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[09] Kindling Queen vs Animorph

Negrek

busy dizzy lazy
Staff member
2vs2 Single
DQ: One Week
Damage Cap: 35%
Banned Moves: OHKO's, weather moves, defog. Direct healers limited to 1/pokémon and chills to 3/pokémon

Terrain: The Battle Pike

The Battle Pike's labyrinthine corridors are dim and quiet, partitioned by heavy red curtains and lined with golden statues. Only the bravest--and, of course, luckiest--trainers manage to wend their way through its treacherous depths to reach the final room, which is dominated by a large, marshy arena. Ordinarily, this is where they would face the might of Pike Queen Lucy in their battle for a Frontier Symbol.

Today, though, Lucy is off on vacation, and it is the TCoD ASB that has set up shop in the depths of the pike. The danger facing trainers is not one of the legendary Frontier Brains, but instead one of their fellow trainers and the swampy patch of ground that retains the Pike's fickle qualities despite the absence of its Brain.

The arena is composed of low islands of reed-edged land, surrounded by shallow (no more than a meter deep), brackish water. Dominating the center of the arena is one large island, about seven meters in diameter; it is here that the battlers will begin the match by default. Arrayed around this are many smaller patches of solid ground, most one to two meters wide and in a variety of shapes. There is also a margin of ground around the edge of the arena, although its width varies from no more than a narrow strip of land to large projections out towards the middle of the field. The ground is damp and covered in thick grass, plus a few wildflowers. Now and again dark shapes will glide beneath the water's surface or something will rustle in the tall reeds, but for the most part the arena is still and innocent-looking. Lucy has also left behind one of the Pike's aides, who would ordinarily provide guidance to trainers stumbling through the maze. Adept at reading the mood of the arena, she will make an observation at the end of each round that alludes to what is likely to happen in the near future. At the beginning of the next round a random effect will take place, based on which of the phrases, outlined below, the aide utters. There is an equal chance of her saying any one of the following:

1. "There is a sense of restlessness about this place..."

There is a 75% chance that a band of croagunk will rise out of the murky water and attack both pokémon, causing 10% damage to each.

There is a 25% chance of a few friendly yanma will take flight, carrying berries to both pokémon, which will be eaten immediately to restore each pokémon's health by 10%.

2. "I seem to have heard something... It may have been whispering..."

There is an 80% chance that nothing will happen.

There is a 20% chance that cricketot hidden in the long grass will begin to chirp a soothing melody, calming both pokémon to the point that they regain 10% energy.

3. "The distinct aroma of pokémon is wafting around the arena..."

There is a 75% chance that a few magikarp will leap pointlessly out of the water, but otherwise nothing will happen.

There is a 25% chance that happiny will emerge from the reeds and offer their eggs to both pokémon, which will be eaten immediately to restore each pokémon's health and energy by 10% each.

4. "Even the air feels like it's holding its breath..."

There is a 65% chance that the arena's built-in weather system will activate, artificially generating conditions of bright sunlight, rain, hail, sandstorm, or fog. There is an equal chance of each weather being selected, and whichever one is "turned on" will last indefinitely, up until the point that this effect triggers again and a new condition is picked.

There is a 35% chance that gastly will drift through the arena, casting a malicious spell on the combatants that steals 10% energy from each.

5. "A cold breeze is racing around the arena..."

There is a 45% chance that vileplume hidden among the grass will release noxious powders to inflict a random status effect on all battlers. Alternatively, duskull may rise up from the ground and use will-o-wisp or chilling ice to freeze or burn one of the pokémon on the field.

Each pokémon is targeted with a status condition according to the following list:

Poison: 35% chance
Freeze: 25% chance
Paralysis: 20% chance
Burn: 10% chance
Sleep: 10% chance

The status effect is determined independently for each pokémon, so one may become burned while the other is paralyzed, for example. If a pokémon is targeted by a status to which it is immune (e.g. the "poison" effect is rolled for a steel-type), then the effect fails and the pokémon escapes being statused. If the pokémon already has the status with which it is targeted, that status' severity will be increased.

There is a 55% chance that vileplume hidden among the grass will release an aromatherapy, removing all major status conditions from both battlers.

Additional Rules: If both pokémon would faint at the end of the last round such that a tie would occur, the winner will be determined as follows:

1. If the pokémon fainted due to perish song, the player whose pokémon used the attack loses. If the pokémon fainted due to a self-destruct move or destiny bond, the player whose pokémon used the attack loses.

2. If one pokémon knocked the other out, but then fainted due to recoil/energy loss/etc., its trainer is the winner.

3. If both pokémon succumb at the same time to some non-damage effect (e.g. both are damaged by hail, poison, whatever), each is restored to 20% health and energy. All terrain effects, status boosts, and status afflictions are cleared, and the pokémon again play until one is knocked out. Turn order proceeds as it ordinarily would have if the pokémon wouldn't have fainted in the "final round."
Kindling Queen's Squad said:
Charmeleon (M)

Growlithe (F) <Flash Fire>

[Fafneer] Houndoom (M) <Flash Fire>
Signature Attribute: Big Bones
Signature Move: Ashy Equalizer

Numel (F) <Simple>

Ponyta (F) <Flash Fire>

Vulpix (F) <Flash Fire>
Animorph's Squad said:
[Sparky] Electrike (M) <Static>

[Jim] Sandshrew (M)

[Martha] Spheal (F) <Thick Fat>

[Beka] Growlithe (F) <Intimidate>

[Lucius] Ralts (M) <Synchronize>

[Pam] Poochyena (F) <Quick Feet>

[Raven] Riolu (M) <Inner Focus>

[Donna] Taillow (F)

[Rosto] Meowth (M) <Technician>

1. Kindling Queen sends out
2. Animorph sends out and attacks
3. Kindling Queen attacks
 
I'll open with Jim. I'd like to open with sand attack, then dig into the ground, and finally resurface for the attack.

Sand Attack~Dig~Resurface
 
Okay Fafneer! Let's get this started with Taunt to stop Sand Attack and bow your head in front of any attack he may use. Then we can charge up a Solar Beam. Once the shrew has burrowed into the ground, aim down the hole and fire!

If by any chance Taunt forces Jim to stop the digging and strike on his own, use Toxic when he's close enough and follow up with Will-o-Wisp.

Taunt~Solarbeam/Toxic~Release/Will-o-Wisp
 
By the time the third match of the league championship's third round rolls around, the crowd of people packed into the Battle Pike's bleachers has changed a bit. Some onlookers have drifted away to lunch, while others, a bit later to rise, have taken their place. The results of the previous battles are happily discussed as spectators munch on ringside food, and speculation over what this match will bring absorbs those who aren't interested in talking about matches past. The battlefield is prepared and the referee has arrived; the start of the battle is only minutes away.

Anticipation is running high when the first trainer finally appears, shouldering her way through the curtain draped across the doorway that opens onto the arena. Kindling Queen pauses for a moment just inside the room, perhaps startled by the sheer volume of the applause that starts up in response to her entrance. She doesn't linger long, though, collecting herself and hurrying to one of the challenger's boxes flanking the arena. A moment later, the cheers start up again as Animorph steps into the room himself and shortly takes up a spot opposite Kindling Queen.

After a few quick words of introduction from the referee, pokéballs arc through the air, releasing the first battlers onto the field. Jim the sandshrew is Animorph's choice, looking rather out of place in the decidedly non-desert arena. The little ground type is dwarfed by Kindling Queen's pokémon, a tall, whip-thin houndoom by the name of Fafneer. The pokémon eye one another as a hush falls over the crowd; the trainers begin to give their commands and, seconds later, the match is officially on.

Round One

Kindling Queen (OO)
faffy.png

Fafneer (M) <Flash Fire>
Health: 100%
Energy: 100%
- Radiating confidence. (-3 Defense, -2 Special Defense, +6 Speed)

Animorph (OO)
sandshrew
Jim (M) <Sand Veil>
Health: 100%
Energy: 100%
- A little intimidated by his opponent.

Before Jim is even finished thinking over his commands, Fafneer bares his teeth in an unfriendly grin and sneers at his opponent. Surely Jim doesn't think he has a chance against a veteran like Fafneer? The houndoom has survived run-ins with far more powerful opponents, as both his scars and his prowess and battle can attest. Jim probably doesn't even have the courage to strike him--his only hope, after all, is to hide behind cowardly tactics rather than going all-out.

Jim tries to ignore Fafneer's words, but they hit a little too close to home for comfort. The sandshrew rises to his opponent's bait, rejecting his sand attack command out of hand as the houndoom continues to needle him. This is no time for flinging around a little dirt! He needs to teach this fossil of a houndoom a lesson--and he knows just how. Jim begins to dig at top speed, easily tearing through the loose, damp earth that makes up the island on which the two battlers stand. He soon disappears below the surface of the ground, still digging industriously away.

Fafneer smirks and shakes his head. Too easy! The little sandshrew has no self-control at all. Fafneer saunters over to the edge of Jim's hole and peers in, gathering the power of sunlight to him as he does so. Golden light dances around Fafneer's swept-back horns as he slowly soaks up light from the air around him, concentrating it into a deadly reserve of grass energy. Jim has only just finished his descent and started curving his tunnel upward again when Fafneer ducks his head, unleashing a blast of power from his horns. The solarbeam shoots down into Jim's tunnel, some of it dissipating against the walls or bottom as it hits the upward bend but quite enough roaring on to engulf Jim in a searing burst of light and heat.

The sandshrew is forced to stop digging for a few moments, his eyes dazzled and his whole body feeling stripped raw by the solarbeam. Then he begins digging again, slowly at first but ever faster as his rage returns to him. He'll get Fafneer back, oh yes, he will--right about now.

Jim bursts out of the ground below Fafneer, taking the houndoom completely by surprise and ramming into his unprotected underside. Fafneer staggers away, coughing and moving gingerly, the air knocked from his lungs by the exuberant blow. Jim lets out a low hiss, eyes narrowed. What do you think now, you cocky houndoom? Not just some helpless rookie, am I?

Kindling Queen (OO)
faffy.png

Fafneer (M) <Flash Fire>
Health: 76%
Energy: 90%
- Winded. (-3 Defense, -2 Special Defense, +6 Speed)

Animorph (OO)
sandshrew
Jim (M) <Sand Veil>
Health: 83%
Energy: 93%
- A little scorched, but more angry than anything. Taunted (2 more actions).

Terrain Notes
There are two holes, no more than a couple of feet apart, near the middle of the island Fafneer and Jim are on.

Final Notes
- Kindling Queen attacks first next round.
 
Good boy Fafneer! I'm counting on you! Retalliate with Sucker Punch for the first two actions and finish the round with Toxic but wait for him to approach you so you can hit on point. Again, use your lovely rack of horns to buck at any incoming attacks after your own moves to spare you some damage.

Sucker Punch~Sucker Punch~Toxic
 
Alright Jim, good start. Now, let's open this round with a mud slap, to reduce that pesky accuracy rate. Follow that up with an Earth Power, to pack a little oomph. Then, retreat and dig back into the ground to avoid Toxic.

Mud Slap~Earth Power~Dig
 
Jim is distracted from his gloating by a loud plop coming from somewhere out in the brackish water that makes up most of the Pike's battlefield. Though the sandshrew sees no sign of what might have made the sound, the normally still water is troubled by ripples, and only seconds later another suspicious splash sounds from somewhere out amongst the reeds. The Pike aide sitting quietly by the side of the battlefield, apparently oblivious to her duties, is prodded into giving a somewhat belated prediction. "There is a sense of restlessness about this place..."

Baleful yellow eyes rise above the water's surface all around the central island where the two battlers stand, and Jim and Fafneer are suddenly far less interested in one another than in the multitude of croagunk closing in on all sides. Fafneer lets out a roar and unleashes a blast of flame at the poison pokémon creeping up on him, but they seem to regard this only as the signal to attack. With a chorus of burbling laughter, the croagunk leap from the water, converging on Jim and Fafneer in blueish horde. The pokémon are swiftly overwhelmed, pummeled from all angles by the poison frogs' attacks. Fortunately, the strikes are relatively weak--the pokémon seem more intent on being annoying than doing any serious damage. They rapidly disperse again, hopping back into the water and disappearing below the surface with Fafneer snapping at their heels.

For a few seconds, strained silence reigns over the arena. The ripples caused by the croagunks' reentry fade away. Finally, the referee points out that there is a battle to be had here, and as the trainers issue new commands the pokémon try to shake off their surprise and get back to business.

Round Two

Kindling Queen (OO)
faffy.png

Fafneer (M) <Flash Fire>
Health: 66%
Energy: 90%
- Winded. (-3 Defense, -2 Special Defense, +6 Speed)

Animorph (OO)
sandshrew
Jim (M) <Sand Veil>
Health: 73%
Energy: 93%
- A little scorched, but more angry than anything. Taunted (2 more actions).

Jim tenses, stubby ears twitching as he listens to his orders; Fafneer tenses, too, but his attention is more on his opponent than anything else. As Jim starts to turn around, preparing to go dashing off towards the edge of the island, the houndoom sees an opening. Rushing forward, he brings a paw sparking with darkness sweeping around to slam the sandshrew in the side while his balance is still shifting. Jim goes flying and lands winded, a bit confused about what happened. At least Fafneer's unexpected punch has put him closer to where he was headed anyway--the edge of the island, where there's plenty of gooey mud to be had. Trundling the last couple of feet to the water's edge, Jim whips his tail down and then up again, hurling a payload of sticky muck straight into Fafneer's face.

The houndoom rears back, pawing at his eyes and cursing viciously in his native tongue. The gritty muck makes his eyes water something terrible, and everything appears blurred, but at least he can see well enough to notice when Jim rears up on his hind legs, raising his forepaws high into the air. A moment later he's doubled over on the ground, wheezing, after another sucker punch has caught him square in his exposed underbelly. Fafneer backs away again, alternately muttering and working to clear the mud off his face.

Jim recovers soon enough, though, and this time is able to complete his earth power uninterrupted. He raises his paws up, then brings them down in the mud with a solid thwack. A wave of energy ripples out from the point of impact, growing stronger and stronger as it propagates through the earth until it explodes up from beneath Fafneer in a sheet of blazing earth power. The houndoom is thrown back, dazzled and seared by the powerful attack.

Nevertheless, Fafneer manages to land on his feet and keeps a close eye on Jim. Foul fluids churn and combine in the houndoom's stomach as he prepares a load of toxic goop to spit at Jim the moment the sandshrew gets close. Unfortunately, with his anger somewhat soothed by the success of his recent attack, Jim feels no need to get near the dangerous houndoom. Instead, he starts digging industriously, once again burrowing his way below the grassy earth and coming to rest some distance below Fafneer's feet. Miffed, the houndoom trots over and peers into Jim's hole; he can't see the sandshrew at all, but has little choice but to release his toxic and hope for the best. The poisonous goop that the houndoom vomits into the tunnel splatters against its walls, with a little falling to its very bottom, but Jim, out of sight around a bend, is unaffected.

Kindling Queen (OO)
faffy.png

Fafneer (M) <Flash Fire>
Health: 42%
Energy: 77%
- Starting to feel his injuries already. -1 Accuracy (-3 Defense, -2 Special Defense, +6 Speed)

Animorph (OO)
sandshrew
Jim (M) <Sand Veil>
Health: 51%
Energy: 81%
- Hiding at the end of his new tunnel.

Terrain Notes
There are two holes, no more than a couple of feet apart, near the middle of the island Fafneer and Jim are on. A new hole, rimmed with toxic sludge, sits near the water's edge. The Pike aide, a bit more on the ball now with the referee's glare upon her, announces, "A cold breeze is racing around the arena..."

Final Notes
- Animorph attacks first next round.
 
Well, it's really too bad, but if you've got real life stuff to deal with, that's obviously more important.

Kindling Queen wins by default, gets $15 and a rare candy, and advances to the next round; Animorph gets nothing. Jim and Fafneer get one EXP each, and I get $12.
 
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