"Oh, is that so." Saki's answer seemed apathetic, but after a pause to think, she clapped a few times. What Remiel said was an answer the girl seemed to approve of, although her smile still failed to each her eyes. That was the extent of their conversation, but even that much had been enjoyable.

'Enjoyable', however, wasn't enough when lives were at stake. Remiel had declined her offer, perhaps out of some sense of heroic duty, and she had no intention of staying to watch that hopeless battle. Fortunately for all of them, the suggested alternative was... palatable. No, in fact, it was quite a good idea.

Saki glanced over her shoulder at Valiant, nodding vaguely, then flew off in the opposite direction with Agility. They'd cover more ground that way, by splitting up. The exit... this city seemed to sprawl on endlessly. And even if they could find a way out, it was useless if they'd end up in just more Ultra Space. Not a way out, they needed a way back... and hopefully, that exit would look just like the entrance.

Even with Marisa's breakneck speed, it took a few minutes of soaring around to spot something promising. Time was of the essence, and promising was better than nothing. Then again, the option to abandon her allies was there. It was there, and it couldn't denied or ignored... but, Saki didn't know what awaited her on the other side. It may well have just been more Ultra Space. Having some bodyguards would be helpful, if those two were still alive. Saki flew back immediately to where she'd last seen Remiel and Sergei. Even if they'd relocated, with her bird's eye view, it would be easy to find them (or their bodies) and regroup.

More and more excitement. If the part of her that craved excitement and adored stories was still active, this would have been a most wonderful scene. Particularly with Calyrex's parting advice. Unfortunately, only one part of Saki was available at this time, and that part was woefully inept at weaving words in to narratives, be that literally or metaphorically. Instead, seated in her chair-like Pokemon, she observed the situation and considered their strategies.

A few had scurried off. In an ideal scenario, they intended to attack the source of this disturbance. It was also highly probable they simply intended to retreat and desert. Regardless, Saki did not join them. It also seemed like they had sufficient warriors protecting the civilians from those monstrous hands. Poison... poison was odd, though, Saki thought. Poison didn't seem right. Was there a third actor involved...?

That could wait. The battle before her was more pressing. Since other matters were under control, fortification seemed the wisest idea. An idea the peasants had already had, in fact, making her job both easier and more obvious. With Marisa's terrifying telekinetic talent, the scenery was ripped apart without any consideration, restructured and reorganised into a more optimal configuration. Pavement, chunks of buildings, trees... anything and everything was a potential barrier, wasn't it?

---

Metagross uses Psychic to help construct barricades.
I probably should mention, just in case, that she's wearing her usual masked Rocket outfit.

bEhPYdyJ

The wind howled softly, gently blowing Saki's hair aside. These walks through the forests had been comfortable, though not exciting. For her, a literal memory lane to take trips down, a place for her thoughts to wander throughout space and time. An excellent way to balance out all the excitement in the region.

Or not, today. She stopped in her tracks, staring in silent awe at the Pokemon before her. Without a word and without a motion, Saki watched, observing the behaviour of this ever-familiar creature.

"...snap out of it," she whispered, to herself. "It's just a random wild. Don't get your head lost in daydreams just because of the other ghosts around here..." Saki winced. "Yeah, fine, but don't you think it's fate? We've been looking to round things out, isn't it just perfect...? ...I'll deal with it myself then, huh..."

Clicking her tongue, she sent out Iroha. Although Touka was consumed by hate and Marisa was a cold machine, the Paradox Pokemon before her had even less risk of being swayed by her emotions. Despite this, Saki approached cautiously by herself, rummaging around in her pockets for suitable food. Iroha stepped in front of her and held out an arm to bar Saki's path for her own good, though.

Well, she couldn't bring herself to just order Close Combat. Numb to death as she was, having the dead stare her in the face - speaking on an emotional and metaphorical level - was a subtly different matter. She didn't want to choose violence, and didn't even know if Iroha could hold back... wait, on second thought, she didn't need to. The Iron Valiant instead employed Hypnosis: a tool which, as everyone is aware, solves every issue. After hesitantly creeping closer, Saki carefully threw her Pokeball.

So much for the Legendary Pokemon of knowledge. Actually, was that even what this thing was about? Saki hadn't quite paid enough attention at the time. Offering answers to everyone's questions sure sounded like something a knowledge Pokemon would do though. With no incentive to pursue the creature, her Metagross dropped straight down to the ground, with Saki splayed out pathetically on its back. Was this the sting of rejection? She'd expected this result, but trying had been her only option. Seems like it had just been miscommunication, but an interesting miscommunication all the same. Closing her eyes, she muttered a few thoughts to herself out loud, then regrouped with the others.

"Looks like all the fun people are headed to Circhester... there's safety in numbers." Seems she had, in fact, gotten over her obsession. Or more accurately, realised it was unactionable. No, it always had been, and she'd always known. It was just one fleeting moment where she'd been given a chance. So now, for her, it was back to business as usual. "Not that I'd run from a suicide mission. But it sounds like we have everywhere sufficiently covered. My head does still ache, too..."

---

Saki copes for a split second, then follows their impromptu gang to Circhester.

PqXDA1ls

The Ultra Deep Sea... the battles they'd faced there had been forever engraved into Saki's heart. They didn't intend to return there today, but wandering Granite Cave to reminisce had sounded pleasant at the time. And of course, if they 'got into an accident' and wound up in Ultra Space again, well, such was life. In fact, they were starting to realise they had quite a fondness for that other world... although, unfortunately, there weren't many people there to play with.

Instead of exploration, though, today had become a day of training. In particular, for Iroha. This was where they had first met - well close enough anyway - and there were so many Mawiles to practice on. Not necessarily for her to grow stronger, but to increase the bond between trainer and Pokemon. The Iron Valiant's brutal efficiency proved quite effective even under these circumstances, mixing psychic trickery with raw force to leave a trail of unconscious bodies.

At least, that had been the idea. An idea that was mostly successful, but the faux-steel-type had grown visibly exhausted, looking back over her shoulder with a slightly narrowed gaze.

"Marisa wouldn't be that much better at doing this." It was far from uncommon for Saki to talk to herself, but this wasn't one of those times. "Besides, this is about us getting to know each other! We've already learned you don't like prolonged fighting or effort, for example."

Her Pokemon looked to the side and squinted.

"Hey, what's that meant to mean!? It's still going fine, isn't it!? ...Well how was I meant to know any of that, huh!? ...Oh, well excuse me, princess!"

ZT753x0X

"Oohh...!" Saki clapped very quietly as Violet began. She herself knew nothing about flower language, so it was all very impressive to her. Not to mention, it was also kind and nice and sweet. Even though she had no words in response, the smile on her face was completely unambiguous. After a moment, she moved a bit closer, physically bridging the gap from 'stranger' to 'acquaintance'.

The third member of their group seemed quite pleasant also, plus immediately clearly capable. She nodded along as he spoke, silently taking in information just as he had. At the end, she straightened up with a salute, but a playful one. "I'll do my best! I'm kiinda starting to get the feeling we're the most functional team here... it's good fortune, huh? Heheh. Oh, and dragons are really cool. I wish I had some. So are ghost-types too! They're actually also my favourites, to be honest..."

With a thoughtful hum, she glanced over to the computer screens. "Ah, we should hurry up though... I love all those suggestions, you guys are really good with words. Hmmm... it sounds like 'Garland' might be off the table. I'd kind of warmed up to that one, heheh. I really like how Laurel sounds, it has a strong 'team name' feeling... but, doesn't it have another meaning? It might be bad if we imply we're complacent... and it sounds like we're all happy with Bouquet!"

She went ahead and locked that name in, making sure they didn't run out of time. After that, she giggled, raising her fist in a mock show of enthusiasm. "Go team...!"

---

Looks like Saki Amor Rose and Violet Fairbanks are gonna be Team Bouquet.
She's on board with all the plans too. Very stoked.

At first, Saki seemed disoriented. She furrowed her brow and glanced back and forth, mouthing silent words to herself. Something about this conversation, or perhaps its existence in the first place, was a little unsettling. Perhaps being in Ultra Space was simply taking its toll on her.

She composed herself with a quiet sigh. "Adventure. Exploration. Diving into the unknown. I was under the impression that these were the moral obligations of a Pokemon trainer. Someone has to explore this place, after all." A dryly amused smile casually made its way to her facial features. "What right does Hoenn have to forbid such an act? Do they say that because it's dangerous? So are many other things in this world. Who permits them to stop me from living my life as I see fit? If I wish to commit suicide, directly or otherwise, that's really none of their business. Or do they wish to force me to stay trapped in this cage of flesh, simply so I can toil away as a cog in their economical machine? Hm."

She glanced over at Sergei. He seemed distracted enough by the vending machine, so perhaps Saki's absurd and creepy dialogue was a private moment just for Remiel. Not that she cared. In fact, she continued. "You're responsible for the well-being of your own life, not just for others. If this place is so forbidden, then from a logical perspective, you shouldn't be risking your life here either. Not for someone you're more likely to find in The Border. I wonder what drives you? To not give up and give in, the way we have."

Watching Sergei while she talked, she considered buying some of the bizarre products, despite his condemnation thereof. No, rather, it would have been easier to rip the vending machine open, and feast directly on its innards. This land masqueraded as civilised society, but it was just as much the wilderness as the rest of Ultra Space. Kill or be killed; eat or be eaten.

Before she could act on that possibility, the zombies returned, proving more capable than she gave them credit for. She hadn't been paying attention, so this act of theirs astounded her. Well then, no more pit-stops until they had truly escaped. "Magnet Rise. If only Marisa here knew Earthquake. Burying these things under the rubble of their dead world would be a fitting and efficient end. Now get on."

Her Pokemon lifted itself slightly into the air, moving to Remiel and Sergei in turn. There wasn't a lot of room, and a Metagross was inherently heavy, but she believed it was manageable. Valiant was on his own, though. And if the trainers were slow, or had other plans... well, Saki wasn't going to just sit there and get eaten alive. If she had to abandon them and find her way out of Lesser Megalopolis by herself, that wasn't something under her control. What really was?

---

I'll count this for 🗺️ the consequences of Saki Shitachi 's indifference and calculating personality must be explored in some way.

A stranger, bleeding out before her eyes. Standing in her way, and for some pointless reason. Malice coursed through her, a rare genuine emotion that sank into her bones as readily as the biting cold did. Or was this just her paltry attempt at imitating what had come before?

"I know that I'm small, but can I go one week without someone mistaking me for a child? I'm a member of Team Rocket. And if you aren't, I might kill you for that remark." Imitation or no, it did feel good. Addictive, even. In fact, this wasn't nearly enough.

Before she could vent her frustrations by mutilating her nominal ally though, she snapped back to her senses. Shadow Lugia meant safety and order, so in the absence of more amusing alternatives, Shadow Lugia was where she went. Her Metagross landed with a powerful thud, but she lacked even the time to greet her allies. Although as a mere grunt, perhaps greetings would have been out of line.

Her eyes lit up. Beneath her comparatively warm facemask, she grins sharply. Kill it if she wished? Well, that'd be fun, but something else dominated her soul at the moment.

Unlike 9/53=17% of those present, Saki was among the remaining 83% that did not hate themselves. However, that lack of hatred did not equate to love. It didn't equate to anything. Her own life was as devoid of value as any other.

And yet there were things in this world that did have value.

"Kuon, I know you're not gonna like this, but..."

Her Metagross grumbled.

"And Kuon says it's a-okay! Let's go, partner."

With its speed still drastically enhanced, Saki's Metagross soared in. Damn the consequences. Closing into melee range, against a foe pelting her with lethal spears, and with everyone else blanketing that foe with their own attacks... none of that mattered. She needed to be heard. Hence, of course, she was still riding her Pokemon, even at this suicidal stage.

It seemed like an ice-type. Actually, was it even one Pokemon? It could have been two, but it could have been one. Regardless of what it was, Saki's mount flung out a flurry of Meteor Mashes, attempting to not just pummel the Glastrier, but latch onto it, so that the trainer could hold her insane conversation.

"How might I subjugate that beautiful cat monster? How can I get more of that wonderful feeling it gives me?" She leaned closer in her mania, trying to get her face as close to Calyrex's as possible. "How can I win its heart, so it can bring me to life, then take these faded worlds and paint them all red with me?"

---

Saki threatens Madeline McKenna for her crimes against short people, then proceeds to Lugia and pals.
Metagross uses Meteor Mash on Calyrex/Glastrier.
Saki wants to know about Chien-Pao; the cold and the pain have her weirder than usual.
Still using lethal force though.

H6gKYg_W

Saki glanced to Shred without turning her head to face him, mouth curling into a sharp little grin. "Well, next time, then, huh? And good luck."

With nothing more to say, the grey-haired girl sauntered off. Her assigned teammates were quite easy to find; one had already been in her mind's eye, and the other simply stood out in general. It helped that they were already in close proximity. She closed her eyes for one second to gather her thoughts, then approached with a calm smile.

"Hello! Or, hello again, heheh." After addressing the trio, she turned to Makoto with an apologetic look. "Sorry to break up your group over here. I wonder if the choices were random, or if they had some criteria...? If it's any consolation, I love your hair."

That was all the attention she gave them, turning to Amor and Violet and clasping her hands together. "It's nice to meet and re-meet you both! My name is Saki, but feel free to call me Yakumo." She giggled a little, at what seemed like an in-joke.

"So we have to pick a team name, huh...?" She thought for just a moment, then pointed at her teammates one by one. "Violet. Rose." Then, to herself. "'Bloom'. We could be Team Flower! I have quite a love of grass-types, you know. Although I... I, uh, ran out, a while back." She looked to the side, with an awkward pained smile.

"...well, on the topic of my team... My current physical friends are one Metagross, one Annihilape, and... errrh, and one of the weird Gallades that looks like a robot. From the Battle of Dewford, you know?" She reached up, timidly scratching the back of her head. "I don't really have a specialty or particular strength, sorry. On the plus side, I don't think I have a weakness either though! I guess I'm kinda boring like that, heheheheh."

---

She makes brief comments to Shred and Makoto Kurumi , then introduces herself and her Pokemon to Amor Rose and Violet Fairbanks .
They'll be Team Flower if Violet doesn't put a stop to her.

Seated upon her Metagross, Saki matched Sergei's and Remiel's pace without having to move at all, her creature scrabbling onwards but not rushing ahead. "Arguing?" She tilted her head with a lifeless gaze, then opened her mouth as if to ask further, before seemingly giving up.

"...I've actually never seen one before, myself." She pat the side of her mount, lifted gently down to the ground via telekinesis. Cautiously, Saki lifted one, holding it up to her eye for scrutiny. "Marisa, cover our path. I wonder if this civilisation was once able to mass produce them. Or perhaps they still can, that infrastructure may be intact. Is there some relation between these crystals and this world...?" With a thoughtful hum, she began to pocket several. "Even if they're powerless, they may have scientific value..."

As she talked to herself, her Pokemon did as instructed. With terrifying brute force, it smashed apart the nearby scenery and structures, barricading the entrance to the alley they'd gone down. Surely sufficient to keep any Megalopolans out, even if they'd heard. With its intelligence and processing power, Marisa had of course run the calculations and kept and rubble from crushing Valiant or any of the humans present.

Once satisfied with her haul, Saki straightened upright, using a softer voice for just a moment. "By the way, now that we're safer, what brings you two here anyway?"

Her partner's speed proved woefully inefficient. Immediate action was perhaps Marisa's only weakness, a lot like her trainer. Simply being able to fly was not a guarantee of safety, to their collective chagrin. Durability, by contrast, was one of the steel-type's strengths, and ice was no threat to her metal exterior. That was the plan, at least. The unadulterated negative energy just beneath that frozen wave was far more dangerous, ripping into the Metagross's sensitive mind. Still, the beast endured.

Saki was less fortunate. Most trainers would have their Pokemon act as shields for their fragile human forms, but laying atop their ally as they were, in Saki's case it was the other way around. With a psyche as vulnerable as their psychic-type's, and a body of fairly delicate flesh, Saki was left screaming.

By the time they'd found her bearings again, they lay on their back in an unfamiliar land, staring up at the sky with dull eyes, which slowly came to a close.

Their mouth feebly curled up into a twisted, shaky smile. They laughed, quietly, to theirselves. To stir emotions in their empty heart... what an indescribably, profoundly beautiful experience. Exhilarating beyond words. Saki let out a dreamy sigh. It felt good.

A nudge from their Pokemon brought them from their reverie. Concern and kindness, even now. Even with their ragged breathing, it probably had looked like they were dying, admittedly.

"...thanks, buddy... help me up, won't you? Legs aren't working so good... brain's not working so good either..."

Telekinesis lifted Saki's limp body up, lying her comfortably atop her Pokemon before holding her snugly and securely in place. Upon seeing Shadow Lugia... a small part of her wanted to ignore that call. To explore this strange Galar and see what wonders it had to offer. All the bodily pain kinda got in the way of that urge, though.

A quiet "thattaway" was all her Pokemon needed. Pausing for a moment to bolster its speed, her Metagross tucked its legs under its body and flew off towards its trainer's superior. Careful and precise use of its psychic power helped stop the acceleration from mutilating Saki any further.

---

Saki's having a bad time already.
She's loving it, though.
Possibly more than she can remember loving anything.

Metagross adds Agility to its ongoing buffs and flies to the group of Cillian Quinn , Hitoshi Inoue , and Xenon Antheil .
Bringing Saki.
She's strapped to it like it's some kind of exoskeleton.
sKKEljTP

Saki met Xenon's smile with an almost-similarly manic glint in her own eyes, nodding along in agreement. Before she could debate the finer points of the other girl's logic - or ignore logic entirely and just butter her up - the rest of Rocket relocated to their region. Saki clicked their tongue and thoughtfully narrowed their gaze. Perhaps they'd miscalculated. Her interest in Xenon had gotten her distracted from everything else, but quite the crowd of quirky characters had conglomerated. Seems this Isaac had a strong ability to draw people in. She met his gaze with her usual distant eyes and lifeless smile. He'd probably go far, she reckoned, and was worth keeping an eye on in the future.

Even their previous quarry had found more stable companions than them, leaving Saki suddenly sans objective. Thankfully, their supervisors thought to suggest a new subject, seeking solutions to their threats.

With no immediate incentive to initiate, Saki contemplated. She found herself clapping quietly, as Isaac finished making his speech. Heartwarming. Emotional. Amusing. The other speeches that followed were good too, but most lacked the wonderful seasoning of the human spirit. One could certainly argue that Xenon's, dripping with raw ambition, held humanity's most critical component.

No, forget about that. They were busy. This wasn't the time for eyeing up toys or candy.

She scanned the room, seeking alternatives to invading an existing ensemble. With her potential prey congealing into a singular mass, scavenging from the stragglers was safest. A lot of them seemed dubious, though. Someone that stood alone, without simply sulking in silence.

The spirit girl drifted over to Shred's general direction, eyeing a terminal whilst talking to herself. "They didn't ask which was the most threatening. They asked what the highest priority is. Not to Rocket, nor to us as individuals, but to the collective identity we strive to take on together, to the many-bodied person known as 'S.P.E.C.T.R.A.'. So what, again, do each of these letters mean..."

They voted B. Partially as an olive branch, and partially just to be an insufferable contrarian. Now then, if she had to make up a train of logic to justify this choice, perhaps...

"...it's the threats within that we have to cultivate. Our top priority is to make our own monsters as menacing as we can manage. Focus on our threats, and threaten the whole world..."

---

She chills with the larger gathering for a while and exudes friendly vibes, then goes off to be weird in Shred 's vicinity. Votes B.

"Haha, hahahaha..." The monster you once called a friend straightens back up, visibly wracked with pain, her breathing ragged. "I thought you knew me better than that, Tsubaki." She raises her arm, wiping one hand against her face in an upwards motion, then continuing so as to slick her hair back. "Oh, I know, of course! You're so caught up in thinking you used to be just like me, that's what got you tricked."

Chuckling - and wincing - her other hand snaps to her waist, retrieving her second and final Pokeball. "Unlike you, I've always loved humanity. Ironic, wouldn't you say? Trying to distance yourself only made you more like me! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

A flash of light bursts forth to protect her, twisting itself into the shape of a bulky blue quadruped that resolutely blocks Sumire's path. "My new friend isn't ready for this just yet. I don't want your 'justice' to make her suffer anyway, not like it did everyone else. I'll have to borrow dear Kuon's Pokemon for now." That name she speaks is the first hint of her hatred, a rare and momentary display of anger and venom. Whether that's her true self and the rest is an act, or if it's yet more incomprehensible gibberish, it still doesn't change that she's your enemy.

"Hehhehhehheh. What you're doing is admirable, but I don't really feel like leaving this world just yet. It's too much fun. You're too much fun, senpai. I wonder precisely how fun it'll be, when I snuff out that fire in your heart, and make you realise how powerless your ideals really are? Crush Sumire first with Psychic." The eyes of her Metagross light up with an ominously piercing red glow, blurred and distorted by the strange air of this space. Its telekinetic prowess threatened just what its trainer promised, aiming to swat your Arbok aside then squash her like a bug-type.

"'Squeeze all the evil out of me'? I wonder about that. Is there anything else to me in your eyes? It seems like what you're hoping for is an enemy of justice, an incarnation of evil itself. I'd be more than happy to grant that wish, but you should be more careful with your desires, Tsubakiiii!"