Toki took a deep breath and waited for the right moment. As he heard the command from Makoto, he gave his own command to the sleeping Snorlax and rolled the dice. "Sleep Talk." At that command, Tameemon's ear twitched as he slowly stood up and loomed despite his deep slumber. He spread his arms wide and took a few steps forward. He tanked the hit from Dark Pulse again, but trained on the direction it came from and leapt towards the source with the intent to violently slam into it with Body Slam.

Once the thundering slam is complete, Tameemon would remain planted in the ground, still asleep. If the Ninetales was unfortunate enough to get caught underneath there would still be room to wriggle out, though. By this point the other grunt was likely long gone, so Toki decided to speak again "What's your motivation?" He would ask bluntly. He didn't expect a straight answer, if any at all. "Take this as a question from a combatant who respects you, not as a member of another side of war." The word war left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"If you're worried about anyone hearing, my lips are sealed. Whatever you have to say will not leave this battlefield." He wasn't so naive that he saw things in black and white. People weren't simply 'good guys' and 'bad guys.' Everyone had a life and circumstances that shaped them. He understood that there were truly awful people, but he didn't sense that from Makoto.

---

Makoto Kurumi

Something didn't feel right...this technique...was it really Dark Pulse? He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but his strategy wasn't going to change in the slightest. The strange wave of energy assaulted Tameemon, and he felt his vision cloud. He wavered a little, but that would soon resolve itself. Toki would continue "Rest." He said. Tameemon sat down and fell asleep on the spot, the bruising from Belly Drum quickly easing away as the Snorlax did what all Snorlax were best at; Sleep.

It was at that moment that some may realize what Toki is setting up, but Toki was hoping that Makoto would be too focused on taking out the threat to notice immediately. He used the heat of battle to his advantage and hoped that would be enough to swing the battle heavily in his favor. He remained calm and steadfast. He disliked the idea of letting Tameemon take so much damage, even if Rest helped alleviate that a bit, but Tameemon didn't seem to mind and recognized it as part of the plan.

Toki couldn't help but feel his heart pound. This was his first really big mission and felt he had a lot riding on his shoulders, but he did his best to push those thoughts back. No, not push them back. He needed to embrace them and let them motivate him to do his best, victory or defeat. He took a deep breath and sighed to steady himself.

---

Makoto Kurumi

At this point, Toki didn't want to say anything further, lest he come across as too preachy for his own good. The focus was now on the battle, which continued now that they were both down one Pokemon. He deeply hoped that Nobusuma would be okay after that attack, but there was no time to go easy. Makoto sent out an Alolan Ninetales, something that reminded Toki of home. Toki closed his eyes for a moment and thought of home. Ultimately, while his friends and family helped him...it was ultimately him who pulled himself out of his prior hardships. He opened his eyes and steeled himself for the next leg of the battle.

He noticed that they were relying heavily on speed to outmaneuver Tameemon. A good strategy, but one that Toki had a plan for. "Belly Drum!" He commanded. Tameemon stood up and spread his arms out wide before heavily slapping his stomach hard, psyching himself up and letting out a low growl as he prepares himself for the upcoming battle. Step one of the plan was in action. Toki hoped that the ensuing power Tameemon was capable of dishing out would be enough to carry him through the battle.

Toki bided his time for the appropriate opportunity to continue the strategy. He had spent so long doubting himself even after he made it to Hoenn and became a Ranger. This was no time to wallow in those feelings. A job needed to be done. People needed help, and a strange phenomenon had to be understood for the good of all. This was important to him, and he would do everything he could to contribute.

---

Makoto Kurumi

KO'd Nobusuma

Toki smiled. "They protect you without command. That enough tells me all I need to know." He said. He winced as the Crobat bit into Azura, draining some of her life in her moment of confusion. She struggled to stay standing after the leeching, but ultimately slumped to the ground unconscious. He frowns "I'm sorry, Azura. You did well, come on back." He returned her to her Pokeball. He took a deep breath, pressing his forehead against the Pokeball before he pulled out another one. "We'll be fighting for some time yet, you say? Then I won't hold back."

Toki threw the ball and called out "Tameemon...! Heavy Slam!" He shouted as the Snorlax appeared and immediately reached out to grip Nobusuma's wings before falling with his whole body weight to smash the opponent into the ground with a thunderous quake. Whether it worked or not, Tameemon would slowly push himself back into a standing position. While still having the sleepy expression Snorlax's are known for, Tameemon seemed rather focused.

"I wish more people took the time to understand the histories of others. If I was judged harshly for my past as a petty thug...then I think I would have only fallen further. Anger and beratement...surely there's a better way to approach all of this." He mused.

---

Makoto Kurumi

Azura - Knocked Out

The ringing screech hit its mark, Azura's ears buzzing at the discordant noise as her vision got wobbly and disoriented. Toki didn't know what to do in order to assist her in the moment. He just hoped that his commands would be able to reach her in her current state "Azura, listen! Hyper Voice!" He commanded. Azura heard the distorted command and tried to follow through, though her voice wavered, unable to provide the power necessary as she stumbled in the sand and coughed a bit, clearly strained. Toki put a hand on his chest in worry. She wasn't going to be able to defend herself. A good play by his opponent, he would give them that.

"We're both people of principles, then. I can respect that. I just hope whatever path you're walking doesn't hurt you." He said with a bow of his head. Azura struggled to get back up, stance wobbly as she couldn't quite focus her vision. Toki worried that the next blow would be enough to knock her out and put him on his back foot. Many scenarios played out in his head, but he had a plan. A big one in the event he had to change up Pokemon.

"You're a good trainer. Your Pokemon are loyal, and value your safety. At the very least that earns my respect as a trainer."

---

Makoto Kurumi

The vile poison along the Crobat's claws immediately set Toki on edge "Aqua Jet!" With that command, Azura lowered her body and slid across a torrent of water underneath Nobusuma. Then, she would leap and do a loop in the air before she dove straight for the Crobat's body in a water-infused tackle. So far the battle was going in Azura's favor, but it was too late to gloat. Azura landed with a showy, playful pose before she awaited the next part of the battle.

Then, he was asked a question "My ancestors are from here...and I lived my teenage years in a way I regret. Here, in a new land and as a Ranger, I wanted to prove to myself I had what it took to do right by people and grow past my mistakes. Despite everything...no, because of everything that's happening here, I want to lend mine and my Pokemons' strength to Hoenn in its efforts to be better. That's what I believe in. I don't care if I'm just some rookie, I'm going to rise in the ranks, tempering my ideals all the while." He seemed completely willing to have his ideals challenged...but in that challenge, forge them and mature as a person.

"If people with strong Pokemon are fleeing from this site in terror...then the average innocent will stand no chance if this gets out of hand. That is why I fight today, so I hope you hold no hard feelings for my actions."

---

Makoto Kurumi

Toki thought about their reaction and understood their wariness. They were on opposite sides of the law, but everyone had their reasons for falling into certain groups. He never judged unless he felt he understood their reasons. "I don't blame your reaction...I understand. I'm just some rookie from Alola, but that's not going to stop me from doing right by others in my own way." He nodded his head at their statement that he would be fighting for a long time. "I've been fighting my fears and anxieties for a long time. I'm prepared for what might come my way."

Azura dances and darts around, barking playfully and teasingly, though the Zoroark's sudden dash forward caught her off-guard. She brought her flippers up to block the downward kick, though it would in fact bruise her quite a bit. She continued her little swaying dance as the Crobat swooped onto the field. Toki was surprised at the sheer size of it. A Crobat that's large enough to be a flying mount? He'd never seen one so large. Either way, he thought about the next step, though he had a good idea of the next action to take. "Azura, Icy Wind!" He commanded.

Azura barked and leapt into the air. She took a deep breath and spun around while exhaling a stream of cold, crystalline mist to obscure her body before breathing out a concentrated blast at the Crobat. Flying types didn't like their wings getting frozen, so hopefully this would do some damage.

----

Makoto Kurumi

Toki paused as the Zoroark and the other Rocket member appeared to assist in the other's escape. He stared the new arrival down and backed away from the Zoroark, then trailed his gaze towards the Rocket member that came to their ally's aid. They told him to leave this situation be and back off. Toki struggled with what to say, or how to even proceed here. This would be his first major confrontation, but there were so many factors here that made him feel tense and worried about the consequences of his actions. He took a deep breath and steeled himself "Your friend there is clearly shaken by what he saw. This goes beyond what side we're on, there are things we clearly don't fully understand. Things that if they fall into the wrong hands on either side could cause so many innocent people to be hurt...we need as much information as possible, and those who are scared, traumatized, and injured need help regardless of where they stand."

Was he even making sense? His heart pounded as he tried to negotiate and plead his case. Would people even listen to a low ranking Ranger like him? His hands shook. He needed to better himself. To take more charge of his life and prove to himself that he can be a force of good, not just for the League, but for Hoenn as a whole. Was that naive or overly ambitious? Maybe...but he was going to do his best. He took out a Pokeball "Azura...showtime." He threw out the Pokeball as a Brionne appeared in a flash of light, doing a playful pose in the air as she landed in front of him.

"Misty Terrain." He said, hands behind his back as Azura let out a song-like tone as the area around them started to shimmer and sparkle. Pinkish mist flowed about and offered a protective field that would last for some time. He stared down his opponent "I will not run. I will fight for the good of Hoenn and its people. Now then...let's begin." He said. His timid nature evaporated into a steadfast, dutiful stance and expression. "My name is Toki Akiyama, Ranger of Hoenn. Whatever I can do to help the world flourish, I will do my utmost."

-----

Makoto Kurumi

There was a scramble across the sands of Dewford Town. Toki Akiyama was pursuing a runaway Rocket Grunt who had recently returned from a botched expedition to the Ultra Deep Sea. The grunt was clearly shaken from the events, but Toki was given orders to apprehend them for information. Toki grit his teeth as he thought on this. They needed help, not an interrogation, but he was in no position to argue. Perhaps he could offer some kind of deal to get them some help. That would be the kind thing to do.

He and his Brionne, Azura, pursued the grunt, Toki by land, and Azura by sea. The grunt yelped and tried to run further inland as Azura uses Aqua Jet to surf along the sands. The grunt narrowly avoided getting tackled and started to scramble up a nearby hill. Toki wiped his brow and kicked up the same hill with steady steps, throwing a Pokeball "Tameemon, stop him!" A Snorlax lands in front of the grunt with a trembling slam and tried to reach out to grab them. Somehow they dipped and dodged around the surprisingly nimble Snorlax and continued to run.

Toki recalled Tameemon and Azura and kept running "Please, wait! Just tell us what we want to know and we'll get you some help! This information could save people!" Toki begged. The grunt huffed and screamed back "That place is a nightmare! If anyone knows what's good for them they'll forget about it and let it stay buried!"

Toki frowned, but stayed vigilant in his pursuit. How many people were struggling as a result of these Ultra Spaces? Was there anything he could do for any of them? His heart pounded at the idea of ever going into that place...but he would. One day. People needed to understand these places so that they could be safer. Whatever was in there needed to be in the right hands, or disastrous things could happen.

-----

Makoto Kurumi

POSTDORMITUM SIGN-UPS

ULTRA DEEP SEA SKIRMISH

CHARACTER: Toki Akiyama
FACTION: LEAGUE
PARTICIPATING IN BATTLES?: Yes
DO YOU WANT A BATTLE LARGER THAN A 1v1?: No
PREFERRED PARTNERS?: N/A
PREFERRED OPPONENTS?: Makoto Kurumi
POKEMON TEAM (6 MAX): Listed below
NOTES/COMMENTS: 

(Posting ICly)

Survey #6: "Well this is an easy one. If at any point I wanted to retire from my duties, I have a home back in Alola waiting for me. I'll likely move back to Akala with my family, using my earnings as a Ranger to buy a a house and live out my days in relative comfort, but I can only imagine that this decision is a long time from now. I plan on remaining here in Hoenn as long as I can, and who knows what the future will bring for me?"

Survey #13: "Oh now this is a tough question. The possibilities of science fiction are always fun to consider, but ultimately lost world genres win out. Why? Well, I believe there's much to learn from history, even if said history is in fiction. Leaning about ancient worlds, folklores, and traditions can teach us a lot of how we used to interact with the world and everything in it. Perhaps things we've even forgotten about are the key to solving modern problems we are currently facing. Apologies for the ramble, but I do love a good story..."

A sudden rustling caught both Toki and Nyx's attention. A small grey figure carrying something gold and shiny scampered from patch to patch of grass as it held its bounty tightly. "I've never seen that one before..." Toki said, carefully sneaking after it. He saw the little Pokemon bound up a tree, where a bright red chest was nestled in. The chest opened on its own, and the Pokemon happily deposited one of many coins as Toki approached. However, as he did, the branch supporting the chest creaked in protest to the added weight, and snapped. Thankfully, Toki was approaching so he had the opportunity to run over and catch the falling chest. To his surprise, the chest was pretty light despite all the coins inside of it.

A few coins got scattered in the ensuing fall, which the little Pokemon immediately rushed to retrieve. Toki picked a few up to help, though the Pokemon seemed threatened by this act. Toki slowed down, and carefully reached over to drop a coin in the chest. "You want these? You can have them...I'm just trying to help you out alright?" He said with a smile. These didn't seem like actual gold or currency, but it held sentimental value to the Pokemon, clearly. "Well it seems your home up there had a bit of an issue..." He looked around, and thought for a minute "How about you come with me? I'll help keep your things secure and I'll keep a look out for anything to add to your collection there?"

The Gimmighoul seemed intrigued by this offer, and at least somewhat trusted Toki after he didn't steal its treasure. It dove back into its box and popped out in the coins with a wide affirming smile. With that, Toki threw a Pokeball, and he and Nyx kept moving forward.

INSTANT-NOODLE CURRY

TASTE RATING: CHARIZARD

ASPEAR

TEACHES A LEVEL UP MOVE.

🥄Ohana the Tandemaus learns Population Bomb!

LEPPA

TEACHES A TM/TR MOVE.

🥄Mikoto the Feebas learns Scald!

SITRUS

TEACHES AN APPLICABLE MOVE

🥄Vesper the Weavile learns Night Slash!

KEE

FULLY ALTER A POKEMON'S MOVESET WITH LEVEL UP MOVES

🥄Mimi the Lopunny's moves are replaced with High Jump Kick, Dizzy Punch, Return, Charm, Foresight, and Mirror Coat

PECHA

ALLOWS YOU TO CHANGE YOUR POKEMON'S FORME

🥄Not using.

CHESTO

EVOLVES STAGE 1 → STAGE 2 or STAGE 2 → STAGE 3

🥄Azura the Popplio evolves to Brionne!

PERSIM

ALLOWS YOU TO CHANGE YOUR POKEMON'S ABILITY. HIDDEN ABILITIES CAN BE SELECTED

🥄Azura's ability becomes Liquid Voice!

PERSIM

ALLOWS YOU TO CHANGE YOUR POKEMON'S ABILITY. HIDDEN ABILITIES CAN BE SELECTED

🥄Lota the Scorbunny's ability becomes Libero!

GANLON

MAKES THE POKEMON SHINY

🥄Vesper the Weavile becomes Shiny!