MP: have your character experience great fear, hatred, envy, or have a grudge worsen.[break]
+50 MP: include a motif or recurring symbol of some kind in your thread. (Sayori's death)

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Dread settled with an uncomfortable weight upon Gunner when Mila described her attackers. White hair. Unown. Combined with the other traits she'd already shared, he could only reach one conclusion. [break][break]

The DRK Triad. The interdimensional group that wanted to destroy Hoenn. Reports of their interference filled confidential folders of the HBIC. Gunner had even encountered the one called Father Winter on Mt. Pyre nearly two years ago. [break][break]

But what did the DRK Triad want with Mila? She was a nobody. Her threat level was practically zero. [break][break]

"Not like Team Rocket," he told her in a low, thoughtful voice. "They're not exactly criminals, but they're still highly dangerous. In a different way, too. Most people don't know about their existence." [break][break]

Realizing how cryptic his speech sounded, Gunner looked back at Mila. He could not, in good conscience, offer her a reassuring smile. Instead, a grim determination overcame his expression. [break][break]

"I won't let them hurt you again, either." Once more, he laced their fingers together. "They will have to get through me first to get to you."

TAGS – mila alexopoulos[break]
NOTES – social

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Gunner waved his hand dismissively, feeling more annoyed than pleased for having helped Ollie. "Sure. It's nothing." [break][break]

He finished the last of his sandwich and wrapped up his leftover fries in the paper takeaway bag. [break][break]

"Nothing's ever easy, Ollie. We just have to do what we can, with what's available to us." [break][break]

His train of thought returned to the unpleasant, original reason for their meeting: the missing people. The sentiment held for them, too. [break][break]

Gunner stood, the rest of his lunch in one hand and his half-empty cup of coffee in the other. "I'm going to head back to HBIC headquarters and continue the search. Text me if you find anything new, will you?" [break][break]

With a farewell wave, he headed for the door.

TAGS – ollie morales[break]
NOTES – social

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