[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]Gavin's words almost washed over her, barely retaining what he said. She couldn't focus on a single other thing said as her mind was suddenly intruded on by the most beautiful sound she has ever been witness to. The voice of her god, speaking directly to her mind, for her and only her to bear witness to. If she had been younger, remained the soft quiet girl she used to be, she might have begun to tear up.[break][break]

Instead, every single doubt in her mind simply began to dry up. Every fear, every errant thought debating any sort of lack of self-worth, vanished. It was practically visible as she stood up straighter, a confident expression replacing the calm and respectful one she had sought hard to maintain. There was no need to put on a confident mask anymore, she simply was confident. She was tasked to protect someone, trusted to do so by a being she revered above all of mankind. Their will would be done, no matter the cost to themself. [break][break]

Gavin himself, mentioned loyalty to Rocket, to protect them and to further their goals. She certainly couldn't find any fault in his words, nor his leadership within the organization. However, already she was making the mental decision. His life was more important than Rocket's success, no matter what, for this task was ordained by a god themself. Everything else was secondary.[break][break]

Celeste bowed her head towards Lugia, and then Gavin in respect. "May thy will be done. If I may, I request a position within which I may work directly underneath you in the future. Whether that is simply filing paperwork, or whatever you command, say the word and it shall be done." [break][break]

She could hardly throw herself in the way of a bullet for him, if she was sent on random missions across Hoenn as an expendable grunt, after all.

[break][break][break]

notes Private Meeting. Hush, do not see.

[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]As soon as the sub managed to breach the surface, Voltergeist unlocked the hatch and swung it open for the other Rockets to board. The sight of eggs on them, however, twisted Celeste's insides worse than anything. What were they doing with these eggs? Where was Manaphy? Were they hurt? Was any of the eggs hurt? In no time at all, Celeste felt queazy beyond logic. There was no words she could say to stem the pain that filled her soul. [break][break]

Manaphy... what had everyone people to your beautiful home? She was going to have to return to patch up these caves, to spark the unearthly beauty once more... The mother of angels was missing, her home desecrated by allies and enemies alike, and her own heart devastated.[break][break]

Through gritted teeth, Celeste spoke. "... Great to see you safe." As the intense ice blast began to fire towards her submarine, her Rotom responded by using Double Team, while possessing the sub itself. Simply moving down and back into the water to dodge with incredible speed. It still struck the side of the ship, despite its best effort. With no structural flaws or major mechanical malfunctions, the ghost began to pilot the sub out of the caves as fast as they could, with their trainers other pokemon following suit behind. [break][break]

Those eggs, the precious babies, there was no confirmation they'd even hatch moved away from their home, let alone be safe anywhere. Rocket... likely would not treat them well, there was no doubt on that. Perhaps, maybe, just maybe, she could convince someone in authority that she should be allowed to watch over them. There was no telling what someone crueler would do to the little ones who deserved a chance for peace.

[break][break]

---

[break][break]

It would have been best if nobody had found this precious underwater paradise, not even her. Unfortunately, fate seems to destroy all that is genuinely good in this world.[break][break]

And there are so few good things left.

[break][break][break]

notes Sub picks up the Rockets, and flees the z-move with double team Rotom. Celeste is heartbroken.

[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]Elijah piloting over his submarine was a blessing, considering even without the Tentacruel attempting to crush her sub the damage had already been done. Once there was a leak, there was no stopping it. Or at least, not worth attempting to when there were more important actions at hand. It was absolutely falling apart, and the Mirror Coat from the jellyfish accelerated the collapse. The entire interior was almost underwater at this time, leaving little room to navigate without literally swimming inside.[break][break]

"Volt, let's leave." The Rotom in the sub would have it make a few sad beeping noises before they stopped possessing the vehicle. Considering he had been the force holding the submarine together, for the most part, it crumpled even further. Luckily, Celeste had already pushed out and climbed into the airlock section of her ally's sub. [break][break]

As soon as she managed to climb inside, she was able to more easily see what was taking place outside. Her Dhelmise was struggling to get itself loose from the Eelektross, seemingly paralyzed. Not to mention, she was easily able to witness the diver from before, simply kneeling down and grabbing something rather shiny. Before she could retaliate, she heard the comms and her eyes instantly widened.[break][break]

The eggs. They were touching the eggs. She didn't care who was doing such a thing, nor why they were doing it, only that Celeste's calm anger was quickly growing in fervor and desperation. Those poor babies, the precious angels were in danger. As Elijah seemed... distracted with texting for some reason, she spoke. "Volt, take control. Take us to the central chamber, now." Sensing the urgency in her voice, the Rotom immediately flew over to possess the new submarine and began to pilot it towards the chamber. [break][break]

"Whatever the hell is going on over there if a single egg is harmed... Rocket will not be happy. We're on our way." [break][break]

Outside, Dhelmise was crackling with electricity as it was paralyzed, struggling to break free. Eventually, it had to resort to Phantom Force, fading into shadows just to break away. It reappeared nearby, simply trying to follow its trainer to the best of its ability, despite its minuscule amount of health remaining.[break][break]

Her Wishiwashi, however, was focused on distracting the diver behind. With a terrifying Double Edge, Leviathan and his school would attempt to throw themselves at her with such force, that the school would actually begin to dissipate, weakened entirely regardless if it actually struck or not.


[break][break][break]

notes Celeste is in the other sub! Rotom possessed the new sub, Dhelmise used Phantom Force to escape immediate combat, and Wishiwashi continues to strike at skyler dross , with Double Edge, as their school fades.

[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]The swirling shadows surprise her, but she attempts to not let her expression show too much. She knew he'd accept her despite her weaknesses, but the less they showed, the better. Her gaze remained the same, the cold steely expression. That is until Lugia was released and Celeste's legs struggled to even remain upright. Every single time the diety was even mentioned, Celeste's heart would feel like it was going to break. It was corrupted, hurting, and in pain. It's great mind lost to shadows...[break][break]

Seeing it before her, with intelligence in its eyes, shattered everything Celeste thought she understood. It was too much to process, simply instinctively falling to her knees. Her legs were simply unable to even keep her standing anymore, eyes locked onto the powerful Pokemon and its ruby eyes. [break][break]

It was even more beautiful and awe-inspiring than she could have possibly remembered. [break][break]

And then Gavin spoke, his wording absolutely deliberate. We, not just him, but Lugia also accepted her. Perhaps he was simply speaking on behalf of her goddess, but the truth remained. She was accepted. [break][break]

Her nerves practically melted away, a quiet laugh slipping out despite her best efforts. It was everything she as a young girl could have ever dreamed of. Ever so slowly managing to climb back to her feet, Celeste forced herself to speak with a calm tone. Her eyes drifting from Lugia, back to Gavin, and then back to Lugia.[break][break]

"Then I have but one humble request." Her voice was quiet, breathy almost as she fought to wrangle back in her heartbeat from going crazy. "Tell me what you would have me do, and it shall be done."
[break][break][break]

notes Private Meeting. Hush, do not see.

[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]
As the Tentacruel wrapped its tentacles around her submarine, the only feeling Celeste felt was disappointment that her view of the suffocation of the diver was disrupted by tentacles. The metal itself began to crumble under the power of the poisonous jellyfish. It hadn't punctured yet, though Celeste attributed the defense to her Rotom that had possessed the sub since the beginning. As she was quickly donning the scuba gear, Celeste coldly spoke two simple words. "Shock Wave." Immediately, Voltergeist began to hum as it built up electricity, before firing it off around her in a powerful wave of electric power, attempting to harm everything outside nearby. [break][break]

Unfortunately, that included even her own pokemon. Her Wishiwashi's school had taken quite a beating from the electric waves that fired through the water. Determined to protect its trainer, with what remained of its school Leviathan began to attempt and slam its entire school against the Tentacruel, once again using Beat Up.[break][break]

The Dhelmise was fortunately quite resistant to the electrical shock, but the Steel Wing and Crunch had harmed the relatively tanky pokemon much more. Kelporeal's grip on the trainer was weakening as it let out an unearthly wail, but its instincts were a powerful thing. Even if the trainer escaped its weakened grasp, it wouldn't hesitate from immediately attempting to Giga Drain them, as well as any pokemon that dared to touch its kelp.[break][break]

Regardless of her Pokemon's defenses, the sub's structural integrity was compromised. It wasn't made to withstand direct attacks, and sure enough, water began to pour into the chamber. Until the submarine refused to function, Celeste refused to abandon it. She'd be a sitting duck out there right now and expected no mercy in return. "Volt, keep us going. Ready for another strike." [break][break]

The Rotom would make the console beep and boop in response, despite the failing state of her surroundings. Already, the water was up to her knees, but Celeste simply stared out into the water with determination as she spoke into the comms again. "Two divers at my location. Structural integrity compromised. Request back up." Of course, she had no way of knowing elijah gardner 's Frogadier was already on its way.

[break][break][break]

notes Shock Wave from Rotom, affects all enemies and allies in reach. Wishiwashi uses Beat Up on the Tentacruel, and Dhelmise attacked by Steel Wing and Crunch as well, badly injured, used Giga Drain on any who still touch its kelp chain.

[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]
Strange readings on the sensor. Earthquakes. Everyone was in for a bumpy ride as the cave itself cracked and shuddered as Mother Earth itself let out a terrifying groan. Celeste gripped the console of her submarine as it shook, reluctantly trusting in her Rotom piloting the ship to keep herself. It certainly seemed to be doing its best, beeping from the console and the ship quickly shifting back and forth, almost as if it was actually alive. [break][break]

Somewhere during the quake, the cave cracks she had been examining had broken apart. The walls quite literally crumbling away as the plates shifted somewhere deep below. And yet, despite her life being threatened so dangerously, the sight before her demanded her attention. A blur of a blue pokemon began to swim out through the cave and she immediately recognized the pokemon. The mother of the ocean's angels, the blessed being of bonding. "Manaphy..." Celeste practically whispered to herself, her comms still turned on.[break][break]

As soon as her diety swam out of sight, Celeste's eyes turned to the cave once more that she could finally enter. Her eyes couldn't possibly get any wider. Beautiful vein-like carvings covered the inside of the cave, from head to toe. Almost as if the world itself was alive and breathing. Paired with the sight of Manaphy alone Celeste would have been lost in utter reverence and devotion, but the addition of eggs sitting in the chamber was almost too much. The baby angels, Phione, she had to protect them. If she allowed harm to befall these eggs, she would never forgive herself. Forced into action, Celeste gripped the controls herself of the submarine. [break][break]

Before she could pilot into the egg chamber, her Wishiwashi suddenly let out a quiet cry. Relatively safe from the dangers of the quake, it had kept watched and become quite aware of intruders. Commanded to summon the school when in danger, his eyes began to quickly shine brightly, and a sudden intense swarm of Wishiwashi pokemon began to funnel into the cave, pushing past and attempting to slam past the tentacled jellyfish and its trainer, using Beat Up as it formed its massive school-form.[break][break]

Voltergeist turned the sub around for Celeste to properly witness a sight, and her immediate reaction was to grip the controls so tight her knuckles would be turning white underneath the wetsuit. The League was after Manaphy's eggs, of this she was sure. She could not allow that to happen. Her face grew grim as she whispered into the microphone once again. [break][break]

"Let none escape. No witnesses." There was no glory for Team Rocket in this, this was a personal vendetta. Even if she hadn't been whispering, the sheer fury in her voice was easily heard. Passion unrivaled, bordering on total worship. She'd refuse to allow anyone to harm this sacred sanctuary, even if she perished in its defense.[break][break]

The thought that Rocket would exploit these poor Phione more than the League would, unfortunately, did not cross her mind in her blind anger.[break][break]

Releasing her Dhelmise from the submarine, she didn't even bother to say a word to command them. Draining the life force of Wailords was second nature to the ghost, and Celeste found herself watching in anticipation as Kelporeal suddenly reached out with a terrifying Power Whip. Not aiming for the Tentacruel, they were intent on a more vulnerable target, the diver amongst its tentacles.

[break][break][break]

notes Whispered Manaphy, and implied to murder the intruders. Wishiwashi formed its school with Beat Up, and Dhelmise used Power Whip on skyler dross .

[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]
Someone was here. It was all elijah gardner needed to say to cause Celeste immediate concern and caution. Someone else was here. There was no reason to be down here unless they wanted what they were after. How long had they been down here? Had they entered through another cave entrance? It wasn't unlikely, there were many people who were in direct opposition to Team Rocket. The only question truly was whom? But in the end, did it matter? Their lives would be fleeting if it meant Rocket got what it desired. [break][break]

Motioning for her Rotom to continue piloting the submarine through the tight underwater cavern, Celeste spoke up through the radio once more. "Be on your guard. If there are strangers down here, it's not the kind our superiors would appreciate. I don't know about you individuals, but I do not believe our failure would be tolerated."[break][break]

"Our mission remains the same. Investigate, and retrieve anything of value. These interlopers should not be tolerated." It wasn't quite her intention to attempt to boss the others around, but someone needed to be serious about this. Rocket wanted results, everything else was secondary. [break][break]

Voltergeist made a soft beeping noise, alerting her to something strange. Wishiwashi had swum back into view from up ahead, only for its tears to shine brightly in the headlights of the sub, and gather her attention. Only for it to immediately begin to swim away, leading her to a small crack in the wall. Did it find something inside? She certainly couldn't fit inside, that crack was minuscule, truly only big enough for the tiny fish pokemon. It was time to start debating on decisions.
[break][break][break]

notes Responded to Rocket, investigating cracks that Wishiwashi found! 

[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"Wings of shadow lead her ally towards her location, only fitting considering everything else. As he arrived, Celeste would give him a gentle nod in response, her eyes still scanning over the horizon. Perhaps it might be better if she were to look him in the face as she spoke, but there truly was no need. He knew what she valued, there was no need to explain that. [break][break]

"You would be correct, Sir," Celeste spoke calmly, despite her breathing still being quite irregular. "I would not dare consume your time if I did not consider it prudent. You deserve more than that." [break][break]

Celeste's eyes shut for just a second as she continued to gather her breath. She had mentally debated a thousand times on exactly what to say, and yet still there was no precise wording that stood out to her. It seems she was simply going to speak her mind. "You are not dumb, and I shall not bore you with the minor details. I presume you already know some of why I requested your presence." [break][break]

Lugia. It all went back to Lugia. There was no denying how conflicted she was on the shadowy form of her goddess, but there was also nobody she trusted more to wield its power. He already knew about her reverence for the being, surely this wasn't unexpected. [break][break]

"I shall be blunt, and forthright. Rocket holds my loyalty," She pauses, letting any debatably treasonous words be prefaced with caution. "But you hold my respect and gratitude. For there are none whom I would desire to see blessed by the great storm-bringer's power, then you."[break][break]

Finally turning her head to look at him, Celeste continued to speak with a stone-cold expression on her face. "I do not presume for you to understand the depths of my devotion. I simply implore you to accept them." Just by the way she spoke alone, it certainly seemed to imply that Gavin, even if simply by proxy, now also held her devotion.
[break][break][break]

notes Private Meeting. Hush, do not see.

[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]The sarcasm certainly wasn't appreciated, but Celeste simply bit her lip and held her tongue for now. Rocket was full of interesting personalities, no need to be snarky in response, as much as she desired to. Her eyes simply continued to focus on examining their surroundings as she listened in more. A seismic sensor certainly would be useful. Earthquakes underwater were certainly bound to be a different beast than they were on land. After all, they were powerful enough to cause tsunamis on the surface, water currents were just as deadly. [break][break]

"Roger that. I'll be entering the cave entrance shortly, remaining within the sub to further investigate the underwater sections." Sure enough, as she spoke aloud her Rotom piloted the small sub towards the simple cave opening and pushed inside. The cave certainly had pockets filled with air, but she knew where she operated best. Getting out and walking on her own would only prove to be a poor decision. Still, it was time to send out a pokemon and get to work investigating.[break][break]

Knowing fully well there were bound to be segments of the cave that were too narrow for her sub to pass through, Celeste opened up the simple hatch in the floor to send out her Wishiwashi. As it remained near her sub, Celeste simply spoke. "Investigate, and return when you find something of use. Only summon the schools when you're in danger." [break][break]

Of course, the little fish didn't really have any way of communicating other than blinking and crying out its name, before slipping away through the underwater cave. Even if there was anything dangerous or unknown here, hopefully it wouldn't view a single lone Wishiwashi as a threat.
[break][break][break]

notes Sent out Wishiwashi, to investigate the smaller cracks in the cave!

[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]Sure enough, it seemed a ghostly pokemon had the desire to interrupt her relaxing moment. A Drifloon floated into view, curiously gazing down at Celeste. The Signpost for Wandering Spirits, Celeste recognized the old wives' tale almost instantly, but it seemed fairly interesting regardless. Bundles of souls wrapped up in a cute balloon-like shape. She simply smirked over at it, staring ahead once again. "Despite my looks, I am nowhere near death. You may leave unless you intend to be forced." [break][break]

The threat certainly seemed to be enough to dissuade it from attacking, but perhaps it also became endeared to her because of it. It seemingly just began to float nearby, slowly drifting around Celeste's general area, as if trying to figure out exactly who they were, and how they ticked. Its lifeless beady eyes doing nothing but stare. [break][break]

"If you're intending to stick around," Celeste began, her eyes once again drifting over to the balloon pokemon. "Then I suppose I have no choice." With the faintest hint of a smirk on her face, Celeste silently lobbed the Dusk Ball in its direction. Almost as if the strange, unearthly pokemon desired to be caught, it floated right into the Pokeball. [break][break]

With that problem solved, Celeste shifted her attention back to the setting sun. One day, that carrot seed will grow, and she'll be might intrigued as to what those researchers were discussing.
[break][break][break]

notes Mt. Pyre Solo Wild! Capture Attempt!

[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]Darkness enveloped Mt. Pyre, nothing but the stars above to light the path she walked along. Her cane crunched into the dirt and gravel road as she made the trek all the way to the top of the mountain. She had been making this journey since sunrise, but she dared not stop. Her energy had carried her this far, she still had time to go before she dared to rest. Hours to go before she slept. [break][break]

Atop the mountain itself, Celeste found exactly what she had been looking for. A small clearing, the same place she had planted that mysterious carrot. Willow, her Phantump, faded into few from the treeline. He had been tasked with protecting the plant for the time being and was doing a rather remarkable job it seemed. With a simple nod, the Phantump seemed to quietly giggle to itself before dipping out of sight once again. [break][break]

Celeste's eyes glanced down over the side of the mountain, leaning heavily on her actual cane as she walked so much. Her lungs were desperate for air, her legs threatening to give, but she refused to give in. To even display the slightest hint of a flaw, of a weakness. Her breaths were labored but controlled. Her legs were wobbly but balanced with her cane. Everything would be as it should be. She was expecting a guest, one of utmost importance to her. [break][break]

Standing on the edge of the cliff, Celeste's eyes glanced all the way out to the oceans beyond, stretching on for infinity... The giver and taker of life, the source of everything for this world. Endless power, endless energy. No matter what she did, she'd always feel powerless in its presence. And yet, it was a comforting feeling. All perished under the crushing weight, there was no overpowering it.[break][break]

But those who were deemed worthy to have power over it... They held her attention. Hopefully, Gavin would arrive after she had enough time to calm herself and prepare. There wasn't much to discuss, but there were important words to be shared.
[break][break][break]

notes Private Meeting. Hush, do not see.

[break]

[attr="class","rolling-header"]

[attr="class","rolling-thread"][attr="class,"faction"]This deep underwater, Celeste found herself oddly at peace. The darkness closing in all around, water pressing down all around the small submarine, it was almost serene. If she wasn't on a mission, she would find it hard not to simply meditate down here by herself. Her attention was suddenly broken up by the voices in her ear. She had never worked with this group before, but she had no intention of disappointing Rocket. [break][break]

"This is Abbiati, over. Can hear you all loud and clear." She'd clear her throat for a second, her eyes scanning the ocean floor as she adjusted the ship to pilot alongside a massive forest of seaweed. "The mission is clear. We are to investigate the area for any signs of anything out of the ordinary, and bring back anything deemed worthy of our attention."[break][break]

Her Rotom, currently possessing the ship, took over navigating for the moment as Celeste focused on scanning every inch of her view. So long as they had no disturbances, she was comfortable being as patient as required. Nothing was ever as easy as it seemed, however. "A word of caution. For those in scuba-suits. Do not descend or ascend too quickly. Your insides will be threatening to kill you if you do."
[break][break][break]

notes Celeste Abbiati is here!

[break]