[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Tomorrow morning sounds fine! Bright and early! I'll be waiting. Should have all these windows up by then."

Bright and early sounds good. This will be it then, no return now! The chance she waited and worked towards... "Thank you! I'll be there and on time then. If I don't die of nervousness until then."

With that settled then, Shiva made her way back towards the Daycare, as promised. Somewhat, she felt better to stay there tonight instead of the Center, her Pokemon deserve to enjoy their time there as well before they'll be dragged into the battle tomorrow. As for where to stay, Shiva was all fine to sleep over at the barn as Golda suggested earlier. "I'll be closer to my own and the Daycare's Pokemon that way, and unless the weather forecast has changed drastically meanwhile, I'll be fine. Leaving tomorrow morning then for Gym Battle." ... "Oh... and... I managed to get my Breeder's Lisence, flawless result except a question concerning Hidden Power Breeding."

With that said and done, Shiva got herself comfy under one of the trees of the Daycare's pasture. It was relatively dark meanwhile, but not too dark for her to see yet, the sound of water rushing down Vapor Falls was even more present in the quietness of the evening. She didn't even needed to call her own Pokemon to her, upon noticing their Master being back and around, they all came to her one after another. Either looking for affection, attention or dinner. Likely all of these things.

"Haha, yeah, I'm glad to be around you dear ones again... Sorry that I had to leave without telling. Though, both to make up for that and to prepare you for the important battle against Gym Leader tomorrow morning, I brougth special better food. Just give me a moment..." Drawing six packages of the Gorumet Food from bagpack, she emptied them all on the well-known orchid-patterned plate and instead of sliding it over to her companions, she kept the plate on her lap to be even closer to her Pokemon. Somewhat, their presence did well to Shiva's mood and mind, soothing any fear and nervousness over what may await her tomorrow. She was alone in the pasture meanwhile, seems like all of the Daycare's Pokemon went into the barn or the house meanwhile. Though, she got the feeling that the Eevee she battled earlier was still lurking around making sure that all the other Pokemon as safe - if it happens to come to Shiva, it'd certainly receive a bite of the food as well. Nothing new she did here, it reminded her on times when she was like ten years younger and spend hours at Castelia's Central Park feeding Pidoves.

Speaking of Eevee, Shiva didn't found a piece of the food shaped like an Eevee nor a Sylveon, but instead one that pretty much looked like a Leafeon's head. The vendor at the mart was right, it didn't taste bad, kinda reminded on cereal. Definitely lacking sugar, though.

At some point, Shiva also drew Azurill closer to herself. "Listen up, dear one, I'm highly counting on your and your abilities tomorrow in the Gym. Alright? I'm sure you won't disappoint me!~ What I wish you to do when I'll call you out for the battle if the following...." (Insert here what has been discussed and approved by Iron. Thank you!)

Besides... Shiva didn't made it to the barn anymore. Sleeping just there under the tree on the safe pasture among her Pokemon was just too enjoyable, even if it happened accidently because she dozed off at some point...


---------------
Mechanics:
Bonding with her Pokemon before such a meaningful battle is totally what Shiva would do and will continue to do if more Gym Battles will come in the future. Every Pokemon of her current party (see charasheet, the Pokemon on hand will change before battle starts) receive one package of that Gourmet Food. Now I'm down with the dawning of the new day.

[Iron]

Braixen receives 1 point of Loyalty. Azurill receives 1 point of Happiness! She's looking forward to your battle.
Geodude arrives in the pasture, pretending to be a daycare Pokemon! Looks like he'd be willing to battle for you if you wanted.

The weather is beautiful spring weather when Day 26 dawns.

[Spiritmon]

Heart awakes a bit soon. He couldnt sleep well. He thinks and remember about the last battle. About how he almost lost. So he decides to do something about it. He take his bag and go to another place to train. After get there he take Axew pokeball and free his Axew and free his team to train. Clauncher, Phantump and Axew are all gathered there and look to his trainer.

"So guys, today we have a little dificult battle, so lets train a little to get in form to not loose next time okay? Lets begin in the begin. Gustav, use Bubbles. Phantump, use faint attack. And Axew, PLEASE, use Dual Chop this time okay? We must do our best okay." He heard they pokemon shout to begin the tranining. "Lets go!"

Mechanics: I dont know a much about it but I want to train my pokemon a little. Perhaps that way I can increase just a little my bond with Axew. Or just do something.

[Iron]

Yes, training is a good idea. You can only train 3 Pokemon at once, though. So you'll have to choose one of your Pokemon to wait.
You can train up to three times per day, if you do nothing else.

All you have to do is describe how they're training - lifting weights, sparring, target practice, researching moves, etc.

Disobedient Pokemon receive less XP during training, but it may still be bonding time!

[Lord Windos]

Braixen receives 1 point of Loyalty. Azurill receives 1 point of Happiness! She's looking forward to your battle.
Geodude arrives in the pasture, pretending to be a daycare Pokemon! Looks like he'd be willing to battle for you if you wanted.

The weather is beautiful spring weather when Day 26 dawns.

As the new day dawned, so to did Ventus arise from his mess of bedsheets and pillows he calls his bed, conducting his daily stretch and pre-activity exercises, before he continued the rest of his morning routine. While in the shower, the empath examined both his mental state and knuckles, and was delighted to find that both were in perfectly workable order, so he didn't have to dread a constant struggle to keep his inner emotion in check and not in turmoil. Once his show and inspections were completed, he got dried and dressed, went down to the caferteria and picked himself up some breakfast rations for himself and two cups of coffee (One for Shiva, black as sin but ever so rich, and one for him, so sweet and surupy it would meet the approval of a Slurmpuff), before making is way to the Center's in house gym to train Lucifer, Hanael, and Abaddon in some mock fighting rountines.

'I don't want to potentially miss Shiva getting up and leaving the Center by going out and doing an odd job or two, but at the same time I don't want to be idle either, so some early morning training should be an easy compromise to make,' Ven though as he walked in training area and released his Pokémon, only to find Heart was already up and training his own! Giving a few swift instructions for his own Pokémon to begin warming up, the researcher strode forward and called out to the pun loving man, a easy and happy smile on his face. "Ah, another Early Bird I see, or perhaps your Rest was Not Very Effective? Regardless, its nice to meet you, Heart. I saw you introduce yourself to my other friends earlier, but I couldn't meet you then due to...circumstance. Don't ask, please. My name is Ventus Zackarieh, but you can call me Ventus or Ven, if you so wish. Now, is that a Axew I see that you are training? I believe that I saw you receiving the drake the other day, but it appears that you are not having the most optimal time getting him to behave, hmm? Given my experience with the type and my heritage, I would more than be willing to assist you in training him, if you like. It would take awhile to fully discipline him, but rarely are things worthwhile when they are easy. How about it?"

Order: Host an early morning training session with Haneal, Abaddon, and Lucifer, while helping out Heart train/get Axew under control if he accepts their offer. Let's get thing off on the right foot, shall we?

[Spiritmon]

Braixen receives 1 point of Loyalty. Azurill receives 1 point of Happiness! She's looking forward to your battle.
Geodude arrives in the pasture, pretending to be a daycare Pokemon! Looks like he'd be willing to battle for you if you wanted.

The weather is beautiful spring weather when Day 26 dawns.

As the new day dawned, so to did Ventus arise from his mess of bedsheets and pillows he calls his bed, conducting his daily stretch and pre-activity exercises, before he continued the rest of his morning routine. While in the shower, the empath examined both his mental state and knuckles, and was delighted to find that both were in perfectly workable order, so he didn't have to dread a constant struggle to keep his inner emotion in check and not in turmoil. Once his show and inspections were completed, he got dried and dressed, went down to the caferteria and picked himself up some breakfast rations for himself and two cups of coffee (One for Shiva, black as sin but ever so rich, and one for him, so sweet and surupy it would meet the approval of a Slurmpuff), before making is way to the Center's in house gym to train Lucifer, Hanael, and Abaddon in some mock fighting rountines.

'I don't want to potentially miss Shiva getting up and leaving the Center by going out and doing an odd job or two, but at the same time I don't want to be idle either, so some early morning training should be an easy compromise to make,' Ven though as he walked in training area and released his Pokémon, only to find Heart was already up and training his own! Giving a few swift instructions for his own Pokémon to begin warming up, the researcher strode forward and called out to the pun loving man, a easy and happy smile on his face. "Ah, another Early Bird I see, or perhaps your Rest was Not Very Effective? Regardless, its nice to meet you, Heart. I saw you introduce yourself to my other friends earlier, but I couldn't meet you then due to...circumstance. Don't ask, please. My name is Ventus Zackarieh, but you can call me Ventus or Ven, if you so wish. Now, is that a Axew I see that you are training? I believe that I saw you receiving the drake the other day, but it appears that you are not having the most optimal time getting him to behave, hmm? Given my experience with the type and my heritage, I would more than be willing to assist you in training him, if you like. It would take awhile to fully discipline him, but rarely are things worthwhile when they are easy. How about it?"

Order: Host an early morning training session with Haneal, Abaddon, and Lucifer, while helping out Heart train/get Axew under control if he accepts their offer. Let's get thing off on the right foot, shall we?

"So you a pun lover too? My puns is more a Brave Bird and cause Recoil to people. Perhaps Leftlovers should cure the taste from my puns? Nice to meet you too Ventus. I just hope a Windstorm dont come here because of your name." He chuckle a little. "Get it? Ventus. Windstorm." He apoligize. "Sorry, its a bad habit. And the name dont help much. But my name dont help either. It could cause a HEART attack."

He hear Ventus say something about Axew. "Yeah. His name is Koa. We training today because our first perfomance in the battle was...not very good. I would apreciate a help yes. I not so much experience in train dragon-types. What kind of training you have in your mind?"

[Dragonstrike]

Nathan doesn't feel completely lousy in the morning, thankfully.  Mostly just concerned for why Conversion STILL isn't working properly.  And still a little unsure about how to interact with Ventus...

He'd let Orthros and Calam snooze outside their pokeballs last night.  A solid sign of trust for such typically unruly species.  He still wasn't entirely confident Orthros would listen to him in a battle, but they were getting there.  They're both recalled when it's time to head downstairs and meet Shiva.  No need to cause a commotion with either of them, after all...he shoots a quick text to Shiva after his morning prep work is done.

When are you doing your gym battle?  Completely slipped my mind to ask ya that earlier...also, would ya mind meeting me in the lobby of the Center before ya head to the Gym?  Got something I need your help with...

[Lord Windos]

"So you a pun lover too? My puns is more a Brave Bird and cause Recoil to people. Perhaps Leftlovers should cure the taste from my puns? Nice to meet you too Ventus. I just hope a Windstorm dont come here because of your name." He chuckle a little. "Get it? Ventus. Windstorm." He apoligize. "Sorry, its a bad habit. And the name dont help much. But my name dont help either. It could cause a HEART attack."

He hear Ventus say something about Axew. "Yeah. His name is Koa. We training today because our first perfomance in the battle was...not very good. I would apreciate a help yes. I not so much experience in train dragon-types. What kind of training you have in your mind?"

Ventus chuckled at the steady stream of puns came forth from the comedian, shaking his head in good humor and euthusiasim for the excellent word play. "You could say that they Tickle my Rare Bone, my friend. My brother used to say them every other sentence he spoke when he wasn't conductiong some serious business or was focused on a task at hand, so I grew rather fond of them as time went by. Its nice to listen to them again, after so long..."

The researcher trailed off at that point, reminesing about the good point of his childhood (Before Life stopped being so nice to him), until heart accepted his offer, where as he immediately snapped to attention, his expression now kind and patient. "Hmm...that sounds the typically experience that a newly minted Dragon Trainer has, so do not feel to put out about Koa's tempermental behavior. Everyone has to start at the beginning, before they can reach the end of their journey, as they say. Training the disobedience out of a Dragon type, though, is a bit of a misnomer, to the great disappointment of many aspiring trainers, and the reason for this is simple: they are fierce, proud mythical creatures, and they certainly know it too. They are powerful, eogotisitic, and have strong Wills to boot, so attempting to get them to behave with training or displinary measures alone is a fool's errand."

"No, raising most Dragon types is less about trying to make them obey you in battle or follow your commands, but rather to instill within them respect and make them believe you are worthy of commanding their strength. Dragons may be prideful and arrogant in most case, but the one thing that gets all their attention, and causes them to pay attention is power. The connection between a trainer and Pokémon is a unique phenomina indeed, but how that manifest between the two varies with Type and species. The bond between Dragon type Trainer and their Pokémon is like other bonds in the aspects of Loyalty and Happiness, but its defining feature that sets it apart from the rest is that its based steeply in Strength. The more powerful you are, either in battle, business, politics, what have you , and the more bold/effective in using said power, the more a Dragon type will come to admire and respect you."

"With enough time, effort, and demonstration, the draconic being will take great joy in sharing you power, and will want to be commanded by you and do your will, as a tough, strong being certainly deserves to use their power, do they not? In essense, the fastest and most effective way to raise a Dragon type's Loyalty and Happiness towards you is to demonstrate your Strength, Power, and Fortitude to them, and get them acclimated to it. Typically, its best to start young with Dragons, as older ones are more set in their ways and you need to in a massive amount f effort and patience to get on through to them, but that is not a problem in your case. My suggestion would be to train along side Koa, and perhaps spar with them if you are up to get bruised a little bit, as nothing like fighting gets the blood pumping, eh? That is my advice on the matter, my friend, so use it as you see fit."

With that said, Ventus wanders back over to where his Pokémon was training, and begin to instruct them in their mock fighting as well. He would love to help Heart more in this matter, but a Dragon type has to respect their owner's abilities, not his own, so he really can't do anything else for them at the moment.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

Shiva awake where she accidently slept in, right there under the tree of the Daycare's pasture among her Pokemon and the orchid-patterned plate beside her, every trace of delicious food that formerly was displayed on it has vanished. First thing she noticed was that Azurill has cuddled up very close to her during the night, the blue mouse was overjoyed to play such an important role in the battle when Shiva explained the tactics to her! It was heartwarming to see Azu in such a state, especially since Shiva clearly remembers how sad and downcasted the mouse was when she received her after the party has saved her from the river back then. Oh memories...

Was not the only suprise though, since as soon as Shiva carefully packed away the plate and mate attempts to get up from her place, Braixen (who slept curled up with his busy tail covering most of his snout, just like an ordinary red fox) faintly licked over his Master's cheek again, seemingly as some sort of greetings in the morning. How cute! Placing a hand on the spot in warm delight, "Yeah, morning. I see that you must have missed me. Well... I did too.~" No witchy person is complete without her Familiar.

Geodude, who approached her instead of the Eevee yesterday, has received a handful of the food she prepared for her Pokemon . That rock must have gotten quite a liking on the group if it continues following them around.

Bidding temporal goodbye to Golda and (if they're up as well at that point) and assuring to pick up the black-spotted egg after her battle has been wrapped up hopefully in favour to her, she made her way back to the Center... It was a warm dawning of the day, the early beams of the morning sun felt very pleasant.

Along the way, she checked time on her cell...and was mildly suprised to find a new message from Nathan on it. Hmm... the reply to him reads as following:

Sure thing! I'm on the way and should arrive at the Center in mere minutes. :) Wanted to head to the Gym right after breakfast, Zamboni's waiting.

Which she indeed did, only to be greeted by Ventus who immediately handed her a cup of pitchblack coffee that seemingly was adressed to her. Another sweet gesture this morning, one that she thankfully accepted.

[Spiritmon]

Heart thinks for a second about what Ventus say and digest the idea. Heart must show he is wortly to be the trainer of Koa, and the best way to do that is fighting alongside him. This may hurt a little, but thats not so bad. Heart when travel to one region to other, he need to learn how to fight. He is not a weak person and have a strong body. Hurt a little its not that bad. "Hey Ventus! Thank you!" He then decides to do what he must do. Time to try Ventus advice. He shout to Koa then say.

"Koa, I know you might think I not wortly to be you trainer, but I show you are wrong. Koa, I challenge you to one to one fight! No Pokemon, just our own strengh!"

Heart pokemons was worry about his Master but he say: "Dont worry. I will be okay." What you say Koa? You accept my challenge? I show you even a man can fight against a dragon! A pure fight without moves, just our own strengh!"

Mechanic: It will be a little spar between Heart vs Koa. No moves just pure fight. He will follow Ventus advice and fight. Just to prove Heart is wortly and strong to be the trainer of Axew.