[attr="class","emapkmn"]Zilph is still thinking about a name that would suit her better than, well, Zilph. After having told Sylph, Lutgarde's Togekiss, that she would go on a soul-searching-and-finding mission, the Togekiss merely wished her good luck and left her to her devices. It's truly a blessing to have such a hands-off approach, especially since ... she really can't with the name.

However, it's because of her being deep in her thoughts that she doesn't predict the next unpredictable happenings. And huh- Before she could actually react, she's suddenly atop a mount, a Skiddo, who jumps. Immediately, she reaches out forward to grab the Skiddo's fur, before Calm Mind rushes out from her in an attempt to regain some inner peace.

"!!! What?!" Her face right now is quite meme-worthy, but the Skiddo unfortunately couldn't see it. "One tad slower, girlie pal, please and thank you-!"

@iswlyn

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There's part of Lutgarde that is worried about their decision regarding this fight, but there's also a vague excitement that they could not deny. Curiosity about the strength of the legendaries, curiosity about how a fight that they've only read about could be decided, eventually.

Even if they definitely also signed up for something beyond their imagination.

Yveltal's flight has barely been disrupted by its Dark Pulse, but Xerneas' incoming attack is another story. Lutgarde lets out a surprised yelp as Yveltal does its best to dodge, and they bury their hands into the surprisingly soft fur-hair-like patches atop of the dark legendary. It doesn't seem to mind, and they hesitantly think about trying to stir- whenever the flight might stabilise.

Xerneas' horns strike true six times in its fury, making Yveltal let out a shriek, before flapping its wings powerfully once for Oblivion Wing. They could see sparkling rainbow energy fade slightly as it changes hosts, and Yveltal rejuvenates itself slightly as it roars higher into the cavern - but it's a cavern still, and not the open sky despite its shimmering surfaces.

Shalin Nariya

As soon as Lutgarde see's Lam's easy smile, it's mirrored on their face as well - perhaps mixed a bit with relief because, regardless of the situation, they'd rather prefer to follow an optimistic carry-on mentality than sinking deeper into pessimism and despair. One step at a time is a manageable unit in their mind, and they rarely ever think beyond that.

"Perfect! Yes, I'm Lutgarde, elite ranger." A fairly new title awarded after their many years of being a ranger. "Yeah, I'm living at the beach which ... didn't work out in my favour," they laugh with a bit of sorrow as they think about their flooded apartment. Gladly, the water masses have retreated after whatever ritual has happened at Sootopolis which meant that they could even enter their flat at all, but it's still ... not been too good. "But apart from that, I'm very open to help with whatever's needed! Should we also head to the public beach with the clean-up or are there other tasks to do?"

Sylv regards the Psyduck with interest as well as it looks at him with interest, before greeting the water type with a friendly coo and a flutter of his ribbons. One of those also extends from him to the Psyduck in a friendly gesture - but he's hesitant about actually connecting since not everyone likes this emotional link, however brief. "Oh, and this is my partner Sylv, by the way. His dye's waterproof, so he'll help as he's able, too."

lam logan

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Having younger siblings helps Lutgarde with not faltering at Thea's words, keeping the weak scolding expression on their face until Thea apologised and they smile. "I know you're very capable, I'm just also very worried," they soften up, ruffling Thea's hair a little bit. "You probably could've taken the situation, but hey, why wait, right?"

Still, there's a reality that Thea is not helpless by far. However, they always, always prefer to be the one standing in the crossfire over others doing the same. Sylv in the meanwhile also seems amused as he observes the reaction of Thea's pokémon to the ongoing situation, before he actually seems to become a bit more serious. There's a cautious look to his usually open and friendly, loving gaze.

It serves as a good reminder for Lutgarde, too, that there's more work to be done, always.

"We can see if there's any information to be found ... remind me again if there's anything in particular to look for? Do you ... remember any Rocket from the invasion?" They gently put their hand on Thea's shoulder as they start walking again - staying in the same spot just sounds like an incredibly bad idea.

Thea Naito
post count: 3
50 MP have your character's Pokemon symbolize or represent in some way, the condition of your character. (sylv alert ~ lutgarde uneasy)

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Lutgarde looks at Thea with a scolding expression, but eventually gives up the pretense of being a super responsible adult and sighs with a weak smile. "You're welcome. And that's not the best thing to do in this situation, you do realise, maybe a bit?" they suggest, hoping that Thea is at least fully aware of the danger and not carried by teen spirit alone.

They do trust that Thea would not willingly fully endanger herself, however, and that she knows to a degree what she's doing. Still ... "I'm glad we met here. If you don't mind, we can secure the area together? See if we find any clues. I'm mostly dealing with poachers right now."

Lutgarde is able to converse rather casually in this small pocket of non-battle because they know that Sylph is keeping an eye out, so they'd be warned in time if some Rocket would be approaching. Sylv in the meanwhile also has approached, licking his paw and fixing a little bit of fur that got tussled in the fight, before greeting the others with a friendly, but also slightly stern coo. He's probably doing something similiar to Lutgarde now, but they gotta say, he's always got a bit more of a charming way to do it.

"Did you find out anything yet?"

Thea Naito
post count: 2

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Lutgarde's main focus is on the pokémon that are disturbed and poached in the war efforts, and report back to any authorities and professors should there be some natural phenomena happen, too. However, so far, everything has turned out to be man-made, forming a bitterness in Lutgarde's heart that they do their best to ignore.

They don't want to fight - not fight directly, not face those that want to claim this region for themselves in selfish motivation. They shiver at the thought of letting the bad guys win. But still, amongst the growing bitterness, there's something seemingly untouched, seemingly persisting through this and forever more.

Goodwill.

One reason why Lutgarde doesn't attack anyone on sight, even as they're Rocket. However, the situation quickly calls for a different approach, even if Thea and her pokémon are battle-experienced and -ready. They don't want the brutality of the fights to overwhelm the teen after all - with quick, decisive movements, Sylv has knocked out two of the attacking pokémon while Sylph takes care of their two trainers. "Thea!" they call out, before gesturing for her to stay on the spot for now as they're walking over to the Rocket members, quickly handcuffing them so that Sylph could carry them towards the nearest base.

"Thea, what are you doing here?" Their voice isn't immediately scolding, though it's still agitated. They could handle the situation quickly, gladly, but what if they could not? It should be the same feeling compared to rescuing any other pokémon, but they do not waver in what-ifs like this with them - it's different when it's a person you care about more deeply. Suddenly, there's these thoughts and cracks in the confidence they wear else, even if they do their best not to show.

Thea Naito
post count: 1
50 MP have your character self-doubt or cast doubt on another's confidence/allegiances/beliefs, etc. (doubting their abilities of rescue)

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The winds become deafening as it's just a little bit more and one of them would be champion of the race track for this race. Despite their plan with Follow Me having backfired in a way, only seeming to assist their competition, Lutgarde couldn't help a smirk and a gleeful laugh as they, for the moment, still race ahead. The speed is dizzying as they continue onwards at their absolute maximum speed, now leaning into one last Extreme Speed as Sylph pulls forward as fast as she could possibly can, following her namesake of air fairies.

The moment stills almost, as the end truly comes in sight in form of a waving flag.

"We almost got it!" Lutgarde shouts and couldn't keep the laughter out of their voice, but isn't even sure if they hear their own voice on the wind. They then simply lean forward, adjusting their position slightly so that Sylph could race ahead without them hindering her in any way. They make sure to keep an eye out if any adjustments should be needed last minute - but for now, truly, speed is all that's needed.

Sylph is focused, but for a moment, also lets herself loose in the feeling of the wind against her wings, carrying her and pushing her onward as she flies further and further, not letting her goal out of sight. Just some more ...

Josh Devlin
TARGET 0
REACTION MODIFIED 0
BOOST 3/3 - EXTREME SPEED
g0s0VVqq +60 speed mod
98+75+60 = 233
sylph stats
speed: B (3)
endurance: C (2)
reaction: B (3)

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Just as they turned away from the Perrserker, it seems that this trouble is actually not over yet, either. The steel type has attracted the attention of another steel type that's quite annoyed at the whole disturbance, which called for another intervention by Lutgarde as they, Sylv and Sylph rush in before the Forretress might actually use Explode here in this tight space.

skipping forretress, steel incense

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Lutgarde shakes their head slightly at Shalin's whispered words, only now noticing that there might be heavier feelings lingering even with conjured images. Still, they have a strong sense of keeping things balanced for the sake of good sportsmanship, and so they nod once decisively. "Think it's like a sparring battle? Just ... way more intense," they say, then slightly bow in front of Xerneas as they and Sylph make to fly towards its eternal opponent.

"Please do not mind me being devil's advocate here ... it should be a fair fight to decide."

It's something they'd never imagined either, even if multiple friends told them that their attire is more befitting of a dark type trainer than a fairy one - still, Sylph, Sylv and them fly next to Yveltal's side. The Destruction pokémon regards them with an unfathomable look, possibly curious. It lowers itself slightly ... inviting Lutgarde to hop on, it seems. They hesitate, but given that Shalin's on Xerneas, it only seems good to mirror. They change their mount with Sylv hopping onto, and immediately after, Yveltal roars.

Massive wings flap, opening the fight immediately with Dark Pulse.

Shalin Nariya

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Lutgarde nods, then shakes their head, "No trouble at all!" Sylph flies over from beyond, applying calming Life Dew on the worst wounds with a delicate wing. "Sounds like a good idea, shouldn't be too long- just turning in the crooked," they nod - they should probably also get checked out, even beneath the black fur, they believe to see some dark purple stains with Sylv, even if he keeps up a cheery exterior.

At Thomas' words, their uncertain look about the Type:Null softens and they smile with renewed vigor and apparent relief, "They do, indeed ... It's so ..." they start, but don't finish. There's many words to be said about Type:Null's cruel creation, but they lack all of them as they simply nod at the displayed empathy with a smile.

And gladly, the capture was the most difficult part about dealing with the poachers, as they're lead to the other poachers to be put into prison.

Thomas Benoit

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Lutgarde busies themself with taking care of the Carbinks, uttering reassuring nonsense as they tend to the wounds with the help of their pokémon partners. The mines are abandoned Carbink by Carbink as Morrighan discovers a passageway out- and Lutgarde worries once more again, always wanting to be the one on the front. But in this instance, they're better with first aid given their ranger training, so they just hope nothing will happen to Morrighan, her pokémon and the Carbinks as they float and walk out of the room.

There's still plenty of work to do here, too, and they do their best to make those crystals shine again. "Follow Morrighan over here, the person that just went through there ... we'll get you somewhere safe," they assure the pokémon, gesturing to the exit hopefully. However, a group of Carbinks seems unmoving from their place, the last remaining ones.

"Hey, what's up?" they ask gently, and after a brief moment, the Carbink seem to nod to one another, urging Lutgarde to follow them. And there ... "Oh, that's ..." Yet another body of Magearna. Maybe they got a knack for finding them, seeing as every excursion here has resulted in at least one being found one way or another. A knight, perhaps, always on the lookout for the princess to save.

"Thanks for sharing this with me. Can't let the princess be here on their lonesome, right?" they smile, before lifting the - frankly heavy - body and carefully navigating the tunnel that Morrighan went through. At least with practice from last time, it's a fairly manageable task. They merely see the glimpses of emerald, ruby and sapphire, as an actual Volcanion, big and towering, as well as Morrighan, pokémon and Carbinks block the rest of the view. They steadily hold the Magearna, and believe to see a glow between the little spaces between people ... are there more soulhearts in the room proper?

Morrighan Cahill

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The structure is not as sturdy as it seems, and they find themselves falling after too high-pitched an attack. The floor gives in, and they're falling - but instinctively almost, Lutgarde readies themself and is indeed caught by Sylph rushing in with Extreme Speed, who then makes a quick beeline towards Morrighan, too, who'd be additionally secured by Lutgarde so that she doesn't fall off the Togekiss during her stabilising flight.

It just seems to be in luck for more reason than one, too, since the bottom onto which they would’ve fallen is riddled with puddles of oil. Sylv hops onto Lutgarde's shoulder with precision from above.

"I hear it," they confirm, following Morrighan cautiously and ... ... "Oh my god."

That's not what they had in mind when they pondered the perpetual movement going on here. But, it probably also shouldn't surprise as much ... still. Their judgement is almost immediate with barely any hesitation as they look at the beaten Carbinks. "We got to help those Carbinks!" they call out, look over at Morrighan for a brief approval, before Sylv and Sylph already charge onward. They spread Life Dew and a Helping Hand to inspire the tired workers, inspire to maybe see about a life different from here.

Morrighan Cahill
32 either by exploring clockwork tunnels underneath the city or the castle, liberate carbink who have been working in other coal engines for eons.