Sight of Serendipity - A Casual Realistic PKMN RP

[Borkus Lazorus]

" Alright, up and at them. Move all your flying types with my bird and start blowing that gas outwards, ladies and gentlemen. I want at least a quarter-klick perimeter before I let Gerald set down the Safeguard! Let's do this!"
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Tempest and the rest of the flying types started making a current that moved the noxious mixture of methane and explosive gases, creating a free air that billowed around, moving cars slightly and almost knocking Robert off his legs if Abraham didn't catch him at the last minute. He grabbed the long fur of his hound, struggling to haul himself up slowly. Not out the neck of the woods yet. If they didn't manage to burn off some of the gas before the Wheezings exploded, they wouldn't be able to make it out of here alive.
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​

Robert then began to smell the sound of roasting before looking upwards and seeing the rest of the fire pokemon began to burn off the gas in a controlled fashion, creating updrafts of heat that swirled and billowed, causing the temperature to become inexorably hot. Robert panted and chuckled slightly at Alt's attempt at humor. He then coughed slightly, nodding at Alt, before pointing at Gerald to form the Safeguard. Once it got up and running, hopefully, they would be protected from the blast of the bomb. 
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" Alright, Gerald. Get that Safeguard up and running. We don't have much time now."
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Gerald nodded and his eyes began to glow as a permeable barrier began to surround them, enclosing the Rangers in a tight psionic mesh that was virtually impenetrable from any physical force. It's strength would be tested today. Hopefully, all those years of training that fat Slowbro to deflect Snorlaxes would be worth it. Now, the time was see if his Safeguard could survive a gas explosion. Robert looked around him. Pokemon and human working together one in unison to work together. He couldn't help but let a grim smile grow on his face. Hope. He didn't feel that in a long time...
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" Permission to start detonation, sir?"
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" Permission granted. Blow them to kingdom come."
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Robert then felt a pop in his ears as he looked to his six. He gaped open in horror as a rush of burning fire began rushing towards them from more than a klick away at the speed of sound. Gerald's safeguard was up, slowly forming, holes trying to enclose as their soon to be firey funeral shroud was coming nearer and nearer.
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" OH SHIIITTTTTTTT-"
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[TripTripleTimes]

The smothering heat of the fire column towering up to the methane-free air made by the flying types is almost unbearable. Sweat collects at the mask band across his forehead and the Ranger can feel the sweat stream down his face. An uncomfortable sensation that Alt is all to used to by now. 


He can feel the air shift as the heat bellows up and sees the birds circling the circumference of the Wheezing infection zone. In a few seconds, the wind will start moving on its own. Already, Alt can see some results.


There is hope amongst the heat but as soon as Alt think that this plan is bearing fruit, his heart drop. A large explosion silences the city and then screams of the civilians becomes desperate and hopeless. There is no time to think or dwell of his failure of a plan. His grasp of the situation, his way of taking control of his life, all is meaningless as the fire column, bright and strong but meaningless to the world. 


"Fuck!" Alt screams and commands the troop. "Call back your mons and take cover bt the cars!" The explosion nears and he can see the barrier slowly closing its holes.


"Hae! Protect the civilian!" As soon as he withdraws his two smaller pokemons, Alt rushes towards Robert to tackle him down from the blast, though not realising that Robert is with his canine companion. Calling Robert Ashton a civilian may be an offence to the formal Blackhat, but the man is retired and Alt is an active Ranger. If he can, he wants the man walking out of here.


As he turns his back towards his rapidash, Alt misses the bright, greenish glow to the horse's body as he tilts his horn up towards the forming barrier. Alt has expected Hae to run and cover the slowbro but instead, a second film of energy starts to form at the top of the protective sphere. 

 

[Borkus Lazorus]

It was a beautiful sight. No doubt about it. Robert was glad he'd gotten Gerald strong enough to create a fully functional Safeguard. The flame rolled up the sight of the force-field, its blinding orange glow trying to claw through the barrier with nails of embers and gouts of inferno. Robert stared in wonder briefly before getting ahold of himself. Alright. Stop revelling in your inner pyromaniac and get out of there. 
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​

He was then pulled down by a Rapidash, the giant steed pulling at his leather jacket with its teeth as its orange, flowing mane clashed with the light of the explosion. Somehow, Gerald was still holding it. If that damn pink hippo survived, he would be getting nappy time for one week, at the very least.
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​

The loud din of the explosion suddenly silenced as the orange glow cooled. The initial blast had cooled over. Now, what was left was a noxious cloud of carbon particualtes, toxic gases and god knows what was left after a Wheezing explosion. Hanging onto the forcefield were a row of charred bodies, scrambling for help. Robert gulped as the hollow sockets of a person stared at him for a long while before his body crumpled to dust. All around them was ruin and devastation, a black charred land in Celadon. 
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Who could have done such a thing?
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" Is the target secured, Agent Evensley?"
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" Yes, target is secured, sir."
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" Good. Return back to base for debriefing and report back in to your supervisor. You've done a great service for our country today, Agent."
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John heard the reply of his Whitetail Agent, hollow, as if he didn't really believe what he was saying.
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" Thank you."
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The phone line went dead as John closed the receiver and signed, pressing his elbows on his knees and massaging his eyebrows.  All was going as foreseen. The Fuschia Clan would be blamed for the incident. Interpol would be blamed for a lack of security measures due to their major influence in Kanto. And his brother, his fool of a brother, would be driven in the wrong direction. He made sure to remind himself that it was only for a while, though. That was the correct term for the scenario.
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He made his way towards the window and pressed his hand against it, looking at the large cloud of smoke that was emanating from nearby. A crisis meeting would be soon held. Apologies, demands, someone needed to be held culpable. And he would be the one to find a phantom terrorist. And everything was set in motion. A smile came across his lips as he took out a bottle of Cinnabarean Whiskey from his table, pouring it in a sniffer for himself.
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The position of Director of A.C.E would be his, soon. 
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[TripTripleTimes]

Alt stares mystified by the charred ruines of the city. The explosion has died down but the protective shield remains up. They are the lucky ones. Lucky to survive that is but being a Ranger, Alt cannot fathom the backlash of the public and media of the news that would paint the Rangers in a bad light.


"God." The strengths in his legs dwindle and Alt slowly lowers down to a squat by the edge of the shield. What was his six years worth of service for? The Ranger pulls down his mask and hides his face on the crocks of his arms. The trama of his youth has left a shell of a man looking for control of his life. After all those years in the wilderness, Alt thought he was helping civilization from monster invasions like these and had some sense of control, power. He couldn't returned to the boy he longs for but what he did as a Ranger, as the Hades Incinerator, was good but he would have never thought that his love of fire would bring him down. 


There is no time to drown his sorrows. He lifts up his head from his arms and he looks staight at the burnt remains of flesh and metals alike. They need to make a report of HQ and Robert said something about someone. And then... And then...


Alt is unsure what to do at the moment. Deep down, he wants to find his Typhlosion. He knows his life partner could have survive the heat but Typhoon wouldn't survive long in the gasses left by the Wheezings, and it is possible that he might be knocked out by the explosion.

 

[Borkus Lazorus]

Celadon City right now was the site of the most famous national emergency disaster since the Lima-One Attack in Saffron and the Sevii Islands Refugee Crisis. The death toll was unknown, only estimated to be about 250,000 more and rising due to the notorious effects of Pollutant smoke. A teeming mass of fire and smoking bodies was visible from space, as authorities began work on recitifying the situation. Every branch of the Ranger Corps that were avaliable were called in, every branch of the Military, every Trainer with a Fortress Contract to Celadon, every asset was called in to help stop the situation. How long they would arrive for was uncertain. Not for the next 15 minutes, Robert thought. And Tempest.....Tempest was dead. Along with every aviation unit that was roasted by that fire.
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Robert took a moment to retch out his morning lunch before wiping away the bile on his lips as he stared at the petrified husks that were laid outside, cloying, alabaster white. The entire atmosphere outside was now a toxic soup that was probably equivalent to Venus's atmosphere. They would die outside from a lack of oxygen and toxic silicate materials dangerous enough to cause septic shock on contact with their body. Robert petted the Rapidash, the fire horse neighing for a second, before he walked over towards Alt, who was burying his face in his arms at the moment. The retired Blackhat looked at Gerald for any sign of fatigue. Gerald gave a slow incline of his chin. Great. The Safeguard would still be up. For now.
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Robert looked at the group of Rangers. Thankfully, all of them were protected by Gerald's forcefield. A few civilians who had manged to make it were also panting inside, in the same state of shock and horror. To be fair, for a Blackhat, this was relatively light in his opinion, hell, what he'd experienced in the last 20 or so years was a nightmare compared to this. Still, his desensitization had worn off over the years. His Drill Sergeant would be puking out verbal insults at him right now for being a goddamned pussy.
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Robert then grabbed Alt, slapping him lightly on the face, before looking him straight in the eye. He assessed the Hades Division Ranger's condition before trying to speak to the arsonist.
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" Ranger Alt, listen to me. Focus on the present, not what you could have done. Now, we have approximately your entire Ranger Squad along with 12 civvies inside this Safeguard. They're our responsibility now. I don't know how long my psion can hold this Safeguard for but I don't plan on finding out. We need a plan to find somewhere that's currently not full of Wheezing shit. Can we do that?"
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Robert offered a inviting hand to the Hades Division, to lift him up on his knees. 
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[TripTripleTimes]

Alt doesn't reacr to Hae's gental headbutting but sways on his crouched legs at the horse's nudge.however the slap from Robert is enough for the man to blink back to reality. Dark brown eyes search the older man's face before settling on the eye contact. He takes a breath in and then out, and wills strength into his legs. Alt stands up straight with the help of the offered hand and nods at the former Blackhat. The man is right, they have some civilians alive with them. He needs to keep his cool.

"We will do what it takes to reach a safer location." Alt says and looks at the environment around them, not sure how far the gas may spread out to. He then looks at the hippo Pokemon and the shiepd around them. "Is the shield mobile?"

 

[Borkus Lazorus]

Robert paused at Alt's enquiry. Huh. He never actually experimented the rules of psionic pokemon before. He mulled in his silence for a second. Gerald could keep it mobile.... He then shouted out towards Gerald.

" Hey, Gerald. ETA on how long that Safeguard will be down?"

Robert then felt a seizing pain in his mind, keeping off what the Ranger Academy told him to do when dealing with a psionic attack. He didn't need to recite Shakespeare backwards or do the binomial expansion of whatever quadratic equation to ward off Gerald. He got the meaning straight away. 10 minutes. Not a lot of time. Robert breathed out before he whistled towards Abraham. Abraham came forth, the large mountain hound bounding over towards him. Robert leaned down and commanded Abraham steadily, with purpose.

" I need you to find us a safe location out of this hell-hole, you think you can do it, boy?"

Abraham barked before sniffing the ground. His ears shifted slightly before he barked and pointed his paw towards the south. Robert grinned and clasped his hands together. Thank god Waterloo had implanted their Hunter/Killers with redudant olfactory glands. He then turned towards Alt.

" My hound is going to get us hopefully somewhere that doesn't smell like the backend of a Skunktail. Now, come on, Ranger. Let's get a move on."

 

[TripTripleTimes]

As Robert is busy ordering his pokemons and figuring out their best possible route to safety, Alt makes his way towards the rest of the people that are in the barriers. He checks on his fellow Ranger's well beings like Robert has done to him and then comfort the civilians who are in worser condition than the rest. Hae, Alt's ever faithful mon, follows the man, headbutting him every so often as a reminder that he is there.

From what Alt gathers, the Rangers are ready to go but some of the civilians needs an extra hand to move. It would be best to not move them due to the trauma they just witnessed but that is, of course, not an option. He gives up his water bottle to a young teen shaking and clutching her fist too tight. Seeing the despair in her eyes, the Ranger is not sure if he did a thing to comfort her but he hopes anyway.

"Alright," Alt replies back to Robert and grins at the man's joke. He appreciates it in this morbid environment. "The rest of us are also ready to move." He looks at the direction that the hound pokemon is looking towards. Alt is not familiar to this city and now he definitely cannot recognize it but he will trust Robert and his team to get out of this.

 

[Borkus Lazorus]

Abraham kept sniffing along as they went along the street, his paws brushing along with the pavement as his hound steadily guided them through the doldrums. The psychic shield was kept up by Gerald as he walekd along as well on his hind legs. Robert mentally counted the minutes within his head. 9 minutes, 54 seconds....

Eventually, Abraham stopped in front of an old Kalosian Wine Shop. The ornate sign and entrance was completely demolished by the blast. Figures they would have a sealed cellar down there. Robert kicked down the door before Abraham led him to the front of a old steel door.

One minute left. Shit.

He then placed his hands upon the wheel before turning it slowly, the odl rusten gears moving and cranking before the door opened. Robert breathed in the old musty smell of wine and rotten corks before motioning for Alt to come in first.

" Well, gentlemen, looks like you can thank my dog for leading us here. I recommend the 1300 vintage."

 

[TripTripleTimes]

There is an apocalyptic silence as the group treks across the ruined street. Soft sobs break the silence among the survivors but other than that, the psychic dome is stifling and tense. The dead parts like the Red Sea in front of them by the psychic barrier and Alt tunes out the human bodies as he does with the pokemons. Not all of the bodies in the street are burnt: half melted body lay flat on the floor with innards visible, bodies of children and parent are fused like mutant anomalies, numerous limbs missing, and much more things litter the street. There are little more than ashes on their shoes now.

A sense of urgency was suddenly there without anyone other than Robert knowing about it. Robert has a good poker face but the scuffling feet move faster and Alt knew that the psychic shield has a time limit. He just doesn't know how long it will last. Others must have thought about this also.

Stopping in front of the wine shop is a questionable destination but once the party moves in and sees the locked wine cellar, Alt cannot help but let out a breath of relief. Incredible. He steps forward into the cellar.

"You are unbelievable, sir." He laughs merrily and looks around, wondering how old this place is. He quickly tells the rest of the group to enter and close the door. They will have to be careful of the fire in this place. Wood plus alcohol mix too well with it. He doubts electricity works so his Rapidash will have to act as a lantern.

"Thank you." He turns once again to Robert and to his Pokemon, thanking them each for their work. Hae nudges the man's arm a couple of times until he too is thanked and given a pet.

 

[Borkus Lazorus]

" Authorities report that it is the largest disaster since the Argent Downpo-"
" Celadon Gym Leader, Erika Vahjhalla, vows to find the perpetrator and-"
" Indigo Provinicial Military in Celadon and Vermillion are on high aler-"
" Analysis from Scientists and League Analysts conclude that the blast site is similar to the bombing tactics of the Fuschia Ninja Cl-"

Beep. The TV switched off as John Heinrich Ashton, one of the vice-directors of A.C.E, close the remote, looking at the board of councillers as if to make his point. Currently, the higher echelons of Indigo's government were at an all time alert, officials looking for a easy scapegoat that would fit into their political agenda, patriots blaming it on foreigners and so forth. The usual habdasherry that John had to deal with everyday as he rolled his eyes. The entirety of the parliament was in a blaze as they struggled to make a decision.

" This is the largest attack in the history of Kanto and Johto histo-"
" Who would do such a thi-"
" Firstly, rescue all survivors and focus on finding the perpetrator later,-"
" Only you would say that, liberal sc-"
" Clearly, this parliament needs someone to lead-"

John raised his hand and coughed softly, yet, despite the chaos and discordiant nature of the room, everyone paused as they looked at him.

" Gentlemen, gentlemen, please, I request that we quiet down. We are the best that Indigo has to offer and we will do what our citizens demand of us at this time. "

John clasped his hands while he walked around the table of the large conference room, commanding a large and powerful presence.

While Interpol has been focusing on the Sevii Islands Crisis and the matters of our...foreign neighbours, A.C.E is currently focusing all of its attention on this matter at hand. Saving civilians for another thing. Our best scientists are focusing on a way to remove the noxious gas cloud that hangs on our crown jewel. But, we are at desperate need of funding. Nevertheless, A.C.E will continue despite our mingling resources-"

A councilman cut him off immedietely as his face was stark with tears. Oh, right. His daughter was caught in the cross-fire. A coincidence. And sure to be a good one at that....

" I propose that we promote Vice Director Ashton to Head Director Ashton and give him emergency powers."

John merely smiled as he saw the dominos begining to fall. Oh, what a glorious day.

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" Thank Abraham. Tempest, however...."

Robert shuddered at the thought of his Aviation Unit who was unfortunately caught in the blast. Now, his former magnificent bird that would have made Falkner piss his pants was a cooked Torchic on the pavement. Hell, there wouldn't be enough for a proper burial. He sagged slightly, Abraham supporting him with his titanic bulk before Robert gagged and recovered.

" No time to dwell. Gotta focus on the now and here. The question is why would the Fuschia Clan bomb the heart of Celadon? It's too much of a big manuever for them at this stage, especially during this era...."

Robert took out a bottle of wine, uncorking it before chugging it as if it were orange juice. He then wiped his chin before taking a sip. He then looked at Alt.

" What a day it's been, hasn't it?"

 

[TripTripleTimes]

Giving some time for the older man to grieve for his fallen pokemon, Alt grabs a bottle of wine and gingerly pops it open. He is a man with a careful diet due to health issues but today is a special day. Plus, he just gave his bottle of water and a sip or two isn't so bad.

"I'm sorry for your lost." Alt stands near Robert and keeps an eye on his team and the civilians. Robert is talking about the sensitive topic and if possible, he wants to keep it away from prying ears. In a whispered voice, he continues, "Why would the Fuschia Clan want Connore?"

The Johtoan Ranger had heard about the Fuschia Clan, of facts and rumors. The city south of Kanto is much like the Ecruteak City back in his home region, frozen in time and shaded in mysteries. He was told (jokingly) that if he missed Johto, he can just drive down south. He snorted at his friends when he heard that and teased back that he liked having both his kidneys.

"Why do you think it was them and not anyone else?" Although suspecting the people specialized in poison make sense, there bound to be more than what mets the eye. "How did they hide that many Wheezings and managed to smuggle them into the city? This can spark a civil war in Kanto, but the Fuschia couldn't be this foolish." He looks down at the wine bottle in hand and then up at Robert.

 

[Borkus Lazorus]

Robert then clasped his fingers for a second, his knuckles still white before looking up at Alt.

" I don't have the foggiest idea about why the Fuschia Clan would do such a thing. Sure, back before the formation of the International Concordant, they would have done this thing, no sweat, if some Indigo governor got pissy over them. Besides, one of their members is in the Elite Four after-"

Robert took a swig and then, pretended to look sheepishly.

" Oops, just rumours after all, so I've heard. Now, in this decade, they're waning. But, I can't think of any possible reason why they would want a comeback. And even so, they would never bomb one city block....Which means...."

Robert looked at Alt.

" There's a bigger fish who's got the Fuschia Clan by the leash. But, I could think of very few who'd be able to control one of Kanto's most supreme ruling crime families of the Neo-Brink Era...."

 

[TripTripleTimes]

Alt raises an eyebrow at the small slip up but continues to listen to the man through. Seeing the older man's face brighten by a revelation, the Ranger just blink back wondering where the man is taking the thought train.

"Well, shit," That is all Alt says, taken by what Robert just said. He stands straight and combs his hand through his hair. All of this really stink of foul play but he hasn't expected this to be a really deep rabbit hole.

"There is no evidence." Alt's voice is hushed and he looks back where the group of people stand around his Rapidash. He is doing his best but anxiety starts to surface under is skin. "And if you are saying what I think you're trying to say then, whoever planned this already has a scapegoat to blame all of this." He rubs his face with a clammy and drags his hand down. He breaths in and then seconds later breathes out. He had done enough grieving back at the ruined street of the city and he is not going to be overwhelmed with emotion to clog his noggin.

"We'll just have to be prepared for what'll happen next," he mumbles to himself. He looks at the former Blackhat. Although the man was out of the Ranger's Service for a while, it also means that the man must have been busy with something else. The way he holds himself up and the way he speaks, this old man doesn't show the sign of a dejected retiree. No, if anything Alt can piece together from what he has seen so far of the man, he has information and isn't afraid.

"What are you planning to do, sir?"

 

[Borkus Lazorus]

Robert took another bottle of wine and popped the cork off before taking a swig. He then tossed the bottle waywards before peering through the selection, mulling in his own thoughts.

" Now? I think that High Command or the Military will be volunteering forces for a search-and-rescue. Should be pretty easy to track us. Just a couple of Hunter-Killers and they'll find our sc-"

Robert then felt a familiar electric tingle up his spine as the lights suddenly flickered. Sudden electrical activity. But, who could it be? Wait.....No.....It couldn't......

A smile slowly worked his way across his lips as if it was an infectious disease. He clasped his hands together as he pressed the side of his head towards the vault door of the cellar.

" Oh, boy. This is just great..."

The vault door then suddenly curved open, as if it was slowly being manipulated by a Psion. Instead of being swarmed by noxious gases that would reduce their lungs to charred husks, it was clean, oxygenated air. The view of 5 Blackhat Rangers greeted him. A Alakazam, most likely providing the Safeguard. And in front....., a Magneton. Whirring away in the air.

It went towards him and then, gave him a slight sting. Robert yelped slightly in pain before slapping the Magneton on its chassis.

" Yeah. Yeah. Look, it's been two months. Can't bygones be bygones, Coloumb?"

Their reunion was suddenly interrupted by a Blackhat who stepped in front of them. He recognised the lapels. Lt Colonel. And it was none other than his old buddy....

" John. Haven't seen with you in a long time."

John Remington, the only other man Robert could respect as a equal, stood in front of him and offered a cigar towards him. Unovan Petill. Robert stuffed it in his pocket before Remington spoke out in a southern drawl.

" We'll have a smoke and catch up later. For now, you mind explaining me how the hell you survived a 100 ton explosion? And why the hell you're snooping around in a Kalosian Wine Shop? Did you drain the entire cellar dry while I had to pick your sorry ass up?"

Robert chuckled grimly before looking back at Alt and the rest of his surviving Ranger Squad.

" It's a long ass, story. But, first, I think a long due rest is needed for the Rangers over here. Retired ones included."

 

[TripTripleTimes]

At the first wave of electricity, tension spikes up high and Alt turns his head toward the sealed door, anticipating an attack. The Ranger stands on guard while the fire horse trots beside him. In his mind, he plans on using the alcohol if things go south for them in the cellar. However, the tension breaks when Robert claps his hands and walts toward the giant iron doors. Alt lets his shoulders shag once he sees that they are not being attack and instead are found by friendly faces and the earlier wave of energy was from the excited Magneton (as excited as any stoicMagneton can be) wanting to see its old buddy. Alt would have smiled if he suddenly isn't reminded of his Typhlosion.

There is no time to mull over his feeling Alt has to remind himself. He busy himself to get the Rangers and civilians ready to leave the cellar. Everyone, especially the civilians, are relieved and are eager to get out and onto a safer, much safer space.

"Sirs." Alt salutes at the senior man and at Robert, ready to report. "Everyone is ready to depart from the cellar. Some of the twelve civilians are in varying degree of trauma but the thirteen Rangers and I will be able to help however way we can."

Despite getting caught in the middle of the city wide terrorist bombing, Alt still has his pride as a Ranger to help. Being face to face with a full team of the Blackhats, Alt feels double the pressure to do something now. Maybe it's just his culture, but he just feels like there is more he can do.

 

[Borkus Lazorus]

Remington went over towards Alt and then, signed, clasping the young Ranger's shoulder.

" Look, son. You did what you could, already. The casualty toll..."

One of the Blackhat Rangers nearly sobbed. It was a rare sound. Telling of how bad the situation was already. Robert gulped and asked a question he never wanted to ask before.

" Confirmed and estimated?"

Remington looked towards the ground and muttered bitterly, looking more dour than a human being ever could be.

" All the same. All the same."

Remington then took another long draught of a cigar before throwing it on the ground.

" Now, it's time to get out of this hell-hole. Say, you boys ever ride on a Gyarados before?"

 

[TripTripleTimes]

Alt squares up his shoulders, ignoring the hand on his shoulder, ready to explain that he- no the Hade Rangers are well. They rested enough in the cellar and there is too much work to be done out there, but a choke, or some sort of sound, breaks the man’s thought. It sounds pitiful, an emotion bottled up and raw.

Alt looks at the light that is the exit of the cellar. He knows and he has seen the horror that is out there. He had seen death, in the form of fire and ashes. He’s used to it, he should, but it’s not the same in the city than in the wilderness. His shoulders slump down and decides not to argue with the Blackhat senior.

However, the mentioning of the Gyarados certainly made Alt curious, excited even. During his youth, as a trainer, he had seen a handful of those magnificent creature up close. He fancied the idea of training a magikarp or catch one at the Lake of Rage, but at the time, Alt was content with his Tentacruel as his water type powerhouse. Of course, the wild dream of ever owning a Gyarados permanently withered away after his near death experience at Goldenrod City.

“No sir. I haven’t.” He looks at the Blackhat in front of him and then at the exit, wondering if the said mon is outside. He looks back at the man.

 

[Borkus Lazorus]

Several of the Blackhats sniggered while the head honcho Blackhat gave a grave chuckle. He then slapped Alt's back with forearms that were about the size of a barbell. One of the Blackhats, a young Orreian, by the looks of it, whispered surreptiously to his colleagues.

" Shit, I bet he doesn't even have a Class 4 lice-"

Remington grunted and all the Blackhats stood silent, immedietely at rapt attention. He then looked at Robert interestingly before taking off a ball on his belt.

" Well, you still know how to ride these prawns, Robert?"

Robert stared at the callsign that was engraved onto the ball. Engravings on Poke-balls had become Trainer superstition after the fifth Indigo League. It quickly became a honored past-time in the League. On the Ball, the 's' was a little bit too curved and maybe, he couldn't discern the 'i'. But, he knew the name by heart.

' Sisyphus '

Robert walked past the group, into a safe space provided by the Alakazam's safeguard.

" Oh, I do. This one, especially, of course."

He lifted out the Heavy Ball before pressing the titanium button, releasing a surge of poke-power that solidified into one, 50 foot tall motherfucking, angry as fuck, Gyarados. Had he grown by a 100 pounds since he last saw him?

His Sisyphus. The Gyarados was far from the biggest but it's scars and scowl telled of its experience. Its crown was slightly chipped, even it's regeneration couldn't hide scars that had spilt out its guts in past fights - An encounter with a Lima-One, if Robert recalled correctly- and most of all, one of its eyes was blood-red shot, the right side of its face scarred.

The Gyarados roared, hissed and spat as Robert climbed onto its rostrum expertly, above the group of Rangers by 55 feet before slapping the cheek of the Gyarados.

" Sisyphus, you old fuck. Care to give your old CO a kiss?"

Sisyphus growled before slapping his face with one of his whiskers. He would need aspirin afterwards to shake that blow off. Robert rubbed his arm, wincing before looking downwards at the group of Rangers.

" Hey, ALt. I'd like you to meet my ol' Gyarados. Sisyphus, say hi."

Sisyphus leaned downwards in front of Alt before giving a full-blown roar into his face that would have made any person piss their pants and run away.

" Huh. He likes you."

 

[TripTripleTimes]

Alt stumbles foward and quickly rights himself up after the Blackhat slaps his back. Recovered, he watches the two man exhange looks and the active, uniformed Blackhat handed Robert a Heavy Ball. Not for one second did the fire specialist doubt that the two men once were teammates. The way they greeted one another, the casual formality, and the bigest hint of all was the large Magneton that charged toward Robert earlier. If anyone couldn't piece together these facts, then clearly they are a fool.

Alt follows Robert outside of the cellar without any hesitation. No way is he missing a giant snake dragon being released. Behind him, Hae, follows his trainer out from the dark. Sensing that it is best to retreat the fire horse back to his ball, Alt does just that, and in time too. He watch Robert climb onto the Gyarados, Alt's eyebrows raise by the show of the old man's strength. He shouldn't be this surprised or impressed by Robert's fitness but still, wow. Alt cannot help but wonder that was the retiree was doing all these time. Certainly, it kept the man busy, that's for sure.

The next thing Alt knows that the giant gapping mouth of the mon lowers itself in front of the Ranger. He tenses up at the closeness of the creature's mouth only to be ROARED at by the said creature. Alt quickly covered his ears. Slightly stunned by the bone rattling screach, the man slowly peels his ears and looks up at the Gyarados and its handler with a shakey smile and eyes going starry. That got to be one of the top coolest thing that happened to him so far.

"I can't believe I'm this close to a Gyarados." He is awed and excited but keeps his expression tight so that he doesn't lose himself with excitement. Instead, the man fumbles around his belt and unclips a regular pokeball. The surface has lost its briliant shine over the years and tiny scratches and scorched marks pepper the old device. The ball clicks open, but nothing but an empty shell is seen.

Oh. Right.

The childish excitement washes away as Alt is remembered of his Typhlosion. It takes Alt just a few second to sober up and tuck the empty pokemon ball back to his belt. He really needs to stop forgetting that he is not with him anymore. It doesn't stop the ache though.

"He is a beauty." Alt comments and looks up Robert. There is a smile and a wishful look on the man's freckled face as he looks at the dragon. When a loud gasp is heard back from the wine cellar, the Ranger looks to his team and to the civilians with a wide grin.

"Everyone, this is Sisyphus." He greets the people with a renewed energy. "He looks scary, but holy crap, it's a god damn Gyarados!"

 

[Borkus Lazorus]

Sisyphus then began to hiss slightly as he slapped Robert again with one of his feelers. God, not again.....Robert complained bitterly as he kicked the sides of Sisyphus, motioning towards the rest of the Blackhats to move out.

Lieutenant-Colonel Remington then unclipped his own ball along with several other Blackhats in the vicinity. A massive light poured out in the street and several pissed off-dragon snakes roared. The Blackhats each mounted their own steeds, trying to clam down the psychotic prawns so that they would be somewhat stable.

" Alright, Greenbacks. Get your asses onto these prawns. We're getting out of this dump once and for all."

Robert looked downwards towards Alt and then, forced Sisyphus to go down gently, laying his entire belly on the road.

" Now, take it nice and easy. Climb up on the rostrum. And whatever you do, don't touch the feelers on purpose. Or else Sisyphus will swallow you faster than a Swalot could swallow a Tepig."

 

[TripTripleTimes]

Not one to idle as the snake-like beast trashes about, Alt quickly gets to safety until the pokemon calms down. Of course by the end of it, there is a herd of Gyarados right smack in the safe zone. Given the all clear, the Rangers split themself up along with the citizens and heads off to their dragon ride.

Alt watches the Gyarado that Robert is on warily as it lays on the road. The dragon Pokemon is awesome and all but the earlier show and the comment from Robert has Alt on a bit edge. He looks at the Pokemon's face and then at the man's, grining slight at the pair. "I don't think I'll taste good. I'm all ash and muk."

Alt places an ungloved hand on the scaley body in front of him and strokes the surface once. Smooth and with bumpy between each scales, not all what he expected but then again, Alt never actually thought how a Gyarado feel. In a couple of moments, the Hades Ranger is ready to go.

"I'm... ready." Alt looks around and wonders where he can hold on. Probably on the fins at the top.

 

[Borkus Lazorus]

Riding a Gyarados. It was telling that a Blackhat would prefer a vicious, rabid, nasty-to-the-frickin' bone, Skarmory over a dragon snake. Even though the Blackhats had a pattern for surviving every mission without grievous casualties nor injuries, the medical ET's were still at every Blackhat base to check up on the bruises that the Blackhats had incurred during their rodeo ride on the Gyaradosia.

And Robert hadn't ridden a proper Gyarados for five years. Truth be telling, it would be overconfident of him to say that he wasn't fearful riding Sisyphus again. Lieutenant Colonel Remington shouted out towards the rest of the Blackhats.

" Alright, everyone. We're moving on out to Saffron Blackhat Outpost. Celadon Blackhat Outpost will be dealing with the situation here in Celadon. That doesn't include you, Ashton. Now, let's move out!"

He then put on a proper smile and slapped the side of Sisyphus's jaw with his boot.

" Alright, Sisyphus. You heard him! And remember, nice and easy, you fat bas-"

Sisyphus lurched slightly forward and then, moved off the ground, breathing in large volumes of air to reduce his density to less of that of air before propelling himself off the ground with his fins.

There was no simple word to describe it as in a manner of seconds, they shot out of the murky cloud of toxic gases and into clean, clean air. Robert grinned at Alt as Sisyphus continued to fly, trailing in a diamond formation with the rest of the Gyaradosia.

" Isn't this great?!"

 

[TripTripleTimes]

The sudden blast off to the sky is to say a bone chilling experience. Alt’s grip on the large Gyarados’ fin is tight and turns his knuckles pale white. It does not help that the man favours travelling by land than by sea or by sky. To be accurate, to this day, Alt has never owned a large bird Pokemon or a large flying type of any sort. Alt have had handled large flying type mons before but those Pokemon were temporary members of his party and he would only fly them a couple of meters in the air, especially during his ranger career when an aviation tactic is needed to wipes out an area.

It takes a moment for the incineration specialist to peels his eyes open and looks beyond the city horizon. If his breath isn’t already stolen by the rush of wind, he would definitely be awed by the sight before him. It is common knowledge throughout the Kanto and Johto regions that Celadon is one of the richest and prosperous cities in the two regions. Alt didn’t really understand how massive the city is until now. The city border stretches far out: he can see the greys of the city’s buildings going as far towards the Northern mountains, and the tall skyscrapers push the limits of what is possible in human nature. However, despite how massive the city is, the city is true to its name’s origin. Parks and forested areas are integrated within the giant city. Below, Alt can see ponds and lakes that the city has designed around. The city may be very modern but it has harmony with nature, something that a lot of Johtoans would appreciate up in the sky.

Taking the scenery in, Alt carefully breathes in as much as he could and grins widely at the man at the front seat.

“It is, sir!” Alt replies and looks behind and around to the other Gyarados flying around them. It is a strange but exciting feeling to have to fly on a Gyarados with the members of the Blackhats; it’s not something the man has ever imagined. “So this is how the Blackhats travelled?” He asks, but unsure if the older man has caught wind of it with the speed they are travelling. “It’s a lot different from what I’m used to!”

He coughs once and then again but he feels like he's doing well so far.

 

[Borkus Lazorus]

Robert looks back at Alt, his greying hair billowing in the wind, as he whoops and takes the reigns of Sisyphus's saddle, slapping it against the rostrum of Sisyphus. Sisyphus lets out a screech before tipping downwards with the rest of the Gyaradosia, shifting through the layers of cloud as helium leaked out from the dragon snake's nostrils.

" Yup. Blackhats have been riding these babies since the start of the Brink. Just sit tight and just relax. ETA for arrival at Saffron Outpost is about....Hey. When is the ETA for Saffron, Remington."

Robert bucks Sisyphus to move slightly to the right, near Remington's own Gyarados, Gungnir, as they lower their descent. Remington looks at Robert with a dissapointed glance before furtively shifting his eyes on the horizon.

" Two more minutes, Ashton. Keep an eye on your Greenback and make sure we don't have to do a emergency dive to catch his falling ass."

Ashton fell silent as Remington barked out orders to the rest of the Blackhat squad to keep them moving towards Saffron. He kept silent, keeping concentration on where Sisyphus was headed while taking a moment to briefly look back at the smoking crater that was once where a great barista was.

He was gonna buy Blaine's finest whiskey once the memorial would be built. If there was one, of course.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
" Sir, we've been observing Ranger communications and it seems like Robert Ashton made it out alive."

Johnathan Ashton, in the middle of an sweaty, underground, A.C.E network in Cinnabar, now one of the most powerful men in Kanto, looked at the technician. Hmm. Looked as if he wanted a raise. Perhaps, some sort of promotion? Johnathan scoffed as he remembered the man's psych profile. Of course, all you needed was a brief glance of his face. Ratty, glasses adorned on his face, introverted, begging for validation and praise to cure his inferiority complex.

But, enough about that. John rattled his fingers for a moment, taking his time to think before replying in a smooth voice.

" And?"

The technician looked at John as if he was insane. He tapped the monitor for a second.

" Uh, sir? He's your brother. You've labelled him as one of A.C.E's tops threats. Surely, you-"

John waved his hand before speaking again, as if he was tutoring a mentally disabled child. The tone of voice unnerved the technician as John stood upwards, looking around the entire room of technicians and agents that were under his payroll.

" Currently as of now, Ashton is a minor threat, might I say, even a nuisance to A.C.E. I've become the Head of A.C.E and the entire Indigo Parliament is under my bidding."

John then looked at the technician with his cold blue eyes, staring into his soul before speaking to him.

" And yet, you have a point. While my brother is not the man he once used to be in the Blackhat Rangers, he is still a threat, perhaps even more so when inebriated. I commend you for your concerns, Technician Bore, but rest assured, I have my brother accounted for, even as we speak."
----------------------------------------------------------------
" So, you understand what you need to do, Mr Fukisara?"

" You're putting the safety of Fuschia and my own clan at risk, A.C.E scum."

" I have been patient with you, Mr Fukisara, unreasonably patient than most men would be with a man of your condemnable background. So, please be careful when taking that tone with the most powerful man in Kanto."

" ....Very well. But, I have just several problems...."

" ...I would not have gotten to my position today, Mr Fukisara, if I didn't rectify any immediate problems. Please. Continue."

" If Ashton survives and my assassin is dead-"

" Even if my brother would survive, trust me. I have operatives placed within Saffron Outpost itself. Robert Ashton will die by the end of the night."

" And if my assassin survives-"

" A White-tail will be placed on site as well for standard psionic dictation procedures."

" And if that doesn't work?-"

" Then, my brother deserves to defeat me. That will be all, Mr Fukisara."