[Game Thread] Pokerole: Mount Coronet Mystery

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

(I think I know what you're going to do.  And if I'm right, I had the same idea ;P )

Candice chuckles.  "Daaaawww, has the big bad Dragon had enough of playing with my cutesy friend? Tee hee."

Once she gets that out of her system, though, she coughs.

"...*ahem*...excuse me, that wasn't very respectful.  Yes, it's more than fine if he wants to forfeit.  It's been quite awhile since anyone gave Froslass such a good runaround, after all!  Hard work, that.  Honestly, it's quite refreshing to be not holding back.  Much.  I still have a few tricks I reserve for only the toughest of the tough, after all."

Candice winks.

When Randolph sends out Beethoven, the birdy tilts his head and eyes his opponent carefully...

"Warum muss es zu kalt sein, um hier irgendetwas zu erledigen?"

That phrase he's speaking in German is his primary reaction as he looks back and forth between Randolph and Candice's Froslass in confusion.

And yeah, Candice is giving Randolph a weird look too.

"...a Chatot?  Well, if that isn't the strangest thing I've seen all day in my gym..."

Round 13 Initiatives
Froslass: 19
Beethoven: (5) + 11 = 16

(Probably! Still have to try it, though!)

Randolph gives Candice a particularly pointed looked at her jab, but ends up letting out a *Sigh* and nodding.

"Yes. Yes he has. Think anyone would, after surviving in the face of certain doom."

He does lighten up a bit after she apologies for her disrespectful behavior, grunting acknowledgingly at her words.

"Apologies accepted, lass, and thank ya for being understanding. That yuki-onne of yours is a downright fiend, so I can easily believe what you're saying about her. The legends surrounding them certainly seem more truth than fiction, now that I've meet one, at the very least. I'm dreading to think what other tricks she has up those sleeves of hers, mrrrr......*Shudders*"

Yes, the almost fearless and most hot tempered man around is afraid of Frosslass, but given what he's read, heard, and just seen of them now, can you blame him?

The cold is also starting to get to him again too, but that's besides the point!

Hearing his best birdy's response, he shouts back his answer to them.

" 'Cause it's this frosty lass' gimmick here, but you're not totally bereft of options, Beethoven! Let that yuki onne hear ya, loud and clear! Got it?! Then it's showtime, buddy!"

Orders: Its time for Beethoven to......use a Conditional Will Point Encore on Frosslass first, followed by Chatter and Peck! If this works, this could be it for the Ice Queen! Risky gambit, deployed!

[Dragonstrike]

Candice almost NEVER faces Encore users

Randolph vs Candice Round 13

Beethoven just won't shut up!  He's continually praising the ice queen and going on about how powerful and scary her icy attacks are!  At first, Froslass thinks it's just a ploy to try and get her to show mercy to the poor birdy.  Something which she's used to ignoring typically.

Then the actual attack happens, and the frosty maiden can't help but find she's also repeating herself as well!

Encore! 1
5 + 2 - 2 = 5
(6)(4)(6)(6)(2)
Froslass got a request for an Encore!

Is any further explanation really needed?

Blizzard! 1
Acc: 13 - 2 - 2 - 3 = 6
(6)(1)(3)(1)(3)(6)
5 + 5 + STAB - 2 + SE = 9 D6 + 1
(6)(6)(4)(5)(1)(6)(4)(4)(2) Beethoven takes 8 damage and immediately faints!
(1)

Beethoven fainting is immediately accompanied by a LOUD "I'LL BE BACK!!" as well before he passes out.

A fast Round, and one that didn't exactly end favorably for the bird.

But it's too late for Candice's ace now.  The damage has been done.

For the next 3 Rounds of combat, Froslass is locked into a 4 action sequence of Blizzard, Shadow Ball, Draining Kiss, Psychic.

Still looks highly exploitable, no?

Given that none of Randolph's remaining pokemon are able to outspeed Froslass, go ahead and send orders for the next Round along with who he sends out next.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Candice almost NEVER faces Encore users

Randolph vs Candice Round 13

Beethoven just won't shut up!  He's continually praising the ice queen and going on about how powerful and scary her icy attacks are!  At first, Froslass thinks it's just a ploy to try and get her to show mercy to the poor birdy.  Something which she's used to ignoring typically.

Then the actual attack happens, and the frosty maiden can't help but find she's also repeating herself as well!

Encore! 1
5 + 2 - 2 = 5
(6)(4)(6)(6)(2)
Froslass got a request for an Encore!

Is any further explanation really needed?

Blizzard! 1
Acc: 13 - 2 - 2 - 3 = 6
(6)(1)(3)(1)(3)(6)
5 + 5 + STAB - 2 + SE = 9 D6 + 1
(6)(6)(4)(5)(1)(6)(4)(4)(2) Beethoven takes 8 damage and immediately faints!
(1)

Beethoven fainting is immediately accompanied by a LOUD "I'LL BE BACK!!" as well before he passes out.

A fast Round, and one that didn't exactly end favorably for the bird.

But it's too late for Candice's ace now.  The damage has been done.

For the next 3 Rounds of combat, Froslass is locked into a 4 action sequence of Blizzard, Shadow Ball, Draining Kiss, Psychic.

Still looks highly exploitable, no?

Given that none of Randolph's remaining pokemon are able to outspeed Froslass, go ahead and send orders for the next Round along with who he sends out next.

Why yes, yes it does. 

Randolph grins after he quietly recalls and thanks his singing canary, a certain viscous glee pervading it and his entire features as he stares down Frosslass!

"Gotcha, yuki-onne. And now......"

The dwarven craftsman yanks off a Pokeball from his belt, and sends it hurtling into the battlefield, and with a bright, bright flash Brigid the Torkoal is summoned, standing calmly but certainly against the gelid spirit and frowning admonishingly at them!

Instantly, the light within the arena intensifies to almost scorching levels as Brigid's Drought triggers, melting plenty of Ice and preventing anything from being Frozen while she still stands!!!

"....For ya to face the burning bright light of JUDGEMENT! Brigid, give. THEM. HELL FIRE. And. MORE!!! Avenge Zorn and Beethoven girl, and lay this wicked and graceful spirit to rest!"

The sun turtle responds back to Ran with a simple nod, before steadying herself against her foe, fire and smoke began building and billowing up around her blowhole as she calmly gaze on. You hurt her friends, and displeased her master? Time for you to burn then.

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI-uVZwoIW8&t=320s (Red Sun, Clear Skies Remix, by MonoChromiumLive)

Orders: For the first Round, Brigid will do only a single Conditional Will Point and Non Lethal INFERNO (The Burn can remain at its maximum intensity if possible/it wouldn't kill Frosslass), and in the following Rounds she'll use Heat Wave, Rock Slide, and Ember. Intense Sunlight prevents Freeze, so Blizzard can't possibly get lucky in that aspect! Dice could screw me over yet, but until then, I will believe that Froslass will burn!

[Dragonstrike]

Heat lamps on the ceiling activate, simulating the effects of bright sunlight indoors and warming the icy arena up considerably!

Randolph vs Candice Round 14

Blizzard 1
(4)(4)(4)(2)(3)(1)
(6)(3)(1)(1)(3)(4)(3)(3)(1) No damage!
(-)

Brigid yawns.  But that yawn hides an incredible power as she starts to breathe massive amounts of fire nonchalantly!

INFERNO!!! (Lethality doesn't matter much in this case, tbh)
3 + 3 + 1 - 5 + 2 = 4 D6
(5)(5)(4)(1)
2 + 4 + STAB + 1 Sun - 5 + SE = 3 D6 + 1
(1)(4)(6) Froslass faints on top of being Burned!

Gym Leader Candice has been defeated!  Victory!

Candice can't help but laugh out loud at the outcome! (after extinguishing Froslass's Burn, of course)

   

"Ahahahahaha!  I haven't had a battle that fun in a good, long while!  Well, I believe I owe you some rewards now!"

Candice skates over and hands Randolph some stuff!



Obtained the Icicle Badge!

Randolph also gets $9000 and TM 72 Avalanche.

"It certainly seems like you can handle yourself well enough.  I think you'll be fine if you go to the Snowpoint Temple.  I'll tell the guards that you've got permission to enter it."

She frowns and crosses her arms.

"...be careful, okay?  I probably don't have to say it, but whatever you're wrapped up in now, it definitely sounds dangerous."

This battle was worth 30 exp, so Randolph gets 15 and each pokemon gets 5.

[Spiritmon]

[quote pid='63844' dateline='1560397827']

Spoiler

DragonstrikeKogeki encounters not one Sneasel, but three!  The one in the middle definitely looks like the leader of this small group.

And they definitely look like they're looking for trouble.

The leader Sneasel cracks its knuckles and glares at those who dare tread on its turf! 

Susano'o, a noble Daikatuna who looks strikingly similar to the Daikatuna depicted on Kogeki's katana, stands tall and unflinching in the face of these foes!

Izanagi (or Nagi for short) floats in the air, holding a burning ember in his claws.  As an Antarki, he shall burn these fools who dare stand in their way of aiding a lost soul.

Initiatives
Sneasel Gang: (4) + 10 = 14
Susano'o: (5) + 9 = 14
Nagi: (3) + 9 = 12

[/quote]

"Susano'o! Begin with Iron Defense! Then go ahead with Hidden Power, Iron Head and Slash against the Sneasel Leader! Hold Lethal damage!"

The secondary effects will be ignore by Sheer Force. He is also holding Life Orb.

"Nagi! Hypnosis in the Sneasel Leader, then go with Calm Mind, Hidden Power and Nightshade!"

Iron Defense: Vit(3)+Fight(3)+Channel(3)-Penality(2)=7D6
Effect: +2 Defense.

Hidden Power(WATER): Special(3)+Fight(3)+Channel(3)-Penality(4)=5D6
Damage: Power(4)+Special(3)+STAB(1)+Life Orb(2)+Sheer Force(2)=12D6
Effect: Doesnt matter because of Sheer Force.

Iron Head: Dex(3)+Fight(3)+Brawl(3)-Penality(6)=3D6
Damage: Power(3)+STR(3)+STAB(1)+Life Orb(2)+Sheer Force(2)+SE(1)=11D6+1
Effect: Also doesnt matter.

Slash: Dex(3)+Fight(3)+Brawl(3)-Penality(8)=1D6
Damage: Power(3)+STR(3)+Life Orb(2)+Sheer Force(2)=10D6
Effect: Lethal (Hold). Hight critical ignore by Sheer Force.

Hypnosis: Insight(3)+Contest(3)+Allure(3)-4 Accuracy-Penality(2)=3D6
Effect: Put enemy to sleep. Has priority because of Prankster.

Calm Mind: Insight(3)+Fight(3)+Channel(3)-Penality(4)=5D6
Effect: Increase user Special and Sp. Defense. Priority due to Prankster.

Hidden Power(FIRE): Special(3)+Fight(3)+Channel(3)-Penality(6)=3D6
Damage: Power(4)+Special(3)+STAB(1)+SE(1)=8D6+1
Effect: Create a instant Sunny day. Boost priority due to Prankster.

Nightshade: Dex(3)+Fight(3)+Channel(3)-Penality(8)=1D6
Damage: Power(2)+STR(3)+STAB(1)-NE(1)=6D6-1
Effect: Ignore foe defenses.

[Dragonstrike]

Sneasel Gang Round 1

These Sneasel have never seen Tandorian pokemon before, so they don't know exactly what to expect at first.

L: (5)(2)(3)(3)
D: (5)(2)(4)(4)

Nagi HEAVILY disagrees with that course of action, and refuses to use Hypnosis and any other kind of Prankster boosted move in this situation.

The trio of Sneasel gang up on that weird fish pokemon, who looks like he might be prey for these predators!

Slash 1 x3
Leader has 10 Brawl and 4 Str
Lackeys have 8 Brawl and 3 Str
(5)(5)(2)(4)(6)(6)(4)(4) Crit.
(2)(1)(3)(5)(6)(5) Not a crit.
(1)(6)(3)(3)(3)(2) Not a crit.
3/4 Str + 3 Pow = 6/7 base
(1)(3)(6)(2)(5)(6)
(5)(6)(6)
(4)(2)(5)
Susano'o takes a total of 5 Lethal damage! 3/3 HP (5 Lethal) -2 Pain

Not wanting to become sushi, the fish hardens his hide even further!

Iron Defense 1
(1)(2)(2)(1)(4)(6)(6)
+2 Defense for Susano'o!

Nagi uses a single Night Shade on the leader Sneasel instead of what Kogeki ordered him to use.

Night Shade
(5)(5)(2)(1)(4)(6)(3)(5)(5)(6)(1) Critical hit.
Night Shade does not add Strength/Special to its damage.  It rolls damage dice proportionate to its user's Level (+2 if ya crit), ignoring Defense. (And as another reminder, Sheer Force cannot ignore Slash's High Crit or Quick Attack's Priority, as it follows the listing of affected moves in the games in this campaign)
(4)(6)(3)(4) Leader Sneasel takes 3 damage! 3/6 HP -2 Pain

It's at this point that Kogeki realizes why Nagi is disobeying: he remembers that Dark types are immune to Prankster boosted attacks (i.e. I'm being nice this time.  I stated this mechanic from the gen 7 games would be used during this game in the first post of the meta thread.)

The Sneasel all immediately gang up on Nagi, seeing him as an easier target after that display of Ghostly powers!

Beat Up 2
(4)(5)(2)(6)(2)(2)
4 + 2 + 4 helpers + STAB - 2 + SE = 9 D6 + 1 damage
(2)(3)(4)(5)(1)(2)(4)(3)(2) Nagi takes 4 damage! 3/7 HP -2 Pain

Susano'o has had enough of these shenanigans.  He summons his wave-like sword to sweep these hooligans away.

Hidden Power 2
(1)(5)(6)
Leader has 4* Insight, Lackeys have 3
(2)(3)(6)(3)(1)(3)(5)(6), (3)
All three Sneasel take 3 damage.  The Leader Sneasel faints!

The lackeys make a run for it as soon as their leader has been defeated, leaving the unconscious Sneasel to whatever fate Kogeki has planned for it.

Kogeki, Susano'o, and Nagi all get 5 exp each.

[Spiritmon]

Sneasel Gang Round 1

These Sneasel have never seen Tandorian pokemon before, so they don't know exactly what to expect at first.

L: (5)(2)(3)(3)
D: (5)(2)(4)(4)

Nagi HEAVILY disagrees with that course of action, and refuses to use Hypnosis and any other kind of Prankster boosted move in this situation.

The trio of Sneasel gang up on that weird fish pokemon, who looks like he might be prey for these predators!

Slash 1 x3
Leader has 10 Brawl and 4 Str
Lackeys have 8 Brawl and 3 Str
(5)(5)(2)(4)(6)(6)(4)(4) Crit.
(2)(1)(3)(5)(6)(5) Not a crit.
(1)(6)(3)(3)(3)(2) Not a crit.
3/4 Str + 3 Pow = 6/7 base
(1)(3)(6)(2)(5)(6)
(5)(6)(6)
(4)(2)(5)
Susano'o takes a total of 5 Lethal damage! 3/3 HP (5 Lethal) -2 Pain

Not wanting to become sushi, the fish hardens his hide even further!

Iron Defense 1
(1)(2)(2)(1)(4)(6)(6)
+2 Defense for Susano'o!

Nagi uses a single Night Shade on the leader Sneasel instead of what Kogeki ordered him to use.

Night Shade
(5)(5)(2)(1)(4)(6)(3)(5)(5)(6)(1) Critical hit.
Night Shade does not add Strength/Special to its damage.  It rolls damage dice proportionate to its user's Level (+2 if ya crit), ignoring Defense. (And as another reminder, Sheer Force cannot ignore Slash's High Crit or Quick Attack's Priority, as it follows the listing of affected moves in the games in this campaign)
(4)(6)(3)(4) Leader Sneasel takes 3 damage! 3/6 HP -2 Pain

It's at this point that Kogeki realizes why Nagi is disobeying: he remembers that Dark types are immune to Prankster boosted attacks (i.e. I'm being nice this time.  I stated this mechanic from the gen 7 games would be used during this game in the first post of the meta thread.)

The Sneasel all immediately gang up on Nagi, seeing him as an easier target after that display of Ghostly powers!

Beat Up 2
(4)(5)(2)(6)(2)(2)
4 + 2 + 4 helpers + STAB - 2 + SE = 9 D6 + 1 damage
(2)(3)(4)(5)(1)(2)(4)(3)(2) Nagi takes 4 damage! 3/7 HP -2 Pain

Susano'o has had enough of these shenanigans.  He summons his wave-like sword to sweep these hooligans away.

Hidden Power 2
(1)(5)(6)
Leader has 4* Insight, Lackeys have 3
(2)(3)(6)(3)(1)(3)(5)(6), (3)
All three Sneasel take 3 damage.  The Leader Sneasel faints!

The lackeys make a run for it as soon as their leader has been defeated, leaving the unconscious Sneasel to whatever fate Kogeki has planned for it.

Kogeki, Susano'o, and Nagi all get 5 exp each.

2 Great Balls on Sneasel.

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Heat lamps on the ceiling activate, simulating the effects of bright sunlight indoors and warming the icy arena up considerably!

Randolph vs Candice Round 14

Blizzard 1
(4)(4)(4)(2)(3)(1)
(6)(3)(1)(1)(3)(4)(3)(3)(1) No damage!
(-)

Brigid yawns.  But that yawn hides an incredible power as she starts to breathe massive amounts of fire nonchalantly!

INFERNO!!! (Lethality doesn't matter much in this case, tbh)
3 + 3 + 1 - 5 + 2 = 4 D6
(5)(5)(4)(1)
2 + 4 + STAB + 1 Sun - 5 + SE = 3 D6 + 1
(1)(4)(6) Froslass faints on top of being Burned!

Gym Leader Candice has been defeated!  Victory!

Candice can't help but laugh out loud at the outcome! (after extinguishing Froslass's Burn, of course)

"Ahahahahaha!  I haven't had a battle that fun in a good, long while!  Well, I believe I owe you some rewards now!"

Candice skates over and hands Randolph some stuff!



Obtained the Icicle Badge!

Randolph also gets $9000 and TM 72 Avalanche.

"It certainly seems like you can handle yourself well enough.  I think you'll be fine if you go to the Snowpoint Temple.  I'll tell the guards that you've got permission to enter it."

She frowns and crosses her arms.

"...be careful, okay?  I probably don't have to say it, but whatever you're wrapped up in now, it definitely sounds dangerous."

This battle was worth 30 exp, so Randolph gets 15 and each pokemon gets 5.

(Brigid was also holding a Charcoal to boost her Fire STABs, but since Froslass still got KOed it doesn't matter!)

The often irritable little man was beaming like the heat lamps as his burning tortoise utterly smoked the yuki-onne, walking over to her (and taking care not to slip on the ice/water) and giving her head a nice firm but caring pat on the head.

"Great work, Brigid. You'll definitely be getting an extra helping of coal tonight for this, so I hope you enjoy it girl. Thank ya."

Brigid perked up at her master's words and start to smile widely + bob her head enthusiastically, before she started to rub her long neck against their side lovingly/happily. Oh, what wonder words and great gifts her master brings her! Though often harsh and unkind around others, Ran always does his best to treat her and their other comrades right and with the care that they deserve. Once you get past his hard outer and course shell, he's soft and helpful man at his core, full of passion for what he does, what he can do, and for others too. Her master is tough and severe, but he is also a great man in equal measure.

Unlike his other Pokemon, Ran kept Brigid out with him after the match was over (As he wanted to warm up after such a frigid battle), so they both were there as Candice seemed to be having a blast despite the outcome, and when she came over to present him with the Icicle Badge and loot for winning against her! The dwarven blacksmith accepted it all with a simply proud bearing and smile, while the sunny turtle offered a much simpler but more pure smile to them and a congratulatory nod.

"Hah hah ha! Same here with me, Ice Queen! Only that lad's Lucas' mongrel of a Lucario has given me a harder time than you, and I think that speaks for itself! Most youngems just piss me off when they try to fight me, but I am happy to say you're a blessed exception to that! *Smiles* You've certainly worked hard and earned your position as Gym Leader, and its been a pleasure seeing all that effort shine through myself. Thank ya kindly for the match, Candice."

He then offers the frosty lass before him a handshake, and then one of his business cards on top of that!

"If ya need a job done around your Gym or somewhere else in Snowpoint, well give me ring after I get through with this job of mine. Always happy to work for people like ya."

Before he could leave, though, Candice voiced her thoughtful concerns for his job, which caused him to pause in place before he panned his head towards the ground and gripped his fists ever so slightly tighter as he let out a heavy *Sigh*.

".....No you don't, lass. No you don't. Like I said earlier, though: somebody has to do something about this mess, or nothing good will get done. And that somebody has to be me and my partners. Thank ya for the concern, though. Appreciate it, lass."

He turned around from the Gym Leader (with Brigid in toe), and was about to leave her freezing domain, when he paused again.

"Mind if ya make me one last promise, Candice? If I end up.....not returning from my job and investigation, get this message to Byron and Roark. Tell that.....old Wolfe ain't prowling around anymore, and to let bygones.....be bygones, and the past remain buried. They'll understand. Can ya do that for me?"

He awaits her response, before he exits the Gym and heads to the Pokemon Center to heal his partners up. He had a cold, musty old temple to investigate and some more shopping/looking around he needed to be doing, and he wanted his entire team ready for either task. Always be prepared for anything, as they say.

[Dragonstrike]

2 Great Balls on Sneasel.

Sneasel has 7 Will.  -5 for being fainted.

Great Ball 1

(4)(2)(1)(2)
(6)(3)  
Escaped.

(2)(4)(1)(1)
(4)(1) 
Broken.

Great Ball 2

(6)(5)(1)(5)
(2)(1)
Gotcha!  Sneasel was caught!

Stat Block
Attributes: 3 Health, 4 Strength, 4 Dex, 1 Special, 3 Defense, 4* Insight
Boosted Social Attribute: Tough, Smart*
Skills: 4 Fight, 3 Survival, 2 Contest
Specialties: 2 Brawl, 3 Alert, 2 Intimidate
Level: 40
Moves: Scratch, Leer, Taunt, Screech, Metal Claw, Ice Shard, Slash, Feint Attack, Beat Up, Punishment
Gender: Your pick!
Happiness: 0
Loyalty: 0
Disobedience: 3 
Current Ability: Keen Eye
Other Abilities: Inner Focus
HP: 0/6
Will: 7
SURPRISE: +1 Insight (Note: Its Smart Social Attribute also gets a buff from this, increasing the cap on the stat to 6.  Surprises do not increase the cost of leveling the stat up, either.  Example: to increase Sneasel's Insight to 5*, it only costs 30 exp since the actual current level of the stat is 3.  Doing so also increases Smart to 5*.)

-----------------------------

Nagi is quite happy to see that Kogeki is being merciful with Sneasel.  Yes, it's not yet time for this one's light to be guided to the great beyond.  +1 Happiness for Nagi.

Susano'o is in quite a lot of Pain right now thanks to those Slash attacks.  Do you leave it untreated for now? Do you send him to the PC (by putting Sneasel in your party) for immediate professional treatment?  Attempt to Stabilize him yourself so he won't take more Lethal damage every hour?  Heal him with Potions? Go back to Snowpoint and leave Minyan and its trainer for Karen to deal with? Or do you have another idea? How are you going to handle the Lethal damage that's been dealt?

[Dragonstrike]

Spoiler

(Brigid was also holding a Charcoal to boost her Fire STABs, but since Froslass still got KOed it doesn't matter!)

The often irritable little man was beaming like the heat lamps as his burning tortoise utterly smoked the yuki-onne, walking over to her (and taking care not to slip on the ice/water) and giving her head a nice firm but caring pat on the head.

"Great work, Brigid. You'll definitely be getting an extra helping of coal tonight for this, so I hope you enjoy it girl. Thank ya."

Brigid perked up at her master's words and start to smile widely + bob her head enthusiastically, before she started to rub her long neck against their side lovingly/happily. Oh, what wonder words and great gifts her master brings her! Though often harsh and unkind around others, Ran always does his best to treat her and their other comrades right and with the care that they deserve. Once you get past his hard outer and course shell, he's soft and helpful man at his core, full of passion for what he does, what he can do, and for others too. Her master is tough and severe, but he is also a great man in equal measure.

Unlike his other Pokemon, Ran kept Brigid out with him after the match was over (As he wanted to warm up after such a frigid battle), so they both were there as Candice seemed to be having a blast despite the outcome, and when she came over to present him with the Icicle Badge and loot for winning against her! The dwarven blacksmith accepted it all with a simply proud bearing and smile, while the sunny turtle offered a much simpler but more pure smile to them and a congratulatory nod.

"Hah hah ha! Same here with me, Ice Queen! Only that lad's Lucas' mongrel of a Lucario has given me a harder time than you, and I think that speaks for itself! Most youngems just piss me off when they try to fight me, but I am happy to say you're a blessed exception to that! *Smiles* You've certainly worked hard and earned your position as Gym Leader, and its been a pleasure seeing all that effort shine through myself. Thank ya kindly for the match, Candice."

He then offers the frosty lass before him a handshake, and then one of his business cards on top of that!

"If ya need a job done around your Gym or somewhere else in Snowpoint, well give me ring after I get through with this job of mine. Always happy to work for people like ya."

Before he could leave, though, Candice voiced her thoughtful concerns for his job, which caused him to pause in place before he panned his head towards the ground and gripped his fists ever so slightly tighter as he let out a heavy *Sigh*.

".....No you don't, lass. No you don't. Like I said earlier, though: somebody has to do something about this mess, or nothing good will get done. And that somebody has to be me and my partners. Thank ya for the concern, though. Appreciate it, lass."

He turned around from the Gym Leader (with Brigid in toe), and was about to leave her freezing domain, when he paused again.

"Mind if ya make me one last promise, Candice? If I end up.....not returning from my job and investigation, get this message to Byron and Roark. Tell that.....old Wolfe ain't prowling around anymore, and to let bygones.....be bygones, and the past remain buried. They'll understand. Can ya do that for me?"

He awaits her response, before he exits the Gym and heads to the Pokemon Center to heal his partners up. He had a cold, musty old temple to investigate and some more shopping/looking around he needed to be doing, and he wanted his entire team ready for either task. Always be prepared for anything, as they say.

"Well, technically, the Ice Queen is Froslass...most just call me the Diamond Dust Girl if they're using a nickname!~  Oh yeah, Lucas's Lucario!  Back when Lucas challenged me, she gave me quite the run for my money, too.  Even Froslass had a hard time against Sally, and she's my go-to counter for Fighting types besides my Medicham.  Ah, memories...man, I REALLY need to work on my counters for Steel types more..."

Randolph offering a handshake snaps Candice out of that trip down memory lane, though, and she eagerly shakes the blacksmith's hand and accepts that business card!  "Pleasure meeting and doing battle with ya!  If ya ever want a rematch one day, I'm usually hanging out in the Survival Area of the Battle Zone if I'm not here in the gym!  Froslass and I love it whenever we get the chance to cut loose and go all out!~  Same with Glaceon and Abomasnow!"

Yup, Randolph heard that correctly.  Candice has not one, not two, but THREE aces.

Candice's expression is grim, her arms still crossed, as Randolph asks her for that favor.  "...sure thing.  I can definitely do that."

To say she isn't curious about what the heck that's supposed to mean would be a lie.

But given how much weight was obviously behind Randolph's words, Candice doesn't inquire any further.

-------------------------------

After Randolph leaves the gym, Candice writes an official writ of admittance to the Snowpoint Temple, providing detailed descriptions of the two trainers she is allowing access to the location and the pokemon they used.  She stamps it with her gym's logo, then hands it to her Sneasel, who promptly slinks into the shadows to discreetly deliver it to the guard outside the sacred locale...

Congratulations!  Karen and Randolph now have access to the Snowpoint Temple encounter without having to sneak past the guard posted outside!  Other characters may also enter the Snowpoint Temple if they are accompanied by Karen and/or Randolph!