Sojaveña Wilds Silver Riverside

[Weazel]

Shit. He’d been beat down, this was it for him. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t go down swinging. The Buizel grit his teeth and growled at the little bird.

“Your power, huh? Sorry, guess you’re not as special as you thought you were,” he said, then gave the Rookidee a toothy smirk. “I fought for it. From the fields of Amp Plains to the depths of Silver Trench.”

He couldn’t pull up that power again, spent as he was, but he gave the bird a parting Water Gun, and then fled to the far riverbank, daring her to follow. That should give Anubis a little breathing room, at least.

Spoiler: Dustin Turn 3

Dustin (20 STM, 11 TMP, +0 SPD, +1 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- **Act:** Item (Cacnea Spike) @ Virga
- Water Gun @ Virga (-4 STM, +4 TMP)
- Walk to SW Riverbank
Net change: -4 STM, +9 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 16 STM (31 after regen), 20 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Chibi Pika]

Anubis's STRONG Flamethrower dealt 23 damage to Virga! Burned!
Anubis's Cacnea Spike dealt 4 damage to Malachai!
Dustin's Cacnea Spike dealt 4 damage to Virga!
Dustin's Water Gun dealt a CRITICAL 21 damage to Virga!

Virga was hurt by its burn...
Malachai was hurt by his burn and poison...

Jade blinked at the blast of wind that tore across the river. Was she just imagining things or did that look a whole lot like...? Not that any particular wind attack looked all that different from any other, but... that really looked like—

And then a sudden spike of alarm dug into the back of her head as Virga dove at Dustin and Jade got her answer. But then, did that seriously mean he was—

Virga's feathers burned, and her stamina was waning. A blast of flames from the pup had brought her to the brink of falling, but she held fast, her mind racing.

He'd fought for it? What did that mean? The Buizel rattled off a list of locations that were utterly meaningless to Virga, and then a jet of water struck headlong. Her vision swam, stars flickering in her peripheral vision, and then the Rookidee was falling...

 

[Jackie Cat]

What was this? Everyone reacted to this outburst as if it held special meaning. Malachai narrowed his eyes and clicked away to himself, building a mental map of every body in the field. Laura would doubtless have the encyclopaedic knowledge of moves to identify this particular one. Perhaps it was an obscure signature move, although he wondered why—

Oh, was that it? How intriguing.

"I'll hear the truth of this after the battle," he said, half to himself. "Now, let us come to a close..."

Even in his diminutive form, there was some elegance and drama to be had in descending in a whirl on Dustin to finish him off, sucking the energy from his aura and kicking off his body to rise back into the air. Now for the hound.

Malachai spewed water at Anubis, mostly just to provoke him.

"Come, Anubis!" he challenged, spreading his wings as wide as they would go, willing the boy to give him something to make his blood run hot. "Show me what passes for battle-fervour in your world, if you have any!"

Malachai called out to Anubis!

Spoiler: Mal T3

Malachai (42 STM, 10 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk to SW Riverbank
- Absorb @ Dustin (-2 STM, +3 TMP)
- **Act:** Dash to NW Riverbank (-2 TMP)
- Water Pulse @ Anubis (-13 STM, -2 TMP, +3 TMP)
- **Act:** Call @ Anubis
Net change: -15 STM, +2 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 27 STM (41 after regen), 12 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Tetra]

Steam sizzled from Anubis coat as he stoked his inner fire to burn off the dampness. Truly a frustrating little bat, more so than the honey bat back home. Not as fast but definitely tough, even now. Back home he would have easily triumphed, but here... Here he had only his own paltry flames.

But more than his powers, he longed for his pack. Flurry's ice could have brought his opponent low, or the Thunderbug's electricity. Even to say nothing of the Tyrant's stone.

"Not bad for such a small bat! Very well, I will show you the strength of my flame." He had a responsibility here to be strong, to help Alpha, and he would not go down like a cowering pup. Nor would he allow himself to look poorly in front of his trainer.

His pack was far away, yes, but his training with them remained. Hours of drills and repetition that lingered, even in this body. Darting forward, he executed a series of well-practiced feints and a splash of misdirected mud to close distance, then unleashed a torrent of poison tinted flames upon his opponent.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Ah, there it was. The hound had some fury after all, then. Malachai deflected the splash, and let the flames come. Come on, boy! More fire! More fury! Send all you have at me!

He took a breath, and felt bright fury of his own rise in his throat, felt the crackle of flames and hot air beneath his wings, felt the flow of muscle and the stamp of paws on the arid ground, and at last— he felt himself again.

What? Malachai is evolving!

Malachai ripped free of his tiny frame, his shadow growing to cover Anubis as he spread wide his true wings, and roared. First sound, then swirling mauve-and-magenta dragonfire, leapt from his jaws.

Malachai used Dragon Pulse!

 

[Tetra]

Malachai'd been here for all of two days and he was evolving? Koa swallowed his bitter resentment and did his best to feel happy for him. "Anubis, dodge!" he called frantically, recognizing the telltale glow of building power in the now Noivern's jaws.

He sensed more than saw Anubis bristle from this distance, hackles rising as he braced. He clearly had no intention or desire to dodge. To draw out the inevitable. Malachai's evolution gave him the high ground, running away would be a blow to Anubis' dignity. No, Anubis had to meet this head on.

'Dark Pulse.'​

Anubis braced, faced the oncoming storm. In his mind, or perhaps his soul, he could feel Alpha's will blending with his own determination. It was not just his own pride on the line, but that of his trainer, and on the second account he would never fail. Something within him clicked, memory and tenacity and the unspoken command from his trainer.

Anubis used Dark Pulse!

Pure darkness met draconic light and the two warred for dominance.

 

[Chibi Pika]

Jade had been crouched next to Virga currently sat dazed, one paw inside her bag (she knew better than to offer a berry until requested) and her eyes trained on the remaining fighters. She squinted up at the tiny winged shape flying overhead, and the white light that had overtaken it. Was that...?

The wings unfurled outwards, many, many, many times their original size (it was) and when the light faded, a stark navy blue Noivern had landed on the riverbank, a heavy thud shaking the earth. Virga stirred, shaking her head in a daze before looking down at herself as if to confirm—still a Rookidee.

Then her eyes narrowed at the Noivern, processing.

"The bat has evolved and I am still stuck like this," she said flatly.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Malachai's blood thrilled with the unique high of evolution, that he'd thought never to feel again. His eyes widened and his blood rushed all the louder to recognise defiance in the pup – a clash of powers, yes! Exceptional! So what if the trainer-dog interfered? All the better to challenge him, to let him soar, to feel something real!

Purple light met midnight darkness, and each attack pressed into the other, whirling, storming, rising! He put all his will into his own attack, extending it, pushing unto his utmost spark of energy—!

Malachai's STRONG Dragon Pulse won the clash and dealt a CRITICAL 27 damage to Anubis!

The others would have to wait for the dust to clear, but in Malachai's silvery echo-scape of sound, he could detect the outcome already.

Anubis toughed it out at 1 HP to show his best side to Alpha!

The Noivern laughed – in his own voice, deep and resonant – and landed with an impact that sent up a fierce backdraft of dust.

"Marvellous," he declared, stepping forward. "That was tremendously enjoyable. You have my appreciation, Anubis."

 

[Tetra]

Hold! Hold! Anubis willed himself to mantain the stream of dark energy, to keep pressing. His energy wavered. The bat gained ground and then-

Violet energy exploded in his vision and the impact sent him skidding. He rolled, fell, then managed to stand again, but couldn't summon another attack. It was over.

Tremors ran through his limbs. The dragon had proved his superiority. Frustration flared briefly, but he accepted it, dipping his head. "Congratulations," he barked, unable to restrain the hint of open envy in his tone. "You are welcome." To have evolved so soon... Anubis stared down at his paws for a moment, frowning, as if expecting to feel that floodgate of enrgy within him open. He felt nothing, regrettably.

Koa couldn't hide his own annoyance, but he quelled it. This was training, not a serious match, and he was glad to see Malachai evolved. It was hard not to be a little in awe of the huge dragon, and he'd have been lying if he said he didn't envy Laura slightly to have such a partner. "Good match!" Koa called, rising to his paws from where he lay and trotting over.

"You did awesome Anubis!" On reflex he handed out a berry to Anubis and glanced over to Dustin. "You too. I bet if Malachai hadn't gotten lucky with that evolution we could have won." There was more playfulness to the remark than actual arrogance.

The praise made Anubis wag his tail proudly. At least his power over fire and darkness had returned.

The battle over, Koa found himself staring at Virga, his thoughts still fixated on the knowledge that she too was a Lugia.

 

[Chibi Pika]

Jade put her paws together for the two fighters still standing at the end while Virga busied herself with the berry that Jade had dropped out of her bag.

"Nice one on the evolution," she said to Malachai. And then, to Anubis: "You'll probably make it soon enough if that last Dark Pulse is anything to go off," she added with a grin.

It occurred to her, with all this talk about evolution, that she hadn't evolved yet, after all this time. Somehow it'd just... never felt like a priority. She'd spent all her time practicing being able to reach for her allies' power, to be able to master as many skills as possible for whatever situation she found herself in... raw power had just never really felt like a priority.

She could already tell without looking that Virga would've wanted to evolve as soon as possible, though. And now that she was paying attention, she noticed Koa staring fixedly at the Rookidee. Something on his mind...?

"Kinda nostalgic to have a match as a trainer after all this time, huh?" she ventured.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Malachai snorted at Koa's little jest, but said nothing. He could allow the pair their banter. It would be unbecoming of him to insist he would have won either way. Petty, really. (Although he would have, of course. He would have won anyway. Naturally.)

"Oh, I evolved lifetimes ago. Had I need wait any longer than this, I would have lost my composure!"

He turned to his erstwhile battle-partner – who had availed herself quite well, really – and bowed his head lightly. The compliment need not be verbalised; his respect was implicit.

"What is this 'power' you spoke of, 'Rookidee' Virga?" he asked, with an inquiring, chittering purr. "I find myself intrigued."

 

[Chibi Pika]

Virga glanced away. "My old form, before I was reduced to this. I commanded the winds and raised storms. And it would seem,"—the Rookidee glanced pointedly at Dustin—"that this one holds that same power. And presumably the same true form."

Jade blinked. Wait. But that meant...

"Hang on, what's this about your old form?" she asked, throwing a glance at Dustin. She needed confirmation before she just blurted it right out.

 

[Tetra]

Koa managed an absent-minded nod and mumbled affirmation to Jade in response to her question."Yeah it was nostalgic-" It had felt cool to be a trainer again. To watch his pokemons back. He wondered how it would feel if the roles were reversed and he were the pokemon... Much more capitavating was Malachai's question and Virga's response all but confirming his suspicion.

What were the odds? Two! Worlds apart, hundreds of pokemon and he got to know two Lugia, and call at least one his friend. He hoped the other might too, if Virga was from a world of trainers....

Dustin is- Koa stopped and bit back the response, but couldn't stop grinning or hide the wag of his tail. Dustin would have to explain himself.

Anubis could only watch, baffled as to why his trainer was practically quivering with excitement, or what this 'power' was they kept speaking of so mysteriously. It must be important.

 

[Weazel]

Dustin sat up, and stretched. Despite all odds, he’d managed to knock the bird out of the running with his last attack, but the bat’s last attack had caused him to black out for a moment. And, judging by the fact that one of them had evolved and the other not, the Buizel could guess how the fight ended. Damn, that was embarrassing, he really didn’t have a fraction of the power he’d once commanded.

Well, there was nothing else for it, he made his way back across the river to rejoin the group. He waved off Koa’s praise, but shot the Electrike a grin all the same. Then his eyes drifted to the berries the Houndour and Rookidee were enjoying. He was feeling really sore after that bout, especially since Noibat – Noivern, now – had decided that the Buizel was a swell source of stolen energy.

“Can I get one of those?” He asked, glancing between Koa and Jade.

Though, before he could, Malachai’s questioning had brought Virga to rope him in to a discussion of their shared power. Shit, he didn’t have the strength to be Impressive right now, but he was going to have to try. The Buizel stood up straighter and put a paw on his chest, his grin growing into a proper smirk.

“That’s right, your eyes did not deceive you, the move I used to blast your Rookidee friend out of the sky was Aeroblast,” he said. That wasn’t exactly how it had gone, but semantics. “On my home world, I have many titles, but most know me simply as: Lugia!”

 

[Jackie Cat]

"Lugia," purred Malachai, craning his head down to scrutinise the little otter claiming such a mighty heritage. "I did wonder what that technique of yours was. How interesting. Your demeanour is not what I would have expected of such a sea-storm legendary."

He'd learned enough about Forlas in his scant few days here to know that some worlds still worshipped legendary pokémon as had once been common in his world – and that in some worlds, their 'divinity' was substantive. Was he speaking to a little god brought low, or merely a young prince of a rare species? Even mortals oft claimed 'many titles'. (Even Malachai had once claimed many titles.)

He shot a sideward glance at Virga, and pictured a proud and ancient storm-bird with her gaze and aspect. He could see it, oh, yes.

"This one reminds me more of a sea-god," he mused – testing, provoking. "Though I cannot say I've ever had the honour."

Just a strange encounter off the Atlantic coast, long ago – one of very few occasions on which he'd ever been made to feel small.

 

[Tetra]

"Dustin is a sick Lugia and a great sea god," Koa countered, tossing him a berry as he said it. Sure, Virga did have the demeanor he'd have expected from a Lugia but Dustin was still cool. Cooler, maybe, since he liked Koa. Though he couldn't help but still be awestruck by Virga and slightly jealous of Archie and Jade... He had so many questions he wated to asked Virga, but he bit his tongue.

Anubis eyes widened as he understood. The water weasel and the little bird somehow both claimed the title of Leviathan, Guardian of the Deep. He had no idea such a thing was even possible. But then if there were other worlds out there. "It is an honor," he said, dipping his head to Virga, then Dustin. "Perhaps Dustin can teach you how to regain that power he used," he said to Virga.

"Yeah, and I can help you guys train," Koa added, trying somewhat succesfully to not sound over-eager. Not that they probably needed him but he didn't want to pass up the chance to hang around the two Lugia and learn more.

 

[Chibi Pika]

“That’s right, your eyes did not deceive you, the move I used to blast your Rookidee friend out of the sky was Aeroblast,” he said. That wasn’t exactly how it had gone, but semantics. “On my home world, I have many titles, but most know me simply as: Lugia!”

There it was. Jade had already been expecting it, and still the truth felt like unreality. Another Lugia, called to Forlas. Admittedly, one with a... pretty different vibe. And what was that about having fought for his power? She looked at Dustin, trying to imagine him as Lugia, standing alongside the Lugia she knew. The image was hard to picture.

"Gotta admit that when I suggested a battle, I wasn't expecting it to be Lugia vs Lugia," Jade said with a small laugh.

"This one reminds me more of a sea-god," he mused – testing, provoking. "Though I cannot say I've ever had the honour."

"Hardly in this state," Virga muttered. "But perhaps evolution might allow me to regain some semblance of that." And yet, the Buizel had already reclaimed a scrap of his former power. How? The fire pup suggested that Buizel could teach her to regain that power, but Virga had little interest in this.

"In any case, well done for achieving your goal," Virga said to Malachai. "Evidently, this body will require more training to do the same."

Jade took it on herself to give Koa a friendly nod in Virga's place. "More training's always good. Not to mention you'll have to get the hang of fighting alongside us, for missions and such," she added with a glance at Virga.

Virga was too busy preening a couple of disheveled wing feathers to answer.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Malachai nodded agreeably, with a gesture of thanks to Virga for her congratulations. "More training is something to which I have no objection. Although perhaps now would be a good time to break for eating's sake."

He stretched his unfurled wings, savouring the warm air of this region. Much preferable to Kivara. He inclined his head to Virga, conscious of her frustration – not at all dissimilar to his recently-abated feelings about evolution.

"Yours is a great measure of power to recover," he remarked, in a conciliatory tone. "I have faith you will have it when you need it."

And with that, he took to the air – alone. (If anyone had expected him to offer transportation, then more fool them.)

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