[attr="class","header"]RATHER BE THE HUNTER THAN THE PREY

[attr="class","setting"]

Afraid? That had to do with one of those emotions, right? Fear, if he remembered correctly. He couldn’t say he really understood it, but he couldn't just go around saying stuff like that. It always got him strange looks.
[break][break]
“I fear nothing,” he told him as he let his gaze scan the terrain below them. His sharp gaze caught sight of a Nidoqueen and a Togepi, neither of which held interest for him. Sure, he was sure they were great Pokémon in their own right, but neither of those Pokémon were a fit for him.
[break][break]
As he mentioned the name of his own Charizard, he looked up. "Funnily enough, I have a Gallade named Ares. And my other two Pokémon are a Mabostiff named Fenris and an Ariados who I haven’t gotten around to naming yet. I’m sure I’ll think of something though."
[break][break]
As he mentioned his own reason for being out here, he nodded. "It’s good to take a break from time to time," he agreed before continuing.
[break][break]
"While I’m made of some pretty tough stuff and don’t mind speed, Apollo doesn’t know any moves that boost his speed. Even without them, he’s pretty fast though. I hope that’s okay."[break] Josh Devlin

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + skipping

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]RATHER BE THE HUNTER THAN THE PREY

[attr="class","setting"]

So this was where he had been told to meet up. He had no idea any of this was back here. Then again, he hadn't exactly taken the time to explore Slatesport the one time he had been in Hoenn. Mainly because he hadn't thought much of it upon arrival.
[break][break]
However, he had to admit he was intrigued that there was a warehouse district in the city. Well, he supposed it was more on the outskirts than the city itself. But still, definitely intriguing. He could definitely imagine the many uses a warehouse could have. It could be used as a place of storage or as someone's hideout. Anyone who wanted to use a warehouse as a hideout could hide for a while before anyone could find them. There were a lot of places to hide in one of these warehouses. Not that that would be a problem for him. Perhaps that was what he had to do.
[break][break]
Maybe someone who had crossed Rocket was using one of these bases as a hideout. If that was the case, he supposed he would find out when the other arrived. Until then, all he could do was keep watch.[break] THEO BECKETT

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + hope this works

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]RATHER BE THE HUNTER THAN THE PREY

[attr="class","setting"]

As he looked around, he caught Adrian Malcolm's gaze. The younger male seemed to be fine, so he let his gaze sweep the others to see if he could spot Xiura Balfaltin. He couldn't find her. It didn't help that people kept moving around. Trying to find one person when people wouldn't stay still was impossible. Oh well, he supposed she would either catch up or go with the other group.
[break][break]
Speaking of which, he needed to decide which path he should take. He glanced at both of them, taking in what each path had to offer. He went over the pros and cons of each path in his head. One path had a light down it, a campfire if the light was anything to go by, while the other path was dark. The path with light had water in it that looked pretty deep, which, considering what had led them here, might not be the best thing. One could never know what was hiding in the water.
[break][break]
On that note, the same could be said about the dark path. The path was dark, so anything could be lying in wait. Both paths had their risks. But he would rather be able to see those risks coming. So the lit path it was. He would just have to go for another swim and get all wet again, unless someone could freeze the water like someone suggested.
[break][break]
Looking down the lit path, he returned Ares and released Fenris from his Pokéball. The Mabosstiff had a good nose on him, so he was hoping that despite the water, his sense of smell would alert him and anyone who was with him to any dangers. One could only hope, after all.
[break][break]
As Fenris sniffed around the tunnel entrance, he decided to take the time to note who was going down the same path as him. Most he didn't know. However, he did notice that Adrian Malcolm was going down the same path as him.

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + Debates internally on what path to take [break] Decides to take path one [break] Returns Gallade and sends Mabosstiff out

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]RATHER BE THE HUNTER THAN THE PREY

[attr="class","setting"]

He hadn't seen the initial start of the attack, but reflexes had him quickly dodging the coins. Sure, they were flying at incredible speed, but he was pretty used to dodging projectiles. Letting blades slide free from the arm guards he had under his sleeves, he used the hidden blades to deflect more coins that shot towards him, preventing himself from receiving any harm.
[break][break]
Once the coin attack ended, he lowered his arms, his gaze flickering towards the ones that had started the attack. Now, he might not be the most cautious of people, but he wouldn't consider himself downright reckless either. He would definitely not be reckless if it would cause them to lose some of their fighting force. In other words, he was only reckless if it meant harm only coming to himself and not the people he was working with.
[break][break]
"You know, there's a fine line between stupidity and recklessness," he pointed out, his eyes on the two. Sure, their attack had cut down a few of them, but at the cost of bringing harm to some of their own. He was sure some of the people had their Pokémon knocked out during the attack. They were both just lucky the attack hadn't concussed some people or caused brain damage.
[break][break]
He half wondered if these two had suffered brain damage. It would explain why they thought such an attack was smart. Even if it took down their enemies, it should never be at the expense of their own. While he generally didn't care for others aside from a select few, even he was smart enough to know there was safety in numbers. They couldn't afford to lose some of their own just to take down their enemies.
[break][break]
Deciding not to give them any more of his attention, he turned his gaze to Ares. The Gallade had taken out quite a few of the strange Pokémon. He could see their dismembered bodies from here. When his Pokémon turned to him, he inclined his head. There was no congratulations, no good job. Just a simple nod as a way to show a job well done.
[break][break]
With people being reunited, he scanned the crowd for Adrian. Sure, he didn't really know the guy, but he knew him a lot better than the others. He should at least make sure he was alright. Before he could try and seek him out, he caught a bit of conversation with his sharp hearing.
[break][break]
Upon hearing Oliver's comment that followed Thomas's, he turned his attention to the younger man. "I had no part in that attack. I don't rashly charge into a situation," he said, his expression giving nothing away. Sure, he hadn't gone out of his way to aid it, but he hadn't attacked either. And sure, he could've had Ares use Heal Pulse on the bear, but with what had just transpired, the dual-type wasn't going to go more than a few meters from him. There was just something about attacks that could've ended up with him dead that made the Gallade overprotective of him.
[break][break]
That said, he resumed his search for Adrian. Of course, he could probably do with looking for Xiura as well. After all, she had joined up with him as well in the beginning.

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + Addresses: howard slayte, Shred, Oliver Shrakes [break] Mentioned: Thomas Benoit, Xiura Balfaltin, Adrian Malcolm
[break][break]Dodges and deflects the coins [break] Kinda sorta confronts howard slayte and Shred for such a reckless attack [break] Pauses from searching for Adrian Malcolm to address Oliver Shrakes [break] Returns to his search for Adrian Malcolm and Xiura Balfaltin [break] Will choose next post

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]RATHER BE THE HUNTER THAN THE PREY

[attr="class","setting"]

As he mentioned the temperature, he nodded in agreement. It was days like this that he enjoyed letting loose and soaring through the air on his back, days where the air wasn't too stifling from the heat or too frigid from the cold. Though even if that had been the case, he would probably think it was a nice day to fly. Then again, he was pretty used to weather being unpredictable, having come from a desert climate.
[break][break]
"I came out here to spend more time with Apollo," he said, indicating the Charizard as if it wasn't obvious he was referring to him. "I had also been meaning to add more Pokémon to my team, so I decided to take care of both at the same time. It's like..." he trailed off, frowning before continuing. "Like however that saying goes."
[break][break]
To be honest, he had never understood sayings like that. He hadn't been trained in any of that. Sometimes he felt his Pokémon understood human interaction more than he did. And he was even more sure of that when he felt Apollo react to the other Charizard's display. Before Apollo could see it as some kind of challenge to see who could be the most impressive, he stroked the dual type to calm him.
[break][break]
Before he could say anything, Apollo turned sharply and sent an Air Slash towards the ground. He noticed the two Pokémon just as the Pangoro was hit with the attack, causing it to be driven back a bit. Before the bear Pokémon could attack, he threw a Pokéball towards it.[break] Josh Devlin

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + catch attempt on Pangoro

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]RATHER BE THE HUNTER THAN THE PREY

[attr="class","setting"]

Ryker had followed the bear until he and the others who had followed resurfaced in a cavern. Pulling himself out of the water, he quickly took in the sight around him. The ones who had been captured were wrapped up in tentacles, though the Pokémon attached to the end of those tentacles didn't look familiar. Another Pokémon he had never seen before. How interesting.
[break][break]
The next thing he noticed were the Metropolitans. Wait, he had seen those things before. It was during that expedition with Dorian and that kid. Though at the moment, he was too busy trying to figure out how those beings had ended up here to try and remember the kids now. He was sure it would come to him later when he wasn't about to enter some battle.
[break][break]
Barely giving the bear Pokémon a passing glance, he directed Ares to head over to the prisons and help them out. With his orders, Ares headed over and attempted to use Psycho Cut on some of the surrounded Nihilego in the hopes of making them let go of their prisoners, of course he made sure that none of the attacks would go towards the prisoners. If the Nihilego released their prisoners, it would give them more fighting power to deal with the Metropolitans.
[break][break]
Though for now, he would do what he could to deal with the Metropolitans. It seemed he wasn't alone in that sentiment. He could see a few of the others also had readied themselves to fight against the Metropolitans. He didn't really care whether or not he had help, as long as whoever helped him knew what they were doing.
[break][break]
Narrowing his eyes, he fell into a stance that would make it easier to leap into action. Time to take down these Metropolitans and get all of them out of here.

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + Enters the cavern [break] Has Gallade go and aid the prisoners [break] Gallade uses psycho cut to try and make the Nihilego let go of their prisons, of course makes sure the prisoners won’t be caught up in the attack [break] Ryker readies him to take on the Metropolitans

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]RATHER BE THE HUNTER THAN THE PREY

[attr="class","setting"]

He had been scanning the area for a wild Pokémon when he noticed that Apollo was fixated on something else. Frowning, he looked in the direction Apollo was looking but didn't see anything at first. It took a few moments for him to see what Apollo's keen eyes had picked up - a man on top of a Charizard, heading straight towards them.
[break][break]
As he continued to watch, he noticed the man and Charizard approaching rapidly. However, even he could tell that it wouldn't result in a collision. Anyone flying that fast would surely know what they were doing. At least, that's what he told himself as he and Apollo hovered in one spot, waiting for the man to approach.
[break][break]
"Nice day to fly," he said when the other male had gotten close enough for him to speak without yelling. The younger male had dark hair and dark eyes. Although he had never met him before, a voice in the back of his mind told him he should know the guy. But he couldn't figure out why. Was he someone famous?
[break][break]
Deciding it didn't matter, he mentally shook himself. He might have snapped back to reality because he heard Apollo greeting the other Charizard, causing him to give his Pokémon an unreadable look. Apollo usually didn't waste any time in conversing with another person's Pokémon.[break] Josh Devlin

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + ooc notes

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]RATHER BE THE HUNTER THAN THE PREY

[attr="class","setting"]

Due to being use to less than savory circumstances, the swamp water didn't faze him. Not even the surrounding bodies were enough to deter him. He had only paused long enough to nod absently at Adrian before entering the swamp. The water made it hard to move, stifling his movement more than regular water, but he wasn't too worried. He would even pause to inspect some of the bodies.
[break][break]
The blue undertone to their skin caught his attention, and he had just moved a bit closer to examine it when it suddenly rose up. As it tried to grab at him, he instinctively swung his fist towards the zombie and barely paid attention to whether or not his fist had connected before backpedaling a bit to create distance between himself and the one that had made a grab for him.
[break][break]
From around him, he could hear splashes as some weren't as lucky and were dragged under. A splash from behind him signaled another unlucky soul, and he quickly spun around. His gaze swept the surrounding people, his eyes narrowing slightly when he failed to notice Adrian. Had he been one of the unlucky souls to be dragged into the swamp?
[break][break]
Evading a few more trying to make a grab for him, he made his way over to his remaining companion. "Adrian seems to have been taken," he told the purple-haired woman, his gaze sweeping the surrounding. As he did, his eyes would land on the beast not too far away. So preoccupied with preventing himself from being taken, he had missed the whole battle that had ensued, but he at least heard the sounds of it, so he was still aware that the people around him had attacked it. He couldn't help but be confused by the way the Pokémon was acting.
[break][break]
It wasn't acting anything like he was expecting. If he had been attacked, he wouldn't have hesitated to attack back. And yet, it didn't seem to be doing any of that. In fact, it seemed like it was pretty opposed to attacking any of them. This revelation made him frown.
[break][break]
"The Blood Moon Beast doesn't seem interested in attacking. I'm going to have Ares use teleport to get closer. Of course, you're free to join me if you want," he told her before turning to the Gallade with a nod. With that signal, Ares used teleport to get closer to the beast, but not too close. He positioned himself just close enough to study it.
[break][break]
As he watched the beast, his frown deepened. Was it just him, or did the beast want them to follow it? Either he was really brave or very foolish. Without hesitation, he dove into the water after the beast. However, he waited a few moments before following it under the water.
[break][break]
ASk9idii

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + interacting with Adrian Malcolm Xiura Balfaltin, open to interaction [break] is in the swamp when the bodies come to life….wait what? [break] evades capture [break] notices that Adrian Malcolm wasn’t so lucky [break] has Gallade use teleport to get closer to the location of the bear [break] decides to follow the bear

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]RATHER BE THE HUNTER THAN THE PREY

[attr="class","setting"]

There was nothing more freeing than soaring through the air, feeling the wind rush through his hair and the sun on his face. Though he couldn't speak for Apollo, he was sure they had an agreement. Apollo always seemed to enjoy spreading his wings, something he didn't often get a chance to do unless they were away from the base for non-business reasons.
[break][break]
Currently, he was off to add more Pokémon to his collection, as he didn't have many at the moment. That's why he wanted to add more Pokémon to his collection, hoping to fill out his team and have Pokémon on standby that he could switch out with his current team when needed.
[break][break]
Since he was planning on catching Pokémon, he decided to kill two birds with one stone and pick a route that would allow him to fly on Apollo. That's why he chose to give Route 123 another try. It was probably one of the few routes where he could ride his Charizard, as most of the other routes didn't have enough space.
[break][break]
Looking down over Route 123, he tried to spot anything. "See anything?" he asked Apollo. Apollo shook his head, which didn't surprise the man. Well, he supposed it wouldn't be that easy.[break] Josh Devlin

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + yes I realize Charizard don’t take after birds but they are flying types

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]RATHER BE THE HUNTER THAN THE PREY

[attr="class","setting"]

His decision to let others decide pays off, and Xiura suggests that they explore their surroundings and look for clues. Before he could give his decision on the matter, they were joined by a third person, a guy. He didn't greet the guy, but answered the question he had asked them, explaining how he had explored the area in the past. What neither of them knew was that when he said "past," he really only meant a few months ago at most.
[break][break]
He didn't tell them that, instead letting Xiura give her own assurance. As she mentioned her Pokémon knowing teleport, he blinked. "While I know Hatterne is a partial psychic type, I wasn't aware that it could learn teleport. On that note, Ares knows teleport as well," he explained, indicating the Gallade.
[break][break]
His attention was grabbed by another part of their search group. He took in the group and whatever Pokémon they had out. One of them had a Hisuian Zorua in it had something in its mouth. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he was soon able to make it out, and Xiura only confirmed what he already knew.
[break][break]
Her reaction caused his gaze to drift over to her. Human emotions were always so strange. He did not understand them, but by the little knowledge he did have on emotions, he would say she was horrified and worried. He wasn't too sure about his analysis, and he wasn't about to ask. Perhaps his own lack of reaction would be written off as him just being professional. Not wanting to risk meeting her gaze, he looked away.
[break][break]
He continued to study the rest of the group, but his attention was brought back to the people he was currently with when Xiura spoke. Apparently, her Sableye took off, and she planned on following after it. As long as it wasn't him making the decisions, he was fine with whatever. Adrian seemed to be content to follow along as well, so the three set off to perhaps find their own clues.
[break][break]
Ares stayed beside them as they walked, seeming to keep as much of a lookout for anything that stood out as much as his trainer. They had been walking for a bit when his foot bumped up against something. Letting his gaze flicker down, he saw something white half-buried in the ground. Without having to say anything, Ares would get the object and give it to Ryker.
[break][break]
Upon closer inspection, he discovered it was a bone, cracked and picked clean of meat. He briefly showed it to Xiura and Adrian before allowing Ares to put it back on the ground. He had no use for a bone, and he was sure the rest of the search party was stumbling across their own findings of bones. He had a feeling that this place was just a huge burial ground for the beast they were tracking.
[break][break]
After a bit more walking, he realized that his earlier feelings were right. His gaze flickered over the bodies in the swamp, his expression giving nothing away. Death was something he was used to, so seeing all these bodies would not faze him. As his gaze flitted over the bodies, they would linger on two. Those two bodies resembled the people that had brought the search party out here.
[break][break]
"Seems we're too late for at least two of them," he said, his gaze flickering to the bodies once more. "I don't see anyone that resembles the old man, though," he told them, his gaze still fixed on the water filled with bodies. If the other body was out there, it was submerged. Though he supposed there was a chance the person was alive, he highly doubted it.
[break][break]
Keeping his doubts to himself, his gaze flickered to the new arrivals. Those people definitely weren't a part of the search party he was on. His gaze went away from them and to the bear-like creature that they had stumbled upon. Apparently, having so many people appear didn't sit well with the bear-like creature, and it started to escape into the swamp.
[break][break]
One person tried to stop it while other people tried to go after it. In his opinion, the way the people went about this was to make fools of themselves. 'Seriously, could they be less professional?'
[break][break]
Nearing the water, he eyed it before letting out a sigh. "Well, I suppose I can't get any wetter." He was already soaked, well, at least the lower half of his body was. Making sure his raincoat was still zipped closed, he entered the water.
[break][break]
bcW524v2

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + Interaction with Xiura Balfaltin and Adrian Malcolm; open for interaction [break] Doesn’t react to the found ear [break] Decides to wander with Xiura Balfaltin and Adrian Malcolm [break] Finds a bone [break] Already suspects the whole place is just a huge burial ground for the beast before they come across the bodies. [break] points out that he thinks he sees the bodies of the couple but not the body of the old man [break] ignores the new arrivals [break] Thinks certain members of both groups could stand to act more professional [break] Enters the water

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]RATHER BE THE HUNTER THAN THE PREY

[attr="class","setting"]

He was content just to keep watch, ignoring the shelter the tarp would provide from the rain. It wasn’t like he was getting to soaked anyway, not with the raincoat he was wearing anyway. The raincoat would keep him mostly dry, the exception being the lower half of his body. Perhaps he had invested in one of those raincoats that was like a trench coat. A trench coat would’ve been longer and kept more of him from being wet.
[break][break]
Oh well not much he could do about it now. A sound of footsteps alerted him to someone approaching and he turned his attention to the approaching woman. It wasn’t someone he knew, though that wasn’t to surprising. Getting to know people wasn’t exactly his forte. In fact usually he was all for keeping his distance from people, since he wasn’t really sure how to deal with others.
[break][break]
Still he inclined his head towards the woman in greeting, deciding now was not the not the time to come off as rude. Because that was what he had heard. That sometime but not taking part in a conversation could make a person come off as rude. It was probably reserved him someone who totally ignored someone who was trying to strike up a conversation with another person.
[break][break]
Upon hearing the purple haired woman’s introduction he committed her name to memory. While some people with his kind of alliance would use a fake name he decided against it. No one knew of him. So there would really be no point in using a fake name. Especially since none of his targets since joining up with Team Rocket had lived, nor had he provided his name to any target.
[break][break]
”Nice to meet you Xiura and Jin, my name’s Ryker and the Gallade currently ignoring our presence is Ares,” he said glancing over at the Gallade who like he had said was ignoring them, in favor of continuing to keep watch. It seemed Ares would continue to keep watch while his trainer interacted with the young woman.
[break][break]
Shaking his head at his Pokémon’s behavior he turned his attention back to Xiura and resumed the conversation that had been having. ”As to rather or not I mind, I don’t see how it matters what I feel. But as it stands you being here doesn’t bother me,” he said his eyes fixed on her as he spoke.
[break][break]
He was just about to resume keeping watch when movement from his peripheral vision caught his attention. His attention would drift over to the new arrival who he would eye impassively. Another person he didn’t really know. Someone else he had to interact with. Hopefully it wouldn’t be to much of a struggle.
[break][break]
Not wanting to seem like he was staring his gaze would drift away from the new arrival from time to time. However upon him speaking his gaze would snap back to the younger male and he would have his full attention.
[break][break]
”A bit, I’ve done some exploring of the area in the past.”
[break][break]
While he would await his response he would take the time to scan their surroundings once more. There was really nothing else to do until they started moving forwards. But he wasn’t about to be the one to take the lead. If this all went sideways he wanted someone else to take the blame for that.[break] Xiura Balfaltin, Adrian Malcolm
[break][break]
FNyDjPVR

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + Is keeping watching with his Gallade when he is approached by Xiura [break] agrees to let her keep watch with him [break] Interacts with Adrian when he approaches [break] He’s still just someone who follows orders so he decides to let someone else take the lead but has ulterior motives for doing so not that he would ever disclose them

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

[attr="class","header"]RATHER BE THE HUNTER THAN THE PREY

[attr="class","setting"]

Hunting for some beast wasn't the way he thought he would be spending his night. When he had heard about the reports, he had been quick to add his name to the list of those who were going to investigate. Any Pokémon that could cause that much havoc had to be incredibly powerful, and he was curious about what kind of Pokémon could cause so much destruction. Perhaps anything he found out would be useful to Team Rocket.
[break][break]
He didn't care where he ended up, so he chose a path at random. Now that he was standing around, he took in his surroundings. He could see a swamp not too far to the east, and luckily there seemed to be a bridge that crossed over it, because he didn't want to wade through any swamps.
[break][break]
As he heard a group of people conversing nearby, his attention momentarily drifted away from the scenery and to the people. The small group was huddled in the shelter that one guy had set up. Two of them seemed to be already familiar with each other, but that wasn't what had drawn his attention. It was the woman's voice that had caught his attention.
[break][break]
Considering their purpose for being out there and the weather, he felt the woman was a bit too cheerful. Or maybe that was just him. Trying to converse with so many people wasn't exactly what he would call fun, so he decided to return his attention to their surroundings. He would keep watch while they conversed. At least someone should keep watch.
[break][break]
It wasn't like it would be much of a problem. The green raincoat he wore with the hood up would ensure he didn't get soaked to the bone. Besides the raincoat, he was also wearing rain boots, which he didn't really care for. But it was better to be prepared than comfortable. Rain boots had just never been a shoe he had been comfortable with.
[break][break]
Realizing he had let his mind drift, he mentally shook himself. Now was not the time to let his guard down. What they were out there for could be closer than they thought. He had a feeling of being watched, and not by the Gallade that stood by his side either. Then again, Ares wasn't looking at him anyway, more interested in helping him keep lookout and staring out at the scenery.
[break][break]
Although the fact that he had altered his appearance a bit might be the reason for his partner Pokémon's lack of attention to him, he hadn't done much. He had just used non-prescription contacts to change his eyes from amber to green as a safety precaution. He had opted not to do anything with his hair, considering the fact that he planned on keeping his hood up the whole time.

[attr="class","oocnotes"] + •Is starting in Area 1[break]
•Notices the small group consisting of Kazimir Wynter, DESIREE BLOOMS, Thomas Benoit but doesn’t approach[break]
•Decides to stand watch with his Gallade[break]
•Open to interaction

[attr="class","pokeclass"]