[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

The joyous and lightly embarassed squeal that escaped the natural fae-enthusiast was by far not enough to convey how much she rejoiced over seeing 'Ventus' as the sender of a new message, she was litterally smiling and grinning to herself like a Chesire Cat and her sensitive heart skipped a beat upon reading through this message. Those dear words made a bee-line into said heart of hers where they triggered a pleasant warmth that soon flooded her whole body, a warmth that quickly mixed itself with the thrill of anticipitation.

She was just about to respond when she was startled into a sudden halt by SOMEONE calling her in a way that only... EEEEEEK, Shiva couldn't help but to flinch over both shock and delight. She managed to catch herself pretty quickly though and likewise tilted her head to return his bright and loving smile, the look in her eyes behind the glasses was one that all-too-obviously told how delighted and happy she is over seeing him.

A moment later, the empathic Sociologist found himself entangled in a dear, warm and close hug by the one he was calling an angel.

A hug like this

Still in the embrace and snuggling carefully into his shoulder, she timidly greets him. "Y-you again!~ What's the point of telling you how much I've subconsciously missed you and how much my heart has....grown fonder for you when I can instead tell you this way (the hug), and when your brilliant empathy may very likely have figured out already?~" Very quietly she adds "B-but... Mine has as well, my...love... I'm so glad to see you. A-and even more glad that you're joining our holiday trip!~"

Raphael all too soon joined the pair and carefully laid his fine wings around BOTH Shiva and Ven, cooing at the former in delight over her happiness and at the latter in a way a child would when it is meeting their most-beloved parent. He's a bit shy to nuzzle and snuggle his father directly though, either out of fear what it might cause and how he'd react or because he's just not quite sure how to meet the person that loving raised and evolved him and also did things that did real harm to their bond - he seems torn, he gives of an impression like Ventus does and forever will hold a special place in his heart while his fully loyalty now belongs to Shiva.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

The joyous and lightly embarassed squeal that escaped the natural fae-enthusiast was by far not enough to convey how much she rejoiced over seeing 'Ventus' as the sender of a new message, she was litterally smiling and grinning to herself like a Chesire Cat and her sensitive heart skipped a beat upon reading through this message. Those dear words made a bee-line into said heart of hers where they triggered a pleasant warmth that soon flooded her whole body, a warmth that quickly mixed itself with the thrill of anticipitation.

She was just about to respond when she was startled into a sudden halt by SOMEONE calling her in a way that only... EEEEEEK, Shiva couldn't help but to flinch over both shock and delight. She managed to catch herself pretty quickly though and likewise tilted her head to return his bright and loving smile, the look in her eyes behind the glasses was one that all-too-obviously told how delighted and happy she is over seeing him.

A moment later, the empathic Sociologist found himself entangled in a dear, warm and close hug by the one he was calling an angel.

A hug like this

Still in the embrace and snuggling carefully into his shoulder, she timidly greets him. "Y-you again!~ What's the point of telling you how much I've subconsciously missed you and how much my heart has....grown fonder for you when I can instead tell you this way (the hug), and when your brilliant empathy may very likely have figured out already?~" Very quietly she adds "B-but... Mine has as well, my...love... I'm so glad to see you. A-and even more glad that you're joining our holiday trip!~"

Raphael all too soon joined the pair and carefully laid his fine wings around BOTH Shiva and Ven, cooing at the former in delight over her happiness and at the latter in a way a child would when it is meeting their most-beloved parent. He's a bit shy to nuzzle and snuggle his father directly though, either out of fear what it might cause and how he'd react or because he's just not quite sure how to meet the person that loving raised and evolved him and also did things that did real harm to their bond - he seems torn, he gives of an impression like Ventus does and forever will hold a special place in his heart while his fully loyalty now belongs to Shiva.

A warm chuckle spilled from the Pokemon researcher as his mi amore enveloped him, returning it gently but passionately as he peered down at her with his classic easy going smile.

"Because I want to hear you say it, my dearest. Knowing is all well and good, but it is always a heartfelt delight to hear the person you adore how much they want you. That, and how could I resist such a charming question, for a charming lady like yourself."

His smile widens and eyes glimmer as he indeed listens to her loving affection in her soft and graceful voice.

"See? We're both happy as a pair of Swoobat , now you've we've shared our hearts with each other. May we have a splendid vacation together, and ever wonderful times after it lapses into sweet memory...."

Raphael's self-inclusion into the group doesn't illicit a single hint of a negative reaction out of the rougish scientist. In fact, his smile only grows wider and become brilliant as they embrace him, turning to share with his child a warm and welcoming gaze.

"My child, my child, it's by the grace from Reshirim that I could see you too. A gift of their Truthful Flames to see how much you've grown and come into your own, ever since you became Shiva's guardian and not mine. I know you are shy with me now, and that I am not the one you hold most dear to you, and that is fine. Ever parent must one day see their child grow up and choose their own path and where they shall place their heart, and I couldn't be more proud and happy you've choose the wonderful woman I love. So do not be afraid, my child. Rejoice instead, that we are all together again. Let us all rejoice to that blessing this day, praise be to Reshirim the White."

Looks like Ven loves his sweet dear archangel, and accept them from the bottom of his heart.

The eccentric researcher looks over to Raphael and Shiva gives them winning grin.

"Now, what says you two that we enjoy the surf and sand in peace and solitude, before the rest of our friends arrive?"

Concerning Ven's mental state (for I know you're curious about it, Phantom), he's.....still quite messed up and unbalanced, but a lot of the stress that has previously plagued him has vanished, replace with a quiet anticipation that's hard to describe. The exact degree to which he's warped is a small too, akin to islands of stability, resolve, and focus popping up within that nausating emotional and neurotic swirl that was his mental state. In brief, he's having a good day right now!

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

AWWWW ♡♡♡ Raphael can surely feel that Ven's meaning it when he reassures that all's fine, well and bright between him and the archangel - it causes him (Raphael) to fidget a bit nervously and timidly, but his smile and faint blush are speaking volumes about how much he's happy over it. He chirps at his father in thanks and delight as he now chooses to nuzzle and snuggle a bit after all, then accelerates into the sky above to sing in a melodic and disarming tone of voice, giving off an authentic impression of the angel he is.

Shiva is very moved and touched by this interaction between them.♡ Yes it did hurt her massively when the dear Sociologist simply had enough and left - but, looking back at it now, she wouldn't sit here with those two enjoying peace and loving solitude if things would have gone different, wouldn't it...? This thought pains her a little and she tightens her grip a little as she holds Ven's hand in hers.

Oh yes, and she indeed carefully inquirers about the mental health and stability of her love via her own empathy and sixths sense as the young couple sits there at the beach waiting for the others. And what she finds out, plain and simply delights her, as it seems that Ven's slowly but surely...recovering.

[Iron]

Spoiler

Yeah, maybe list what moves you'd like to call upon?

Hmm for starters Heart would call a combination of healing moves to try restore nature along with Sunny Day to help Savannah trees and nature grew again as they were before. The combination of healing moves would be:

1 - First a Sunny Day.
2 - Heal Pulse, Morning Sun (Because of Sunny Day), Grassy Terain and Floral Healing.
3 - Tailwind to give nature enough air to help restore than.
4 - And finally Water Pledge to help nature get some water without the danger of change the ecosystem.

Since its a more difficult task, he has equipped the Helmet and ask power from Moltres. He need all the power he can to restore this place.

Healing moves and Sunny Day is a good idea. Floral Healing doesn't exist on Creshire but you can get the rest of those from wild Pokemon, and power them up as "spells."

When you send out tendrils looking for Water Pledge, you find a little underground spring with a Horsea in it. That's the only source of Water Pledge you can find, but you bind yourself and all the Pokemon who appear in a pledge to restore the savanna as quickly as possible. You can feel roots invigorated by healing spells and perfect weather. A few buds appear out of stumps right before your eyes (Trevenant quickly rushes over).

As you call upon more and more of Sunny Day's power via Moltres, more and more Pokemon show up to help right this wrong. It starts with the most sensitive Pokemon, a few Lucario and psychic types and such. Then the quick herbivores show up, and finally the slower mountain and plains Pokemon with their rock, ground, and fighting types. It becomes a storming stampede of Pokemon, and they all start demanding your attention to organize them. Looking out over the plains from the back of Delta-Steelix, you realize why they have arrived - there is now an unbroken corridor of wildlands from Trillium Town to Elanor, aside from a few road crossings. They have galloped from near and far to fix this final break in the chain.

As the buds begin sprouting and the muddy footprints begin healing
What? Lancelot is evolving!

Powerful ghostly energies surround the sword. Shards of ancient metal erupt from the ground and surround the sword, enhancing it, rounding it out with light. When the light fades, a sword and shield descend into your hands. You can feel that ancient steel within their makeup, the bones of Creshire's history. This is no ordinary Pokemon. 

Like Arete, Aegislash is a partially plot-deviced Pokemon. In Shield Form, he can't be harmed by ordinary damaging moves unless they are Plot-Deviced themselves or particularly effective attacks. In Sword Form, he automatically crits, much like a Helm empowered move. This might count as PD damage in certain situations.

All the hundreds of Pokemon stop in their work to gaze upon Aegislash's evolution.

The last members of the stampede gather in. At their heels is a single Absol, which stands silhouetted in the ghostly light before disappearing behind the hills.

[Iron]

Here's the order of Mason's Pokemon against Yogi:

A Solrock that can predict Medicham's moves
A fossil of your choice
A Graveler with an extra pair of limbs
A tiny but powerful Gliscor.

[Iron]

Dagny's letter contains a lot of admonishments about Garlicburg:

-Follow any order you are given, immediately. Don't complain to the officers. You can bring up any mistreatment to Dagny later, but the island is under martial law at all times.
-Expect to be searched. They have the authority to search you or deny you entry.
-Catching Pokemon is allowed unless they are wearing an ear tag.
-The military isn't allowed to have training battles with civilians.

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Healing moves and Sunny Day is a good idea. Floral Healing doesn't exist on Creshire but you can get the rest of those from wild Pokemon, and power them up as "spells."

When you send out tendrils looking for Water Pledge, you find a little underground spring with a Horsea in it. That's the only source of Water Pledge you can find, but you bind yourself and all the Pokemon who appear in a pledge to restore the savanna as quickly as possible. You can feel roots invigorated by healing spells and perfect weather. A few buds appear out of stumps right before your eyes (Trevenant quickly rushes over).

As you call upon more and more of Sunny Day's power via Moltres, more and more Pokemon show up to help right this wrong. It starts with the most sensitive Pokemon, a few Lucario and psychic types and such. Then the quick herbivores show up, and finally the slower mountain and plains Pokemon with their rock, ground, and fighting types. It becomes a storming stampede of Pokemon, and they all start demanding your attention to organize them. Looking out over the plains from the back of Delta-Steelix, you realize why they have arrived - there is now an unbroken corridor of wildlands from Trillium Town to Elanor, aside from a few road crossings. They have galloped from near and far to fix this final break in the chain.

As the buds begin sprouting and the muddy footprints begin healing
What? Lancelot is evolving!

Powerful ghostly energies surround the sword. Shards of ancient metal erupt from the ground and surround the sword, enhancing it, rounding it out with light. When the light fades, a sword and shield descend into your hands. You can feel that ancient steel within their makeup, the bones of Creshire's history. This is no ordinary Pokemon. 

Like Arete, Aegislash is a partially plot-deviced Pokemon. In Shield Form, he can't be harmed by ordinary damaging moves unless they are Plot-Deviced themselves or particularly effective attacks. In Sword Form, he automatically crits, much like a Helm empowered move. This might count as PD damage in certain situations.

All the hundreds of Pokemon stop in their work to gaze upon Aegislash's evolution.

The last members of the stampede gather in. At their heels is a single Absol, which stands silhouetted in the ghostly light before disappearing behind the hills.

Heart give his all to restore nature. Using the Helmet as a channel of power, Heart felt the underground water, and using the power of Water Pledge from all Pokemon around him, it was possible to call its power. Heart also was concentrating to make the roots grow again. There were times he was close to faint due to the effort, but he drink or eat something to restore the strengh and continue the job. He was using both the helmet, and some power of Moltres, and it is by itself a tiresome combo of job.

While he was concentrating to call Sunny Day once more, he witness the conglomeration of Pokemon. With Lucarios, Abra, Kadabras, some Alakazam and even one Mr. Mime and Mime Jr. From Drowzie to even Musharna. Then many Grass Pokemon came, Ground, Rock and even fighting types. Graveler, Golem, Dweble, Bulbasaur, Venusaur, Livany, Machope, Machamp and all kinds of other Pokemon. Heart even see a few Phantump, Trevenant, Pumpkaboo and Gourgeist.

Heart felt nervous with all those Pokemon looking at him, and demanding he give then instructions about what to do. He try to calm himself and give everyone the orders they need. "First of all, thank you all for coming here to help rebuild Trillium Town. I not so get used to...be guide so many Pokemon...but I will do my best."

"Psychic types! We must use telephatic power to move any garbage who might damage the restoration of nature: Deadwood, rocks, sand, anything. We must move out of the way. The psychic types also must use the inteligent and intelect to guide the other Pokemon."

"Ground and Rocks. Dig the ground and bring any health soil to help make the plants grow and get strong enough to resist even the greater calamits. That way, we will make those Savanah a eternal nature place for Pokemon of all kinds to live in peace. Lets make this place a paradise for both Human and Pokemon."

"Lucarios! You will help the psychic types with your powers over the aura to find the best suitable place with the strongest presece of aura and life energy. We must focus in those places to make the strongest trees to grow."

"And finally, the Grass types! Use your grass moves to help the plants grow from the soil back by the hands of Ground and Rock types! Trevenants! Gourgeist! Time to use your powers over nature to use! Help regrown this place too! My partner Viktor will help you guys too!"

While each Pokemon was giving its best, Heart was also doing his own best too. Using the connection of Earthpower to go to each place as quick as possible. Sometimes calling a move or another to help all Pokemon in their functions.

When Heart was doing that, he see something familiar: The light of evolution. "Lancelot?" It was all he could say, before the light almost blind him. The Helmet help protect his eyes enough to see the miracle before him. The steel forming around Lancelot, and he taking a new form. When the light stop, a Sword and Shield descend, and fall right Heart hands. The Sword have a single eye, who look to Heart with both proud and happiness. 

 Heart himself was left speechless. He did. He actually did it. He help Lancelot reach his final evolution, a fully evolved Aegislash. He felt the weight and power of generations of Cheshireans. But also the weight of his own ancestors withing himself. He felt stronger than ever.

The hundreds of Pokemon look at Heart and Lancelot, also witness the miracle. Heart dont actually know what to say or do, so he decide to improvise something.

He grab Aegislash Sword and point the blade to the sky. "Sacred Sword!" 

Lancelot Blade grew, becoming longer and shiny with a red and blue light towards the sky. Heart still has equipped the Helmet. "The Pokemon today is testament of what is happening today. Both my partner Pokemon and all Pokemon of Cheshire who appear today. I, Joseph ArcHeart, reforce my oath to protect all Nature! I am no hero, and I never wanted to be one. You all, all of you, are the real heroes today. The Pokemon is the real and eternal guardians of this planet. Without you all, we human never would able to evolve as we evolve. We could not able to fight the battles we fight. A Era of this world change forever with Deoxys coming...but we survive. And we learn the valor of peace."

"Peace might not be eternal, but we can make a Era who peace can last for thosands of years. And as long we remember the meaning of love, unity and wisdom, no matter the challenge ahead. We all can evolve. Both human and Pokemon."

He point again to the sky with the blade. "For Cheshire! For this world! For the future and Past! And for this infinity sky all things share!"

[Lord Windos]

(Finally, at long last, I got this here Mega Post DONE after a long but inspiring night! I'll put it in spoilers so it doesn't clog up too much space on the page, since it IS a long one! Hope everyone enjoys it!)

The Grand Match Against Mason

*Flashback!*

After finishing his chat with Nathan, Terra headed for the Pokemon Center to retrieve Yogi from his PC, then head back to Gym, only stopping once on the way back for some bottled tea and snacks at a vending machine and enjoy with his Pokemon Yogi, Mikey, Anubi, Pixie, and Oinari. It had been awhile since he’s eaten, and watching the impressive battles put on by his friend had helped worked up a small appetite in him! Mason would need a little while to prepare himself for their match, so he could afford to take the small break and relax with his partners and friends. Him sitting in the grass underneath the shade of one of the many beautiful trees with his precious little fox dozing in his lap, while his Fighting Trio compared moves and struck various poses that suited their disposition and his ironclad fae startling and chasing around the local Pidgies. It was good respite, simply put.

Of course, the sagely monk did not entirely spend that time idle, and he used it in part to explain his plans and desire for Yogi to take on Mason’s entire team by himself. He coached his martial Fighter about what he learnt about the man and their tactics, gave some encouragement for the seemingly monumental task ahead, and expressed his regrets and apologies for not giving them due care and attention due to circumstances.

Part of the reason he wanted Yogi to solo this Gym Battle was as a way to make up for that, giving them the chance to earn some glory and honor for themselves as well as an excellent opportunity to stretch their muscles after staying cooped up in the PC so long. The somewhat enigmatic warrior looked rather pleased with the prospect, the mushroom of champion PUMPED for their fellow Fighting type while the aural jackel look a might bit envious (oh dang it, why couldn’t have been him instead?), and the black rascal briefly looking interested before she lapsed back into her previous torpor.

Like the rotation of the planet shifting day into night, though, break time transitioned into the envoy of Terra’s match against Mason, so he recalled his partners at and continued his trek back to the Gym. There, the master architect was waiting for him at the other end of the main arena, giving the Steely brawler a welcoming yet challenging smile.

“Perfect timing! Just got through organizing my team for our Gym Battle, and this time I’m ready for ya big fellow! Well, about as ready as I can be against you anyway, ha ha! How about yourself? Are you prepared to take on my prized beauties from the earth?”

Terra nodded back to them, taking his place and plucking Yogi’s Pokeball off belt, giving the Gym Leader a smaller but no less genuine smile back to them.

“Yes, I am. Me and my partner are ready…..*Smirks* to Rock your world, and Ground your partners.”

“Pfff, HA! That’s the spirit! Alright, on three and we get this show started! One, two….three!”

Both trainers sent out their chosen Pokemon, Yogi appearing in a flash of light on his side of the era , striking a pose, one leg raised high and both hands palms out towards his opponent, while his opponent sent out a Pokemon that he immediately recognized: A Solrock, hovering off the floor and locking gazes with his partner, their own calculating and inscrutable. Mason shouted out his Orders for his cosmic star, while Terra calmly conveyed his.

“Solrock, play it safe and smooth. This guy’s harder and stronger than bedrock, so we’re going to have to be smart if we’re going to hammer a victory out him!”

“Yogi, this is your battle. Do what you think is best. Want to see your style, and for you to…. enjoy yourself to the fullest.”

With that said, the battle begins!

Yogi darts forward immediately, leaping forward with a palm outstretch to grab and slam the floating space rock into the ground, but it deftly evades to the side and backs ups, having easily predicted such a telepgraphed action.. This begat the start of a game of cat and mouse between the two, with Yogi constantly trying to press their assault against while Solrock kept a healthy distance away from their treacherous rock breaking fists. And whenever he got close enough to actually land a hit, they would quickly pivot and attempt to blast them with a chuck of rock from the arena, forcing him to dodge out of the way while they regained the lead.

It was a frustrating state of affairs, and Yogi grew quite tired of it in quite a short amount of time, and promptly expressed his sentiments by giving Solrock a withering glare. Enough fooling around, and fight properly.

So sudden and potent was it that the cosmic star ‘jumped’ and shivered, before they calmed themselves, channeling the power of the cosmos to regain their nerve and fortify them against no doubt some increased hostility. It will not waver against its opponent. They will persevere and strike back when the perfect openings presented themselves.

Their bout quickly resumed, and soon enough indeed such an opportunity came for the golden sun as Yogi overextend, overreaching with their latest palm strike and stumbling forward! Immediately Solrock halted their retreat and started levitating a huge quantity of rock from the floor, before hurtling it all at the stunned fighter!

Only for them to lightly smirk as the abruptly corrected their postured and dodge underneath the wave of rumble, rushing forward with astounding swiftness! It was a feint! Figuring that the cosmic star would just keep playing it safe, it decided to fake out being flat footed so it commit to an attack, and boy did it pay off!

Realizing that it had been duped and that the psychic warrior was about to bear down on them with extreme prejudice, Solrock panicked and tried to throw them away with their own telekinetic might. Stop, stop, cease!
Undaunted by their desperate last ditch effort to keep them away, Yogi brushed off their power with ease, shattering their mental hold on them effortlessly and finally getting its hands on of its spines.

Everything went downhill for Solrock soon after. It was twirled around and slammed into arena floor with a force that caused the room to shake briefly, before the martial fighter used its other hand and buried it in their face, embedding them deeper in the floor and causing a cloud of dust to blossom. When it had cleared, Yogi was the only one standing, staring down unscathed at the unconscious star before giving it a shallow bow and leaping back to his side of the arena. That one down, and however many more left to go.

Terra was a bit surprised but pleased at his deft and flawless assault, nodding to them with a pleased smile which they returned with dignity. Mason, meanwhile, could only blink at how effortlessly that Medicham took down his Solrock before shaking his head with a small grin.

“Well damn, the League wasn’t kidding when they said you were tough as nails! Guess I have to dial things up if I’m going to have a chance of breaking through that Medicham of yours!”

Thus said, the master architect Returned their fallen shooting star and summoned their next combatant, a large and in charge Armaldo, ambling forward and eyeing their opponent with cool contempt. A Medicham, huh? And one that’s looking hale and hearty. Tch, they’re going to be a pain in the ass, he could tell….

Yogi’s own pair of peepers narrowed instantaneously as he saw the walking rock lobster , giving them wary look as he got into a defensive form. Though their Fighting type could blunt their Bug Moves, that didn’t mean he liked them any less. Plus, after hearing what little their partner told them about Arete, they weren’t about to take any prehistoric insect lightly.

The battle began with the telekinetic monk locking gazes with the armored biped and forced their Psychic might upon their mind to weaken and disorient them. This caused their eyes to water and to grimace as they were given one heck of a mental beaten, but they kept their focus, sharpening their big claws until their edges shined in sharpness as Mason called out for them to do.

Yogi redoubled his mental assault when it became clear they would not so easily fold to him, and this time they staggered back, clutching their head with one claw and shaking it with a wince, trying to dispel the stars he was suddenly seeing! Seconds later the psychic warrior was upon him, grabbing at their other claw and yanking them down to the ground before kicking them away!

Armaldo didn’t appreciate this treatment one bit, and vocally protested by letting lose a almost ear bleeding shriek that made Yogi wince hard, wobbling backwards and trying his best not to go totally deaf! That gave the rockclad insect enough time to regain their acuity and gave their opponent a downright nasty glower, rubbing dust off its exoskeleton and flexing whatever analogue it had to muscle tissue. Oh, now it was ticked off with this guru bastard, and he’s going to show it what happens those that earn his ire!

With literally ground breaking speed, the walking rock lobster pounced towards Yogi, shattering the floor beneath it and started wildly and madly slashing at him! This nearly caught the martial Fighter completely off guard, but they just barely dodge out of the way of their first blow. Then another, and another, and another! Yogi narrowly bobbed and weaved around each and every swipe, with a haste born out of not wanting to get sliced to ribbons by those scythe like limbs!

The armored biped, unable to keep up its frenzied assault without passing out into a foamy mouth stupor, had to stop, panting and looking at his opponent in incredulous dismay and disbelief. What in the deep blue sea?! How in the Mariana Trench’s name did they dodge ALL that?!

Yogi meet their look with a worn out but much less tired glare of their own, and the next moment rockclad insect was clutching its head, thrashing about in agony as the telekinetic warrior renew their mental assault on them with vengeance . Much too exhausted by their recent exertions and the heaps of hurt that he already, Armaldo’s soon rolled up into their armor platted skull and they slumped to the floor, passing out as they could no longer bear the Pain.
This time the lithe warrior didn’t show any respect to his fallen foe, giving them a viscous look before stomping back over to their starting position and tried to regain their calm. Damn Bug is KOed, and good riddance to it!

The rugged wanderer eyebrows raised the whole display of his partner briefly, but he soon shrugged it off, figuring that it was their blood pressure and near evisceration that was cause behind their discontent. Mason was again taken off guard by Yogi again wrecking his Rocks without nary a scratch to show for it, looking less confidant now of his chances of taking them down. Never the less they grit their teeth and set their jaw, not letting himself dwell on his defeats as he Returned his senseless friend with a grin.

“Shoot, are ya planning to sweep my entire team with just that Medicham of yours, big fellow? ‘Cause they’re certainly presenting a powerful case towards that!”

Terra look thoughtful at that notion, before shrugging his shoulders.

“No. *Grins* But if you think they can do it, then they will. Yogi is like me. They fight with all their might, until they can not. If your partners can not stop him, can not hurt him, then that is that.”

That got a laugh out of the Gym Leader, as well as renewing their own competitive spirit!

“Ha! Big talk, from a big man like yourself! We’ll see if there’s any weight behind those words or not! Next up, a Rock that’ll give your partner plenty of hands. Or rather, backhands.”

The rugged wanderer was confused as to what they meant, but that went away as out went a Great Ball, and out came a large and rotund Graveler with three pairs of arms! It popped its knuckles one pair at a time before flexing arms at Medicham proudly and fearlessly! No Fighting scared this buff boulder, no matter how rough or tough they are! He’s much too swol to be scared of them fleshie pansies, ha!

Mason seemed amused by these antic as he shook his head lightly and gave him instruction for their upcoming Fight.

“Like seeing that Rock solid gusto as always, Mitts! Might want to tone it down though, ‘cause that Medicham has polished off two of our buddies without a bruise to show for it!”

Okay, now the Graveler was much less confidant after hearing THAT. Holy pumice, that’s one heck of a Fighting type! ….Eh, fuck it, he can still win this, no sweat (Literally!) !

“Ha ha, that’s not happening, huh? Well in that case, why don’t ya show what those arms of yours can do to them, eh? They’re a flighty one, though, so corner and pin them down first!”

The swollest stone grins at that command, waggling its many fingers at Yogi menacingly, who gazes back them imperiously , unphased . He (Yogi) just beat a living space rock and a super tough prehistoric arthropod, so they we not about to be Intimidated by a couple extra limbs!

In fact, he’ll be the one doing the menacing here. Yogi took a big hard chunk of rock off the ground and turned it into powder in front of Graveler, his face still but eyes probing for any weakness. The macho granite guy couldn’t help but gulp at the display despite himself, but they shook their head and charged at the telekinetic monk head first!

Which completely failed as they dodged at the last second then delivered a kick that took them off their feet sent them harshly tumbling. Ouch!

Not one to let anyone get him down for long, though, Graveler used the momentum from his tumbling to start spinning at breakneck pace, bouncing all over the arena as he built up speed before running over Yogi!

Or tried too, but the martial expertly avoided all their passes, leaping out of the way of each well before they could reach him. Then when they slow to a crawl as friction and exhaustion took its toll on the swol boulder, he was right on them, and that was it for the poor guy. A precise aimed palm slap spend them up and sent them spiraling out of control right out of the arena and into a wall, knocking them out as they impacted it with a *CRASH!*

Yet again, Yogi had achieved victory flawlessly and untouched. They gave Graveler a bow for the show they put on for him (or the portion of him that was sticking out of the wall) before strolling back to his end of the battlegrounds.
Nothing need be said about how pleased Terra was about the performance of his apparent Fighting Master (even if he hardly showed it), but Mason looked downright stupefied at how damn poorly things have gone for him. He could chalk up Medicham’s first flawless win over a quick thinking, and the second to sheer determination, but three in a row, with the last being the easiest? Either that big fellow was underselling their Strength like hell, or that Pokemon of theirs was some sort of monster prodigy when it came to battling, and he was not sure which answer he liked least.

“….Ya know, I realized after seeing that creature of yours tear one of my teams apart and hearing them stories about ya that you and your Pokemon were something else, but I didn’t think you had another one like them. Not that I’m surprised about that, but it’s not often I get shown up this badly on my own home turf by a single Pokemon so doggedly.”

They sigh, before their expression goes hard and serious as some sort of sedimentary material, taking off what looked to be a Dusk Ball off his belt.

“Well, no more! My pride as a Gym Leader’s on the line now, and I’ll be a shoddy piece of work if me and my own don’t give it our all to take down that slick Medicham of yours! I didn’t plan on using this partner of mine in our match, since they’re usually too much of a pain in the ass for most visiting Trainers to handle, but I think you two should be able to fine and dandy. Go, Tinkerbell!”

The determined researcher tossed out the D.B. , and in a flash of red out comes……a Zubat? No wait, it was pint - sized Gliscor ! Now THERE’S something you don’t see every day! Terra and Yogi didn’t know what quite to make of it at first, but when it started darting and zooming all over their side of their arena at breakneck speeds and with the force of a miniature jet they took it for all the seriousness it was worth.

The teeny tiny bat suddenly stopped in front of their master with a wide and silly smile plastered all over their face, which couldn’t help but make the Gym Leader laugh despite the show they put on.

“Yes, yes, that was very cool Tinkerbell, but I’m not the one you need to be impressing right now.”

He pointed straight at Yogi, who straightened up as the mini-Gliscor’s attention snapped over to him like a eager Growlithe pup looking for affection, eyeing the with a goofy yet somehow menacing zeal that put them on edge.

“Now, this here Medicham has been making a right mess of our partners and friends, and got away scot free with it so far too! How about ya show that Fighter a thing or two about a real speed demon?”

Tinkerbell’s attention back to her trusted trainer with a “Oh really?!” look of joy on her face, and with a smile and a nod from them she let out a shriek of happiness before turning around to face her opponent with an alarming amount of cheer. Oh dear, this one was a real doozy and more than a bit screwy. Will they be the end of Yogi’s untouched chain of wins?

Everyone was about to find out, for as soon as the final battle of the Gym Match was declared started the smol nightwing was zooming straight towards the Master Fighter with glee, their tiny pincers crossed their barrel and ready to score him! Yogi let out a undignified gasp at their speed before throwing themselves to the ground to avoid their attack, before having to quickly roll out of the way and spring to his feet with they smartly double backed and tried to slice into them with a pitch black pincer!

Realizing that he was going to be diced and sliced at this rate, the telekinetic monk locked gazes with them and tried to pry into their head, but had to abort it midway through to dodge as they glide right between his legs, kicking up sand into his eyes and breaking his concentration! Damn, that sting like hell! He rubbed as much grit as he could out and gave the mini-Gliscor a livid scowl that managed to put a damper on their fun as they wilted under it. Eh, eh, scary scary! No fun, no fun, so time for her to make more of her own!

The tiny bat darted forward towards the psychic warrior with extreme swiftness, homing in on them with an enthusiastic squeal! Weeeee~! Yogi eyes went wide before he instinctively lashed out at them right before they could impact, abruptly stopping them mid-flight as an open palm swatted them straight out of the air, miraculously sparing him any harm while passing it all onto them!

Despite what their puny size might lead you to believe, one good hit did not spell their untimely Faint, for they soon pulled themselves off the ground, shook their head like a mangy dog, and was right back to zipping through the air, freckles and carefree as ever! It be an endearing display, if the smol scorpiobat wasn’t trying to lacerate you with its pincers almost immediately afterwards! This, though, Yogi was ready, and thrusted out a palm just as they near, forcing them to break away least the get reunited with the ground again! Once was enough for her this match, yes yes!

And so a sort of mock speed duel sprang into existence between the two agile brawlers, each of them trying to get at each other with their blindingly swift attacks, only to have to dodge or deflect to avoid taking any damage. It was a prolonged and grueling affair that lasted several long seconds, and it was the telekinetic warrior slipped and almost got a bloody cut across their cheek he was starting to flag, and flag hard. Three straight matches against some of Mason finest Pokemon before he unleashed this hyperactive demon upon, all of them being done flawlessly out of a need to prove that he hadn’t grown soft or meek from his lapse in battling, were finally taking their toll. If he didn’t end this fight right now, he’ll be completely worn down and torn apart in seconds.

That was not something he would not allow.

One final punch, one final hit, for all the glory he deserves.

Yogi grit his teeth let loose a low but defiant battle cry, aiming a punch at Tinkerbell as she was zipping back to try and land that one hit knockout that would end the match right then and there! Then, quick as lightning, he struck….
….and missed, as they easily avoided the haymaker. He he, couldn’t catch her with that –

Abruptly she staggered in mid-air, feeling a sudden woozy sensation caused her to almost drunkenly stall in mid-air. The Master Fighter was staring at mini-Gliscor with vivid, piercing eyes, their arm only partially outstretched. It was another feint by him, faking one attack and using it to cover up the real one. A far more daring gambit than the last one he pulled, yet oh so sweet that he did it.

Yogi whirled towards his flighty opponent, his outstretched hand now within her range as it was reaching out for her. She tried to dodge out of the way but couldn’t, as that stodgy feeling in her head killed all possibility for a quick exit.
His hand closed around her, and it was over.

With a much louder wary cry this time, Yogi completed his revolution and threw mini-Gliscor down hard and fast like a burning missile, sending them flipping and spinning across the arena and all the way to Mason, kicking up a trail of grit and dirt along the way. It soon dissipated, and for all to see was the teeny tiny bat was Fainted, thoroughly tenderized and out cold. Across the arena droop the telekinetic monk, very much exhausted from his ordeal of a Gym Battle…..

…and remained untouched.

Mason had nothing to say to that, only to just look at them with the widest eyes for the longest time, before he let out a rueful sigh and shook his head in amusement, a sporting smile crossing his face as he bowed his head toward them.

“That’s it, then. Congrats Yogi! You beat me and collection at your own game, ya beast of a Fighting Type.”

Yogi had done it. A perfect, flawless triumph over Mason and his entire team.

Yes, yes, yes!!!

He burst into a fit of laughter as that realization finally settled into him. Yes, yes, he did it, he did it! He had proved himself, and reclaimed his old glory, ahahahaha!

As for Terra? You couldn’t mistake that big smile as anything but pure happiness, at the almost unthinkable achievement his partner had just claimed. He walked over to them and rested a rest a palm on their should, and simply said 
thus:

“Phenomenal, Yogi.”

And so the Gym Match conclude, with Terra and Yogi the uncontested victors.

[Dragonstrike]

A few points that I wish to hit before advancing what Nathan's doing on the new day:

- When the opportunities were presented, Nathan would have taught all of his pokemon how to use Secret Power, Hidden Power, and Alloy (even the Disobedient ones, as Nathan does not wish to leave anyone out without good reason).  As stated previously, the rest of the group is free to teach their pokemon Secret Power as well.

- As part of the prep for the trip to Garlicburg, Nathan goes to Cress City's Violet Tent to Purchase a Dragon Scale for $3000 to keep his promise to Seadra.  "One genuine Dragon Scale to fuel your evolution!  I just need to get some assistance from one of my traveling companions to finalize the process, since speeding up your species's evolution requires a quick trade.  I know exactly who to ask for help with it, too.  We'll be meeting up with them tomorrow morning.  If I could get your help with locating some stuff underwater in return, it would be much appreciated."

- See if Nathan can locate Keni to reassure the artist that the pokemon Nathan wishes to show off will be ready soon(ish)!  Maybe Nathan's mom knows where Keni was planning to stay in the aftermath of Deoxys's attack.

- Nathan then goes to meet with his family for some well earned downtime as he journals what he's learned today and writes up a list of things he needs to do to prepare for the Elite 4...and possibly a few things after that, too.

With both Oscar's home and Warren Ranch at least partially or completely destroyed for various reasons, the Warren family definitely has a lot to discuss about what comes next.

But now they can finally discuss it as a family again.  And that's the most important thing of all.  Maybe they can stay at a relative's place in the meantime.  Nathan does have extended family on his mom's side, after all, as seen when one of his cousins helped him prepare for the Running.

On to Day 85...

Nathan gets his party of pokemon together and the permit from Dagny first thing in the morning when he wakes up.  He wastes as little time as he can, as today's mission and the one which will follow it are crucially important in his view.

He sighs as he hangs the Keenglaive Sword from his hip in a recently acquired scabbard during his morning preparations, however, the weight of the weapon both literally and figuratively a heavy burden to bear. Still, someone has to. And he'll bear that burden gladly for his home, even if it does weigh heavily on his mind from time to time.

He waves goodbye to his parents and Uncle Oscar once he finishes up breakfast.  He made sure to brief them on what his immediate plans are so they know what's going on in the event he's away longer than he's expecting.  He doesn't want what happened with Marco to happen again, so he's taking precautions!

Off Nathan FLIES to Tumbleweed Town, this time on his extra large Seadra!

--------------------------------------

When Nathan arrives, he immediately heads to the agreed upon meeting point for the group, Gallade in tow.  He's hoping that Ventus and Shiva have arrived already...

Fortunately for him, they have!  And it looks like they're...sharing a moment while they wait for everyone else.  Ah.

He quietly approaches and coughs to get their attention.  "I, uh, hope I'm not interrupting anything.  I need to talk to you guys real quick before the others arrive, if you don't mind."

Nathan seems to be a little nervous about whatever it is he needs to talk to them about, but he's certainly resolved to say whatever is on his mind.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

(...)

On to Day 85...

(...)

--------------------------------------

When Nathan arrives, he immediately heads to the agreed upon meeting point for the group, Gallade in tow.  He's hoping that Ventus and Shiva have arrived already...

Fortunately for him, they have!  And it looks like they're...sharing a moment while they wait for everyone else.  Ah.

He quietly approaches and coughs to get their attention.  "I, uh, hope I'm not interrupting anything.  I need to talk to you guys real quick before the others arrive, if you don't mind."

Nathan seems to be a little nervous about whatever it is he needs to talk to them about, but he's certainly resolved to say whatever is on his mind.

Even with his empathetic senses muddled by his.....off kilter mentality at the present moment, that didn't bear any impact on his hearing, as he turned and greeted the young historian with outstretched arms and a warm glowing smile just before they announced themselves, sliding out of his love's and child's embrace and approaching him so smoothly you swear he practiced just for this moment.

"Nate! I'm so glad you could make it! For a moment I thought me and Shiva would have to start the holiday festivities and revelry without you! And no, you're hardly intruding on us. *Chuckles* You'd know far more certainly if you were, oh ho ho ho!"

At their request Ven tilts his head inquisitively at them, his expression not changing one iota of a bit.

"Oh? Well, I certainly can make the time to lend my ear to you, just like old times. *Chuckles* Well, hopefully not just like them. We did argue so much over so many, many things, so I hope this topic of yours doesn't spark off another, ah, lively debate."

The eccentric researcher still has a way with his words, as anyone could plainly tell. Gallade's empathy would get much the same read Shiva's did on him, but without rose tinted and affection covered lenses that the later has they could tell that he still quite unstable, to put it politely, just not hugely or detrimentally....maybe. Nathan could probably reasonably guess its due to the mission everyone was on and the support of his family 'grounding' Ventus closer to 'Nice Ventus' rather than 'Oh No Ven' .