[attr="class","frlastconttop"]

[attr="class","frlastcontmid"]



[break]

“Nope, not breaking anything,” Bailey said like a liar as she squinted through the haze. “What are you even doing? I can't see shit,” but she could hear the running water, twisting as if the pool was running over rapids.[break][break]

Speaking of not seeing shit...the Sergeant glanced to the hole in the ground, wondering where her Vikavolt had tunneled to. Hopefully, her bug wouldn't be stupid enough to try and burrow into the pool—there was a crackling that could be heard overhead, making Bailey direct her gaze upward.[break][break]

Crash was the sound of one of the ceiling tiles as it fell and broke against the ground. “Oh, that's just sly—” and Bailey could faintly see the outline of her bug atop the ceiling as her mandibles glowed with electric energy.[break][break]



The attack was launched straight downward, aimed for the center of the spinning body of water.[break][break]

[attr="class","frlastconttag2"]

[attr="class","frlastconttop"]

[attr="class","frlastcontmid"]

“How thoughtful,” the Sergeant said as she inwardly cringed at the speed of the park job, bracing for the crash that never came—suddenly, Bailey could understand why her parents had wigged out so much when they had been teaching her how to drive.[break][break]

Rascal's was as lively as always. Lilycove might have felt empty, but this place always seemed to keep itself busy. Bailey Cooper let herself out from the car, trying to ignore the head rush she felt when she rose back to her full height.[break][break]

For a moment, it was like she had forgotten about her bad mood—she had needed a distraction. Over the last few weeks, she had tried to find ways to burn time—tried to find ways to keep her mind occupied. If it came in a glass, then that was just fine in her book.[break][break]

The Sergeant barely caught Fernando's parting message to his Porygon before he stepped out of the car. It had sounded like council business. It was probably something that would bore her to tears.[break][break]

Without a word, she made her way across the threshold to the establishment. There was a different bartender, so... there was a good chance that there wouldn't be any bullshit—for now. “You wanna sit at the bar?” Her head turned back to the councilman, letting him make the decision.[break][break]

It didn't matter to her.

[attr="class","frlastconttag2"]

[attr="class","frlastconttop"]

[attr="class","frlastcontmid"]

“Showtime,” was her response to the Mightyena's call.[break][break]

Bailey Cooper fetched one of the pokeballs from her waist, knowing that her Kommo-o would be more than eager to join the fight on this scrawny punk. Her eyes switched from the red, shiny surface of her capsule to Kyle's face. Would she want to drag him into this? What if she overreacted and ended up getting in trouble for it? She wouldn't want to rope him into the mess.[break][break]

She pointed a finger in his direction, focused on the dead center of his chest. “Get the drop on him when you see a chance,” and in the end, the Sergeant was unable to resist the opportunity.[break][break]

“Fucking great,” and she sucked in a breath and steeled herself for what was to come.[break][break]

In the distance, she could see the faint outline of their target as he made his approach—wheezy breath and rounded spectacles that made Bailey Cooper grimace. Fuck, this guy was a real dweeb. Instead of trying to greet the stalker, Bailey only crossed her arms over her chest and faced the man with a growing scowl; her expression contorted by her displeasure.[break][break]

“So, you care to explain yourself, asswipe?” What a nice way to greet a person.

[attr="class","frlastconttag2"]

[attr="class","frlastconttop"]

[attr="class","frlastcontmid"]



[break]

“Just what the hell is this thing?” The ECHOED VOICE that reverberated through the room had caused no pain, but Bailey Cooper found her hands clasped to her head, trying to ignore the ringing that scraped against the back of her skull—it refused to dissipate, even when she opened and closed her jaw to try and pop her ears.[break][break]

The protests from the scientists were the least of her concerns. Some civilians may have fled, but there were still people left standing in the room. She would have to hold her ground, just to buy them time.[break][break]

Arian seemed hellbent on joining the fight. “Don't get yourself killed, I've seen it happen before,” but despite her words, the Sergeant smiled, as if thankful for the assistance.[break][break]

Her Mewostics fought through the noise, unleashing their joint attack with a ferocity that Bailey was familiar with—she knew how strong the strike was. She knew what it could do to a normal pokemon... and when the creature is able to withstand the blow—only pushed back a few feet by the force—Bailey sucked in a low breath of air and cursed. “Fuck,” and knew that this space pokemon was of a completely different caliber.[break][break]

It just meant they would have to do more damage before they could see a result—the two Meowstics retreated back to Bailey's side as the poison was spewed out from its skin. “Get behind me!” and the Sergeant would have shielded her pokemon, if not for the Alakazam that chose to bear the brunt of the blow.[break][break]

She heard the sizzling—watching as the room melted beneath the corrosive liquid that felt unsafe to breathe, much less endure. “Fuck. You two need to think of something—” and she turned to her Meowstics in time to see them both aglow as they prepared their next moves.[break][break]

“Oh, shit. Never mind, you two got this.” Psychic pokemon could be really convenient.[break][break]





And Bailey could only pray that the sweet aroma that filled the air would be enough to suppress the strength of the poison—keeping it from causing afflictions to their pokemon that could have been irreversible. As for the telekinesis? Bailey caught the hint, feeling the warmth of the pokeballs in her hands while Arian's pokemon delivered their own assault.[break][break]

Two capsules were chucked from her right hand, summoning an additional two allies to the field. Aggron and Krookodile.[break][break]



There wasn't enough time to fill them in on the situation. “Don't let that poison touch you, it's not normal,” and that comment was pointed to her steel-type as she called out her next order. “Give 'em hell!”[break][break]

Her pokemon did not hesitate to try and fulfill her command.[break][break]





And as the two pokemon would execute these attacks, trying to remain steadfast in the face of this unknown threat—and, maybe for one quick second, Bailey Cooper wished that someone else was standing by her side--someone that would have been just as enthralled to take on this threat.[break][break]

It drew a bitter smile to her lips... and the Sergeant had to accept that it was wishful thinking.

[attr="class","frlastconttag2"]

[attr="class","frlastconttop"]

[attr="class","frlastcontmid"]



[break]

“No drinking? At a casino? How do you get business with an attitude like that?” Bailey Cooper maintained their banter, smirking as she leaned herself against the control panel; all lights had gone green. Somehow, through sheer, dumb luck, all of her button pushing had been a success.[break][break]

The Sergeant could hear the murmuring of the Scientists as they went to check the readings—she did not notice when the whispers became frantic. “You're just flustered because you thought your reputation as a gym leader was at stake—oh nooo, did you hear that poor Arian Coin failed a mission? The poor thing!” She snickered at her teasing.[break][break]

They would not get the chance to celebrate their success. “But for real, if we're done here, let's bounce,” because something was wrong.[break][break]

Two pairs of hands were pulling at her jacket; her Meowstics were whining and pulling against the leather with such a force that Bailey had to stumble away from the front console.[break][break]

“Hey! Hey! What's wrong? Why are you two spazzing out? We did it—” and it was only when she saw the whites of their eyes that something cold shot down her spine—a realization that something was not right. It was the same feeling she had felt in that dark, expansive cave where the Regirock had appeared. It was the same dread, sensing that something was coming.[break][break]

The rift was opened. “What the fuck is that?” A strange landscape that she could see for only a moment, before the sight of the ghostly apparition took its place. Phantasmal and resplendent; Bailey Cooper looked upon a creature that felt like no pokemon that she had ever seen.[break][break]

It did not look like it belonged on this planet, or on this plane of existence. “Holy shit, space pokemon do exist,” and the wail was so shrill that it echoed in her ears, even when the screaming had ended. The scientists were still in the room, still stunned by what had appeared.[break][break]

It would take more than a Psybeam to take care of this mess.[break][break]

“Lucky Strike!” She shouted to Arian, finding a nickname for the Gym Leader before the battle could begin. “Get these civilians outta here! I'll draw fire,” and she charged from the control panel before the man could protest.[break][break]

She had more experience in situations like this—when there was no time to comprehend fear or the gravity of the challenge that awaited her. “Clawsby! Don't let that fucking thing leave this room!” Her voice would reverberate off the walls, carrying not a single ounce of hesitation.[break][break]

The male Meowstic flanked her left; his eyes aglow with the same energy that had manifested only a few short moments ago.[break][break]

[break]

The female Meowstic flanked her right; her body aglow with psychic energy that was ready to burst; but, it would hold. Tabbytha would refrain from releasing the attack, waiting for Bailey to declare her orders. "Hold it steady, girl."[break][break]

Their trainer might have made a fool of herself earlier, but both Psychic pokemon seemed to respect that this was where she shined.[break][break]

"Show 'em the stuff," and her boots skid across the tile as she aligned herself between the monster and the scientists, like she was ready to be the solider that would hold the line. The Meowstics, on the other hand, would carry their speed to close the distance even further. As pokemon, they could risk it.[break][break]

Bailey grabbed four capsules, clenching them in both hands and ready to release the rest of her party at any moment. "That's your cue, Clawsby!"[break][break]

The male Meowstic would take his partner's hand, channeling an energy into the female Meowstic that would make her glow all the more threatening, all the more feirce.[break][break]

[break]

And simultaneously, as that move was executed, Tabbytha would unleash an attack of her own. The two cats would move in tandem, never breaking sync with one another, as they road a wavelength that any trainer would envy. [break][break]

From this point forward, they would attack together.[break][break]

The computer screens flickered. Metal bearings groaned. Tabbytha would clench Clawsby's hand as the Psyonic blast was unleashed.[break][break]

[break]

And the unbridled energy would be emitted like a wave, aimed to slam into the creature with a force that had been augmented. "Get ready to switch to defense! Pull back!" Because Bailey Cooper had no idea what this foreign entity was capable of. [break][break]

She never took her eyes off of it. "And you better be pushing people out that fucking door, Coin!"

[attr="class","frlastconttag2"]

[attr="class","frlastconttop"]

[attr="class","frlastcontmid"]

Fortree City was weird.[break][break]

Bailey Cooper navigated the forest city without any urgency, without any pleasure. Her dead-pan stare did not humor the towering heights or the green scenery. She had something else on her mind—the gym would have to show up eventually. [break][break]

“If I walk down this street one more time, I'm just gonna have you fly me there,” the Sergeant said to her Togekiss, watching as the fairy took advantage of the blue skies that loomed overhead. The flying marshmallow would rise to great heights, swelling with the wind and with each beat of her wings.[break][break]

It looked like fun, but Bailey wasn't in the mood to humor it. She wanted a distraction. She wanted a pokemon battle.[break][break]

Her eyes spot white, blue, and then purple. It was an ensemble of hair colors that made the Sergeant pause at the other end of the street. “What are they all doing?” And even Tink swept back down to Bailey's shoulder, equally curious. “Should we say hi? Or should we just ditch—” and Bailey flinched at the wing slap that collided against the back of her head. [break][break]

“I was joking,” a lie as Bailey Cooper was snapped from her rotten mood. “You know, you can be a real bitch sometimes,” but Tink seemed pleased as the Sergeant was dragged out of her brooding. Maybe some conversation would be good for her.[break][break]

It only took a moment to approach the ground—her boots grinding into the dirt with every step. “Did I miss a memo?”

[attr="class","frlastconttag2"]

[attr="class","frlastconttop"]

[attr="class","frlastcontmid"]

“I should stop?!” and that was followed by a hard bark of laughter as Bailey allowed her Meowstics to guide her through the process—her frantic button pushing and level pulling had changed, now following a set pattern that her pokemon dictated. The male Meowstic's eyes glowed with psychic energy and the female conveyed that information by pointing out the next action that should be taken.[break][break]

Another series of red lights went out. “Because it seems to me like you're the one that needs to switch shit up! Stay in your lane and fix your shit,” because whatever his pokemon had done, it was no longer working. She wore a snarky smirk as success started to turn her way.[break][break]

Was this just her way of pretending that she had known what she had been doing from the start? Of course. Bailey Cooper was trying to save face.[break][break]

JR3Sja5z[break][break]

Another success. Lights were switching from red to green. The generator seemed to be slowly, slowly regaining control. Would it be enough for the experiment to be a success? The Sergeant did not know.[break][break]

“Also? Me? Drinking problem? That's bullshit,” and maybe his comments had hit a sore spot, but Bailey Cooper was enough of a big girl to let it slide... and let manifest itself later, when she'd challenge his gym and kick his ass.

[attr="class","frlastconttag2"]

[attr="class","frlastconttop"]

[attr="class","frlastcontmid"]

She wanted to seem serious. “Don't bring up that place—it happened before the current gym leader took over,” back when Bailey Cooper had been a young pokemon trainer with absolutely no sense of navigation.[break][break]

Even now, the Sergeant is still adrift, following through the motions of life as her lips were pulled into a line smile, not wanting to think back to her past embarrassments. “Hey, I'm blameless. I'd be dumb if I didn't bring one along—you know how this is,” and she tried to suppress her guilt as Vicky prepared herself for combat.[break][break]

“Don't blame the player. Blame the game?” She shrugged at the suggestion of banning electric types. “Your casa. Your rules,” and that was supposed to be the end of the pleasantries. The Sergeant wanted to get serious—she wanted to experience the sense of derealization that came with guiding a pokemon battle, where she would cease to matter and all of her focus could turn to her pokemon.[break][break]

The Vikavolt was itching for a chance to prove herself. “If this place goes up in a bright ball of fire, I'd be pissed,” and Bailey observed the sight of the Emporeon as it was summoned from its capsule. Bailey had one of her own, but she would not let that information be known as MIST filled the room.[break][break]

“I think... It might still be weak to electricity,” and that was what she murmured to her bug. “Even with the steel-typing.”[break][break]

They were just shadows in this mist—but, strangely enough, one floating shadow seemed to suddenly vanish from sight. There had been a strange sound, like blades scraping against stone, and then silence returned to the battlefield.[break][break]



Bailey held her breath, straining her senses as she tried to listen for their obscured foe.

[attr="class","frlastconttag2"]