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 Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 1:00 pm
TerashiLeonGoken Rala nodded and focused her Psychic-type energy directly to Zebistrika's mind, attempting to induce hypnotic patterns into its mind's eye as a means of inducing drowsiness. With the pain she was going through, however, success was not guaranteed as the move required complete focus to put the opponent to sleep. (If the number is six or below, Zebistrika is asleep.) After making contact with Rala with its Flame Charge the Zebstrika's would skid to a stop and await its next command, the hoofed quadruped just staring at Rala with a stern look as the Hypnosis waves washed over it harmlessly. This one was too wired to go to sleep apparently. "I'm sorry challenger but my Zebstrika's passion can't be lulled to complacency by the beauty of another, instead your gorgeous Pokemon only inspires us to prove our own flair to be in style! Zebstrika, use Spark!" The gym leader ordered. Utilizing the speed boost granted by Flame Charge on top of its natural high speed the Zebstrika would rush towards Rala at a blinding pace, faster than before as its body began to crackle wildly with electricity, the Thunderbolt Pokemon living up to its name as it was set for a head on collision with the Psychic.
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Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 1:57 pm
I felt my chest warm up when Rala was struck by Zebistrika's Flame Charge. Neither of us was going to keep up at this rate, though Rala's pain was greater than mine. "A close-quarters strategy isn't going to work with this Pokemon. Surround him with Double-Team for now. We can devise a new strategy afterwards."
Rala complied by teleporting away, leaving an energy clone for Zebistrika to collide into. Rala quickly left a plethora of energy clones behind, surrounding herself in a large battalion of them. She'd need more time to make more of them, so this would have to do for now. At least she could make them mimic her movements, so that it'd be harder for Zebistrika to determine the real one.
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Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 2:33 pm
Elesa smiled at this turn of events as Zebstrika passed through one of the false Rala's and skid to a stop, glaring at the others with a snort. The gym leader however was less bothered. "Excellent showmanship! You simply must let me tutor your Gardevoir one day for the Pokemon Musicals! She would be a hit if my own crowd is any indication." The gym leader pointed out the roaring applause Rala was receiving from the audience.
"We won't be one to be one upped, however. Sometimes elegance doesn't always solve the problem though so Zebstrika time to brute force our problem, hit them all with Wild Charge!" Elesa commanded.
With a neigh and a stamp of its hooves Zebstrika would charge towards the nearest 'Rala', electricity exploding into existence around its body. The first one was of course a fake but the Thunderbolt Pokemon didn't stop there as it charged towards another and another. Every half a second it seemed like Zebstrika got faster and faster until it was nothing but a blur, an almost literal bolt of lighting as it zoomed across the field, leaving an after image. Elesa's strategy to find and hit the right Rala was to utilize the Pokemon's high speed which was made even more insane under Wild Charge and simply hit every 'Rala' at such a pace that the real Rala would eventually be hit and hopefully not have time to do anything about it due to the sheer speed of it. Behold the Thunderbolt.
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Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 2:46 pm
I glared at Zebistrika as it rushed through the field, trampling energy clone after energy clone. There was no way Rala would be able to hit him at that speed, so I had no choice but to go on the defensive. "I've been trying not to rely on this move, but I don't see what choice I have right now. Rala, use Protect!"
Rala didn't wait for the last of her energy clones to be taken out as that wouldn't give her enough time. Instead, she focused on bringing up the Protect barrier as fast as she could, even though the energy from it would give away which one of her was real.
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Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2019 5:46 pm
TerashiLeonGoken I glared at Zebistrika as it rushed through the field, trampling energy clone after energy clone. There was no way Rala would be able to hit him at that speed, so I had no choice but to go on the defensive. "I've been trying not to rely on this move, but I don't see what choice I have right now. Rala, use Protect!"Rala didn't wait for the last of her energy clones to be taken out as that wouldn't give her enough time. Instead, she focused on bringing up the Protect barrier as fast as she could, even though the energy from it would give away which one of her was real. Zebstrika would slam into the Protect shield with a thud, the hoofed menace bouncing off of it with a snort, stumbling backwards a ways before getting its wits back. Elesa frowned slightly at this turn of events, the first time she showed any type of disapproval but for now she said nothing. "Zebstrika, don't worry about it darling and hit it with a Spark!" The gym leader ordered. While Zebstrika didn't have the space between them to gain enough speed for a Wild Charge it was so close to Rala right now that it was confident it would land an electric ramming attack. As soon as the Protect dropped the Thunderbolt Pokemon would kick off the ground with its powerful hind legs and launch its self at Rala, body crackling with electricity as it aimed to ram into her, horns first.
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Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2019 6:28 pm
"This move again," I muttered regretting not having a Pokemon that knows Torment. "Rala, focus your mind on the enemy with Psychic," I ordered.
Rala stood still as Zebistrika charged at her and covered his head with Psychic-type energy, assaulting the Electric-type's mind. Rala wasn't dodging while she attacked, however, and got hit with Zebistrika's Spark as a result. She was still standing strong, though.
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Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2019 7:54 am
TerashiLeonGoken "This move again," I muttered regretting not having a Pokemon that knows Torment. "Rala, focus your mind on the enemy with Psychic," I ordered. Rala stood still as Zebistrika charged at her and covered his head with Psychic-type energy, assaulting the Electric-type's mind. Rala wasn't dodging while she attacked, however, and got hit with Zebistrika's Spark as a result. She was still standing strong, though. As soon as Zebstrika collided with Rala it was assaulted with a mental attack, the Thunderbolt Pokemon snorting in pain but alas it still stood strong. "Not very showy but I suppose not all moves have to be. Zebstrika, let's take a page out of their book; Double Team!" Elesa ordered. With a snort the Thunderbolt Pokemon would begin to race around Rala in a circle, creating clones of its self every few feet until there were a ring of Zebstrika. It was hard to tell which were actual clones and which were afterimages as Zebstrika never stopped running, nor did its clones. Apparently the plan was not to just make copies but to also disorient its foe with sheer speed.
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Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2019 8:05 am
"That's not going to work on me, though I don't blame you for trying," I replied to Zebistrika's Double Team. "Everyone, please cover your ears!" I said loudly, hoping to get the attention of the audence. "Rala, attack all of the clones at once via Hyper Voice!"
I covered my ears as soon as I gave the order, and somewhere in the audience, Keiko tried her best to keep her ears closed as she was sensitive to loud sounds. Rala gathered Normal-type energy in her body before releasing it through her mouth, her voice escalating quickly as the energy spread across the battlefield in a wide arc. The way sound travels, there was no part of the room the battlefied was in that Zebistrika's clones could avoid the attack in. I had meant for Elesa to be included in 'everyone', but I didn't say anything to her directly, so I could only hope she was covering her ears as well.
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Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2019 2:10 pm
TerashiLeonGoken I covered my ears as soon as I gave the order, and somewhere in the audience, Keiko tried her best to keep her ears closed as she was sensitive to loud sounds. Rala gathered Normal-type energy in her body before releasing it through her mouth, her voice escalating quickly as the energy spread across the battlefield in a wide arc. The way sound travels, there was no part of the room the battlefied was in that Zebistrika's clones could avoid the attack in. I had meant for Elesa to be included in 'everyone', but I didn't say anything to her directly, so I could only hope she was covering her ears as well. "Now Zebstrika! Bear it for a little longer and use Wild Charge!" Elesa commanded. Fortunately for her she was quick to put on her pair of stylish headphones to cancel out the ear drum damaging effects. With a pained neigh as the Hyper Voice rattled its head the Zebstrika utilized the speed it picked up while running in circles and made a sudden turn towards Rala, electricity crackling wildly around it as it intended to catch Rala and Terashi hopefully off guard this time and deal a devastating blow to the physically frail Psychic.
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Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2019 3:58 pm
There was no dodging this. Not this time. Zebistrika had built up too much speed. Both Rala and I had been blown back by that attack, landing on our backs. But while Rala didn't have the strength to get back up, I did, though I'd be lying if I said I didn't struggle to do so.
"Garb?" Odo said, looking down at Rala's nearly fainted form. When did he get out of his ball? I'd worry about that later.
"Mas...ter..." Rala groaned telepathically, only for me to recall her to her ball. "Get some rest," I said simply before turning to Odo, surprised that he seemed frustrated. That's when I knew how to proceed. 'I know you're angry right now," I said, which caught Odo's attention. "Both at the audience for judging you unfairly and at Zebistrika for defeating your ally. I need you to tap into that frustration right now."
While Odo looked at me in confusion, I pointed at Zebistrika. " Show these people that you are more than your appearance, more than your energy type. Show them the quality of your strength. Show them... that you are a force to be reckoned with! Stomping Tantrum!"
It took Odo a second get what I was saying, but he grit his teeth and after a bit of stomping to surround his body with Ground-type energy, he roared and charged for Zebistrika, looking to crush the Electric type with a powerful, super-effective move.
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Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 7:49 am
TerashiLeonGoken It took Odo a second get what I was saying, but he grit his teeth and after a bit of stomping to surround his body with Ground-type energy, he roared and charged for Zebistrika, looking to crush the Electric type with a powerful, super-effective move. "Zebstrika, use Magnet Rise!" Elesa ordered. With a graceful step, especially coming from such a hot head of a Pokemon, Zebstrika danced off the ground, sparks of electricity flickering from its hooves as it rose up just slightly off the ground. As Odo closed in Zebstrika would 'gallop' into the air, rising up high and above Odo to avoid its attack. The zebra wouldn't stop its gallop as it continue to run circles in the air around the field much to the enjoyment of the audience. It was like Santa's flying Sawsbuck come to life.
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Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 12:24 pm
I felt like a fool for not thinking of that. It was a bit annoying that she could just negate Odo's self justice like that, but from her perspective, she was defending her station as a Gym Leader. She couldn't be held responsible for Odo's situation. No, that fell upon my shoulders.
Before I could give out another order, however, Odo's emotions got the better of him, and the Garbodor cried out in rage, gathering surprising amounts of Normal-type energy. It took me a minute to realize what he was doing, but by then it was too late. A massive beam of energy fired from Odo's body, careening straight for Zebistrika. A risky play - if Zebistrika avoided the attack somehow, or managed to keep from fainting after getting hit by it, the move left Odo vulnerable and ripe for a counter attack. But there was nothing I could do to stop it now. Odo made his own bed at this point.
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Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 5:54 pm
TerashiLeonGoken Before I could give out another order, however, Odo's emotions got the better of him, and the Garbodor cried out in rage, gathering surprising amounts of Normal-type energy. It took me a minute to realize what he was doing, but by then it was too late. A massive beam of energy fired from Odo's body, careening straight for Zebistrika. A risky play - if Zebistrika avoided the attack somehow, or managed to keep from fainting after getting hit by it, the move left Odo vulnerable and ripe for a counter attack. But there was nothing I could do to stop it now. Odo made his own bed at this point. Anger is a funny thing, people often say it blinds you and clouds your judgement, however as Terashi and the rest of the gym's occupants would see that wasn't always the case. For Odo, who had been mocked and ridiculed simply for what he was (and what he didn't want to be), it seemed to have given him a brief moment of clarity. The Hyper Beam fired with a thundering boom and shot through the air and in spite of how quick it moved for a split second everyone surely thought Odo had aimed wrong as it looked like it would whiz right by in front of the galloping Zebstrika, that was until something astounding happened. Zebstrika would run straight into the side of the beam as it went by, the Thunderbolt Pokemon letting out a agonizing cry as it bounced off the Hyper Beam violently, tumbling through the air before it crashed onto the battlefield with a fierce thud. A sudden silence would fall over the gym as Zebstrika barely stirred, simply letting out a whine as it tried to pick up its head but then promptly dropped it back down. Elesa herself had a shocked expression on her face but it wasn't exactly one of disappointment or anger, but of pleasant surprise. "Zebstrika is unable to battle! Gym Leader Elesa is out of available Pokemon! Challenger Terashi is the winner!" The announcer declared, Elesa recalling her Pokemon soon after. Initially the crowd remained silent, that was until Elesa walked towards the edge and stomped her foot. "Applaud for our victor! Honor the grace and style of him and his Pokemon!" She demanded. The audience promptly obeyed with roaring applause, which at first might have seemed fake but when Terashi made out the mutterings of how 'avant-garde' his style was with Odo it perhaps would convince him that he did make an impression on them, not that it mattered. "Our battle has inspired me greatly. I think I have a few ideas for my fall fashion line thanks to you and your Garbodor." Elesa smiled as she approached Terashi. "You're beautiful, Odo. Never let anyone tell you otherwise." She said to the Garbodor before taking out a beautiful black and white zebra striped cased and handing it to Terashi, inside he would find the Bolt Badge. "You've earned it, darling."
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2019 7:20 am
I earned it, huh? I was tempted to question that. The way that Zebistrika jumped into Odo's Hyper Beam made it pretty convincing that the Zebra Pokemon threw the match. In my favor, which part of me wanted to believe that it didn't make sense. But, I had a sneaking suspicion that it wasn't done for my sake. After all, Zebistrika would be able to understand what Odo was screaming about before he used a move before being asked.
Honestly, though, the wasn't a point in bringing it up. I'd just look like a jerk for demanding a rematch after winning on a technicality, and it'd hurt Odo's feelings to boot. Not to mention waste the sacrifice of Zebistrika's honor as a Gym Leader's Pokemon. I was better off accepting the win.
"Thanks, and ignore my comments from the beginning of the match. I always go against a gym leader's style when I challenge them. My way of letting them know I'm serious, I guess. It's nothing personal." I explained, taking the case and removing the badge from it to pin it to the back of my tie.
Unsurprisingly, I got tacklehugged on my way out of the arena. What did surprise me is that Odo received similar treatment as well, not that he didn't earn it. "Fur's gonna smell," I warned her a bit too late.
"It already does," she answered before letting go of Odo. She then turned to me, looking displeased. "No more fizzling comments, by the way. Or do you want me to die from embarassment?"
"Exaggerate much?" I asked, though she didn't seem too pleased at that. "I mean it."
"Alright, alright, no more ~/~," I said, waiting for the opportune moment to finish the punchline. After minute, Keiko averted her gaze and I just knew she was blushing under her fur. "I... I didn't mean-" "Jokes."
The look of scorn on her face only made me chuckle more, which convinced her to drop it. "Has Rala been to Driftveil before?" Keiko asked, catching me off-guard.
"Not yet, no," I replied, realizing why she was asking.
"Guess I'll have to ask GRAY to have Claydol drop me off after my shower, then," Keiko sighed.
"Or we could go there and I could have her pick you up," I offered.
"Fair enough. See you soon" she agreed, reaching in to kiss me before I stopped her. "Shower first."
Keiko nodded at that, and let Natalia out of her ball, teleporting away immediately after. "You know, it's rude to talk about someone who's listening," GRAY spoke up.
"You know, it's rude to listen to people who are clearly trying to have a private conversation," I retaliated.
"You should know by now that I'm not programmed to be polite," GRAY rebutted.
"How could I forget?" I asked dryly.
"Pretty easily, considering recent events," GRAY answered sassily.
I refused to dignify that quip with a response, and started marching back to Nimbasa City's Pokemon Center until I noticed that Odo wasn't following me. Judging by the look on his face, our conversation about the result of the hug Keiko gave him must be weighing heavily on him.
I sat down in front of him and patted his head, wishing I could do something about his sensitivity, though I didn't say that. "Don't worry buddy. You don't have to be a Poison-type. You just gotta be yourself, okay?" I asked with a smirk, trying to cheer him up. He smiled when I said that, so I had to hope that it worked as I recalled him.
I visited the Pokemon Center and had Rala and Simon healed up. Once that was done, I replaced Simon for Brunor and Odo for Orion in preparation for the next gym and had Claydol teleport me to Driftveil. Once there, I had Rala go back home to pick Keiko up, but it took her half an hour to come back. I didn't say anything, but I had to wonder how long she had to bathe to get the aroma of Odo out of her fur with how long she was gone.
Now that both of us were ready, I opened the door to the Driftveil gym and let Keiko and myself in.
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2019 8:36 am
As Terashi and company entered Driftveil gym they would be welcomed into perhaps one of the more normal looking rooms of the Unova League gyms so far, since Aspertia at least. The modestly sized square room had a receptionist's counter to the left, a nice waiting area to the right, and a beautiful long red carpet which ran through two beautiful copper statues with the league logo fixed to their tops, said carpet ending at some sort of metal platform built into the room's floor, a sort of tablet fixed atop a vertical pole on the corner of the platform as well. The clean, modern, and minimalist decor was perhaps not what Terashi would expect to find in a Ground type gym leader's place.
The receptionist would spot Terashi and Keiko immediately and would bow politely in their general direction from behind the counter. "Hello and welcome to Driftveil City Gym and Headquarters of Clay Excavations. If you are here on business with Clay Excavations please take a seat to the right. If you are here to challenge the gym then please proceed down the red carpet and step onto the metal platform. Make sure your hands and feet are inside the white lines on the platform and when ready tap the big green circle on the touch screen you'll find on the platform. If you have any other questions feel free to ask." The polite woman explained.
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