[Game thread] Skull Ruins Pokerole

[Dragonstrike]

Charmeleon flexes. He's plenty strong, he just needs a chance to show it!

He reaches out one hand to touch the Ankerite badge.

"Go ahead.  Cold, hard steel.  Tough defenses to break, Dagny's.  Fire doesn't quite do the trick against her since she's so prepared for it, and usually just outright obliterates it.  Same with Water and Ground.  And I'm sure she has a trick or two for Fighting types as well."

Nathan doesn't just let Charmeleon touch the badge.  He lets the lizard hold it.

"Strength and speed enough to break any defense, no matter how strong.  That's what I aim to achieve.  Some walls seem insurmountable, but with the right strategy and teamwork, they'll fall all the same.  That badge is one step closer to my goal.  I've still got 5 more to earn, and I'm sure your assistance would be a massive boon later down the line, if you care to join me on this journey.  So, what do you say?"

[Iron]

Grumpig grabs the thumb harp out of Shiva's hands. His eyes have gone wide again. Let him?

[Iron]

Charmeleon hops up! According to the Director, he hasn't been this upbeat in a long time. He runs around the room a few times, working up a blaze, and then breathes fire into the sky!

Nathan takes that as a yes.

[PhantomUnderYourDesk]

"Ouh. You could have kindly asked." But she lets him have it for now.

[Dragonstrike]

Charmeleon hops up! According to the Director, he hasn't been this upbeat in a long time. He runs around the room a few times, working up a blaze, and then breathes fire into the sky!

Nathan takes that as a yes.

"Hahaha.  Alright, buddy.  I'm sure we'll go far together.  Though, could I have the badge ba...and he's running off...great...well, I'm sure he'll be back soon..."

Nathan looks at Director North, a small smile on his face.

"Figured Charmeleon probably needed my help right now more than Pyroar, seeing as he got beaten by Dagny and all.  Not many beat her, obviously, so it wouldn't be easy for just anyone to take him in.  I'll see if I can't help him grow from the experiences he's had, become as strong as he hopes to be.  So...how much is the fee this time?"

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

Gym Leader Dagny vs Nathan Final Round!

Starmie comes out shining, blasting its gemlight to reflect off all the steel!

Dagny has less dice, and you can see she is waiting to order just one optimal attack, same as Nathan. But Starmie and Nathan are faster.

Bubble Beam
(2)(3)(1)(6)(4)(1)(6)(5)

Excadrill faints! Dagny recalls him and descends back into her chair. She makes sure to tend to her Pokemon. "I'll be with you in a moment, Nathan."
Out comes an array of healing items, which her Magnemite carefully place, ready for her to administer as efficiently as possible. In no time, her Pokemon are stable and resting. She loads them up on a summoned Metagross and off they go.

"Now. Congratulations, Nathan! You should know by now that I don't hold back. The Pokemon I've chosen were perfectly matched to your skill, and used what I thought were their optimum strategies. I saw that steely glint of the will to battle in your eyes. You deserve this win!"



She places a yellow disc in your hand. It looks a bit like a biscuit of shiny holographic sand, with streaks of light steel blue.

"This is the Ankerite badge. It makes Pokemon sturdier (Vitality 0.5). Fewer trainers have won it than have won Zamboni's badge. You should be proud. And not just for what happened in this battle. Never cease to go as far as you can go."

Nathan earns 22XP for his Pokemon, and 11 for himself.

"You earn this as well." She gives you $800 and three silver Pokeballs.
"These are Steel Balls. They're normally only as effective as a red Poke Ball, but they only break in extreme situations. That makes them quite re-usable. As an added bonus, they are equivalent to a Great Ball against Steel-type Pokemon."

"I am sure we'll end up working together again. Have you given thought to what gym you will challenge next?"

Victory against the Leader!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWKOzpa63-E (Victory VS Gym Leader - Pokemon Firered and Leafgreen)


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Nathan's in the lobby after rearranging his team at the PC in the gym.  As promised, he retrieves Forthright from the PC first.  Orthros, Calam, and Starmie all end up boxed so they can receive care ASAP and get a well deserved rest for doing such a spectacular job.  Nathan also withdraws Pulse and Porygon-Z.  He'd spend a little time working with them later, probably.  Not now, though.  He was still rather tired.

Right now, he was looking forward to seeing that Charmeleon and Pyroar, taking a little time to relax...maybe end up adopting one of them.  Depends on how things go, really...

When he spots Ventus with Michael and Shiva's electric rodents...two things happen.

One: Kirlia gives Ventus a...weird look.  It's not worried, really, but...it sort of is?  He knows Nathan's concerned, particularly after he informed Nathan about what exactly happened with Ventus in that brief moment after Orthros had been sent out...but it doesn't seem like it should cause any problems for Nathan, so...

Two: Nathan happily greets Plusle and Minun (it's been a couple weeks since he's last seen them, and it's always great to have some electric cheerleaders around!), and gives a respectful nod to Michael.  He'd noticed what they'd been doing during the battle, and he appreciated it.

Nathan doesn't start any conversation with Ventus.  He's thankful Ventus was there to play support, but...it's mixed with worry and concern.  Plus, it doesn't take a gut feeling to know Ventus probably has questions for Nathan after this morning...though Nathan has a gut feeling he will anyways (3 Insight, plus Kory's faith in Nathan's instincts, so it's a fitting character trait now!).

"...so...*sniff*...I guess we're heading to the Shelter next?  After you..."

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At the Shelter, Nathan first inquires about the stories of both Charmeleon and Pyroar.  If he's going to adopt one of them, he'd like to know how they ended up there in the first place.  Should make it easier to interact with them.

*Flashback!*

Throughout the whole battle, Ventus sat by his macho brother and , similarly to him, watched/analyzed the Nathan battle with intense scrutiny and a seriousness that was simulatenously unnerving yet strangely 'fitting' . Not to say that he didn't enjoy the spectacle in of itself or didn't contribute to the cheerleading efforts of Plusle or Minun, but after seeing......Orthors once more and but unpleasantly reminded of its bond with the boy, mustering up the same euthisiam as the mice was a task he was ill suited for.

He did loosen up once the dog had been nearly buried alive by Dagney's esquisitely powerful Excadrill (though he was equally puzzled as to sheer luck that beast possed in that match; 'How in the world did it avoid being scoured by the Sandstorm.....? Bah, a fell art of its, perhaps.....'), and almost got up and cheered when her Magnezone shock it to them ('I must acquire her advice on how she raised such an mighty Magnezone, much less coordinate her Magnemite to act as her limbs! Fascinating!) ,  but then he remembered why he was here in the first place and quickly stopped himself.  While he was hardly on the best of terms with the young scholar, that didn't mean he was going to go turncoat on them, even over that....thing.

Regardless, the empath relaxed significantly after Orthros was KOed and permenantly recalled for the match, and in due time he was slightly smiling as he clapped along with the electric mice. It was a tight and even match from then on, and several times the researcher thought he had better prepare some consuling words to Nathan over this, but in the end the boy managed to grit his teeth and pierced through Dagney's reinforced defenses, and together with Starmie hosed down her mole and claimed victory! Plusle and Minun were practically going wild in the stands at this fact, dancing and hoping and *Squuuueeeeeek!* ing in pure ecstacy and fevor over the young trainer's accomplishments, while Michael uncrossed his arm and sharply nodded his head. He expected his rival to win his fight , as thinking anything less of him would be a gross underestimate of their POWA! ,but now that he knew his basic strategy, he was going to take it and make its Strength his own! ORAH ORAH!HAH!

Ventus himself was pleased and joyful for the boy's accomplishment despite himself, and soon bustled downstairs to congradulate the boy for his epic win against the Steel Wonder! "Nathan, that was a stupendous performance! You and Dagney were almost evenly matched, and several times I thought she might end up prevailing despite your hard work, but you refused to be set back at all and beat her handily! Excellent, just excellent!" As for Kirlia's Look, he wholely ignored it while also reinforcing his mind to the point that the psychic dancer would have to make an VERY noticeable effort to get a peek at his emotions. He might be aware of his.......animosity towards that demon dog, but he doesn't need to learn anymore about it, right? The kick boxing shroom evenly return their nod with a respectful one of his own, as it was only proper to acknowledge you equal if they did the same.

Once the boy declared it was time to head to the Shelter, the sociologist gave him a smile and a nod of his head, before motioning for them to follow......but not before issuing a rather.....loaded statement. "Very well, let's make our way there. Oh, and would you mind having a.....chat with me later at the Center? After hearing your explaination on Celebi and your tutorings on reading Old Unown, I've had the urge to pick your brain ever since, so would you humor my insatiable curiosity again Nathan? "

After both men arrived, Ventus promptly left the boy's company and found Director North, gave him a formal/respectful bow, and said: "As I have said, here I am Director, ready to help you out to the utmost of my ability. Sorry I couldn't come earlier, but I had to attend my companion's Gym Match against Dagney , so I hope you can forgive me for the delay! Now, what can I do to assist you, sir?"

*Flashback End!*

[Iron]

"Ouh. You could have kindly asked." But she lets him have it for now.

He takes it and starts flapping his hands against the keys. He can't figure out how to play it. You can see him getting more frustrated. This instrument is definitely not made for blunt pig hands.

[Iron]

"Charmeleon has wreaked a lot of havoc on this place in a short time, but his material needs are quite easy to satisfy. As a Kanto starter, his species has had a history of being bred, though naturally we don't see as many here in Creshire. How about $3200?"

[Iron]

As for Ventus, Director North has a much simpler task for him. "I just need you to exercise as many of our Pokemon as you can. And don't release anyone you don't feel equipped to handle."

[Dragonstrike]

"Charmeleon has wreaked a lot of havoc on this place in a short time, but his material needs are quite easy to satisfy. As a Kanto starter, his species has had a history of being bred, though naturally we don't see as many here in Creshire. How about $3200?"

"That sounds just fine.  I'll take good care of him.  I don't think I'm related to any old nobility like most of the Dratini and Charmander line trainers tend to be, but I don't think he'll mind."

Cha ching!  $3200 down the drain for Charmeleon!  What moves, happiness, and loyalty does he have?  2 Disobedience as well, right?