[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Achilles draws a generous line in the sand, knowing skilled battlers often have gigantic moves at their disposal.

Achilles requests a 4v4 battle, using a Hawlucha that kicks up a lot of dust, a Machamp that uses Kommo-o scales like Captain America's shield, a foreign Empirilla, and his long-awaited ace, Kommo-o.

He doesn't usually bother with potions but held items are OK. Battle til fainting, of course.

Been awhile since we've heard this track, so let's get started!

Battle VS a Gym Leader!: VS Gym Leader by Emdasche - Pokemon Uranium

"Expecting big pokemon and attacks, huh?  Well, you're technically right in one sense.  Orthros, you're up!  One last push!"

With his trademark sphere of darkness revealing only the glowing purple brain, Orthros takes the field!  And Achilles's first pokemon: that Hawlucha!  Orthros barks nonchalantly, excited to have a chance to play!

In Orthos's mouth, however, isn't his usual hold item, but a sphere containing swirling purple and red colors.  It's unmistakably a Mega Stone.  Achilles probably raises an eyebrow while Nathan smiles.  "We're close to being able to use that.  So, so close.  He's been growing ever since I first met him, and we're almost there, I can feel it!  We've adventured across almost the whole region, deep underground, through time itself...it can't be long now!  I'm counting on you to help my friend finally reach his full potential, Achilles!"

Battle ensues, and Hawlucha attempts to hide its actions and make itself a difficult target by using its environment.  The whole battlefield becomes obscured by the sheer amount of particles in the air.  A long, deep Howl cuts through the dust, though.

*awoooooooooooooooo!!*

"We don't have to see you to hit you!  Orthros, use Extrasensory!"

A blast of psychic energy cuts through the dust, seeking its target.  Hawlucha clutches its head as it staggers, Flinched, as the dust around it clears.  "Now we've got you.  Finish them off, buddy!"  One more Extrasensory, and Hawlucha faints.

Orthros shakes off the dust, but still, no evolution has been triggered.  Nathan frowns.  "...still not enough.  I never imagined it would take so long for a Delta Houndour to evolve...we're so close, though!  We have to be!  We're staying in, Achilles!"

A Machamp steps forth, crouching down with a shield of Kommo-o scales bared.  Psychic energies do not phase one such as he.  His stalwart shield shall protect him!

Nathan analyzes the situation carefully.  His pokemon is still faster, clearly.  Those defenses, though...how to get around them...?

Simple problem, simple solution.  Why make this any more complicated than it needs to be?  "Alright, if they aren't scared, let's give them a reason to be, Orthros.  Leer, then take 'em down!"

Orthros immediately responds, as he crouches low to the ground and growls.  His exposed brain pulses creepily as he glares at the large Machamp in front of him.  A wave of psychic energy washes over Machamp, who tries to block it with his shield.

But unfortunately for the four armed pokemon, this is no simple Leer.  This is an attack on his mind, too!  Delta Houndour and Houndoom have power over dreams and nightmares, and Orthros is using that to his advantage to almost literally get inside the Machamp's head, forcing him to lower his guard.  Machamp throws the shield at Orthros.  The dog anticipated the attack, however, and nimbly dodges.  Nathan sees it bouncing off of the floor and walls, about to boomerang back to the Machamp.  "Orthros, fetch!"

Orthros didn't need to told twice.  Ooh, a Frisbee!  Yay!  He leaps after the shield, catching it before Machamp can get it back!  Orthros then brings it to Nathan, who pets the dog enthusiastically.  "Good boy!  Now let's finish this!  Extrasensory, one more time!"

With no shield to protect him, it's child's play to take down the Machamp.  Orthros hasn't sustained a single hit so far, and he's downed two tough foes with minimal effort.

And still, he hasn't evolved.  Still, Nathan hasn't given up on Orthros evolving in this fight.

"One more!  We're almost there!  Come on, Achilles, bring it on!"

Third is a very regal, stern looking Empirilla.  This is the first one Nathan has ever seen in Creshire.  He whistles.  "Niiiice.  Where'd ya find a Jungle Crown?  Well, no matter.  Besting the king of the jungle might just be enough, I think!  Ready, boy?"

*bark!*

Gorilla and dog circle each other on the battlefield, neither fearing the other.  One a powerful monarch, the other the embodiment of fear itself in some sense.  For a moment, both are waiting for the other to make a move...

...and then it happens almost too quickly to see.  More dust gets kicked up as Orhtros leaps onto the primate with fangs bared.  Barks and grunts can be heard from within the cloud as the two pokemon wrestle for control.  The battle seems to last for an eternity...

...and when the dust clears, Orthros is standing over the unconscious Empirilla, hurt, but conscious.  He Howls in victory!

*awooooooooooooo!*

But still, no evolution.

Nathan closes his eyes and sighs.  When he reopens them, he has that determined look in his eyes that shows up whenever he puts his mind to finishing something.  "Alright, last chance.  It's now or never.  Let's see what you've got up your metaphorical sleeve, Achilles."

The room goes silent as Achilles calls upon his most powerful pokemon.  A pokemon so rare in Creshire, that its mere presence is awe inspiring.  The clanging of its scales herald its arrival as it steps onto the battlefield.

Kommo-o, the scaled soundbringer.  Its armor as tough as the shield Machamp wielded earlier, its muscles as powerful as any Empirilla's, its favored terrain as dusty as the earlier Hawlucha's ideal battlefield.  It's a pokemon to be looked at in awe.

And Orthros, even as injured as he is from fighting Empirilla earlier, is bravely standing against it.

"Same strategy, Orthros.  We have to get past those scales first before we can hurt it effectively."  Orthros barks in confirmation, and begins Leering once more.

Kommo-o stands stalwartly against the showing, arms crossed as the dog tries to get into his head.  A battle of wills ensues.  This dragon is no mere Fighting type, but one of the most powerful pokemon to ever live in the Alola region.  It will take more than that to Intimidate him.

Kommo-o roars back, staggering Orthros.  He reaches out and grabs the small dog pokemon, throwing him out of the arena.  Orthros hits a wall, falling to the ground.  He tries to stand back up, but collapses.  Nathan runs over to make sure his friend is okay.  Achilles shakes his head.  A shame.  So close, yet so far...

"...are you okay, Orthros?  Come on, tell me you're okay.  You're not going to let that big dragon one up you like that, right?"

Orthros weakly looks at Nathan, barely conscious.  He licks his trainer's face.  Nathan tried, and he appreciates it, but he's not sure if he can beat that Kommo-o.

"One more try, Orthros.  I want you to try Leer one more time.  Please?  Put everything you have into it.  The mind is your territory.  We just have to overpower Kommo-o there, alright?  They may be stronger physically, but we have the edge psychically.  You trust me on this, right?"

Orthros looks back at Nathan, looks into his eyes...sees those fires of determination...then he licks Nathan's face, weakly stands, and makes his way back to the battlefield.

Nathan takes his place on the battlefield again as well.  "One more try, Orthros.  Leer, and give it everything you have!  You've got my back, and I've got yours!  Dreams and nightmares, light and darkness...we'll be together through it all!  We won't give in, and we won't give up!"

Kommo-o stands with arms crossed again as Orthros once again tries to Leer, his brain pulsing with Psychic energy.  The battle one of Wills once again.  Orthros stares straight at the unflinching Kommo-o, putting every last bit of his willpower into making this work...

The Leader's Last!: Gym Leader's Last Pokemon - Pokemon Origins

...and then the Mega Stone he's holding begins to glow, as does the Key Stone hung around Nathan's neck.  Kommo-o staggers slightly as Orthros begins getting an edge over the dragon's mind, the sheer willpower behind the attack starting to become difficult to resist.  Orthros begins to glow as well, with rainbow colored light...it becomes brighter and brighter, forming a sphere of energy that completely surrounds Orthros...

...and then it bursts!  Dark shadows and rainbow colored energy scatter in a blinding dance of power!

Orthros, however, is nowhere to be seen.  Kommo-o is suddenly holding its head, trying to fight off some invisible force that's attacking his mind.  The dragon thrashes around, knocking over equipment, bashing walls, and nearly hitting a few of the gym trainers who had been spectating.

Nathan acts quickly.  "Terra, Achilles, get everyone to stand back!  This is getting dangerous!  Let me deal with this!  Gallade, we need to keep Kommo-o pinned down!"

Gallade nods, and uses his Telekinesis to hover Kommo-o just slightly enough that it can't move around easily.  Nathan and Gallade each grab one of Kommo-o's arms and try to hold it in place as best as they can.  "Come on, Orthros, buddy...get your power under control...you can do it!  Don't let the Eye win!  You've won already!"

Slowly, Kommo-o stops thrashing wildly and resisting being restrained.  Nathan and Gallade have to keep a tight grip on the dragon the entire time, but eventually, the dragon stops, breathing heavily.

And then a large Mega Houndoom with purple spikes and rings and crystalline horns suddenly appears out of thin air in the middle of the arena.  He stares at Nathan, an intense look in his eyes...

Nathan lets go of Kommo-o, leaving the dragon for Gallade to deal with, and slowly approaches the Mega Delta Houndoom.  "Orthros?  You okay, buddy?"

Everything is silent as trainer and hound simply stare at each other for the longest time...

...only for Orthros to run at Nathan, bowl him over, and begin licking the trainer's face in happiness!  Nathan can't help but laugh!  "Ahahahaha!  Calm down, calm down!  Yeah, ya did great, Orthros!  Ahahahaha!  Come on, let me stand up, please!"

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

Gallade lets go of Kommo-o once the dragon's fully calm, and Nathan's standing next to Orthros, rubbing the hound's back appreciatively.  "He had me worried there for a moment, but I think Orthros has shown how good of a team we make, wouldn't ya say, Achilles?  I couldn't be prouder of him, honestly."  Once the battle's over, Orthros begins turning back into a normal Delta Houndoom (which we don't actually have a description of yet, so do you mind providing one, Iron?)

Well, that turned into quite the show at the end, didn't it?  What does Achilles think of all that?  A showing worthy of a Gym Badge?

I also have one question about Mega Delta Houndoom's appearance: when Orthros Mega Evolves, does he have that same Eye on his chest that the leader of the Delta Houndoor pack in Corsage did?  Because if not...