[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Heart was comemorating for Shiva and join with the other to congreate the great of her! "Dont feel like that Shiva! You battle was awesome! Now there is no doubt you are the Fairy Dragon Slayer and Destroyer of Steel Walls! I knew it you could do it! Make me more eager to fight you in the future! You are one of my rivals so be prepare in future! But serious you show a great out there. Great job!" Heart, Koa and Rose make positive finger to Shiva.

"Oh, the battle was a-awesome! Like, have you seen that Delta Porygon turning into a Dragon Type? Like a Mini-Tracton it looked a little then, and my fox was able to burn it down... But.... But... that was so clooose! And dangerous! And, well, eh, thanks for...supporting... hehe." She doesn't speak it out aloud, but the opening that Heart saw her as a future-rival hit her hard. Not in a  negative way however, but in great wondering, innocent curiosity what may has caused this and how she became a 'rival' of his at all...? This casued her to finally look up from the ground again.

"W-we can friendly-battle one day as well if you insist, Heart... But, rival for what? Why such competitive sentiments?"

Ventus was inclined to agree with Nathan's assessment of Shiva's capability, though he expressed such sentiments in a decidedly different way: he practically materialized right behind her and swooped his most mystical darling into his arms in a great big and bubbly Bewear Hug! Plusle and Minun, not wanting to be left out of such a beautiful moment at all, leaped over from the researcher's shoulders and onto hers, nuzzling (Not Nuzzling!) and hugging both sides of her head and letting out the cuuuutest squeeks! The devil bat, on the other hand, decided to keep his distance from the fae woman, as while he cheered them on during the match that does not mean he was in anyway going to take his chances with her, no way no how!

"Oh joyous days, Shiva! For you have conquered Dagney, and with cunning and aplomb no less! I'm so proud and delighted to she how far you've come since the beginning of our journey, and I just can't wait to see you next great big performance, my dearest!!!"

He then gently let her down onto the ground and, after returning Plusles's and Minun's Pokeballs to her care, threw out his arms wide and had the most charming, cheerful, and infectious grin the group has seen yet!

"This momunmentous event of your and ALL our victories against the Steel Wonder calls for a celebration, I think! I recently purchased a giant Swirlix made of cotton candy in the wake of my own triumphant win, and have already shared it with my family and Nathan's Pokémon, so why not indulge yourselves and your own teammates, my friends (Motions to Shiva and Heart)? My treat!!!"

Arrrrrghhhhh! When did Ventus came so close so suddenly ? A-and when did she level-up from his 'dear' to his 'dearest'? Of course this and his heartfelt praise caused some some shy blush emerging from her inner, she couldn't help it but she didn't want to make it obvious, so she leaned into and returned that sweeeet and tight hug of his, practically burrying her face into his green tweed that was always so comfortable to touch. Haaah... She'd thank him for his prasiewith a kiss especially, but currently she was too busy with sobbing in delight. How lucky(?) for him! Plusle and Minun were thankfully accepted as well and are free to nuzzle their Master as much as they wanted, as Shiva does happily and thankfully return the sentiments! "My, Ven, th.....thank you...! oh well. Oh you again!~"

Thei Pokeballs are accepted back as well, and Shiva packed them away for now while keeping the Electric rodents right there on her shoulders, one mouse of the pair on each shoulder. That grin of Ventus ALMOST caused her to dart right there into his arms once again and cuddle him once more, but this time she restrained herself while she was drying some more tears with that tissue while trying to hide the blush that definitely came up now once again.

The mentioning of COTTON CANDY, which Shiva also knew a Fairy Floss, caused her to stop mid-movement and stare at him again, at first in a wondering expression - before it grew completely innocent, sweet and sugary, just like a Swirlix. "I-I happily accept your invitation, my dear! Hummmm~ B-But, can we head to the GPC first, please? I'd like to give my...fainted Pokemon to one of the Nurse Joy in duty..."

"Strong Pokémon. Weak Pokémon. That is only the selfish perception of people.  Truly skilled trainers should try to win with their favorites.  That's what Karen of the Indigo League's Elite 4 says.  It's one thing to enjoy leisurely battles, but real battles can be a severe trial.   Truly strong Trainers sometimes must be prepared to choose Pokemon that can win rather than their favorite Pokemon.  I don't know who said that exactly, but they were from Hoenn."
...
"...whatever strength is, though, I think Alder definitely has the right idea.  To paraphrase: It's not just enough to be strong.  It's why you seek to become strong and what you do with that strength that really matters.  Of course, he never addresses what strength is in the first place, but he speaks from experience, as I'm sure you already know..."
...
"...there may be no right answer, and maybe being truly strong has many appearances.  Alder does also say this, though: Even if you lose in battle, if you surpass what you've done before, you have bested yourself. Take the opportunity of a battle to look at your opponent, look at the Pokémon involved, and look at yourself!"

Aha... Shiva carefully listened to what Nathan had to say here. Oh, of course she knows Alder! Well, not personally, but as best as a Unovian does know its former Champion and proud owner of a fierly and graceful Volcarona.

At first, Shiva doesn't say anything concerning this, as she's pondering. "Th...thanks for these words... I think I know indeed what I see as 'strenght' in my personal case. That's nothing to be taken for granted, but I eventually realized - it feels like quite a boon to approximately know what you are seeking." She looks up to the darkening sky or the steely ceiling of the Gym. "And I enjoy battles with my favorite Pokemon, ot at least with those I'm enjoying closeness and some sort of connection." She throws a short glance over to Gothitelle as she said this. "W-what's the point of training and dealing with a Pokemon one does not like and that pretty much doesn't like you either?"