[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan, Pinsir rolls one mad eye at you. It's very hard to read the expression of this vicious Pokemon. But the gaze of a Pokemon can communicate a lot. It seems to you that Pinsir has a very competitive spirit, but that doesn't mean it feels the need to kill. The spirit of battle and the spirit of blood lust are separate in this Pokemon. You believe Pinsir only goes for the death blow when ordered to.

So your apology is, in a way, accepted.

"Thank you for understanding, Pinsir.  You know, I think you're a strong fighter, and I hope to be able to do battle with you on more even and less...dire terms, if at all possible.  I know the odds of that are low, but...anyways, yours is a life I would not wish to take.  Well, enjoy the honey.  Or save it for later.  Up to you, it's yours now."  Nathan gets up and gets ready to go.  "Definitely make sure to notify me if and when Pinsir is picked up by its trainer, Nurse Joy."  Nathan leaves Pinsir with Nurse Joy, relieved that Pinsir itself isn't as cold hearted as its trainer after all.

'I wouldn't be surprised if Pinsir were to just disappear, though...it'd be way too risky for its trainer to just stroll right in and get it, since it would put him at risk of getting questioned by the authorities...well, we'll cross that road when we get there.'

Nathan then takes a little time to thank the combee for sticking out that last battle and apologizing to them for getting them in such a sticky situation.  Namely to Princess.  Zippy seemed proud, but Princess seemed...hurt.  "Sigh...Princess, I know you think you could have done better.  Maybe you could have, maybe you couldn't.  But I know you tried your very best.  You had that Pinsir on the ropes, and it was just a stroke of bad luck that gave us that end result.  I honestly believe you ARE strong, and your teamwork with Zippy was splendid.  I think you'll make a fine queen, one day.  Until then, it'll just take a little time to get stronger.  And let's be thankful that nothing worse happened.  If something had happened to you then...well, frankly, I don't know what I would have told your mother if something worse had happened...but that's not something we need to think about right now.  For now, let's just be glad we're all still together.

"Oh, and if it helps any, that Pinsir wasn't getting any particular enjoyment out of what it was doing.  Seems it was just following orders.  If anyone deserves our ire for what happened, it's Pinsir's trainer.  And I'm sure we'll meet him again eventually..."

(maybe this pep talk will help Princess get out of that funk and help build up happiness and loyalty?)

[Iron]

"Yes Ma'am, you are paid in full." He goes back to his magazine.

On Shiva's way toward the forest, she's challenged by a rather young trainer in glasses who sees her carrying the herbs.
"Oo, is that Spindleweed? I need that! Battle me for it? I'll give you $300 if you win. If I win, I get the Spindleweed! Which I need for my Whismur to hold!!"

[Iron]

Noibat pops out of the Pokeball at the touch of a button.

"This is your new trainer, Noibat. His name is Ventus. Obey him as you would me, OK?"

Noibat immediately starts climbing all over Ventus. He checks Ventus' wrists - does he have a gold watch? He checks Ventus' fingers - any gold rings? He pries open Ventus' mouth - any gold teeth?

The foreman chuckles. "His time in the mine taught him to love gold. Pokedollars won't do - it has to be gold!"

Noibat hangs upside down form Ventus' arm and opens his own mouth, emitting a soundless screech. He disappears into Ventus' clothing and instantly comes out triumphantly holding one of Ventus' trick items (perhaps a Pokeball, or any of the other things Ventus is always SOMEHOW producing when they are needed!) How did he do that?

[Iron]

Princess and Zippy land on Nathan's shoulders. Princess is noticeably heavier. She buzzes fondly in his ear, then looks toward the window. It seems like she's asking permission to complete her original mission and gather some honey!

[Iron]

The charcoal cutter from earlier accepts Ventus' challenge. "This'll be just a 1 on 1 battle! Now, my daddy always said keep it simple, and I'm a simple working man. So no items, no substitutions, just bare-bones League rules."

He sends out Charmeleon.

Initiatives:
Ariel (2) + 5 = 7
Charmeleon (1) + 2 Dex + 3 survival = 6

Charcoal Cutter Sam Round 1

[Dragonstrike]

Princess and Zippy land on Nathan's shoulders. Princess is noticeably heavier. She buzzes fondly in his ear, then looks toward the window. It seems like she's asking permission to complete her original mission and gather some honey!

"Hahaha!  Of course you two can go gather some honey!  Just be careful about it, alright?"

[Iron]

Her quest complete, Princess gains 1 point of Loyalty. Zippy, proud of his own assistance, gains 1 point of Happiness.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Ah, lucky. The case is done then. On the way out of the Ranger Station, her gaze fell on the pictures displayed almost everywhere. Do they depict Fireweed Forest? Ah, upon asking that guy on Desk Duty they were. He seemed relucant to answer her at first - was he so concentrated on working?

How neat... Some showed the folkart found before town... A different one showed an illuminated clearing with Greanbiar streaming in the background, carrying yellow and red leaves down the way... Another one showed a furious looking Scyther. She shivered imperceptibly at that one. There also was a journal laying around, filled with information about the different plants growing in the woods. She spend a little time browsing it... and...oh...those on page 67 looked very VERY similar to the twigs of herbs she 'lent' from the Healer... Connected with Fairy-Types? Awesome. Can be crafted into a cure for confusion? Even more awesome! Especially since she currently had no way to cure or even counter a confused state on one of her companion Pokemon. Also remember that time Plusle was confused during battle against a Shellder, as well as that blasted Lapras who gave a hard time to her Cottonee. That even made her use that Full Heal received from Professor Mallorn back then.

So be it then. We'll pay the forest yet another visit! This time, prepared. And alone it seems.

She didn't reach the edges of the forest at all, though... Alongside the way, that kid stopped her... Actually, his annoying attitude filled her with wrath. "Uhm... It appearantly is the plant you ask for, young one, but too bad that I don't give it away. Go to hell and gather your own herbs." The tone in her voice was cold, but she spoke with a smile. One that meant nothing good.

Fennekin responded to the encounter of that boy with hissing on him. The fox was looking forward to visit his home alongside new Master!


(Guess that boy will start a Pokemonbattle then...)

[Lord Windos]

Noibat pops out of the Pokeball at the touch of a button.

"This is your new trainer, Noibat. His name is Ventus. Obey him as you would me, OK?"

Noibat immediately starts climbing all over Ventus. He checks Ventus' wrists - does he have a gold watch? He checks Ventus' fingers - any gold rings? He pries open Ventus' mouth - any gold teeth?

The foreman chuckles. "His time in the mine taught him to love gold. Pokedollars won't do - it has to be gold!"

Noibat hangs upside down form Ventus' arm and opens his own mouth, emitting a soundless screech. He disappears into Ventus' clothing and instantly comes out triumphantly holding one of Ventus' trick items (perhaps a Pokeball, or any of the other things Ventus is always SOMEHOW producing when they are needed!) How did he do that?

The Niobat's curiousity greatly reminded them of himself, so he didn't mind at all when they started to eager probe his person, and lets out a chuckle when they start examing its teeth for golden loot. "So this little draconic bat has a fondness of gold, now does he? I believe I have the perfect name for you then: Lucifer. It means "Light Bringer" ; a name well suited for one that seeks all that shines. Let us have a glorious partnership, my little devil!" Ventus says, scratching them behind his eye as it hung on his arm.

It let out a tiny croon at his tender touch, behind it suddenly slithered up his sleeve and started to crawl on his literal person. The researcher let out laughs as it tickled him sensely, until it popped right the collar of his sweater, holding his own Pokeball (Which Ventus already took and hid on his person somewhere)in their mouth. Quite surprised that the managed this, he let out another mirthful chuckle, patting his head in affection while returning his Pokeball to its previous place (Where? You'll never know!). "Well, it looks you know where I stash my Pokeballs now, you rascal! Hehe, let's go meet my companion, Lucifer. Perhaps they'll enjoy your antics as much as I do!"

=================

Battle time! (Before meeting Lucifer!)

Upon seeing that it was a Charmeleon, he frowned a bit, remembering that the line carried the move Metal Claw in its arsenal. 'Still, I intended for Ariel to get some experience; I guess she'll learn now that even having a type advantage won't always assist you..' Ventus though, before commanding his Corsola, which was still out after her battle with that pesky bug, to enter the arena. Seeing that she was fighting a Fire type, Ariel wasted no time in firing off a stream of Bubbles at it, intent on dousing its flame before it can put a dent on her! She wasn't going to let some flame push her around!

Order: Have Ariel use Bubble a single time per round on the Charmeleon, until she reaches - 2 pain penalization or less (Give me control of the fight then!).

[Iron]

"Aw, miss, it ain't givin' it away if you battle for it! And hey, you have a chance of winning some money - or you would, if I wasn't so good at battlin'!"