“Don’t be. It’s for the best,” Tavish craned his head backward. Even if it was for the best, it didn’t mean he had to be happy with it. A sigh escaped his lips, and he bowed his head. “Arceus, please grant this one safe passage into your domain.”

Obstagoon nodded, but otherwise kept her posture the same. After all, there was still some good to be had here. She jingled the bag still slung behind her, which sounded off rather normally. A big ol’ bag of crystals, all of which sounded intact. Enough to still make a pretty penny off of.

After a few moments of silence, Tavish returned to the land of the living and got off the dusted cavern floor. “Thanks for yer help, stranger. Perhaps, if we meet again… I could return the favor.”

“Safe travels,” he waved Obstagoon forward, and together they returned to their original purpose: to get out of these blasted tunnels. But now they had a few nice mouthfuls of tera-crystal dust in their lungs.

He REALLY hoped this stuff wasn’t just asbestos two. That’d be mighty detrimental to the cause.

---

nikkari hect

The combination of elements rumbled the cavern up above. It started with a sprinkle of dust, which caught all involved parties off guard. Tavish and Obstagoon glanced up at the cracks in the crystals. They flickered in the relative darkness of the cave and started to crumble in their place. Looked like the attack worked.

Maybe a little too well. While the Fluttermane was still almost entirely focused on its prey, said prey had much bigger concerns. The first few rocked tell down and smashed into the ground. One nearly brained Tavish, who held his hands above his head. “Obstagoon, we need to scatter, fast!”

“Obsta!” She said. Fluttermane extended its feelers straight for the Galarian Pokémon, but she dodged to the side just as the first proper chunk of crystal fell. It smacked it straight down, and the Paradoxical Pokémon gasped in both surprise and pain. Another large piece followed, and then another. Soon enough, the Fluttermane was buried.

But they weren’t in the clear yet. The main crystalline structure had broken into two massive pieces. One of them had taken out their problem; the other broke much more audibly. Tavish looked up to see it start to fall straight down.

“Go, go!” He pushed Obstagoon forward, Even with their swift action and even swifter dive out out of the way, the impact of the main structure rattled his teeth thoroughly. The impact was deafening. Dust billowed out from the point of impact and filled his lungs. He coughed violently as he stood up and the debris settled.

“Is- do you see any movement?” He asked Nikkari.

---

nikkari hect

If Aurelie managed to turn around fast enough, she might’ve seen Tavish close the distance fast and furious. Through the headache that was the headbutt, he planted his foot straight into her back. With any luck, she’d go straight through the cage and free the Iron Thorns from its prison.

Bloke, who saw the creature try to come to life and put the numbers together, kept the pressure on Lucario. He hopped to the left but feinted back to center faster than fast, like the boxers on TV. His fist went straight for his foe's chest with a Feint Attack. “C’mon, just feels like bullyin’ if ya don’t talk back!”

Obstagoon saw Iron Thorns continue its best to wake up, but to no avail. They needed to get it healthy, and they needed it to be awake. If it got pissed off, then even better.

“Obsta, Obstagoon!” She dashed to the side of the cage and moved her paws in a rushed manner. Sign language; one he understood well enough.

“Aye, good thinkin’!” He reached into his vest and pulled out an Oran berry, much like his opponent. This could help get that poor Pokémon behind bars in proper shape, and it’d be able to free itself at that point.

But how?

… It’d be risky, but it was one of their only chances to get the thing back in order. “Obstagoon, get the thing right angry! Bloke, to me!”

Together, Tavish and Bloke pushed forward, sides pressed together tight and ready to claw, bite, punch, and stab their way through the opposition. Obstagoon reached through the bars and Fury Swiped the Iron Thorns instead.

And its lights shot on. Dim and still unsteady, but they were certainly on. A faint rumble filled the air, through all the commotion. The beast awakened, even if only barely. If Tavish could get the Oran berry to it, then it’d be more than capable of making its own way out.

---

Aurelie Lefevre
TOTAL: 517
  8JJ9du7b

“...”

Tavish examined the fight scene. He wasn’t going to contribute anything, and neither was Obstagoon. Bloke wouldn’t be much use either, and Sonny wouldn’t be fast enough to fight back. There was indeed a glowing rocky outcrop high above, and the odds of it being just bad enough for the Fluttermane to incapacitate it were… good.

But it hurt his heart. The mere thought of it put a tear in his eye, and he shared a look with Obstagoon. She nodded swiftly and grunted. He followed suit.

The odds of this creature causing more pain and suffering were too high. How many other Pokémon would it hurt if they let it roam free? It’d shown malicious intent not even a minute prior. Unfortunately, he had to take the matter of life or death in a numerical sense. And the numbers agreed with Nikkari.

“... Fine. Follow me, ya relic of the past!” Tavish waved his arms and locked eyes with the Fluttermane. He uselessly swiped at it as he ran towards the invisible X on the floor. Obstagoon followed suit as she once again sent her leg through the body of the creature.

It wasted no time and followed suit. Why wouldn’t it? They ran further into the cave, and that was its home turf. If they wanted to die tired, they were more than welcome to. The Fluttermane giggled insanely as it floated towards its unknown doom.

“Don’t hesitate, ya only got the one shot!”

---

nikkari hect

“Hey, you hear about those Luvdisc trapped down in those tunnels?”

“Yea, poor things. I think the Rangers are getting some tools and some bodies to go help them, though. That’s good.”

“Indeed. Just worry about… the rumors.”

“Oh?”

“Could just be rumors, but… I heard they’re thinking about blowing them up.”

“Gosh, that sounds dangerous! I hope they know what they’re doing.”

“Who knows. Apparently, all they’re waiting on is the local council to approve the plan, but… I don’t know. Might just tell them to bring some drills and say get to it.”

“I guess time will tell. Hopefully they get them out in time… hey, was that guy listening in on us? Why is he walking away so fast?”

“Maybe. Not like it matters though– what is he going to do, steal the Ranger’s equipment and go down there himself?”

-

Tavish zipped up the suit and gave it one final look over. It’d been easy to swipe it from the Ranger’s HQ, and the explosives weren’t hard to whip up himself. And a good thing too– their bomb wasn’t nearly strong enough for rock. He’d given it a bit more oomph– hopefully enough to create a proper hole.

Toxicroak was there too. In case some wild Pokémon showed up and tried to mess with Tavish. He’d never hurt them, of course, but it was always a possibility. With Bloke there, he could safely place, arm, and detonate the stuff. So long as everything went according to plan, then the Luvdisc would be free.

They sat along the edge of the water, where its frigid tongue licked the bottoms of their feet like thousands of Yamper excited for them. It was somewhere in Slateport, or maybe somewhere right outside of it. It was hard to tell with these massive metropolises where they started being them and where the outside world took over and claimed it as their own. Not that it mattered though, once they entered the water.

Once the last few bells and straps were secured, they'd be ready to enter the water. And the sooner the better-- he'd heard on the way down that the Rangers caught wind of his idea. Not him exactly, but that their big fancy bomb had been stolen. Seemed like a rather important thing to lose, if the severity of the missive they sent out was anything to go by.

---

Each step, a gamble. Would his foot sink into the ground and gobbled up by a bed of spikes? If he brushed against a wayward web, would he trip and fall into a sticky bed of inescapable silk? Were they simply waiting for him to make a simple mistake, one that'd cost him his life? Reminded him of college; those bastards always set fish-line traps to catch him on his way to the shitter.

Never put knives right below, though. 

Tavish carefully put his next step forward, aware of the dozens of eyes that watched his every move. They would not get him, for he knew how these worked as well as they did. It might be their turf, but this was their game. Maybe that's why they simply waited, instead of attacking him from the depths of the shadows. 

He raised the flask to his lips and drank. Refreshing water replaced the water the salty mixture that traveled down his brow. Slow and steady won the race-- but maybe, if he could get one of these fellows to join the cause... that'd be rather swell.

"Can't say I know my Cat's Cradle," he muttered underneath his breath, "but I know how a fuse works. Will that do?"

---

CJxDkjlm

It… stopped?

Tavish momentarily ignored the order and peered around the Fluttermane. He can see how much it struggles against the temporary paralysis. Even in this limited state, its desire to attack them is still powerful. The twitches do not get less sporadic, and maybe even stronger of the slowed course of time.

But he quickly backed off, towards the stranger. It was weird to be helped rather than attacked on sight. If the roles had been reversed, this man would’ve been left to die without a second’s hesitation.

Most of the people in Hoenn deserved it.

Just as he and Obstagoon reached the person, he heard the flutter of the ghost’s hair strands in the wind. He spared a glance backward, only to see it chuckle softly and fade from view.

“Looks like we’re haunted,” he said as he continued to stride forward in earnest. “Forget harmin’ it– we’re better off running.”

“Obstagoon.”

“Huh?”

She’d stopped. Even if she couldn’t harm the ghost, she’d at least try to help the stranger who helped them. It was only right. One way or another, she’d help them out until they were free of this simple yet powerful menace. Her head swung around and her nose twitched.

“Obsta!” She pointed towards the thin air on their left. It did not remain that way for long, and the Fluttermane rematerialized as soon as its location was pointed out. It lunged forward, straight for the small group.

“Obstagoon!” Tavish cried out. He retraced his steps, but intuition told him he’d never make it in time. If the Fluttermane went for her… she’d be ruined. “Drive it back! Today!”

---

nikkari hect

One did not need to be a paranoid criminal to know when to heed the word of a stranger, but it sure did mean that Tavish reacted faster than any chump ever could. He put one step forward and turned around the next instant, his knife drawn and ready to… cut…

His heart was rather conflicted here. If that Fluttermane had gotten hold of him, then that would’ve been that. He’d see them do absolutely nasty things to other Pokémon. Other people. Thus, he didn’t exactly mind the call out, nor the way it was blasted back with a frosty Ice Beam.

But his conviction didn’t hold the same reservations: the move was vile. Evil. Whoever gave the command should be gutted like a Magikarp and left to be scavenged by the wild Pokémon. Cut down where they stand like the sinner they were.

“Easy, easy!” Tavish called out. Obstagoon held onto the sack of dangerous crystals with a tight grip, unable to fight back. “No need to get so–”

“Fuck,” he dodged to the side as the Fluttermane went for a second attempt. Its hair barely missed his skull, and he felt the icy chill of death leave a trail on his skin. Pinpricks erupted everywhere the connected as if an omen of what could’ve been. “Obstagoon, help!”

“Obstagoon!” She pulled one leg back and swiftly raised it into the bottom of the Paradox Pokémon. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an actual move that could hit it, and she instead fell backwards from the sudden change in balance.

“Okay, nevermind,” Tavish dashed over to Obstagoon and tried to pull her back, “distract the Fluttermane!”

It got ever closer, and its smile got only wider…

---

nikkari hect

Mikael was wrong. Did he seriously think the people of Rocket deserved life? Those who hurt, harmed, attacked, murdered the innocent Pokémon of Hoenn? Their innocent people? No, letting them live was a mercy. One they didn’t deserve. Best to sink them all in the ocean and be done with it.

But Tavish had long learned to keep his mouth shut on the matter. No point trying to waste breath on such a futile effort when he could just take action and improve lives in real time. Let the idealists dream their future. He’d achieve his.

“Hrm.” Tavish spared a glance back down at the Brute Bonnets. Researcher? That one quack probably thought himself a researcher too. People could lie, too. What if this one did the same?

But before he could voice any of these concerns, Mikael had already begun the trip to the stranded researcher. Fine, whatever. No skin off his back. He sheathed his knife and started to–

“Obsta–wait, come back!” He turned back around and began to half-follow-half-chase the small group that went closer to the Brute Bonnets. Looked like this stranger was running out of time, based on the fact that they’d manage to almost fall out of their only save haven. Now, he was on his last stretch as he dangled from a branch by his sleeve.

“What the– how? Fucking idiot,” he muttered. “Forget this guy! He doesn’t have a single self-preservation bone in his entire body!”

At least the fervent fungi still kept their attention on the undergrowth or the man himself, unable to reach him from so high above. It was honestly quite impressive, how much he managed to fuck himself over. And it looked like he hadn’t even noticed they were there yet. Good. He hadn’t gotten his hopes up yet.

But Obstagoon crouched down into the bush and considered the options. Even if they wanted to battle, they’d get obliterated. These were rather strong and tricky, despite their relatively slow nature. It’d be best to avoid a confrontation. Maybe if they could get the man out of the tree and just outrun them…

She signed the idea to Tavish, but he rolled his eye once again. “What, you got telekinesis in your back pocket? Better off just creatin’ a distraction. Right, Mika?”

---

mikael rosenberg
TOTAL: 271
hMo_jKLH

Lucario’s Metal Claw slashed into the Toxicroak, a solid blow right into his side. It sent the poisonous frog into a spin, and the world spun several times over. However, it was more theatrical than the actual force of the strike. No, his foe did not hit so hard that he was sent into a literal spiral.

Because he slammed his foot into the ground. From there, it was all too easy to convert the momentum of the spin forward. Straight ahead, both his fists put together and shot forward with all his body weight. This Revenge would be sweet. “Two left feet, eh?!”

On the Tavish side, he pushed Aurelie’s arm back and whipped his head backward. While it did mean he ate a heavy blow to his gut, it also meant his free arm could grab onto hers and keep her squarely in place.

“Fat chance–”

His headshot forward, and their skulls collided. The world shook, and he recoiled from his own blow. His feet felt unsteady, but he powered through the initial regret and pain from their forced mutual pain. “In… hell… whoah!”

No, that was not in his mind; the trees vibrated in place, and the entire landscaped vibrated in place. Like the world wanted to join in on the fight, the chemist tried to fight back and keep himself upright. It worked– barely. In the confusion of the sudden earthquake shaking the world and his own world being shaken, he swung rather blindly in her direction.

The earthquake didn’t matter much for Obstagoon, but it was annoying. Almost as much as the waste of time her Fury Swipes were. She growled at the strong metal bars. All of that effort, just to put a few scratches into them. It was time to get serious. Instead of her paltry normal attacks. she lifted both her arms far apart in the sky.

And then brought hem down into an X-formation, straight onto the bars. But not even the Cross Chop could put a dent into the reinforced steel.

But, perhaps, there was a third option. A sudden flash of light caught her attention. Lights from the Iron Thorns. They flickered, but did not stay active. It wanted to come to life, but couldn’t find the strength. Maybe if she… healed it, somehow…

---

Aurelie Lefevre
TOTAL: 444
  w_w0CpCG

Tavish swiveled on a dime, his knife drawn in one swift motion and raised in defense. He kept himself low to the ground as he examined the newcomer. Obstagoon turned her head as well, but didn’t immediately turn hostile; if these two could sneak up on them but didn’t attack them immediately, then odds are they didn’t have the intention.

Or they were more interested in looking them in the eyes as the life drained from them. No way to discern at first glance, really.

He remained silent for several long, dangerous seconds. As time went on, the stranger did not make any immediate moves to attack. His stance slowly yet surely relaxed, but the knife stayed in the air. A hopeful ward to any hostile actions.

“Why? You see the bastard down there,” he motioned to the distant pack of wild Pokémon that continued their search, “they’re as good as gone. And they probably deserve it. But if you can get it through to Obstagoon, here, then by all means.”

The furry Pokémon rolled her eyes and made some hand gestures to Tavish. It was as clear and concise as a Pokémon could get to sign language if Mikael had ever seen it before. Tavish sighed exasperatedly, “Yea, I know what I said!”

Arceus be damned. He pushed his lips together and looked to the ground. He ran the numbers, crunched them, and digested them as the logistics worked itself out in his head. The more he thought, the more he saw a path forward. A very theoretical, potential plan that he very much did not want to do.

But it was there. “... Name’s Tavish. You know anything about the bastard down there? What line of work they do?”

“If they hurt Pokémon?”

Maybe, just maybe… if this person wasn’t actually inherently evil, then he MIGHT come around to the idea. “Do you?”

---

mikael rosenberg
TOTAL: 177
PLr|5MzD

Damn. Tavish’s knife slid cleanly through the fabric of her jacket and missed the mark, saved by the Lucario now at her side. He restrained himself from immediately going for a second attack, as that’d get his head punched cleanly off by the dangerous Pokémon. Instead, he entered a defensive stance and strafed to her left.

Bloke went to her right, his eyes locked with the Lucario. He swung wildly, his fists a mile wide of the target. If anything, it’s like he tried to miss. Like the trainer, the Toxicroak adopted a defensive stance and waited to see how the Lucario would attack. His body hung low to the ground and bobbed to some strange, unheard song. He waited in Anticipation.

“Oi, eyes over here,” he waved a hand to her, “just me an’ you, eh? Let’s dance.”

Tavish didn’t even try to fake-attack. Instead, he kept his guard up and knife parallel to the ground. For a few, dangerously tense seconds, all he did was watch. No attempts, no attacks. Silent as the commotion of action stirred not even two feet from them. His one eye focused squarely on her blade.

Not even the loud roar of a very distant creature could distract him– but he couldn’t put a name to the cry. Strange; he could put a name to all the Paradoxical Pokémon calls by this point. But that one still didn’t have a name for the face, so to speak.

“Fancy knife ya got,” he finally spoke, with a thick, low accent. “Where ya mark yer head count? Etches on the blade or the pommel?”

He didn’t wait for an answer. His blade shot forward, towards her heart. Of course, this wouldn’t get anywhere, and she parried it effortlessly. But he was ready for any counterattack she’d offer, much like she’d be ready for any counter-counter attack. First impressions left them on equal ground, down to the lack of two eyes. Fate was funny indeed.

But it’s not like he needed to win. Obstagoon, in the initial commotion, went straight for the cage. She gave one of the bars a quick tug– strong. She grumbled, but couldn’t afford to waste time on complaints. The first thing that came to mind was to wear the bars away. Her claws extended, and she Furiously Swiped at the bars repeatedly. The clash of keratin on reinforced-steel filled the area and drowned out the roar of far-away beast.

---

Aurelie Lefevre
TOTAL: 360
  62ifOiJ9

Tavish waded through the rest of the water and retrieved Sonny just as the smoke started to seep in from the ground, like a burst septic tank. Try as he might, the thick black smoke was simply too potent, as he reached the spot where he thought Rhys was. Of course, the bugger had run off before he could even get his hands on him.

Tear him a new ass, as one might say.

On the bright side, the smoke also prevented the Iron Treads from making good on their intentions. Sure, they ran out of the cave and shook the earth all around him. A few got too close for comfort and nearly crushed him underfoot. But none of them truly collided with him or Obstagoon. After a few moments, they had all run past and back into the wild of…

Where this was. Tavish snarled, but did not bother to continue the chase. It’d be like trying to work with Fluorine: technically possible, but probably not worth the effort or the risk associated with it. Still, it didn’t mean he had to be happy about it. He stomped one foot into the ground and looked up to the blacked-out sky.

“Don’t think we’re done ‘ere, ya quack doc!” He screamed into the void. “Ya ‘aven’t seen the last of Tavish Rose, ya hear!? I’ll get ya one day, and they'll have to glue you back together in hell!”

Obstagoon quickly put a furry claw on his shoulder and held a digit to her lips. The quiet, muffled beeps of the wild Iron Treads got a little louder. He nodded along.

Time to make an exit, before they really got surrounded by the Paradoxical Pokémon.

---

Rhys Collins
TOTAL: 470
  MCwPZAh_