[hider=Sergeant Broadson – Petalburg Woods]A clumsy and stumbling rustle could be heard soon after, and hands clutched a bushes and trees as she tried to make her way through the overgrown Woods. Her hair was a strange purple color, but the roots were visible, making it clear that this was not her natural hair color. 

She was mumbling obsenities as she looked around, ignoring the group of Rangers right in front of her. Lain heard her say "Beautifly" and immediately went on edge.

But then she knelt down to the icy mess that covered Dustox. "Fucking cunt," she said, shaking her head in disapproval for the state he got himself in. 

"I'm really sorry," she finally said to them directly. "They were on patrol to keep away danger Pokemon and threatening trainers. They were probably just really bored and wanted to battle," she admitted.

Beautifly began to stir awake due to the care of Blissey. She chirped and hummed something that this woman interpreted quite clearly.

"Who in the fucking hell is dumping butts throughout my Woods?" she asked in the most unpleasant of manners.

Lain widened his eyes, surprised that she seemed to care so much, and that these whole Woods were somehow "hers." But he just took a step back and faced Hughes, who was the littering criminal among them. Hughes responded by putting on a dumb face to seem ignorant. But she would have none of that.

"I should get the rest of my fucking Pokemon to fucking kill you, bitch."

Her voice was low and threatening. She only stood to his collar bone and she hardly had anything on her bones, but her intensity took Hughes off guard. She walked right up to his chest and glared into his dumb face.

She stood there for a few moments, silently judging the man. "I, Violet Dandelion, the Gym Leader of Petalburg Woods, order you to pick up every butt you dropped from Rustboro to here. And, while you're at it, you might as well get a pack of non-filters, you fucking pussy," she demanded, adding in an insult which was meant to attack his masculinity.

Smoking in Hoenn wasn't unheard of, though not entirely common. However, their cigarettes and cigars were always organic, biodegradeable, and only purely tobacco with some natural flavors and zero additivies. They were much stronger than any other cigarettes from other Regions, which would even give Hughes a hard time regardless of his excessive smoking habits.

In his familiar fashion, Hughes stood up to the threat. His chest puffed in anger. and red blotches colored his cheekbones. Eloise knew that this wasn't going to be good. Just as Hughes balled his hands into fists, she put a hand on his arm to stop him.

Unintimidated, Violet took a step back to address the group. "Who's the leader, here?"

"That'd be me, Ms. Dandelion," a voice called out from a distance.

The man from the hologram was trudging through the woods. A large circle was upon his back and fin-like appendages wrapped around his body. Sweat covered his face, chest, and back which stained his A-shirt. His boots were slathered in mud. His knees, elbows, and hands were smeared with dirt. What was he doing that was so strenuous? Surprisingly, his voice didn't seem to show any exhaustion.

"Ah, a Ranger," she said, looking at Sergeant Broadson as he neared.

"These Rangers are from Kalos, miss," Broadson continued. "Please forgive their behavior."

His voice was youthful but deep and stern. His face looked aged but showed no deep wrinkles. It was clear he was dedicated to physical fitness that was a degree much higher than Hughes. It was clear he was intense, but of what and to whom was unknown.

"As soon as he picks up after himself," Violet spat out again at Hughes.

"You heard her, Ensign. Get to picking up those butts," he said, pointing to the ground where he could see one sticking up from upturned earth. "Keeper Moon," he said, looking at the correct individual, which surprised them all. "You'll be keeping an eye on him and bringing him back to my camp when he's done. But you're not to help," he ordered.

His voice remained calm and his face was largely unmoving. It was clear he respected the Gym Leader but also the environment. 

Hughes wasn't in a position to disobey a surperior, especially in foreign region. Still, he huffed and cursed something under his breath. Virgil sighed and rolled his eyes to himself, unhappy with having to follow Hughes around while he picked up after himself.

"And get rid of those cigarettes," the Sergeant said and tossed Hughes another pack of cigarettes. They weren't labeled, but he opened them and they were clearly non-filters, something Violet had mentioned before he even got there.

A Masquerain and Leavanny appeared out of the Woods and tended to both Beautifly and Dustox. Violet seemed unconcerned about them, knowing they'd be taken care of. It seemed the situation was covered and they could continue without interruption. Hughes would just be behind on the briefing, which was another punishment for disrepespecting the environment of another region carried out by Broadson.

"The rest of you, we're moving out," the Sergeant called out with his immitation of a militaristic command. They jumped in their skin at its intensity but gathered their things and headed out with him. Eloise propped Holly up upon her shoulder until Metagross could carry her himself. 

A head seeped out of the top of the mishapen disc around his back. It looked back at the rest of them with judgemental eyes. "Carracosta," he said, which was heard without response by Broadson. 

The tortoise kept an eye on them for quite a while, making them all uneasy yet slightly amused. He retracted into his shell when they neared the camp. It was dark due to the canopy above, but a large tent with a fire pit had been made. The tent didn't look large enough for the six of them, however, but none were quite concerned with that. They wanted to rest after the commotion and the long walk they traveled over the past two days. 

Carracosta retracted his arms as well when Broadson was close enough. He fell to the ground but immediately performed a skillful Rapid Spin to flip him onto his belly so he could move around without issue. Broadson slipped his shirt off and slung it over a rope that was tied from the tent to a tree nearby. He hung it over the firepit that he bent over to start with his piece of flint. 

The scars across his body were more noticeable now. A large gash on his left shoulder was a dark red yet looked quite old. It was now a deformity of his form. Across his right arm were three long scratches which were a pale white against his skin. His back showed scratches and circles of what looked like puncture wounds. It was due to his training against actual Pokemon and their maneuvers. He knew quite a bit about Pokemon in general. Carracosta's shell was also decorated with equally impressive training scars. In the new light, Carracosta's right iris was a stark red in contrast to his left eye. A long scar was apparent across that right eye. 

The fire started quickly and the logs around the pit became more visible. "I'm sure you're all tired," Broadson growled with a cigarette in his mouth. His torso didn't help pinpoint his age as it was covered in a mature fur that complimented his physique quite well. With only shorts that went to mid-thigh and 10-inch boots, he clearly wasn't trying to be modest. 

"I'm going to the stream nearby. Anyone who wants to wash up, follow me. If you're hungry, there are berries in my pack."

"What about our mission?" Lain asked while shaking his head. He was clearly confused as to the hospitality the Sergeant showed in this time of emergency.

"You'll all be briefed, Captain Ickeringill. I want you all well and rested before we head out. We're spending the night here."

The sun was setting, though it was difficult to tell. Sergeant Broadson led Captain Ickeringill to the stream nearby in order to wash up. Eloise checked up on Holly to make sure she was alright. Metagross made sounds that told Eloise the girl would be fine. Still, Blissey was left outside of her Pokeball in the case Holly's health declined any further.

Broadson led Lain through the dense Woods. They weaved around trees and ferns. There were even some bushes of large, ripe berries that Broadson picked discretely for a small snack.

The stream was deep and clear. The waters were calm and simply drifted from the north to the south. It was a small divergence of a much larger river that started high from Meteor Falls. The waters were pure and clean. The lack of pollution allowed the natural collection of fresh water throughout Hoenn. In fact, that was one of their largest exports. 

Broadson bent down to remove his shoes and socks. He then swiftly removed his shorts despite Lain right behind him. Broadson leaned over to cup a handful of water to funnel into his mouth. He then took another and let the cool water to clean the sweat off his face. He stood up and slowly entered the water. 

It was soft against his legs and gently pulled at the hairs covering them. The water only made it past his knees, but he lowered himself to sit in the pillowy sediment. He leaned his back against a flat rock and allowed the chilled waters to reinvigorate his body. 

Lain was unabashed in following Broadson's lead. He took his time to remove each article of clothing to then fold neatly and keep on a rock nearby. He sank into the chilly waters slowly in order to get accustomed. He took a sip of the water when he was submerged up to his chest. Looking over at the Sergeant, this was clearly to be a time of silence and relaxation.[/hider]

[hider=??? - Verdanturf Town]Before the sun rose, screams sliced through the rested and refreshing air of Verdanturf.  Upon discovery of the source, a woman was being chased down by a large man on a scooter. His grin was wicked and wild. The look on the woman’s face was true terror. The man had killed her Pokemon near Rusturf Tunnel. She was now helpless and alone, calling out to anyone for help though most would be asleep.[/hider]

[hider=Forrest – Olburg Woods]The only sounds were that of the fire. The air was still around them and each of them remained silent. The logs in the fire popped, creating an uneven base for the melody of the fire searing. The kids must have heard their yelling at each other. Still, they all remained relaxed before the fire.

 Forrest picked Shelynn up and laid her over his lap. Rowan’s head rested against Jeanne’s shins as he sat on the ground. She stroked his hair, lulling him into a restful state. Elizabeth kissed her daddy and mum and set herself to bed. Jerrek remained attentive to the fire, stoking it gently so everyone would be comfortable but so the fire could be put out without much effort. 

“What were you fighting about?” Jerrek asked. He wanted to know despite the atmosphere telling everyone the subject was inappropriate. 

“Jerrek,” Jeanne said in chastisement. 

“No, it’s fine,” Forrest rumbled.

“We were just having an argument,” Valoria confessed.

“About?” Jerrek prodded.

“Team Zodiac,” Forrest answered.

Valoria shifted on the log where she sat. It was clearly uncomfortable for her about which to discuss. “They’ve sabotaged the Ener-Geo Corpoartion. The northern part of the mainland is now out of power, as well.”

“That’s awful,” Jeanne exhaled.

“They also tried to tell us that your Uncle’s murder wasn’t intentional or condoned in their organization,” Forrest added. A quick glare was thrown his way from Valoria. Jeanne looked at him with widened eyes of surprise. 

“Was it?” Jerrek asked. 

“Maybe,” Forrest responded with flippancy. 

Jerrek didn’t push the conversation. He gathered all his tired mind cared. 

An hour or so passed with Jerrek playing with the fire and the adults just looking on in concentration and comforting their children. “I think it’s time to go to bed,” Forrest said as he picked Shelynn to cradle her in his arms. 

He shifted her so she sat in one of his arms and wrapped around his left shoulder. He then stepped gently toward Rowan. Forrest stirred the boy enough to gain a hold on the boy to position him similarly across his right shoulder. Jerrek lifted himself from the log and followed his father slowly.

The women remained still by the fire. Jeanne reached out for Jerrek’s hand. She pulled him in and forced her lips upon his cheek as a “farewell” and “good night.” The boy was so tired he hardly responded physically to the display of affection. 

Forrest took his time to lay out each child and tuck them in to kiss them into slumber. First was Rowan upon the bed under the window in the boys’ room on the left side of the room. Forrest sat the boy upon the bed with a gentle lean. His large hand combed the boy’s hair and he guided his head to his pillow. Forrest helped undress him further so he’d be more comfortable and not have to wake himself later to do it himself. Forrest then pulled the sheet over his body and moved Rowan’s hair from his forehead to lay his lips upon the soft skin.

Jerrek undressed himself and slipped into his own bed against the other wall which was shared with the girls’ room. Forrest stepped quietly regardless of carrying Shelynn and being so heavy, himself. He laid his large hand upon Jerrek’s chest. The hand covered the whole area of his chest and Forrest could feel his heartbeat and the rise of his chest as he breathed shallow and tired breaths. He kissed the boy upon the forehead in the same fashion he had Rowan.

“Good night,” he whispered as he exited the room and closed the door quietly.

He laid Shelynn out as he had Rowan and kissed her as he did the boys. He then checked on Elizabeth who was sprawled out across her bed. He shifted her body to a more comfortable position and neatly laid the sheet across her body. She was clearly stirring from something unsettling. So he kissed her forehead twice and whispered “I love you.” She shifted her head in her sleep as a response. He hoped she’d calm and find rest this night.

He exited the girls’ room in the same fashion he had from the boys’. He then paced toward his own room in silence to remove his pants and change his underwear. He then grabbed a case of cigars and a lighter before returning to the fire where the ladies seemed to stay. On his way out, he grabbed a couple blankets in the case they would be cold.

Forrest walked around the fire and positioned a few more logs upon it. It quickly grew to emit more heat. The blankets were only welcomed by Jeanne who wrapped herself in the quilt. The other remained upon the log on which Valoria sat. 

Forrest offered a cigar to Valoria. She accepted without a word and allowed Forrest to light it for her. Forret took and lit one for himself and sat on the log next to Jeanne. His production of body heat was clearly more efficient than Jeanne’s. She was smothering herself with a quilt in front of a fire while Forrest was comfortable only in boxer shorts and a cigar in his mouth. His legs were spread wide with his forearms against his knees.

“I’m sorry for getting so heated,” he apologized to Valoria.

“Your sense of valor is understandable,” she responded calmly without breaking her gaze from the fire. “I just can’t bear to lose any other loved ones.”

“I understand your concern,” Forrest admitted. “And you’re right. We’ve got to be smart about this.”

Feet through grass was heard at a distance behind them. Forrest swung his torso around. He was shocked Medicham hadn’t alerted him. But the silhouette then told him why. It was Janice and Mitchell. Mit was probably the only one who could convince Medicham to keep silent about his presence to Forrest. “Oh, hello!” Jeanne greeted as quietly as she could. 

She rose while keeping the quilt around her body to greet them properly with a hug. Forrest followed his wife. He wrapped his long and wide arms around Jane, who was taller but slimmer than Jeanne. He then swung his arm hard and slammed his hand around Mit’s forearm, who did the same in return. They each pulled the other toward himself to embrace in a hug with their free arm. 

Jane was already sitting next to Jeanne when Forrest and Mit were finished with their embrace. She wrapped herself in the other quilt available and the two began to fawn over their own and each other’s children. Forrest offered Mit a cigar and his lighter. They seemed to segregate themselves around the fire into quilts and cigars. 

The adults then just chatted about life. Mit and Jane held the conversation. It seemed they knew the three needed a lighter topic to lighten their spirits. A couple hours passed before Jeanne and Jane retreated to the cabin for bed. 

The two women worked at a the pull-out sofa for the couple to rest for the night. Jeanne then retreated to her own bedroom upstairs. 

Mit and Forrest remained at the fire for a long while. They were silent, both thinking of ways in which to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their training.[/hider]

[hider=Team Zodiac  – Mt. Chimney]The two of them had infiltrated the Ener-Geo Corporation easily enough despite the increased security measures. Leo was a fantastic actress and her seductive skills certainly helped with this. Virgo, however, was actually working as if employed there. He knew his geology and was hired to assist a team to collect soil from the mountain that was fertile to the standards of Mt. Chimney Ash Compost. This soil was exported all over the world and relied upon among the natives to enhance the vibrancy and hardiness of their gardens. The Oldale Gardens, kept up by a Mrs. Honnings, was the famous Hoennese landmark to prove the soil’s fertility.

Leo, who had changed the color of her hair and the clothes that she usually wore, made short work of the heat generators which powered the whole of the northern part of the mainland of Hoenn. It was much easier with the Entei she’d befriended along the Firey Path. But there was a Ditto there that tried to fool her and put up a more difficult fight than she thought appropriate. 

Virgo just minded his own business, as he usually had. He liked to play in the dirt, and talking with other geologists was most invigorating. Most in the organization didn’t share his enthusiasm for dirt and rocks. Pisces would inquire for further knowledge of some things in which Virgo specialized, but it was few and far between.  [/hider]