[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Well, this was partly amusing and partly unpleasant to see, but in the end the amused side won by a hair, causing Shiva to coyly smile behind the pages. "There is no need to give me such a look, Charmeleon. Please remember what I've been trying to show you yesterday, it's not always pure power and strenght that leads you on the trail of victory." She doesn't elaborate further on this, but she's positive that the fierly lizard does understand what she meant. A Charzard is also known to...leave weaker foes alone, as far as she knew - while on second glance this meant calling her 'weak' in comparison, it made her feel a little safe from this not-dragon Pokemon's rage and fire.

The opening of him (Nathan) having beaten Dagny visibly delighted her, and with Swiftfire being recalled and the bright sunlight having returned back to normal again, Shiva felt fine to actually step forward and pat him on the right shoulder as a sign of congratulation and appreciation. The smile remained. "Pleasant news to hear, indeed!" Yes, this was practically all that she said concerning this, but it was obvious that she meant the congrats honestly. He's by...far stronger than she was in that battle just before... But if even he won 'by a hair', then Dagny must be a tough nut to crack... Will she be able to stand a chance? She didn't knew, but "I wanted to challenge her tomorrow night, as I only have a half shift tomorrow and can accept Gothy into my care afterwards... But I'm having a few errands before I can enter this...steelcage of a Gym for the Final Act." About her very subtle worry whether she'll be able to do well she didn't speak, nor about how these 5 more Gyms got her thinking. Shall she...? But how and why... "Eh, anyway, has she used that...Delta Porygon against you?"

Ven's desire to speak with him now caused Shiva to slightly frown in return. If he requests such a thing after she KNOWS how much hassle he had after speaking and arguing with Nathan over and over, openly and in backrooms, then it must be...important. ....She wanted to be in, even if she wasn't expressing this. Instead, she went for a different approach. "Huh, alright... Well, mind if I'll wait with you? There... is a thing or are a few thing's I'd like to ask him then. For example, the view a spectator gets is relatively different from the one of the challenger."

Charmeleon crosses his arms and looks away.  Yeah, yeah, he's got the idea...

"I wouldn't worry too much about him.  I'll temper him into a fine Charizard."

Nathan shakes his head.  "No, no Delta Porygon.  She used stronger stuff than that against me.  A Sand Force Excadrill with Sandstorm, Drill Run, and Earthquake.  A Probopass with Zap Cannon.  And to top it all off, her signature, golden, Sturdy Magnezone.  Her pokemon are slow, but tough, and they know how to fight, and both traits help make up for their poor speed.  She compensated for her slightly above average power with high powered attacks and strategies that compensated for her pokemons' weaknesses."

Kirlia gives Shiva a reassuring smile and a nod.  Forthright doesn't quite understand what's going on...

"Don't worry too much about your odds of winning, though.  Yes, she's prepared, experienced, and doesn't hold back much, but she'll give you a fair battle.  You'll do just fine.  With Drain Punch, Pancham is going to be sturdier than he looks and hitting like a truck.  With Blaze, Braixen will be burning holes in her Steel types should you play him correctly.  Marill's Bubblebeam should do wonders against her anti-fire pokemon.  You get to bring a full team of 6 with you, use 3 of them, and use one item per round of combat.  No wound healing items like Potions, though a held Sitrus Berry would be fine.  Oh, and Lethal damage is allowed if it helps you win somehow.  Used that to my advantage to set half of her Excadrill on fire with a Flamethrower.  Made it easier to take down."

...

Nathan shrugs.  Kirlia gives Shiva a questioning look.  But no objections are made at this time.

"Yeah, go ahead."