Well, in hindsight, maybe bringing the most destructive Pokémon out to an area that was already on the brink of collapse wasn't the best idea she's ever had. Gwendolyn watched ad the resulting earthquake and managed to stop a good portion of the crowd here, alongside further damaging the buildings present within the immediate vicinity.

Ameena’s tone shifted into being much more serious and pointed than what Gwen had been used to. The disappointment that the woman likely had for her protege was likely a painful realization about Gwen's haste to think of a solution on the fly.

"Sorry, I...I didn't think that..."

She returned Crunch into his capsule silently and appeared guilty at the mess she had caused. The Ranger looked over at the Mega Gardevoir and readied themselves to be teleported out of Ultra Space and back home.

"This is all my fault, I should have been more careful. Next time, I'll pick my team better."

"We're not doing so hot right now!" Gwendolyn called out to the other people, fully unaware that all of the other people were in the same kind of boat here. Mischief was slowly getting tired from the constant fighting, as the ongoing electrical based attacks weren't really doing them any favors.

With Registeel raising its arms to charge up a powerful swing, akin to a cannon preparing to fire. Some of the other people were preparing to raise a shield against the party in a last ditch effort in order to survive the swing. Others were focusing on attacking the Registeel. Looking down at the Whimsicott in her hands, Gwendolyn raised the Pokemon in the air.

"Let's help them shield, Mischief!"

The Whimsicott surrounded itself in energy while attempting to gather strength for the multiperson shield.

---

2zxdvjHD
+10 SHIFT

NOTES:
- 2/3 HP
- Whimsicott uses Mega Drain (SHIELD)
- Riddle Guess :: Cannon

Ah, Mega Evolution. The solution to many a problem that any person could really have. Ameena pulled up her bracelet so swiftly to mega evolve her Gardevoir. Unfortunately, Gwen didn't have such niceties and was thus left to fend for her own self while the more powerful of the two would be their building force through the ongoing horde.

"Sure do!" Gwen replied when asked about who else she had. "C'mon out, Crunch!"

In an instant, the fierce looking Tyranitaur emerged from the pokeball, letting out a terrifying roar with his cry. The dragon-type stomped around them while the orange haired assistant smiled at Ameena in a youthful pride. His skin was a shade different than most, notably due to finding him wandering around the mountains.

"I've been working with him for the Pokemon HOME Initiative. He's kind of quick to anger, but this will be a nice little venting session for him."

Indeed it was, as the Tyranitaur raised a stumpy foot into the air before bringing it down as the area around them shook at his presence. The large portions of the mindless population here would fall to the ground, while weakened buildings and structures would begin to tremble and creak in weakness.

"A-As you can see..."

This was getting more and more dangerous as the Registeel was incurring further damage from the many opponents it found itself up against. A deep, furious beeping noise came as it rose its arms to attack again, lashing out at anything in its way. Two hands break down on the earth around them creating a fissue beneath their feat.

"Whoa!"

Gwen hopped up just in time to avoid being knocked down. She was presented to long, winding strainds of electricity that rise up into the air, akin to fireworks, before then gurling towards the trainers on the ground below. They tore through anything coming in between them and their brief, explosive existence without fail. Many were LOST in the aftermath of these attacks.

Had this been some sort of show or comic series, Gwen would have found herself amazed by the move.

"Get control of him, Mischief!"

The Whimsicott shook its fluffy mane yet again, sending numerous spores over at the Registeel as it used STUN SPORE.

---

4Y1YC4jT
+10 SHIFT

NOTES:
- 2/3 HP
- Whimsicott uses STUN SPORE (HINDER)
- Targetting the wound left by oscar clayton and Yuina Higashi still
- Riddle Guess :: LOST

"Good point."

But wow, that noise was something else. It was like a Metagross had been screaming around and smashed into a manufacturing plant reactor. Like that's how loud it was. Once it had ended, she quickly observed the energy drink provided in return for the used z-crystal. It seemed like an average kind of drink, though Gwen didn't want to test downing it here.

Way too many people around here.

"Right, let's leave before more people show up. I can't imagine that nobody will come and investigate this noise."

Gwen packed the drink away in her bags just in time to hear a shambling of feet behind her. She spun around and lead the way to the next little street clear of debris and people roaming around. It was a tad darker than most other places. Any light source was more distance and fleeting, akin to a dying light bulb struggling to continue to bathe its surroundings in light.

Across from them, the sound of a scuffle were nearby. Shouting was present, with some voices ringing out in the cold darkness.

It was faintly visible, but two Megaopolans were forcing another down, beating them up pretty roughly. They did have some kind of chance to pass by while they were busy with the other grunt, but that look in Gwen's eyes. Maybe Ameena hadn't recognized it by now, but Gwen wasn't one to let things like this go.

"Shock 'em both, Reppi!"

An orb of electricity shot out from their position, smashing into the two feral sounding Megapoloans as the force had knocked them back alongside a powerful shock. Such an act would have been commendable in any other context.

But not with the sound of the horde growing closer.

"Really?" Gwen asked, surprised at the offer. "Wow, that's a first. Usually people just run the moment that I bring up the guano pits. But if you wouldn't mind, I would appreciate the help. Besides," The younger Ranger smiled at Ana, her eyes brimming with excitement at the prospect of hanging out further. "I'd love to chat some more. You're the first tech head that I've run into here."

Gishath grumbled at the lack of the steak his way, but he followed Gwen and Ana out as they wandered out to their next task at hand.

"You're quickly becoming the coolest woman I know. Besides Freya. A-And Robin."

The Regi attacked the group who had all been hampered by the storm surrounding it. Those unfortunate enough to be knocked away into the storm or defeated entirely had attention given to them. Gwen kept an eye on everybody and let out a pleased sigh as she could see a couple of people who had survived the most recent lashing out. But she wasn't out just yet. This place wouldn't be her Tomb just yet!

In the eerie silence between them, the wound that the Registeel had obtained during the drawn out fight had been too much for it to maintain a constant connection. It powered down all but briefly before activating once more.

”C'mon, Regi! Don't make this difficult!”

The Whimsicott bounced along as Gwen took her time to wait for an opening in the barrage of attacks aimed at the legendary, not wanting to get in the way of a more powerful attack.

”Same as before, Mischief! Solar Beam!”

The Whimsicott charged with natural energy that was around itself for a moment or so, then unleashing it at the Registeel with all of its might!

---

NlyCI2i_
+10 SHIFT

NOTES:
- 2/3 HP
- Whimsicott uses SOLAR BEAM (BLAST)
- Targetting the wound left by oscar clayton and Yuina Higashi still
- Riddle Guess :: TOMB

"They do, and rightfully so! The Draciary and Ranger work are nice, b-but I enjoy our adventures into Ultra Space too! Especially with you!"

The stray brash thoughts and more that were still possessing Gwendolyn from before had subsided somewhat, she couldn't help but feel some residual feelings for the woman in front of her to cloud her judgement. She enjoyed the trill of venturing into Ultra Space, or anywhere, and the thrill of being anywhere but behind a computer screen. The taste of adrenaline and wanderlust had prevented her from ever returning to how she was.

"You've shown me so much, and I don't even have anyway of repaying you, Ms. Abadi. But I don't know what I'm doing or if I even want to do this. It's been with me ever since I joined the Rangers. I just...I don't know where I'm wanted."

Ameena was patient and offered her an abundance of support. A job at the company, advice for what she should be looking for, it was enough for now. Gwen had already been put down by numerous choices about her future here. But opportunities were always welcome with her. She nodded quietly and then looked down at her Goomy again.

The sluggish dragon sqee'd back down onto her hand again while her fingers drummed on top of its head. The soft impacts of her fingers had caused the Goomy to jiggle at each soft thud of her fingers on its head. While troubled over her life thus far, Gwen still smiled at the antics and shook her head to clear her mind.

"Thank you, Ms. Abadi, for everything, but I think I need to reflect. That's not a no, but I would love to work here as a lab aid. I just need to think some things through first."

Gwen came back in time just for the Rotom to zip closer to her and investigate likely why she had frozen up for like half a second. The redness in her cheeks was still present though she did her best to shield herself from these accusations. Her eyes traveled all around Ameena's face while her body reeled in the aftermath of whatever had just happened to her.

Has her hair always looked so beautiful? I bet it feels so soft and...Well cared for! Yeah! Sh-She's a wealthy woman, so she probably has a lot of time to devote to it!

She did have a point though. Maybe she was railroading herself a little bit with her dreams to become a Professor? It seemed like a nice thing to have, position wise. A well educated, respected member of the community. Somebody who was super smart and knew how to help out a bunch! Why wouldn't anybody want to try and aspire to be something so great?

Well, y'know, because it was what she had read so, anyway.

"Thanks for the offer, I just, ah..."

Gwen shuffled in place, with her Goomy currently sliming his way up towards her head. It was hard admitting a weakness to anybody, even friends. Not like "intimidating" hard, but she wanted to feel like she was useful around Hoenn instead of just as some random civvie dishing out ice cream.

"I don't know anything about me when it comes to life stuff. What I wanna do, focus on, or really...anything. Everybody says to do what you enjoy and the rest will come, but I can't not stress about the future."

Her eyes went to Ameena's, vulnerable and malleable.

"What about you? Did you ever feel like you're just lost while figuring out what to do with your life?"

"It's not messing around this time!" Gwen verbally warned, though everyone more than likely had come to the realization some time before she had.

The Ranger had narrowly avoided taking any damage alongside her Whimsicott from the previous attack by some stroke of luck. It wasn't long after until the legendary had given them enough time to come and think of a strategy. Just like before, she tried to focus on mixing offensive maneuvers in between disabling the Registeel when the hard hitters were able to.

"Still got some fight in you?"

The Whimsicott cheered on, and began to draw energy from the lands around them as it emit a soft green light once more. Gwen smirked and would continue to fight on with her Pokemon until they were stopped! That nasty looking scar mark left by some of the other people here was the ticket! Hopefully it wouldn't cause him too much pain.

"Energy Ball that mark, Mischief!"

The Pokemon shot out the drawn energy it had gathered towards the exposed portion on the Registeel's body.

---

wSdwYE6m
+10 SHIFT

NOTES:
- 2/3 HP
- Whimsicott uses ENERGY BALL (STRIKE)
- Targetting the wound left by oscar clayton and Yuina Higashi
- Riddle Guess :: LAND

Ana continued to be entertained by the sight of this girl struggling to contain this gremlin of a Gabite. Even while his owner had him on the ground with her, he was still valiantly trying to keep his steak for himself. Their action took them around the floor in a ball, with Gwen struggling to keep an arm on him at times.

"Huh, I never thought of it that was. I guess that's WHY-"

She grunted, stretching her arm out to regrab Gishath's leg as he managed to break free from her grasp. He hissed and continued to

"Why you're the person right for the job. If one of my dragons ever needs one, I know exactly who to go to. Hopefully that day's a long ways from now."

Gishath and managed to escape her grasp again and continued to shake his head around with the steak in his mouth. While still not about to swallow most of the steak, he could take small chomps from the parts that had defrosted inside of his mouth. A soft growl escaped from him before Gwen launched herself at him again.

With the dragon-type in her arms, she began to tug at the steak until eventually...

"Got it!"

The Ranger pulled out the half eaten steak in a victorious manner! Gishath hissed again and tried to jump up to recollect his bounty but alas, no luck.

"Phew! Anyway, are you working on anything else while helping out here?"

Robin's message went straight to Gwen's phone as the other woman had been surrounded by a mass of papers, letters and more that had fallen upon reading the notice sent to all personnel within the League. She was back in her little apartment and floored by the sudden news. Everyone in the streets was chattering amongst themselves at the restrictions that people had set up in place. But Gwen just lay on the floor, eyes wandering to the ceiling as she was lost in her own thoughts.

Shit, this was real, wasn't it? They were going to war. Actual fucking war.

Everything moved slowly around her. She was falling through the air, smacking the back of her head against the floor while the weight of what was to come fell on top of her. Hands pulled on her orange locks while the Ranger looked up at the sight of Gishath watching her with confused eyes, attempting to calm her. Thoughts swirled around her head like a whirlwind.

---

---

She didn't know how much time had passed once she could function again. Her eyes were red while she clutched Gishath tightly, her arms scraping against his dry skin. The feeling of the Gabite's tongue against her her wet cheek was an odd comfort despite how much like sandpaper it felt.

Nothing made sense to her anymore. A part of her wanted to go back home, to beg and beg to return back home and just crawl under the covers to her bed and just...

N-No. I can't go back. Not after what I've been through. But what do I do?

Gwen slowly pushed herself back up onto her rear while her phone let out a soft vibration. A hand reached over and flicked upwards to get her voicemail out. It was Robin, no doubt. She flicked it on and set it down, just squeezing Gishath as the Gabite did his best to rub her back. Robin's voice came from her phones speaker as she just listened, head throbbing.



Her voice, that tone. It reminded her of that time Robin had nearly been kidnapped or when she was attempting to force her Munchlax past the breaking point. Just devoid of hope and desperate for some kind of hope. Every tear filled syllable burned itself into Gwen's mind again.

She HATED she couldn't be by her now, to tell her everything was all right. Gwen couldn't even find it in herself to have hope for everything.

Some friend she was.



Did Freya know anything about this upcoming announcement? Was she just going to sit by and let all of her dragons just be shipped off?

Scenarios went through her head, each one as horrifying as the next. Gwendolyn couldn't lose her only guiding force in this world. What would she do if it ended?

"Ah-I don't...But if they close the- Freya..."

Her fists balled in a silent rage, gritting her teeth together.



BEEP!

Gwen hit the button to end the voicemail and coughed to herself. Her throat was raw as every breath brought with it feelings of dread.

"FUCK!"

She slammed her fist on the floor once, twice, three times. Her chest rose and dropped down while her body wouldn't stop shaking. Her head was pounding nonstop and she wasn't sure of what to do.

"I'm-I can't- Why..."

noah faber

freya morningstar

ollie morales

kyle lopez

All of them were heroes, people who could take on any threat. So why couldn't she?

Her hands reached for the phone to call Robin. She just, she couldn't be alone right now.

---