[Game] Lord Windos' PokeRole Adventure: Celadon City Vandel

[Spiritmon]

Spoiler

Spoiler

After a long, grueling battle, with many upsets and plenty of drama on and off the battlefield, the winner of The Guantlet was.......

Arial and Durendal!!!

Despite the odds, the madman has done it people! He's proven himself that he's truly as competent as his status of being Reiner's bodyguard implies! This will be a battle that not only he'll remember for a long time to come, but will certainly leave a strong impression with his boss!

Arial and all his Pokémon  that fought in the Gauntlet (Including Durendal) gain 20 XP. He also gains a Will Point, for the defiant spirit that has been kindled throughout the match! Reiner and his Pokemon sent out into the battle gain 10 XP + 2, since they lost and they weren't giving their all as per their master's orders; this was supposed to be test, no an all out battle from their side, after all. Still, they displayed enough cunning within those limitation and suffered enough bad luck to earn a smigen more XP!

The question now was this: How would each side react to the outcome of this climatic end to The Gauntlet?

(question: do the Supports gain that exp too, Windos?)

"...well, that's a surprise Trump Card and an anticlimactic ending if I ever saw one.  Don't think Kingdra is going to be happy about losing to that move after whiffing her own attack..."

He sighs, and a little bit of the weight and tension that he was feeling from having Kingdra out on the battlefield is lifted.

'...at least she didn't go out of control again...that was far too close...she could have started an Outrage at any moment...'

Reiner looks at Durendal.

"...well, congratulations.  Technically speaking, you didn't beat me at my best, but you did still win despite the odds."

Reiner pulls up a chair and sits, recalling Kingdra in the process.  He looks incredibly tired and sad.  He doesn't even have to look at Poe to know he's been scared out of his wits by Kingdra and the subsequent EXPLOSIONS due to the three Draco Meteors.  I do wonder if Ridia's reaction to Kingdra has changed at all after those DMs went off?

"...apologies for that, Poe.  Sometimes I forget how intimidating my closest friend is when she gets into the swing of a battle.  She wasn't always like that..."

Another sigh.

"...Mr. Mime, if you could get everyone who participated in that battle who needs it immediate medical treatment and some towels for everyone still present, please, that'd be much appreciated.  The Rain should be over by the time you return."

Waits for Mr. Mime to leave.

Stares at Arial.  "...now then...you did well to keep me on my toes, but there were several critical errors you made during the course of that battle.  One: You weren't always keeping yourself optimally buffed for the assaults you were trying to mount.  For example, if I remember correctly, Melchior has Iron Defense, which would have made it near impossible for Felicia to break through him without a Nasty Plot, and likely given my other pokemon severe trouble as well.  Make sure to consider everything you can do before fully committing to a chain of Actions.  Two: Also carefully consider what your opponent can do.  If you can correctly account for that, you'll be able to outplay them more easily and nab an advantage.  I wasn't trying particularly hard to do that this time, just so you know.  Three: you made several comments that made me and my pokemon angry.  If I hadn't been purposely holding myself back*, that would have been a grave mistake to make.  If you had done the same to Clair earlier, you likely wouldn't be standing here right now.  Be very mindful of what you say, lest it cost you more than you expected it to.  In order for a battle to not devolve into something far deadlier, both sides have to keep cool heads.  I admit, I could have handled that better myself, but it's a two way street, and I'm not letting you off the hook just because I also screwed up.  I'm certainly impressed that you managed to make even Yang angry, to be honest.  And that's not a good thing.  And if Kingdra had been out when you made one of those very, very specific comments, there is a very, very good chance that this battle would have ended prematurely.  Four: You stretched yourself very thin with your attacks at times.  While it paid off this time, the risk isn't always worth the reward.  Five: If you lose hope partway through the battle, you've already lost, and your pokemon won't wish to continue to give their best for your sake.  I believe you have some apologizing to Sekmet to do later.  Giving up is a last resort option, if it's even an option at all.  Often times, you'll lose more than you gain if you flee."

There's a slightly more notable...edge as Reiner says that part concerning risk versus Reward.

*[OOC comment: ...with a little help/nudging...]

Reiner sighs again.  "...it's safe to say you passed my test admirably, regardless of the outcome of those final few blows and the...mistakes I made myself that I shouldn't have in this environment.  Now then...that brings us to tomorrow's plans.  We have a Nuclear Research Facility to investigate and shut down, as you're probably well aware.  I've made some preparations and called in some favors, and have gotten us legitimate access to it as well as what's hopefully enough supplies to last us during the visit.  Myself, two other individuals, and all of the pokemon between the three are allowed to enter the location unmolested.  If there are any complaints from the guards, all I should have to do is show them a certain 'badge of permission' from someone with enough authority to back that claim up, shall we say.  Steel, Ground, Rock, Nuclear, Bug, Dragon, and Ghost.  Bring those types if you can, and avoid Fairy, Poison, Dark, Fighting, and Normal unless they have one of the more beneficial secondary types or some sort of trait, ability, or item that makes them able to better withstand the accumulation of radiation.  We'll be departing for the NRF following tomorrow afternoon, as I still have one or two preparations I need to make."

He goes silent for a moment...

"...you're dismissed whenever you feel ready to get some rest.  We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow..."

More silence...doesn't look like Reiner plans to leave the room yet, but he's not looking for responses from Arial either. [i.e., I'm not ready to move on to the next day quite yet.  Still have some...other stuff to wrap up.  Arial is free to respond and ask questions if he wishes, but keep in mind that there are topics that Reiner does not want to talk about with Arial]  He's just...sitting there, rubbing his temples.  Maybe ruffling Poe's fur if the little guy is able to forgive Reiner for what happened and wants to try and comfort him.  [Weavile probably isn't going to do much until Arial and Mr. Mime are both out of the room, right?]

Arial listen to everything, absorving every bit of information. He didnt complained about anything since everything what Reiner say is true. Each point Reiner say its indeed the truth: 1 - He really should be more prepare to at least summon some good defences or buffs to raise the chances of survives of his pokemons. Melchior could survive his battle Felicia if he have use it the Iron defence, and perhaps set the up the field for a better advantage against Reiner attacks. 2 - He should at least have find any information about what the foe is capable of do. For example, he should remember the Dragonairs have access to Aqua Jet along with other kinds of Priority moves. Set up a double defence of Wide Guard with Baltazar and Airmid could prevent his pokemon to fall perhaps. She loose that battle because he was fool to not at least search for such kind of information. 3 - Reiner couldnt be more right. Even if Reiner screw up, Arial should at least keep his calm just a little bit. There was than one ocasion Arial almost could die because of his big mouth. If he have in the battle against Clair...he one of his pokemon could die.

4 - He agree with Reiner Arial could lost everything with that disparate and thin attacks. Yeah, he got luck this time, but if next time lady luck decide to abbandon Arial on his most critical moment? As sometimes its necessary risk, foolish risk its not wortly. 5 - That one have a huge weigh on Arial head. He lost hope and will in the middle of the battle, and that lost of confident affect Sekmet too. She gave her best and what I do? I diminiss her work, like was nothing. A pokemon and trainer must have confident in each other, be a Rocket or not. If Arial dont have confidence in himself, how theyre pokemons would believe on a trainer who not believe on himself? Arial gonna apologize and ask for forgiviness for Sekmet.

When Arial raise his head, it do not have any kind of hate or anything. But of understanding. Perhaps Reiner could notice Arial could understand everything he have say? "...You right. About everything. My foes and dangers ahead of us will not take easy on us for now on. Prepare some defences, or at least some buffs, should bring a different outcome during our battle. I should be more wise and well informed about what each pokemon should able to, like Yang Aqua Jet. Baltazar and I could win against him because of the previous Moonblasts who weak win, and Airmid sacrifice with Healing Wish to bring back Baltazar to finish off the battle. I let my anger have the best on me and this almost cost me everything I more dear for. And I risk too much in many of my attacks. Luck will not always on my side, something I should know already. I only win because of preparation I made, with luck, and because it was a test. If you wanted to finish me you have the means for that. And...my defeatist attitude. Even if my chances was small or not, I should not giving up in hope, like I did. Our enemies will not simple "lets us go" because we dont want to fight or do not have the will for that. And may negative mood can affect the mood of my pokemon. As a trainer and Rocket Grunt, this is something unforgivable and inaceptable. And you right: I owe Sekmet a huge apologize and forgiviness for my lack of resolute and for diminimiss her efforts. Despite all the stress I feel during the day, I should not let this emotions have the best on me."

Arial then bow his head and kneel. As a sight of respect and admiration. "All I want to say is: Thank you, for give me the benefit of the doubt and the chance to battle against ya. And forgive me about everything what I say to you. Even a madman like me can understand the gravity of my previous mistakes. Now I understand why you are a powerfull Dragon Tamer and choosen one of Mew itself. I will never have these doubts ever again. I, Arial Copycat Schrundinger of Tandor, I will do my best to be a better bodyguard. And a better ally."

After that Arial look again to Reiner. "Can I...ask a few things Reiner? I do have some questions Reiner. The most important one, it was I make before our match: About the "voice" I have heard before. The one who call you "Little Drake". He seems to know you very well, and strangely...me too. This...something happen to everyone who have contact with these Cursed Arms? I will understand if you dont want to answear this question if you dont in the mood. But I really want to know..."

"Secondly, before we going to the Nuclear Factory, can I buy a few important healing items? At least one revive, a few potions, and perhaps a few items to cure status change such Paralyze heal, Antidote, Burn Heal and maybe Full Heal? Better be prepary than sorry."

"Also, I would like to ask you what pokemons I should with me. Since the pokemons I have in this moment is Empirilla, Xenoqueen, Metalynx, Astronite, Duplicat, Alomola and Carracosta who is in training behavior with Nelly, the Ace Trainer I meet. There is also Gligar, but that last one will be depend on his decision. Speaking of witch..."

"There is also something I would like ask you: I would like to ask you if you could go with me to the Merchant and act as a piecemaker to get a Razor Fang to make Gligar evolve to Gliscor. I want to somehow reward him for the best of his efforts in this final battle and help him evolve to his final form. Only if you can and want of course consideraly the way I act in our battle..."

Wonder in what way Reiner gonna react to these questions.

(Whoosh! Gigant post I have made. How Reiner gonna react to everything what the madman just say @Dragonstrike?)