[11] bulbasaur vs Squornshellous Beta

1 vs 1
DQ Time: 3 Days
Damage Cap: 35%
Banned Moves: OHKO's, chills, direct healers
Terrain: Castelia City Square

Castelia City is the gateway to Unova, its port welcoming trainers from around the world. Today those trainers include a fair number from Asber, turned out to compete or spectate on the first round of the League Championship. The city square at the center of Castelia has been reserved for the first round of battle, its broad cobbled expanse providing plenty of room to fight and the central fountain offering a refuge for pokémon that would rather swim than stand. Skyscrapers rise on all sides, framing the scene with the imposing prosperity of Castelia City.

More than just Asber's own trainers have turned out for the battles, though; plenty of curious Castelia residents and tourists mill about the rim of the arena, hoping to catch a few exciting battles. To ensure that they don't go unsatisfied, the regional authorities have generously--and forcefully--provided some of Unova's most powerful pokémon for the trainers to test-drive and show off for the crowd. Unfortunately, with the number of battles that need to be run through before the TCoD League's lease on the square expires, some of the fights might have to be truncated a bit.

For this battle, you will be using a pokémon on loan from the Unova League. Your choices are below. The first player will get first pick of pokémon, and the second will make their pick and then attack as usual. This match will be capped at five rounds. If both pokémon are still standing at the end of round five, the pokémon's health and energy will be added together and the one with the most will be declared the winner.

The pokémon:

Crustle (F) <Shell Armor>
Bouffalant (M) <Sap Sipper>
Leavanny (F) <Chlorophyll>
Sawk (M) <Inner Focus>

1. Squornshellous Beta chooses a pokémon
2. bulbasaur chooses a pokémon and attacks
3. Squornshellous Beta attacks

I'll pick Leavanny, who I'm dubbing Elizabeth - Lilly for short.

Hmm, I'll pick Crustle.

We've got to finish this in five rounds, correct? Let's Aerial Ace all the way, and use Toxic when Elizabeth Protects, unless she's Safeguarded, in which case Shell Smash. Use Toxic on the last action if you haven't done so during the round.

Aerial Ace/Toxic/Shell Smash~Aerial Ace/Toxic/Shell Smash~Aerial Ace/Toxic/Shell Smash

Well, I knew this was coming. Let's see.
Double Team ~ Leaf Blade ~ Leaf Blade
Leavanny are marvellously unsuited to fighting Crustle.

Scattered applause greets the trainers as they step up to the makeshift arena, turning their borrowed pokéballs over in their hands but not looking the slightest bit nervous. There is further excitement as the start of the match is announced and the trainers toss their pokéballs to the pavement, revealing their choices. These prove to be two bugs, Elizabeth the leavanny twitching her antennae and rasping together her blade-edged arms on one side of the field, and a crustle idly tapping its pincers on the other. It's an interesting matchup, and there is much speculation among the onlookers as to which will come out on top. They won't have to wait long to find out; the orders are already flying, the pokémon preparing to get down to business, and within a few seconds, the battle has begun.


Squornshellous Beta (O)

Elizabeth (F) <Chlorophyll>
Health: 100%
Energy: 100%
Commands: Double Team ~ Leaf Blade ~ Leaf Blade
- Hummng something to herself.

bulbasaur (O)

Crustle (F) <Shell Armor>
Health: 100%
Energy: 100%
Commands: Aerial Ace/Toxic/Shell Smash~Aerial Ace/Toxic/Shell Smash~Aerial Ace/Toxic/Shell Smash
- A little impatient.

Elizabeth is the first to move, outstripping Crustle's agility by far. She darts around and around the edge of the square, the air behind her blurring and distorting as one clone after another materializes in her wake. By the time she's done, seven new leavanny have joined her on the field, ranging in a broad ring around Crustle.

The crablike pokémon doesn't seem the slightest bit worried by how quickly she's become outnumbered. Crustle twitches her mandibles, drums her claws once on the cobbles, then makes a decision. She sets off at a surprsingly fast, apparently unsustainable pace--her claws scrambling across the ground, her top-heavy rock shell swaying crazily back and forth. Somehow she manages to reach the ring of leavanny without topping over and at a good speed. She extends a claw and makes a quick lap around the ranks of her opponent's clones, slicing into one after the other until, at last, the leavanny she strikes bleeds. The last of Elizabeth's clone's vanish, and in a fit of pique she lashes out with a green-glowing arm, slicing a deep cut in Crustle's rocky shell.

Now that there's only one target to focus on, Crustle's job is much easier. She need only lash out with a quick, precise strike, slicing another oozing green line across Elizabeth's chest. Again the leavanny retaliates with a leaf blade, but Crustle doesn't seem too bothered by the deep cracks appearing in her rocky shell. She backs up a little, making a weird hissing, clacking noise, then spits a streamer of foul-smelling liquid all over Elizabeth's front. The leavanny cries out as the toxic burns along the wounds left by aerial ace, but the damage it has done is minimal so far--only with time will the poison's effects grow strong enough to cause her serious discomfort.

Squornshellous Beta (O)

Elizabeth (F) <Chlorophyll>
Health: 75%
Energy: 87%
Commands: Double Team ~ Leaf Blade ~ Leaf Blade
- Dismayed by the layer of toxic coating her body. Badly poisoned (2% next round).

bulbasaur (O)

Crustle (F) <Shell Armor>
Health: 76%
Energy: 89%
Commands: Aerial Ace ~ Aerial Ace ~ Toxic
- Off to a good start.

Final Notes
- bulbasaur attacks first next round.

bulbasaur attacked first last time, isn't it my turn?

(And oh, trust me to forget that Aerial Ace always hits.)

EDIT: Is it?

EDIT: These were my original commands... I guess I'll change them if given the chance, but if not,

Well, it's the only thing we can do, right? Unless Elizabeth Protects, in which case, Curse, Aerial Ace for all three actions.

Aerial Ace/Curse~Aerial Ace/Curse~Aerial Ace/Curse

Click to expand...

:x roll with it, Squorn, roll with it

Toxic ~ Hone Claws ~ Hone Claws

Oops, no, it's Squornshellous Beta's turn to attack first this round.

:x hrml. I'm gonna lose before I even reach the second round.

Whatever. Toxic till it works, then Hone Claws. Let's watch how badly I use.

Toxic ~ Hone Claws / Toxic ~ Hone Claws / Toxic

OK, then. No use avoiding that Toxic so Swords Dance,then Rock Wrecker twice.

Swords Dance~Rock Wrecker~Rock Wrecker

Squornshellous Beta (O)

Elizabeth (F) <Chlorophyll>
Health: 75%
Energy: 87%
Commands: Toxic ~ Hone Claws / Toxic x2
- Dismayed by the layer of toxic coating her body. Badly poisoned (2% next round).

bulbasaur (O)

Crustle (F) <Shell Armor>
Health: 76%
Energy: 89%
Commands: Swords Dance ~ Rock Wrecker x2
- Off to a good start.

There doesn't seem to be anything Elizabeth can do about the toxic splashed all down her front, but at least she can give Crustle the same problem. The leavanny's mandibles work swiftly as she chokes up a mixture of toxic chemicals, then spits them straight in Crustle's face. The rock type recoils, waving her claws wildly as she tries to shake the worst of the toxic off her face. She manages to scrape a fair amount of it off, but she can't get it all, and what's left easily finds its way into the cracks in her carapace and seep into her blood.

Realizing the futility of her struggles, Crustle regains her composure and turns her flailing into a more coordinated, dignified maneuver. She makes short side-to-side rushes in clatters of segmented legs, her rocky shell swaying precariously above. The bug is oblivious to how ridiculous she looks as she performs what is, to her, a solemn warrior's dance, focusing her mind and preparing her body for battle.

Elizabeth has preparations of her own to make, rasping her bladed forelimbs together to sharpen them. She watches Crustle finish her dancing and, to the leavanny's surprise, jam her claws into the ground and begin to walk in a slow circle until the gouges she makes in the earth are connected. Crustle braces herself, digs her claws in deep, then heaves, ripping up a truly massive ball of dirt and rock with a garnish of cobblestones. Utilizing the same improbably strength that allows her to move despite her outsize shell, Crustle hefts the huge boulder, then launches it at Elizabeth.

The leavanny is knocked clear off her feet, only lucky that the boulder rolls on after she lands so that she isn't crushed beneath its weight. The impact was dire enough; every part of Elizabeth's body aches, and she can rise only slowly, wincing as she goes. She sharpens her claws once again, although it's hard to concentrate on doing so while, out of the corner of her eye, she can see Crustle tearing up another huge hunk of ammunition.

This time Elizabeth knows the rock wrecker is coming and does her best to sidestep. She doesn't get out of the way entirely and the boulder slams into her side and spins her around as it passes. Still, it's better than taking the full force of the attack... however barely. Elizabeth's leafy carapace is cobwebbed with fine fractures and not likely to stand up to much more punishment along those lines, that much is for sure.

Squornshellous Beta (O)

Elizabeth (F) <Chlorophyll>
Health: 40% (capped)
Energy: 79%
Used: Toxic ~ Hone Claws x2
- Sharper now, but rather crushed. Covered in toxic slime. Badly poisoned (3% next round). +2 Attack, +2 Accuracy

bulbasaur (O)

Crustle (F) <Shell Armor>
Health: 75%
Energy: 71%
Used: Swords Dance ~ Rock Wrecker x2
- Content to chuck boulders around all day. Covered in toxic slime. Badly poisoned (2% next round). +2 Attack

Terrain Notes
There are two deep pits in front of Crustle and shards of rock, ranging in size from about as large as Elizabeth's head on down to pebbles, littered all over the leavanny's side of the arena.

Final Notes
- The second rock wrecker was a glancing blow, not that it really mattered.
- bulbasaur attacks first next round.

I think we're going to win this, but let's think first. Make Rock Wrecker hit just once during the round, then Aerial Ace the rest of your actions. Also use Aerial Ace if Elizabeth Double Teams. Finally, Hyper Beam as long as she has a Reflect shield. It's of a gold colour.

Rock Wrecker/Aerial Ace/Hyper Beam~Rock Wrecker/Aerial Ace/Hyper Beam~Rock Wrecker/Aerial Ace/Hyper Beam

Aaaaand I'm gonna lose. Hrml.
Try and dodge, if you could.
Hone Claws ~ Leaf Blade ~ Leaf Blade

Squornshellous Beta (O)

Elizabeth (F) <Chlorophyll>
Health: 40% (capped)
Energy: 79%
Commands: Hone Claws ~ Leaf Blade ~ Leaf Blade
- Sharper now, but rather crushed. Covered in toxic slime. Badly poisoned (3% next round). +2 Attack, +2 Accuracy

bulbasaur (O)

Crustle (F) <Shell Armor>
Health: 75%
Energy: 71%
Commands: Rock Wrecker/Aerial Ace/Hyper Beam x3
- Content to chuck boulders around all day. Covered in toxic slime. Badly poisoned (2% next round). +2 Attack

Elizabeth, trying to hide her pain from Crustle, falls to sharpening her blades again, keeping a careful eye on her opponent all the while. Her hearts sinks as she once again sees him digging his claws into the pavement and drawing them around in a wide circle to define the width of his next projectile. He tears up another prodigious chunk of earth and stone but, though he can heft it easily enough, he's a bit clumsy in throwing it. This time, Elizabeth's attempt at throwing herself out of the rock wrecker's way is entirely successful, and the enormous rock smashes to earth without having hit anything.

Elizabeth comes up from a crouch and rushes at Crustle even as the crab, annoyed, starts to carve out another giant circle on the cobbles. The leavanny skirts the craters left by the rock type's previous attacks and comes at him at a run, one blade extended and ready to strike. Crustle is just starting to haul his next rocky ball of death out of the ground when the leaf blade scores a deep cut down the side of his shell, digging into the pokémon inside.

Crustle wheels awkwardly, hefting his new wrecking ball, but as he hurls it, Elizabeth is able to duck and roll out of the way, leaving another of Crustle's rock wrecker attacks to fly harmlessly past her.

By now, the rock type is breathing heavily and cursing to himself in his clicking language. One more good hit is all it'll take to bring that cursed leavanny down, and she can't dodge forever. The question is, how long can he afford to keep throwing such powerful attacks her way?

On the other hand, Elizabeth is looking rather worn out herself. She's been lucky to avoid the rock wreckers so far, and she's as aware as Crustle that taking another one is probably going to seal her fate. She can't keep dodging forever.

Crustle has started hacking out another big boulder, and Elizabeth forces herself into motion, bladed arms glowing green as she prepares to bring another leaf blade slicing across her opponent. Crustle lets out a particularly loud string of chitters and clicks as the attack hits home, but he is determined not to strike back in haste. He hauls his next "rock" out of the ground and hefts it carefully, taking his time sizing up his shot against Elizabeth.

The leavanny watches him closely, poised to move, but ultimately is caught off-guard by a feint and ends up diving straight into the rock wrecker instead of away from it. Crustle waves his claws in celebration of the clean hit, and as the round closes, Elizabeth is still crawling out from underneath the tremendous rock, splattered with green hemolymph and barely keeping herself in the battle.

Squornshellous Beta (O)

Elizabeth (F) <Chlorophyll>
Health: 6%
Energy: 67%
Used: Hone Claws ~ Leaf Blade ~ Leaf Blade
- A hair's breadth from defeat. Covered in toxic slime. Badly poisoned (4% next round). +3 Attack, +3 Accuracy

bulbasaur (O)

Crustle (F) <Shell Armor>
Health: 48%
Energy: 47%
Used: Rock Wrecker x3
- Getting worn down but nevertheless feeling sure of victory. Covered in toxic slime. Badly poisoned (3% next round). +2 Attack

Terrain Notes
The arena has turned into a moonscape of deep craters and scattered debris.

Final Notes
- Squornshellous Beta attacks first next round.

I know we're gonna lose and I can no longer be bothered to think. Leaf Blade.
Leaf Blade ~ Leaf Blade ~ Leaf Blade

All right, Crustle. This is the end!

Aerial Ace~Aerial Ace~Aerial Ace

Squornshellous Beta (O)

Elizabeth (F) <Chlorophyll>
Health: 6%
Energy: 67%
Commands: Leaf Blade ~ Leaf Blade ~ Leaf Blade
- A hair's breadth from defeat. Covered in toxic slime. Badly poisoned (4% next round). +3 Attack, +3 Accuracy

bulbasaur (O)

Crustle (F) <Shell Armor>
Health: 48%
Energy: 47%
Commands: Aerial Ace~Aerial Ace~Aerial Ace
- Getting worn down but nevertheless feeling sure of victory. Covered in toxic slime. Badly poisoned (3% next round). +2 Attack

Elizabeth manages to extricate herself from the crushing weight of the latest boulder she's had thrown at her, then stands shakily, mustering her strength for what she must reluctantly face as a last-ditch effort to bring Crustle down.

The rock type is looking confident as she finally raises one arm, its razor-sharp edge glowing green, then rushes forward and slices deep into Crustle's rocky shell. She barely has the opportunity to wrench her arm free, though, before Crustle strikes back with his own attack, lashing out with a blinding-fast swipe of the claws that slices deep into Elizabeth's torso.

The leavanny staggers back, falling to one knee as she tries to recover from the aerial ace. In the end, though, she can't force herself back to her feet, and she gives in to unconsciousness.

Squornshellous Beta (X)

Elizabeth (F) <Chlorophyll>
Health: 0%
Energy: 62%
Used: Leaf Blade
Knocked Out!

bulbasaur (O)

Crustle (F) <Shell Armor>
Health: 31%
Energy: 43%
Used: Aerial Ace
Victorious!

Squornshellous Beta recalls Elizabeth with a resigned sigh, while bulbasaur allows Crustle a moment to bask in the crowd's applause before calling back his own rental pokémon. The trainers have only a moment to share a handshake and after-battle pleasantries before they are hurried from the arena, so that it can be repaired and opened for the next battle scheduled to take place.

bulbasaur is our winner, and he gets $10 and a pass on to the next round. Squornshellous Beta gets $5, and I get $15.

Good game, Squornshellous Beta, one whose outcome would have changed had the Pokémon-choosing order done likewise. Onto the next rounds I go! Thank you, Negrek, for organizing, co-ordinating, and reffing most of this tournament. I can only imagine...