Stilettos rapped with some haste - irritation - down the unlit alleys and side streets of the affected portion of Mauville. The woman's dark curls bounced with some exaggeration. Her pantsuit slapped against her ankles immediately after a heel met pavement, producing a kind of graceful percussion in the, otherwise, silent district. Her arms swayed forcefully beside her, sustaining her pace - her near-trot. Her eyes didn't dart around. She knew it was futile trying to see clearly in the fading light. Her eyesight was never the best, anyway. But she'd learned how to process her peripheral vision. Her range of vision was impressive, just not its clarity.
A gasp, slap, and thud sounded to her left, somewhere. Her hearing was also keen when her sense were focused. Damn. I hope this kid isn't already causing trouble, she thought.
She took a sharp turn to see the alley, from where the noise came, now empty.
"Damn," she exhaled. Where'd he get off to?
Footsteps to her right, from behind. A flash of light, a beam. Shit
Her lips curled in and she pulsed out a staccato of high whispers, a chirping of a bird not native to Hoenn. She looked above her - the corner of the building next to her. The shadow of a beast who's eyes shone red with a sinister glower. Rangers walked right past her, not realizing there should have been an alley where she stood. They turned a corner and she snapped. The haze that formed before her fell back into the pavement.
The balls of her feet turned where she stood and paced quickly where this "Rhode" headed off. Though her pace was quick, it wasn't rushed. She was focused, had somewhere to be, someone to collect. Her hair never quite reached over her shoulders, bangs pushed back over her ears. Her trousers patted her shins as her legs swung through the pace beneath her. Her ears could pick up the faint scuttlings of her target as well as the lazy footfalls of a nearby Ranger about which she lacked concern.
The scuttling stopped and so did she - close enough to eavesdrop but not to be seen. That male voice must have been him, but he was with a girl. Or is that a woman? She must have been the one to release that Granbull and Scrafty to direct the attention of the Rangers away from them. Still, she was glad Finster was obsuring her figure and scent.
They seemed to know each other. Cute. She rolled her eyes and sighed silently at the "reunion." Haven was the girl. That could come in handy. But "Rai"? Was that another alias? It was ridiculous enough to name your Pokemon something to rhyme yours. But he could have been a child and at the age where rhyming names were "super cool." But it could have been an off-the-cuff alias. A lazy one, but it could work. But he said it so naturally.
Her musings continued as she followed them from afar as they reached the Sixth District, just west of the Eighth. She whistled again and her cloak was deactivated since she could blend in with the night and the crowds.
BOOM!
Everyone ducked, screamed, ran in reaction to the explosion that shook the ground and trembled up with their bones and over their skin.

___________________________________________________________________________

All of her attention was working with her brother to connect the gap between the generators where they had disconnected the converters. There was so much energy to focus, she couldn't hear the whirring of the exposed energy containers and the constant and deafening snapping between her and her brother. The powerful explosions from Manectric couldn't even break her concentration. She had done this hundreds of times before, but never to this extent. The city's power grid was virtually flawless and in place before even she was conceived. The massive levels of energy pushed her and her brother to the extent of their abilities. She couldn't even hope her trainer would finish them off soon enough.
Her cheeks burned and her eyes were buzzing - constantly vibrating. She could feel every bone in her skeleton tremble and her muscles spasm. Her mind was blank. The point to which the electricity sparked her nerves, she couldn't begin a thought or think to move. Until they could replace the converter, she was part of the system. She'd gain a new respect for the vastness of Hoenn's energy system when this ordeal was over.

___________________________________________________________________________

Flygon screeched following the explosion. He lashed out at the team of Electabuzz, making them fly every way from the exposed converters. He and Mr. Sturm's Manectric made a good team to hold them off until reinforcements could arrive. It was a good thing Medicham could still reach him all the way to Petalburg. Of course, Jeanne suspected her husband would, ultimately, not make it home for dinner.
Fuck me, Forrest thought. All I wanted to do was go home and have dinner. What the fuck is going on?
The fact Haven ran away didn't surprise him. Medicham wouldn't tell him why, but she was an adult and could make her own decisions. He just hoped she wasn't involved in the explosion, or got herself involved. Still, he was disappointed she wouldn't accept his help. I must be some ugly fuck.
Medicham teleported them close to the explosion - District Six. Crowds rushed to find cover while emitting a sound to rival the explosion. Forrest looked around to make sure there were no injured or casualties.
"Medicham, stay here in case you're needed. You too, Milotic," he said, unable to think clearly enough for them to read his thoughts.
"Shiftry, Breloom, Cacturne, with me."
Masquerain would go where she thought best. Banette would arrive when summoned. Forrest just wanted to get to the source of the explosion to help where he could.
The four of them sprinted toward the Seventh District through those fleeing away. Masqureain decided to join them. She fluttered high above and jetted from side to side to try and see as much of the affected area as posible and prepare in any way she could. It was difficult to see clearly from the contrast of the night and the bright sparks of explosed electricity. She chirped to herself in concerned fear.
What fuckers are trying to destroy Mauville?
It seemed to take too long to get there, but when they arrived, Forrest knew they couldn't have come any later. Five individuals worked to either syphon the electricity spraying across the ground into some kind of battery or defend themselves against the Manectric and Flygon.
"Go! Help Plusle and Minun!" he shouted at Shiftry and Masquerain. "Let's get 'em!" he told Cacturne and Breloom in a surprisingly sinister tone. Cacturne's mouth carved itself larger and in a more exaggerated curve.
Forrest went straight for the trainers, the terrorists, the thieves. Though the number of Pokemon at their command outnumbered him and Mr. Sturm three-to-one, Forrest just dodged the explosions of another Draco Meteor and watched them gunned down by Pin Missiles and Needle Arms. Breloom sent all he could flying past the boarder of Mauville or just straight up into the dusked sky. Forrest grappled and beat down who he could as fast as he could. Taking names and leaving survivors for interrogation was not a priority.
His right fist came down and smashed into a head on the concrete. The sound of skull cracking was deafened by a second, though much smaller, explosion. He then found himself on the ground, having rolled several meters from his previous location. His eyes couldn't see and his ears hummed unintelligible muffles.

Damn. Fucking piece of shit Raichu must have Thunder Waved me. Should have seen it coming. Ah, there's the little fucker. Ha ha! Yeah! Shiftry fucked your shit right up. Little bitch.
No, don't worry about me. Keep them away from the generator. Shaq'ti can help when she's ready. Im fine. Really. We gotta keep them back until the Rangers can get here. Then I'm out of here.
Gonna go home. Take a shower. Rest. Fuck. Work out. Train. I need a break after this shit. I'm getting too old to play hero. I should have just ignored it.
I hope Sturm's okay. I wonder how Plusle and Minun are doing. I can't believe they're channeling all that power. They've gotten strong.
Shit! Fuck...
Oo. That was close. Looks like they had some backup. Might have been how they beat up on that Haven. Heh. That bitch. She's got too much spunk and sass for her own good. She could really be something if she wasn't so self-depravating.
Whoa! Fire-types, too? Wait. Who's this punk? Trying to help, huh? See? I didn't need to intervene. They got other overconfident sons-of-bitches here. Wait. No! Don't bother with me. Fuck, watch out! Aw, shit, kid. Gotcha good. Wow. He's still up after that? Tough bastard. Ugh. Of course he has to give lip to Sturm. Thinks he's hot shit...
What? Huh? Who's pulling at me? Shit. Wait. Who is that? Ugh. Just let me be. I'll be fine. Wait. Is that Haven? What the fuck, kid? Go home. You should be resting. Heh. They can't even carry me together. Must have gained some weight.
Hm. Well, I'm not sure how this is supposed to be helpful, Haven. But you really need to go. You, of all people, don't need to be involved in this shit. Why are you trying so hard. Hmm...maybe...
I gotta focus to get to Shaq'ti.
Yes?
Come get us out of here. Rangers are coming and I need to get healed up.
Haven, too?
If she will...
Who's that? He needs attention, too. Damselrade's been trying to heal him.
Dunno.
I think he knows Haven...
He's down.
All right. Get him, too. Haven coming?
Yes.
Sturm okay?
Yes.
Get us out of this bitch.

Delicate and swift hands moved across the kitchen gathering wheat crackers and Mareep cheese. A small plate was assembled neatly and a glass of wellspring water poured. "Wait here," she said when she picked the plate and glass off the counter and began to make her way toward the den on the other side of the house.
Jeanne was surprisingly calm despite the situation. It was as if it'd happened before or she was simply countering the anxiety caused by the apparent dilemma. Of course,
caring for strangers was new, and the fact Forrest dragged two others down with him irritated her nerves. But, she enjoyed playing host. So this made up for the fact he'd missed dinner this night. She also didn't mind that it was past 1 in the morning.
Her feet traveled in silence across the wood floors and over the few area rugs along the way. "Is your sister up?" she asked a girl standing on the landing of the staircase who was rubbing her eyes. The girl shook her head. "Go to the kitchen and wait for me with your brother." Her voice was barely a whisper, soft and maternal.
She placed the glass of water on a side table and knocked on the door. "May I come in?" It was sweet and cautious. Considerate. Like the knock on the door. "Haven, was it?" she asked as she slipped through the door after grabbing the glass from the side table.
"Only if you're hungry," she said, implying the offering of crackers and water placed upon an end table pulled next to the daybed. Something as simple as crackers suggested she understood the possible trauma Haven may have experienced.
Her long brown hair was pulled tight into a bun meant to be slept in. The robe she wore was a kind of soft lime with some floral prints faded in creamy whites. Her hands were slender and lacked impurities, suggesting she took good care of herself. Her blue-green eyes were bright in the dull lamp-light of the room. She stood only a few inches taller than Haven, but her body was much more full, womanly, and held a kind of strength. The kind of strength required to bear four children at a relatively early age. Her face was soft, round. Her nose and chin, however, were pinched into elegant points. Her cheeks were high which provided the illusion of a permanent smile. Her lips were long and full. Without cosmetics, she seemed to have enough natural color to pass as "naturally pretty." Her skin was even and pale with a few freckles dotting her arms and legs.
She walked over to the small wood stove across the daybed where Haven positioned herself. A few small logs were placed atop kindling which was then lit with a long kitchen match. "You look cold," she said with a sympathetic smile. She was attempting to be as accommodating as possible. She had a knack for anticipating others' needs.
"There are extra blankets under the bed. We have a universal charger, here," she explained when she reached the large oak desk positioned stately before large triple-pane windows decorated with a simple valance and framed with matching curtains. They were left open, revealing the blue-black hues of the nighted forest just outside their home. It looked calm, serene. But Jeanne suspected Haven might have a different opinion and drew the curtains without a word. She didn't add anything about asking for anything else. Jeanne figured Haven wouldn't, anyway.
"The bathroom's on the other side of the house, across the kitchen." She'd already told her but had forgotten by this time. "Have a good night," she added with another sympathetic smile, enough to make a broken soul weep.
In silence, she slipped out of the den as she had when she'd entered. Her feet moved quickly through the living room styled in a modern country as the rest of the house. Despite being a log cabin, the high ceilings and uniform logs made the dark finish look almost industrial. Although, that was the point since Forrest was the one to build the house.
Family pictures decorated the walls with landscape paintings and cross-stitched, quilted, or appliqued pieces, all made by Jeanne. There were baskets all over the house full of games, toys, yarn, or tools. Most of the furniture was painted light neutrals since Jeanne believed there was such a thing as "too much wood." It was a modest home - adequate size for 6 people but still nothing so large that a fully decorated room would echo.
"Get some ice cream," she said when she reached the kitchen. Her tone was that of relenting permission from prolonged nagging. In fact, she was showing her exhaustion.
While the children gathered the items necessary for the midnight snack, she poured herself a glass of wine. "Don't tell the other two about this," she told them, knowing now she'd be too tired tomorrow to deal with the whining.
"Thank you, Jerr, for giving up your bed. That was very sweet," she praised the boy.
"Who are they, anyway?" he asked.
"I don't know," she confessed. "We'll find out tomorrow."
She took another sip of wine before continuing. "I'm going to need both of you to keep your brother and sister quiet. Your father and the other man need their rest. Shaq'ti needs to meditate, and Syressa and Damselrade need to continue their healing. They need to concentrate to perform their skills. Understand?" The two nodded with their mouths full of ice cream.
"I'm going to go pick some Cheris tomorrow before breakfast. I want Roh and Shel to help. You two start breakfast and check on our guests. I'll be checking on them tonight. After you're done with your ice cream, both of you need to go to bed. Jerr, please situate yourself quietly on the couch."

Jeanne woke up before even her children. She slipped on her robe and checked on her husband. The Masquerain had been hovering over him the entire night. Jeanne thanked her silently. She then used a static rod to check his nerve activity. They were now over-active rather than non-responsive, which was a good sign but the most difficult phase of working through paralysis. She knew how painful it'd be and didn't look forward to Forrest pushing himself. The Cheris would help alleviate the overactive nerves and hasten the healing process. Still, they'd have to be patient.
After checking on the other man in Jerrek's bed, she woke Rowan up without drawing any attention to the other bed where Jerrek should have been. Ushering him up and out quick enough would have kept all else in a fog for the boy. She then woke up Elizabeth and Shelynn, directing the eldest girl to wake Jerrek to start breakfast and then to check on the other guest downstairs in the den. Shelynn just knew to meet her mother and brother in the kitchen.
Jeanne explained briefly what the situation was. They had "visitors" and their father was injured and needed to rest to heal completely. So they were to pick as many Cheris outside to start preparing a homemade medicine to hasten the healing process. This made them feel important and helpful enough to where they didn't ask question and made sure to keep quiet, themselves.
The sun was almost rising. A faint orange mixed with the blue and purple of the night. The trees looked a strange blackened aqua color before dusk. The air was cool, fresh, but thick with wood and pollen. She led the two children to their Cheri trees and started to pick the ripest ones and put them into a basket Jeanne had brought with her. It wasn't long before the basket was full and their task complete.
"Roh, get these rinsed off. Tell your brother to help you set up the blender. Shel, go help your sister check on the guests and start breakfast."
When she made it inside, her children were focused on the tasks she'd given them. A sense of pride made her fingers tingle and her heart flutter.
"How's Haven, Ellie?" she asked.
"Still sleeping, I think," the girl said with most of her focus on mixing batter and keeping an eye on the mess her sister would make.
"How's your father, Jerr? And the other guest..."
"They're still sleeping. Haven't woken up yet," he explained with most of his focus on setting up the blender while Rowan worked to clean off the Cheris.
"Well, thank you, boys. I'll take over here and you two start setting the table for six." She then started to mix the berries in the blender with some juices, syrups, and herbs that would make the medicine tolerable as well as refreshing to some degree.
She carried two glasses with straws, one in each hand, up the stairs to the boys' room first. Instead of touching him, she placed a hand on the side of the bed and pressed down so he'd feel the slight movement of the bed against his skin, which would be massively uncomfortable if not painful. "I'm sorry to wake you, but you need to take this," she said in her voice full of sympathy.
She placed a finger over the top of the straw so the juice would remain in the straw as she lifted it and hovered it over the man's mouth. "Gentle, now. Your nerves are hyper-active and any slight movement will be very painful," she explained though he probably already found that out. "Please, try to open your mouth," she said next.
The straw lowered close to the man's lips and she lifted her finger so slightly that only a few drops would fall into his mouth. She didn't want him to choke if she dropped it right to the back of his throat, so she made sure to go slow and aim for his tongue. "I'm sorry, but this is going to take a while," she said. "Just a few more."
It took almost too long, but she was diligent and careful so as to not make the man any more uncomfortable than he already was. "Just keep resting. Syressa, here, will continue to soothe your nerves," she said and nodded to the giant serpent floating overhead, her body snaking across the entire ceiling almost covering it all.
After doing the same for her husband, she made her way down to the den and try to have Haven join them for breakfast, at least. Her knuckle gently tapped the wood and called patiently to her. "Haven," she started with a pause. "Breakfast is ready if you're hungry."

Attack on Mauville City!

At about 1 AM this morning, Mauville City suffered a major attack. An estimated one-hundred twenty-seven casualties, both human and domestic Pokemon, have been reported at this time. An additional five-hundred twelve are reported injured, resulting in an overfilled Fairfax Hospital. Many have been sent to nearby clinics or the Lavaridge Medical Centre. Officials request the friends and families of those who may have been in Mauville City at the time of the attack to contact the Fortree Ranger Headquarters for further information at 3-37-10012. You may also contact the Fairfax Hospital at 3-71-40000, the Lavaridge Medical Centre at 3-71-41107, or the Pokemon Ranger Headquarters at 3-71-10012. However, reports indicate the hold times can reach up to an hour.
Reports have revealed the attack was made on the power grid of Mauville and has yet to affect other areas of the Region. The entire city is still in the process of evacuation. Access to the city is strictly prohibited while investigations take place. Access will be delayed further as repairs take place immediately thereafter. The local Gym Leader, Mr. Johnathan Sturm, estimates repairs to take at least a month to reach a functional state and for the repairs to be finished sometime into next year, which gives us the only idea of the damage the city sustained by the attack as air travel has also been denied in the areas surrounding the city.
Some victims of the attack claim terrorist activity. However, until official reports are released, we cannot definitively conclude that such is the truth as there are no international records of terrorist activities. Regardless, Hoenn seems to hold its breath, mourning those lost and mentally preparing for another attack to take place, despite the lack evidence of another attack upon the Region. Additionally, the region is currently exercising national security measures. Pokemon Rangers have been deployed across the Region ad many from other regions have been imported to aid us in this time of crisis. The Pokemon Rangers suggest staying in the city you currently reside until otherwise instructed. Those traveling between cities are suggested to travel with a Ranger Escort.
We will be providing updates as they come in...

Credit: @c3p-0h, @Kymera
"Please," Jeanne said, gesturing to the seat closest to the living room, from where she came.
When Haven sat down, the kitchen was to her left, which is where Jeanne returned to continue placing food onto the table with the children grabbing and eating with typical eagerness expected from children. The boys were both shirtless and only wore boxers and each girl only had a belly shirt or a training bra with shorts. It was evident the lack of clothing Forrest practiced seemed to be the practice of his children as well. Jeanne was the only one in a full bathrobe with a proper nightgown underneath.
"This is Jerrek, our oldest," she explained, beginning the introductions. The boy had some memory of the woman, but she looked vastly different now than on the side of a route broken and bruised. He nodded like his father would have, though, in greeting while his mouth was full. "And this is Elizabeth, our second."
The girl with dirty blond hair looked the same age as Jerrek despite being two years younger. Her limbs were long and her hair tied back into a braid that fell to the middle of her back. She took a sip of juice and waved her hand with a "hi" in a surprisingly confident tone for an 8 year old.
"Rowan is our third," Jeanne continued.
The smallest boy with messy brown hair, thick and curly and longer than his chin and masked his rich green eyes. It would have been difficult to tell his sex if he wasn't dressed like his brother. He then rose his face from the bowl it was hovering over to pull at half his bangs, revealing one of his emeralds and showing off a smile, crooked and half-missing but ultimately adorable.
"[color=fruitsalad]Nice to meet you![/color]" he said with a light as warm as his mother.
"And Shelynn is our baby," the woman said and placed a soft hand upon the smallest child sitting next to her.
Her hair was similar to Rowan's, but longer and knotted from being unkempt. Her eyes were a bright blue-green like her mother's and her face round with baby fat. She simply giggled and waved.
Haven gave small waves to each of them in turn.
"I hope you got some sleep last night," Jeanne said as she sat down at the other end of the table, across from herself. "I can't imagine what you went through. You're welcome to stay here as long as you need to rest up before heading out on your own," she offered.
"I slept fine, thanks," Haven lied. "The bed was perfect." She picked up her fork and began poking at the food in front of her. "I'm feeling better. I'll go as soon as I can – after breakfast, probably."
The bags under Haven's eyes told more of the truth than her words. But Jeanne didn't pry. And it could have been from a number of things other than lack of sleep. So she took a couple bites of toast and eggs and then looked back up at Haven.
"What of your friend?" she said, impling the man upstairs in a state similar to her husband, though much more healing due to the physical injuries he sustained.
"I… just met him yesterday. Right before the explosions. We're not really friends." But to call them strangers wasn't quite true either. Not after what Rai'd seen last night.
Jeanne picked up on Haven's seeming to know or to care about the man to some degree. The night before showed that quite well. Haven was certainly surprised to see the young man when they'd teleported to the house.
"What was his name again?" Jeanne asked, having forgotten in the chaos of the moment.
Haven glanced up. "Rai."
"Ah, yes. And you don't wish to make sure he's okay?"
Haven felt the guilt trip before the words had even left Jeanne's mouth. Jeanne didn't need to play the guilt card with someone so clearly mentally traumatized, but she couldn't help it. Jeanne had the tendency to enforce her Hoennese culture, the strong sense of hospitality and care toward strangers.
Haven looked down again, prodding her food around her plate with the fork. Shit. She owed him that much after he'd sat through her breakdown yesterday. She owed Forrest too, for saving her life. At least a hello. A thank you. A moment of her time to check in on them – to see if they were ok.
"Yeah, I was planning on checking on him and Forrest before I left," came the murmured lie. Haven stabbed a piece of egg with her fork and forced herself to eat it. After she swallowed, she said, "But after that I really should go… It's the safest option. And you and Forrest have been really good to me, but I don't wanna take up space when you've already got enough to worry about."
"What makes you think it's not safe here?" Jeanne began. She then realized that may not have been her meaning and worked to backtrack enough for the question to be ignored.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't pry."
"You're not going to stay and play with us, Miss?" the littlest girl whined with sad, disappointed eyes. "Can I at least pet your doggy?" she asked, not knowing the species name was referred to as "Granbull."
Haven glanced down at the girl, the corner of her mouth quirking up. Her eyes flicked to Dagger, who was trying to look gruff and annoyed.
"Sure," she answered. The girl uttered a small squeal of excitement."Careful though: she drools."
Dagger let out a huff. Sly smile growing, Haven leaned down to the girl and whispered, "Her favorite spot's above her nose." Shel followed Haven's advice and clumsily began brushing her hand over the Granbull's snout with a grin and a prolonged coo.
Dagger gave Haven a betrayed look, which went completely ignored. The Granbull, for all her brutality, loved attention and being fawned over. And she adored playing with kids, as much as she tried to hide it. Her tongue lolled out of her mouth as her face relaxed. Cloak sniggered next to her. Dagger snapped back to attention and elbowed him so hard he toppled over. Shelynn giggled all the while.
Haven rolled her eyes and turned back to her half-eaten food. "Are either of them up yet?" she asked Jeanne.
The woman supressed a giggle as Shelynn and Rowan ran off to futher fool around with the Granbull and Scrafty, leaving half of their food untouched and seats pushed out. She rose from her own seat after patting her lips with a napkin and directed the older two to clean up after all of them before preparing for the day.
"No," she said, with some grimness in her tone. "And they shouldn't be before tomorrow," she added more as a warning to the men upstairs than an assessment of their conditions. "It'd be best to let them rest for now."
Jeanne glided across the hardwood floors, stained slightly lighter than the walls. She stepped around the table in almost complete silence until she reached Haven. Her airy hand alit upon her shoulder, soft and calm. "Come," she told Haven, inviting her to help administer their medication.
Haven glanced at Blink and Lace, eyebrow raised. Then she nudged her chin to the abandoned plates. Her two pokemon nodded. Haven pushed herself up from the table to follow after Jeanne as Blink started stacking plates atop Lace's horns.
Jeanne moved to prepare two more glasses of the Cheri juice, showing in silence which ingredients and how much were used to Haven. She handed both glasses over to her "aide" and ushered her up the stairs where it fell back into the darkness from the night before. The shades were kept pulled so the men could sleep more soundly.
"Rai," she said, as if practicing the name, "is in here." She opened the door.
The man's Charmeleon continued to fret over him. "It's okay, dear," she cooed to the Pokemon, trying to alleviate whatever worry she could. "He'll be fine. It's just going to take some time," she added. Haven followed in after her, eyes darting over Rai's form.
His newer injuries were healing well, though most were still angry red lines and fading ugly green bruises. They criss-crossed his back overlaying a veritable roadmap of scars that left his flesh a patchwork of hollow divets, gnarled welts and stitched smooth skin where he hadn't had the benefit of a pokemon's healing touch. Even still, his newest injuries were begining to scar and become new additions to the already extensive collection he had on display.
So this was what it was like to see someone else injured and bedridden. It was a nice change to not be the one in the bed.
He looked miserable. Empathy bubbled up in her chest.
"Here," Jeanne continued and offered to take one of the glasses to demonstrate how to administer the herbal remedy. Haven handed it over.
She turned to face the man and noticed he was now on his front as if he had tried to lift himself out of the bed. She let out a small sigh and rolled her eyes with a smirk.
"Rai," she said in a soft half-whisper. "We need to get you turned over so you can take some more medicine. After that, you need to rest."
Jeanne placed the glass she held onto a small bedside table and gently manipulated the man to roll over, despite the amount of pain it caused. Haven, unsure of what else to do, put down her glass and tried to help.
Rai could have been quite content to be left alone. Moving hurt, breathing hurt, and even thinking gave him a headache he had no way of getting rid of. Being forced to roll over, no mater how gently, made white-hotspots dance in front of his eyes and left him sucking air through clenched teeth until the persistant ache abated.
Jeanne tried to calm him with only her words, since that was all she could manage given the lack of equipment in order to roll people over in a state of ending-paralysis.
She then worked the liquid in the straw as she had before and gestured for Haven to take over while she would administer the same medicine to her husband. Jeanne left with her glass, leaving the two of them alone.

Name: Raiziel Alexander Kurin
Age: 22
Address: 41 Lantern Lane, Olivine City, Johto

"Hm..." a low hum passed through her chest. "Certainly the bastard."
She sat at her desk with Finster curled up next to her on the floor feigning sleep. One of his eyes peeled open at the comment, not sure if his trainer was speaking to him or to herself. He shifted a little to fall back into a meditative rest.
I don't understand why Dicky didn't just tell me it was him, she thought as she passed through some other papers, documents and rosters of Pit Fights across the Region. It's even stranger he wanted me to take him along to Mauville Island for the drop off. There must be something else going on here.
It was a good thing she'd followed him to the scene of that attack, last night. He'd sloughed off his backpack and then got his ass handed to him and was then Teleported away by some Medicham. If the Rangers had confiscated it and taken it in for evidence, his time here wouldn't get much easier. However, with just his Trainer Card, she knew Dicky was up to something and that her own life was probably being toyed with.
"Samantha," she said into a device attached to her desk. "Come in here, please."
Without a response, a young woman entered the underground office. "Yes, Lady Shade?" she said with coldness and a flat face.
Her hair was a light brown and perfectly straight, falling just past her shoulders. Her face was a clean oval without any notable features. She stood at a relatively tall height for a woman, and the heels she wore only exaggerated this. She dressed in a business suit, as that is what Lady Shade required of her employees. However, hers was a light gray and she wore a pencil skirt rather than trousers. Her legs were wrapped in pantyhose, evening her skin-tone and darkening it slightly. Her arms remained by her sides, attentive and disciplined.
"Do you know this man?" Lady Shade asked and handed her the trainer card.
The woman walked over to the desk and glided her hand to grasp the card without resistance from Lady Shade's hand. She looked at it, her face keeping flat and seemingly unable to show any emotion. However, the look was long - longing - surprised.
"This is my brother."
"Would you like to meet him?"

The attack on Mauville meant a lot of paperwork on Hartwin's desk. His mother had taken to meetings with reporters while his father worked with the Rangers and Mr. Sturm. He'd been up through the night signing displacement claims of employees who lived in Mauville, which was ultimately a responsibility of the Fairfax Corporation. One of the many inconveniences of the business controlling so much within one Region. He just hoped the estimated times for repairs was overestimated by, well, all of it, and for the sake of the employees. Granted, nothing like this had actually happened before.
"Mr. Fairfax," a woman said, hardly past the door with her eyes tained on a tablet that lit up her face.
"Please, Natalie. Hartwin is..."
"Someone riding a gold and green Skarmory has arrived in Rustboro."
Hartwin immediately perked up. It'd been days since Theo had told Hartwin he'd be in Hoenn. Hartwin was surprised Natalie had even remembered.
"All right. Let's go," he said, both to his Delcatty napping beside him as well as his secretary.
"But, sir," she began to protest.
"It's time for a lunch break," he said with a wink and a smirk.
He ushered her to gather whatever she needed to leave the building as he did the same. He buttoned his brown suit jacket and then unbuttoned it while fidgeting with items in and out of pockets, unable to decide what to bring and which to do. After buttoning it again, he reached for his matching bowler hat that hung on the corner of his chair. Outside the office, he was never seen without it. A quick glance into a mirror on his way out the door was the last of his preparations. When he made it out of the office, Natalie was standing next to her desk with an unsure look and hugging the tablet she was holding earlier.
"Sir, are you sure this is a good idea? There's so much we need to do..."
Hartwin grabbed a cane for show and Delcatty strutted behind him with a yawn. "We've been here for fifteen hours. We need a break," he said matter-of-factly. "I'm taking you out for lunch," he added, explaining to her his alibi."

----------

"Good afternoon, Mr. Selvaggio," a voice said from a distance away. "It's been a while. How're your parents?"
The man was average. He could have been mistaken for someone approaching 40, but was barely 33. His suit was well-tailored, but the color dulled his features, it seemed. The bowler hat provided shade over his eyes, though he still squinted. Theo's once-cello-tutor looked rather ordinary, something Hartwin could never seem to escape despite his elevated birth.
An Altaria hovered behind a woman off to his side while the Delcatty rubbed her cheek against Hartwin's leg before looking over toward Theo. She chirped when she spotted the Whismur, the two having played together often when the Delcatty was still a Skitty.

"Watcher Clerk..."
"Major -"
"3 more casualties. Any word from the Hospital?"
"No room. We have to make due here."
"We're going to have a housing crisis..."
"I know, Major. I'm working on it."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Lieutenants Green and Fort with you?"
"No, ma'am. They're administering what emergency care they can. They put up a tent toward 112 South."
"Get them to the Centre. They lack the skills and experience for this kind of situation. Green and Fort should be able to prevent more casualties."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Anyone else good for transport?"
"Lieutenants Polak and Thompson."
"Get them to find safe places to set up camps -"
"Refugee camps?"
"Yes, Major. And make sure to assign the Students and Area Rangers as sentries.
We don't need them in the way."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Well - dismissed, Major."
"Watcher -"

----------

"Copy that, Grand Watcher Frisk."

____________________

Queues filled the town. The Medical Centre, the Torkoal Roast, groupings of citizens with and without camping gear, and whatever stations the Rangers constructed were crowded with the displaced residents of the terrorized Mauville City. At first glance, it was the panicked shuffle during the attack. After a few moments, the Rangers were quite capable in calming most concerns.
Dragons flew overhead. A whiteness of Altaria gently alit cargo drops. Flights of Swellow shot back and forth through the air overhead. Colonies of Pelliper carried emergency items from camp to camp. The Air Rangers worked with the local Gale Rangers to make sure all victims of the "incident" wouldn't create more victims in becoming leeches and nuisances to others as people sought shelter and comfort.
"Good afternoon, Chief Mura, sir," a woman, stoic and proud, greeted the retired Gale Ranger. Her hair was hidden by the light brown cap she wore, immediately informing the man from which branch she came.
"Lieutenant Amanda Red," she continued, introducing herself with a salute and then a shake of his hand. "I'm here on behalf of Major White and Watcher Clerk who are overseeing the current situation here in Lavaridge."
She seemed insistent, optimistic he would be impressed by her ability to throw names at him.
"They are hoping residents and bath owners allow as many victims of the Mauville Incident as they are comfortable housing. Any and all expenses will be covered by the Rangers and Fairfax Corporation. May we add you to our list of temporary hostiles?"
It would have been entirely unusual for him to have not already allowed some of the victims into his bath for shelter. It would have been even more unusual for him to decline the direct request. Regardless, the Rangers needed these formal processes to take place to keep as much order as possible in a time of such distress.

The heavy and tentative footsteps from the kitchen indicated his father and Mr. Kurin had come in for lunch. Jerrek finished the set of dumbbell flies so he could shower off and join them. He only put on his shorts before going upstairs when he'd be coming back down to finish his routine.
Ro and Ellie were finishing up setting the table by the time he'd made it up to the kitchen. Jeanne popped open Double Hoppips for Rai and Forrest to have with their meals. Ellie poured some Moomilk for herself and her siblings while Jeanne made herself a glass of wine to follow up the one she drank while preparing the lunch. She'd hadn't quite gotten over the stress of the Mauville Attack and the state in which her husband still suffered.
Bouffalant steak and Moocheese hoagies were made for the men while the children voted for macaroni and Moocheese with Tamato soup and grilled Moocheese. Jeanne elected to have a salad, loaded with all kinds of vegetables from their garden, a sprinkling of Moocheese, and a whole Blaziken breast hidden in there somewhere.
"So," Forrest started after sipping at his beer and still having a full mouth, "Rai, here, is from Olivine. Made me think we should vacation there sometime this summer. Visit some of my family and stuff..."
Jeanne voicelessly agreed. Shelly almost shouted "Auntie Vee!" with the brightest excitement. Forrest chuckled and Jerrek agreed, though he was more fond of Uncle Caleb. "Most of my extended family is in Johto," Forrest clarified.
Forrest offered seconds to Rai when he got up to get himself another hoagie. He also brought over two more beers for them, though, without asking. All the children, save Shelynn, Also had seconds. By now, Jeanne was starting to do the dishes with the help of Forrest's Masquerain and Shiftry.
"You finished your workout?" Forrest asked Jerrek as he laid back in his chair.
"Almost," the boy said as he drank the rest of the Tamato soup directly from the bowl. "Hey, Dad, could you spot me for my squats?"
"Sure thing, bud."
"Could I practice with Kangooroom, after?"
"If he's up for it."
"Awesome," Jerrek said with a wry smile.
"Why don't you come down with us? There are some exercises and stretches I could show you if you think you're up for it."

----------

The cement stairs went down to the basement farther than one might expect. The ceiling was ten feet high, two feet higher than the other two floors of the house. The stairs cut the room in half and followed the back wall to the left.
This side was the personal gym, though looked like a small public one. Barbells, dumbbells, and other free-weight systems filled racks and were placed in stacks against the walls covered in charts and diagrams. On the side wall, between Jerrek's and Elizabeth's charts for routines and progress were diagrams explaining certain basic exercises and describing various alternatives. Forrest's was on the front wall where the passage to the other half of the room was and easily twice the size of the children's. Similar diagrams filled up most of the rest of the wall on either side of it.
Forrest walked through some easy exercises and stretches for Rai while Jerrek set up a barbell for his squats. Forrest spotted him while directing and assessing Rai. He'd done plenty of work as both a physical trainer and a physical therapist, and it showed.
Jerrek forsook showering again since he was going to go outside to "play" with Breloom. Forrest just knew he'd return covered in dirt and some blood (if he did it right).
Once Rai was finished the exercises, Forrest took him into the other side of the room, which was cleared, save four yoga mats. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors covered the side wall and four shower heads came out of the back wall. This explained the reason for the ventilation system in the ceiling as well as the rubber mat floor from wall to wall. There were two drains in the floor and some hooks on the wall that made up the stairs. Forrest offered Rai to shower off after, not really taking into account that there were no dividers or curtains.
But while Rai worked on his poses and stances, Forrest set himself up for 300 lbs dead lifts. Despite being 100 lbs less than usual, he still struggled through the spasms and cramps in his left bicep and right trapezius and obliques. He then joined Rai in yoga, though doing stretches and poses relavant to himself, and then went back to do barbell curls, shoulder presses, and sit-up variants. He ended with pull-ups and then showered off to rest for the day.
Forrest invited Rai onto the front porch to relax in the shade. He filled a cooler with ice and stuck several beers into it and making them stick up. That, with a box of cigars with a lighter and cutter, he headed for the porch.
To his delight, Jeanne was in a rocking chair with knitting needles between her fingers, working on a sweater for Rowan. Forrest stepped next to her and kissed the top of her head with a deep inhale. She paused briefly in acceptance but just continued on with her knitting. He went toward the other end of the porch and sat on the bench he'd made before Jerrek was born so there'd be enough room for the cooler and cigar box on the side table next to him. He cut a cigar and offered it to Rai before preparing one for himself. He then opened a beer, offered, and then opened one for himself. He puffed and sipped and sat in silence as Jeanne focused on her knitting in silence.
The slight breeze was constant and cool. The humidity was tolerable and the clouds skated across the sky, moving into constantly-changing shapes, ambiguous and natural. The faint yelps and screams of delight echoed around the house and against the trees. Otherwise, the silence of nature filled all their sense. It was a time of meditation and reflection. It was clear why someone would spend the time and resources to live out here. The Petildale Forest was tranquil yet wild, peaceful yet chaotic, as only nature could be.
"I'll take you into Petalburg tomorrow so you can get some new clothes," Forrest said without the courtesy of offering. "Looks like it's been a while since you've gone shopping for 'em. I'll stock you up with traveling gear so you're ready when your body's ready," he continued in a soft jest.
Jeanne gave an unapproving eye toward them, knowing full well what they were planning but submitting to the fact she held little authority over his stubbornness. However, she knew they both held a stubbornness the other couldn't tame. It certainly made for some interesting times, and still did.

Credit: @Utrax
Hartwin shook his head with a smile on his face as he found a spot to lay a blanket for him and his secretary to sit and begin to eat as Theo continued to exaggerate, rather humorously, his most recent encounter with something as unusual as a - gasp - trainer. He took his time to put together food for the woman and his Pokemon before setting himself up with food. All the while, he nodded and chuckled at Theo's sense of narration and humor.
"Ah, good," he said through a breathed laugh. He finished a bite of sandwich before continuing with Theo's previous question.
"It's generally up to the Pokemon whether they evolve or not. Should this Whismur choose," he said, looking down and attempting to graze a gentle hand upon its forhead, "it would evolve into a rather," he paused as he thought of a term that lacked the harshness of what he was actually describing, "hearty Loudred."
Squinting heavily at Hartwin, Theo mumbled, “What’s a Loudred?”
With the press of a button on a devise apparently attached to a button on his blazer brought up a hologram of an image of a rather brutish looking creature with hollows protruding from its body and a mouth gaping and consuming. The coloring was skewed due to the light produced from the devise, but it seemed to have a similar yet darker complexion. Anything cute and unassuming of its previous form was lost in this transformation.
Theo’s jaw dropped at the image and his eyes immediately went toward Harmony. Even Melody’s mouth was wide open as she stared at the hologram, then over at the Whismur. Silence passed for a beat. “Okay,” Theo said in a small voice. He cleared his throat as Melody wiggled around in his lap to look up at him. “Okay,” he told Melody, completely at a loss. Both Theo and the Jigglypuff’s expressions were mirrors filled with mild confusion and anxiety.
Hartwin took a sip of whiskey from a flask (without trying to be discrete) as he powered off the hologram. A glance sideways came from the woman across from him as she took a sip of water from a bottle. This made him remember he'd failed to properly introduce them.
By the time Hartwin looked back to Theo to begin introductions, he found a very disapproving expression upon Theo’s face. Why was it that every time he took a sip from his flask, Theo looked as if he were about to puke a little? Hartwin made no mention of the look.
"And this," he said as he swallowed a half mouth-full, "is Ms. Natalie McKapherty, my secretary for the last 10 years. This is little Theodore Selvaggio," he said with raised brows, playing on the jest from before, "my once-cello student who proved to be quite talented with music."
Without missing a beat, Theo looked over, waved a little, then sang, “Helloooo Natalie.” The woman blushed with a hushed giggle and looked away in some combination of shame and embarrassment.
It was as he spoke about this that he noticed Theo without any instruments around. Further inspecting the surrounding area, he noticed the Skarmory was not around, as well. "I'd ask you to play me something to prove you've kept up with your skill, but it seems you've given up the art," he said with playful accusation.
Theo looked around as well at that jest, confused, “Oh don’t tell me I left it on Nick’s back again.” Groaning, he looked over to Hartwin then sighed, “Perhaps when Nick decides to come back, I’ll be able to play something for you.”
"Shame. Would have been nice to be serenaded while we struggle through this disaster," Hartwin said, disappointment lilting in his voice. "Ah, no matter. It's good to see you doing well."
“Disas-- oh! Oh yes. That disaster-- did they catch anyone or… I’m sorry, I only skimmed a few articles,” Theo rubbed the back of his neck. He caught Natalie staring him down and shaking her head. A redness formed on his cheeks and Theo tried to hide it with a rub of his face. "W-well, if you have an instrument I could tune really quick, I would be delighted to play something for you," Theo stammered.
Hartwin smirked and shook his head. He wasn't here to talk business and Theo was the last one that needed to be worried about his work. Instead, he tapped a button on his jacket, the one below the button he'd tapped earlier for the hologram, and a menu of sorts was displayed before them. It rotated until it landed upon a violin. "Since I know it's your true talent," he started, "we'll go with this."
He tapped the air below the image of the violin. It glowed bright and then faded into nothing. A moment later and bright orbs danced upon the blanket before him. As the process began, Theo watched the violin materialize with his usual fascination. While he’d come from a wealthy family, Theo himself was less technologically up to date than the rest of well… everyone. A childlike grin spread across his face as soon as the violin, housed within it's black leather case, fully came into being.
"I haven't taken it out in a while. I hope it doesn't need new strings," Hartwin said as he lifted the case and extended it toward Theo.
Reaching out to take the case gingerly, Theo snickered, “A while, huh? Maybe you’re the one who’s given it all up.” As he placed the violin case in the grass with a smirk on his face, Theo couldn't keep the nagging feeling out of his mind that his jest was true. While he didn’t know what Hartwin was up to these days, it seemed to be more stressful than simply playing music-- there were a few more wrinkles and gray hairs than Theo remembered Hartwin to have.
“Sir--” Natalie spoke up finally, to get Theo’s attention.
“--Please just call me Theo, ah, sir is extremely formal,” replied Theo, his brows raised in surprise.
“Right… Theo, ah, what exactly is it you’re going to play?”
“Oh, just a short medley,” Theo replied with a smile, as he removed the instrument from it’s case, “Nothing that’ll put either of you off schedule, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Natalie blinked, caught off guard by Theo’s comment. Theo held the violin up and softly began to tune it, smirking at Natalie all the while. Coughing softly, Natalie shot back, “I’m not worried about that--” Hartwin's laughter suddenly forced her into a beat of silence.
“Wh-what?” Natalie asked.
To save Hartwin from having to reply, Theo began to play a cheerful tune. It took Melody a while to figure out what he was playing but she eventually joined in, to support Theo’s violin playing, with a counter melody.
Hartwin and Natalie sat in silence, watching Theo glide the bow across the strings, his fingers gliding across the strings and waving back and forth, his posture, upright and almost rigid, yet peaceful and light. It was natural, somehow fading into the sounds of the park around them. The trees and the breeze ebbed into the melodies and swung with the tune around them. It was as if nature stood still and praised Theo's talents and skills.
Natalie kept still after the tune, but Hartwin shortly applauded with a genuine smile.
"That was beautiful," Natalie said. "The Ode to Littleroot was something my mother would sing to me as a child."
It seemed tears began to form upon her eyes. "Thank you," she said with a nod and a shamed smile for being so emotionally moved by a short medley.
With a large smile on his face, Theo nodded at Natalie then told her, “Anytime. It’s one of my personal favorites as well.” Theo idly played notes as he asked Hartwin, “Did this meet your wildest expectations?”
“Your Whismur...” Natalie said softly, wiping a tear from her eye.
A nudging at Theo’s knee caught his attention as Natalie pointed it out. Theo looked down to see Harmony pushing him, pushing Melody, then pushing him again, in a pitiful display of sadness.
Theo pouted slightly, “Oh I’m sorry-- I didn’t want to disrupt your playtime with Delcatty.” Harmony let out a heavy sigh at that, then plopped down in the grass, becoming a tiny pink blob of depression.
“What a downer-- Harmony, you act as if that’s the last song I’m ever going to play,” Theo snickered.
A ringing pinged from Hartwin's person. The bottom button was tapped and a voice was projected from the button rather than an image. The voice was so clear, it sounded as if the individual on the other end was right there with them. This little device was clearly much more advanced than the widely produced Trainer Gauntlet of the region, suggesting that this was some kind of prototype or simply too expensive for wider consuption.
"Hartwin, we need you back in the office," the voice said, as if commanding with some kind of irritation due to Hartwin's constant "walking away" from his responsibilities.
"We're on our way, Max. What'd you find out?"
"There's some shrinkage we can't seem to account for."
"Okay..." Hartwin said. As with any business, shrinkage was a common occurrence and something for which to account toward expenses. It was redundant to say "unaccounted shrinkage" since shrinkage is considered "unaccounted loss of product." Maxwell, of all people, should have been able to understand that saying such wasn't nearly specific enough given the way in which voiced the concern.
"It's triple than normal. I need you to check all employee wages for any inconsistencies."
"I'm still working on the displacement reports."
"Yup," the voice said with some impatience. "And I'm working on the Hospital and Institute's inventories.
We're all overwhelmed. You just have to make it work."
"What's the deadline?"
"There isn't one. It's not a priority."
"I'll contact you when I find something."
Hartwin pressed the button on his blazer and rose from the blanket on the ground. "Well," he said with a heavy exhale. "Back to work for another 15 hours."
Natalie rose to help pack up the picnic without a word. She understood her duties to the company for which she worked as well as the lives of their employees. The Mauville Attack was a disaster unforeseen and for which was unprepared. The thought that this would not be the first attack on Hoenn was a fear that floated around in her mind. It was a thought from which she took determination when growing too tired to keep her eyes open or too unfocused to type properly. Max's message to Hartwin she'd just overheard only added to her anxiety that seemed to be unable to show in her face.
"Come back to the office. There's an employee room available if you're looking to stay here for a few days. I can't promise I'll have the time to visit with your properly any time soon, however." Hartwin's tone was stony, now. Warmth left his voice and was replaced with a clinical cold. It was the switch from lighthearted to professional he'd developed a time after he'd assumed the Accounting Department of the Fairfax Association.

----------

The room was small, an eight-by-six with a twin-sized bed and a bathroom barely large enough to have the toilet, sink, and standing-shower not on-top of each other. The desk next to the bed was made for a child and the dresser could only hold a few days of clothes. The walls were painted a pale yellow, warm and light, which provided some comfort in an, otherwise, claustrophobic space. The only technology in the room was a cylinder protruding out of the wall separating the bedroom from the bathroom. It was the personal version of the PokeStation and had direct access to the Fairfax warehouse to obtain goods. The prices for these items were much lower, too. It accounted for the fact that this was, indeed, an employee room and that they would receive a discount on all their goods.
Hartwin nor Natalie had the time to properly show him the room and help him settle. But, he wasn't necessarily a "guest" as Theo had spent so much time with the Fairfax Family that there wasn't much of a need for such formalities. They offered their services should Theo require anything, but there was a sense that such would be a severe inconvenience to either of them should Theo pursue their hospitality.

When the sun set upon Lavaridge, the town turned a golden rust unique to the small village. With campfires and tents lining the narrow paths and filling in the small parks, it reminded the locals of the annual Spring Festival that celebrated the legends of Kyogre and Groudon's forced cooperation over the land of Hoenn.
Kyogre's rains drenched the lands while Groudon evaporated it as it touched the ground. When Rayquaza descended from the Skies, the Hot Springs of current-day Lavaridge was what remained in the midst of Kyogre and Groudon's eternal feud. These Springs were then blessed by the Sky Deity and have held the healing properties of the earth and sky and sea since the creation of the world.
However, the mood wasn't nearly as excitable. Murmurs of the "terrorists" attacking them while they were displaced spread throughout Town. This put the Rangers on edge, both having to squelch any concerns as well as creating a sense of uncertainty in themselves. It was difficult for them to keep strong and stoic while their own sense of anxiety rose.
Rangers from all over the world were gathered in Hoenn at this time, creating its own turmoil. Those native to Hoenn felt superior to those of equal rank of those from foreign regions. Despite having the same Divisions and Ranks, their uniforms were quite different depending from where they came. Rangers weren't unused to working internationally, but they instilled in themselves a sense of superiority through a heightened sense of obligation toward their native Region. Of course, such things were never discussed openly.