A voice cut through the empty air, calling Colton out and challenging him, because of course something had to happen. At this point, he didn't even feel nervous, at least, not to an overwhelming degree. If anything, he was just frustrated. Frustrated that the world just seemed extremely keen on kicking him while he was down. He knocked his forehead against one of Lodestone's magnets as it rotated the pair of them to face the source.

Colton stared at the man who had called him out for a moment, almost confused at the sight. He seemed to be even worse off than Colton was, clothes torn, blood dripping all around him, and fatigue clear on his face and body, looking as if he was about to fall over at the slightest breeze. "Is this really necessary? It looks like you've been beat up even worse than I have in here," he said, electing to let go of his Magneton to avoid losing the use of his other arm to a wayward attack, moving down to stand on a nearby floating platform.

His eyes narrowed as the other man's hand suddenly moved towards his Pokéballs. "Warning shot," Colton ordered, his Magneton making a mechanical cry of confirmation. At each one of its heads, an individual element formed before coming together, a TRI ATTACK forming and shooting just over the other man's shoulder, just close enough to feel the heat, cold, and static of the beam on his body.

"The next one doesn't miss. Just walk away," he warned, though inwardly, Colton wasn't sure he could make that decision. If an attack like that hit center mass, he could very well kill the guy, but he couldn't let that doubt show on his face. Any sign of hesitation and he would certainly call Colton on his bluff, which would only drag out a fight neither of them seemed really fit to partake in.

Kouji Matsubara
OOC: Clash 1/3
10 MP (IC Post)
Total: 80

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Colton was not in a good shape.

Bourdon was down for the count and his left arm was screaming in pain and wouldn't move. On top of that, he didn't even have anything to show for it. To say he had been humbled would be putting it mildly and a stark reminder he had a long way to go to get better at battling. But, if he could at least make it back to the rift, he could slip into Granite Cave and try to make his way back to Dewford to recover. In theory, it was an easy trip to make, especially with Lodestone helping him along from cover to cover. If there was one thing battling ana fell had taught him, it was that stealth was sometimes the better option.

Of course, this was all in theory. It was entirely possible that something could happen that would throw his escape plan right into teh trash. Whether it was facing off against another one of those Ultra Beasts, another Rocket attacking him, or if he somehow stumbled his way into the strange dream space that filled the Ultra Deep Sea, something he had yet to experience.

He tentatively reached up, touching the coral horn that had sprouted on his head. Supposedly, it and whatever other mutations that had occurred on his body would leave once he escaped the Ultra Deep Sea, but he had his doubts. By this point, Colton was very much operating on the principle of Murphy's Law.

Kouji Matsubara
OOC: Clash 1/3
50 MP (Participation), 10 MP (IC Post), 10 MP (Mutation)
Total: 70

Burnout skidded back after the attack, shaking himself back and forth as he recovered from the attack, but the Sawk wasn't relenting, already coming in with another blow ready. But the Revavroom was ready this time, his tires squealing as he reversed away and the Sawk's foot uselessly cracked the ground where Burnout had once been. Purple flames spurted out from his cylinders as he readied himself to attack once again, only for the sudden appearance to hail give both him and his trainer pause.

Colton shielded his face as the Abomasnow made its presence known, stomping its way towards them with a snowstorm swirling around it. His eyes narrowed before he looked towards Ito. "We're not out of the woods, yet! Take care of this Sawk and I'll handle the Abomasnow!" he said. This guy's Haxorus was powerful and they couldn't risk having it take a big hit from an Ice-type, especially with the hail now wearing down on their Pokémon.

He turned his attention back to Burnout, who was still busy using his heightened speed to avoid the Sawk's blows while peppering him with GUNK SHOTS. "Shift up again, then take out the Abomasnow back there!" Colton shouted. Burnout, his grin only growing wider, revved his engine up even higher, the purple flames coming out of his cylinders growing in intensity as his SHIFTED even higher.

With blinding speed, he rocketed past the Sawk, his tires leaving skid marks on the ground as smoke built up around them before the Revavroom suddenly SPUN OUTlaunched itself into the air, spinning around rapidly before its body slammed into the Abomasnow. With both his heightened speed and attack, the force Burnout generated managed to launch the much larger Pokémon back in the direction it came tumbling end over end.

Burnout landed back on the ground, his engine downshifting as his tongue wagged in amusement, as the Abomasnow slowly got back to its feet, very clearly hurt from the attack.

Ito Arxien
OOC: Caves 1/2
10 MP (IC Post)
Total: 80 MP

Colton nodded at her observation. "Pretty much since day one. Makes me sound like a huge nerd, but I enjoy it. Learning what makes things tick has always fascinated me," he answered as he gently placed each individual piece of the transmitter aside, leaving the interior electronics exposed. He set the screwdriver aside before lightly tapping the offending wire that detached itself from the circuit board a moment later, Arti's mischievous smile appearing in the small spark for a brief moment before the other end detached itself as well.

"Just trying my best to be helpful, Ms. Livy," he answered, shaking his head in a dismissive manner. As he reached back to retrieve a fresh spool of wire, he gestured to the space around them. "I have to say, this is probably the strangest place I've ever worked in. Nothing like an eldritch, alien landscape to really set the atmosphere."

Almost as if it was an invitation, a small horn made from coral sprouted on to the top of his head, the red tip just barely breaching his messy brown locks.

PENELOPE LIVY
OOC: Comms 1/2
10 (Mutations), 10 MP (IC Post)
Total: 100 MP

Colton watched in fascination as Shalin broke the Mudbray, almost like a cowboy trying to tame a wild horse. If not for the Raticate she had been riding around on earlier, then this would have by far been the strangest thing he had ever seen. But, it worked, so he couldn't very well call it stupid. Though, despite how practiced she appeared to be, watching her collapse to the floor and rise unsteadily meant that it had still taken a lot out of her. The folly of human limitations, it seemed.

Colton walked over to her, offering a hand to help her stand up. "That was really impressive. I've never seen anyone tame a Pokémon like that," he said, laughing as he took a moment to look at the Whismur scampering around fearfully. "Though, it looks like the rest of your audience didn't seem to find the show as fun."

At least, that's what it seemed like, until he felt a steady rumble through the earth. Metal clanged as the rumble turned into distinct footfalls and it soon became clear why the Whismur were running away. Around the corner walked a massive Pokémon, the sharp, regal blade on its head rising high as it glowered down at them. A Kingambit, and one that didn't seem too pleased at their presence. With a sudden burst of speed, the wild launched itself across the cave, Arti only just barely able to intercept and receive the full force of the Kingambit's FURY CUTTER.

"Crap! Arti!" Colton cried out as he stumbled back and fell to the ground. Worry was clear on his face, but, to his partner's credit, the Rotom didn't falter. Instead, a pulse of electricity released off its body, a THUNDER WAVE that left sparks crackling over the Kingambit's body, followed shortly by a powerful HYDRO PUMP slamming into its face.

The Kingambit stumbled back, but it didn't fall. Its glare towards Arti was as sharp as the blade on its head and, despite the paralysis, it slowly, slowly stepped its way forward. Another HYDRO PUMP and, yet, it still continued forward. Another HYDRO PUMP. Closer still, now within attack range. The Kingambit raised its head, his blade gleaming with dark energy as it readied itself for one final attack that Colton knew would be too much for the Rotom.

Only for Ferrus to suddenly appear from over Arti's head to slam its body right in between the Kingambit's eyes.

That was the reprieve Arti needed. The TACKLE broke the wild's concentration and it swatted Ferrus away with one hand, just in time to open its eyes and see one final HYDRO PUMP smash into its face, sending it tumbling backwards onto the ground, dazed. Colton threw another Pokéball, watching it bounce off the wild's body and encase it before running over to the fallen Beldum and picking it up from the ground.

"Looks like you're the MVP today, huh, bud?" he said with a laugh, the Beldum giving a pleased, but tired hum. Arti floated over, still grinning but it was clear he was hurting from the attack Kingambit had landed. The cable extending out of the back of its washing machine reached down and pat Ferrus on the head, an expression of thanks for his teammate's quick thinking.

Shalin Nariya
OOC: Catching Kingambit

Colton couldn't help but sarcastically laugh at the idea that he had any idea about the Ultra Deep Sea. But, if the landscape could be mapped, then he would be able to get them from point A to point B, then back to point A again.

"Ideally, yes, we should be alright to get in and out without getting lost. There are some markings that are supposed to guide us to the League's encampments along what paths do exist," he replied before tapping at a radio on the inside of his labcoat. "If anything, so long as comms are still up, we can always radio for help should things get too out of hand for us."

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, after all.

Everything seemed to be quiet as they walked along, though Colton couldn't help but watch the space around him for any potential attacks. With how physics worked in this realm, it wasn't entirely out of the question for someone to drop in on them from above, an attack one normally wouldn't prepare for.

What he also wasn't prepared for was the roar of an Aggron, followed by a beam hitting something that sounded...very alien. Colton turned around, watching a jellyfish like being spinning away as the vestiges of a Flash Cannon faded away into the air. "Dammit...Burnout, Shift Gears and push on ahead! We can't risk the supplies!"

The Revavroom revved his engine in response, the pitch rising high before it suddenly dropped off as it zipped away with the supplies. Colton pulled another Pokeball from his belt, releasing his Magneton out into the air. "Flash Cannon, as well!" he commanded, Lodestone's own beam firing off and sending the Nihilego back even further. He looked towards Hideo, unease on his face. "Have you ever seen one of these things before?"

Hideo Kino
OOC: Cargo 1/2
25 (Ultra Beast), 10 MP (IC Post)
Total: 100 MP

Colton felt a smile crawl across his face as his opponent grew more and more frustrated as her Pokémon continued to reel from Bourdon's attacks. Maybe, if he kept up the pressure, he could actually win and get the Seal Stone! But he couldn't let the good fortune he was having so far distract him. The woman's Gengar managed to recover, disappearing a moment later as his opponent's mood shifted just as quickly.

"Keep your eyes peeled, Bourdon..."he said, looking around for any attack that may come.

Suddenly, he felt his arm jerk painfully as his Bronzong was knocked upwards, Colton spinning through the air. His left arm throbbed with pain and every movement hurt, though he could hardly move it on his own. His shoulder had been dislocated, he was sure of it, but he couldn't let it distract him. He grit his teeth, watching as Bourdon righted itself much higher up in the air, its eyes glowing as a loud tone resonated from its bell-like body and a PSYWAVE shot down towards the Gengar.

ana fell
OOC: Battle
10 MP (IC Post)
Total: 100 MP

Colton glanced back and forth between the wire he was touching and the Ohmmeter, sucking on his teeth when one of them came back with a reduced flow. He whistled, prompting Arti to pop its head out of the exposed wiring. He pointed to the offending wire, the Rotom buzzing in response as it dove back into the transmitter while Colton collected some additional tools.

"Sort of. I went to school for engineering, but I figured out a lot when I was a kid by just messing with stuff," he answered, wrapping the exposed wires in electrical tape to seal them back off again. "Radio transmitters were pretty easy to get a hold of and they generally all operate the same."

He didn't turn to look back at Penelope as he worked, pulling various tools and parts out as he steadily disassembled the transmitter.

PENELOPE LIVY
OOC: Comms 1/2
10 MP (IC Post)
Total: 80 MP

Colton nodded appreciatively, though he couldn't help but feel slightly self conscious that a child was the one doing all the heavy lifting for him. It was quite embarrassing to lack the reliability to do such important tasks on his own, so he resolved to at least do his best to aid Hideo on the journey downward.

"Once, so far tonight. Did a run through with another man where we had to fight our way into the rift, among other things," he answered. "It's hard to say if anything will look the same once I get back in there, though. Space doesn't make sense down there, but my Bronzong can navigate through well enough since it can float and we can hang on to make going through it easier."

His mind wandered back to the strange reality that was the Ultra Deep Sea and how nothing seemed to make sense. It made his brain want to crack trying to understand how the physics of the place worked. And yet, despite how terrifying it was, his curiosity made him want to go deeper just so he could understand even more of it...

Hideo Kino
OOC: Cargo 1/2
10 MP (IC Post)
Total: 90 MP

A grin crossed his face as his attack landed successfully, offering his Bronzong an approving pat on the top of its body. "Nice one!" he cheered, though it was quickly undercut by her sudden shift from jovial and carefree to very threatening. Colton tried to match her gaze, but was unable to keep himself from trembling. Had his brashness finally cost him more than he was willing to pay...?

He cringed backwards and closed his eyes, bracing himself for a harsh retaliation as she suddenly spun around. He felt his heart thumping in his chest as the anticipation of the counter attack built up and up and up...but nothing came. He opened one eye and looked towards the Gengar, still holding its head. It seemed like Bourdon's attack had stunned the Pokémon for a moment, leaving a quickly closing gap for him to capitalize.

"Uh...Extrasenory...? Again...?" he said, the same psychic glow taking over Bourdon's eyes as the attack solidified around the Gengar once more.

ana fell
OOC: Battle
10 MP (IC Post)
Total: 90 MP

Colton would have jumped with joy as a Haxorus suddenly appeared from nowhere and sent the still recovering Liepard even further away with an attack of its own had he not been riddled with anxiety, its unexpected appearance making him jump with a very unintimidating yelp. But his shock was quickly replaced by relief as his much sought after aid finally arrived. "Oh, man. You couldn't have picked a better time to show up!" he said as he and Burnout managed to recoup and recover.

With help by his side, Colton felt a sense of confidence fill his chest, one that his Revavroom seemed to match. Purple flames spat from his cylinders as his mouth turned upwards in a grin, tongue wagging happily. "We've got a lot of people to take on, so you'll need to crank it up, okay?" he said, prompting the Revavroom to rev his engine in understanding. With a mechanical clicking sound, the pitch of Burnout's engine dropped as he SHIFTED GEARS before blazing off at blinding speeds.

"Iron Head!" Burnout, with another spurt of poisonous exhaust, launched himself at another one of the Rockets' Pokémon, a Graveler, and smashed into it, sending it teetering back in a daze while another's Sawk lunged in, landing a heavy KARATE CHOP onto Burnout's body.

Ito Arxien
OOC: Caves 1/2
10 MP (IC Post)
Total: 70 MP

Arti made yet another annoyed buzzing sound as Colton walked through the cave, causing the trainer to roll his eyes in annoyance. "For the last time, I'm not going to make you leave your oh so beloved washing machine," he told, looking back at his partner with a glare. The Rotom was quick to match it, clearly not trusting what Colton had said as it buzzed out a protest. "I am not trying to replace you! I'm just trying to expand our options a bit!"

He gestured to the swarming Poliwrath, many of which were wrestling, boxing, or sparring with one another. "We could just use a bit of muscle on the team and I think Twoey could benefit from learning from something that has the kind of combat capabilities a Poliwrath has," he explained as he pulled a Pokéball from his belt. "She actually has to hit things. You just have to shoot water from that little door. One you won't be losing just because we might be getting another Water type."

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