As the roar echoed across the area, the ground started to sink in. It seemed the enemy understood that stealth was no longer an option. The tires of the transport screeched, managing to halt before it toppled over...to only one problem, it was now sinking. A group of Trapinch squealed and poked their heads out of the ground, peering upon their sinking handwork.

"Lae! Let's dig it up! Stop them!"

Her Rhyhorn, typically slow moving until irate, launched forward, shoving a horn under the truck and pushing it up. She snarled at the Trapinch, armor glowing with the threat of a Metal Burst.

Unfortunately, it seemed the little Pokemon weren't sent without a guard themselves. A screech rang out, another Pokemon exploding out of the ground. Claws already infused with Metal Claw, the emerging Sandslash rattled its spines and fixed upon the one stopping the truck from being seized. On her Rhyhorn's back, and refusing to move as long as her Rhyhorn was trapped, Kaida braced for impact.


Notes: First time Defend mission.

Josh Devlin

"Do you think they'll drink all this?" Kaida stood outside the meeting, seemingly having a conversation with her Ekans. As far as she knew, many people loved drinks...drinks of the alcoholic variety, but that could not stand at a meeting. Yet sodas were usually interpreted as childish...if anything, at least she'd drink it.

As usual, Ormr didn't answer, but she did feel more confident from the calm gaze he gave.

"Yes, let's go see Laurence Anderson " A friend of hers, she would have never turned down the meeting, the promised food only helped her decision.

There was only one problem, and that could be seen in the twitch of her eyes as she spotted Guillermo Marceliño , hurriedly heading towards the food. It was fine, she wasn't expected to talk to anybody she disliked here, all she had to do was listen to the meeting...preferably hand around other Rangers she worked with like Josh Devlin and annalise henderson. This was supposed to be the family she trusted almost as much as her Pokemon family, and she was determined to not let it sway.

She started piling food on a plate after setting down her offering, a giant plate, mostly for herself and some for her seeming ambassador Ekans, who sat calmly on her shoulders.

Notes: Kaida brought a buncha packs of soda! Hope you're thirsty!

Clutched in her Yamega's legs, Kaida could have been a humorous sight. Not so as her eyes barely melted their solid ice as she was set down upon the ground. Politness would dictate she accept the greeting...so, her head spinning with the wrongness of it all, she turned away.

"Mm-hm." Simply to let it be known she heard.

"Missions usually require both people trust each other." She grumbled out loud, "Why didn't you take Alexei...is he still recovering? He trusts you, for some reason." In truth, the woman still hadn't deduced the nature of their relationship, but she could sense care and trust.

Hissing a breath between her teeth, she dug in her pockets and came up with an ear device. "Here." Tossing it towards Memo, she continued, "Call for help if you find anything or anybody, I want to at least be around if I'm needed. The Pokemon need me to be alert."

Tentative help extended, she whistled to her Yamega and was whisked away, eyes open for any suspicious damages.

Guillermo Marceliño

On her knees, and eyes narrowed from her Sandaconda's tiny Sandstorms, Kaida didn't notice why Amaryllis' Pokemon was distressed. The twirling dirt and sand tore up the burnt debris, and the ground-type attempted to mix in new soil, as if it would help.

"This was the work of Rocket." Kaida's face twisted, white teeth showing. It was hushed, and the townsfolk would only speak of "thugs". She wasn't one to miss that these incidents were ongoing in other towns, and many had confirmed Rocket allegiance. Perhaps it was to cause resentment, or prompt desperation, it was all horrible.

"I hate them." Words escaped her maw in a fit, they've been escaping more, recently.

Note: First time Fire Fighter mission.

amaryllis karneva

"Oh my God, there's two of you?"

A sudden voice approached the door, lingering a long moment before sighing long and hard.

"You're not gonna leave me alone, are you?"

"We cannot."

For one long moment, Kaida worried she had somehow answered wrong as the silence stretched, and then the door cracked open. She could only barely catch a glimpse of the Ranger (A remarkably young face despite the irritated voice) before he retreated within. A stagnant air followed, and she blinked, turning her eyes towards Annalise.

"Not clean...er, Indunn. Clear the air a little." On the command, the Comfey released the scent of flowers, helping as they entered the rooms.

In the quick glance she had seen of the Ranger, she hadn't seen any obvious injury...what could have caused the neglect of the home?

Note: First time Medic mission

annalise henderson

A hopefully familiar buzzing filled the air long before Kaida's arrival, followed by the flapping of feathery wings. This was a flying-type sanctuary, and so she had brought along her Yamega, the dragonfly zipping and zooming. Being both a bug-type and flying-type, it seemed they were making a fuss among the Pokemon...perhaps this wasn't the best idea for the mission, at least they'd have the Pokemon's backup.

Memo, that traitor, was around. They were to check the security and protect the foodstuffs, water, and medical supplies. Already, she was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of buildings to watch over.

With little choice, they sought out Memo. With the Yamega's speed, they would come crashing above the man, her Yamega hissing in a (hopefully) playful manner. "Hm." Kaida narrowed her eyes, this might not be a good idea. "Hello." She still wanted to strangle this man, how could she focus!?

Guillermo Marceliño

"...And this is the Pokemon given as protection." Kaida couldn't help but smile as she called the assigned Pokemon forwards, a Hoothoot.

A nocturnal Pokemon, and one that had a distinct hoot to its name, the little owl was perfect for warding off petty crime. It wouldn't stave off hard Rocket attack, but the uptick in crime meant Kaida couldn't go around giving every small shop a Houndoom...especially as hard as they were to train.

At the store owner's confused look, Kaida backed off, looking towards her partner for the mission. A trainer, likely to make the whole situation more approachable. "They're easy to train...uh, Vasi? Could you show it's fine?" She had been told most civilians were overwhelmed by being given a sudden Pokemon, but a trainer could make the training seem easier.

Note: First time Heal Bell mission

Vasi Harper

Kaida was fuming.

The community garden of the town had been burned. A quiet, out of the way garden, and now a third of it was nothing but blackened ash. Hoenn had no access to the outside world, at this point, food was something that the people and Pokemon had to be self-sufficient in. She sucked in a breath as if to spit fiery words, and burst into a coughing fit as the smoky air irritated her lungs.

"W-we...we have to c-clean this up." She looked over her shoulder at her partner as she threw down a Pokemon, releasing a Sandaconda. With the ground types's capabilities, they might be able to safe the soil...even if she knew it wouldn't be enough to save this town's food supply anytime soon.

Note: First time Fire Fighter mission.

amaryllis karneva

"Excuse me?" Kaida knocked once more, stepping back as silence was all that answered her. Except for the occasional movement she could sense happening within, one would think that the house was abandoned. She knew this couldn't be the case though. An injured Ranger during the Darkest Day needed assistance with...much, recently. Injury, trauma, she wasn't sure which it was, and didn't pry.

Now, she wished she did. She couldn't tell whether this was a collapsed person, or simply a person who refused to open their door.

Perhaps it was her, despite bringing her least threatening child, a Comfey called Indunn around her neck, she must have been too threatening for this kind of job.

"Do you...do you know what we should do? I don't want to sneak in, but we do need to make sure they're ok." Kaida asked her newest companion. Helping Pokemon heal was an easy enough job, but the complications of humans always escaped her.

Note: First time Medic mission

annalise henderson

This route was usually bustling with people moving between cities, curious trainers, more. Now, it was simply a trade route to Kaida. With supplies and manpower already low, they were traveling upon the ground, hoping not to attract Rocket attention. Lae, her Rhyhorn, stomped forward without a care in the world, this route more like a short walk to the enduring Pokemon.

Suddenly, the Pokemon halted a moment. Perhaps Rhyhorn were a little dim, but Kaida knew to trust her instincts as she sniffed and clawed at the ground.

"Is everything ok up there? My Pokemon, she's worried." She called to the front, knowing her partner was there and ready to assist...for whatever the problem was, it was approaching fast.

Notes: First time Defend mission.

Josh Devlin

She wasn't the type to know how to catch a human painlessly...all she knew was that Glare was always a good capturing tatic, for both trainers and Rangers. She only hoped that it worked just as well here.

As Greyson's eyes hit her's, she jerked her head and her Ekans' eyes flashed a yellow, fixing on the human's. In that instant, movement would become impossible, and either Kaida or Greyson could take their chance to grab the dissenter, hopefully without fanfare.

...She only hoped the Malamar wouldn't interfere.

Pokemon: Ormr, Ekans, Male, Shed Skin. Bite, Glare, Acid Spray, Stockpile, Giga Drain, Swallow. Has Z-move Rattlesnake!

Greyson Connors

Her arms close on nothing.

Alexei Ivanov is gone.

Ormr rattles his tail as he senses her distress, and she whips towards Guillermo Marceliño, eyes more of that of a beast than a humans'. If she wasn't so busy saving him, she could have actually saved someone she cared about!

"Ormr, k-" Her deadly words were cut off as the platform suddenly rocked, the incoming SYSTEM RESTORE keeping her from doing anything else.

---

And then they were back. All of them. The Salamance. The Ponyta. Alexei. With the calm ocean before her, she might have thought it was just a nightmare. Springing to her feet, Kaida fixed her eyes on Memo and stomped towards him. She no longer had murderous intent, but fury still drove her fist into the man's face. It was smaller than he deserved, but she had better things to do.

And just as suddenly, she rushed towards Alexei. She hadn't yet remembered her shame and threw her arms around him, "You didn't die!" And then her shame returned, and she jerked back as if burned. She did that without even asking! "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

Somehow in the end, despite her happiness, she drew away again, still managing the words. "It...that person said this is all going to end...but it still looks nice out there, doesn't it?"

TLDR: Kaida is THIS close to killing Guillermo Marceliño before the SYSTEM RESTORE happens and returns everyone to the real world. There, she is ecstatic, punches Guillermo Marceliño, hugs Alexei Ivanov, and then remembers her shame.

Pokemon: Ekans: Male, Shed Skin. Bite, Glare, Acid Spray, Stockpile, Giga Drain, Swallow. Has Z-move Rattlesnake!
Yamega: Female, Speed Boost. Ancientpower, Uproar, Detect, Bug Buzz, Air Slash, Double Team. Can use Z-move Overspeed!
Araquanid: Male, Water Bubble. Soak, Wide Guard, Mirror Coat, Bubble Beam, Leech Life, Aqua Ring.

Fortunately, true to Lars' thoughts, Kaida was easily visible. Her and the giant backpack she was lugging around. Beside her feet, and Ekans slithered, pouches wrapped around his neck as he assisted her. They were on a mission, and the fragrent scents coming from their bags would point it out even to the most unobservant human. Food and water. All the food and water.

"Lars...apologies, we have much going on right now." A hiss from her companion, heavily burdened from his load.

Lars was a very welcome sight in these times of uncertainty. A dome around Hoenn meant some Pokemon's travel and migration routes might be affected, and who knew how that would affect the ecosystems? They were already near ruin already! No doubt the Rangers would (once again) be called upon to save the lands. She would be gone from her family a while...they needed to be safe.

Her head tilted at Lars, eyes searching and not finding something. "Aren't you going to buy things too? It might be too late if you wait."

Laurence Anderson