[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Big Original Post to have it all in one place

Eyes watch her from the shadows. Wooden carvings everywhere cast dim little shadows of their own. Every cloud passing overhead makes the shadows dance and deepens the gloom inside the Gym. The crystal goblets and pitchers on a little table to one side do nothing to break up the grayness.

Another heavy wooden door opens, and out steps Chuckles. He's not laughing or even smiling - you've heard from Ventus how the name is a misnomer. He wears a long black cloak and a gray suit. He appears to sniff the air and make a decision.

"Lovely day for a battle, isn't it?" he asks drily. "You are a challenger. Very well. Do you know the rules of my gym? Are you ready to begin right away, or would you prefer to make an appointment?"

The further Shiva goes in the hallway, the closer she sticks to Raphael for soothed nerves and to Delphox for warmth + light, the time noble and ominous and scary Chuckles himself appears she has linked arms with her dearest magical fox.

She's obviously afraid, but does her very best to ban that feeling into the darkest corner of her being and cloak it in a veil of confidence and quiet WILLPOWER as she faces the ghostly Leader with a neutral expression. "It's raining", was all she says at first. ".....And I came from quite the distance to this city for the purpose to conquer my fears. Postponing this by making an appointment for the battle is no option..." *strengthening of posture and eager headshaking* "I don't wish to leave this mansion without facing the challenge now please."

Mustering Chuckles a little, she continues. "What are your conditions and rules for a battle then? Do you....accept Double Battles? I heard you do, and I took some time to find combinations of moves and Pokemon that'll hopefully ensure me leaving this Gym and city with a third Badge."

Delphox just stoicly watches this figure that seemed to unhinge his valued Master, not breaking contact between his own pure white eyes and this man's deep black ones once. He has his orders.

That big chandelier you mentioned is actually in this lobby, not in the battle arena. The battle arena does have four floating chandeliers, housing the battle items.
http://pokemonuranium.co/forum/showthrea...2#pid20892

"Listen carefully. Since you did not come with your research done, I will explain this once. You may ask questions afterward. Double battles are a 3v3, with one replacement. For example, I may send out Gastly and Haunter against your two little Pokemon, and when the first one faints, you may send out one more in an attempt to defeat me. 3 Pokemon, 2 at a time."

"As for items, you provide two items. I myself will have access to copies of those items. If you provide a Potion and a Super Potion, I will likewise be allowed to use a Potion and a Super Potion, and nothing more. Held items are fine, so long as they are not unfitting to a battle."

"Other than that, standard League rules apply. Are you sure you wish to challenge me? It's such a nice day outside..."

(Thank you linking that post, as I could only find the Battle but not the rules for it!)


Shiva remained all calm, serious and determined at the soft-rebuke from Chuckles for having arrived without researching - on the outside. It hit her on the inside however - she couldn't find more info about him and his Gym here in Corsage Port apart from what her Guidebook told and if it wasn't for Ventus having told her once upon asking, she wouldn't even be aware of what Type he specializes in and how he generally battles! 'A team prone to stealing emotions and draining a challenger' - that scared her the most by the long shot, but now - she obviously could back away still and he even soft-offered it, though her mind protested to even ponder about it.

"Thank you. I DID research though, but the information was scarce, rather scarce." She shakes her head once. "I only have one small question, if I may: These two Items, am I asked openly reveal them now or may I hold off until actually using them? (I'd prefer this option) If I won't use any Items you won't either, that's good and fair." A break of roughly half a minute passes before Shiva answers the last question - She could STILL back out indeed, last chance. However, with a hand clenched to a fist, she looks up to meet Chuckles' gaze; and notably she does not flinch. "I am sure. I worked towards this. If I don't take that step now, I may likely never do it... So please, let us begin if you're ready as well. Delphox?"

Said magical fox closes his eyes and a moment later they flash open again - when they did so, the tip of his burning wand turned from bright redish yellow to a white and blue tone, a bit like a will-o-wisp! He has been focused on the darkness and the eerie feeling roaming through this building the whole time, silently soaked it up and channeled it into the basswood stick to burn it there, and now he hands it to Shiva before being recalled into the safety of his Ball.

A tingling sensation ran through her hand that she safely held his stick with. It'll help her staying focused, and alongside the Cleanse Tag in a pocket of her Ranger's cloak it'll make sure that she herself is protected from the ghosts. Not that she fears them going out of control, no - but she significantly feels safer like this, and roughly reminding on an exorcist in appearance now was a neat side effect.

"Did you think I'll start with Delphox as my Pokemon? ...No, that was bluffing." With a swift movement, two other Balls are tosseded, and appearing on the battlefield are...

Spoiler

A scary-looking wolf held in black and grey, sporting wings reminding on a Masquerain that she spred out to full potential as he pressed himself against the ground, growling at the obvious presence of ghosts.
Accompanying him is a creamcolored Pokemon with swirly eyes and a spot looking like a sideways heart on one shoulder.

"As it's 3v3, I'll only use one of the combinations I thought out for this battle."

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Mechanics:
Battle start, oh the excitement!  Will wait for Init Order then.