[11] ole_schooler vs Crazy Linoone

1 vs 1
DQ Time: 3 Days
Damage Cap: 35%
Banned Moves: OHKO's, attacks that require terrain resources (e.g. water, rocks, or plants), weather attacks
Terrain: Nimbasa City Music Hall

As the TCoD League championship moves on from Castelia City, the next stop is Unova's recreation hotspot, Nimbasa City. There are all kinds of attractions to choose from: the ferris wheel, the sports domes, and even the battle subway, perhaps a natural choice for a pokémon tournament. But let's be serious--these all pale into comparison to the real reason you'd want to visit Nimbasa City. After all, you haven't really lived until you've stuck a moustache on your Arceus and then chuckled to yourself as you watched the creator of the pokémon world prancing and rolling across the stage next to a patrat wearing cowboy boots.

Yes, the league is taking to the stage and setting its next round of battle to music. The battle takes place on one of the four Music Hall stages (Stardom, Forest Stroll, A Sweet Soiree, or Exciting Nimbasa), selected at random. The different backdrops have no effect on the battle. In addition, trainers may dress their pokémon up in any way that they wish, although costumes will also have no effect on the battle (even if they include things like weapons or props that would ordinarily be useful in a fight). However, they can also choose the music that will play during each round, and different tunes will have different effects on the pokémon battling.

Battles for this round will begin with the posting of each player's active squad as usual. After that, however, each player PM's their choice of pokémon, a description of that pokémon's costume, and their selection of songs and their effects to the referee. Each player chooses five songs and comes up with effects for them (appropriate effects are described below); these will be played in order, one during each round of battle, and the player who is ordering first in that round is always the one who will have his or her song playing during that round. Once the pokémon and songs have been received from both players, the referee will randomize which player gives commands first, then posts what pokémon each player will be using and the song (and the effects it will have on the battle) that will play for the first round--the first song on the list for the player who orders first in the first round. From that point forward, commands proceed as normal, with the referee posting the next song and its effects at the end of each round. If neither pokémon has been knocked out at the end of ten rounds, the winner will be determined by totaling each pokémon's health and energy, the same way it was during the previous round.

Any sort of music can be specified as the song for a given round, but please don't pick something offensive. Don't make me regret not restricting you to songs without lyrics, that is. A song can have a variety of effects on the battlefield, whether raising the power of some kinds of attacks for that round to healing status ailments. However, they must affect both pokémon equally--you can't have only your pokémon get an attack boost, for example. However, it's fine if you specify an effect that, due to the nature of your pokémon, will not affect the opponent the same as your pokémon; for example, if you specify that both pokémon will become severely poisoned but send out a steel-type, then your pokémon will not be poisoned even though your opponent's might. Effects that would ordinarily last multiple rounds (like trick room, weather attacks, or status conditions), if caused by a song, will last only for that round, and you can ask for weather effects even though pokémon won't be able to create them with their attacks. Effects always come into play at the beginning of the round, before either pokémon has the opportunity to act; thus, if a song will cause both pokémon to be burned, they will start out the round burned, and the burn can't be prevented by any of their attacks (i.e. you can't block a first-action burn with a safeguard).

Songs are restricted to causing damage/energy swings of no more than 3% (e.g. "All fire attacks cause 3% more damage after all effects" or "All fire attacks cost 3% less energy after all effects) and causing stat boosts/reductions of no more than two levels. They may also have only one effect: they cause hail to come into play or they increase fire-type attack damage by 3% or they cause both pokémon to fall asleep or they cause both pokémon to become paralyzed, etc., not any combination thereof. They also may not prevent the pokémon from acting in a round, e.g. "neither pokémon can use damaging attacks this round" or "neither pokémon can act this round", ban one or more attacks for the round, or alter the pokémon's movepools.

If you don't want to go to the trouble to figure out a set of songs for yourself and/or don't want your pokémon to fight in costume, then just let your referee know when you choose which pokémon to send out. They will come up with a list of randomly-selected pokémon-related songs with associated effects and then PM them back to you, so that you retain the advantage of knowing what will happen on each one of "your" song rounds. (Or, if the referee doesn't want to do that either, they can PM me and I'll provide the music for that player instead.)

Crazy Linoone

Crazy Linoone's Active Squad

Crunch the Male Croconaw
Ability: Torrent

Riley the Male Lucario
Ability: Inner Focus
Item: Expert Belt

Kwak'wala the Female Xatu
Ability: Synchronize

Death Canon the Unknown Porygon2
Ability: Download
Item: Dubious Disc

Death Canyon the Unknown Porygon-Z
Ability: Download
Item: Electirizer

Blazhy the Female Aerodactyl
Ability: Pressure

Not a Creeper the Male Lileep
Ability: Suction Cups
Item: Big Root

Spazz the Unknown Rotom
Ability: Levitate

Ragnarok the Male Rasqueon
Ability: Anger Point

Mienfoo the Female Mienfoo
Ability: Inner Focus

ole_schooler's Active Squad

Donna the Female Arcanine
Ability: Intimidate
Item: Heat Rock

Angel the Male Houndoom
Ability: Flash Fire
Item: Fire Stone

Sabriel the Female Poochyena
Ability: Run Away
Item: Dusk Stone

Tomas the Male Electrike
Ability: Static
Item: Brightpowder

Daniel the Male Granbull
Ability: Intimidate
Item: Metal Coat

Dawg the Male Riolu
Ability: Inner Focus
Item: Soothe Bell

Jekyll the Male Absol
Ability: Pressure
Item: Dusk Stone

Ace the Female Herdier
Ability: Scrappy
Item: Moon Stone


Both players should PM their pokémon, dress-up, and music choices to the referee. Once this has been done, the turn order and song for the first round will be posted and commands can be made as normal.

Re: [11] Star69 vs Crazy Linoone

DQ warning for Star69. Twenty-four hours.

Re: [11] Star69 vs Crazy Linoone

Star69 is disqualified. We'll pass his spot on to ole_schooler. Her active squad has been added to the first post. Crazy Linoone, if you want to change what pokémon you're using or any of your songs, just let me know.

All right, let's get this started. Crazy Linoone will be using Riley the Lucario in a frilly maid costume. ole_schooler will be using Angel the houndoom, who will be wearing a black baseball cap, red tie, and fake glasses.

ole_schooler commands first, meaning that the first song will be The Rolling Stones, "Sympathy for the Devil. Both pokémon become burned.

Hee, dog vs. dog. And with typing where both are weak to the other, and both resist the other. This should be interesting...

Angel, love, why don't you start out with a Nasty Plot to figure out how best to utalize your evil plans, hmm? Follow it up with a pair of Heat Waves if you can manage that on your own, Flamethrowers if you can't. If your foe tries to take the cheap out and Protect, Dectect, or Me First on the second or third actions, swap to more Nasty Plotting.

Nasty Plot~Heat Wave/Flamethrower/Nasty Plot~Heat Wave/Flamethrower/Nasty Plot

Heh. We're on pretty even grounds here. Looks like this battle's gonna be fun~

Since that houndoom's faster than you are, we can't really do anything about that Nasty Plot. We can, however, do something about those nasty fire attacks heading your way. Dig (down) if that's allowed on this type of flooring; if it's not, punching a hole through the floor via Bullet Punch and jumping down works, too. Stages always have a hollow part underneath for the orchestra to play in (it's commonly called the pit and it's super uncomfortable because there's no air conditioning), so this should work out.

After that, since the fire attacks can't reach you from there, go ahead and do a bit of Nasty Plotting yourself. Finish off with a super-effective Aura Sphere. The attack will always hit its target, so don't worry about getting back up to the stage.

Dig (down)/Bullet Punch @ floor and jump down into hole ~ Nasty Plot ~ Aura Sphere

There is some confusion at the Nimbasa Pokémon Music Hall. They were all prepared for a battle, and then one of the combatants failed to show. While one hapless league official is shoved out in front of the curtain to explain things to a restless crowd, behind the scenes gears are turning madly. Runners are dispatched, phone calls are made, and at last a decision is reached: ole_schooler is back in the tournament. The trainer is rushed into the stadium and hurriedly briefed on the specifics of this round. They don't have long before the audience starts throwing things, so ole_schooler doesn't have much time to prepare a costume and choreography for her pokémon, but they does the best they can, and when the curtain finally rises on the battle, the audience can't tell the difference.

The two pokémon look especially out of place against the painted-on forest backdrop they're set against: Riley in a black maid uniform with white ruffles and puffy sleeves, and Angel more simply attired in a black baseball cap, red tie, and glasses. Riley is owning his costume as best he can, his posture making the suggestion that no one had better laugh at him. Angel is doing his best not to with marginal success; the occasional snicker escapes him, much to Riley's irritation. Both pokémon grow much more serious as the music starts to play a mellow beat and their orders are given; it's time to get down to business.


Crazy Linoone (O)

Riley (M) <Inner Focus> @ Expert Belt
Health: 100%
Energy: 100%
Commands: Dig (down)/Bullet Punch @ floor and jump down into hole ~ Nasty Plot ~ Aura Sphere
- You wanna make something of it? Burned (3% this round)

ole_schooler (O)

Angel (M) <Flash Fire> @ Fire Stone
Health: 100%
Energy: 100%
Commands: Nasty Plot~Heat Wave/Flamethrower/Nasty Plot~Heat Wave/Flamethrower/Nasty Plot
- Feeling confident.

Amusing though Riley's discomfort might be, it will be even more amusing to humiliate him further in battle. Angel turns his thoughts towards how to do just that, and a slow, nasty grin spreads across his face as he envisions all the ways he can cause his opponent grievous harm--most of them involving lots and lots of fire. And speaking of fire, Riley feels as though he's already had more contact with it than he can stand. Angel isn't bothered by the music at all, but it seems to have worked its way into Riley's bones, searing and stinging as though his whole body's on fire.

At least Angel doesn't seem to want to spit flames at his opponent right now. His eyes are distant and unfocused, and Riley takes advantage of his inattention to put a little distance between himself and his opponent. The lucario bends down and tears up a few floorboards, the wood of the stage no match for his metal-reinforced limbs, and then drops into the darkness below. He lands lightly in the orchestra pit, then steps out of the light streaming down from the hole overhead.

When Angel rouses himself from his scheming, sure he has an excellent plan in mind to bring this battle to a swift end, his glee is stymied when he finds that his opponent's disappeared. The big hole in the stage leaves no question as to where he might have gone, though, and Angel walks over to stand at its edge, peering into the darkness below. The houndoom has excellent night vision, but unfortunately the harsh stage lighting plays havoc with it, and he can't see anything in the blackness below. Fortunately, he doesn't really need to aim to use heat wave. Angel sticks his head down into the pit and breathes out a searing gust of hot air. Much of it passes Riley right by, and what does reach him is somewhat attenuated by the distance it's had to travel, but the attack still heats up his metal-infused skeleton to a painful degree.

Retreating even farther into the shadows, the lucario settles down to do some plotting of his own. He'll get his revenge on Angel for laughing at his costume, oh, yes; the houndoom will wish he'd never been born. Riley ponders over pleasant images of his opponent's humiliating defeat, while up above Angel is wondering whether his attack actually did anything. In the end there's not much he can do but hope that it was successful and try again. As before, the heat wave is able to reach Riley even below the stage, though it is much less scalding than it might otherwise be.

The spike in temperature puts a rude end to Riley's plotting, and the irritated lucario decides that it's finally time to get with the offense. He channels aura into the space between his paws, and blue light floods the orchestra pit as the glowing ball of energy takes shape. Angel just has the time to wonder what's going on before Riley releases the attack. The aura sphere shoots forward, then makes an improbable right-angle turn to shoot straight up and smash into Angel's face. The houndoom scrambles back from the edge of the hole, shaking his head and trying to regain his wits.

Crazy Linoone (O)

Riley (M) <Inner Focus> @ Expert Belt
Health: 65% (capped)
Energy: 91%
- Lurking in the dark. +2 Special Attack

ole_schooler (O)

Angel (M) <Flash Fire> @ Fire Stone
Health: 74%
Energy: 90%
- Hunting for his glasses. +2 Special Attack

Terrain Notes
There is a large hole on Crazy Linoone's side of the stage, which opens into the orchestra pit.

Final Notes
- The damage from heat wave was considerably reduced as a result of distance and the fact that the attack didn't hit Riley directly.
- Crazy Linoone attacks first next round. Playing this round will be the Tres Bien Background Music, from Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations. It will cause two layers' worth of Toxic Spikes suddenly appear all over the floor because, ew, have you tried eating the food there?

Well, this is obviously not working :\

Anyhow, although the damage cap saved us this turn, it's going to come back and bite us in the arse later. But let's milk it for what it's worth while we can.

First, screw the digging. It's not helping. Get out and spam Force Palms until the Houndoom is paralyzed, then spam Water Pulses until it's confused. If you have an action left after this, use Agility to dodge whatever attack that's heading your way.

If you're Tormented, alternate between Force Palm and Water Pulse. Swap Agility for Water Pulse if you're Taunted. If there are clones, Water Pulse and sweep it around.

Force Palm/Water Pulse ~ Water Pulse/Force Palm ~ Agility/Water Pulse/Force Palm

Oh great RNGods, please look favorably upon me in this battle! *RNGodshrine*

Spikes…why did it have to be spikes? Turnabout is fair play, I suppose (I made a funny!), and while the spikes may not last the round, I bet the poison they cause will.

In light of that, Angel me lad, try not to move from your spot and set up a 20% Substitute, because everybody hates status conditions. Next, pivot as needed to aim, but shoot out a Flamethrower at the poor emasculated pup while not getting yourself stuck on the spikes. Finally, if your substitute is gone, Protect against that last attack; otherwise, Flamethrower in the same manner as before.

Substitute (20%)~Flamthrower~Protect/Flamethrower

Crazy Linoone (O)

Riley (M) <Inner Focus> @ Expert Belt
Health: 65% (capped)
Energy: 91%
Commands:
- Lurking in the dark. +2 Special Attack

ole_schooler (O)

Angel (M) <Flash Fire> @ Fire Stone
Health: 74%
Energy: 90%
Commands:
- Hunting for his glasses. +2 Special Attack

Angel is surprised when, as the music transitions to a perky, upbeat tune, caltrops appear all over the stage. The wicked metal spikes wink in the harsh stage lights, some clear substance glistening on their points. Angel carefully uses his tail to sweep away a few that have gathered near his feet, giving himself a little more room to work with. If he's forced to move much, though, he's going to be hard-pressed to avoid the spikes.

To help give himself some leeway, the houndoom donates part of his lifeforce to his own shadow, which had been hiding from the lights in a small pool between his feet. It now gathers strength and takes on a life of its own, moving out into the open as it bubbles up from the floor, shade heaping on shade as it grows into the shape of a new, somewhat smaller houndoom with burning silver eyes. The dark, flickering apparition takes up a watchful place by its master's side, ready to defend him against all attack.

Although a few toxic spikes shower down through the hole in the stage, Riley pays them little mind. He is mostly preoccupied by the fact that the burning that had consumed him from the inside out has vanished as swiftly as it came, leaving him relieved but somewhat suspicious. He rubs at his limbs, trying to confirm that he is indeed free of the bizarre scourge. Once satisfied, he sets out to leave his hiding place below the stage. He approaches the puddle of light spilling down from overhead cautiously, peering up in hopes of spotting Angel.

The houndoom does not appear overhead. Riley steps full into the light and bends his knees, then makes a spectacular standing jump for the surface. He manages to catch the rim of the hole with his paws, then begins to pull himself up. As soon as his head appears above the level of the stage, though, he finds an unwelcome sight awaiting him. Angel is standing not three feet away, staring straight at him. A moment later, the houndoom opens his mouth and unleashes a flamethrower right into the lucario's face.

It's all Riley can do to keep his hold on the stage as the intense flames wash over his face. The pain is excruciating, but he forces himself to move as soon as he is able, his vision blurred and his whole face stiff and momentarily numb after the intense attack. The lucario hauls himself full onto the stage, takes a moment to catch his breath, then lunges for Angel, one palm extended.

Angel cringes away, trying to stay in the spike-free part of the stage, while his substitute leaps to his aid. The force palm smashes full into its side, ripping an incredible chunk of its essence away. It manages to hang on, however barely; the shadowy creature slinks brokenly away.

Angel and Riley now stand in extremely close quarters. Angel unleashes another flamethrower, and Riley tries to sidestep, heedless of the toxic spikes crunching beneath his paws. He can't escape the flames, however, and is subject to another roasting. The lucario looks a truly awful sight, his maid's uniform badly charred and barely hanging together, the fur beneath blackened and singed. He's not feeling too well, either, but he's not ready to give up yet. He charges in with another force palm, meeting the remains of the substitute with a powerful thrust of his arm. The shadowy creature explodes into tiny fragments, its energy spent. There's nothing left to guard Angel as a furious Riley stands over the houndoom, badly seared and itching for revenge.

Crazy Linoone (O)

Riley (M) <Inner Focus> @ Expert Belt
Health: 30% (capped)
Energy: 84%
Used: Dig (up) ~ Force Palm x2
- Ready to go down fighting. +2 Special Attack

ole_schooler (O)

Angel (M) <Flash Fire> @ Fire Stone
Health: 54%
Energy: 74%
Used: Substitute (20%) ~ Flamethrower x2
- Wary of his opponent. +2 Special Attack

Terrain Notes
There is a large hole on Crazy Linoone's side of the stage, which opens into the orchestra pit.

Final Notes
- It took Riley an action to climb back to the stage.
- The first flamethrower was a critical hit.
- ole_schooler attacks first next round. The song will be "Roketto-Dan Yo Eien Ni (Team Rocket Forever)", and all dark-type attacks will cost 3% less energy after all other calculations.

Super-cool, Angel buddy. Admittedly, you got real lucky with the flamethrower, but this is shaping up well. Too bad the next song's power isn't quite as useful as I hoped it would be.

First action, Taunt the frilly canine, regardless of what he tries to do to stop you. This is to stop him protecting or detecting your next action (or at least only having a 50/50 shot at success), which is to get as close to him as you can and Overheat. If he jumps down the hole, follow him down there; if he starts floating, follow underneath him; if he runs around in circles, just do your best. It's a pretty widespread attack, so you should hurt him at least a bit. For your last action, if you failed to use Overheat before (you flinched, were fully paralyzed, where too busy jumping down the hole, whatever), Overheat again, with the same caveats as before (follow that dog!). Otherwise, be subtle (for once) and get him with a Faint Attack.

Taunt~Overheat~Overheat/Faint Attack

Well, this is not going very well at all. Let's see if we can even last through this round, even though it's not probable.

First, Extremespeed + Double Team. Make as many clones as you possibly can (which should be a lot more than normal because of Extremespeed), and then spread them all out while you go hide in whatever nice hiding place you can find. I'm trying to use that tiny loophole in our opponents commands, because ole_schooler never told his pokemon to sweep his attack if there are clones. Do make sure that you hide yourself in a place the houndoom can't see you, and that there are clones spread all over the stage so he gets confused as to which one to aim at. If he aims towards you, run the heck outta there. You don't have to damage him with Extremespeed if it's going to get in the way of your running away.

After that, the houndoom should be setting fire to the stage. If the Overheat hits you and you somehow survive, screw the taunt and Detect. If the Overheat hits one of your clones and then the houndoom uses Faint Attack (you can tell because he won't be setting fire to the stage again), wait for him to reappear after hitting you and give him a Focus Blast to the face. There shouldn't be that much problems with aiming because the houndoom should be right next to you, but sweep your attack a little if you must. Otherwise, if the houndoom Overheats again and you don't have any clones left, Detect. If the houndoom Overheats again and you have clones, give him a nice Drain Punch after he stops Overheating.

Extremespeed + Double Team ~ Detect/Focus Blast/Drain Punch

Crazy Linoone (O)

Riley (M) <Inner Focus> @ Expert Belt
Health: 30% (capped)
Energy: 84%
Commands: Taunt ~ Overheat ~ Overheat/Faint Attack
- Ready to go down fighting. +2 Special Attack

ole_schooler (O)

Angel (M) <Flash Fire> @ Fire Stone
Health: 54%
Energy: 74%
Commands: Extremespeed + Double Team ~ Detect/Focus Blast/Drain Punch
- Wary of his opponent. +2 Special Attack

As Tres Bien's perky background music fades away, so too do the toxic spikes that had been littering the stage. Angel breathes a faint sigh of relief and scoots a little farther away from Riley; as Team Rocket's theme song starts to boom from the speaker, the houndoom finds himself brimming with all sorts of new, sinister ideas, but he'd really rather not find out what sort of thoughts the song is planting in the head of his infuriated opponent.

Angel draws in a breath to, perhaps against his better judgement, provoke his opponet, but it is released as a squeak when Riley abruptly vanishes from his place in front of the houndoom. The lucario's moving so fast, Angel literally can't see him, although the sound of racing footsteps surrounds him on all sides and, now and again, a light brush of air suggests to him that something traveling terribly fast has just gone rushing past. It is not until the lucario starts to slow down that Angel can catch sight of a blurry shape--no, many blurry shapes, at least ten of them, stampeding past him and disappearing, one at a time, into the hole Riley ripped out of the stage.

The houndoom ventures to the edge of the hole and peers into the darkness below. As before, he can't really make out anything, but he's sure Riley and his clones are down there somewhere. The houndoom's lips draw back in a disgusted sneer, and he roars a challenge down into the depths. So, this is how it's going to be? Is Riley such a coward that he's going to hide in the shadows and wait for Angel to come and drag him back into battle so he can get his well-deserved defeat? Maybe it's the music, or maybe it's just the excitement of having Riley on the run, but Angel's really getting into this. He grips the edge of the hole with his claws as he leans out farther, calling out for Riley to show himself, to come out and fight like a mon. The lucario is the sorriest excuse he's ever seen for a battler, the weakest, the most cowardly, the--whoops.

Angel leans too far forward and loses his grip on the stage. The houndoom scrabbles at the floorboards for a few seconds but ultimately fails to stop himself from slipping; he lands in the orchestra pit with a resounding crash, and snickering from the shadows indicates that this, perhaps, has undermined the effects of his taunts a little bit.

The houndoom gets to his feet and gives himself a shake, then takes stock of his situation. His eyes adjust rapidly, showing him the clutter of the orchestra pit, chairs and music stands standing in silent ranks in the cramped little space, plus a generous litter of forgotten reeds, cleaning cloths, sheet music, and other musical detritus. Riley and his clones are crouching amidst the debris, hiding as best they can.

Angel glances around, knowing that he doesn't have long to act before Riley will be launching a maneuver of his own. He picks a cluster of lucario at random. He bounds over to them, the air around him growing blisteringly hot as he lets his internal fire rage out of control, his body temperature spiking. The houndoom opens his mouth and releases a mighty cone of fire that melts a chair and a music stand and evaporates three false lucario as it engulfs them in flame.

Angel skids to a halt, surveying the molten wreckage with disapproval. There are still far too many lucario scattered around here for his taste. The houndoom pants out clouds of smoke as he thinks. Screw taking potshots at his opponent and hoping he hits the right target; he knows just the way to get at Riley. The houndoom walks forward into shadow, crossing over into the dark realm lying just alongside normal reality. Here Riley's clones are no more than shades, but the real lucario glows with life, his hiding place under a chair doing nothing to conceal him. Angel positions himself behind Riley, then rushes forward into the material plane again, pouncing on his unsuspecting opponent. As soon as Angel's black-edged paws make contact with his target, all of Riley's clones disappear, and as Angel's rough shove knocks the lucario forward, he gets hopelessly tangled in the chair he was hiding under. His attempts to rise only result in more misery as he stumbles over the chair's legs and falls again, much to Angel's amusement.

The houndoom's mirth doesn't last long, though. Riley summons a mighty burst of fighting energy, growing a large, golden-glowing ball between his paws, and firing it point-blank into his opponent without bothering to pick himself up again. While Riley carefully extricates himself from the chair, Angel limps backwards, shaking his head and waiting for his vision to return, for the radiance of the attack was enough to blind him for a moment.

Crazy Linoone (O)

Riley (M) <Inner Focus> @ Expert Belt
Health: 19%
Energy: 66%
Used: Extremespeed + Double Team ~ Focus Blast
- Still on his feet, but somewhat shakily so. +2 Special Attack

ole_schooler (O)

Angel (M) <Flash Fire> @ Fire Stone
Health: 22%
Energy: 65%
Used: Taunt ~ Overheat ~ Faint Attack
- Getting worn down.

Terrain Notes
Both pokémon are now in the orchestra pit, where a chair and music stand have been melted to glowing slag.

Final Notes
- Angel's taunt failed.
- Angel's faint attack was a critical hit.
- Crazy Linoone attacks first next round. The music will be Caramelldansen. The cheerful music makes everyone feel more energetic, so all damage-dealing attacks takes 3% less energy to perform.

OH MIGHTY RNGODS I AM FOREVER IN YOUR DEBT

*RNGodshrine* *RNGodshrine* *RNGodshrine*

Yesss the Taunt missed, and so did the Overheat! We're actually not losing by that much anymore!

Anyhow, now that the houndoom has health under the damage cap, let's try to finish it before it can finish us. Hit it with an Extremespeed + Close Combat combo. Use the momentum of the Extremespeed to deal as much damage as possible!

If the houndoom Protects/Detects/Endures, Agility the first time it happens and do nothing for next few times. Just wait for the Protect/Detect/Endure to go away, then do your combo.

If the houndoom is going to use two Substitutes to try to drag this out, just Aura Sphere spam. Also Aura Sphere if there are houndoom clones on the field for some reason before you do your combo.

Extremespeed + Close Combat/Agility/Aura Sphere ~ Extremespeed + Close Combat/Agility/Aura Sphere ~ Extremespeed + Close Combat/Agility/Aura Sphere

Thrice curse evasion, +2 priority, and the stupid triangle of dark being weak to fighting. You know what I really wish you had right now? Fast Guard. It would totally throw off all of that mad Linoone's plans.

However, I begin to see a way out of this, and it depends, sadly, on a technicality (namely, you cannot do a combo move on your last action, as you are out of actions to combo). So. Set yourself to Endure twice. If we are lucky, the Lucario will use Agility once, then do nothing (or perhaps use Agility again). Then, on the last action, he will be unable to use his combo, and none of the other conditionals will trip, leaving him to twiddle his toes. I hope. If we are unlucky, he may do his combo anyway on the second action, leaving you with a 50/50 shot of survival. So. On the last action, if you are at 1% health, use Reversal. Otherwise, go for one last predictable Overheat.

Endure~Endure~Reversal/Overheat

Also, I'd like to say, Crazy Linoone, this has been a heck of a fun battle, and I salute you regardless of the outcome. Negrek, thanks for writing the as-always entertaining refs, and for letting me jump in this battle. (Also the song-battle idea was wonderful, it adds a really nice twist.)

Crazy Linoone (O)

Riley (M) <Inner Focus> @ Expert Belt
Health: 19%
Energy: 66%
Commands: Extremespeed + Close Combat/Agility/Aura Sphere ~ Extremespeed + Close Combat/Agility/Aura Sphere ~ Extremespeed + Close Combat/Agility/Aura Sphere
- Still on his feet, but somewhat shakily so. +2 Special Attack

ole_schooler (O)

Angel (M) <Flash Fire> @ Fire Stone
Health: 22%
Energy: 65%
Commands: Endure~Endure~Reversal/Overheat
- Getting worn down.

Team Rocket's anthem dies away at last, to be replaced by an energetic, infectious tune that manages to perk up the weary pokémon lurking in the darkness below the stage. The audience seems to enjoy it as well, which is fortunate, as they'd begun getting restive after it became clear that the pokémon were going to be spending some time belowdecks--and thus out of their view.

Angel grits his teeth and braces himself, an orange aura suffusing the air around him as he bends all his will towards enduring whatever attack Riley might have in store. Of course, as soon as he sees his opponent settling into an endure, Riley decides it would be pointless to send any attacks at the houndoom. It's a bit late in the match to be limbering up, but the lucario sets off running anyway, zigzagging between stands and hurdling chairs in an impressive display of agility.

Once Riley slows down, panting but feeling energized, Angel is starting to waver. Keeping his concentration sharpened to such a fine point is taxing, and Angel doesn't know how much longer he'll be able to keep it up. The houndoom grits his teeth and pours as much energy as he can into his endure, but fatigue is starting to get the better of him. The orange-red glow around the houndoom flickers, and Riley watches it intently. He only needs the tiniest of openings.

At last Angel can't hold his endure any longer and lets it slip, just for an instant, to gather his wits. An instant is all Riley needs, though, and in the blink of an eye the lucario has crossed the arena, slamming into Angel's side at an incredible speed. The houndoom barely has time to register the attack before Riley follows up with a flurry of brutal kicks and punches, taking maximum advantage of his close proximity to Angel in order to deal truly punishing blows. It's more than the weakened houndoom can stand; in no time flat, Riley has pummeled Angel into unconsciousness.

Crazy Linoone (O)

Riley (M) <Inner Focus> @ Expert Belt
Health: 19%
Energy: 52%
Used: Agility ~ Extremespeed + Close Combat
Victorious!

ole_schooler (X)

Angel (M) <Flash Fire> @ Fire Stone
Health: 0%
Energy: 59%
Used: Endure x2
Knocked Out!

There is some confusion in the audience when the referee declares the battle over--after all, none of them could see what was going on. This is followed by grumbling over the latter fact, but when Riley manages to clamber out of the hole and back onto the stage, there is a groundswell of cheering nonetheless. This is redoubled when Crazy Linoone walks onto the stage to join him for a bow and, shortly thereafter, ole_schooler arrives to recall their pokémon and take their turn in the spotlight. Undoubtedly there's an ASB official out there somewhere cursing the match and the cost of repairs that will be billed to the league, but for those who had the opportunity to watch the event unfold, it was simply an excellent battle.

That was a pretty wild match, with both pokémon hitting hard and plenty of swingy rounds. I hope you both had fun with it. In the end it came down to a coin flip, but Crazy Linoone is ultimately the winner. She moves on to round three with $20. ole_schooler gets $10, and I get $15. Riley gets two EXP, and Angel gets one.

That. Was. Awesome.

That was a great match, ole_schooler! Probably one of the best I've had. You had me on my toes until... well, this round, really >.< Those Heat Waves were really nasty there.

And thank you, Negrek, for your awesomely fast and super entertaining reffings as usual :D