As Gabba went over the raichu, Dwayne could hardly believe their luck. They actually managed to take it out? And it shocked the ranger by accident on its way out!? This was an excellent turn of events, but they were far from out of the woods. As Gabba straightened out, he would turn his attention to the ranger. He raised his shell cannon to take aim, but Dwayne had had enough of this nonsense.

"What are you doing!?" He said while waving a hand over Gabba's eyes. "This our chance to get away! Screw fighting let's go!" Gabba reluctantly put his cannon down. He wanted to finish what he started, but his master was right. This would be their best shot at making a clean getaway.

Turning around, Gabba would begin Surfing in the opposite direction. His aim was to get as far away from the ranger as possible.

Yuina Higashi

Gabba smile deviously as his Water Pulse caused the Raichu to flinch. This was his chance to get a good hit in, he just had to capitalize! He landed in the water with a heavy splash, nearly causing Dwayne to fall off again. Luckily the trainer's terrified iron grip kept him attacked to his steed as he charged their pursuer.

Using one a wave to heighten his momentum, Gabba rose up to the Raichu's height and aimed to slam into it with its shell-cannon (Surf). Gabba was focused on his assault, which left the heaving Dwayne as the only one to notice the ranger and her pokemon closing in. "Shit she's coming closer!"

Gabba had no time for that, he was too busy trying to rock this Raichu's world.

Yuina Higashi

The stranger caught up eventually, and to his credit he did share thanks for Dwayne's assistance (as minimal as it was). Dwayne looked away, still holding his legs. "Yeah no problem." His response had a tinge of something similar to sarcasm, a self-deprecating tone that implied guilt. He knew it was his fault that they were in this mess to begin with, and Dwayne could not help but give in to self loathing as the pit of his mistake deepened.

The stranger provided some light, and Dwayne almost wish that he had not. The room that the duo had discovered was a tomb, or something similar. Bones were scattered across the ground, and the sudden sight of them would cause Dwayne to jump to his feet. "What the hell?" He mused, at a volume just above his normal placid tone of voice. Dwayne did not know how to rationalize what this room was supposed to be, nor what could possibly be within the locked door at the room's far end.

What he could rationalize though was the hole in the leftmost wall. It looked just low enough to bend down and walk through, perhaps it was the last prisoner's personal getaway tunnel--if that was truly what this room was meant to be. Dwayne did not care to solve that mystery, instead choosing to walk toward the hole in the wall.

He kept his eyes down, carefully watching for any signs of traps. Luckily this room seemed clear, and Dwayne made it to the wall without issue. He turned to address the stranger one last time. "I think this is where we part ways. Sorry for my part in this mess. I hope you find what you're looking for." With a half-hearted wave, Dwayne would bend down and begin his trek through the tunnel.

Nikita Sokolov

Gabba's poison projectile was dispersed, and Dwayne could not possibly feel more panicked. "Shit it's gaining!" Gabba was painfully aware that the raichu was closing in, but he refused to be affected by his trainer's panic. Instead he would wiggle his ears, indicating that his trainer should hold on. Dwayne squeezed Gabba's lobes tightly, and Gabba would dive beneath the waves.

After several seconds, Gabba would turn toward the incoming raichu before bursting from the water, firing a heavy ring of screeching water (Water Pulse). Having not taken a proper breath before the dive, Dwayne would cough harshly as he clung to Gabba for dear life.

Yuina Higashi

The stranger went out of his way to put Dwayne down, so the young criminal suddenly felt very cold. Of course he would get stuck with the mean explorer, what did Dwayne do to end up with such ill-treatment? You know, besides being a member of a terrorist organization and accidentally triggering a death trap? Maybe those were bigger screw ups than he thought, he should really reconsider his life choices once he is out of here. If he gets out of here.

Luckily the stranger's dragon of choice was able to strike the crystal with enough force to satisfy the room's mechanisms. While the gas continued to flow, Dwayne would also hear something from below: stone scraping against stone. He squinted, briefly searching the floor before finding what seemed to be an opening. He pointed it out, "Right there, the way out!"

Dwayne ran for the opening, running down the stairs that awaited him past the threshold. He kept running until he made it to even ground, breathing hoarsely as he tried to take in as much clean air as possible. "Holy shit we're alive." Dwayne seemed more than a little relived, having no intention of dying randomly while exploring an old ruin he did not even want to be within.

Unfortunately his adventure was not finished yet, the staircase had lead out into a rather large room--a pitch black one to be precise. The only light came from the chamber he had just left, and it was not even close to being enough to make anything within this room visible. Dwayne instantly became distressed, having no way to lighten the room. So he just sat down, holding his knees as he became painfully aware of how over his head he was.

Nikita Sokolov

Well, she did not have to tell Dwayne twice. Dwayne nodded, allowing himself one last display of gratitude. "Sounds fine by me. I have family in Petalburg. Thank you so much for your help, I'd probably be toast if not for you." He hopped onto Gabba and held onto his ears as the slowbro waded into the ocean.

He did not say anything further to ranger Genny, deciding it would be best to just shut up and head North for a while. He did not know how long he would sail, he had half a mind to just head straight to Petalburg. A silly notion, he still had work to do here. If he did not report in to Rocket, his goose would be more than cooked.

Gabba surfed for around fifteen minutes before Dwayne tapped his head. "Alright turn east, we gotta get back to camp."

MP
10 for post
100 for mission completion
250 for tying

Dwayne's Muk watched as the two elgyem he was trying to smother pulled themselves out from under his mass and ran off like a couple of frightened toddlers. Muk was prepared to give chase, but as all three aliens seemed more keen on getting away than causing conflict Dwayne decided to call it a win. Muk was withdrawn, and Dwayne would let out a loud sigh as his mind struggled to recover from this--bizarre misadventure.

Frank seemed far less affected by what they went through, and as he called it 'cool' Dwayne could only leer in his direction. If that was his definition of cool, Frank needed to buy a new dictionary. Dwayne was still trying not to piss himself in fear, he was an inch away from having his brains plastered onto a barn wall. Or at least what was left of one.

Frank seemed like he wanted to get home in a hurry, so before Dwayne could even respond Frank pushed the bag of money into his arms and happily ventured off to--wherever. Dwayne meanwhile finally felt the motivation to move, and sleepily headed toward Verdanturf. All he wanted right now was some coffee.

Frank Caffey

Dwayne shut his eyes as tightly as he could, anticipating the alien's attack to split him in half. Luckily Frank was on top of both of their shits, sending his Alolan Persian to bite into the alien and cause it to misfire. Dwayne opened his eyes as he heard the commotion, sighing with relief as his life was given a few more precious moments.

He finished pulling a pokeball off of his belt and hastily opened it, releasing an Alolan Muk. The technicolor slime spotted the mysterious assailants immediately, narrowing his eyes with contempt. Dwayne frantically pointed at the very same foes. "Crush those glowing--things." He did not have to tell Muk twice.

Muk charged forward, leaving behind crystals in its wake. As it reached the alien trio, it would move past the large leader already being worked on by the Persian and went straight for the two small fry. The two foot-soldiers panicked, attempting to blast Muk with their own Psybeams. Muk's dark typing made the attacks useless. Muk lunged forward, attempting to crush the duo with its disgusting mass (Crunch).

Frank Caffey

Dwayne expected to be arrested, he had it in his head that all these League types carried around cuffs or something. You know, some way to restrain these Rocket bastards. When the stranger's hand came into view, Dwayne's brain struggled to realize what was happening. He looked up at the stranger, taking in his kind expression. He was not like the other League members he had met--or maybe he was. Three out of the six League rangers he had fought showed him mercy, they even offered him a chance to turn things around.

Maybe it was time to take them up on that offer. He reached up and grabbed the stranger's hand, using it to pull himself back onto his feet. He was asked where he lived, and Dwayne was not sure what to say. "I--lived in Sootopolis. But I'm not going back there ever again." Dwayne's eyes wandered, he knew that the choice he was about to make would mark him for death--but he was not going to let that scare him away from a better life. He looked the stranger in the eyes, fully resolved to change.

"I'll go wherever you think is best. Anywhere but here."

lam logan

Dwayne was a little surprised that he managed to pull this off. As she turned her back on him, Dwayne's heart would begin to race. He could probably take here out right now. One clean shot from his galarian slowbro, Gabba, and the ranger would be dead. Better yet, what if he could knock her out and get her back to base? Rocket would probably thrilled to have another prisoner to interrogate, and the boost to Dwayne's reputation would be invaluable.

Dwayne blinked, shaking his head as he pulled a pokeball off of his belt. He opened it to release the previously mentioned Gabba, but he would not be attack her today. That was not his style, and he was not gonna change that now. Dwayne yelled out to her, maintaining his civilian facade. "I don't have a water pokemon, but Gabba here can Surf like the best of them. Right pal?" Gabba looked to Dwayne, grinning widely at the sudden praise.

They would not depart just yet, it would look strange if they were too eager. "Hey are you going to be alright? It could be dangerous on your own."

Genevieve Cromwell

Was he done? Dwayne's welling tears faded, his body becoming weak. Not from exhaustion, but from relief. For the first time in a long time he felt as though he were at peace. He needed this, a forced detox from the adrenaline. The rush was dangerous--he was dangerous. Dwayne went lax as he accepted what he needed. It was for his own good.

"Yeah, I'm finished."

lam logan

Gabba's actions had dire consequences. The waves picked up, reflecting the sudden chaos of the scene. The furious Sharpedo had bucked Josh, and now charged at Gabba. Gabba aimed toward the shark's mouth, but the shark was smarter than he realized. It jammed itself into Gabba's shoulder, causing the slowbro to reel with pain. Dwayne struggled to hang on as he pulled out Gabba's pokeball.

Josh had gotten onto his dragonair, and began reprimanding the young goon. Dwayne's split focus was causing him to panic, he could not keep his eyes on both Gabba and the approaching Josh. "I'm sorry!" Dwayne yelled as he opened Gabba's ball. "I didn't mean-" The last thing Dwayne saw was the aqua tail aimed for his face. The strike knocked him off Gabba, just in time for the struggling slobro to be withdrawn.

Dwayne fell unconscious into the ocean, the harsh waves carrying him away from this disaster--leaving behind Gabba's floating pokeball.

Josh Devlin

Of course she would follow, Dwayne knew full well that Rangers were relentless. Even so, he would find himself surprised to be facing a Alolan Raichu that was rapidly approaching his position. Dwayne let out a noise that sounded like some sort of annoyed growl, tapping Ghoul's head with barely restrained urgency. "Do something Ghoul or we're cooked!"

Ghoul nodded, swinging itself into a sideways drift so that it may face its oncoming opponent. Dwayne had to quickly latch on to Ghoul's ears or risk falling off entirely. Midway through its drift, Ghoul raised its arm cannon and began firing shots of poison at the Raichu, hopping a direct hit would slow its pursuit (Shell Side Arm).

Yuina Higashi