[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220808/ad97e8ab1fde2e20c156f26c09f67c94.png[/img][/center]
[center][color=E38AAE][b]MENTIONS:[/b][/color] [color=FFE6E8]Iris [[@Serei2477]], Bianca [[@Majoras End]], Mika [[@Solace]], Astrid [[@LuckyBlackCat]], Sebastien [[@King Cosmos]][/color][/center]
[color=FFE6E8]If there was any time that Hestia was extraordinarily glad for the presence of other gym leaders, it would probably be now. The strange, chimera-like beasts prowled closer and closer still, their saliva dripping onto the pathway. A drawn-out hiss emitted from the puddles of thick murk as the fluid gnawed away at the grass it came in contact with. As soon as they were near her, however, Astrid burst out of the gym with both of her Pokemon. Aries’ Power Gem slammed straight into the neck of one of the beasts, earning its ire in the form of a great howl of pain, the pack turning towards the new enemy. The other beast screeched even louder and vomited up a blob of purple muck towards the Pokemon that had appeared– only for it to splatter against the Ampharos’ Light Screen. It stood there, confused, until a Shadow Ball slammed into its side and sent it crashing into a nearby patch of shrubbery. 

[color=E38AAE][b]”Lazuli! Dragon Rush!”[/b][/color] Hestia took the opening as soon as it had presented itself to her. Huffing, the injured Salamence roared and cloaked itself in an azure light before it slammed into the other distracted “Pokemon”. It howled in pain, writhing as it struggled to stand up, but Lazuli took it upon himself to finish it off with another Dragon Claw. 

More still came. The masked individuals howled more commands at the beasts, which made them pelt down the path towards them. At that point in time, the others had arrived. Through the combination of Sebastien’s Murk and Mika’s (fool-hardy) Centurion, a large number of their forces had either been washed away or torn apart by the wrath of the earth around them. Hestia grit her teeth as Lazuli landed next to her in a rush of wind, raising a hand to comfort her pained Pokemon once again. It appeared that they had this. 

The enemy’s strategy finally came apart at the seams when the other Pokemon that had recently arrived at the entrance were promptly greeted with a Confuse Ray and Night Shade from Iris’ own Pokemon. Three of the Nido-Arcanine promptly began to maul each other in their bewilderment. Hestia stared in horror as their fangs, horns, and claws dug into each other’s hides without mercy, flinging both fur and flesh into the air, their teammate now having become the bane of their wrath. One of the Pokemon collapsed to the floor in a frenzy of howl as the other two dug into it, still confused. With all of the blood that was pouring out of the poor thing, Hestia thought that they would kill it right there and then. Thankfully, they, too, were finished off by Bianca’s Froslass’ Icy Wind before they could end the beast’s life. 

[b]”Leave them!”[/b] The commander, or so it appeared, of the strange platoon shouted from their position in the back of their cluster. [b]”We’ve done our job! Retreat!”[/b]

Hestia couldn’t see where the voice came from, though before she realized it, their enemies were already recalling their Pokemon into Pokeballs she had never seen before. Hissing in frustration, she took a step forward and reached to grab another of her Pokeballs, though paused when she heard Lazuli groan in pain again. She turned towards her Salamence as he slumped to the floor, fatigued. By the time she knelt at his side, the squadron of would-be terrorists had fled on the backs few Nido-Arcanine that remained healthy enough to ride. In a matter of sheer moments, the gym leaders were left behind in the dust that was kicked up by the beasts’ massive paws. 

[color=E38AAE][b]”Lazuli…”[/b][/color] Hestia murmured, stroking the dragon’s neck. He whimpered in exhaustion and peered up at her in a silent question. [color=E38AAE][b]”You did great.”[/b][/color]

He let out a rumbling sigh as his eyes slid closed. Recalling him into his own Pokeball so that he wouldn't suffer more than he already had to, she straightened up and glared at the rest. 

[color=E38AAE][b]”Is everyone else okay? Anyone hurt?”[/b][/color]

Hestia knew she had to maintain composure. Those who knew her well, however, could tell that she didn’t quiver with adrenaline or shock, but with pure rage. She didn’t care who had done this– all she knew was that she’d make them pay for attacking innocent civilians and hurting her beloved Pokemon.[/color]