Sojaveña Wilds Silver Riverside

[Weazel]

His sudden appearance seemed to come as a shock to one of the assembled. The Meowth, Jade if he remembered right, had watched him swim to shore. Now, as he approached the group, he shot the feline an easy smirk.

“Surprised? I often have that effect on Pokemon,” he said, voice just the right mix of bravado and playfulness to make it hard to tell how serious he was being. Of course, only Koa had any real idea just how surprising running into him could be. For the rest, that was a surprise the Buizel could still spring. He glanced at each of the assembled Pokemon in turn. “Hey Koa, Anubis, Jade…”

His vision settled on the preening little bird. Shit, what had been their name? Virgil? No, that wasn’t quite it. Dustin had met way too many people all at once to keep them all straight. Jade at least was easy to remember, she was a friend of a friend after all. But a friend’s friend’s… Ally, or something? That was a struggle.

“… Anyway,” he pivoted, more than a little awkwardly, back to the group as a whole, “Sounds like you’re all in a rush to evolve. Guess I can’t exactly relate, I was never a Floatzel.”

 

[Tetra]

Anubis had been watching Jade wield the flames with fascination and approval. "Excellent choice of element." The comment drew a slight grin from Koa. Bias much?

Then Virga's words caught up to Koa. 'This form'? It didn't sound like the way Anubis spoke of being back in his Houndour form. More like he wasn't used to this form at all. "Corviknight are pretty good physical fighters and really tough, so it'll be a good idea to work on that. Were you not-"

He was cut short as Dustin emerged from the water. "Hey Dustin!" he called happily. He was glad to see he seemed to be adjusting to his new situation. Dustin's awkward pivot wasn't lost on him, he was all to familiar with that himself.

"Yeah Virga and Anubis both really want to evolve," he said casually to Dustin. It took a great deal of restraint not to immediately say 'Hey Jade, this is my friend Dustin he's actually Lugia and its super sick' . Not his secret to share yet.

Koa stretched and shook his paws. "I bet we can get close to doing that pretty fast if we try."

 

[Chibi Pika]

"Excellent choice of element." The comment drew a slight grin from Koa. Bias much?

"Oh, um, thanks," Jade replied, grinning back. "Been trying to practice as many as I can, since y'know... normal-type." She figured she'd leave out the part where Water was the first element she'd made any headway with, thanks to training with the samurai Kyoko.

“Sounds like you’re all in a rush to evolve. Guess I can’t exactly relate, I was never a Floatzel.”

Koa stretched and shook his paws. "I bet we can get close to doing that pretty fast if we try."

Virga clacked her beak. "It would seem that those of us who have just arrived are... rather weak compared to the others. "Testing our capabilities against each other would be the most sensible."

It wasn't the first time Jade had realized that she was, as weird as it seemed, far stronger than Lugia here. In any case, she couldn't argue with the idea. After all... it was probably only a matter of time before the Wayfarers would find themselves in battle again, and if the newcomers couldn't hold their own, there'd be trouble.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Malachai had spent a scant pair of days on this new planet, and his initial resentment was already – slowly but surely – giving way to pragmatism. He was engaged in this reality, so he would need to regain strength. He was a Noibat, and he needed to evolve once again... Therefore, he needed to train.

He flew over this 'Frontier Town', seeking Wayfarers, and found himself drawn to the bright ribbon in the scrublands that was the Silver. Pragmatism was one thing – perhaps once he evolved he would feel himself enough to appreciate this world's beauty, and the opportunity to explore a reality other than his own.

Right now, however, he had definitively practical concerns: make allies, and (should they be amenable) battle them.

"Good day," he said, announcing himself as he came to an abrupt landing beside the one that resembled Laura. "I heard you mention training."

He heard everything, more or less. Perquisites of being a bat.

 

[Chibi Pika]

Jade blinked at the well-spoken bat who'd just landed on the riverbank beside them. Right, that was... Laura's partner, right? She wished she'd gotten a better introduction; she couldn't even remember his name, just that it was long and kind of important-sounding.

"Uh, yeah, some of the new arrivals were thinking of testing out their skills before we get into a real fight." She paused for a bit, tail swishing. "Did you want to train too? That'd make four, which is enough for a double battle." Something about making it a double battle felt right.

Virga fluttered forward. "If I recall correctly, you were also given a more diminutive form than you were accustomed. We're alike in that, I suppose."

The Rookidee inclined her head as a greeting. "I am called Virga here. And you are?"

 

[Tetra]

Koa saw a serious gleam enter Anubis gaze, and felt the slight increase in heat coming from him. He suspected the Houndour was already raring to fight.

The new arrival drew Anubis and Koa's attention. Another bat, how interesting. He'd long since learned about underestimating an opponent. "A double battle sounds excellent," Anubis said.

Koa felt mildly less enthusiastic than his pokemon. Double battles had never been his strong suit, but he supposed practice wouldn't hurt.

 

[Jackie Cat]

The Noibat bowed lightly to Virga.

"I am called Malachai," he replied. "It is my firm hope and intent to return to an evolved form with all haste. I wish you the same success, Virga."

He glanced over the others present, and a knowing smile teased at the corner of his mouth. He'd spotted some subtlety, some unity of movement in each pair.

"Pokémon trainers and their partners," he murmured, pensively. "That is what you are, yes?"

 

[Weazel]

Virga! That was it. Glad that crisis was averted, then. He’d almost seriously embarrassed himself. The Buizel didn’t have much time to feel relieved though, as their little group was suddenly joined by yet another face he was going to have to remember. A Noibat by the name of Malachai, who talked with the kind of tedious formality that reminded him oh so much of the birds whose blessing he’d had to seek to earn the Legendary gig. And then accused him of being some human’s tamed pet.

“Guess again, buddy; ain’t no humans on my world,” the Buizel replied.

With the new arrival added in, Jade proposed they pair off and fight two on two. Presumably that meant Koa and the Meowth would be sitting out, then. That seemed fair enough. His time traveling with Koa had made it pretty obvious to the Buizel that, even if all four of the newbies took on just him alone the fight would still be heavily stacked in the Electric canine’s favor. Jade, as his contemporary, would likely be just as tough. But the four of them should be in relatively even position.

“Yeah, two on two’s fine,” the Buizel affirmed.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Malachai's ears swivelled like telecoms dishes towards Dustin.

"Mm... No, not you. No, you're something else." The bat indicated first Koa-Anubis, and then Jade-Virga with pointed wingtip. "You've trained together... and you two. Mm, not trained. Travelled? Something like that?"

He frowned, as if the reaction from the Meowth and Rookidee had taken him aback.

"Never mind it," he added, as if thinking better of pressing a suspected wound. "A double battle it is – Virga, I will pair with you, then?"

 

[Chibi Pika]

Virga paused for a moment, scrutinizing the Noibat. So he fancied himself a perceptive one, did he? Regardless, it could wait until after training.

The Rookidee nodded. "Very well. The skies will be ours, then." She took wing, feeling the wind over her feathers (light, airy feathers, nothing like the sea's proper sleek coat) and taking note of how this body moved through the air, eyes trained on the Houndour and Buizel below. She would observe their opening strategy and determine the best course from there.

Spoiler: Virga Turn 0

Virga (74 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +1 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Hone Claws (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
Net change: -18 STM, +12 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 56 STM (62 after regen), 17 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Jackie Cat]

Malachai bowed lightly to his opponents. "Let us battle, then!" he declared, silently praying he would evolve imminently, so as to spare him of this peevish little noibat voice. He wished to roar.

He ascended alongside Virga, and his eyes narrowed as he bided his time for an opening in their foes' movements. He was, after all this time, still a sweeper. Lack of setup moves be damned.

Spoiler: Mal T0

Malachai (67 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- Focus (Breather) (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
Net change: +0 STM, +10 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 67 STM (67 after regen), 15 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD
(BREATHER)

 

[Tetra]

Koa had run through the bare bones of a strategy with Anubis before they'd come, and double battle or not, he saw no reason to change his strategy. Falling into old habits, he resisted the impulse to call 'go Anubis!' and instead nodded.

"Remember, weaken and then go for the strike."

Anubis flicked his ears in acknowledgement then bounded forward, taking up a battle stance. Not having his usual strength and moves to call upon was maddening. No powerful fire to call upon, no darkness. Alpha had instead coached him on some different basic techniques. "I will handle Tiny Bird," he barked to Dustin. Plunging forward, he dug mud from the bank and flung it upwards at Virga. A paltry distraction but it would have to do.

Holding the fire in his throat, he allowed toxins to seep in, then spewed a stream of sizzling embers and choking poison at her.

Spoiler: Turn 1

Anubis (60 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +1 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk to SE Riverbank
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- Mud-Slap @ Virga (-11 STM, +4 TMP)
- Ember @ Virga (ACTIVATE: effect) (-6 STM, -7 TMP, +4 TMP)
- Smog @ Virga (ACTIVATE: Sure Hit, effect, Hex Adept) (-2 STM, -2 TMP, +4 TMP)
Net change: -19 STM, +8 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 41 STM (56 after regen), 13 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Weazel]

Him and Anubis versus the fliers, then. The bird and bat immediately took to the skies, but, if they hoped the extra space would protect them, they were sorely mistaken. Dustin didn’t need to get up close to nail them.

"I will handle Tiny Bird,"

“Oh you’ll handle ‘em, will you?” the Buizel chuckled. Well, he liked the confidence. That left him with the bat. Flit-y thing, bit of an erratic flier, but Dustin’s nose would point him straight and true, same as it always had. He breathed deep, focused, took in the Noibat’s scent… And then fired his Water Gun.

“You know, if you’re gonna hang out all the way up there, I think I also deserve a bit of a home field advantage!” he called to the Chiropteran. Then he dove back into the river.

Spoiler: Dustin Turn 1

Dustin (62 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +1 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- Odor Sleuth @ Malachai (-20 STM, +2 TMP)
- Focus Energy (-20 STM, +2 TMP)
- Water Gun @ Malachai (-4 STM, +4 TMP)
- Walk to Silver River
Net change: -44 STM, +13 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 18 STM (33 after regen), 18 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Jackie Cat]

A simple aerokinetic juke to provoke a dodge from the dog, and then he struck. Water Pulse was one he'd scarcely used of late, but it suited his re-juvenile body. Less taxing. And with a little flair, disorienting for his opponent.

Water struck Malachai, and for a moment, he thought it had been some kind of backwash, but no. The otter. Cocky fellow.

The taunting, too, was unfamiliar. Trainers did the pyroar's share of that in stadiums, at least vocally. Malachai frowned – forcing witty repartée would be embarrassing, but a lack of response might be seen as standoffish. Relax, he told himself. It was a training match. His being diminutive changed little. What was Buizel's name, again...?

"You should know, Dustin," he called, "my preferred prey also swims!"

He adjusted his throat, and loosed another pulse, this one a draconic violet. Hmm. Was that a little much? He might have overdone that one...

Spoiler: Mal T1

Malachai (67 STM, 15 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Receive (Call) (+3 TMP, -10 SHD, -10 RAD)
- Gust @ Anubis (-4 STM, +3 TMP)
- Water Pulse @ Anubis (ACTIVATE: effect) (-13 STM, -6 TMP, +3 TMP)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- CRITICAL Dragon Pulse @ Dustin (-17 STM, -22 TMP, +3 TMP)
Net change: -34 STM, -11 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 33 STM (47 after regen), 4 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Chibi Pika]

Anubis's Mud-Slap dealt 4 damage to Virga! -1 Acc! Defiant! +1 Atk
Anubis's Ember dealt 13 damage to Virga! Burned!
Anubis's Smog dealt 8 damage to Virga! Poisoned!
Virga's Fine Health weakened the hexes...
Virga's Defensive Rhythm! +1 Defenses
Dustin's Water Gun broke Malachai's Protect!

Virga ducked and weaved around the ranged barrage, taking a few scorches to the wing along with some noxious residues that thankfully didn't linger too long on her feathers. So, the pup wished to focus her down in lieu of her ally? Very well.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Malachai deftly striking back with ranged moves of his own, his movements betraying a sense of practiced ease. Even trapped in that tiny body, the bat still had his usual elements at reach, which Virga decidedly did not.

"You'll have better striking on the otter," she called out, making a dive. Time to see if this cursed form could make a dent in anything.

Spoiler: Virga Turn 1

Virga (62 STM, 17 TMP, +0 SPD, +1 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- **Act:** Call @ Malachai
- Hone Claws (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- Rock Smash @ Anubis (ACTIVATE: effect) (-11 STM, -5 TMP, +7 TMP)
- **Act:** Item (Cacnea Spike) @ Anubis
- Walk to NE River
Net change: -29 STM, +4 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 33 STM (48 after regen), 21 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

Malachai's Gust dealt 5 damage to Anubis!
Malachai's Water Pulse dealt 14 damage to Anubis! Confused!
Malachai's Dragon Pulse dealt a CRITICAL 26 damage to Dustin!
Virga's Rock Smash dealt 13 damage to Anubis! -1 Def
Virga's Cacnea Spike dealt 8 damage to Anubis!
Virga was hurt by its burn and poison...

 

[Tetra]

Koa winced in sympathy for Dustin. That one looked like it would hurt. And he could see the glaze of confusion in his pokemon's eyes. There was no time to retreat though, just to press the advantage.

Panting, Anubis shook himself from head to tail, trying to clear his vision. His head felt as if it were still buzzing-

Koa scowled. So much for mud slap then. "Focus, switch up!" he barked firmly. "Go for Malachai, sear and dig in!"

Blinking, Anubis snapped to attention. Baring his fangs, he inhaled, building poison and fire as he had before, double images of the noibat dancing through his vision. Which one was real?

"To your right!"

Anubis corrected and loosed the attack, wincing as he inhaled some of his own toxins, leaving a tingling burn in his throat. Sparks gathered around his jaws and he wasted no time following up the attack with a mighty leap. It seemed this technique at least, had followed him here.

Spoiler: Turn 2

Anubis (56 STM, 13 TMP, +0 SPD, +1 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- Smog @ Malachai (ACTIVATE: effect) (-2 STM, -8 TMP, +3 TMP)
- Ember @ Malachai (ACTIVATE: effect) (-6 STM, -7 TMP, +4 TMP)
- Thunder Fang @ Malachai (ACTIVATE: Flinch, Hex Adept) (-16 STM, -7 TMP, +2 TMP)
Net change: -24 STM, -8 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 32 STM (47 after regen), 5 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

 

[Weazel]

The Buizel dove, trying to let the water absorb the brunt of the Noibat’s attack, but he couldn’t get deep enough fast enough to escape the sting of dragon fire. He wasn’t tough enough to eat hits like that repeatedly, and what he’d seen from the surface the Houndour was also taking a pummeling and seemed unsure on his paws. Time for something a bit more… Dramatic.

First, though, he grabbed a rock from the riverbed, and pushed his way back to the surface. The little bat thought he knew all about catching fish, huh? Well…

“You’ve never caught something like me, before!” he boasted, and pelted the river stone at the bat. With any luck, he’d be too focused on that to dodge the Houndour’s bite. Or dodge the canine and get nailed in the head, either option was fine with Dustin. But then he caught sight of the bird, flying all alone. Time to show them what he was made of. He focused on his target, pulled forth all the power he could muster in his relatively tiny body, and fired!

Spoiler: Dustin Turn 2

Dustin (33 STM, 18 TMP, +0 SPD, +1 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- **Act:** Item (Cacnea Spike) @ Malachai (-2 TMP)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- CRITICAL Aeroblast @ Virga (-28 STM, -13 TMP, +3 TMP)
Net change: -28 STM, -7 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 5 STM (20 after regen), 11 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD
(TAKE COVER)

 

[Jackie Cat]

Anubis's Smog dealt 7 damage to Malachai! Poisoned!
Anubis's Ember dealt 12 damage to Malachai! Burned!
Anubis's Thunder Fang dealt 6 damage to Malachai! Flinching!
Anubis took a total of 3 damage in recoil...
Dustin's Cacnea Spike dealt 4 damage to Malachai!
Dustin's Aeroblast dealt a CRITICAL 32 damage to Virga!
Virga and Malachai's Defensive Rhythm! +1 Defenses

No sooner had Malachai processed that unusual blast of power from the otter, than he was hit by a flurry of hindering fettles from the dog. How irritating. Nonetheless, he yet had energy to spare, and he would not go down easily...

He dove towards the river waters and made a claim on Dustin's own vigour, drawing it out of him for himself. Before following up with a straightforward blast, of course – the young fellow could obviously take it.

"Prepare yourself, lad," he purred, sure that if he could just have a moment to pull himself together, he'd strike good and hard...

Spoiler: Mal T2

Malachai (47 STM, 4 TMP, +0 SPD, +0 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk to Silver River
- Absorb @ Dustin (-2 STM, +3 TMP)
- Dragon Pulse @ Dustin (-17 STM, +3 TMP)
Net change: -19 STM, +6 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 28 STM (42 after regen), 10 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

 

[Chibi Pika]

Jade winced as the flurry of opening moves pelted Virga. That was too many strikes all at once. You need to get some distance, wait for a good opening so you don't get overwhelmed...

'I did not request your assistance!' Lugia snapped.

Jade flinched in surprise. Er... she was probably thinking too loud there. Had to get used to that being a thing again.

Virga shook her head in irritation before diving into another strike on the dog. She’d weakened his defenses a bit, so now was the time for a more decisive blow—

And then her ears caught the sound of a high-pitched whine, on her right. Virga angled her wings but the air shifted, and the tearing, cutting wind swept across her feathers, at once jarring and sharp and agonizingly familiar. An unmistakeable aura that should have been unique.

My power…! Where? How?!

Virga pivoted in midair to fix her sharp gaze on the river below, and the Buizel floating through the current, a single paw stretched skyward. Him…?!

The Rookidee dove straight at Dustin, wings glowing.

"You! Where did you gain that power…?! My power!”

Spoiler: Virga Turn 2

Virga (48 STM, 21 TMP, +0 SPD, +2 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- Walk to SE River
- Hone Claws (-18 STM, +2 TMP)
- Rock Smash @ Anubis (-11 STM, +6 TMP)
- **Act:** Dash to Silver River (-2 TMP)
- CRITICAL Dual Wingbeat @ Dustin (-14 STM, -20 TMP, +5 TMP)
Net change: -43 STM, -9 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 5 STM (20 after regen), 12 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD

Virga's Rock Smash dealt 21 damage to Anubis!
Virga's Dual Wingbeat dealt a CRITICAL 18+14 damage to Dustin!
Malachai's Absorb dealt 8 damage to Dustin! Healed 2 damage.
Malachai's Dragon Pulse dealt 20 damage to Dustin!
Malachai was hurt by his burn and poison...

 

[Tetra]

Koa gave a canine whoop of delight as Dustin nailed Virga with Aeroblast. Buizel or not, watching a legendary fight was sick. "Nice one!"

"You! Where did you gain that power…?! My power!”

My power...? What did Virga... Pieces clicked into place, cascading. The summons, Virga's determination to evolve and frustration with her form. Jade had said she knew Lugia and hadn't Virga called herself Jade's ally? Not her pokemon. Only one answer explained her reaction to Dustin's technique. What were the odds of two Lugia getting summoned?

He shot Jade an astonished look. She was here with Lugia and hadn't introduced him? He almost would've felt a little offended but it didn't seem like Virga was as... amicable as Dustin was. Shaking himself, he focused back on the battle. He could contemplate the odds of this another time. Being able to fly gave them a serious advantage, and short of forcing Anubis to swim, he wasn't sure what he could do.

Spitting embers of fury, Anubis glared upward. To lose now because of his lack of power would be humiliating. Alpha had helped teach him Flamethrower back home, he could do it here. Focusing on that memory, he drew a breath, stoking the fire inside him, building it hotter and hotter, until heat shimmered from his form.

Koa grinned. All or nothing then. "Flamethrower!" he called, unable to resist the call.

Anubis was happy to follow the request, and loosed the flames upon Virga.

Spoiler: Turn 3

Anubis (47 STM, 5 TMP, +0 SPD, +1 ACC, 0 SHD, 0 RAD)
- **Act:** Focus (+5 TMP, -20 SHD, -20 RAD)
- STRONG Flamethrower @ Virga (ACTIVATE: Burn) (-31.5 STM, -7 TMP, +6 TMP)
- **Act:** Item (Cacnea Spike) @ Malachai (-2 TMP)
- Walk to NE Riverbank
Net change: -32 STM, +2 TMP, +0 SHD, +0 RAD
Net totals: 15 STM (30 after regen), 7 TMP, 0 SHD, 0 RAD