Vivian gasped finally realising who it was that was approaching her. Rowlet had noticed the group long before anyone else and alerted Viv. Nervously standing beside her tent with a lantern in hand, Vivian nearly dropped it when Elly fell to the floor. Brimming with excitement she ran forward to meet and embrace her friend. She could hardly keep up with all her words but wanted to hear more.
Vivian quickly addresses her busy Pokemon as she leads her guests to her large tent. "All right guys, snack time! Thank you very much, Great start all."
Inside the tent, as she hangs up her lantern she ushers her friends and company to take a seat on the many pillows scattered about. She fills some bowls with Pokemon snacks while simultaneous offering her friends a warm drink from a thermos flask. "I'm so glad you made it! I think we're nearly through." Vivian says excitedly before she paused and her brows furrowed. "Wait... Did you say you ran into more poachers?" she asks with concern, clearly annoyed by the thought.
Vivian let out a yawn and rubbed the sleep from her tired eyes as she took a seat on her deflated air bed. Ferroseed came up seeking attention and Vivian carefully pet and fed it. Flabebe happily caught up with trubbish floating all around introducing it to the others.
()
TP
66 +1 post +1 (HHG) TP=68
INVENTORY:
pokeball x1
travel rations + supplies
POKEMON:
Flabebe- 14
Petilil- 6
Ferroseed-2
Rowlet-1
empty
empty
Azerus Jr
Greenhaven
43
The machine was up and working. Azerus learnt that it was used to transport pokemon to a safe and friendly pokemon ranch where they could live freely. That after all was the organisations way. AJ started to understand where this mechanic was coming from. Unfortunately there was no secret way out. The mechanic, who was simply that, called his boss and assured Azerus that someone was on their way to help them out.
In the meantime the trapped men slept and waited. One of the doors Azerus noticed earlier led to the living area that held a small kitchen, bathroom and bed area. The other door was still locked and out of bounds.
“Vivian! It’s great that you’re back,” Leisy said, grinning.“It really has been too long.”
The last time she’d seen Vivian, she’d been uncertain of many things; how to comfort her new friend, how to face her failures, and how to get strong enough so that she’d stop failing — those were all questions that haunted her at the time. Through her most recent journeys, however, she’d learned to, if not put those questions completely behind her, understand that sometimes not having an answer is okay — especially if she had friends at her side.
“This is Florence. It was her Chikorita — Vernie — who the poachers stole,” Leisy said when Vivian asked. “The poachers — they seem only to be getting more organized and daring. Someone needs to do something. Preferably us.”
A glance down at the Pupitar at her side, with his steady, solid gaze as he chewed on one of the offered Pokemon snacks, told Leisy that that her Pokemon agreed. Still, Ella, Florence, and she had walked past sunset and well into the night to get to Vivian’s campsite, and all three were drained. Vivian too looked like she had seen better days, so — despite the fact that all four of the girls were probably rearing to go in their minds — Leisy figured that someone had to voice the obvious.
“We need rest,” she said, covering a yawn of her own. “The food was a great perk-up, Vivian, but we’re all drained from the walk to Greenhaven. Is there anywhere we can make camp here, or should we head to the Greenhaven Pokemon Center?”
Sitting in the tent, Ella sipped the warm drink, a welcome relief from the cold. This time, she let out her Pokemon small group by small group instead of one by one to feed them. At least she'd managed one thing - to get her Pokemon to work together, and with others, through all these trials. Would that be enough for the upcoming one?
"We haven't run into any more poachers since it happened, but we'll make sure to find them and get those Pokemon back," she said. "And we're happy to help clear those last rocks away! But yeah... Leisy's right. Rest would be a good idea."
She gave a concerned glance at Florence, who'd been constantly pushing herself, all while recovering from an Ekans bite. It was completely understandable - Ella knew she'd do the same if one of her Pokemon had been stolen - but knowing Florence, she'd probably insist she was fine, even if the pallor to her face and the shadows under her eyes said otherwise.
Trembling from tiredness, Florence let out all four Pokemon in the safety of the tent, feeding them snacks.
As Leisy introduced her to Vivian, the medic gave a slight smile. "Uh... Hi." She glanced down at the groundsheet. How could she stand up to poachers when she could barely even handle talking to new people? If only she could be more like Ella, perky and positive. Surely the pink-haired girl didn't have any self-confidence issues.
Florence nodded, jaw clenched. "To think she could be around here..." she whispered, holding on to that hope. It wasn't guaranteed, but for all she knew, the Kadabra could have teleported into the cave.
She sighed as Ella and Leisy mentioned rest. All she wanted to do was start digging right away, but in her current state, she probably wouldn't get far. Besides, she wasn't going to make the others feel they had to stay up. "I'm ok," she said, noticing Ella's look of worry, "but I guess we'll have to get a few hours in... then we'll be able to start in the morning."
Despite the man's threat, Cici stood her ground. She returned Ligeia, keeping her out of the Steel-type's way. The only option, it seemed, was to fight. There was no reasoning with someone that unhinged. Even so, she made her opinion known.
"You heard him. You say you care about Pokemon, and yet you go around tormenting them? Odd way of helping," she replied, a rarely-heard note of anger in her tone. She trusted Pokemon more than humans herself - well, for the most part. Some Pokemon could be cruel and petty, as she knew from experience, and some humans risked their lives to help others. No living being, though, deserved what this maniac was planning.
"Surely you saw all those Pokemon you disturbed just now," she continued. "If you go through with this sick plan, how many do you think will end up getting hurt? And humans aren't always the most trustworthy, but believe me, I've seen genuine kindness from them."
Backing up her trainer with a furious squawk, Dulcet flew over to her side.
The scene around Jason had become a forest, much like one he'd seen in a painting. He had yet to visit Feyhollow, so the picture was his only reference, but he was sure his surroundings were meant to mimic the area's wilderness.
More Unowns swirled in and out of the gnarled trees, spelling out the same words.
"HELP US"
Jason's mind raced. How would he help them when he only had a vague idea what could be going on? He knew about the stories. He'd heard of people being trapped with the Unowns for days, weeks even, kept alive only by the dimension that sealed them. Some never returned at all.
"Look, I didn't mean any harm!" he told them. "I was just watching!"
He stared into the distance at the sound of a voice. A child's voice, echoing the Unown's words.
"Help me!"
Such a desperate, real-sounding cry, one that couldn't be ignored. Instantly, Jason started in the direction of the voice, pushing aside branches and vines, but couldn't find the child no matter how he tried - although he heard him again.
"Why won't you help me?"
The guild founder stopped, realising who the voice must belong to. This wasn't someone else stuck here, but a manifestation of his current main concern.
"I thought you were strong!" the child yelled over an angry buzzing noise. The kind of noise that could only come from a swarm of Beedrills. "I thought you could stop the dreams! You're only pretending to be strong, aren't you?"
Somebody else, an adult male, spoke. "I should have known," he seethed. "You're a fake. All you know how to do right is build up an image. Well, it's not fooling us any more." Jason winced at the scathing tone, the stab of guilt it brought.
"How could you?" a woman spat. "How could you let our son down like this?"
It's not real, none of this is real, Jason told himself - although the situation outside of the illusory world WAS real. He truly was failing the child he'd set out to help, as well as these Unowns.
"Agne! Amyntas!" As the symbol Pokemon loomed in front of him, he let out the two Ghost types, in case he had to defend himself. Surely he and his Pokemon would find some way to get out of here.
TP: +1 (33) Pokemon:
Vulpix (Iliana), female, lv19
Snorunt (Eira), female, lv19
Doublade (Agne), male, lv35
Golett (Amyntas), lv26
Espurr (Tibert), male, lv14
Fraxure (Fraener), male, lv38
Zorua (Velius), male, Black Glasses, lv7
Inventory:
Pokeball x1
Rank: Skilled Organisation: Legendwatch (founder and leader)
"Rest sounds good." Vivian replied with a sigh "It's up to you guys if you want to use my tent or head to a more comfy bed at the poke'center. We'll be alright, we have been resting in shifts." She innocently lied.
"ahh" she squeals excitedly. "I'm just so glad you you are here!"
Over the duration of the warm drink Vivian proceeds to explain what she has been up to and introduces each of her new Pokemon until a sudden and abrupt nearby explosion violently shook her tent. Small rocks littered down tearing through the fabric while a cloud of dust surrounded them.
()
TP
68 +1 post +1 (HHG) +3 (Sunrise) TP=73
INVENTORY:
pokeball x1
travel rations + supplies
POKEMON:
Flabebe- 17 (14 + 3 sunrise)
Petilil- 6
Ferroseed-2
Rowlet-1
empty
empty
Azerus Jr
Greenhaven
44
Having since woken up, with the poke'ball transfer machine fixed and nothing else to do, Azerus begged the mechanic for a re-match. Eventually he got his way and Metang came out onto the field once again. Only this time it was not an out right battle but a training exercise for both parties. The mechanic did want his metang to evolve someday soon.
First up was the new machop. While his physical attacks were quite ineffective, he truly proved to have a fighting spirit. The little guy wouldn't give up. Metang purely worked on his defence while machop threw attack after attack. AJ even eventually grew tired of his antics and tried to return him unsuccessfully. It was the damaged pokeball. It wouldn't return him. Eventually Metang ended it with a single strike by clubbing machop in the head.
Next up was a rested and prepared Rhyhorn. Eager to prove himself Rhyhorn fought fiercely. The mechanic proved to be knowledgeable helping Azerus teach Ryhorn Bulldoze and Drill run.
With the new moves equipped it dawned on Azerus that they no longer had to wait for a rescue. After a short trip back down the tunnel they stood at the collapsed entrance under the guiding light of Metang.
There was a roar, then the ground shook under the thundering heavy steps, suddenly a large blast of rocks, dirt, sand and debris exploded out from the cavern entrance all over Vivian's tent where the girls and Pokemon all sat cheerfully talking.
“Let’s camp here then. It’ll be easier for the morning,” Leisy said, smiling.
Vivian’s tale of her few days was riveting to hear, especially since Leisy’s days with Ella, then Florence as well, were of a different tempo. The core elements, however — Pokemon, poachers, pain, and desire to improve — remained the same, and Leisy felt the strum of the strong bond that all trainers shared, even when apart.
An explosion interrupted the tale, sending all the girls to their feet immediately. Releasing her Fletchinder and Prinplup, Leisy hesitated before pulling open the tent flap slightly, then — seeing nothing — all the way to step out of the homely canvas.
”Poachers?” Leisy asked softly, torn between hoping it was and hoping it wasn’t. On one, she wasn’t sure if she was in good condition to deal with any threats like rogue trainers looking to steal her Pokemon; on the other, her friends deserved every chance to win back their Pokemon. Leisy could only wait in trepidation, figuring that she’d let the sound unveil itself.
Ella listened intently as Vivian told the story of her travels, her discovery, her new Pokemon. "I knew you'd do great as a trainer!" the pink-haired girl commented, while silently wishing she had the same level of skill. Having been Vivian's friend for years, she knew the other girl wasn't without her own lapses in self-confidence, but in Ella's opinion, they were unfounded. Vivian had every reason to believe in herself.
Meanwhile, the friendliest of Ella's Pokemon, Jumbles, squeaked something and gestured with his tendrils towards Treasure and Pincushion, introducing them to the other girl's team.
The moment of relaxation, though, was short-lived. "What...?" The ground shook. At the sound of an explosion, Ella leapt to her feet. Her cup fell to the floor, sending Pokemon skittering back to avoid the splash of hot liquid. Small rocks tore through the tent, stinging her face and arms. "Jumbles, Reflect!" The Inkay instantly put up a force field around the group, chunks of debris bouncing off it.
Once the glowing sphere faded, Ella followed Leisy, peering out of the tent flap, then stepping into the sand. All she could see was a cloud of dust, slowly settling.
The first thing Florence did was return all her Pokemon except Tiergan. "Is everyone alright?" she called, staring around at the group of humans and Pokemon. She could feel blood trickling from a small cut on her cheek, but other than that, her health hadn't been damaged any further than it already was.
She staggered out of the tent, the Cacnea by her side. Dust obscured her surroundings. Not even the thin light of morning that filtered through made them any clearer. Tension tightened her muscles, gripping harder with each second that passed. Poachers... If they were here, was there a chance of getting Vernie back, as well as the stolen Vileplume? But how could they possibly take on those thugs, being as unprepared as they'd been the first time round?
"Everyone alright!?" Vivian managed to ask in between violent fits of coughing. Choking on the dust, Vivian was a bit slower to react than the others. "Rowlet, please clear this dust." The angry little Rowlet obliged. As the Rowlet's flapping wings blew the screen of dust away it revealed a large proud Rhyhorn standing in the shattered cave entrance. Beside him was a young man with light strawberry blonde hair, wearing a simple black shirt and jeans combo with a leather band on his wrist. Next out of the cave was a Metang followed by an older man wearing a tool belt and greasy mechanic overalls.
()
TP
73 +1 post +1 (HHG) TP=75
INVENTORY:
pokeball x1
travel rations + supplies
POKEMON:
Flabebe- 17
Petilil- 6
Ferroseed-2
Rowlet-1
empty
empty
Azerus Jr
Greenhaven
45
AJ took a deep breath of fresh air. He looked to the tattered tent and the girls standing by. "What do we have here?" He asks loudly with a smirk, addressing them all. It was then he spotted Vivian and pieced it together. "So this is my rescue party? Pff, as if I'd need assistance from the likes of you." His voice was full of condescending arrogance. He didn't realise just how much Vivian and her Pokemon had cleared.
"Look, I can't let you in here. These guys aren't the bad guys, they are simply freeing abused Pokemon, sending them to a better place. Sure every now and then a mistake is made but it's worth it in the greater picture. Besides, are we even sure they made a mistake. You told me that Vileplume worked the gardens. Pokemon are not meant to be slaves for our financial gain... Maybe this wasn't an accident. Maybe they knew exactly what they were doing." he said addressing Vivian. The mechanic stood in silence nodding proudly in agreement.
Once Vivian’s flying-type — a Rowlet, apparently, not that Leisy had ever seen one of the white-maned birds before — Leisy was able to make out a large grey-colored Pokemon standing at the base of the cave’s overhang. Being rather large and imposing, the Rhyhorn did nothing to lift Leisy’s spirits, and neither did its trainer, whose eye-catching outfit immediately drew forth Leisy’s weariness.
Another man stepped out from the cave, the Metang at his side and the tools on his belt marking him as a mechanic of sorts. He seemed slightly more trustworthy than the boy with the Rhyhorn, but Leisy wanted to be ready in case they were foe rather than friend, so she waved her Pokemon to her side. It was only when the pink-haired boy started talking that Leisy finally pieced together the situation.
So this is the pair Vivian was trying to help, she thought, the weight lifted off her shoulders. It seemed that there would be no fight to the death just yet, which suited Leisy fine as her tiredness washed over her anew. Still, she squelched it, opting to approach the newcomers first.
“Hello. I’m Leisy, that’s Ella, and this is Florence,” she said, indicating her two companions from Feyhollow.. “We’re here to track down the Pokemon poachers, and you sound like you know a few things about them, so we’d like to ask for your help in finding them.”
"Poachers!?"Exclaimed the mechanic angrily, stepping forward. "They were Pokemon liberators! They are freeing pokemon from the tyranny, abuse and evil clutches of those unworthy who call themselves trainers. All the Pokemon are going to a better place. We cannot let you go in here to interfere."
Vivian
Greenhaven
43
"I AM GOING IN THERE!!!!" Vivian suddenly bursts out with a loud angry scream. "Alright! I don't care who is in my way. I'm not afraid! We're not leaving until we have saved every Pokemon in that cave!"
In an instant all of Vivian's Pokemon were at her side ready for battle. Vivian trembled with a determined frustration. Her hands were tightly knotted into fists at her side. She couldn't believe the nerve of these people. She had come too far and worked too hard to just give up now.
()
TP
75 +1 post +1 (HHG) +5 (HHG) TP=82
INVENTORY:
pokeball x1
travel rations + supplies
POKEMON:
Flabebe- 17
Petilil- 6
Ferroseed-2
Rowlet-1
empty
empty
Azerus Jr
Greenhaven
46
AJ chuckled at Vivians outburst. He had been nodding in agreement as the mechanic spoke. "I was hoping you would say that, a battle it will be then!" He announces loudly with a devilish grin. Rhyhorn calls his name in a deep roar as if announcing itself ready. "So which of you is first?"
The dust cleared, revealing two men - one with blond hair and a simple jeans-and-shirt outfit, the other in grease-stained mechanic overalls. The people trapped in the cave had survived after all. Relief flooded Ella, until her surroundings came into enough focus that she she saw both of their pointed glares.
Her eyes widened as she listened to their explanations. Despite the two rather intimidating-looking Pokemon at their sides - a Rhyhorn and a Metang - she spoke up.
"I'm going too!" she shouted, stepping forward. "Tyranny? Abuse? Believe me, I've known Vivian's mom for a long time! She never treated her Vileplume with anything other than kindness! And how do you explain all those traps in the forest? Pokemon stuck in cages? How badly hurt that poor Chikorita was? How is that liberating them?"
It wasn't like Ella to get this angry, but she wasn't going to stand for this, or trust these guys for a moment.
Florence flinched back, staring in shock as the two men claimed to be helping Pokemon. Helping them by taking them away from their friends and sending them to Arceus-knew-where. She winced as Ella and Vivian faced the younger man, challenging him.
"Please," Florence said, her voice rough from the dust. "Please tell me where my Chikorita is. She got injured, poisoned..." She shuddered at the memory of the pain and fear those red eyes had shown. "And... And the ones who took her, I remember what they said. They were saying she was better than nothing. That... That doesn't sound like liberating Pokemon to me."
Steeling herself, she took a step towards the cave, doing her best to hide her fear. "I-I've got to get her out! And all the other Pokemon in there!"
A fight? Now, in this state? Leisy thought, looking between the two newcomers, her friends, and the gathered Pokemon. When Vivian, Then Ella and Florence stood up to the pair of cavegoers, however, Leisy joined them.
“It’s four to two,” she tried, hoping that her volume made up for her inner weariness and nervousness. “But if you let us pass, we can end this peacefully.”
In all honesty, Leisy didn’t want to fight, but it seemed like that was what was bound to happen at this point. From a quick glance at the opposing pair’s Pokemon, Leisy guessed that the mechanic was more experienced than the boy was, his Metang being an evolved form rather than a basic form like Rhyhorn.
We should have the upper hand team-wise then, she thought. The Rhyhorn and Metang ought to be their strongest Pokemon, being the Pokemon they feel comfortable to claim threats with. Ella and Florence together should be able to take the pink-haired boy, especially since Ella’s Pokemon are all strong even though they haven’t evolved yet. With Vivian’s help, my Pokemon should be able to take the mechanic and end this quickly. We have the upper hand.
"Well if you are truly worthy of getting your Pokemon back, if you are not just spouting an elaborate sob-story lie, prove the bond you share with your Pokemon by defeating us in battle. " The Metang flashed with the shiny glean of the defensive move 'iron skin'.
Azerus Jr
Greenhaven
46
AJ was eager as ever. Before the mechanic had even finished speaking he whispered his command to Rhyhorn. "RHYYYY! it roared almost coming to stand tall on its hind legs. "That's it. Earthquake!" AJ shouted as the Rhyhorn came slamming down delivering a devastating ground shaking earthquake right below and around the girls feet.
"Agility, bullet punch! " Metang was quickly in the fray, appearing almost out of nowhere, punching at any pokemon handling themselves upon the shaking ground.
()
TP:
75 +1 (post) + 1(league)
TP=77
INVENTORY:
POKEMON:
Roggenrola-8
Rhyhorn-16 (+1sr)
Zubat-3,
Spheal-2,
Pawniard-3
Aron-1
Machop 1 (+1sr)
Vivian
Greenhaven
44
Vivian squealed and fell to the floor as the ground began to shake. It left her hopeless and unable to direct her pokemon. They all had their own issues as the tent collapsed around them. Flabebe was quickly coming to its owners side when the fierce claw of Metang appeared out of nowhere striking fast and hard before moving on in a flash.
With a yelp, Ella fell to the ground beside Vivian. Steel gleamed as the Metang sped past her, moving in a blur, aiming a flurry of swipes at any nearby Pokemon.
"Treasure, Pincushion, come back!" Reaching for the Pokeballs, she summoned the two Poison types back, who had been knocked off-balance by the Rhyhorn's Ground type move. "Viv! Are you alright?" She turned her head, gasping as she glimpsed metal claws lashing at the Flabebe.
"Quick, Jumbles! Foul Play!" At Ella's command, the Inkay flew at the Metang, grasping it, using the robotic Pokemon's considerable strength against it to flip it over.
Florence gave a cry as she landed on her damaged shoulder. She struggled to sit up, to check that everyone was ok, but the desert spun and tilted around her, dizziness and leftover dust blurring her vision.
"Agh... Tiergan," she groaned. She hadn't wanted to do this. She'd gotten into this mess in the first place by taking on too great a challenge at too low a level. There was no choice, though. Battling was the only chance the group had of getting those Pokemon out. "Use Absorb on that Rhyhorn!"
The Cacnea stretched out his thorny arms, firing a beam of red light forward. It struck the Rhyhorn, casting a glow over it as Tiergan sapped its energy.
“Bidein, Flame Charge the Metang!” Leisy shouted just as the Earthquake hit.
Devinco took the burnt of the blow, being a rock-type, and Naunet was thrown a ways before rising to her feet again, wincing but still well in the game. She glanced around, seeking out her gloomy teammate and meeting his eyes to make sure that he didn’t need help before directing her gaze towards her trainer, who was rising to her feet again as well.
“Naunet! Brine, the Rhyhorn!” Leisy called, her words erratic as she looked around for her Pupitar. When she spotted the blue-grey Pokemon shaking off dust and debris, she felt a wave of relief, but was alerted of the situation at hand by the sound of a Pokemon battle going on.
“Devinco, you good to go?” Leisy shouted. Seeing the nod from the Pupitar, she nodded as well. “Payback then, Devi. The Metang’s all yours.”
The Pupitar’s eyes glinted as it propelled itself through the air at the steel-type. Bidein was on his way back after his Flame Charge, having looped his trajectory into a u-turn-like shape to return to his trainer’s side.
“Good job, Bidein,” Leisy said as the fire-type came to a rest on her shoulder. She winced, feeling the ground’s impact from earlier, but reached up to stroke her Pokemon’s feathers anyway. “Steer clear of the Rhyhorn, since it’s a rock-type. Go after the Metang — help Devinco. He’s injured, and I don’t know how severely. Also, your fire typing puts you at the advantage against him.”
"Argh, Metang!" The mechanic winced with concern as his Metang was hit three times in rapid succession. A trifecta of highly effective attacks. Inkay immobilised it diverting its attack momentum straight into the ground. The Fletchinder heated things up with a fast follow up Flame Charge. Before Metang had even recovered from that Pupitar hit with a fierce Payback sending Metang rolling across the floor to his owners feet. The mechanic just looked down at his pokemon. "Get up and shake it off, I know your stronger then that!" "Tang" it replied as it did just what it's trainer said. Floating back up in the air. "Right now hit them with a psychic confusion."
Metang began to glow with a blue hue as light engulfed his body and radiated off in waves highlighting his nearest opponents. (Metang's eyes glow light blue, and the opponent becomes outlined in light blue. Metang can then control the opponent.)
Azerus Jr
Greenhaven
47
"Hohhhhh! Rhyhorn cried suffering from the dual water and grass attacks. He was out of the battle but not before crashing to the ground sending off one more earthquake. "You wanna play like that then! Fine! Zubat, Pawniard, Spheal, come on out and stop these trouble makers!" AJ shouted, returning Rhyhorn and releasing an array of other Pokemon as he throws their pokeballs out before him. Machop had come to his side from the cave ready to battle.
"Don't fight who they want you to fight! Intercept their attacks. Defend each other, look after Metang and confuse our opponents!" That was AJ's orders and his pokemon obeyed.
(Machop 1, dynamic punch -> Zubat 3, confuse ray-> Rhyhorn 17, earthquake-> All. (Fainted) Spheal 2, water pulse -> Pawniard 3, Metal sound & scary face -> All.)
TP:
77 +1 (post) + 1(league)
TP=79
INVENTORY:
POKEMON:
Roggenrola-8
Rhyhorn-16 (+1sr)
Zubat-3, (+1sr)
Spheal-2, (+1sr)
Pawniard-3
Aron-1
Machop 1 (+1sr)
Vivian
Greenhaven
45
Vivian had just got up when the ground once again shook under her feet. She squealed in frustration and fright but this time Rowlet and Flabebe were at her side helping her. Ferroseed bounced around angrily, getting tossed about by the shaking earth. Petilil worked with it, finding its balance it jumped from rock to rock moving towards the front line.
Florence tried to stand, only to collapse from the second earthquake. She winced from the awful metallic screech that filled the air, as did several Pokemon.
"Tiergan!" she shouted above the noise. She wasn't giving up, and neither was the Cacnea. "Hit the Spheal with Needle Arm!" The Grass-type stepped forward through the sand, lashing with his thorny arms at the Spheal.
Apart from the Rhyhorn, the opposing Pokemon were holding their own. If Tiergan didn't hold out... Florence didn't know what she'd do. She wasn't leaving Vernie at the mercy of these poachers, but sending out any other members of her team - an unusual Budew, a newly-hatched Cutiefly, or the rare Pokemon that was Happiny - would be a huge risk. Especially at their low levels.
If only she'd prepared better. If only she'd done that right from the start.
Ella stared as the Metang shook off the attacks, readying a move of its own. "Jumbles, use Foul Play again!" she called.
Before the Inkay could do anything, a shadowy beam struck him. Ella gasped, recognising the attack all too well. Confuse Ray. A Zubat flitted overhead while Jumbles swayed, glancing around as if he barely knew what was going on around him. Instead of attacking the Metang, he lashed with one of his tendrils at himself.
"Hang in there!" Ella instantly reached for another Pokeball. "Brighteye! Use Will-O-Wisp on the Metang, then Hex!"
A mass of shadow billowed from the Pokeball, cloak flowing. Blue flames danced in the air as the Duskull prepared her attack.
“Devinco!” Leisy shouted in alarm. The ground-rock dual was glowing, outlined in a faint blue that tinged the air around him. The same blue was found in the enemy Metang’s eyes, which were now glowing with an eerie light. “Devinco, shrug out of it and use another Payback!”
The rock-type did nothing, still despite his trainer’s calls. Then, slowly, he turned around to face his teammates, crouching.
“What—” Leisy flinched, understanding settling in. “Watch out! He’s going to use—”
A fountain of stones erupted from the earth below him, soaring up then down towards the Pokemon closest to the blue-tinged Pupitar. Fluttering back in alarm, Bidein found himself pebbled with stones and — unable to dodge — was knocked from the sky, only narrowing avoiding a large rock to the wing as he landed awkwardly on his side.
“Bidein!” Leisy yelled in alarm when the stones fell, raw fear flashing through her mind when she remembered that rock-type moves were especially effective against flying-types like the Fletchinder.
The pile of feathers stirred, then dusted themselves off, meeting Leisy’s eyes with gleam of resolution that stopped the trainer from returning her Pokemon immediately.
“Arceus,” Leisy muttered as she scrambled to differentiate the Pokeballs in her possession. “C’mon out, Cura! Tyrus! Animo!”
The Pokemon materialized at their trainer’s side, glancing around and placing themselves quickly. The masses of Pokemon nearest to their water-type teammate seemed more dangerous than the large metal Pokemon facing off against Bidein and Devinco, yet the losing battle seemed to be the one they ought to be winning. The strange thing, however, was that their rock-type teammate seemed almost to be glowing.
“Tyrus, Confuse Ray the Metang,” Leisy said quickly. The hope was that the ghost-type would be able to distract the psychic-type long enough for Bidein to recover and deal the finishing blow. However, distraction was something she didn’t have the luxury for right now, especially since pressing Devinco’s Pokeball was having no effect at all, and though she refused to be frozen, Leisy couldn’t help the sickening feeling that rolled up her throat when she executed her plan. “Cura, Helping Hand Animo! Animo, direct your Razor Leaf at the Pupitar!”
The Audino froze her actions, looking back at her trainer in confusion, then at the teammate her trainer had said to target. At her side, the Sewaddle was waiting patiently for the boost he was slated to receive, not quite understanding that the large chrysalis-like Pokemon was actually his teammate.
“Now, Cura!” Leisy yelled, spotting movement from Devinco. It hurt to send the orders, but Devi was her Pokemon and therefore her responsibility, and she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if she allowed him to hurt more Pokemon, much less be able to endure watching him blame himself for what he did under the Metang’s possession.
The normal-type snapped out of her daze and commenced clapping, prompting the grass-type at her side to rev up a Razor Leaf at last. While she didn’t quite understand the situation, the unvoiced pain in her trainer’s voice pushed her to follow orders. The Audino would gladly do her part if it meant easing her trainer’s mind even slightly.
On the other side of the field, Leisy’s Prinplup was doing her best to hold ground and support the weaker Pokemon on her side. Jumping and tanking the brunt of the Spheal’s Water Pulse had left her winded but ready to go. The Pawniard’s Metal Sound and Scary Face snapped her focus, leaving her open when the Machop came in with a Dynamic Punch, but — seeing as her trainer was preoccupied — she immediately returned with a fierce pair of Pecks at the fighting-type.
“Naunet, Bubblebeam the Zubat!” Leisy called once everything was in motion on the Metang’s side. “Bidein, Flame Charge at the Pawniard!”
"Thats it Metang, keep it up! Make them fight their own." The mechanic said with a smile. "That's a true test for a trainer."
Azerus Jr
Greenhaven
48
With an onslaught of attacks coming AJ had to think quick. "Pawniard! Iron defence. Defend the others. " AJ quickly shouted.
Obeying instantly Pawniard threw himself between the Metang and the Duskull, intercepting the attacks at the very last moment. They hurt him badly, the pain from the burn appearing persistent. Either it was his type advantage or just his fighting spirit, but still he didn't stop. Landing beside Machop he proudly interrupted the prinplup's pecks by deflecting or blocking them with his long strengthened blades.
It was then Fletchinder smacked into him from the side completely wiping Pawniard out of the battle in a blazing flash. Machop wasted no time and took advantage of the distraction leaping forward to grapple its opponent, Prinplup by its beak. Using its sheer strength over skill or power to try momentarily disable its foe and prevent the bubble beam.
"Zubat! Counter gastly's confuse Ray with your own confuse Ray!" So it did. Zubat flew in front of Gastly and threw a confuse ray right back at it. Azerus wasn't quite sure what was going to end up happening over there. Leaving them at it, he had protected Metang for a little bit longer.
As Vivian finally came to the battle AJ added his own roggenrola and Anon to aid Spheal in battling her Pokemon.
"Devinco!" Florence watched in horror as the Pupitar, no longer in control of his actions, launched a Rock Slide at his allies, forcing Leisy to turn the battle against him. As usual, the nursing graduate found herself helpless, unable to do anything for her friend.
The cries from the continuing struggle all around reminded her that, even if she couldn't help Leisy, she had to help the others in any way she could.
"Keep going, Tiergan!" she called, crawling over to Viv's side to assist her. "Use Growth, then Needle Arm the Spheal!"
The Cacnea grew to twice his usual size, flailing at the Spheal. One of the bigger threats to him, and to several of Vivian's Pokemon. The one it was important to take out before it could use an Ice-type attack.
Ella yelped, dodging a rock. "W-What is this?!" The blue light remained around the Pupitar as he ignored Leisy's commands. That Metang, that Psychic type attack - It had turned Devinco against his allies.
She bit her lip as Leisy did the only thing she could do, order her other Pokemon to attack the brainwashed Pupitar. Reluctance creased Leisy's face, the pain clear in her voice.
"Lucy!" In a flash, Ella sent out the other Ghost type. "Help Brighteye stop that Metang! Both of you, Shadow Sneak!" The Pumpkaboo and the Duskull flew at the Metang, claws of darkness rising around them and lashing forward.
Ella shifted her attention towards the Zubat protecting the Pupitar's controller. "Jumbles, hit the Zubat with a Psycho Cut! You can do this!" Shaking off the confusion, the Inkay launched an energy blade through the air. "Now, Allsort!" She let the skunk Pokemon into the fray, who glanced all around him before running forward, ready to battle. "Slash the Machop!" Darting at the distracted Fighting type, Allsort swiped with sharp claws.
There had to be some way to defeat the Metang and set Devinco free from its control, no matter how high level it was. There had to, she tried to convince herself.
Petilil and Flabebe backed up Cacnea's needle arm with a whirling storm of magic and razor leaves. Spheal and Roggenrola didn't stand a chance. Both fainted, but not before knocking rowlett from the sky. Anon had dodged and taken out Ferroseed with a viscous tackle.
Inkay's psycho cut was a critical on the distracted Zubat, knocking it from the sky. Machop was also too distracted to defend against the Stunky's slash. Both struggled to stay in the battle but only machop seemed to be just hanging in. It could do nothing to stop the sneaking shadows creeping across the floor to strike at Metang.
In a flash of red light Metang vanished back into its trainers pokeball. "Enoughs enough, I'm just the mechanic anyway." and with those words the mechanic left the battle, he simply turned and walked away. This suddenly left AJ very alone and confused. He looked to his failing battle with a sense of worry and concern.
