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Relieved that Selena is willing to go along with the plan, Orion lies in wait for his Haunter as she and her Umbreon take the spotlight.[break][break]

The taunt from Lucifer draws the Beheeyem's attention immediately, and the councilman finds himself impressed by the way that the dark-type manages to keep that attention — a delicate dance occurs between the two, and though the Umbreon is at a disadvantage with its typing, it defends itself against the assault with admirable skill.[break][break]

"Already on it!"[break][break]

Should Selena look over to where Orion and his Haunter had hidden themselves away, she'd spot only the ranger peering out from behind a bale of hay. Haunter has vanished. It reappears directly behind the Beheeyem, cackling and tapping the alien creature with one of its ghostly 'hands'. When the psychic-type whirls to face its new threat, it finds itself paralyzed with fear under the Haunter's mean look.[break][break]

Satisfied, Orion stands up from his cover. Time to fight![break][break]

"Now, Haunter!"[break][break]

Not wanting to alert the potentially intelligent lifeform to his plan, he'd whispered his commands when they'd still been lying in wait. True to these orders, the Haunter wiggles its ethereal fingers and puts the Beheeyem to sleep with hypnosis, following up with an empowered hex.[break][break]

"It's all yours if you want to try and catch it," Orion calls over to Selena, when he's sure it's still asleep. "We'll cover you if it wakes up and tries to attack."

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Orion is at least glad that 'Hannah' has her Sylveon for company; her social anxiety seems worse than his own. He's understanding as a result of his own discomforts, patient as she stumbles over the words.[break][break]

"Yeah, it's the studying I'm not too great with," he admits, sheepish. "Guess I never developed the right habits."[break][break]

Still, he's happy as a ranger.[break][break]

The bell rings, and Orion's gaze flicks toward the sound before settling back on Hannah. He smiles, standing. "It was nice seeing you again, Hannah. Enjoy your evening!"

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[break]PERSIM - ABILITY CHANGE[break][break]

Florian Laurel's Eevee changes ability. Anticipation → Adaptability.[break][break]

[break]CHESTO - EVOLVE STAGE 1-2 or 2-3[break][break]

Orion Lykos's Duosion → Reuniclus.[break]
Orion Lykos's Haunter → Gengar.[break][break]

[break]SITRUS - APPLICABLE MOVE[break][break]

Cillian Quinn's Tyrunt learns an egg move, Fire Fang.
[break][break]

[break]LEPPA - TM/TR MOVE[break][break]

Cillian Quinn's A. Sandslash learns Ice Ball.[break][break]

[break]TEACHER'S APPLE - SHINY/POSSIBLE GENDER SWAP[break][break]

Cillian Quinn's Greninja becomes shiny, and remains female.[break][break]

[break]ASPEAR - LEVEL-UP MOVE[break][break]

Cillian Quinn's Klinklang learns Lock-On.[break]
Cillian Quinn's Arctovish replaces Icicle Crash → Ancient Power.[break][break]

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[break]

"I don't know," Orion answers truthfully, in response to Pierce's question about protection. "Never been where we're going." He watches the armor-clad man approach Solgaleo, and says of him, "He was really brave during the New Years incident, though."[break][break]

He had seen Pokkenger leap toward the Ultra Beast with swords in hand to rescue Olivia. He didn't know why the man dressed like a superhero from a kid's movie, but he was glad to be on his same side.[break][break]

As they leap through the portal, Orion closes his eyes against the blur of distorted imagery. It's too overwhelming and it makes him feel nauseous, though he does force himself to open them again when Pierce speaks. He thinks about replying, but forfeits in favour of letting his stomach settle. There are three paths ahead, and the others voice their opinions.[break][break]

"Just as long as it isn't acid rain, like during Slateport." He grimaces at the unpleasant memory. "I'm a ranger, I'd feel most comfortable in a natural environment, but even the city sounds better than the desert. I don't fancy the idea of going through any desert, let alone that one."[break][break]

After he says it, he wonders if a desert here would even resemble those on earth. His skin prickles at the thought of the unknown, but he swallows down his anxieties and does not voice them.

[break][break]

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A muffled scream pierces through the darkness and Orion whirls toward the sound, seeing nothing. Panic grips him in its cold claws as he hears pulsing through the water nearby, unsure of what they were or what had fired them.[break][break]

Grasping at his pokeball belt, he releases a random member of the team he'd brought: all suitable for the underwater environment they'd expected to face.[break][break]

The Malamar is quick to fire off a blast of psychic energy toward the Dragalge, its somewhat familiar shriek of pain alerting the ranger to the potential threat. The squid then camouflages itself in the smokescreen, adopting the water as its type.[break][break]

Though Orion doesn't see it through the smoke, Malamar also sets up a shimmering light screen between the kelp-dragon and its allies.

[break][break][break]

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As he glances over his shoulder, Orion witnesses the chaos that Kyle had promised. He feels a pang of sympathy for the Pokemon caught in the attack, though not their riders. He keeps his gaze on the pile-up long enough to see some of them get to their feet and attempt to rejoin the race, though it's doubtful they'll be able to catch up to the pack. They soon become little but specks left in the Arcanine's dust.[break][break]

With the speed at which they move, Orion can only make out some sort of hand signal from his partner.[break][break]

"Take it easy," Orion tells his Arcanine, not wanting it to tire out before the finish. "Give us some sun."[break][break]

Slowing its extreme pace, fur streaming in the wind, Apollo tosses his head back and howls at the skies. Overhead, an already sunny day becomes hotter, brighter, and several racers slow down as their Pokemon struggle in the heat. Arcanine thrives where others falter, picking up speed once more as he drinks in the unnatural light of a morning sun.

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First impressions don't get any sweeter. If anything, Orion's opinion of Jet sours the more time they spend together.[break][break]

"I'm not implying you don't know your match-ups," he says, ire creeping into his tone. "I'm asking a question, because communication is important in a team."[break][break]

Of course, as was quickly made clear, Jet had little intention to work as a team. Unlike their Pokemon, Nova returning the Arcanine's greeting with a friendly growl of her own, the two were not of like mind and Jet insisted that he could handle everything just fine.[break][break]

Orion's a ranger, it's his job to make sure these things get done right, but the temperamental part of him wins out.[break][break]

"Is that so? You want to go in there alone, then?"[break][break]

He leans against a supporting pillar set up in the cave, folding his arms as he gazes at Jet.

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