[f] The Red Tiger Pounces (RM)

[Tyger]

(Using Rare Candy on Hatari, elevating her to Level 16, forget Leer for Ice Fang)

So then I says to him... 'Sorry kid, but it's inevitable!' Rhoan laughed, holding up her mug of choice, laughing among the roaring men seated on the couches surrounding. I didn't even take on his Pidgeotto with anything super-effective, either. I swear man, if it's this easy i'll be champion in no time. She bragged, and Reaver chirped in agreement. Which then launched her into the topic of Reaver, and how she wasn't from around here.

Rhoan wasn't all that bad when she was in spirits, or guzzling spirits. One or the other. Hell, she didn't even mind if her scar was showing amidst the laughing guys. For once she felt like she was home. At least, somehwere where she was respected.

Respect. Something she had to earn here. That damn gym leader, a freakin' kid... didn't give her an ounce of respect. Just because she was 'arrogant'. The kid couldn't grasp the fact that he was facing the inevitable fact; he was going to lose, and he was going to lose hard. Rhoan made sure he knew by the end of it though.

She walked back outside and started back down the streets, her badge glimmering faintly under her jacket since it wasn't zipped up. Reaver shivered beside her ear and burrowed down onto her back, under her layers of clothing. Rain was pouring down, which wasn't really helping. If Rhoan wasn't so preoccupied with the fellas, she would have seen the hurricane warnings. But oh well. Reaver peeked her head out curiously only to be swept away by the wind. Rhoan grappled a the air and managed to cup the creature in her hand and stuff her back down her shirt. Be careful. She murmured, before sliding into an alleyway to escape the whipping winds. She liked the shadows anyway. She thrived there.

[/blockquote]

[The REAL Joey]

Bungling out of the liquor bar, a particularly shady individual figure came into view. His black jumpsuit, cap and emblazoned capital red R on his chest were all that was needed to signify where his allegiances lie. Turning back to face back into the entrance the man yelled out ruefully. "USELESS BUM! I'll do this myself!" Slamming the entrance behind him, he moved off to the side to shelter himself barely from the gusts of wind that were plaguing the night. Brushing himself down having just seen to the end of the bar brawl he had just been in, the male appeared as dangerous as he appeared. Looking around moodily, the Rocket member seemed deep in thought. He delved into a trouser pocket and retrieved a cigarette and lit it hastily while trying futilely to block out the sweeping winds. Somehow managing, he began inhaling it deeply, the cigarette didn't last too long as it was knocked down to a dreg or two left, totally unaffected by the irritating winds. Taking it out of his mouth, he expelled all the fumes and bore striking resemblance to an angry dragon.

"No good, drunken piece of..." He was still infuriated about his fellow partner hitting the drinks too hard and was thinking over how the mission would now proceed. "One man down but I can do this. Pft, this is such low level work. Me? I'm due a promotion baby, haha yeah!" Rolling his eyes he dropped the cigarette and stamped it out beneath the sole of his boot. He was about to step forward to undergo the mission but was stopped dead in his tracks as he started to have second thoughts. "Gah... Maybe it'd be best to take out some insurance with another lackey to do all the legwork. But who the hell am I gonna rely on?" Looking around, the Rocket couldn't help but notice a certain figure that he had been eyeing in the bar earlier. She was speaking rather brashly and proudly of her victory over the gym leader in Violet. A snarky grin appearing over his face, the recruiter believed he may have just stumbled onto something. Trailing after her with a good few extra strides per each of Rhoan's, the Rocket was intent on catching up with her. "Hey wait up!" As she turned down the alley way, the grunt let out a string of expletives but doubled his pace.

Moment's later, he had finally caught up and fortunately enough, he could try and enlist her help without the prying eyes of any do gooders or have a go heroes trying to interfere. "Yo hunter woman. I heard ya back in that bar. So you beat that snot nosed disrespectful little oik eh?" Adamant he had heard the story of her victory, the male didn't even bother to check if she had the Zephyr badge on display anywhere. As far as he was concerned, she talked the talk and having had to run up after her, she could certainly walk the walk. At least she looked the part too. Stepping forward in an unarming way, the grunt began letting loose his smooth talking mouth. He had been doing this schtick since the good old days back in Kanto on the famed nugget bridge. Sure the odd kid turned him down but he had improved tenfold since then. This was a sure kill. "Look lady, this might just be your lucky day. I'm gonna be be givin' youse an offer you can't refuse." Adjusting his cap, the male mobster coughed and seemed to enter a sales pitching mode. "So, let's see. You're obviously talented, ruthless and have some brains to back ya up." He nodded before continuing. "Seems to be you'll be a perfect fit for our gang." He reached out and patted Rhoan on the back. "You ever sat there wishing for unrivalled power? Limitless wealth? Rare and exotic Pokemon to do your each and every bidding?" He let out a small laugh and shook his head.

"Don't answer that. I know everyone does. Sure you get them holier than thou types but they're just bullshittin' themselves. Least we can be honest about what we want, yeah? Ya see where i'm goin' with this? Eh? Eh? Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, hahahaha!" Taking out a packet of cigarettes, the grunt picked out a smoke and lit it up in his mouth as he began smoking it profusely in replacement of the one he had lost earlier. "So. Here's my pitch. Team Rocket's always scoutin' for talent and you fit the bill. You and us are just the perfect match." He left the cigarette drooping in his mouth and patted a Pokeball on his belt. "If you don't take my offer seriously, i'm sure I can convince you otherwise, heh!" Although he had been putting on an enticing personality before, he had now changed to one of utter seriousness. This wasn't the sort of person one should be engaging with at a dark hour such as this. Although, having said that, as he finally took a good look at Rhoan, his jaw dropped ajar, the cigarette he had planted in fell out. Just getting a good enough look had made him realise that she was one tough looking lady. "Hopefully that ain't gonna be a problem... Haha..."

The Team Rocket Scout is attempting to recruit you into Team Rocket!
Choose wisely, do you accept or decline his offer?

OOC: Bob may have just found his match. ;D

[Tyger]

With each whip of wind, Rhoan's hair ruffled and twisted, and she gave the occasonal jerk when Reaver tickled her sides with her fur, or whatever it was since she was technically an insect. The shadows were her favorite place to be, but unfortunately with the whipping winds it didn't do much to conceal the footsteps of the Rocket Grunt attempting to catch up with her. As Rhoan pulled her jacket closer to her body, it wasn't until Reaver gave a mini-electric jolt right before he spoke was she aware someone was following her.

Like clockwork, Rhoan whipped around to hear the call from the man in black. He had a giant red 'R' on a good bit of his clothing. Perhaps he was one of the Rockets Morecambe had warned her about? He'd asked her to wait up, and then he started running, so she paused and leaned up against the wall, careful not to squish the bug wandering around inside her jacket. Yeah? Whaddaya want? She asked, raising an eyebrow. He seemed a bit familiar from the bar... had he followed her since she left? If so, and in this weather, perhaps she left something important, or he needed to talk. Nah, couldn't be the first one, if it was valuable why not just sell it?

Oh, more talk about the gym? She was a bit tipsy when that was going on, but she was in the clear now. Damn straight, whipped his Pidge-whatever with my two weakest Pokemon. She smirked, remembering his 'Impossible!' and the look on his face. Priceless. she mused, and then snapped back to reality when he moved. But, it wasn't anything aggressive, just talk. She let herself relax, but she could feel one or two of her Pokeballs on her belt shaking, namely Tyrana. Something was agitating her, was it the man here? Yeah? She inquired. He started on about ruthlessness and brains and all that, but she wasn't here for flattery. Your gang? By your shamelessly obvious 'R' I can only assume yer the Rockets everyone has warned me about. She grinned, matching Bob's snarky grin from earlier. Power? Love it. I've had it before. I'm from the ranger regions. They don't got pokeballs or trainers there. Gotta catch everything by hand.. She murmured.

Rhoan didn't need to answer it. Power was something Rhoan craved, and control. Money. Wealth. All the fun things that accompanied it. And infamy. That was always a nice touch. Would be nice to get the Red Tiger back in business again.. But she'd have to join Team Rocket and climb their ranks. Judging by their recruit here, it shouldn't be tooooo terribly difficult, hmmm? Who knows. One thing was for sure. If she was gonna go anywhere, it was gonna be up this ladder. However, it seemed as though he was somewhat threatening her, but when a car passed and the lights gave him a good look at her, his mouth draped and his cigarette fell to the ground. She mirrored his smirk and reached down to pick up his cigarette before popping it in her mouth and giving it a drag. Don't worry, sweetheart. It ain't no problem. She said with a smirk.

[/blockquote]

[The REAL Joey]

Disgruntled at dropping his smoke and somewhat stupid over realising it must have been obvious concerning the R on his suit, the man pulled out an extra large pack of smokes and lit up another one, paying careful attention not to let this one fall. Striking it in his mouth, he spoke. "You're good lady. You hit the bullseye. I'm with Team Rocket." As they both puffed away on their tobacco, it seemed like for once the male had landed in with some good company for once. Maybe that was where he was going wrong all the time, perhaps instead of trailing after kids and trying to hook them into the Rocket way from a young age, he should just be looking for disillusioned adults and those embittered with how tough the world was. That or just find people who had it rough up until then, pulling a look of despair on his face, Bob couldn't quite get his head around a world without Pokeballs. "Ya kiddin' me? That sounds like a sure way to end up dead. And they say workin' in Team Rocket's an occupational hazard. Sheesh. Guess that's how ya got the scars?" Lifting his cigarette out of his mouth, he gestured in the general direction of Rhoan's features. Hopefully she wouldn't be the type to get angry over remarking on them.

Nevertheless, with Rhoan seeming alright with his proposition, it appeared that he might just get some keep for pulling off this mission tonight. "Right. Welcome aboard to Team Rocket then." He took the cigarette out of his mouth and tipped at her slightly before grimacing his face at realising she might not have Pokeballs to quickly retreat her Pokemon. "You er... Got Pokeballs now of course? We gonna be needin' them for our hasty retreat outta dodge." Sticking it back in and mumbling he continued on. " Oh aye, I'm Team Rocket member..." He paused, deep in thought, his eyes seemed to dart about as if thinking up a name before he miraculously 'remembered' it. "Bob. Yeah. That's right. How's about your name lady?" Not waiting to listen to her answer, he bought up his urgent mission. "Anyways, enough with the formalities. Consider this yer initiation ceremony." He let out a wheezy laugh and played down the affair. "Don't worry. Nothin' too hard a trainer who beat that pansy Falkner can't handle." Pausing for a moment and looking around the nearby area for any signs of the cops, the shady Rocket member carried on. "Trouble is these days, just about anyone thinks they can waltz into our group and live it up. No way Jose. Not on your nelly." He spat out the butt of his smoke and rolled his eyes. "Too many rats tryin' to worm their way up and soil the good name of Team Rocket."

With a small grin on his face, he let slip a bit more about the mission. "Now, if you're really gonna prove yer worth, you're gonna help me grab a special canister from the nearby Pokemon Centre. A guy as low on the ladder as me don't know jack. All I do know is it's valuable and enough to get the leader's attention." Stomping out his finished fag end, he let out a spluttering cough, one which was so overwhelming he had trouble covering his mouth as all the smoke fumed out of his mouth. Calming down with a few beats to his chest to try and rid his lungs, the grunt divulged more information. "How I see it is, we get in my truck, ram it into that joke of a building and scavenge for the goods. Intel's as blind as a Zubat so I ain't got a Mankeys where that's located." Lighting up another cigarette quickly, he pressed on. "Once we're done, we drive the ***** outta there, y'hear? Security is pretty lax too would ya believe. I hear the long arm of the law is facin' some pretty bad cuts these days." Looking down to the end of the alleyway situated nearby, the man gestured a thumb as he began walking towards it. "Come on, follow me, kinda ironic you went down here, the truck's stationed all waitin' to go."

Eventually the two came up to a rather banged up old truck. If this was going to be used as a battering ram to smash into the Pokemon Centre it was vastly hard to believe. It seemed almost as if it'd fall to pieces upon coming into contact with even the weakest obstacle. "Whaddya think? Beaut ain't she? Had this with me when I was stationed back in Kanto. Of course, they're road infrastructure was kind of a mess so I had to park it by the docks in Vermilion. Right, enough yabbin'." He unlocked the back of the truck and gestured a nod to it. "Alright, get in. You'll be... Safer in the back. Yeah." He paused for a moment and raised an eyebrow. "You got a problem with gettin' in the back o' there?" Considering how greasy and foul smelling the inside of the lorry smelt, it was surprising he could even bring up whether there was a problem or not. If this wasn't showing the seedier side of Team Rocket, then who knows what would. "Sorry, ladies don't get no favours in this organisation, heh. Equal opportunities and all that schtick."

[Tyger]

So, that was that? For some reason, she felt as though the giant organization would be far more secretive than they really are. Granted, they had Pokemon to protect them as opposed to Rhoan's previous lifestyle. It was person against person, but with Pokemon as companions, or soldiers, it was a bit different. Things could tip and turn at any moment, and anyone could play out on top. It wasn't an aspect she particularly liked of this region, but it was something that would have to do. The first thing to get the Red Tiger shaking fear into the hearts of little brats like the gym leader was to join the rockets. She had expected some illustrious ceremony, but here she was about to infiltrate a Pokemon Center.

Unaware if Bob knew she had a Pokemon on her at the moment, good for intel and sneaking into things, the Joltik crawled out of her jacket and onto her shoulder, peering at Bob with unblinking eyes. She gave a little sneeze before Rhoan returned her to her pokeball. Yeah, I use 'em now. She added with a grin.

I've seen worse, it's fine. She sighed, though the smell and condition of the truck wasn't anywhere near what she wanted to be in. She opened the back of the door with a heave and looked over at Bob. If I was waiting for the 'special treatment' I wouldn't be anywhere as good as I am today. She smirked, winking the eye covered in burns before she disappeared into the back of the truck. Meeting Bob had brought out the sassy side of the tiger. She enjoyed being with people that weren't going to get mad at her hobbies; they were a part of them. She was around the same people she was like, so she could loosen up a bit. Which was nice. Not like the back of this truck.

[/blockquote]

[The REAL Joey]

With the huntress now settled in the back of the truck, Bob looked towards her, his figure now a black silhouette created by the dingy street lights that were nearby. All that could be seen from this shadowy outline was huge trails of smoke coming from his mouth. "Alright. Hold on tight and don't say I didn't warn ya. My driving is pretty formula one." About to slam, he paused and let out a dirty laugh. "Good to know there's still women around who like to get their nails dirty. Alright. Let's go. Wasted enough time yappin'." With a hefty slam, the grunt closed shut the truck doors and after doing so, proceeded to rub his hands greedily. "Things sure are lookin' up. Was gettin' worried i'd have to do this by myself after my original partner pussied out like a chicken. Now this broad can do allll the work, heh, heh, heh." Flicking off his remaining dreg of the cigarette, he continued to the side of the truck before unlocking his door and clambering in ungracefully. Although he hadn't drunk much back in the liquor store, what he had was starting to take its toll somewhat.

Getting himself comfortable in his seat, he flicked on the engine and placed his arms sternly on the wheel. "Hawhaw! Let's go for a crash course!" He removed one arm and banged it on the back of his wall loudly for a number of beats. He wasn't quite sure how well the new recruit could hear him in the back but a few slams would hopefully get his point across. "Right, its the dead o' night and there's no flaming traffic about." With a push forward on the pedal, the truck achingly moved forward and began driving along the narrow alleyway until it hit the main road. As Bob had suspected, it was completely dead. There were no other vehicles or even people to be seen for that matter. "I always like a nice, clean job."

Ploughing on further, it wasn't long before the banged up old truck made its way to its destination. Off in the near distance was a round neon signed shaped like a Pokeball that span around consistently without fail. It was almost as if it was a homing beacon for them. "ALRIGHT DAME! BUUUCKLE UP!" Humming something that sounded suspiciously like Ode to Joy, Bob stamped down harder on the pedal, the truck veered forward with a jolt as it burnt some rubber and hurtled on forwards towards the pathetically guarded glass wall the front of the Pokemon Centre had. It went flying off the road and smashed into its unfortunate target without any shred of mercy. The sound of glass and bricks being brutally whammed into seemed to reverberate throughout the entire structure.

Slowly coming round after the collision, Bob was pleased to see that the air bag had safely shielded him. "Bwahaha, still got it." There was one unfortunate noise that was ringing incessantly down his lug hole. "Fer the love of all things grand... There's always alarms, grr!" Speeding out of his door after wrestling with the safety bag, he hastily unlocked where Rhoan was stowed away and pointed outwards issuing her an order. "Alright. Not the best of entries. Alarms are off so we're sorely limited. You run off and go look for that canister and i'll keep a lookout here. Some good for nothing plastic cops are bound to turn up." He ran backwards a little and looked down both ends of the way leading to the centre. "C'mon! Get a move on lively now! I bet where you come from, this rush of adrenaline is like eating breakfast for ya!"

[Tyger]

The truck rumbled with the terrible driving and/or condition of the parts holding it together as Bob banged on the wall separating the driver and passenger seats from the back of the truck. Holding her breath, Rhoan prepared for the worst. Granted, Bob seemed to be a nice bad guy and all, but his method of doing things was terrible. Were Rhoan hoppin this mission, Reaver would be the first to sneak in, a small Pokemon of her stature with Compound Eyes. She could use her Electroweb or even Spider Web to wrap the canister and then rocket it towards a window or door. With it either outside or within easy reach, hell, even slamming the car into the wall would allow them just enough time to grab the cannister and get the hell outta dodge.

But nooooo.

The truck sped forward and slammed into the wall, causing Rhoan to fly forwards into the truck with a thud, before falling onto her back with another slam. Then, the alarms blared. She wasn't too fond of them, they always ruined the fun, but granted this wasn't her typical line of work. She tapped a Pokeball and released her new Tauros, Ares, and hopped on his back. When Bob opened the door, Ares prepared to jump out. Special cannister, got it. She said, and Ares jumped over Bob. She steered the steer into the Pokemon center. The normal floor wouldn't have the cannister. Stairs, Ares. She said.

With a few jumps, The Tauros was on the upper level. Rhoan dismounted and ran to one of the closed, and surprisingly only locked one, and whistled. Ares, could you help? She asked, and the Tauros rammed into it with his Bulldoze, shattering the door away. Whatever she was looking for was in here, a silver cannister with a few bits of writing on it was on a table with a few papers of notes. She grabbed whatever looked important, including the cannister, before throwing them in the saddle bag and jumping on Ares once more, bounding their way down the steps with a few jumps. She then rode him through the hole in the wall and dismounted, looking for Bob. Ey, bum, I got it.

[/blockquote]

[The REAL Joey]

Eventually hearing the dogged sound of footsteps, Bob leapt out of his leaning position and checked down both paths leading up to the Pokemon Centre. "Least the pigs ain't here..." It was only when he turned back to his lookout point (Although, it really did look like the mobster was doing nothing more than admiring his handiwork of gatecrashing through the wall), he jumped almost out of his skin at the shock of how swiftly and silently Rhoan had sneaked up upon him. This woman was destined for special ops, that was for sure. His shock waning, Bob let out a puff of smoke from his cigarette while clapping his hands together and jeering excitedly with a crafty grin spread over his face from ear to ear. "Beautiful! Beeeeeaaautiful! That was some ace work. Looks like part of the initiation has been cleared, heh." Taking the canister from Rhoan, he looked it over and raised an eyebrow incredulously. "Yup, this is the goods alright... Ain't got a clue what those men in white back in the lab want with it. Pokerus or somethin', super soldiers for the takeover... Meh. Whaddo I care? I'm in this purely for the cold, hard dosh." Tucking it under his arm, he nodded. "Right. We gotta bolt. The truck is absolute totalled so we'll have to jack somethin' else." He turned to face the opposite direction and as soon as he did, dropped the cigarette from his jaw.

"SHIT!" Was all that could be heard as he turned and heard the sound of other footsteps. Accompanying the footsteps was the duologue of conversation between the source of the footsteps. "Look, its best go check out is all i'm saying. I want this pay cheque, y'know? Kinda hard living on baked beans with little change." "Yeah, yeah, Keep it tight too while you're at it. I don't like it that we're having to rope in you merc types to take care of the shortage of hands." Getting closer, the irritated voice mumbled out. "Probably just some kids throwing a ball at the centre doors or something. Happens all the time." "I don't know... Call it my survival instinct." The other voice falling silent, it was clear he didn't think much of his partner for the job. "Just kids, huh? That must be one big bloody ball." Speechless, the other voice eventually steeled himself as he cleared his throat. "Ahem... Yeah, sure. Looks like there's been a break in. Keep alert, I bet its to do-" Stepping out from behind the pillar they had hid behind, Bob didn't appear to want to play hide and seek. "Can it you whiny pigs. Get outta the way or we're steamrollin' ya." Standing where the entry they had forced open was, now stood two men preventing escape.

One of the men was dressed out in a security uniform while the other was kitted out in camouflage gear from head to toe. His wild pink hair was all too noticeable poking out the sides of his cap. In fact, this person in particular would have looked very familiar to Rhoan indeed if she cast her mind back far enough to her time in Cherrygrove. The figure had clearly recognised Rhoan, wincing back a little, the male was none other than the preservation ranger who had thwarted her attempt at poaching off with a Quagsire. Seeing Rhoan again was definitely something he hadn't been anticipating. "AAAAACK! Of all the places to meet... An' we bump into each other here!" Eyeing between Rhoan and Bob, Morecambe was quick on the uptake. "Oi! I thought I warned ya t'steer clear of the Rockets." His security team mate leaning in closer, he had a quick word. "Y'know that chick? Are you in on this?!" Shaking his head ruefully, Morecambe blasted that idea away. "Hell no! I used to work on the 'Grove preservation. She had attempted to take a Quagsire." Relaxing a little, the guard shrugged. "Oh. Good enough for me. Come on, we need to take these guys alive for questioning."

Sending forth their Pokemon, the security guard's was first to appear. "Go Growlithe! Do me proud okay? I need a promotion from this dump." Barking back at its trainer, the steadfast canine meant business. Morecambe's Pokemon was going to be a lot more worrying. Before, he had pulled out an extremely powerful Torterra and had in reality, been holding back in the battle up until that point. Thankfully, it seemed he had left the Torterra elsewhere. Phasing through from the light, it appeared that he had a new comrade in arms. Waddling from side to side with a sedated grin on its face was none other than the Quagsire Rhoan had been eyeing. Waving at her, it was obvious that the Quagsire had recognised her. "HEY! I thought you worked there protecting those endangered Pokemon?" Belted out the officer as he put two and two together on what he had heard about Morecambe's illustrious past.

Shuffling a little, it seemed Morecambe hadn't obtained it via the most legal of means. "I, er... They wanted to be sure that there'd be at least one protected safe if someone stole all the other ones in protection." Sweat beads dropping, the guard bought it. "Fine, fine, whatever. We need to sort this out." "Right you are Jake." Turning to face Bob and Rhoan, Morecambe called out. "Funny to think my first stint as a mercenary and i'm here giving you a smack on the wrist again. I'm afraid you're gonna have to drop what you're doing and come with me." Bob didn't appear to be pleased with this in the slightest. "I ain't takin' NOTHING from no toy cop. And ESPECIALLY no trainer for hire." Shifting his head slightly to talk to Rhoan who was standing behind him, he grinned deviously and laughed. "Alright, consider this another objective for ya. Help me take out these jokes!"

Security Officer Jake & Mercenary Morecambe are preventing your escape!


They send out Growlithe (Level 15) & Quagsire (Level 15) to apprehend you!
Please select one Pokemon for battle as Bob is assisting.

[Tyger]

They were almost in the clear, but unfortunately, fate had other plans. Ares, return. Rhoan whispered, retracting the bull before they were seen. Footsteps were nearing, and she could hear a faintly familiar voice. When it was apparent there had been a break in, Rhoan hissed under her breath as soon as she realized who that was. At least there would be proof to Bob she was truly the type for this duty, trying to take a poor defenseless Quagsire... The damn ranger would have had a harder time if it hadn't have been raining, THAT was for certain. Tyrana might be a good choice for this battle, but...

Bob stepped out, clearly willing to give away his position. Rhoan slinked from her spot behind the pillar too, crossing her arms with attitude. Morecambe scolded her for affilliating with the Rockets, but that wasn't something she was gonna take. Yeah? How else would I get my kicks? Slamming your face into the dirt is even better on this side of tha tracks. She purred. Some more speaking took place, and when the Quagsire was mentioned, Rhoan let out a chuckle. And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for your meddling.

But, a battle was inevitable. The Security guard sent out a Growlithe. Easy prey to Ares, Tyrana, Cola.. and then to her amusement and surprise, out popped a Quaggie. She stifled her laugh and pulled out a Pokeball. My newbie could use some training. She laughed, and sent out the snarling Tauros, a completely different creature from the one she was riding earlier. Ares. Time for your first battle. You're the baby here, so lets not make it noticeable. She grinned, and set him loose to charge. Bulldoze over that Growlithe.

[/blockquote]

[The REAL Joey]

Straightening out his cap as he tightened it down to his scalp, Morecambe was clearly disappointed in what Rhoan's aspirations were leading her to. To think he admired this stoic huntress and the breath of of fresh air she breathed into his life. She was a real inspiration. But if she was going to join Team Rocket, that is all it was going to be. "Slam my face in the dirt, ya say? I distinctively seem to remember bringin' out the big guns which shut ya up pretty good." Grinning, he fell back to all the other trainers he had tricked with his grossly over levelled partner. "No matter. You may have taken out Medusa the poor lass and Gex but Quaggie here has some real amazing potential! I won't be needin' ol' Goliath." Sterning his gaze, Jake was clearly getting tired of all the back and forth. "Can it alright. I doubt boring them to death with chatter is gonna win us this. Hell, while you're blabbing so fondly, they may as well sneak off!" Shaking his head, the security guard shone his torch on the Tauros. "Typical Team Rocket. Showing off all the exotic stuff they get, pft." Shining his torch over to Bob, the guard made a sarcastic remark. "And I suppose you've got something from one of those far off regions?" Gritting his teeth and taking a hearty dreg of his cigarette before flinging it out, Bob yelled back. "Shut up pig! I'll do things the old fashioned way. Ekans! Dinner's served!" Lobbing his Pokeball forward, a rather common sight of an Ekans slithered back and forth. Leaning his head over to Rhoan, Bob mumbled. "What can I say... I like my classics."

With all four Pokemon now on the pitch, it was going to be an unpredictable start. Letting out a terrifying bark, Ares and Ekans could be seen shirking back a little in intimidation. However, as if spurned by their trainers words, both Ares and Ekans' own way of intimidating came to the fore. Stamping at the centre flooring while swishing around its piercing horns, Ares' let out a vicious snarl of a yell that made both Quagsire and Growlithe wince. Ekans on the other hand went for a more sly way of intimidating by glinting its eyes evilly. Something Morecambe was all too keen to pick up on. Launching into the air while screaming like a girl, he hugged onto Jake as if experiencing a terror fit. "NOOOOOOO! NOT A SNAKE! GET IT OUTTA HERE! OH GOD, OH GOD, OH GOD..." Being pushed off by Jake, Morecambe could be seen trembling fearfully. His Quagsire however, was keen to pick up his spirits. Turning around and waving his flipper like arms, it made a goofy smile before focusing back at Rhoan and Bob before smiling at them as if it had no real grasp on the situation. "They use a lot of intimidation tactics and your... Thing... Just goofs off and smiles?" Nattering his teeth, Morecambe allowed that one to pass. "SNAAAAAKE!" Palming his face, Jake couldn't believe he'd been roped in with a survivalist mercenary that was afraid of snakes of all things.

"Enough of this, we're here to apprehend you both and if you won't come quietly, then we will have to use force! Growlithe, fire off an Ember at that bull! If they're gonna intimidate us, we'll use our special offensives instead." Yupping with a bark, the Growlithe held its head up high as it breathed in but exhaled out as a hefty amount of searing embers scattered all over at Ares. Panicking slightly, the bull stormed about with its hooves hammering the floor but eventually gained control over its pains. Now sneering angrily, Ares was more than happy to oblige with Rhoan's order. Leaning backwards with its forelegs in the air, the bull came smashing down with a force so destructive, it sent the tiles along the floor flying up in the air and dabbed the canine right in the face whilst also unbalancing it. "Feh! You been safari hunting or what?" Muttered Bob as he stuffed his face with another cigarette. Lighting it up, he took a puff before removing it from his mouth and gesturing an order to his Ekans. "You just Bite that dumb lookin' thing. Damn thing doesn't even look like it knows what its doing!" Slithering forward whilst keeping low, the Ekans waited for the moment and lashed forward just as Quagsire realised it was in its vicinity. Clamping down with its fangs, the bite seemed largely ineffectual. "Damn tub of lard for brains..."

Unable to hold its bite any longer, the Ekans withdrew its fangs and landed to the floor, looking up to see just what the hell could withstand such a painful hit. "Got 'em where ya want 'em! Quaggie! Fire up a Mud Shot! Come on buddy! Don't let me down... We gotta t-t-take out that s-s-s-snake...!" Still hiding behind his hands, Morecambe watched as Quagsire merely tilted his head. Seconds later, it opened its mouth ajar and before anyone could tell what was going on, let out a huge projectile of what appeared to be like muddy vomit that splattered forcefully at Bob's Ekans. Lifting it up off the ground, the snake went flying through the air, straight at Bob's face. It was only as the recruiter took a small dodge that Ekans went pounding into one of the building's support pillars. "THE HELL?!" Roared Bob. That was a cheap shot if he ever saw one. "Just who the hell is this guy?! You gonna get it now punk." Biting into his cigarette so hard that the tobacco flowed out, the tear didn't seem to bother Bob at all in the slightest. With the snake almost out of the picture, Morecambe regained some confidence. "S-See? This is how its gonna be if you join Team Rocket. They're a bunch of vile, evil crooks with weak little Pokemon who try to bully around others. You really want part of that?" Jeered Morecambe at Rhoan, hoping to get his point across.



Double Battle

---

Morecambe's Quagsire | ♂ | Level 15 |
Health : 90% (52/58 HP)
Status : Normal; Attack -2
This pleases the Quagsire!

Jake's Growlithe | ♀ | Level 15 |
Health : 65% (30/46 HP)
Status : Normal; Attack -2, Speed -1
Stop right there criminal scum

VERSUS!

Ares | ♂ | Level 11 |
Health : 62% (25/40 HP)
Status : Normal; Attack -1
This train has no breaks

Bob's Ekans | ♂ | Level 15 |
Health : 10% (4/40 HP)
Status : Normal; Attack -1, Speed -1
Sssssstuff you

---

Weather status: Normal

---

[Tyger]

Geez, Morecambe sure know how to get on everyone's nerves. His freak out at the Snake, which was along the same lines as the one he expressed when she had Tirrika, was classic and loud, and highly amusing. But his jeers against what she was doing and her Pokemon was starting to get a bit on her nerves. Hey, CAN it both of you! She snarled, shoving her hands in her pockets. I could end this in a few turns if i wanted to. Perhaps i'm scoping you guys out. Perhaps i'm scoping out my partner here. Or, perhaps i'm just trying to train up my weakest Pokemon. Who knows? The only thing that's certain is we're going to leave here and you're going to be defeated. She shrugged. You can't delay the inevitable any longer. The Tiger's a force you just can't stop. Perhaps you'll learn that this time, Morecambe. You're nothing but a washed up ranger I met when I first got here, and a trickster at that. What coward hides behind his Pokemon? You and I should duke it out right here and now! She smirked, cracking her knuckles. She was still sore about that dirty trick he'd so happily reminded her of now.

Ares, you okay? Good. I'd have a new jacket if you weren't. Watch for that Quaggie. It's got some firepower. Can't say the same for it's trainer. She chuckled, trying to fire the man up to fight her. If he was distracted, perhaps Bob could steal the Quagsire. Geeze, Rhoan. Everything always has to be a scheme. No matter. Bulldoze the Dog again, and try to faint it this time. We need to focus on the real task at hand. She spat, looking over with surprise at his depleted Ekans. That might be a problem. I like the classics too, but seriously? Cheap shot, ranger. Cheap shot... She murmured to herself. She loved how she was the criminal here, and yet all the cheap shots were from the ranger. Hypocritical git.

[/blockquote]

[The REAL Joey]

Yanking his shirt away from his chest, Morecambe somehow managed to speak up despite the crushing fear of the snake threatening him without mercy. "For someone as stoic as you, i'd have figured ya wouldn't be so wishy washy. Maybe this, maybe that, maybe whatever. Seems like you wouldn't be wastin' time around here when you could'a made a cleeeean getaway." Cutting in, Jake made clear that their time was being severely limited. "I called for back up upon entering the scene. In a few minutes, this place will be swarming with officers! End of the line!" Turning to look at Morecambe, he half wanted to smack him at being so scared of the Ekans but instead opted to make clear their plan. "We need to stall these guys! That Quagsire... It can take hits right?" Raising an eyebrow as he shivered at the thought of the snake, he nodded. "You betcha, Quaggies are tough little nuts." Nodding, Jake had worked out a plan at least.

"Peh! If we're so pushed for time, i'm gonna run over you no lives when we make our exit. Hope there's a coffin maker in town ya punks." Stressed at how pear shaped this was going, Bob turned to Rhoan and hoped to try and coax a bit of team play going on of their own. "Please tell me this bull hits harder than it looks." Despite his jab, it wasn't as if he was doing any better. However, as he tried to formulate more of a plan, Morecambe yelled out hesitantly. "Y-Y-You wanna go hand to hand? FINE! Just... Knock out that snake out already. Yikes. You won't have anyone to go fists with if that thing stays around much longer. I know my heart ain't gonna." His eyes darting back and forth between Rhoan and the Ekans, it was perhaps all too much to bear. Nevertheless, as the huntress initiated the next round, everyone at once announced their moves it seemed. "EMBER!" "BITE!" "M-M-MUD S-SHOT!" Hurrying into action, Ares was first to go off the bat, having disadvantaged the Growlithe by making the ground around it incredibly difficult to manoeuvre around on. Sadly for the pooch, things were about to get a lot more shaky. Smashing down on the ground with its hooves, the bull caused another upheaval of wreckage as all sorts of rubble, tiles and ground went lashing up into the Growlithe's face.

"WHAT SHAMELESS LAW BREAKING! Do you even know how much this is going to cost you to cover all the damage fees? This is preposterous!" Exclaimed Jake as he quickly took down a few notes on his notepad. As he did, the Growlithe shook its head, somewhat disorientated from the sensation of the ground moving so easily. Nevertheless, the disorientation did little to affect its mastery of fire. Inhaling the air around it, a patter of embers was instead exhaled as it blew them across the room and scattered the burning fires over Ares. The stocky bull standing its ground, it was clear that any more shots like that and things might not be ready for take off. Amazingly however, as opposed to Bob's snake attacking, it would be Morecambe's Quaggie. Having sensed the trainer's fear of snakes, the Quagsire rather morosely realised what it had to do. Opening its mouth with a rather clunky drop of its jaw, another huge stream of sick like mud streamed out as it finished off the snake. As it did, all that could be heard was Bob entering into a frenzy. "NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! THAT IS NOT OKAY WITH ME! YOU TELLIN' ME THAT SOME DOPED LOOKING PIECE OF $%@& JUST PUSHED ME ASIDE LIKE I WAS SOME KID?! OH NO! YOU'RE GONNA GET IT NOW YA PINK HAIRED PANSY!" Throwing his cap to the floor and flicking his cigarette off to the side, he ripped out another Pokeball and launched it forward.

What would appear was... Fairly anti-climatic. As opposed to a monstrous beast or a rare and powerful breed of Pokemon akin to what he had described when he was trying to enlist Rhoan, all that greeted them was the annoying squeak of a flapping Zubat. "FEAST ON THEIR EYES ZUBAT!" Breathing heavily as a vein pulsated on his forehead, it was enough to make Morecambe stand on his feet and burst out laughing so hard he gripped onto his sides. "PAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH! I looked up pathetic in the picture dictionary today and right there next to it was this pathetic sod!" Tears forming in his eyes, even the solemnly reserved Jake had to look away in order not to laugh. Aside from all the laughing, the only other noise that could be heard was Quagsire waddling around on the spot, punching the air as it happily celebrated. Well, there was the sound of the alarm too... But everyone had come to ignore that at this stage.



Double Battle

---

Morecambe's Quagsire | ♂ | Level 15 |
Health : 90% (52/58 HP)
Status : Normal; Attack -2
Why don't we be friends?!

Jake's Growlithe | ♀ | Level 15 |
Health : 30% (14/46 HP)
Status : Normal; Attack -2, Speed -2
Crime never pays!

VERSUS!

Ares | ♂ | Level 11 |
Health : 38% (10/40 HP)
Status : Normal; Attack -1
Isn't over until you drop dead

Bob's Zubat | ♂ | Level 15 |
Health : 100% (41/41 HP)
Status : Normal
Who interrupts my nap?!

---

Weather status: Normal

---

[Tyger]

Rhoan rolled her eyes and facepalmed. Morecambe and her 'partner' seemed to be idiots. But it didn't matter. Ares was doing well, but not doing the job fast enough. Oh ***** it. She growled, returning Ares. We're strung for time, so I think we outta finish this quick. Bob, focus on that Growlithe, and i'll take down the Quaggie. Gang up when the dog is down. Rhoan said, fumbling through her pokeballs to figure out the best choice of attack. Looks like releasing the Dragon was the quickest get away.

Tyrana, lets finish this. the rabid lizard was released, tail blazing. She certainly remembered Morecambe, that was for sure. You gotta take a hit or two, but Dragon Rage that Quaggie. She commanded, hoping Quagsire would focus on Zubat for a turn. Bob couldn't handle this battle, but Rhoan could in the end. It was inevitable.

[/blockquote]

[The REAL Joey]

Watching as she was making a swap out, Bob let out a gravely laugh. "Bringin' out the big guns, huh? About time. We can scorch these losers like a BBQ." As she went over her own take of the battle tactics, Bob nodded and snapped his neck to his Zubat. "Ya don't gotta tell me twice! Alright bat brains, Bite at that stupid, slobber chops. Go for the neck! Tear an artery or... Something! Sheesh, you try being inventive." Letting out an ear piercing natter with its teeth, the Pokemon used its incredible sonar to sense around it and view through the gift of sound. Honing in on what it perceived as a slobber chops, the Zubat zoomed forward with a lithe flap of its wings. Astonishing everyone on the field with its agility, the bat took advantage of the opportunity and sunk its jagged teeth right into the Growlithe's neck. Causing a sickening gush, it became clear that Bob's Pokemon had struck oil, er, blood with a deft critical blow. Causing the dog to whine, the sudden loss of blood was enough to make it pass out. Much to Jake's outrage. "You seedy criminals...! How could you advocate such cruelty?! When this merc for hire sorts you out... I'm gonna see that you both never see the light of day... AGAIN!"

Returning his Pokemon angrily, he resorted to his notepad as he began scribbling down all their offences and then some. Only then, did Morecambe clap out loud. "Bravo, bravo, just bra-bloody-vo. Maybe I underestimated that Rocket you're with Rhoan. Either way, you're still in bad company. I'll give you one last chance to reconsider, alright? I'd hate to see the person who inspired me so greatly to walk down such a shady path. The Huntress or not, you can do better." Shrugging, he turned to his affectionately named Quaggie and laughed. "How about we show 'em what for eh Quaggie? Douse her Charmeleon with a Water Gun!" Folding his arms and beaming, his face faltered slightly as he realised something was a little off. "Tyrana? Wait, ya mean your little scamp of a Charmander's got all big an' strong?" Looking over Tyrana again, there was no doubt it seemed. "Ain't that a kicker! I hope she takes to the water a bit better this time! That rain last time certainly did no favours, huh?" Grinning as he finished, Quaggie hopped forward and with a cavalier look, opened up its mouth once more. As opposed to hurling up a hefty load of mucus like mud vomit, what sprung forth was rather that of clear, clean water.

Jettisoning forward with a punishing velocity, Tyrana fiercely held her ground and kept her tail as distant as possible from the flow of the water. Eventually losing stamina, Quaggie let out a small cough as he ended the water gun. "Awww too bad Quaggie! That was good though. You're a real pal." Cracking his knuckles as he stretched both hands forward, Morecambe took the centre of the fore in the opposite corner. "So, two against one. This is the kinda survival scenario that I dream of! I hope you're both ready to get aced! Wouldn't have it any other way." Grinning, the mercenary seemed so confident in his own abilities, he even let Bob and Rhoan order forward first. "This is it... We can deal with pinkie here and now. With your fire power and my swiftness, he's through." Turning to look at the Quagsire blocking their way, Bob almost dropped the cigarette out of his mouth as Tyrana lurched forward. Her growl reverberating lowly, it was clear that she was about to unleash something powerful. Opening her mouth with a muffled roar, it was a terrifying sight.

What little light remained in the night seemed to disappear as Tyrana's very body seemed to suck it up towards her being, enshrouding her in a shimmering aura. Seconds later, her eyes began to glow a powerful colour just as a light emanated from the depths inside her mouth. The roar getting louder, it was only as she summoned up a draconian hell-fire that it exploded into a fully fledged yell. Forming the fire into what looked like the head of a dragon, the stream of deadly flames bathed Quagsire in their rampant fury. Stuttering around as it flailed wildly on the spot, the saddened look on the Quagsire only seemed to belie the true agony it was feeling. As the flames died down and Tyrana relented, the natural light seemed to return. However, before even giving the Quagsire a moment's reprieve, Bob cut in viciously. "ZUBAT! BITE! No prisoners!" Swooping forward, the bat lunged with its teeth and took a brutal bite of the Pokemon's forehead. Slamming to the floor, it seemed that crime had won over justice.



Double Battle

---

Morecambe's Quagsire | ♂ | Level 15 |
Health : 0% (0/58 HP)
Status : KO'd
...

Jake's Growlithe | ♀ | Level 15 |
Health : 0% (0/46 HP)
Status : KO'd
...

VERSUS!

Tyrana | ♀ | Level 11 |
Health : 59% (30/51 HP)
Status : Normal
Anyone for toast? Burnt toast?

Bob's Zubat | ♂ | Level 15 |
Health : 100% (41/41 HP)
Status : Normal
My blood lust is sated

---

Weather status: Normal

---

Victory!

---

Your Tauros fought courageously and has levelled up for its participation!
It went up by 1 level and is now Level 12!
Ares gained +1 Happiness.


Your Charmeleon fought courageously and has levelled up!
It went up by 2 levels and is now Level 19!
Tyrana gained +1 Happiness.

---

Laughing at the fact that for once, something had gone right, Bob recalled back his Zubat as he was now ready to make a clean getaway. At least, that's what would've happened had his driving not been so bad. "Nice work recruit, Team Rocket welcomes ya. Now..." Turning his head he seemed perplexed as he realised that the horrific state of the van had meant it was out of commission. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Gonna have to find somethin' else... Argh!!" He looked to the hole in the wall and his jaw dropped slightly. Although defeated, Jake and Morecambe were now sealing off the area and were putting their lives on the line. Even with their Pokemon fainted, they were going to be put up an adamant display of resistance. "Now just hold on a sec... I swear I had Goliath here somewhere..." "It is our duty as security to ensure that intruders will get their justice." Patting at his many jackets, Morecambe was getting ready to unleash the big guns to stop them from escaping. Raking his face down at their refusal to move out the way, Bob turned to Rhoan and sighed wearily; it had been a long night and this was the last thing he needed. "Hey lady, you're resourceful. Send these schmucks packin'. Then we'll make our escape." Grinning deviously, he made clear this was it. "Consider this yer last test."

[Tyger]

Rhoan hadn't expected the Zubat to pack such a punch. She felt bad for Ares, she really wanted to use him with this. It was good to establish a good connection with him, since their species was so driven. If she could turn his motivation to work for her, she was sure he'd get even stronger, especially if she commanded it. She didn't mind being 'friends' now, but whatever it took to get them, and herself, stronger. With the Quaggie down, and the dog in the dust, it was time to take that next step in strength, which was getting rid of Morecambe.

Oh noooo sir.

She smirked, switching Pokemon with a flash. Ares replaced the snarling lizard, but Morecambe would have probably preferred the dragon compared to her. She gestured to Bob, and Ares ran over. We have our get away. Get on the bull. She said, charging Morecambe, swinging a curled fist at his face before tackling at him. You better hope I don't see yer face again, got it ranger? Goliath or not, you'll be toast. You don't mess with the Tiger. She snarled, lifting one hand to grab the saddle of the bull racing past her. She snatched it up and was pulled up, settling in the saddle in front of Bob. Hold on to something. Where to? She asked the man, sticking to the backroads.

[/blockquote]