[09] Negrek vs blazheirio889 (ref: Chiropter)

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."

Click to expand...

Negrek's Squad said:

[Havoc] Treecko (M)
Item: EXP Share

[Apophis] Ekans (M) <Intimidate>
Item: Poison Barb

[Sparchaeopteryx] Aerodactyl (F)
Ability: Pressure

[Mandarb] Absol (F) <Pressure>
Body Mod: Armored (Light + Poisoned Barb)
Item: Reaper Cloth

Mandarb has armor that covers her chest and head. For any attack that strikes those areas, Mandarb's type is considered to be steel. The armor gives her +1 defense in those areas. If she successfully attacks with the poison barb on her scythe, there is a 20% chance that she will poison the opponent.

[Acheron] Sableye (M) <Stall>
Move Mod: (Defense) Magic Coat

[Yoshiya] cleffa (M) <Magic Guard>
Item: Soothe Bell

Makuhita (M) <Guts>
Item: Chesto Berry

Lapras (M) <Water Absorb>

[Igneous] magmar (M) <Chesto Berry>

Cubone (M) <Lightningrod>
Item: Thick Club

Click to expand...

blazheirio889's Squad said:

[Khao] Typhlosion (Male)
Held Item: Magmarizer
Signature Move: Volatile Spirit

[Ventus] Swellow (Female)
Held Item: Muscle Band

[Nithhoggr] Seviper (Male)
Held Item: Black Sludge

[Yukianesa] Froslass (Female)
Held Item: Nevermeltice
Signature Move: Pebble Jet

[Kayne] Absol (Male)
Ability: Super Luck
Held Item: Muscle Band
Signature Attribute: Mark of Kayne

[Phalanx] Cradily (Male)
Held Item: Big Root

[Garnet] Starmie (N/A)
Ability: Illuminate
Held Item: Flame Plate

[Kohryuu] Onix (Male)
Ability: Rock Head
Held Item: Metal Coat

[Xenon] Drifloon (M)
Ability: Aftermath
Held Item: Metronome

Click to expand...

1. Negrek sends out
2. blazheirio889 sends out and attacks
3. Negrek attacks

Get moving, Yoshiya!

DQ warning for blazheirio889.

...Totally didn't notice that last line in Negrek's post. Anyway! Yukianesa, do your thing.

Start out with a Safeguard. If Yoshiya is to use Encore, instead switch to Ice Beam. Afterwards, spam Ice Beam. Sweep it around if there are clones. Spikes if Yoshiya is inaccessible due to Protect, Dig, what have you (Substitute not included), and if Yoshiya uses Iron Tail or Shadow Ball, Spite it on the following action. Only use Spite once, however.

Safeguard/Ice Beam ~ Ice Beam/Spikes/Spite ~ Ice Beam/Spikes/Spite

Okay, Yoshiya, let's start off with a shadow ball. Then encore Yukianesa's spite and finish by tricking off her nevermeltice.

Shadow Ball ~ Encore (Spite) ~ Trick

After a long wait, the final match of the third round is at last ready to get under way, and the spectators applaud and cheer from the bleachers as Negrek and blazheirio889 step through the red curtain and quickly take their positions on opposite sides of the artificial marsh.

The audience quiets down as the trainers release their first pokemon onto the central island. On Negrek’s side, a tiny, innocent-looking cleffa appears, while blazheirio is represented by a silent froslass who floats regally above the ground. Yukianesa gives a neutral look down at Yoshiya, who just smiles cheerfully up at her. The two are given no more time to assess each other, though, as the referee signals for the battle to begin…


Without hesitation, Yukianesa takes the first action. Closing her eyes and concentrating, she swiftly cocoons herself in a shimmering veil that seems to be composed of pale green light. Once this is done, she takes a cautious look around the arena, noting the murky water further obscured by thick reeds… It certainly looks peaceful enough now, but the snow spirit just has a feeling about the place…

Her musings are interrupted by a small ball of ethereal energy that suddenly slams into her. Crying out in pain, she quickly floats away from Yoshiya, who looks rather surprised at himself for achieving such a reaction. Not being a ghost himself, the cleffa hadn’t been able to conjure up a very large shadow ball, but the ghostly energy still burned painfully against Yukianesa’s own ghost nature.

The froslass narrows her eyes as the pain lessens, observing Yoshiya with a bit more wariness than before. Hoping to discourage any more attacks of that nature, she begins waving her long arms in an intricate pattern, invoking a ghostly curse on Yoshiya.

The little cleffa suddenly feels a strange sensation like cold claws scrabbling around inside his mind - nothing painful, but definitely unnerving. He shivers a little, but manages shake it off - and, in fact, begins clapping his stubby limbs together, apparently applauding Yukianesa’s attack.

The froslass stares blankly. She honestly would have thought Yoshiya would be a bit more upset about that - she knows she wouldn’t like to be spited like that… maybe he’s just weird - but she can’t help but feel secretly pleased as the little guy praises her masterful execution. In fact, she thinks… why not give him an encore? It couldn’t hurt, could it? Nah, of course not. Cheerfully ignoring her trainer, she waves her arms and sets her spiteful curse down upon Yoshiya a second time.

Yoshiya shivers again as the creepy clawing sensation passes through his mind, but still feels quite pleased with himself. While Yukianesa’s attention is still on him, he casually raises a paw and jingles the small Soothe Bell tied around his ear with a strip of cloth, while at the same time projecting a subliminal suggestion into her mind…

As Yukianesa hears the soft chime of the Soothe Bell, her attention is suddenly completely and utterly drawn to it. She hadn’t really noticed the small bell the cleffa was wearing before, but now she feels an inexplicable urge to possess it. The sound it makes is so… entrancing… She finds herself floating forward, arm stretched out to take it… and Yoshiya backs out of her reach, giving her an expectant look.

What, does he want something in exchange for it? Fine, whatever… Yukianesa reaches into the red sash around her middle and takes out a small shard of Nevermeltice. She holds it out to Yoshiya, and he obligingly unties the Soothe Bell and hands it to her. She takes it carefully in her dainty fingers and jingles it, her eyes seeming to smile softly as it produces its gentle chime, before tying it securely around her wrist. Yoshiya, meanwhile, frantically passes the Nevermeltice from paw to paw, trying to figure out how to hold onto the thing without freezing.


Terrain notes:
The tall reeds around the edge of the island suddenly begin rustling ominously. The Pike attendant, silent up to this point, calmly states, "There is a sense of restlessness about this place..."

Next round:
Negrek attacks first.

I take it Yukianesa's encore is over?

Yes, it only lasted the one action.

Of course. Why the hate, Randomizer? Can't we just be friends? ;-;

Well, Yoshiya, it looks like we won't be getting any of the free actions I had hoped for this round. So, we'll be taking a different tack.

Iron tail and follow with flamethrower, swept through clones if they exist. Finish with gravity.

Reflect any status attacks back at Yukianesa with magic coat; protect if she uses her signature move.

Iron Tail / Magic Coat / Protect ~ Flamethrower / Magic Coat / Protect ~ Gravity / Magic Coat / Protect

Okay nevermind about my other plan. I'd feel bad. Instead, Yukianesa, let's set up a 15% Substitute. Then, get back your Nevermeltice with Trick (we'll need it later), and finally, wait for Yoshiya to use Gravity. After Gravity's in effect, Blizzard.

Substitute (15%) ~ Trick ~ Blizzard

Mostly unproofread. Enjoy.


The rustling in the reeds shortly gives way to a low-pitched thrumming, catching the notice of the two battlers and momentarily distracting them from their trainers’ commands. In a burst of red and green, half a dozen brightly-colored yanma emerge from their hiding places, darting swiftly back and forth over the island around the startled battlers. Two of them split off and approach Yukianesa and Yoshiya, each carrying a small red berry, which they offer to the two pokemon with friendly smiles on their faces. A bit bewildered, the two tentatively reach out and take the gifts, which the yanma cheerfully relinquish; they dart around a few more times before retreating once again behind the plants.

After a bit of contemplation, Yukianesa shrugs and pops the berry into her mouth. A few seconds after swallowing, she can feel the burns from the shadow ball being soothed, and in almost no time she looks and feels completely unharmed. After happily licking the last bits of berry juice off her fingers, Yukianesa returns her attention to the battle at hand; she waves her hands out in front of her as though molding a sculpture out of clay - but instead of clay, solid ice seems to congeal out of thin air wherever the froslass’s fingers trace. Soon, a large block of ice, carved in the shape of a froslass, is held between Yukianesa’s hands; strings of silvery energy shoot from her hands and into the sculpture, wrapping around it and infusing it with a bit of her own energy.

Yoshiya, quickly swallowing his own berry (its healing juices don‘t really do anything for him, but it still tastes good), watches glumly as Yukianesa lets go of the sculpture and it remains eerily suspended in the air, floating in front of her like a transparent, immobile guardian. Not looking forward to having to bash through the thing to get to her, the cleffa nevertheless hops closer and leaps high into the air. As he does so, his small, almost nonexistent tail begins to shimmer silver, then with a brilliant white glow, while hardening and becoming almost metallic in composition. The weight of it catches him at the apex of his leap, and he somersaults in midair, letting gravity pull his tail down right on the ice substitute’s head…

…And shatter it to pieces. Shards of ice fly everywhere as Yoshiya’s tail drives through the substitute like a meteor, reducing it to nothing in less than a second. Landing hard on his tail, Yoshiya looks up at Yukianesa, a little dazed - he certainly hadn’t been expecting to do that. But, hey, good luck is good luck, and he grins cheekily at the ghost, extremely proud of himself.

Yukianesa’s impassive gaze now contains just a hint of displeasure. Internally, she is seething - how could this little… pink thing destroy her substitute in one hit? That’s just not right! She maintains her composure, however, and holds up the arm on which her new soothe bell is tied. Her initial desire for the bauble has disappeared, replaced with annoyance at being tricked out of her nevermeltice - but that mistake should be easy enough to undo.

Floating down to Yoshiya’s level so that they are face-to-face, Yukianesa unties the soothe bell and dangles it in front of Yoshiya’s face, while sneaking a psychic suggestion into his mind. Do you really want that stupid little piece of ice? a voice whispers in Yoshiya’s head. It’s not really doing anything for you, after all. Wouldn’t you rather have your shiny bell back? The cleffa frowns, considering this - it really does make a good deal of sense, what the voice is saying… Nodding decisively, Yoshiya hands over the piece of nevermeltice, his eyes never leaving the soothe bell dangling in front of him; the second Yukianesa snatches back the ice, she obligingly drops the bell into his waiting paws, where he jingles it happily for a bit before tying it back to his ear.

That business taken care of… Yoshiya takes a deep breath and holds it, summoning fire inside himself and letting it build up. When the heat has become uncomfortable, Yoshiya exhales, releasing a stream of yellow flames. Yukianesa shrieks and hurriedly floats away, but not fast enough to avoid the fire. It’s not as hot as it would have been coming from an actual fire-type - but it’s still fire, and Yukianesa isn’t really interested in fine distinctions of temperature. She has to strongly resist the urge to dive into the swampy water as Yoshiya runs out of breath and his flamethrower peters out.

As the fire burns itself out (and, at about the same time, Yukianesa’s Safeguard fades away into nothing), leaving Yukianesa’s ghostly flesh covered in unsightly burn marks, she settles herself close to the ground, waiting for Yoshiya to make the next move so that she can strike back. The cleffa begins concentrating on an immensely difficult psychic maneuver, a little surprised that he’s managing to attack first for once. As his face scrunches up in concentration, he feels himself getting heavier; a downward sucking sensation causes him to look down, and he notes his feet sinking slightly into the damp, soggy earth. Yukianesa now finds herself unable to lift her body any appreciable distance off the ground, though she can still float in two dimensions across the ground with a bit of effort. Even the plants seem sucked down by the increased force of gravity, flowers and stalks bending almost all the way to the ground.

As Yoshiya tries to unstick his feet from the ground, Yukianesa notes that the increased gravity is making her opponent sluggish and slow - and much, much easier to target. Ice crystals condense in the air around her as she readies a blizzard, the nevermeltice now safely back in her sash producing its own cold to add to her own. With a sound like exhaling - though, as a ghost, she of course has no need to breathe - Yukianesa unleashes a blast of freezing cold winds. To Yoshiya, he seems to have been suddenly engulfed by a terrible winter storm - the winds send him bouncing backwards along the ground even with the increased gravity, freezing his skin horribly as they furiously buffet him with stinging snow and ice. When the blizzard finally blows itself out, the cleffa finds himself shivering in a pile of snow, and having been blown uncomfortably close to the edge of the island.


Terrain notes:
Gravity is active for the next four actions.
The Pike attendant inhales deeply, seems to ponder something for a moment, then says, “The distinct aroma of pokemon is wafting around the arena…”

Battle notes:
Iron Tail was a critical hit.
Safeguard has worn off.

Next round:
blazheirio889 attacks first.

Ugh, RNG, why? I built shrines and everything!

...Well, nevermind. I guess we can ignore the arena effect for now. Yukianesa, squeeze off another Blizzard before Yoshiya can try anything funny. If he Protects or Detects, however, reward him with a layer of Spikes. Then, well, why ease up on the Blizzard assault? Pound him with two more - make them widespread if necessary (say, if there are clones, or your accuracy has been reduced), and down a tunnel if you think you can reach him. Snatch any Light Screens and large Substitutes (not sure if Pokemon can tell, but if they can't, then just Snatch any Substitutes that look particularly big). On the second action, if Yoshiya Protects, Detects, or is underground in a particularly twisty tunnel, Double Team for 4 clones, and on the third, under the same circumstances, Chill.

Blizzard/Spikes/Snatch ~ Blizzard/Snatch/Double Team (4 clones) ~ Blizzard/Snatch/Chill

(( Sorry your job ended up not working out, Chiropter. I hope you can find work soon if you need it. ))

Well, I guess the hax was about... even, that round. Thanks for eliminating my health lead, random yanma chance, but it was almost exactly balanced by 10% I would otherwise not have gotten from flamethrower.

Great work, Yoshiya! Now, let Yukianesa waste her wintry fury while you wish. Hold on tight to the grass or whatever else presents itself to you so that you don't get blown away by blizzard, not that I think being in the water would hinder you from using wish... or that you would end up in the water anyway, given that you weigh over six pounds and a 35mph wind would exert only about four pounds of force on your tiny little body.

Next up, take advantage of the increased gravity to lob a much-more-accurate zap cannon at Yukianesa. We'll turn the tables on that speedy ghost! End it with a perfectly accurate fire blast!

If your first zap cannon misses, try again in action three. If you end up getting unfortunately frozen by the second action, switch to fire blast to thaw yourself out, then follow with zap cannon.

If you do end up in the water and are prevented from attacking as a result, take an action getting back to shore.

Wish ~ Zap Cannon / Fire Blast / Get out of water ~ Fire Blast / Zap Cannon / Get out of water

Before either Yoshiya or Yukianesa can act further, they are distracted by another rustling in the reeds. Instead of the yanma again, it is a pair of small, bubbly happiny that emerge from behind the curtain of plants, squeaking happily to themselves. While they struggle a little to move under the increased gravity, it doesn’t hold them back or diminish their cheery smiles; eventually they manage to trot their way over to each combatant, reaching into their pouches and producing tiny, spherical eggs.

Yoshiya, teeth still chattering from the blizzard, practically yanks his out of the happiny’s paws; he quickly cracks the fragile shell and holds the egg to his mouth, sucking out its tasty innards. Almost immediately, a refreshing warmth spreads through his body, the nutrients in the egg soothing his injuries and refueling his energy stores. The happiny squeaks in delight, only too pleased to be spreading joy and happiness… then suddenly her eyes go wide and she yelps in alarm, falling back and rolling herself quickly back behind the reeds - just in time to avoid the blast of wind and ice that strikes Yoshiya head-on.

Yukianesa drops the shell fragments from her own egg in front of the startled happiny who gave it to her, ignoring her as she breathes a second blizzard attack. Looking very distraught that her egg did not make the froslass all friendly and peaceful (was there something wrong with it?), the happiny hurriedly follows her fellow out of sight. Yukianesa pays her no mind - the egg was good and everything, but this is still a battle - and watches Yoshiya to see what his response will be.

After the cleffa shakes off the snow that almost buries his tiny body, he looks to the ceiling and… huh. Just… stands there, staring upwards with an imploring look on his face. Yukianesa remains on guard, but when after a few more seconds Yoshiya lowers his eyes, looking rather apprehensive for whatever reason, she shrugs and blows a third blizzard his way.

Yoshiya grits his teeth as the winter winds tear savagely at him, just barely managing to keep his footing and avoid being blown into the water (aided by the heightened gravity in that regard). All the warmth from the egg is already gone - he feels almost numb from the cold. Shivering, he glances briefly upwards again (Anytime now, Jirachi, he thinks - quickly adding Um, y’know… please? Whenever’s good for you), then takes aim at Yukianesa, finding the task much easier thanks to her hampered movement. Electricity sparks between his paws, coalescing together into a small ball of lightning that crackles and sizzles with unstable energy.

Yukianesa attempts to float out of the way as Yoshiya releases the ball, but, hampered by gravity, she is too slow; the lightning ball shoots forward like it was shot from a cannon, striking her dead-on and blowing her backwards with its force. Volts upon volts of electricity burn into her, eliciting an unearthly wail, but it only lasts for a few seconds before burning itself out. But the lightning attack has still left its mark on the froslass, and for a moment she finds herself completely unable to move, a powerful paralysis gripping her insubstantial body.

As Yukianesa struggles to make her body respond again, Yoshiya takes advantage of his opponent’s distraction. Once again, he takes a deep breath and holds it, fueling an internal fire - though this time he lets it continue to build up and build up inside him, until he feels as though it will burn out through his skin. At that point, he exhales, and all the fire is released in one huge (for a cleffa), concentrated burst, shaped in the form of a kanji, aimed perfectly at Yukianesa.

The froslass has finally begun to make some progress at moving when the fire blast hits her. Her keening cry of pain echoes over the arena; she flails her arms helplessly, trying to put out the fire. When it finally burns out on its own, leaving her formerly pristine ice-white “skin” badly burned and charred, her eyes narrow angrily at Yoshiya, and she spews out yet another blizzard at him. Yoshiya stoically takes it - but he’s still numb the combined damage of the previous two, to the point where he doesn’t even feel this one. Still, as he sits shivering and practically buried in snow, he wonders irritably what on earth is taking Jirachi so long…


Terrain notes:
Gravity will be active for one more action.
The Pike attendant cocks her head to the side. “I seem to have heard something… It may have been whispering…”

Battle notes:
Wish will activate next action.

Next round:
Negrek attacks first.

Ugh, okay, seriously, effort will be made to organize my time better so as to stop this from dragging.

((Thanks, Negrek, I appreciate it.))

That's the way, Yoshiya! Hold on a little longer and you should have your health delivery in no time flat. Keep the heat on with another fire blast while gravity's still strong, then follow it with a flamethrower (and sweep it around if there are any clones to get rid of) and finally take a nice break.

Chill if Yukianesa tries protecting herself against that fire blast, and if she tries taunting you, close your eyes, cover your ears, and drown out her hateful words with the loudest song you can muster. If she is asleep, then follow with a dream eater snack on a bit of her energy. Tiring battle, am I right?

Fire Blast / Chill / Sing (eyes closed, ears covered) ~ Flamethrower / Sing (eyes closed, ears covered) / Dream Eater (energy) ~ Chill / Sing (eyes closed, ears covered) / Dream Eater (energy)

Alright. Yukianesa, looks like we'll have to suck up that Fire Blast. Take it as best as you can, and then Sing while the gravity's still strong. Cross your fingers, my frigid ghost!

If all goes well and Yoshiya is asleep, then Dream Eater, and target his energy. If he isn't, though, even the playing field with Pain Split.

Finally, regardless of whatever happened in the last few actions, Snatch that Chill.

If at any time you're fully paralyzed, Chill to try to alleviate that pesky status condition a bit.

Sing/Chill ~ Dream Eater (energy)/Pain Split/Chill ~ Snatch/Chill

The two combatants tense for a moment - Yukianesa not entirely voluntarily - as they wait for whatever the attendant heard to make itself known. So far, the Pike has been pretty good to them, but they both know their luck could flip at any time… After a moment of silence and stillness, however, Yoshiya decides that the attendant must have just been messing with them. (Her shrug and lackadaisical “Eh, guess not,” may also have contributed to this conclusion.) He breathes deeply, prepping another fire blast…

Yukianesa tries to open her mouth and sing Yoshiya off to dreamland, but her body chooses that moment to seize up rather violently, and she knows she won’t be able to act just yet. Grimacing, she tries to relax as best she can while staring down another flaming kanji shooting from the cleffa’s mouth; she can practically feel the ice in her body melting from the heat of the blast, but manages to ride it through. It certainly didn’t hurt any less this time, but she keeps herself relaxed, willing the paralysis to wear off so she can use the pain to her advantage…

Yoshiya smiles cheerfully as she observes the charbroiled ghost, before taking in another breath and - WOAH! At that instant, all the pain from the cleffa’s injuries suddenly and miraculously vanishes as his plea for aid is finally granted from somewhere on high, leaving him looking and feeling as healthy and unmarred as if he’d just jumped out of a Pokemon Center; at the same time, the gravity in the field abruptly jolts back to normal, giving him a brief, heady sensation of floating free from the Earth’s grasp. The combination is a little much for the cleffa, who starts giggling uncontrollably for a moment before he can get a hold of himself, and he’s still grinning even as he breathes out another long stream of fire at Yukianesa.

The froslass stoically lets the fire wash over her, biding her time; she doesn’t know if relaxing helped, but she’s gotten over the shock of sudden paralysis, and feels perfectly ready to twist Yoshiya’s temporary success… Ignoring the still-smoking burns left by the flamethrower, she meets Yoshiya’s gaze, staring deeply into his way-too-happy eyes… the cleffa suddenly and inexplicably finds himself unable to look away… then, for a second, each pokemon experiences the odd sensation of possessing the other’s body, experiencing the other’s pain or lack thereof…

Yoshiya suddenly cries out and jerks backwards as though struck; Yukianesa makes no noise or movement, but her eyes spark with satisfaction. Quite a bit of the fire damage she’d sustained has now healed; indeed, she feels quite rejuvenated, her injuries soothed as if by some miraculous wish… Yoshiya, on the other hand, whimpers unhappily on the ground, Yukianesa’s injuries having been transferred to his tiny body in a single, overwhelming burst. It was like being horribly burned by his own fire!

Sniffling a little, the cleffa settles into a more comfortable position on the ground; he keeps an eye on Yukianesa but makes no more moves against her, instead conserving energy for later. The froslass also takes no action - mainly due to her body annoyingly freezing up on her again. Not too perturbed by this - she feels like she’s accomplished quite a bit so far - Yukianesa just continues to float leisurely, confident that she’s gaining the upper hand now…


Terrain notes:
The reeds around the water begin their ominous rustling once more. The Pike attendant declares, “There is a sense of restlessness about this place…” (though this time she sounds a bit less mystical and portentous, almost like she’s just reciting a line…)

Battle notes:
Because of her paralysis, Yukianesa received a little less energy from chilling than she normally would.

Next round:
blazheirio889 attacks first.

Magic guard prevents pain split from working.

Apparently the pokedex I was using was not such a reliable source as I thought. So much for checking contingencies ahead of time, I suppose. Do your worst, blazheirio.

Doesn't Pain Split count as a direct healer? I'm quite sure it should be listed in Yukianesa's status.

Well, we're just about even now, I'd say. Make yourself invisible first of all, and since I don't think that costs an entire action, you may as well call a Thunder down on Yoshiya. Then, Psychic, and see if you can't throw Yoshiya away from you or into the water or something. End with another Thunder.

Snatch any Chills, as usual, and if Yoshiya tries to root you out with something like Sing or Swagger, plug your ears and drown his sounds with a loud, vindictive Taunt. Also Taunt if Yoshiya cannot be damaged in any way save for a Substitute (that is, Protect, Detect, Dig if you're to use Thunder, etc.).

If you've hit your Chill limit, revert to your offensive options.

Thunder/Snatch/Taunt ~ Psychic/Snatch/Taunt ~ Thunder/Snatch/Taunt

Doesn't Pain Split count as a direct healer? I'm quite sure it should be listed in Yukianesa's status.

Click to expand...

No... it can't heal unless it also deals damage.

Okay, Yoshiya, things are going just fine. I'm afraid we'll have to take that first thunder, but it's nothing to worry about. Just think back and do your very best to remember that pain split Yukianesa used last round. Don't use it yet, just get it firmly in mind for later. While you're thinking, fill your ears with dirt to block out anything your opponent might say.

Next, dig down and out of sight. Finally chill in your hidey-hole where Yukianesa can't see what you're up to... and if you think you'll have trouble hearing my commands next round, then once you're done, unplug your ears.

Mimic (pain split) and fill ears with dirt ~ Dig (down) ~ Chill (/ and remove dirt from ears)

Just as before, the thrum of vibrating wings fills the air as a brilliant swarm of yanma flits out from the foliage and dart to-and-fro above the field, chattering amiably among themselves. Yoshiya and Yukianesa don’t even blink; both just hold out their hands expectantly, and sure enough, two of the yanma break off from their conversations to drop berries down to them.

Yoshiya chews his berry slowly, ruminating on Yukianesa’s most recent attack on him. Ignoring the yanma as they disperse and retreat behind the reeds, he concentrates as hard as he can, trying to remember exactly how it felt to take on the froslass’s pain - and maybe, possibly, figure out how he could duplicate the effect himself…

When he’s certain that he’s got the technique (or what he hopes is the technique) held clearly in his mind, Yoshiya looks around for his opponent… and looks… and looks… and looks… Yukianesa smiles to herself as the cleffa twirls around, utterly baffled, trying in vain to find where she’s hiding - his eyes passing right through the space only a few feet in front of him where she floats, invisible to all. Pleased with how she’s managed to improve her situation - even if her paralysis is still freezing her up at unpredictable times - the froslass raises her arms theatrically (though of course no one can see), mentally manipulating the ambient electrical charge in the air around Yoshiya…

With a crash of thunder, a powerful bolt of lightning strikes from on high, painfully electrocuting Yoshiya and leaving a circle of blackened vegetation around him. The cleffa whimpers miserably on the ground, his stubby limbs twitching out of his control as the massive jolt of electricity passes through his body. Now sporting painful-looking electrical burns all over his pink skin, Yoshiya wearily pushes himself onto his front, grateful that the lightning seems to have had no lingering effects on his muscles. He sits staring at the ground for a moment, breathing heavily - and then his little arms become a blur of motion as they begin grabbing clods of soil and electrocuted vegetation, tossing them haphazardly behind him and slowly but surely forming a tiny, cleffa-sized hole. Yoshiya disappears from sight as he digs the soggy ground out from under himself; for a moment, all anyone can see is a steady spray of dirt coming from the hole. After a bit more digging, the cleffa feels he’s down far enough, and settles himself as best he can in his little hole, feeling a little claustrophobic with the earth pressing in all around him… but, he reassures himself, at least he’s safe from any more lightning strikes.

Back above ground, Yukianesa’s paralysis is on the fritz again, holding her in place and keeping her from floating over to investigate Yoshiya’s hiding place. Grumbling, but unable to get at the cleffa in any event, she relaxes and waits impatiently for her body to obey her again; after a few seconds the paralysis weakens enough for her to float forward, hovering above the hole. She can’t see a thing when she peers into it, but she still makes an attempt to snatch the benefit of whatever Yoshiya’s doing down there; from the trainers’ and audience’s point of view, a tendril of black energy suddenly extends out from a point in midair, snaking around aimlessly for a second before extending and shooting down the cleffa’s hole.

Fortunately for Yoshiya, he is down deep enough that Yukianesa’s Dark attack can’t extend far enough to reach him. Secure at the end of his tunnel, unaware of anything going on above, he gratefully takes the opportunity to recuperate, hoping he’ll be able to keep himself going long enough for a victory…


Terrain notes:
“A cold breeze is racing around the arena…” the Pike attendant mutters. No one else seems to have felt anything out of the ordinary, but everyone - particularly the two trainers - eyes the tall grasses warily, waiting uncomfortably for whatever has been portended to show itself…

Next round:
Negrek attacks first.

So much for organizing my time better... Sorry, guys, I've just been in a slump ASB-wise for the past few weeks. There was some proofreading involved in this round, but I wanted to get it done as fast as possible, so I probably missed some things; just let me know if you spot anything.