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Her heart was either going to explode or she was going to throw up. The fog of adrenaline in her veins makes her snarl at the guards trying to grab her, her reactions defaulting to some long-lost attitude of her past. It didn't feel bad, if not for the throbbing in her neck, like a second heart. [break][break]

Freya screeched as they screamed towards the staircase, claws unsheating to scrape them into a more manageable speed. Kaida thought she must be under adrenaline, because Freya felt light as a feather on her back. She knew she carried her Pokemon plenty but that wasn't normal! Focus! Focus! She wrenched her mind into the present, their speed finally slowing so that she could maneuver towards the stairs. Up on her back, Freya's eyes flashed a brief light. A Nasty Plot, a simple precaution to decide how to best strike if something scary walked up that staircase. [break][break]

She knew well enough that the guards and evidently FERNANDO SILPH were moving to capture everyone, and the thought urged her on. She didn't feel bad for the civilians (Alexei Ivanov and @matteo), up here was probably the safest area they could be in, right? Still, she looked over at a woman who just appeared in a teleporting mess. illeana reyes, still trying to come help, former partner in a mission. "Ugh!" Kaida cried out, halting briefly and crouching in a lizard-like stance that Freya kept steady. She couldn't let a former partner bumble around and get captured too, now could she? Thus, completely unaware that Illeana could probably use her own occupation to get out of it, Kaida barked out, "Hema, bring her too!" The serpent flew across the Ice, only barely hearing the order and lashing out to grab Illeana with as gentle a bite as possible, aiming for her clothing...as lacking as it was. Didn't matter if she had to drag this woman with them, she must be good if Kaida wanted her! [break][break]

Stopping for nothing more, Kaida and her Pokemon pushed off towards the staircase, moving to descend it as fast as possible. [break][break]

ossRq1mr

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Kaida isn't a fool, and she recognizes two things about her current situation. She is in a pack. There is another pack. She is not stupid enough to see FERNANDO SILPH nearby and trying to get in and not recognize that there is something amiss, and that their enemies may have already been in here. Freya hugs her in fright as Ruby Walker and her Hatterene end up smacking the man clowning around...as happy as it made Kaida to have a little less noise, it really did not help the situation. [break][break]

Then, all hell broke loose. [break][break]

Kaida didn't know what to gape at first. The rapidly growing tree or the man and steel lion that seemed to step out of the ether (Balder Schwartz ). A frightened stress grew in her chest, and she fought the urge to cover her ears, substituting by hauling up Freya and placing her on her own back. The Salnazzle seemed frozen in fear, and at least there she could protect Kaida. [break][break]

Kaida snapped back into reality as another man (beckett carlson ) leapt into action, suddenly aware that if she didn't get moving, she would be trapped. A Pokeball dropped from her hand, releasing a Seviper that hissed as she impacted the cold ground. "Sorry Hema, you'll have to bare it, we need a friend to help us." The words were the signal, and Hema hastily looked around for a suitable Pokemon. The Mr. Mime were a clear choice, what with their abilities. Psychic powers were always a boon. Thus, fixing her eyes on one, Hema's eyes glowed a pink that radiated daintily. An Attract sure to sway a Mr. Mime into helping them, she was so beautiful after all. [break][break]

It was a fine plan. No harm would come to the Mr. Mime and she would gain a powerful ally, however temporary. "I need help! We need to get over there!" She pointed across the tree, trusting Hema's hisses to translate her words, then leaned down and prepared to slide, shouting over her shoulder to the only two allies she knew here (Selena Desmarais and illeana reyes ) "Be careful, the people here are strange!" She only had time to shout those words before balancing herself and preparing for movement. Up on her back, Freya hatched a Nasty Plot and whipped her tail against the floor, launching Kaida forward in just the way she imagined. Hema launched after them with her own sharp tail, hopefully alongside the Mr. Mime to either defend them or help them move faster. [break][break]

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And that was it? [break][break]

Kaida nodded warily at the praise, "Thank you, it was all Jord." She explained, tossing the praise onto her Pokemon, who let out a pleased grumble before Kaida returned her for a rest. [break][break]

That couldn't be it all, right? Kaida's face changed near invisibly, just a slight frown. Either this man was using just weaker Pokemon, or for all his brilliance in other thing, fighting was not a thing he did well. In all honesty, she would like to know which it was, so that she might know how to work with this person. [break][break]

"Just one more, please." She asked respectfully, releasing Freya, a fiery lizard who balked at the audience, "I just want to see what I can do." And you too.

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Who knew the Rangers had access to such trickery? Kaida wondered where they were keeping it, if they were able to invent this outfit so quickly. A suit and sharp hat of some kind hung on her frame comfortably. A pair of sunglasses, and she might even look a cliche bodyguard. If only she could put her hair down, this outfit might even be completely comfortable! Freya crawled next to her as they entered, her hand on the Salnazzle's shoulder to keep her from darting away. The poor thing probably thought they would be performing after this, and Kaida didn't have the heart to break it to her that this is what they were here for. [break][break]

She had to marvel at the tree, the only reason she was taking this as seriously as she was. Even if this tree turned out to be just that, a tree, she would be happy. Who knew just what could live here? If it turned out to be something like that golem she sent Kjoll to find by accident, she didn't know what she would do...she was here to hunt anything that would hurt the marvel, she supposed...and she found she didn't mind. Fine by her. [break] [break]

She didn't have any idea who Kazimir Wynter was, but she appreciated the scene being made, and strode purposely forward. Freya followed and, eyes sparkling, waved at one of the guards. At that moment, Kaida recognized a familiar voice and turned her head, blinking and staring perhaps a little too long at illeana reyes. What was she doing here? Abruptly, she broke away from the sight of a former partner, struck by her own recognition and attachment. She should just let the professionals get to this tree...or at least ask someone to protect her! She found she had to break the thoughts away, pointless and not related to her hunt. She needed to move onto the mission. Like the diva scene, Illeana provided good distraction. She would at least occupy one guard's attention and, with everything else going on, Kaida planned to slip through. [break][break]

If there was anything a snake could do, it was camouflage. [break][break]

"Excuse me, excuse me. Passing through!" She barked at the other guard, moving her hand to rest on the beautiful Freya's head. "Ms. Freya needs more work done on her, I must accompany her, and we must hurry. Show is starting...you understand?" Freya looked like just the type of Pokemon to participate in this contest, was sweet hearted and sweet faced, and Kaida, as small as she was, attempted to rush the conversation like a typical guard, hoping her neutral face came across as intimidating. She could only hope the guards weren't thinking well enough to question all these abrupt scenes. [break][break]

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An intimidating sight awaits them. Despite its injuries, the beast that survived the collapse snaps open its eyes and growls, dark red coating over its broken armor as it rolls to confront a perceived threat. Kaida recognizes the Pokemon as a Rhyhorn, a Pokemon well-known for having a whole lot of strength, and not too much intelligence, an injured and frightened one is an unimaginable threat. "Stay back. We can handle it." She warned to Illeana, Ormr raising his head and rattling his tail to similarly warn off Munin and Jotun. [break][break]

Kaida took out a Pokeball, one marked with a green tinge to it. A Pokeball for those she needed to bring to the Rangers to heal. "Don't worry, you'll be fixed, I promise you." She attempted to calm the beast, approaching cautiously. Her words meant nothing, or the Pokemon didn't believe her, snarling and swinging its horn to foil her approach and any throw she might make. "...Ormr, keep it still." She ordered, and the serpent's eyes flashed gold, a paralyzing Glare. As the Rhyhorn's eyes widened in shock, Kaida threw herself at it, tapping it swiftly with the ball. In a matter of seconds, the Pokeball was still, ready to be transported. The Rhyhorn couldn't possibly fight its way out of the enclosement. [break][break]

Kaida fell back, cradling the Pokeball as she turned her head towards Munin, "Munin, can you check the walls? Be careful, show me any weaknesses later." The Krookodile nodded and lumbered off, carefully eyeing the walls with its zooming eyes. Kaida regarded her captured patient, with those injuries, the Rangers would need to keep it a while to heal. Hopefully it wasn't too distrusting of humans. Abruptly, She seemed to remember Illeana nearby and looked over at her, "Don't worry. Our friend here will be alright."

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More was a simple Pokemon, a Normal-type, practically the only thing special about her was her ability to hit ghosts, and that was useless here. Yet Kaida chose her, because she was sturdy and strong. Even with the Super Fang wound pulsing into the front of her mind, Jord simply steadied herself and prepared for the next attack. [break][break]

Bounce sends the rabbit straight at Jord, and Kaida says nothing. She watches her human opponent, waiting to see if he personally makes an order, or perhaps he has the same strategy as her, to trust their Pokemon to attack. At least he didn't seem to order or gesture for the Bounce attack. She wasn't sure how to feel, should she be confident about this? Surely this wasn't everything because at this rate, she thought Jord might even win! [break][break]

Receiving no order, Jord repeated her previous attack, knowing simplicity was her best bet. She would take the hit, if only to trade blows once more. She could take it.

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She notices the meekness in Illeana, a sort of defeat, and stubbornly chokes back a desire to speak. Taking back words typically meant nothing, especially since she made it so clear. Something in the back of her mind argues for her continued silence, it wasn't like she was responsible for her parter, correct? She felt enough on her back with her family, when did she need to comfort a partner? Still didn't stop her eyes from flicking down, her mood equally dropping. [break][break]

What would you like to do? [break][break]

A good question, and one she didn't truly know beyond what was under those rocks. "Well, I suppose I'm gonna need to check the rest of the tunnel...make sure there isn't any blockades, easy enough...and then I will check for weaknesses. I'll go then. I can't repair any weaknesses. Nor can I strengthen it, so experts need to be here for any more than we're doing." It made sense to Kaida, if there truly was nothing more she could help with, she had to find something else to do. [break][break]

She faltered for a minute, seemingly looking for the right words to say as she clasped and unclasped her hands irritatingly. "A-and if someone is down there that can't be helped, I have to bury it. Not much else to do. I can bring it to other Rangers if we can help." There is the semblance of hope in what she said, but her tone doesn't change. Pokemon were strong, but anything that wasn't a rock-type, she didn't have much of an idea how they could survive. [break][break]

The blockade collapsed in, and they could finally see what was under...and Kaida let out a breath, relieved.

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Kaida bit back a blunt reply to Illeana's "I know. It was just too easy to feel the words rising in her throat "Then why push it? but she held back. The question would be just as nonsensical to her, she supposed. No doubt her own reply would be because she could not tolerate not helping. She hoped Illeana had a similar reply. [break][break]

Jotun falters with a stone for the third time, and Kaida calls him back firmly with a wave of her hand, before the gator can hurt himself. He puffs out a breath, tail drooping at his loss to the golem. She supposed it was natural, even as a water-type, Jotun valued his strength, but Superpower was a draining move. She wasn't risking it. "Munin? We have a little way to go." [break][break]

Munin didn't react much to her words, but silently got to work with a reluctant air. Krookodile were known for living and hunting just under the surface of the ground, and it showed. Her claws broke through the dirt like it wasn't there, and her jaws didn't give way to any rocky obstructions. They'd clear through soon. [break][break]

Kaida shrugged at the thanks, her sharp ears catching the whispered words. "You shouldn't. I wasn't being kind there. I'm just simple." She smiled ruefully, lips a thin line, "I just want to finish this job so I can help others." Not a job where she wasn't sure she'd find a Pokemon long gone. "Munin is almost through."

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