(ACE) The HEARTHOME Team

Oh, ho ho! This is just precious!
Slinking out of the shadows, a pair of shining eyes and flashing teeth in a wide grin gave away the Zorua's position. Copper green eyes narrowed as he watched a small Growlithe walk by, through the street.
First they get their asses handed to them, then they turn on each other midst a fight! Only to have the so called leader abandon them, and, ho ho! The Arcanine stays behind to get his pelt ripped off!
Having seen the entire show, Finch could not silence the giggling escaping his pointed muzzle.
And here I thought the show was going to end! But with that threat the Swampert gave fluffy boy, tee hee! The fun part is only beginning!
Cloaking himself, Finch slunk out of the darkness, his pelt coloured violet and spotted. Taking the form of a small Purrlon, he added in a wound on a hind leg as an after thought.
Gotta play the heart strings of the so called heroes, he snickered quietly to himself, watching as the leg bent at an unnatural angle and looking broken.
Limping slowly through the city, he heard the introduction of the Growlithe, Mikey boy, and the Dragonite quietly asking if anyone was left behind.
Hiding his true smirk, the illusion held a distraught, pained expression of hopelessness as he panted loudly. "P- please.. i-s there shelter from th-that thing? I-it might come back," Finch stammered, out of breathe as he approached the door.

The silence that followed his outburst was ... terrifying. Rocket was aware of the judgmental eyes glaring at him from around the room, but the Garchomp couldn't meet any of them. He stared at the floor, sucking in deep breaths to try and calm his hammering heart.

If there was anything left of his pride after his defeat, it was in pieces now.

"So thats how you really feel, huh. That we failed on purpose." Phantom was the first to speak after a painfully long silence. The pup's voice was quiet but teemed with offense, with hurt. Rocket wanted to cover his ears. "That we didnt even try? You have it completely wrong."

Rocket clamped his teeth down onto his lip. All he wanted to do was to open his mouth and let all the right words just fall out and make everything better. Reverse everything that had just happened. He couldn't meet Phantom's eye as he scowled at a rickety painting hung on the opposite wall.

"I..." Rocket's voice was a stricken croak as he fought not to let out any more tears. "I didn't say that."

"You helped Artemis and the Eevee..." Puzzled, Rocket raised his head and saw that Phantom was now speaking to the beaten Arcanine. He found his claw beginning to rake at the wooden cabinet below it. He quickly stopped when the Growlithe turned back to him. "And really got beat for trying to help some strangers."

"Could'a ran but didn't," Artemis added snidely.

For once, Rocket didn't have the strength nor willpower to be angry. He was ... hurt. Hurt and ashamed beyond words. He wished that he could just drop into a dark hole and stay there, away from their hateful eyes. Who knew what they all thought of him. A pathetic, weak coward who abandons his friends without a moment's notice.

They couldn't be more wrong.

Yet why had he suddenly become someone he hated?

"I'm sorry. I-I'm sorry I d-didn't do anything..." Hot shame swept through Rocket's body. He blinked, and before he could stop it a new tear slid out of his eye and down his bruised cheek. He didn't care who noticed.

Two newcomers had shown up; another Growlithe and a Purrloin. Rocket paid no attention to either of them, instead hoisting himself into a somewhat unsteady standing position. He had to set this right, and he had to do it quickly.

"I'm sorry," he wheezed, then cleared his throat and said again, a little louder, "I'm sorry. I..." He stared at the floor again, afraid of eye contact. "I didn't mean any of that."

Phantom's chest was tight with each word he spoke. The anger that accompanied failure was no stranger to him but the blame that was cycling around was hard to swallow. I am no better. Throwing judgement at Rocket and praise at Halloween.. burnt orange eyes shift between both massive Pokemon. The blood, wounds, and pain was clear on both of their bodies. Its not like either of them escaped unscathed.. They both fought hard, and paid hard. Shame clouds his gaze and he must look away from them. Its not like I did much.. He winces, pain from the wound running down his side flaring up again. We should be greatful for having them both.. not bitter about it..

"I'm sorry. I-I'm sorry I d-didn't do anything..." Artemis' blood pounds through her veins. Nervous and rather loud snickering wheezes out of her muzzle. You didnt do anything? HAH, kid did you even see me! Were the others thinking the same? Were they watching her, annoyed by her? The Vaporeons thick tail smacks against the ground. They must think Im fucking worthless. Sharp teeth grind against one another. Giving each face an anxious glance as she searches for judgement. Fuck. She might of deemed everyone here trash that didnt deserve her time but she didnt deserve their hatred for something that was out of her control. You dont know me. None of you know me. She bites down harder until her jaw is aching. "I'm sorry," The Garchomp murmurs. He was sorry?!

"I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean any of that." The snickering turns to full blown laughter near hysterical in nature. "Listen to him guys, he's sorry for being a panty waste! Hahaha!" God wasnt that precious. The Vaporeon hops to her paws, pointing one at the Dragon on the other side of the room. "He's sorry for speaking the truth that we are all just a bunch of fuckups!" The laughter continues, pointed fangs gleaming in the low light. "Artemis stop it." Phantom growls with all seriousness, lips drawn back to reveal his own thick teeth, but she isn't intimidated. Seemingly recovered from her ordeal the Water Type slinks around to the other side of the pup. "No you stop it. You know everything he just said is true. Seriously. We all just got our fucking asses handed by a single Pokemon." Her eyes lose the hysteric glow, growing cold and dark. "And if thats how it is then fuck all of you." One heartbeat passes before she moves, dashing out through the door on her own paws.

"Artemis where are you going!" The Growlithe barks. Did, did she really just run out on them? His breath quickens, becoming distraught as his friend doesnt reappear. Shes too proud to come back. Shes.. shes hiding something. Fear, shame, remorse..? Or.. I dont even know.. He looks back to the others, completely lost at what to do now. "I.. she didnt mean that." Yes she did, that much was obvious. "I... assume that everyone from this group made it out of that?" Phantom gives a quick sweep of the room, looked like it but his mind is swirling too fast to even count properly. "Hi," A new voice pops out of no where. Surprised, spooked, and turning on the spot the pup is faced with a double. "Um, I saw that battle out there. Is there, um, any way I can help?" Another Growlithe, another Pokemon, someone coming when his mind is still latched to the one leaving.

"P- please.. i-s there shelter from th-that thing? I-it might come back," Another newcomer? This one seemed injured, eyes wide, pained, a labored step. "Hey, hi uh, sorry, excuse me-" He speaks to the new Growlithe that he didnt catch the name of. His paws wont stand still, a surge of panicked energy flooding is exhausted muscles. Heart aching with regret the pup gives both Rocket, Halloween, then Rocket again a sorrowful glance. "Im.. Im sorry I," He pads backwards, closer to the door with each step, "I have to go after her." He speaks with hurried words, breathless already, and dashes out after his companion.

You had stayed quiet throughout all of that -- the Garchomp (Did Phantom said his name was Rocket just then?) yelling, shouting at each individual in the room; the Arcanine's entrance; the Dragonite's entrance. You keep your beak firmly closed, as if some apparition had come up to you, willing you to stay quiet. What kind of ghost would tell you to shut up, anyway? That same spirit seemed to have washed over the entire room now; Rocket had relented in his verbal attack, and a moment of shocked silence hung over the room.

It was just a little more than suffocating for you. Almost worse than the nights spent watching your front yard, wishing a maturing man's figure would appear from the roadside.

You couldn't find words to comfort Connor, although some part of you feels... a obligation to be better than you are, you suppose. To him, I'm Bee. Bee the Fletchinder who helped him out. Yeah. That's it. That's who I am. The Eevee spoke up to the Arcanine, and you regarded the large animal with a meek nod. To him, you must be a pipsqueak -- you hoped to find some time to thank him, when the situation was not so stiff.

"I... I didn't say that." A grimace met your face as Rocket reentered your focus. How's karma feeling for you, buddy? You shook your head. Yeah, right. It was going to take a lot more than a few words for you to see him in a better light, if at all.

"Or just Mike... if you want to say that." That was when another Growlithe entered the building, and you felt a small laugh escape you from his antics. Jeez, at least I'm not the only one bad at introductions.

You figured now was a good time to announce yourself, so with that, "Just call me Bee-" but goddamn, your one time to properly introduce yourself was dashed; some poor Purrloin had limped its way into their temporary break room. You ruffled your feathers irritably, though you look at the wounded cat in concern. "Hey, just rest easy, alright? Unlike others, we can try to help you out in any way we can." You took one last glare at Rocket, but raised a wing in treaty towards the Purrloin.

"I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean any of that."
"Listen to him guys, he's sorry for being a panty waste! Hahaha. He's sorry for speaking the truth that we are all just a bunch of fuckups!"

And well. Damn. You watched with wide eyes as the Vaporeon accused everyone of being weak -- you hated that, in some part, it was true. "But you don't have to be so stupid when you shout these things!" You remain indignant even when Artemis ran out on everyone, Phantom not so far behind. If they didn't want to hang around, then you wouldn't blame them. You hate people who cop out on you, anyway.

You scoffed, your talons kneading the stuffing of the chair's broken armrest. There you were, in a group of scaredy cats, idiot Garchomps, and injured Pokemon. Brilliant. Great. Now you were tired of hanging around in this dilapidated building, if the only thing that was being done was arguing. "Hey, Arcanine- uh," You remembered you were talking to a Pokemon nearly a hundred times larger than you were. "I lived around here, but I think going south would be our best decision... what do you think?" You certainly didn't want to hear Rocket's opinion, but having some input would help a lot. You just honestly wanted to get out -- no one was in any good form to be taking on that Swampert again.

"E-Excuse me, sir?" Green eyes turn in surprise, the emotion flickering somehow between the throbbing pain. Sir? "But, um, did you fight that-that beast by yourself?" The Eevee's question caused him to flinch, the Arcanine gritting his teeth. "...No. Everyone fought. I just pulled a stupid stunt, though I did buy you guys time to retreat without being chased. But no, I did not fight him by myself," Halloween muttered under his breath. It was not his intention to come off like that. He knew the way battles worked, how wars were fought. They needed help getting out safely. That was all that he did. But Rocket did not see it that way.

Through the outburst, Halloween's eyes narrowed but he remained quiet only until he was accused of being a lair. "I did not know they were there. I scented others but I didn't fucking know they'd try to blow us up and shred our pelts," he growled. But the Eevee shook from fear beside him. "I'm sorry. I-I'm sorry I d-didn't do anything..." Immediately Halloween turned to him, eyes soft. How he reminded the Arcanine of his baby sister. "Hey. Kid. It's alright, you did your best."

It took until then for the Garchomp to realise his mistake and backtrack, slumping against the wall as he quietly said, "I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean any of that." Halloween regarded him for a second before looking away. His actions were cowardice, but there was nothing they could do. Nothing ay of them could have done. "Buddy, we all lost. It's-" The hysterical laughter interrupted him, green eyes snapping around to regard the Vaporeon. "Listen to him guys, he's sorry for being a panty waste! Hahaha!" The Arcanine narrowed his eyes, pulling his lips back to show teeth."He's sorry for speaking the truth that we are all just a bunch of fuckups!"
"Knock it off. You don't even know what the fuck you're talking about." Her companion shared his thoughts, snapping at her, "Artemis stop it."
But Artemis turned colder, her net words vicious before turning and running out of the door. "Artemis where are you going!" Phantom called even as she vanished. Halloween held the snarl on his face for a few seconds. "Dumb child."

The Dragonite spoke for the first time then, his voice quiet but turning the tension away from the outbursts. "I... assume that everyone from this group made it out of that?" he asked softly, hesitantly. Halloween sighed. He doubted Rocket was in the condition to really step up. "I only showed up right before the ambush. I was passing through, but from what I saw it seemed the only body count was on their side." His exhaustion showed in the dull tone of his voice, Halloween's green eyes half closed as he shook his mane to keep himself awake. The throbbing in his wounds distracted him that he did not catch Phantom sneaking out, instead he heard a different Growlithe."Hi, Um, I saw that battle out there. Is there, um, any way I can help?" Halloween stared at him, uncomprehending, even as a limping Purrloin showed up. Fear was in his eyes as he stammered, "P- please.. i-s there shelter from th-that thing? I-it might come back,"

Halloween let out another sigh, shaking his head. "Purrloin, you might as well lay down and rest while we're here. Growlithe, I don't know what much could be done, but the extra set of paws always helps. Name's Halloween; you came at a bad time," he added with a dry laugh. Bee stepped forward then, getting his attention. "Hey, Arcanine- uh, I lived around here, but I think going south would be our best decision... what do you think?"
The legendary Pokemon blinked, considering. "...If you know the area, you'll definitely need to help us ditch this fucked up city. But if you know of any place with food of medical supplies, you and Micheal would end up helping the rest of us. I.. can't really walk yet," he added, cringing as he repositioned himself on the floor. "Once we get together a bit, heading south sounds fucking great to me. Anywhere but that God forsaken city."

Connor waited for the others to be upset, to yell at him for being weak and useless.

"Hey. Kid. It's alright, you did your best."

Connor looked up at the Arcanine with wide eyes. Though he again could not bring himself to speak, Connor felt...trust towards this canine. It wasn't a very strong trust, not after so little time, but Connor knew the Fire-type was not like the Garchomp. He didn't seem so mad, and didn't yell at everyone. That had to be a good thing.

"I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean any of that."

Suddenly, Artemis started laughing-crazy laughter that made Connor want to curl up and never look at the Vaporeon again. Why couldn't things just be quiet and normal? Connor was tired of being scared of crazy Pokemon, yet they seemed to always be around.

"He's sorry for speaking the truth that we are all just a bunch of fuckups!"

The words are cruel, uncalled for, striking a cord with Connor's already prominent doubts. If someone else said that, then that meant it had to be true, right? He did mess up. He had let everyone else down, let his sister down by failing at everything she'd ever taught him. There are more words, Bee and the Arcanine protesting against what Artemis said, voices he doesn't recognize. Connor doesn't care and doesn't bother to listen. All he wanted to do was pretend none of this had ever happened.


Michael's spirits fall as he is mostly ignored, albeit in favor of far more important matters. He is not welcome. Surely the best idea is turning around, leaving these Pokemon to their own devices. They hate him for intruding like the bastard he is. The only thing that keeps him from running out the door is a red bird of a species he does not recognize. If even one acknowledges him, surely he is not entirely unwelcome? There was always the problem of the others, but maybe Michael can convince them he can be of use. Oh, my sweet Mike, that would imply you have any use. How delightfully naïve. With a wince, Michael tries to shrug off the voice's words. They so easily rip into his mind.

Michael realizes he's lost in his thoughts once again, and comes back to the conversation only to find the one called Bee is speaking to another. An injured Purrloin...looking at its wounded leg, Michael feels a strange twisting in his gut. He wants to find the one that inflicted the injury, wants to break them, burn them, watch them suffer the pain they inflicted upon others. For a moment he feels elation at the thought, before Michaels drags himself back to reality with the fear of where his mind has taken him. Too far, Mike...too far.

Luckily, Michael manages to catch the name of the Arcanine-Halloween. He appears to be just as powerful as his own mother, but Michael does not feel much discomfort at the thought. They're not the same person, not even the same gender. I think it's about time you stopped fearing your dead mom, Mikey. Yes, he knew that, but the lingering fear, the panic that turns to bile in his throat...all that was much too real. And thankfully it wasn't happening now.

"...If you know the area, you'll definitely need to help us ditch this fucked up city. But if you know of any place with food of medical supplies, you and Micheal would end up helping the rest of us. I.. can't really walk yet. Once we get together a bit, heading south sounds fucking great to me. Anywhere but that God forsaken city."

Michael looks and feels slightly more confident now, though he feels unease at the thought. It was usually when he felt good that things began to turn into hell. He would never be free of that lingering, whispering voice after all.

"I don't know much about the places around here, honestly, but I'll do my part to help out," he says.

And?

"...If you want me to stick around, of course."


(OoC: I FORGOT TO INCLUDE PHANTOM AND ARTEMIS LEAVING IN THIS
I FEEL STUPID OKAY)

Drago understood pride. He had met proud types back at Cinnabar, and from his first exchange with the Dragon, it was obvious that he was incredibly proud. So for the Dragon to force himself to his feet and choke out an apology... It had to be killing him.


Bowing his head slightly, Drago respected him for the attempt. He had experience dealing with difficult personalities, and hadn't held the Dragon's harsh words against him. The fact that he was working so hard to apologize, however, showed incredible strength of will that Drago could admire. He was about to say something to that effect, when the water-dog spoke up first.


"Listen to him guys, he's sorry for being a panty waste! Hahaha!"


"Hey!" Drago snarled before he could catch himself. He could understand why she had not even attempted to fight earlier on, not everyone was built as a warrior, but for her to have the gall to insult him now? Listening to yet another fanatic rant cause Drago's fists to tighten. They had failed, but they hadn't been completely useless. They had survived. They got away. The tension in his muscles relaxed when the water-dog (Artemis... The red-dog had been yelling her name) ran off. Good riddance.

Eyes turning back to the Dragon, he wasn't sure what to say to that. He asked his question, in an attempt to dispell at least some of the tension. The large dog was the first to answer.


"I only showed up right before the ambush. I was passing through, but from what I saw it seemed the only body count was on their side."

Drago sighed in relief. At least there was some good news out of this mess. Still, looking around the room, he noted how many of them had showed up around the same time he had. What was the original group?

The dog introduced himself as Halloween. If Drago was going to stick with this group a while, he may as well get the names out of the way.

"My name's Drago." He interjected, listening carefully to the conversation. "I can scout around from the air if we need it, I suppose."

"Listen to him guys," Artemis suddenly shrieked with laughter. "He's sorry for being a panty waste! Hahaha!"

Rocket bit his tongue, fighting back the urge to argue back; to put that little bitch in her place. Yes, what he had done was wrong, but there was no need to speak about him like that, especially after he had done the only thing he could do to put it right, and that was to apologise.

"He's sorry for speaking the truth that we are all just a bunch of fuckups!"

"Hey!"
"Artemis stop it."
"Knock it off. You don't even know what the fuck you're talking about."

Rocket watched the three Pokemon from his spot by the wall. Were they sticking up for him, or for themselves? He didn't know that, but what he was certain of was that Artemis needed to shut her mouth, and she needed to do it quickly. He had fucked up - why should the others take the brunt of that?

But, of course, the bitch carried on. "No you stop it. You know everything he just said is true. Seriously. We all just got our fucking asses handed by a single Pokemon. And if that's how it is then fuck all of you." The next thing he knew, her fish-like tail had disappeared out the door, Phantom stuttering out an apology before running after.

Fuck you too, useless bitch, Rocket thought, watching them go with a scowl and glad that, for once, he had managed to keep his thoughts in his head where they belonged. He slumped back against the bookcase, tentatively holding a claw up to his bruised cheek. He hissed as a swollen cut near to his eye started to sting.

"Hey, Arcanine- uh," the Fletchinder, Bee, started after a moment of silence. "I lived around here, but I think going south would be our best decision... what do you think?"

The Garchomp let his mind wander as they spoke. His amber eyes watched Bee as she conversed with the injured hound. It seemed to him that she was deliberately avoiding his gaze, purposely addressing the Arcanine instead of him. He couldn't blame her - if he'd just seen someone else abandon his allies in a battle and then rant at everyone else, he wouldn't want anything to do with that spineless coward either.

But Rocket knew that he was no such thing. He had never run from a battle in all the years he had been on his own. Now that his mind was clearer, he could see why he had fled in the first place: he had lost; for the first time in his life, he had found an opponent that he couldn't defeat. What was more, he had an audience to witness that.

Pride was something that the Garchomp had no choice but to hold since the epidemic began. Being proud and grateful for his strength had kept him alive.

He watched the Dragonite as he introduced himself, running his tongue along his gums to check that all of his teeth were still there.

"Rocket!" The Garchomp pushed himself upright with more force than he intended to, and had to grab hold of the couch to keep himself from falling over. Francesca was running towards the door, calling his name.

Rocket didn't even have the willpower to be angry at her. Even though she had wandered off right when they had needed her, he had a lot more to atone for than she did. For now, he was simply grateful that she had come back.

She was his friend. She would be on his side.

"Fran." Rocket spoke uncharacteristically softly as he limped towards her, passing the others and reaching the door just as she crossed the threshold. "Are you all right? Where have you been?"

At least he had not been cursed with morons. "I don't know much about the places around here, honestly, but I'll do my part to help out," Mike states honestly, earning a nod of approval from Halloween. "That's all we can really ask for at this point, kid."
Though the Growlithe seemed to falter, his expression changing as he added softly, "...If you want me to stick around, of course." And earning a sort of indignation from the beat up canine. "I don't know about anyone else, but I'd sure as fuck like another pair of willing paws."

The Dragonite finally was able to introduce himself as Drago, an unoriginal name if you asked Halloween. But the dual type's expression was intense, listening closely to what the others were saying. "I can scout around from the air if we need it, I suppose," he added, but not with much enthusiasm. Halloween wished he could just share his lack of wanting to do shit, but he figured that if anyone would help them regroup, it wasn't Rocket.
"...Alright. Some of us are pretty jacked up." The Arcanine paused to give a dissatisfied glance at his own burned and beaten body. "We have shelter, at least for now. Food would be my next concern." His green eyes flickered past Drago, taking in the falling sun.

"I vote to rest tonight, but have those capable scrounge up something to eat. There has to be berry bushes if nothing else. Are you up for it?" He added, looking to Micheal then Connor. "I can go with you. Drago and Bee would probably be better suited for keeping this place protected while we are out. Watching from the air at least-"
However he was interrupted by a shout. "Rocket!"
What the hell?

"Fran." Apparently they knew each other.
The Garchomp, whom had ignored their entire talk, stormed past them to reach a Krookodile that had approached the door. Halloween grunted softly. "I take you know her? Is she willing to help us get some supplies before dusk?"

He really did not want to deal with another new face. For fuck's sake.

After a rest that included an unknown amount of days, Xerneas awoke to another call, this one very nearby. Elegantly gliding out of his throne of trees just outside of the strange field he'd just visited, he stepped into a ruined city, onto cobblestone and concrete. He started down in disdain as his pointed hooves met not soft, rich earth or sand or water, but an unforgiving amalgamation that littered the land before him. Glaring at the stubborn structures that scarred his world, he reluctantly followed the call further and further in. Blood and bodies that should have already been swallowed back into the Earth were still lying about, cut off and lingering in his domain. It was an insult to see such a horrendous sight, to see the eternal cycle cut off so easily by humans who weren't even there. But despite himself, he continued on, following the call.

He soon found himself before one of the largest structures he had ever set eyes upon. It was not impressive or daunting, even as its arches loomed over his grand rack of antlers. It was pathetic. Pitiful. Xerneas could tell this place was once very favored, by the bright dyes and colors that adorned the structure that wasn't missing or bloodstained. But now, in humanity's absence, it was nothing but a waste of effort. Of supplies, of his very land. It was a simpleton's joke.

Disgusting.

His hooves clacked against the floor within, the orange light from outside filtering in enough to guide him through the maze of debris. Still, the soothing blue of his antlers and body markings allowed more light. The stench of decay, along with the urgency of the call kept him moving further and further in, causing some irritation in the old legend. Rock and gravel disrupted his stride, caused his feet to falter. It would have been embarrassing if he were capable of such a lesser emotion. Still, he ventured onward until he came across the sad corpse of another cream vulpine. It seemed this particular species was common in this land.

Standing over the corpse, his antlers once again shone in their brilliant hues, illuminating the entire room in nothing but rainbow. His eyes closed as he allowed more of his power thrum and pulsate, radiating outward into the body beneath him, but something was amiss. His powerful frame sheltered the body as Xerneas slowly turned his attention from the creature's resurrection to the horrid, confining structure that muffled his power. It stifled him. Muted him. And he would not allow such an insult to continue.

Giving an aggressive snort, he shifted his weight before unleashing a powerful Gravity, bringing the entire structure down in a single moment, crushed beneath the psychic attack. There had been no real sound; only a strange, vacuous, percussive hit managed to escape the building as its death rattle. A protective sphere surrounded Xerneas and his patient, keeping them safe from the demolition. The Life Bringer closed his eyes as the sky above them welcomed him back, the wind caressed him and his augur. His power flowed correctly once more, and he was able to continue properly.

Once the rite was completed, he strode easily away, back to the forest. Though he was not one to boast of his work, he felt a swelling of pride to know that while the pokemon had died disconnected from the world, entombed by humanity's hubris, he would awaken greeted by the infinite sky and the soft kiss of the wind. It may have only been one death reversed, but it felt like a victory.

"That's all we can really ask for at this point, kid."

Michael flinches, then hangs his head, face burning with embarrassment. His unevolved form seems so insignificant in comparison to the Arcanine and the two dragons. He'd chosen to stay like this, but that was only because, because-he had never wanted...did they really see him as a child?
Suddenly, his shame retreats, replaced by something that presses down against his skull, tightening in his chest. His eyes move from Halloween to Drago, and he wonders which will speak first. He hears a tiny voice goading him in his head; it speaks of things Michael cannot imagine himself doing.

"...ave those capable scrounge up something to eat. There has to be berry bushes if nothing else. Are you up for it?"

"Yeah. I'm good to go," Michael responds with little enthusiasm, ignoring whatever parts of the conversation he has missed. Scavenging, it was nothing new to him, just the same tedious thing he'd been doing for years.

"Um, I'll go w-with you too," says a timid-looking Eevee, one Michael has almost forgotten about. The tiny thing is quiet, and looks rather...unwell. Was it sick? The last thing he wants is to be around someone with an illness, especially if they were going to be around the rest of the group's food.

"I can go with you. Drago and Bee would probably be better suited for keeping this place protected while we are out. Watching from the air at least-"

Halloween is interrupted by the arrival of a new Pokemon, one named "Fran." Michael takes note of how the newcomer and Rocket know each other-perhaps there had been a different group before, probably split up if it had even existed. He watches the two, a hollow feeling residing in his chest. Fran's arrival brings nothing but disinterest to him, and so Michael turns his attention away from her. He has other things to worry about.

(OoC: skipping Connor this post, except for that dialogue.)

Drago nodded his head at Halloween's concern for food. Anything that would help the remaining group members heal up would greatly improve their chances of surviving out here. Following the hound's eyes, he turned his head outside. The sun was setting- God, how late was it already? They would have to get moving if they wanted any hope of returning before nightfall.

Halloween's plan seemed sound enough, but looking at the dog's injuries, Drago had to voice his concerns. "Are you sure you're alright to go? Those injuries look bad enough to make a Legend cry." If the large dog ended up downed collecting food, the small little pups- try as they might, wouldn't likely be able to bring him back.

Drago's thoughts were interrupted by another voice, however. A female voice, raised near to the point of yelling. Rocket? He thought, brow furrled. What does she mea- oh. Judging by the blue Dragon's reaction, it was probably his name. Drago chose to be silent while Rocket questioned the newcomer, Fran. Someone he had known before, probably one of an older group. Maybe someone he had thought dead, based on how he was acting. For now, Drago was just glad to have another larger force on their side. He was find keeping the kids around for their safety, but if it came to another fight later on, they would need all the help they could get.

"I'm fine. I think I should be asking that question to you," Francesca replied, casting her gaze over his beaten body anxiously. Before he could think of anything to say, she continued, "I ended up trying to look for the Chimecho, got worried after she vanished so suddenly. Got lost. Fucking stupid of me, I know, sorry."

Rocket found himself wanting to hug her, to weep into her shoulder. He quickly halted his arms as they rose to grab her, and shook his head. "Don't be sorry, I..." He trailed off, swallowing the hard lump forming in his throat. "I'm just happy to see you," he admitted, his voice a strained croak as he tried not to burst into tears.

"I take you know her? Is she willing to help us get some supplies before dusk?" Halloween grunted from the other side of the room.
"Yes, of course. I was around the outskirts just a few moments ago and did spot a couple berry bushes, which I am more than willing to find again for the group." Rocket backed himself back into the wall as they conversed, quite happy to be as inconspicuous as possible for the time being. Perhaps it was just his nerves, but he could've sworn that the ground shivered under his feet for just a brief moment. What was that...?

"Plus there is a Poffin house and a contest hall in this city. Bound to be something to scavenge in 'em."
"We -- we went there," Rocket found himself saying, holding his claw up to his swollen eye again. "The Poffin House, I mean. It ... didn't go too well." He sighed, figuring that she was back for at least enough time for her to have a right to know the danger they were in. "There's another group of survivors here. They attacked us. We were doing well at first," he gestured downwards at his newly evolved body, "but then their leader came along and ... he was something else. We didn't stand a chance." He clamped his jaw together, praying that no one would mention his mistake.

"I wouldn't be surprised if they were still after us," he said, pushing himself upright and looking towards the door. "They seemed pretty pissed off about us being here. I reckon we ought to rest here for a bit and then see how we can get out of the city." His amber eyes reignited with a light they hadn't had since before the fight. Maybe it was because Fran was there, and the fact that he actually now had a friend here that was rekindling his courage. Either that, or he wasn't sure if he could face that Swampert again if he turned up and wanted to leave before that happened. "We should try and be out before it starts going dark."

(yep. skip me.)

((Skip please, nothing else has really happened to effect Drago directly since my last post :3))

The legend jerked herself awake, hand flying to the side of her head. She was... she had... What just... I... was that all... She had been tired, so very tired since her leaving of the SS Anne, what felt like an eternity ago. The psychic rose, her small body lifting slowly into the air. A tree. She had found herself in... a tree. As the memories came back, her face flushed warm with embarrassment. Did I... fall out of the sky? I knew I was tired, but... The legend glanced around, before speeding westward again.


The legend flew over the city, circling it from above... trying to take in stock of the situation. The largest building in the town had crumpled, and recently at that judging from the dry patches on it's interior, untouched by the recent downpour. Something... terrible had happened, or was still happening, here in this city. As the legend descended, drawing closer, a light flashed before her, a burst of brilliant green that left traces of darkness in her vision. Raucous laughter echoed from below as the legend flinched back, followed by another sizzling verdant sphere. Silence then, a moment of apparent concentration, before the sky around her was ablaze from the barrage of Hidden Power, viridian traces blinding the psychic as she struggled to dodge. And then... an explosion. One, two, three and four passed in the blink of an eye as the legend was buffeted backwards by the stinging blows. She dove, half flying, half tumbling as she sought to escape the artillery of grass type attacks. A building rose before her, looming out of the fog of her half blinded eyes as she sped through the city. Arms rose, a barrier was half formed, and the legend cannoned herself through the window, bouncing loudly off the far wall of the room. The cat sunk to the floor, dazed, half-registering the group she had just (literally) blasted into the center of.

Almost instantly after he had finished speaking, the window suddenly exploded. Rocket cursed loudly as something small and pink crashed straight through it, hitting the opposite wall and then finally landing on the floor with a bump. It was a very weird ... cat-like thing, with a long tail and small ears. Rocket had never seen anything like it.

Whatever it was, it had scared the fuck out of him. Rocket's heart hammered in his ribcage as he took a deep breath to calm the shock. The little Pokemon looked up at them dizzily, only half-conscious.

"What the fuck was that?!" he raged, not appreciating the fact that this little pink thing had made him literally shriek in terror. Hopefully no one else had noticed. "You trying to give me a heart attack? What the fuck are you doing?!"

Halloween was grateful for the concern from the shiny Dragonite, but he promptly shrugged them off. "Been through worse. I'll get a good rest when I'm dead, but for now, we need to get shit together and working before nighttime." It was no secret that the undead were everywhere, but the dark cover of dusk was when the smarter ones would plan ambushes and traps. The Arcanine's green eyes narrowed, emerald and bowenite orbs darkening. The fortunate part was that the Krookodile was much more compliant and friendly than her species had the rep for not being. She showed no issue with team work and Halloween would have appreciated that more had Rocket not stepped up and started chatting it up. The injured canine's tail twitched, but he bit down a harsh retort. I would like to get moving today, he silently urged them to finish their reunion another time. His gaze flickered to the children, or at least the not fully evolved members of the group. Connor, Micheal, and Bee.

The Fletchinder had flown down from her perch on the chair. Her eyes flickered from Halloween to Connor, and the tiny fire bird found herself gravitating towards the former. Hopping next to Connor, Beatrice opened her wings briefly, announcing her presence to the skiddish fox. "We'll only be gone a few minutes. Drago and I will make sure no uglies sneak up on you, okay?" she added with a confident toss of her head. She truly did not feel that up to snuff, but the way Connor had looked at her was burned into her mind. The Fletchinder would not show her fear while there was someone looking up to her!! As she turned to flicker her eyes up at the Dragonite, she felt intimidated. Such a high strength Pokemon, and she was expected to keep up with him as guard? The prospect was daunting, a vice on her little chest, but Bee puffed out her body and stood tall as she hopped over to Drago. "Ready when you are, sir!" she chirped to the dragon. Her chipper attitude was a facade, but for the time she did not entirely mind it.

The Arcanine pulled himself to a sitting position, his expression much less hostile as he looked to Connor and Mike. "Alright, you guy ready? We'll have to be quick, but with Bee and Drago watching--" He was interrupted by the sound of a crash. The Legendary Pokemon tensed, his instincts on fire as the creature shot through the window, nothing short of a small pink rocket. Halloween reacted instantly, his hind legs kicking up to push his body off the wall, his thoughts screaming of Bee and Connor. He had protected both of them in the fight, he would not stop just because he was injured. Using his body as a living shield, the Arcanine landed directly in front of the three, but his legs were still in bad shape. With a sharp bark of pain, he could not support the momentum of his own body and he slammed into the ground in front of the Eevee, Fletchinder, and Growlithe. As it was, he still provided a cover for them, but he was completely exposed and had the intruder actually proved hostile, he would have been gutted without any energy to retaliate.

As Rocket gave a scream and immediately turned defensive, angerly yelling, Bee jumped back out of shock. The window broke upon impact and not a second later, Halloween had dove in front of her and the two boys. "Arcanine-- I mean, Halloween?! Are you okay?" she squawked, the worry evident in her voice as she stepped forward to examine his state. But the Arcanine grunted in response, slowly turning to pull himself to his stomach with a grimace of pain across his face. "Am fine," he panted. "You all okay?" Bee only nodded in response, her mind stunned by the actions of this guy. He had saved her, saved Connor, taken on the Swampert, started planning the night, then, on top of EVERYTHING, he literally threw himself in front of them as protection. While her views of Rocket had not dropped even further, she felt her respect growing for the gruff canine.

"The... fuck are you?" Halloween growled, pulling himself to his legs as he stared at the Pokemon that had intruded with a bang. His massive legs shook, barely able to hold his body up, one of them refusing to even touch the ground, but he did not falter. The pain grew, sticking it's nasty fingers deeper and deeper into his muscles, but the children needed to be protected. The threat of losing consciousness swam behind his eyes, but he did not show it, the stubborn fool staring down the pink cat.

[ ooc: Changed Bee's text colour since it was really difficult to tell apart from Hallow, hope no one minds. Also sorry for late response, I was waiting for the dual to be approved so I could make Bee more interactive again ^^; ]

Connor followed the conversation between the dragon Rocket and his friend, but he didn't understand everything they said. Chimecho? What was a "contest hall" anyways? He tried to recall if Penelope ever mentioned contests before, but that den was empty. His poor heart was sent into an anxious flutter when the crocodile suggested going into the city: didn't she know how dangerous it was there? That water beast had tried to kill them! Rocket may have been a huge, scary dragon but his idea to simply leave the city agreed with Connor a lot more.

Connor's ears perked up a little bit as Bee flew down next to him, taking his mind off the Pokemon that had attacked them. Her presence was way more reassuring than that of the dragons, or Fran, or that one new Growlithe. It was like being around Penelope again...well, almost.
"We'll only be gone a few minutes. Drago and I will make sure no uglies sneak up on you, okay?" Her easy confidence only made Connor think more of his sister, wherever she was, and that made him uncertain of how to feel. Eevees can't turn into birds, can they? For a moment, Connor dwelled on the horrifying revelation, before realizing Penelope would have definitely told him it was her. His sister didn't keep secrets like that.
"Um, t-thanks!" he says in reply, voice still barely anything more than a tiny squeak.

Out of nowhere, something crashed through the window and into the room. Connor shrieked and jumped back, staring at the pink thing as it lay there on the floor, eyes wide. Trembling with fear, he looked from one Pokemon to the other-surely someone would know what to do, right?

Blah, blah, blah. That is all Michael hears as Rocket and Fran converse about this and that and so-and-so. The group has accepted him, for now at least; he does not expect it to last very long. The two child Pokemon interact as well, but that too is of little interest to Michael. Blah, blah, blah. His mind drifts away to other things, and he picks up on Halloween's voice with a dull recognition, barely paying attention to anyone.

The shattering of glass and sound of a miniature explosion drags him back to the situation at hand; some pink cat has crashed right into the building. The "arrival" startles Michael at first, but it takes little time for that to melt away into sharp curiosity. The dragon and the Eevee both shriek in fear but he only wants to find out exactly what this new Pokemon is.
Halloween's sudden decision to become a living shield puts into perspective just how majorly injured the guy is; the Arcanine's heroism is admirable but he was simply not well enough to be pulling it off now. Still, Michael knows he will be seeing Halloween in a different light from now on-he was someone worthy of respect.
Now things get interesting.

"Arcanine-- I mean, Halloween?! Are you okay?" The Fletchinder's cry easily reflects her concern towards the Arcanine, who in turn pulls himself up from the ground.
"Am fine," the Arcanine says, which cannot be further from the truth. Michael knows that even a blind Pokemon could not miss the extent of his wounds, which probably did not benefit from his hard fall.
"You all okay?" His selflessness apparently had no limits. Michael has not seen such a trait in a long time, not since...oh, why did he try? There was no sense going back to that. It was only unnecessary pain he didn't need, not now.
You're finally getting the hang of it.

"You're definitely not fine," Michael states firmly, going up to Halloween. "You look halfway to dead, actually. We need to find some way to fix you up."  The Growlithe glances at the Pokemon that had crashed-it is obviously dazed, likely barely even conscious. Michael does not miss its injuries, but at the moment, Halloween was far worse off.

"Ready when you are, sir!"

Drago's face was split by a grin at Bee's upbeat attitude. After everything that had happened, at least someone was trying to lighten the mood a little. Halloween was right, however, the group needed to get moving soon. It was dangerous enough with the big dog being in his condition and being forced to use the underevolved kids as well without waiting for it to get dark on them.

"Alright, you guy ready? We'll have to be quick, but with Bee and Drago watching--"

Halloween was interrupted by the sound of breaking glass. Something had smashed through the window of the building. Has that goddamn Swampert found us? No, if it was that monster more than just the window would've been destroyed. Before Drago could even react, Halloween had jumped in front of the two pups. He was impressed by his willingness to protect them, but Drago's eyes still darted around searching for any sort of threat. Nothing. What had broken that windo-

Oh.

Oh no.

Drago recognized the pink cat slumped against the floor, but the last time he had seen her she was in much better shape. "Mew..." He whispered, unable to believe his eyes. Dashing to her side, Drago started to move to help her up, then thought better of it. She had crashed pretty hard, if she had any broken bones lifting her would only make them worse. He was vaguely aware of Rocket shouting behind him, but his words didn't register. Drago was far more concerned with the legend who had smashed into their base of operations.

"Mew, are you... Are you alright?" Drago was unsure if she would recognize him, after all, she had only been on Cinnabar a short time with him. What could possibly have caused her to crash land like this?

"There's another group of survivors here. They attacked us. We were doing well at first, but then their leader came along and ... he was something else. We didn't stand a chance." Ah...that explains things. Once again she overlooks the Garchomp, giving him a slow nod of acknowledgement to his words. Well...what's done is done, she supposes, gaze staring absentmindedly at the ground in thought. "We should try and be out before it starts going dark."

As soon as Francesca opens her mouth to reply, the window explodes with massive impact. Instead of coherent words, a string of almost unending, vulgar profanities utter from her throat, escalating into an half-screech in shock as she stumbles backwards and a few steps out of the building. It took her a few moments to gether herself, peeking back inside following Rocket's loud cursing.

The floor has shards of glass littered all over it, a consequence of the impact. On one side the Arcanine is protectively looming over three figures--the Fletchinder, Growlithe, and Eevee--and some...pink thing in the center. A feline? The oddly-coloured Dragonite immediately rushes to it's side, muttering a name..."Mew, are you... Are you alright?"

What?

"...Mew?" Francesca asks in confusion, tentatively taking a step inside again. She looks down at the dazed fetus cat thing and...well, it does fit the general description of the Legendary Mew but...was this really the Mew?

[OOC- My first post! Sorry if it sucks! ^-^;]

Chaos erupted around the dazed legend, a few moments of frantic activity: "You trying to give me a heart attack? What the fuck are you doing?!" "The... fuck are you?" "...Mew?" And then... a voice she recognized. "Mew...?"

The legends eyes flickered up, the world coming back to bright focus. "D....Drago? Is that really you....?" The legend leaned forward, battered body floating off the ground as she slowly approached the Dragon's face. "Mew, are you... Are you alright?" Mew nodded slowly in response, tears springing to her eyes as she reached out, tiny paw touching the Shiny's nose as she forgot about the rest of the room, forgot about what had shot her down, forgot about her own injuries for a moment. "Oh gods... It's been... so long. I thought something terrible would have happened by now..." The legend descended, keeping a hand against her old friend as she looked around, taking in the panic and distrust the rest of the room was displaying towards her. She turned, looking up at the Krookodile that had adressed her by name, giving the dark-type a slow nod. "Y-yeah. I'm Mew, you're right." She turned her head, nodding at the destroyed window and the darkening town beyond it. "I'm... sorry about my scaring you all. There's.... someone out in the city isn't very friendly, to say the least. Shot me out of the sky like I was a clay pigeon."

The psychic stepped away from the dragon, eyes scanning the group as she continued. "I don't have any business here, but I can help where I can. I am a legend... I'm not trying to boast, merely state a fact. I can offer some not insignificant help" As if to punctuate her point, her eyes landed on the Arcanine, struggling to even stand. She moved towards him, body glowing brightly as she used Transform, form twisting into the body of a pink medical pokemon, an Audino. "Oh god, you're... not well at all. Here, hold still. she commanded, hand pressing into his side. She inhaled deeply, a slow pulse of healing energy flowing from the legend, to the Legend as she exhaled.

The cat was in the process of standing as the door burst open, a Tauros charging in, horns lowered at the legend. She flinched back, breath hitching as she raised a paw, enveloping the bull in psychic energy. "I swear to Arceus if you try anything, I will impale you with my horns and wear your limp, bleeding body as a trophy." It threatened, tri-tails thrashing behind it. The legend sighed, still holding the creature. "Please don't threaten me. It makes me want to think you're... unwell, soon to turn. I would hate to have to kill you, and trust me, I have the capability to do so."