[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

The Leader's Last!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BTQld53COk (so, is it the theme you were expecting based on my choice of gym leader theme? )

"What the...a Frost Rotom? Wow, that's quite the rare catch you've got there. Wait, but then that means...uh oh..." That means this thing probably knows Blizzard. That's...dangerous. Ghost moves might be incoming too. "Ralts, you can do this! Keep it up! Rinse and repeat!"

Order: Same deal as with Sealeo, just with a -1 Pain Penalization factored in on turn 1 now.
If Ralts hits 1 HP or is frozen, he'll also be withdrawn.

[Iron]

Zamboni vs Nathan Round 6

"Thank you! He belonged to my mother's mansion. When I was offered the position as Ice Gym leader, I knew I had to get him a fridge to occupy!"

Confusion
(5)(3) Hit
(5)(4) Rotom takes 2 damage right off the bat. -1 pain.
Conf: (6) Rotom is confused too!

"I'm sure Nathan is expecting this, but...Blizzard!

Blizzard
Acc: 8 dice, -3 accuracy, -1 pain = 4 dice.
(5)(3)(6)(3) Hit!
Dmg: 9 dice, -2 vitality = 7 dice
Freeze: (2)
(1)(1)(6)(1)(2)(5)(4) Ralts takes 2 damage. He can't make his last attack and is withdrawn. He did some damage while he was out there! Ralts asks to go sit with Plusle and Minun while Nurse Joy treats him.

Zamboni vs Nathan Round 7

[Iron]

The River Rat offers to continue your battle, Gastly against Spheal.

River Rat Round 4

Spheal is first! What are your orders?

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Ralts asks to go sit with Plusle and Minun while Nurse Joy treats him.

As Ralts returns from the battlefield, the rodents joyfully greet him. What a battle! They carefully cuddle up to him to warm themselves and the Psychic-Pokemon in this icy Gym.

[Dragonstrike]

"Incredible job, Ralts. You've earned that rest. Go and have some fun with the mice." Nathan turns back to the battlefield, smiling.

"Alright, time for the finale. Swiftfire, you're up again! Don't worry about the Spikes, either. I've got your back. Let's finish this!"

Swiftfire looks pumped again! She comes out onto the battlefield, taking 1 damage from the spikes, but then Nathan uses a Potion!

"Alright, Swiftfire. The ice has frozen over again. Let's do what we did before, and melt it! End it quickly! Flame Charge, followed by as many Embers as you can muster!" Swiftfire is ready. She's got a second wind. This fridge was going down.

'Ya know, I feel like we really are improving at this. These battles...they've really been good practice. (Nathan's Brawl specialty increases by 1!)

Order: Rinse and Repeat again, but this time with 1 in Brawl! We're not blowing this popsicle stand, we're melting it!

[Lord Windos]

All this happens at the evening of Day 6. Yes, flashbacks...

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First up, Poffineering!~ @Lord Windos

Ven's good mood surely raises Shiva confidence... a little. After all, she looked forward to this, no actual need to be nervous here.

"Oh... Eh, actually, I got this poffin mixture from a Berry Vendour at the Festival yesterday... *she places it on the counter* He said it'll be splendid for the berries I want to use. Those are *placing all of them on the counter as well* those three Blukk berries, these three Razz berries, and finally these elusive Ranc berries."

Considering after looking at them..."I guess I'll two batches, one only containing Ranc berries - for Happiness! Appearantly, Pokemon love their taste... and one with a mixture of Razz and Blukk berries. They were growing right where I encountered Plusle and Minun, so I bet they will love those especially!" ... "We always cut to the berries to pieces at home before using them... "

*insert cutting noises of berries here, and carefully placing Ranc berry peices on a seperate plate*

"So, and what berries do you gonna use? If you hand them to me, I'll just cut them as well."

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Ventus smile only grew bigger as Shiva started to warm up to making Poffins. After he finished with the making one plain example for the lass, he set it aside and watched her mincing up the Ranc Berries. To his delight, Shiva had excellent form when cutting into the berries, completing the job quickly and minimum fuss on either of their parts. 'Who ever was cooking teacher, I personally want to thanks them. It not often to see such fine handwork with a knife!' he thought, admiring the smooth an efficient strokes of the blade.
 
As she announced what types of Poffins she was going to make, he clapped his hands together in serendipity, "Excellent idea, my friend! With all the berries gathered, that will make about 9 Poffins, if we ration the berry mince and Poffin dough accordingly. When we are done, we'll split them half way between us, so that we both can savor the taste of our accomplishment!" Ventus said, quite euthesiastic about creating all those delicious treats. He had a bit of a sweet tooth, and he always wanted to share it with his family!

When Shiva asked him for Berries of his own to add, he just rubbed his head and looked embrassed. "Unfortunately, I have not managed to find any Berries fit for cooking. I bought some Rancs earlier, but I've been giving them to Raphael as treats. He seems to enjoy them so much, so I couldn't resist feeding more to him," the researcher said, smiling a little while rubbing the back of his head. Perhaps he should have saved those berries for a later date.... 'No matter, I'll just have to pull my weight more in the baking process, that is all!' he though, before he started making more batches of Poffin dough. Regardless, tonight was going to be a great night!

Now, finally the morning of Day 7. First up, before heading to the Daycare.


Shiva came down to the Pokemon Center's Lobby...a little sluggish, to say it nicely. The events of yesterday were still visible on her. Also, she remembered that she needed-wanted to talk with Ventus... and the issue with Nathan was still waiting to be cleared up...

At the Lobby, she was suprised that Nathan himself was nowhere to be seen. From Ventus, she got to know that he was already off to his battle with Zamboni... Oh well... There goes her hope to see this battle. She was curious if he had any strategy, and what kind of battle style he'll bring up... Maybe even learn something... But, on the other hand, she understood that he wouldn't be so fond of delaying the battle until she has returned from the Daycare.

However, hearing from Ventus that he was just about to leave to see the battle by himself - he was just waiting for her to show up before his departure - surely blew away the instant disappointment over the missed chance. Considering... A few moments later, Shiva handed the Pokeballs containing her Electric rodents to Ventus. "Here... I wish for you to take the to the battle. See, I have to go the Daycare, it's my final day there. Please take good care of them, and make sure they cheer on Nathan!"

... ... ... Now that she met him anyway... She hesitated a little before speaking again. "Also... Please clear your shedule for today, we need to talk. Alone. it's...important that we do... Can we meet up later? I'm here at the Daycare, but after that I'll be all free. Alright?"

In case Ventus decides to throw a glimple at the emotions behind this request... He'll spot an honest and pure wish for him to accept, the importance behind her ask, as well as just a bit worry.

"We...have a vital sign from Vincent." If this doesn't cause him to accept, she does not know what does.
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Ventus was waiting in the lobby for Shiva, wanting to accompany her to Nathan's gym battle. He hasn't been spending a time with her lately (not counting last night's baking session!), so he thought this would be a nice way to make up on lost opportunities. Eventually, Shiva did arrive, but the look on her face caused her to frown. 'What has lowered her spirits, especially after last night? Well, she's approaching me, so I suppose I will find out now,' the researcher thought, gazing down at Shiva curiously. Hearing her say that she's wasn't going to make it to Nathan's gym battle caused his good mood to drop slightly, but it instantly raised back up when she entrusted the care of her Minun and Plusle to him.


He smiled beautifully at her, and gave her a slight hug for the trouble. "I would be lying to say that I wouldn't be disappoint by you abscene at the gym, but I understand the job you have to preform. I'll take wonderful care of your mice as well, I promise! I wish you well for today!" Ventus responded, letting go of Shiva after all was said and done. As he was turning to leave himself, Shiva stopped and informed him that she wanted to speak with him later today. His eyebrows shot up at this remark, and the sudden influx of worry from him. 'Now, what could be so crucial as to cause this kind of reaction, I wonder?' he though, a bit confused by the turnabout in her emotional state.

Hearing the her next remark made things suddenly clear. His smile immedianlty vanished, and in it place was the upmost serious expression. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he looked her straight in the eyes. "Vincent...yes, I believe I have this afternoon free. If it isn't, I'll make it so. Until then, though, I wish again you have a pleasant day." With that said, he departed, his mind churning at the news he's heard. So Vincent was alive...that was good new. 'If that is the case, though, why didn't he return to the group? *Sigh* I won't get any more answers until later, so I'll just slow down and enjoy the scenery. That should calm me down enough by the time I reach the gym.'

[Nylon]

The River Rat offers to continue your battle, Gastly against Spheal.

River Rat Round 4

Spheal is first! What are your orders?

Valder moves the Razor Claw over too Ghastly hoping it can help Ghastly win.

"Okay, Ghastly! Lick that Spheal until... nevermind. Use Lick!

Lick: 1pwr + 3str + 1stab | acc. 2 + 1 + 0
Use Lick for as long as possible. Withdraw if health reaches 1.

[Iron]

River Rat Round 4

"Spheal, freeze Gastly solid! Powder Snow!"

Powder Snow
Accuracy:
(1)(5)(3)(2) Hit!
2 Str + 2 power + 1 stab -2 vitality = 3dice
(5)(6)(5) Spheal gets the drop on Gastly in a big way, dealing 3 damage. So in his first round he's at -2 pain.
Freeze: (5) Gastly is solidified, but he escapes through an air bubble and renews his attack.

Lick
Accuracy:
2 Dex + 1 Fight = 3 dice, -2 pain = 1 dice
(6) SLurrrrrp!
Dmg:
5 dice, -2 vitality = 3 dice
(1)(6)(2) Spheal takes 1 damage.
Prlz: (6)(4)(1) - Spheal is paralyzed

River Rat Round 5

That means Gastly goes first now, because Spheal has -2 dex.

Lick
(4) hit!
(5)(1)(2) Spheal takes 1 damage, now at -1 pain.

Powder Snow
(2) Miss.

River Rat Round 6

Lick
(3) Miss.

"Come on, Spheal! Don't worry about fancy footwork. Just barrel into him, and bring your storm with you!!"

Powder Snow
(1) Spheal jitters out at the wrong moment, dropping the snow just as he barrels through Gastly. Effectively making the move a Tackle, which Gastly snickers and ignores!

River Rat Round 7

Lick
(2) It's the battle of the gimped over here.

"Spheal. Try this. Use your ice breath, don't move from where you're standing!"

Powder Snow
(5) "Yes! Exactly like that!"
(1)(2)(1) No damage though. Freeze Chance still applies!
(1)

River Rat Round 8

Lick
(4) Gastly follows the trail of snowflakes, catching them on his tongue until he reaches Spheal. Slurp!
(1)(2)(6) Spheal takes 1 damage.

With paralysis and pain, she is unable to attack. River Rat recalls her, a bit grumpily.



River Rat comes over and shakes your hand as you return Gastly. "Good fight. Gastly got lucky there, with paralyzing Spheal! Keep thinking about trading that Pawniard, eh?"


"I need to train until Spheal can use Ice Ball effectively. Then we'll win all our battles together."


Gastly gains 3xp and Valder gains 1xp.

[Iron]

Zamboni vs Nathan Round 7

Nathan earns a Will point for all the cheerleading, and Ralts' decisive victory earlier!

Swiftfire gaily carves a path across the ice. Flame Charge has proved effective at this before!

Flame Charge
(2)(6)(4)(3)(2)(1) Swiftfire's Dex is +1!
(3)(3) +1 Rotom takes 1 damage. 4 hp remain.

Blizzard
(1)(1) Not a good start(1)(5) Blizzard misses!

The fridge doors close. There is a clunking noise, then the doors open again. Rotom's ghostly face, imprinted in an ice cube, comes chunking out of the steel. Zzzzzzt!! Rotom takes 1 damage from himself, pain is now -2.

Zamboni vs Nathan Round 8

Ember
Acc: 5 dice, +1 dex, -2 multi = 4 dice and 3 dice
(4)(5)(2)(2) Hit
(6)(1) Rotom takes 2 damage! This is it, probably his last chance!

"You're in it to win it, Rotom. Freeze her or get ready to make snowcones for Nathan the victor! Pink ones! You'll never live it down!"

Blizzard
Rotom ignores his pain penalization!
(3)(6)(3)(4)(3) Blizzard hits!
7 dice! -1
(4)(3)(4)(5)(2)(2)(2) Ponyta takes 2 damage. That's just a -1 pain. She has two chances to hit the iceman.

Ember
(2)(6)(5) And with that six, Nathan earns his first gym badge!!!!

"CONGRATS, Nathan! I didn't hold back in that one. Go on, do a victory lap!" Ice skates appear on a moving dais in front of Nathan. "Then be sure to come back here for your snowcones, hot chocolate, and the Glass Badge!"

The stadium, filled with your friends, erupts into applause! Ralts is nearly floating with all the positive energy in the room. And when he gets closer to look at the unconscious Rotom, he literally levitates!

The Glass Badge is a beautiful holographic badge of abstract shape. It increases your Strength by 0.5. This doesn't do anything until you collect another Strength-based badge. There are two badges for each stat throughout Creshire.

You also get $400 for winning.

[Dragonstrike]

Victory against the Leader! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWKOzpa63-E

Nathan is overjoyed! He puts on the ice skates, doing as suggested and taking a victory lap! When he returns to where he started, he hugs Swiftfire and Ralts! "You guys did spectacularly out there! Seriously, great job! I couldn't be prouder of you two!" All his troubles have been forgotten for the time being. He and his pokemon walk up to Zamboni. "Thank you, very, very much for the battle, sir. We've learned a lot from it. Your pokemon are very impressive, that's for sure. It was a wonder Ralts here managed to take down that Sealeo, to be honest!" He smiles sheepishly. Ralts just chuckles. He knew he had it under control that whole time. He was reading that Sealeo's actions like a book.

Nathan accepts the badge, and walks over to Ventus and company. "Alright, Ventus. As promised, you can use my second coin if you want a shot. I want it back when you're done so I can redeem it for a very important item, though." (Nathan gives Ventus his unused CarnCoin temporarily!)