[attr="class","samjertop"][attr="class","samjer"]

[attr="class","samjermain"]Blue eyes lifted momentarily to the horizon. Even here, the pained calls of the injured and the dying could be heard. The calls of a hundred different Pokemon blended into a choir of violence. Pale lips—chapped and scratched from battle—pressed into a thin line. “If only hope was enough.” While deeply spiritual, the blonde knew that thoughts and prayers were not what Arceus wanted. His commandments demanded action.

After spending hours fighting for her life in this hellish inter-dream realm, she did not wish the same on anyone else. That made evacuation a top priority. Sergei’s volunteering drew a tight smile and a subtle nod. “Thank you.” Before she could indicate a rendezvous point, the ground beneath her shook. “!?” Lydia’s hand shot to her holster as the sound of grinding rocks grew deafening.

A burst of blue-pink steam erupted from the crevice beneath her feet. The soldier jumped backward until she rested on stable ground. Rocks cascaded into the now gaping maw of the earth. “Stay back!” Lydia called to the young man behind her. But this call for caution was lost behind a duo of roars. His question is met with a scowl as their opponents circle like angry vultures.

Amor possessed one of these dragons—its wings reminiscent of an eclipsed crescent moon. The Lycanroc at her side snarled, staring up at the two dragons. “They are Paradoxes. Things from pasts that didn’t exist.” At least, that’s what the theories said. Not that any of them had much time to research. “I have met one before—they are dark and dragon types. I know that much.”

She also knew how vicious they were. A fact that was shown firsthand as the pair dived at Sergei and Lydia. "GRAWRRRRR!"  A string of flame burst from their mouths at Lydia and her companions. 

She supposed it was time to fight fire with fire. From her belt emerged a rather irritable Druddigon—his scales broken off in a dozen different places from earlier gunfire. Wih a burst of energy, he took off toward the nearest of the Roaring Moons.

His claws glowed purple as he aimed to hit a Dragon Claw across its membranous wings.

[attr="class","samjerpoke"]

sergei dachev

[attr="class","samjertop"][attr="class","samjer"]

[attr="class","samjermain"]With the heat of battle upon them, Lydia shelved the current conversation. She needed to focus on the mission. That meant putting her life on the line to ensure Russell relayed his message. A glance was tossed toward the nervous man, his Joltik now a shivering mess of yellow on his neck. Blue eyes turned to meet the man with fearful eyes. “Do not give him the satisfaction.”

“Aww, come on, babe!” The Rocket cooed at Elaine, his eyes full of crocodile tears “If you turn me down, I’m stuck with Icicle Barbie.” Normally placid lips twisted into a surprisingly vicious smile. “Then you would strike out, I’m afraid.” Lydia shook her head. “I prefer men that can please a woman.” And, aside from his wagging tongue, this coward had nothing that interested her.

As the steel-type bore down on her, Lydia set herself more resolutely in its path. The gun—familiar in her hand—lifted until it pointed at one crimson eye. These were the only thing left unprotected by its steely armor. Her eyes narrowed as sand whipped and grabbed at her visor, threatening to blind her. A deep breath centered the soldier, the trembling of the ground forgotten.

The Ceruledge’s blade managed to slow the Steelix’s charge. Another burst of water from her Kingdra aided in slowing the juggernaut enough to let Russell scramble out of the way. Wait.

The creature was now within easy firing range. Her finger twitched. BANG! It roared in pain, its left eye exploding in a shower of blood and steel. With a grunt, Lydia rolled out of its path. Its tail swept angrily at the people surrounding it in a powerful Iron Tail.

It shook its head, hoping for a moment to gather his thoughts. His trainer, meanwhile, exploded. “Hershey! Shake it off damnit!" He snarled--looking almost feral. "I’ll fucking kill you bitches!” Another ball lifted in his hands.

USES IRON TAIL

[attr="class","samjer","samjertag"]

[attr="class","samjerpoke"]

Elaine Highland

[attr="class","samjertop"][attr="class","samjer"]

[attr="class","samjermain"]"I suppose war makes us no different. " Though it was not truly survival that she fought for, was it? It was the freedom to live without fear.

With the battle before her, all thoughts of Amor vanished. Her small body made it easy to dodge its hydraulic blows. With a 'tch' of her own, Lydia took a blow at the naginata's center. Her feet slid backward across the misty, slick ground. Sparks flew from the fairy-type as Electric Terrain spread beneath its feet.

She shifted her hold, slashing at it.

"I am all right! Focus on yourself!" A powerful punch from Hermes sent the creature flying backward. He tapped his trainer's arm, staring meaningfully at Lydia. That same palm lifted in a show for pause. He then gestured between them.

"I...see." Apparently, he felt that this battle was his. With some reluctance, she handed over the blade.

The fighting type then passed it to the Iron Valiant. It looked almost confused by the show of honor. "Lade." Now, the battle could continue.

Notes (finished in Discord)

• 10 MP - Post

Total

• 460

[attr="class","samjerpoke"]

[attr="class","samjertop"][attr="class","samjer"]

[attr="class","samjermain"]The woman watched the beast for a moment, clutching her Arceus locket to her chest. As she watched it fight, she could not help but notice some elegance in its feral nature.

"This is its home." She murmured to Amor, watching as the two almost identical figures clashed on her side. "Survival is all that matters." Judging by the denizens of this realm she'd encountered, the lack of empathy came commonplace.

Movement from Mister Rose caught her attention, her lips pursing together. "I am not responsible if you get yourself killed!" Before she could scold him, a noise of pain from her Gallade drew her attention. Her gun rose, a shot slamming into the screen that formed the Iron Valiant's eyes. It made a beeping noise, turning toward her.

Hermes took the chance to knock its blade away. Another Close Combat followed.

With a grunt, Lydia rushed toward the downed weapon, grabbing it with both hands. She dug its point deep into the ground, using it to steady herself in place.

In response, the Iron Valiant charged her. With a clang! Lydia used its own weapon to stop its fists. Her Gallade followed, aiming a devastating kick to the mechanical beast's midsection.

Notes

• 10 MP - Post

[attr="class","samjerpoke"]

[attr="class","samjertop"][attr="class","samjer"]

[attr="class","samjermain"]The woman managed to stop herself from falling--only just. Bright blue eyes flicked between their two opponents, frowning. These automatons were somehow more disturbing than the Donphan. At least that had flesh and noise. It had feelings. Were these things even alive?

Lydia scoffed. "I have found that things can always get worse." She sighed. "That is why it is best to be grateful for what one has."

Upon hearing the typing, Lydia offered up a single nod. She shifted her gaze to the Gallade, who also inclined his head. "Hermes and I will handle it. Please focus on the Tyranitar." Before the sentence ended, the Iron Valiant lifted its blade again, green amassing around its edges.

With a shout, the Gallade dove into the fray with a devastating Close Combat. Its hands collided with the steel beast over and over again, the sound of flesh on metal echoing around them.

A roar from behind her drew Lydia's gaze to her partner's Roaring Moon. "Arceus, protect us." Something in her shuddered. "That thing is...wrong." Its very presence made her hair stand on end.

The Iron Valiant, assaulted by the shorter creature, took a step back. Its Leaf Blade connected with Hermes side, a grunt emerging from the psychic type as a little shield of a Protect just barely turned the blade.

• 10 MP - Post

[attr="class","samjerpoke"]

[attr="class","samjertop"][attr="class","samjer"]

[attr="class","samjermain"]Why did so many men choose to state the obvious? Of course, they wanted to be out of this purgatory sooner rather than later. Blue eyes rolled upward, out of sight. "I believe that is why we are heading toward the exit, Amor," Lydia murmurs. She had multiple encounters with this place already and was reluctant to have another. "I think it best not to think of them." She paused. "If they are truly made from the minds of men, anyway." It would be like cutting yourself before a shark.

To be frank, both of them looked like shit. Tired blue eyes lifted to Amor's familiar ones. A brief moment of vulnerability passed. "I am not sure I am in the state to guard myself." A growl at her feet drew a smile. Minerva seemed intent on guarding them all. "But I shall do my best." With a free hand, she reloaded the gun at her side. It'd done damage to the Donphan. The sounds of boot camp faded, replaced by the image of a misty Great Tusk collapsing onto its side. Blood dripped from its mouth. Arceus forgive her.

Before her mind could jump to other sins, she heard a metallic tink. Her head snapped upward as she pivoted. The gleam of metal caught keen blue eyes. She moved to shove Amor. "Get down!" Lydia leaned to the left, just in time for a glowing pink blade to slice the air between them. It embedded itself in the ground, still shaking from the power of the Spirit Break.

The Iron Valiant pushed its way into view, the image of the mutated Donphan fading. With a whirl, its blade leaped back into its hand. This time, its weapon glowed green.

As the Lycanroc rushed in to provide support, a giant stone descended from the sky. This was followed by three more, this tomb of stone formed a wall between Minerva and her trainer. She howled. From the shadows, a giant, gleaming mass emerged. Its eyes were soulless.

Lydia, realizing they were surrounded, tossed out a Pokeball from her belt. A Gallade emerged.

Notes

• 10 MP - Post

[attr="class","samjerpoke"]

[attr="class","samjertop"][attr="class","samjer"]

[attr="class","samjermain"]"The woman did not appear convinced.

Bright blue eyes drifted across the strange landscape before them. "Do you think that wise?" She paused. "There is a reason these worlds were separated." She shook her head at the talk of his newest acquisition. "I am sure it is as impressive as everything else you own."

A muscular arm wrapped around her waist. "Amor!" The name was a bark, but it soon died down. She knew this man's stubborness and, as long as his hand did not slip, he would be allowed to keep it. "You should not touch others without permission." But, though her face was displeased, she was relieved by the additional support.

At the question, the blonde shook her head. "I did not." She lifted a hand to her injured ribs. "It was hard enough to escape unharmed." The strangeness of the beast also made her reluctant to capture it. "If we see its corpse, I will take a detour." She tilted her head and sighed. "Ever the charmer."

"Thank you." Her face filled with determination, tightening the hand how wrapped around his waist for support. "This is what I was trained for." A polished sword's true beauty was only seen outside of its sheath.

Around them, the smoke began to shift. Images and sounds of a boot camp filtering in. The shouting loud enough to obscure the approach of a few metal beasts.

Notes

• 10 MP - Post

[attr="class","samjerpoke"]

[attr="class","samjertop"][attr="class","samjer"]

[attr="class","samjermain"]"Do be careful with it, Amor." She sighed. "Dragons are type cast as villains for a reason." During her brief break earlier in the evening, Lydia listened to a scientist lecture on these Paradox Pokémon.

The talk of her injuries coaxed out a sigh. "You are not." Though the injury to her ribs was just one of many. "Mine looked to be a reptilian Donphan with demonic tusks" It'd been savage and angry. A true embodiment of the dark, feral side of Lord Arceus's will.

In the distance, something beeped. "But, it is the metal ones which worry me." The woman's blue eyes swept over the surrounding landscape, as if expecting one of these automatons to appear. "What kind of future awaits us if the only things that survive look like that?"

The talk of bodyguards made Lydia smile. "I have Minerva." A bandage on the Lycanroc's shoulder shifted as the pair shared a meaningful glance. It took a special Pokemon to take a literal bullet for you. "But there are benefits to being accompanied in this place."

At the question, the woman raised a brow. "Do I not?" Her smile tilted into a smirk. Then, perhaps, I made the wrong impression." She was a soldier. The type who could not leave civilians behind. "This kind of work is why I am here. To help people. To serve as a bastion against darker forces." She took a deep breath. "It's nice to feel...needed again."

Up went a brow. "And what brings you here? Another feather in the dragon tamer's cap?"

Notes

• 10 MP - Post

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[attr="class","samjertop"][attr="class","samjer"]

[attr="class","samjerpoke"]

ARIADNE MAUCH

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[attr="class","samjermain"]Her radio buzzed. "Magnusson." Lydia pushed the button of her walkie talkie. "Target neutralized." Apparently, the fool had run away from her and right into the belly of a different beast.

"I am not gallivanting." With her original purpose erased, the blonde focused on the CEO before her. A part-time employer who summoned her from time to time. She noted the injuries that marred his already patchwork form.

His reassurance drew a blonde eyebrow up. "Unfortunately, I would have been otherwise occupied. This is a battlefield, not a place for tourists." As she stared at him, she could not help but ponder his reason for being here. Simple ego, perhaps?

At the light scolding, the blonde sighed. "I am not frigid." Her words held a bite. In the face of familiarity, her day's frustration seemed to boil over. "Merely tense." As he draws closer, she examines his clothes more closely.

"I see you have encountered one of this realm's.." Her nose wrinkled. The idea of people themselves creating Pokemon made her skin crawl. "..denizens." She herself had tangoed with a Great Tusk. It'd left her ribs bruised and her side gashed.

Something an astute eye would notice in her breathing.

Notes

• 10 MP - Post

[attr="class","samjerpoke"]

[attr="class","samjertop"][attr="class","samjer"]

[attr="class","samjermain"]Lydia did not relish entering the Interdream zone again. It reminded her of not only the power of the ocean but also the line between life and death. Even her typically grounded mind found itself disoriented in the smoke and its effects. Fortunately, since the encounter with Ariadne, her team received a brief resting period. While not fully restored—as exhibited by Minerva’s light limp—many of their injuries were patched up.

Still, an order was an order. A wanted Rocket operative was seen disappearing into the smoke, and HQ wanted them tracked down and apprehended. Or, preferably, neutralizd. Dressed in riot gear, with her patch front and center, A thick visor held her face, only a few sprigs of blonde hair and size serving as identifying features. Unless you recognized the folkish necklace at the front. Lydia moved through the smoke. Steady breathing managed to keep most of the thoughts at bay. Her shadow, the ever-faithful Lycanroc, limped at her side.

Progress into the target area was slow. Every step and rock potentially some madman’s conjuration. Eventually, however, she came upon another figure in the realm. Her lips pursed behind their visor. She recognized that hair. “I believe this is one instance where you actually need a bodyguard—” She paused, voice equal parts icy and judgmental. “--Mister Rose.”

Notes

• 50 MP - Participation[/li

[attr="class","samjerpoke"]

[attr="class","samjertop"][attr="class","samjer"]

[attr="class","samjermain"]The talk of violence made Lydia purse her lips. How did hurting this civilian benefit them? “I am sorry to hear that.” She was also guilty for not being there to stop it. Though there was only one of her, it was hard not to blame herself for every corpse and shaken civilian she passed. A thousand what-ifs reminding her of the futility of her work. “No doubt they were beaten curs lickng their wounds.” And, for bullies and rebels, getting better equated to pushing someone else to the bottom of the pile.

Not familiar with the shapeshifter species—never comfortable with illusions or deception—the soldier simply nods. “I see.” She stares at her Gallade. “I do not have one.” While Minerva could carry her, the larger man would end up dragging on the ground behind her. As he released his Tyranitar, the woman took a few steps back. “Welcome, friend.” She let her gaze flick between the professor and his Pokemon. “Watch your head. Please.” A concussion was not the best complement to a shattered rib.

As Gideon explained the situation, the blonde listened in comfortable silence. The hound at her rear kept both ears peeled for an intruder. After arriving at the base, she would quickly hand off Gideon to medical personnel. As compensation for their work, she handed over the coordinates of the abandoned supply. “Arceus be with you.” Pausing briefly to patch herself up, the soldier disappeared back into the field.

Total (410 MP)

• 50 MP - Participation
• 50 MP - Posts
• 10 MP - Feelings of Paranoia
• 100 MP - Completing Mission
• 200 MP - Winning Mission

[attr="class","samjerpoke"]

GIDEON GRAVES

[attr="class","samjertop"][attr="class","samjer"]

[attr="class","samjermain"] "It does, yes." From her perspective, the conclusion seemed apparent. The stranger was one wrong move away from no longer having a throat. But she could hear the hints of rebellion in his voice. "But you seem to disagree." She lifted a hand to gesture the bipedal wolf forward.  "Heimdall!"

Before she can get an order out, the Toxtricity unleashes chaos. "Shit!" Both hounds flinch as the noise grows unbearable. Minerva snarls. Heimdall claps his paws over his ears. As he drops one hand, a bone appears in it. Before he can throw it at the retreating lizard, however, the crystals above him shatter. He bats most of these away, ending up with a few glittery wounds for his trouble. His trainer, meanwhile, hisses, the sharp gems cutting into her skin.

Minerva is temporarily blinded as a bright blue crystal cuts across her right eye. She paws at her face to free it of glitter and stones. When she looks up, the man and his Toxtricity are already in the tunnel ahead. With another Accelrock, the rock-type charges after them. But the Boom Burst had weakened the ceiling.

It collapsed. By the time she dug herself out, Shred and his wingman were long gone.

Notes

• +10 MP for post

Total (450 MP)

• +50 MP for post
• +50 MP for thread
• +150 MP for thread completion
• +200 MP for win

[attr="class","samjerpoke"]

Shred