Now THAT is Iron-y! (Brooke)

[Cain Stanok]

So this was his next mission, wasn't it? Being left on a shithole of an island, forced to patrol its unused tunnels for "spies" or "moles." A total load, if you asked Cain. They called it an assignment, but he knew it was a punishment. After all, he had tried to cut and run once he made it to Kanto, trying to use his conscription as a simple bridge to a new life.

Some new life this was.

He set down his flickering lantern, muttering in annoyance as he sat down on a decently sized rock. It had been hours since he was left on patrol and he hadn't even seen any Pokemon, let alone Boure trainers. Maybe it was time he at least came up with a different plan of action, rather than keep wasting his time on these lame duck missions. He cracked open a Pokeball, a small Larvitar popping out. It squinted, adapting its eyes to the darkness before curiously looking up at its trainer.

"Sure is a nice dump we got stuck with, eh Minya?" he asked. "We're rotting here for Arceus-knows-how-long, so we might as well make the best of it. Let's get started on your training." The Larvitar sagged a little disappointedly, but its trainer simply muttered "I know neither of us like this, but it's not like we've got a choice. I'm gonna have to deal with it, and that means you do too." His voice sounded a bit harsh, but he was convincing himself of this inevitability just as much as he was Minya. The news was a bitter pill for sure, and Cain figured the sooner he and his Pokemon learned to swallow it the better for both of them.

"Alright, that boulder right there! Smash it to bits with a Hyper Beam!" Cain called, pointing to a large boulder. The dejected Larvitar tried to perk up a bit, turning to the rocks, focusing intently, and leaning forward with his mouth open.

Nothing happened.

It strained, chest heaving as it hiccuped a few times, and soon it fired a misty ring of vapor. Cain sighed as the Larvitar dejectedly slumped. Looked like that move wasn't going to be an option. "How about Earthquake? Can you do that one?" The Larvitar nodded, but when it made its best sumo stomp all it accomplished was falling right on its butt.

Still not combat ready. But then again, was Cain? The events of Fuchsia City had long settled into a faint red haze, fuelled by adrenaline and desire rather than any grand strength or strategy. Could he live up to what Zemina wanted while keeping a clear head? Or was he just a scared child on a chain, just as helpless in the grand scheme of things as Minya was?

"Just do whatever you can," the boy responded, exasperated. Both he and the Larvitar would have to be forged in the flames of war, even if prospects weren't looking great for either of them.

brooke slater

[brooke slater]

Don't make me say it

I DON'T DARE LET DARKNESS HAVE IT'S WAY WITH ME

Cain Stanok▐
630 WORDS▐
N/A▐
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Iron island, what a dump. She couldn't quite understand the motives anyone would have that would want to compel them to come here, let alone use this stone deathtrap as a means to hide from opposing factions. If the deep unstable caves didn't get you, sliding off the cliffs into the rocky depths of the sea certainly would, and there's one hell of a way to go. It almost seemed counter-productive to go this route if you really wanted to hide from Zemina, considering how much better off you'd be to just jump in the ocean and swim on your own accord rather than travel across the sketchiest island possible.

The very appearance of misery lied in this heap of rock and craggy passages, yet for whatever reason beyond what she could rationalize, her superiors felt it was nessessary for her to guide these people through the dangerous zones despite how obviously foolish it was. Regardless of how boring or backwards she found the mission to be, as an insurgent of boure she had to do what she was told. This was a test, it had to be something for her to prove herself to those higher in the ranks. All she wanted to do was get stronger, make a difference and eventually get on the front lines where her abilities would truly matter.

Running small errands like this seemed like such childs' play, but who knows how little resistance there could be on an island as backwoods as this one. 'Just swallow it, whatever.' She told herself, the young woman paced herself carefully across the edges of the pathway, keeping her eyes cautiously aware of anyone or anything around her that might be dangerous. Unexpected guests were what she secretly hoped for, but until she met up with the sympithyzers that needed her help, she couldn't stray too far from the island paths where they were hiding. Just behind her keeping pace was Zane, her wicked-looking zangoose that seemed just as ready to fight as she was.

The water put him on edge, just as the unstable ground and quiet area had them both deeply unsettled since they first arrived. This place was too far out of the way and took them both forever to reach, but Brooke and her companion had to hope this would be worth it once they reached the mainland again. Now seemed like a great time to contemplate buying a flying pokemon so they wouldn't have to deal with their horribe travel accomodations again. At last reaching the entryway to the tunnel network under the island surface, Zane seemed all too ready to run in ahead of her if it meant getting away from the ocean spray's reach outside.

Brooke couldn't help but giggle even just a little as she watched the pokemon fumble along with it's panic-ridden jog into the dark depths, just before she stopped to reach into the small bag on the back of her waist for a flashlight. "Hang on, we're gonna need some light down here." Brooke whispered. Zane stopped to turn back and call for her with a hushed caw, when she finally managed to clip the small flashlight to the front of her shirt and let it cast out the darkness ahead of them. From here on things would get dangerous, so it was better she and Zane moved quickly and quietly to avoid coming into contact with any Zemina guards.

Off the woman ran with her pokemon quickly in tow, both of them treading lightly upon the uneven ground with anxiety of the moment nipping at their heels. They had to hope the idiots they were searching for weren't found out already, or else this trip through claustrophobia hell was going to be all for nothing.

[Cain Stanok]

Somehow training had turned into a snack break, as Minya had gotten his hands on some of the cave's tinier rocks. He ate loudly and messily, crunching noises echoing down the caverns as Cain simply stared up at the ceiling. At least walking gave him something to do: now he was both bored and stationary, and if he had anywhere more comfortable than a boulder to lie on he'd probably be fast asleep by now. Only the flickering of his lantern kept Cain grounded, the boy so bored he figured he'd stare at the wall and see what shadows the dancing flames cast.

It flared up from time to time, dim light occasionally brightening quite a bit. After all, there was still some fuel feeding the little flame. But what could explain the sudden brightness he saw out of the corner of his eye, more radiant than his lantern could ever make?

The boy sat up, much more attentive now. He looked around for the source again, but it seemed whoever had caused the flash of light had already run past his little grotto. Only his dim lantern remained, Cain realizing just how woefully inadequate its light was. He grumbled angrily, picking up the lantern and leaning out of his grotto to try and see who had lit up the halls earlier.

Nobody. Of course it was nobody. Maybe if he could hear over Minya's chomping he would've noticed the footprints of a certain Boure insurgent, but instead he had reacted too slowly, too late. The boy grumbled angrily, pulling out a Pokeball and releasing a diminutive little Nidoking. "Oi, Baragon, you hear anything?" The Nidoking leaned forward, big ears twitching slightly, before promptly turning and pointing to Minya with a proud grin on his face.

Cain could only facepalm.

"Besides Minya, genius. Try checking this tunnel over here." The Nidoking pretended he realized that all along as he dashed over to the tunnel, straining once more. It was faint, but eventually he heard some distant, gentle footsteps. Baragon began letting out some affirmative yaps, a proud grin spreading over Cain's face. "Now that's what I'm talking about! C'mon, let's go!" The Baragon excitedly dashed off, turning and motioning for Minya to follow behind.

Cain took the rear, lantern spilling light before the group as he ran off. "Hey!" he shouted, attempts to raise his voice and be heard only making it crack slightly. "What're you doing here!?"

He probably sounded ridiculous rather than intimidating, but he couldn't really bring himself to care. Instead he was too busy thinking about the person that may or may not have run past. Whether they were a trick of the eye or insurgent to pursue, he was just happy to finally have some action in this dismal wreck of a tunnel system. And who knows? Maybe instead of a hostile, it would just be someone for him to talk with.

brooke slater

[brooke slater]

Don't make me say it

I DON'T DARE LET DARKNESS HAVE IT'S WAY WITH ME

Cain Stanok▐
623 WORDS▐
N/A▐
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It seemed their tactic was all in vain, but too late did she notice the dim light that passed them by as she and the zangoose barreled down the narrow stone corridor. It didn't take long for her doubts to come alive, when as she feared a voice echoed through the tunnel just behind her not only once, but twice. "Damn, we've been spotted!" Brooke hissed under her breath as she and Zane ran down another entryway. She didn't have to turn her head behind her to notice the warm light of a small fire reflecting off the walls all around her as the voice behind her quickly caught up, though by the sounds of multiple footsteps she could only venture a guess that this guard had his pokemon at the ready for a fight.

Hesitating to reach for her own pokeballs on her belt, the young woman decided to shut off her flashlist and continued on in the ill light of the follower's lantern. She turned down another path just as quickly as she was able, reaching for Zane at her side who might have missed her plan just as quickly and tripped as they ducked around a small alcove off the beaten path. A fork in the tunnel was perfect, but as she noticed the beaming light speed past she could barely pick out just who it was that had found them down here. The person running by in the darkness was smaller than she first imagined, maybe mistaking him for a younger boy instead of a guard for Zemina.

Although despite this, she quickly took a deep breath and waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness while Zane panted steadily at her side with her hand still around his arm to keep him close. If she was careful she might escape her follower, but in order to get deeper into the caves she needed to keep going the way he was headed. Her path was essentially blocked by the person who spotted her, and she figured the fastest way around it was to take him out. Logic screamed in her ear to evade her follower and continue down the other passage to find her way in, but even that tactic wouldn't last should this guard come across another and warn anyone else standing by on the island.

It was a gamble to be spotted, but even moreso to let the guy keep running off looking for her. She still heard his footsteps until she got back on her feet, reaching for her waist and withdrawing the only other pokemon she had that would fit in these narrow passages. Without any further thought she chucked it to the floor, as it bounced back and a bright light formed to reveal her blaziken kneeling at her side. "Regis, we gotta drop this guy and his pokemon as quickly as we can." She whispered, though he looked almost confused at first in the darkness before he nodded to the sound of her voice.

Brooke released her hand from Zane's arm, the zangoose then looking up to her with a ready smirk on his face. The woman turned around the corner of the tunnel to see the boy's lantern still, then waving her hand in the dull light for both pokemon to follower after her as she took off in a quick run with as light of steps as she could muster. Even after only a couple seconds they caught up and were within range, before at last Brooke reached out to slide kick their pursuer to the ground if the blow managed to land. Should her attack fail, Zane and Regis were at her back ready to give her a hand.

[Cain Stanok]

Of course Cain didn't see her ducking into a corner. He could barely see her in the first place, chasing little more than shadows and the world's faintest footsteps. Any guardsman in their right mind would've given up the ghost by now, and even if they kept up the chase would've known better than to run headfirst into the chaotic tunnel network that was Iron Island.

Cain, however, was bored. This changed everything.

He blindly hurtled forward, lantern rocking back and forth as he tried to squint forward into the darkness. He opened his mouth to say something once more, but a sudden shout of pain and shock was all that came out. Brooke had gotten the jump on her pursuer, and with his legs taken out from beneath him Cain found himself falling.

"What are you-" he barely managed to sputter, frantically throwing out a hand to catch himself on the way down. The impact hurt like hell, but at least his head wasn't cracked open like a walnut.

Unfortunately, something else was. Cain could only watch in terror as the lantern sailed out of his hands, splintering into shards as its fire died out on the cold, rocky floors of the cavern. "Of course. Of freaking course. Baragon, light this place up, now!" the boy shouted, clutching the shin that marked the site of impact. It hurt like hell: was he going to be able to stand? Weakly he fumbled for some sort of handhold to help him up, but he had fallen near a particularly smooth wall of the cave.

Baragon's horn began glowing gold, faintly illuminating the surrounding area. It was barely enough for Cain to see his attacker: a tall, athletic looking woman, flanked by a Zangoose and a Blaziken. He tried to tell himself they'd be fried chicken and toothpicks by the time his team was done with them, but truth be told he was kind of scared.

Of course, Cain didn't mean lighting the place up as in setting torches. As the Baragon touched his horn to the ground, golden cracks began to spread toward Brooke and her team. Cain hoped the erupting Earth Power would knock her off of her feet just as carelessly as she kicked him off of his.

Minya, on the other hand, was much less willing to join the fray. Instead he hid behind Cain, the Larvitar shuddering in fear and occasionally peeking out to check on how Baragon was doing. "Come on, I need a hand here," the boy pleaded. "Can you try pulling out something? Please?" The Larvitar at first shook his head, but eventually closed its eyes and began to stride forward.

And then it Screeched, sound echoing off of the walls of the caverns and creating a horrible cacophony. For such a tiny Pokemon, the Larvitar had quite the set of lungs on him. Even his trainer and allies practically collapsed, Cain and Baragon squeezing their hands over their ears and hoping Brooke's team wouldn't catch on until it was too late.

brooke slater