Kratos Aurion vs blazheirio889 (Ref: Negrek)

The two names are pretty close, aren't they? It's a shame I only realized it after I made his signature attribute. Ah, well.

You two did much better than I expected. Good job. Alright, Khao and Garnet, you two are up!

Hm. Seems a little odd unless there's some explicit reason that their natural speed would be affected by some battle condition, but whatever.

Uhh okay. This isn't going well, and I'm not feeling well, and I have important stuff to do, so we'll just make this fast and uninspired. Zelos, use earthquake (swords dance if both Khao and Garnet protect/detect/etc, but not if Khao digs), then protect, then brick break at Khao (thunderpunch Garnet if he protects/is unreachable, agility if they're both protected/unreachable); Ghost, you protect, then thunderbolt Garnet, then tri attack Khao. Reverse your last two actions if the first target is protecting/unreachable, and nasty plot if they're both protecting/unreachable.

Yay I'm going to lose.

Zelos: Earthquake/Swords Dance ~ Protect ~ Brick Break @ Khao/Thunderpunch @ Garnet/Agility

Ghost: Protect ~ Thunderbolt @ Garnet/Tri Attack @ Khao/Nasty Plot x2

Okay, then. Garnet, you consentually hover, so float up to dodge Earthquake and return fire with Hydro Pump at Zelos. Since there's no energy in this battle, you may as well stick around in the air. After that, stick up a 20% Substitute - it should just barely survive that Thunderbolt - and end with a Brine at Zelos.

Hover and Hydro Pump @Zelos ~ Substitute (20%) ~ Brine @Zelos

I'll feel cheap for this, but Khao, Counter the Earthquake. After that, combine Aerial Ace and Dynamicpunch to knock Ghost into next week. If you can't do that, instead give Ghost a nice, big Blast Burn, and end with Earthquake.

Counter ~ Aerial Ace + Dynamicpunch @Ghost/Blast Burn @Ghost ~ Earthquake

This time it's blazheirio889's turn to replace both her fighters at once. With Phalanx and Kayne cleared of the field, Zelos and Ghost are left to wait in anxious anticipation as she makes her choice. It doesn't take long; after a couple minutes of contemplation, blazheirio889 pulls two more pokéballs off her belt and tosses them towards the center of the field. For a moment the arena is illuminated by bright bursts of energy, and then the last two pokémon take shape.

Garnet the starmie balances precariously on two arms, its expressionless, angular body a somewhat fitting complement to Ghost's sleek but artificial lines. Meanwhile, Khao the typhlosion provides a foil for Zelos, and the two final-stage starters stare one another down from opposite sides of the arena. Khao sets the flames on his back alight with a roar, then settles down to smirking at Zelos. So it's to be him against a big fire chicken and his space-duck friend, huh? Piece of cake.

Zelos bristles at the typhlosion's apparent smugness, his crest rising. So Khao thinks he's hot stuff, does he? Well, he's got another thing coming if he thinks that a few scratches are going to prevent Zelos Wilder from kicking his fuzzy ass!


Kratos Aurion (XXOO)


Zelos Wilder (M)
Health: 69%
- Grimly pleased.
Commands: Earthquake/Swords Dance ~ Protect ~ Brick Break @ Khao/Thunderpunch @ Garnet/Agility


Ghost in the Machine (X) <Download> @ Enigma Berry
Health: 73%
- A bit more composed now. (+1 Attack)
Commands: Protect ~ Thunderbolt @ Garnet/Tri Attack @ Khao/Nasty Plot x2

blazheirio889 (XXOO)


Garnet (X) <Natural Cure>
Health: 100%
- *twinkle twinkle*
Commands: Hover and Hydro Pump @ Zelos ~ Substitute (20%) ~ Brine @ Zelos


Khao (M) <Blaze>
Health: 100%
- Bring it, rooster-boy!
Commands: Counter ~ Aerial Ace + Dynamicpunch @ Ghost / Blast Burn @ Ghost ~ Earthquake

Zelos' grudge match is going to have to wait a little bit, though, because Garnet's got plans for him. While a bubble of faint green energy springs up around Ghost, Garnet lifts off from the ground, drifting eerily up until it is floating about a foot and a half off the floor, suspended by mysterious means and as inscrutable as ever. Then the starmie tilts a bit on its axis, aims an arm at Zelos--and unleashes an incredible blast of water. It's only a quick (if somewhat undignified) duck out of the way that saves the blaziken from taking a firehose's worth of water to the face. Zelos breathes a small sigh of relief as the hydro pump rushes through empty air, not so much as dampening his feathers. Well, that was close, but there's no point in worrying too much over it; it's time for Khao to eat earthquake!

The typhlosion in question drops to all fours, a brown aura seeping out from his fur, as soon as he sees Zelos spring into the air. The blaziken's powerful legs easily send him soaring towards the ceiling (bet you can't do that, can you, you dumb furball?), and when he returns to earth it is with enough force to shake the entire arena. Garnet, floating out of reach, is unbothered by the tremors that rip through the battlefield's floor, but Khao is forced to grit his teeth against the waves of pain that wash over his body as shockwaves roar up through his limbs. The brown aura he's conjured only blazes higher as the earthquake rattles him, however, and as soon as the last aftershocks have died away, the typhlosion makes his move.

Rearing up on his hind legs, Khao brings his paws slamming into the ground and sends a concentrated seismic burst at Zelos. The blaziken's feet are shaken out from under him, and he falls messily, bounced unceremoniously up and down by the concentrated earthquake. In the wake of Khao's counterattack, Zelos is left dazed and aching all over, a faint red light seeping out from under his feathers and suffusing the air around him with a warm glow. Even the rush of new power from blaze doesn't do much to lift the blaziken's spirit, however, and it's about all he can do to painfully raise his claws in front of his face and conjure a protect bubble to give himself a moment of respite.

At almost the same moment, Ghost's protect falls. The porygon-z locks onto its new target, the inscrutable starmie, and begins charging electricity. The water type is preparing itself too, however, the gem at the center of its body alight with power. A flickering pink projection of a starmie appears in front of Garnet, flickering and warping as though seen on the screen of an old, dying television, but the construct must have some sort of substance--the thunderbolt that Ghost unleashes, rather than flying straight through it, is absorbed by the substitute. It grows even more flickery and unstable after that point, but for the moment appears to be holding, while Ghost clicks and beeps its consternation.

Khao thinks over his commands for a moment, then channels more power to his flames. They blaze up ever higher until they are nearly as tall as the typhlosion himself, the same power extending in the opposite direction and gathering in the typhlosion's flame sac. After a few seconds of charging, the typhlosion belches a grapefruit-sized ball of fire at Ghost. No sooner does it strike the floor than the blast burn explodes, sending a grand column of fire blazing nearly up to the ceiling and flames blossoming out in an impressive radius, a wave of heat racing out over the entire battlefield to reach even the trainers standing on the distant sidelines.

Ghost, hovering a meter or so from the edge of the attack, spins his disjointed arms idly and whistles something derisive about Khao's targeting system. The typhlosion lets out a wheeze and a puff of smoke, mouth hanging open in disbelief.

Zelos drops his protect, feeling a bit better now that he's witnessed Khao's spectacular failure. No sooner has he lowered the defense, though, than a high-pitched whining rings in his ears, his feathers standing on end as the air around him shivers and ripples in apparent distress. A wave of energy, direct from the past, washes over Zelos, leaving him in deplorable condition as it melts back into the normal flow of causality.

Nevertheless the blaziken starts to rise, fully intending to get a punch in on Khao, at least, before he goes down. It is an arduous process, from prone to kneeling and then on to shaky standing, and all the while, across the arena, Garnet is quietly sliding out from behind its substitute, aligning itself with Zelos while the blaziken is occupied with trying to gain his feet. It fires another stream of water at Zelos, and though this one is nothing like as impressive as the hydro pump, it is worlds more accurate. Zelos screeches as the salty brine gets in his eyes, his mouth, burns into his wounds, extinguishes his blaze and leaves him teetering for no more than a couple moments before collapsing in bitter defeat.

While most pokémon might be enraged by the downing of their partner, Ghost's essential emotionlessness allows it to focus perfectly on executing its next attack instead of getting worked up. Arms and bill point towards Khao, a globe of blue energy growing at the tip of one, a yellow globe at the tip of another, and on the end of the third, a red globe. As the tri attack takes shape, crackling bolts of power extend from each ball of energy to their neighbors, linking them in a triangular shape. Ghost lets the tri attack fly, and it smacks solidly into Khao, shoving the typhlosion back a pace. It's not enough to throw him for long, though, and he raises one paw high in the air and brings it slamming decisively down on the arena, eager to show off how much more powerful his earthquake is than Zelos'. The two other pokémon, both of them floating, hardly seem impressed, however, and Khao is left feeling just a little bit foolish.

Kratos Aurion (XXXO)


Zelos Wilder (M)
Health: 0%
Knocked Out!
Used: Earthquake ~ Protect


Ghost in the Machine (X) <Download> @ Enigma Berry
Health: 70%
- All alone, but not really worried. (+1 Attack)
Used: Protect ~ Thunderbolt @ Garnet ~ Tri Attack @ Khao

blazheirio889 (XXOO)


Garnet (X) <Natural Cure>
Health: 77%
- Still sparkly. Has a substitute with 4% health.
Used: Hover and Hydro Pump @ Zelos ~ Substitute (20%) ~ Brine @ Zelos


Khao (M) <Blaze>
Health: 65%
- Look, it wasn't my idea, okay?
Used: Counter ~ Blast Burn @ Ghost ~ Earthquake

Terrain Notes
There is a small pile of fossilized bones lying near Kayne. Ghost is surrounded by a rings of stealth rocks, and there is another where Zelos stood. There are two holes in the floor, quite close to each other, on Kratos' side of the arena.

Final Notes
- Garnet's hydro pump missed.
- So did Khao's blast burn.
- blazheirio889 attacks first next round.

... OTL Yes, Blazhy. Check if Starmie can hover, but totally neglect Porygon-Z. Stupid screw-up #3 of the match!

Well...! Uh, I wasn't counting on Zelos going down so quickly, or I wouldn't have ordered that Hydro Pump, but eh, whatever works. Also wtf so many misses whryyy

Khao, we need to step things up. Spam Blast Burn the entire round, Counter anything physical, and if Ghost doesn't attack you, use Focus Punch instead. If Ghost Protects or does something to evade your attacks, well, just strike a defensive pose (that is, Counter), and try to look as badass as possible. Don't want you to get humiliated more than you already have.
If Ghost has Mimicked Counter, and it looks like it's about to use it, spit a flaming grapefruit at it instead (otherwise known as Blast Burn).

Blast Burn/Counter/Focus Punch ~ Blast Burn/Counter/Focus Punch ~ Blast Burn/Counter/Focus Punch

Garnet, spam Hydro Pump - sweep it around in case of clones - and switch to Brine when you think Ghost is below 50% health (I'll trust your judgment here). Cosmic Power if Ghost Protects, Detects, whatever. If there are any clones, use Hydro Pump no matter what, and sweep it about.

Hydro Pump/Brine/Cosmic Power ~ Hydro Pump/Brine/Cosmic Power ~ Hydro Pump/Brine/Cosmic Power

Uninspired and repetitive command string go!

Agility and dodge around a bit, I guess--hope for a miss or two. Then, when Garnet is about to launch hydro pump, grab Khao with psychic and hold him in front of it. Damage from psychic is nice, so squeeze his brain/pressure points/however Negrek refs it while you're at it if you can, but drowning the fire badger is nicer. Lather, rinse, repeat. Doing so in such a way that would prevent any blast burns from hitting you (and maybe getting them to hit Garnet?) would be ideal, but again, first priority is drowning your meatshield there.

If for whatever reason this repeated meatshield drowning isn't going to work--no reason it shouldn't, but!--use your second action to trick Khao's magmarizer away, turning off his blast burns entirely, and use your last action to kill Garnet's sub with charge beam.

Agility ~ Psychic @ Khao/Trick @ Khao ~ Psychic @ Khao/Charge Beam @ Garnet

Kratos Aurion (XXXO)


Ghost in the Machine (X) <Download> @ Enigma Berry
Health: 70%
- All alone, but not really worried. (+1 Attack)
Commands: Agility ~ Psychic @ Khao/Trick @ Khao ~ Psychic @ Khao/Charge Beam @ Garnet

blazheirio889 (XXOO)


Garnet (X) <Natural Cure>
Health: 77%
- Still sparkly. Has a substitute with 4% health.
Used: Hydro Pump/Brine/Cosmic Power ~ Hydro Pump/Brine/Cosmic Power ~ Hydro Pump/Brine/Cosmic Power


Khao (M) <Blaze>
Health: 65%
- Look, it wasn't my idea, okay?
Used: Blast Burn/Counter/Focus Punch ~ Blast Burn/Counter/Focus Punch ~ Blast Burn/Counter/Focus Punch

With both Garnet and Khao watching it carefully to see what it will do, Ghost gets the opportunity to start its attack unmolested. Its intentions aren't aggressive, however; the porygon-z blasts through the stealth rocks that surround it, accelerating rapidly up to its top speed. The artificial pokémon rockets around the perimeter of the arena like some demented, overlarge hummingbird. Khao watches it fly, then settles uncertainly onto all fours, bracing himself for the possibility of impact. Garnet's central gem, meanwhile, dances with light as the starmie calls out to the mystic powers of the stars that are its namesake, reinforcing its defenses with a charge of celestial energy.

Ghost makes an unnaturally abrupt stop roughly back at its starting location, although it floats outside of, rather than within, the stealth rock cloud this time. With its processes running significantly faster than before, Ghost wastes no time in firing up its psychic-simulator and locking onto the electromagnetic energy field surrounding Khao's body. Even with its agility boost, however, the porygon-z is not quite fast enough; Garnet is floating ominously out from behind its substitute, tilting as it goes; Ghost manages to yank Khao off his feet and into the air just as Garnet fires its hydro pump. Fortunately for both the porygon and the typhlosion, the starmie has misjudged its aim once again, and the hydro pump misses the both of them completely.

Khao is unaware that the hydro pump was indirectly meant for him and is focused instead on the incredible headache Ghost's psychic manipulations have set burning inside his skull. He struggles weakly against the attack, his random flailing causing him to drift slowly around until he is floating upside-down, even more uncomfortable than before. Ghost blithely maneuvers the typhlosion to float between it and Garnet; it will be ready when the next hydro pump comes.

Meanwhile, Khao does his best to focus on his upside-down target and concentrate despite his throbbing temples. Twisting around as best he can, the typhlosion begins cooking up another great burst of firepower, his flames raging high enough to scorch the floor below him. Ghost appears indifferent to the danger as Khao lines up his shot as best he can, then hacks up another chunky blast burn grenade of fire.

This time, Ghost is fully caught up in the attack. His psychic hold on Khao wavers, the typhlosion growling with displeasure as he gets bounced up and down in the air. It's miraculous enough, though, that the porygon-z is able to keep its psychic attack running despite being caught at the heart of the powerful fire attack, throw forward through the air by the shock wave it unleashes and badly scorched all over its artificial skin.

As the flames and smoke generated by the attack clear, Ghost remains floating a bit ahead of where he was before, blackened but apparently undaunted, his optical sensors locked with Garnet's gem. As the starmie begins to move, Ghost floats Khao in front of it, ignoring the typhlosion's indignant growls. The starmie angles its body, and Ghost again moves Khao to intercept; it tries to scoot to the side, and the floating fire type is once again positioned to block its view of Ghost. At last the starmie decides it has no choice but to take its shot; another quick dart to one side, and it unleashes a roaring stream of water at its opponent. Ghost manages to move Khao into the line of fire just in time; the typhlosion takes the attack full on, howling with rage and indignation as the hated water buffets his body, extinguishing his flames in a puff of steam.

The flames soon return, though, flaring more brightly than before as a red aura, akin to the one that shrouded Zelos just before he fainted, springs up around Khao. Ghost's sensors take in the change, but it can do nothing save wait as the typhlosion unleashes his power to its full extent, his fire roaring up white and blue, the air around him shimmering with deadly heat. The blast burn that he spits up at his opponent is noticeably larger than before, and when it strikes Ghost in the chest, the blaze of light and heat that results is enough to force the trainers and referee to shield their faces for a few moments and brace themselves against the concussive force of the attack. Dr. Kaminko, watching from the safety of his shielded booth, is delighted, and is sure to record the blast burn for later replay and analysis.

As the attack clears, Ghost remains floating, now pushed back a considerable distance. It's obvious the porygon hasn't got much power left, though; it sparks and flickers uncertainly as it forces itself to remain in the battle, and once again Khao finds himself jerked around again as the porygon-z struggles to maintain its psychic hold over him.

Kratos Aurion (XXXO)


Ghost in the Machine (X) <Download> @ Enigma Berry
Health: 8%
- SYSTEM STATUS: CRITICAL +2 Speed (+1 Attack)
Used: Agility ~ Psychic @ Khao x2

blazheirio889 (XXOO)


Garnet (X) <Natural Cure>
Health: 74%
- Mildly irritated. Has a substitute with 4% health. +1 Defense, +1 Special Defense
Used: Cosmic Power ~ Hydro Pump x2


Khao (M) <Blaze>
Health: 27%
- Caught in Ghost's psychic clutches. Blaze activated.
Used: Counter ~ Blast Burn x2

Terrain Notes
There is a small pile of fossilized bones, now rather scorched, lying on Blazheirio's side of the arena, and a couple of empty rings of stealth rocks on Kratos Aurion's half. There are two holes in the floor, quite close to each other, on Kratos' side of the arena. The floor is badly scorched and the air is heavy with the scent of cooked clay.

Final Notes
- Garnet's first hydro pump missed.
- Ghost's psychics did minimal damage to Khao, as most of the attack's power was being expended to lift and manipulate him. However, the first one was a critical hit and so did a little more damage.
- Ghost could not hold Khao sufficiently still to prevent him from attacking, although the accuracy of his blast burns was reduced.
- Generally, I don't consider pokémon able to gauge the health percentages of their opponents very accurately when in battle, unless it's something obvious like "about to collapse." As a result, Garnet used hydro pump twice instead of brining on the final action; Ghost was not far enough below 50% after the second action for Garnet to make a distinction.
- Kratos Aurion attacks first next round.

Well. This is depressing and there is absolutely nothing I can do other than be mildly irritated that porygon-z does not learn explosion, though that is a much less impressive finisher when you're attacking first anyway. So just use psychic to bash Khao repeatedly against the floor in ROBOT RAGE until you die. Good game, Blazhy.

Wah- why is it always Khao? D: What does the world have against fire badgers? ...to be honest I've never thought of Typhlosion as a badger up until now - it was always a weird fox thingy - but eh, that's beside the point.

Khao, I doubt you can do much in your position, since Ghost's faster than you and all (I think?). See if you can spit some Flamethrowers at it before Garnet steals your kill, but I highly doubt you'll be able to toast anything but a robot corpse.

Flamethrower ~ Flamethrower ~ Flamethrower

And Garnet, spit some salt water at Ghost. That is, Brine.

Brine ~ Brine ~ Brine

Good game, Kratos. :) The result would've been very different if it weren't for the RNG hating; even so, you kept me on my toes!

Kratos Aurion (XXXO)


Ghost in the Machine (X) <Download> @ Enigma Berry
Health: 8%
- SYSTEM STATUS: CRITICAL +2 Speed (+1 Attack)
Commands: Psychic

blazheirio889 (XXOO)


Garnet (X) <Natural Cure>
Health: 74%
- Mildly irritated. Has a substitute with 4% health. +1 Defense, +1 Special Defense
Commands: Brine ~ Brine ~ Brine


Khao (M) <Blaze>
Health: 27%
- Caught in Ghost's psychic clutches. Blaze activated.
Commands: Flamethrower ~ Flamethrower ~ Flamethrower

With the last of its strength, Ghost petulantly bounces Khao up and down with its psychic power. The typhlosion lets out growls of protest as his head is smacked repeatedly on the baked-hard ground, the rough treatment doing absolutely nothing for the headache still lurking in his skull. The porygon isn't given a lot of time to annoy the typhlosion, though; with smooth efficiency Garnet slides out from behind its substitute and aims a brine straight at its digital opponent. The blast of corrosive water shreds through the remains of Ghost's body, and it dissolves in a haze of disconnected pixels, retreating to the safety of its pokéball to regroup.

Khao lands heavily on the floor, facefirst, and groans a bit as he rights himself. Garnet's substitute dissolves, and the starmie settles gently to the floor, but while Khao at last grins and points his snout towards the ceiling, letting out a triumphant howl, the starmie appears unmoved--not that there's a whole lot it could do to project emotion anyway. Both pokémon are recalled in short order, and the trainers meet up with the referee at the center of the field to exchange a post-battle handshake and collect their winnings.

Kratos Aurion (XXXX)


Ghost in the Machine (X) <Download> @ Enigma Berry
Health: 0%
Knocked Out!
Used: Psychic @ Khao

blazheirio889 (XXOO)


Garnet (X) <Natural Cure>
Health: 74%
Victorious!
Used: Brine


Khao (M) <Blaze>
Health: 18%
Victorious!

Dr. Kaminko comes hurrying out of his observation booth, crowing, "Excellent, excellent! Did you see how the typhlosion was able to use blast burn twice in a row without collapsing from exhaustion? And the starmie--such lovely sustained flight! A complete success, a complete success. Why, in ten years, you know, no trainer will dream of sending their pokémon into battle without the aid of an Adrenapack!"

While the other participants in the experiment don't quite share the inventor's enthusiasm, he does manage to get their attention as he says, "Now, as for the reward I mentioned to you... let's return to the lab to see about that, shall we? It wouldn't do to linger around here--the cleaning crew will be along soon, and they're a bit hostile to outsiders. Come on, this way." But as the group troops back towards the elevator, Dr. Kaminko pauses, holding up a hand to stop the others. From somewhere above come the distant sounds of something large crashing its way through very sturdy-sounding metal infrastructure. A faint roar filters down from above. "Dear, dear," Dr. Kaminko sighs, "it sounds as though Robo-Groudon's gotten a bit out of control again. Come, we'd best be taking the stairs."

Thirty flights later, the trainers are hobbling along on painful feet, their shuckle-shoes slowly sapping their energy; Dr. Kaminko hustles along, unbothered by the long climb. And, naturally, upon returning to the lab, they find that the compensation they were promised is no more than an armful of the doctor's latest experiments, one of which makes a distressingly animated attempt to chew Kratos Aurion's nose off before being subdued. The trainers abruptly find themselves standing outside the inventor's home, blinking in the bright desert sun and feeling as though they've stepped out of some bizarre alternate dimension. The ground beneath their feet trembles slightly; somewhere, far below, Robo-Groudon rages on.

blazheirio889 gets $32, and Kratos Aurion gets $12; I get $20. Exciting match, you two, even if it was terribly haxxy. Indomitable and Fang get 1 EXP each, with everybody else getting 3 apiece.

A haxxy match, but a great one nonetheless. After our other battle finishes, Kratos, I don't think I'll be battling you for some time - my fingernails have suffered terribly these past few weeks!

Also, this nearly escaped my notice, but the battling Pokemon get EXP, don't they?

Right, forgot that.

Ah, I hate to be picky, but I'm still rather confused by the experience distribution. If a Pokemon gets 1 EXP for every opponent that fainted while it was out, shouldn't Indomitable and Fang get 1 EXP each, since Kayne and Phalanx only fainted after Zelos and Ghost came out?

Also, as far as I can tell, every Pokemon other than Indomitable and Fang should get 3 EXP. Kayne and Phalanx knocked out Indomitable and Fang, Zelos and Ghost knocked out Kayne and Phalanx, and Khao and Garnet knocked out Zelos and Ghost.

Apologies in advance if my brain is being a derp.

No, I just keep getting the pokémon in this battle mixed up.

Probably would've preferred the distribution the way it was before (dammit I can't take that exp off of Zelos noooo), but. Anyway. As I said, good game, and thanks again, Negrek.