[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

Gym Leader Howl vs Nathan Round 3

While the combatants are getting ready, Terra challenges himself to meet Keenglaive's eyes willingly. Immediately, your will is not your own. (not enough Insight to resist)

You feel commanded to leap over the barrier and interpose yourself between attacks targeting Keenglaive.

Rock Smash 1
(5)(1)(4)(2)(1)(5) (6)(1)(5)(1) Just short of a critical.
(6)(4)(2)(1)  Keenglaive takes 4 dmg 2/6hp -1 pain.

"Keenglaive, the only option is to use the power of your hypnotic gaze! "


Obedience: (3)(3)(4)(4) v (3)(6)(4)(4)(4)

Keenglaive refuses to use Hypnosis, and instead reaches out toward Terra. Terra instinctively raises his own hand to mirror the gesture, but Keenglaive doesn't move.

"NATHAN, STAND DOWN!" orders Howl. "KEENGLAIVE-"

Calam skids to a halt inches away from Keenglaive... who has swapped places with Terra. Gallade also enters the battlefield, prepared to haul Terra out of the way, and three Mightyena have also leapt over the barrier to assist as needed.

Parting Shot/Ally Switch 1
(1)(1)(5)(2)(1)(5) (2)(4)

Howl recalls Keenglaive into a Dusk Ball that wriggles alarmingly. He rounds on Terra. "What manner of fool are you? Did I not warn it was dangerous to look into Keenglaive's eyes? Do you think Pokemon are toys? A Gym Battle is an extremely serious event. If Nathan hadn't already proven himself the victor, I'd have you thrown out. You won't be observing any more battles in my Gym, and if you want to challenge me you'll need to prove you've learned your lesson first."

He collects himself a little.

"Now. Let's make of this a learning experience. Keenglaive is the lord of the chessboard. His dark mind works on a level of strategy surpassing most humans, and he doesn't hesitate to think outside the box when attempting to win a battle in which he's outmatched. That's why my apprentices and I always keep a lot of Pokemon on hand to deal with any fallout where Keenglaive is involved. Like a Vespiquen or the dreaded Seikamater, he has a measure of control over those he considers underlings. What you experienced, Terra, was called Castling, where the king decides to swap positions with a defender to increase his own defense, or ruin the offense of the foe. These abilities make Keenglaive very dangerous, and so I don't blame you for falling victim to his gaze. I do, however, blame you for not heeding my warning. I hope this teaches you that brawn is not always enough to meet a challenge, and I hope you forgive me for my stern words."

"Nathan, in the Skull Ruins you will find many kingly traps. Tanuki, Dagny, and myself are the only gym leaders who dare venture there, and we always come prepared and wary no matter how confident we may feel. Rock Smash will help you.
Here is your badge and winnings. I'm sorry our battle was cut short, but I was going to need to forfeit soon anyway. I try not to let Keenglaive get cornered. He's not too dangerous until he obtains allies..."

The battle is worth 20XP, $1500, and a Brandy! (Lemonade). And you earn the Hornblende badge! Congratulations!



Observing a gym battle does not count as an Encounter. I'm going to give Terra 2XP for learning something, though.

Victory against the Leader!: Victory VS Gym Leader - Pokemon Firered and Leafgreen

Lol at the brandy.  I was wondering if Nathan was going to get that at all, tbh...

Gallade had his blades unsheathed and was totally ready to duel Terra if he had to.  There would have been no way that Terra would have been able to outmatch Gallade's graceful blade swings.  Once the threat has passed, Gallade breathes a sigh of relief and sheathes his blades, followed by shuddering slightly.  He may not have been able to fully read what Black Keenglaive had been intending to do, but it disturbed him nonetheless.  They acted like a tyrant in some ways, just like the bug queens they've encountered in the past...the Black variant was definitely the opposite of the White in many ways...

Nathan looks a little disappointed in Terra.  "...you had us all worried the first time something like that happened, Terra.  Heck, I'm still a little worried about that first time, to be honest.  Please don't let that happen again.  You don't have to be physically damaged to lose a battle, and where we're going, that's going to be especially true moving forward."  No additional tongue lashings since Howl's done a good enough job of that already, but plenty of expressed concern at what happened.

Nathan turns to Howl.  "Don't worry about it too much.  Thank you for the battle, Howl.  If you're still wondering why I brought an Absol to a Dark gym, it's not because he has a Fighting move.  No, it's actually because..."

Nathan points to Calam's glowing horn now that the shadows are beginning to return to the gym.

"...he's part Fairy type!  Hehe.  Doesn't do much good against a Steel type with Wonder Guard, obviously, but he's got a versatile enough moveset to adapt to most situations.  He threw Angela for a loop as well!"

That badge increases Nathan's Insight to 4 now that it's paired with the Staurolite Badge!  Woohoo!

"...how'd you learn about Seikamater, by the way?  I really only know about her because I've had the dubious 'honor' of being in her presence before.  It was NOT pleasant, and I definitely don't want to repeat it."