In Her Image: a Pokémon RP

[CJ1145]

Daria watched the proceedings below with interest, her mouth hanging open as the trainer below ordered his Shieldon up to the surface again. "Why would he..."

Then it hit her, and her grin turned outright wicked as she shook her head in a sort of approving disbelief. "This kid's crazy! He's toying with that other guy's Cubone! Gutsy, since he's the one with a Pokemon down right now..."

 

[Pappytech]

Matt smiled as he was welcomed by Remy and Daria; though still unused to such gregarious displays, it did feel nice to be greeted in such a manner.

"HEY! Thanks kid, you too... Even though, you know... You didn't actually get to fight. I'm sure you'll knock the next guy out!"

"Heh, well what're you going to do," Matt said as he rubbed the back of his neck, "I can't honestly say that I'm too disappointed. At least this way I've got some more time to prepare myself for the next match. Plus," he added, gesturing to the arena below, "I might be able to pick up some neat tricks and moves!"

"What about you, quiet kid? What kinda Pokemon have ya got?"

"Huh?" At this, Matt was caught a little off guard; though he couldn't blame Daria for forgetting about someone as unimpressive as himself, Matt was still a little hurt. "Oh, well, uh, don't know if I should bring them out in the middle of a crowd, but I've got Spike, Ventus, Persephone. They're all"

"This kid's crazy! He's toying with that other guy's Cubone! Gutsy, since he's the one with a Pokemon down right now..."

The young trainer blinked as Daria seemed to lose interest half-way through his explanation. Then again, considering the events taking place below them, he was more than a little distracted himself.

Matt may not have been the most experienced of trainers, but he still knew about basic type advantages and disadvantages. Rupert had made quite the error, but considering Tom's playful nature the Kanto native might yet have an opportunity to win this skirmish as well. Finding a seat unoccupied by people, Pokemon, or popcorn, Matt sat down and began to enjoy the show, adding his quiet cheers to the roars of the crowd.

 

[JokerboyJordan]

Savannah had been quietly studying the combatants and their trainers, seeing how they fought and their tactics. Whilst scanning the crowd, she noticed her fellow trainers that had attended dinner last night. Not wanting to appear anti-social Sav made her way over to join Remy, Daria and Darius who were all involved in conversation about the match.

Whilst walking over during the middle of a match, her Grovyle behind, she cringed and clapped her hands over her ears as a high pitched screech pierced her eardrums.

"Grovyle!" Spriggan screamed as the noise overcame him as well.

"Are you okay Sprig? What the heck was that noise?"

Cautiously un-cupping her ears, she was relieved that the noise had subsided. Sav reluctantly took the empty seat next to Daria, hoping that her ears wouldn't be filled with a different kind of noise.

"Hey guys! We all engrossed in the match I take it?"

 

[JdaS]

With the orders of their Trainers, both Pokémon were now underground, steadily burrowing their way towards each other. Tom decided to cut the digging short, however, ordering Trapic to come up and Protect. Trapic did so, bursting out of the ground and bracing itself for an attack, making itself as small as possible.

A few seconds went by until Cubone came flying out of the ground and at Trapic, hitting it head-on. It's attack was without power though and did nothing to break through its foe's Protect. As ordered, the Shieldon followed through with a Take Down, tackleing its opponent with its full weight, hurting itself slightly in the process.

Cubone was sent hurtling towards Rupert's feet. As it came to a halt, it struggled back to its feet. Taking a few pained breaths it took a look at its Trainer, smiled and fell back down.

And Cubone is down and out! What a resilient little Pokémon that one turned out to be! Amazing spirit!

Amazing is the word, Terry! With it down, though, it seems Gravel is down to his last Pokémon. Can he come back from this?
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"I might be able to pick up some neat tricks and moves!"

"That's the spirit, Matty-boy!" Remy said, patting the boy in the back as if to re-assure him of the fact that Daria listens to no one.

That's when Savannah made her way to their location as well.

"Hey guys! We all engrossed in the match I take it?"

"Sure are! I'm Remy, by the way. Pleased to meet'cha."

Remy said, introducing himself to the tall girl, as he had not done so last night.

 

[Shakomaru]

And Cubone is down and out! What a resilient little Pokémon that one turned out to be! Amazing spirit!

"Great job Trapic, that cubone was really tough. Rupert trained it really well! You can rest for a while, it's Kusari's turn now."

Tom recalled the shieldon and sent out his Skorupi. The small purple Pokemon burst out of a symbol that just looked like a circle with three arrows sticking out of the bottom.

SKOR!

Spoiler: Kusari

"Alright Rupert, this is it, game point! Are you ready?"

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Caleb continued to watch the battle between Tom Relict and Rupert Gravel with some sense of interest. Each of the trainers fought tactically, using combinations of moves to generate some interesting results. By this point in the match, Rupert was down to his last Pokemon, and Tom had changed to the Scorpion Pokemon, Skorupi.

"Hmm, a Poison/Bug type. Skorupi have a rather slow growth rate, and when matching it up with my team, is rather weak to Raphael and Angelique. However, any Poison type can cause a lot of trouble, shall have to watch out for this one if I happen to face him. Let's see how Rupert handles this one, and with this being his last Pokemon, he is going to have to pull something special to win this."

 

[Anayna]

Amazing is the word, Terry! With it down, though, it seems Gravel is down to his last Pokémon. Can he come back from this?

Rupert stood over the fainted Cubone lying at his feet. For a second he couldn't help but be reminded of when he first found Cubone, his first pokemon. It had been so vulnerable, so alone. Seeing Cubone like this now, bruised and battered, made Rupert wonder if the two of them had ever made any progress together beyond that night. Were they still just two souls scared of the world? This doubt only lasted for a second though. Seeing Cubone smile even in defeat made sure of that. This defeat had been entirely on Cubone's own terms. It never backed down, so that Rupert would never falter. It stood up for him when he couldn't stand up for himself. Rupert had never been prouder of his Cubone. He nearly teared up as he picked up the small limp pokemon and returned it to its pokeball.

"Thank you, Cubone. You were amazing. Beyond amazing. You always have been. But don't worry. I'll finish this without you. It's high time you guys were able to rely on me. Trust me. I'll see this through to its end. The bitter end if necessary."

With that Rupert's second and last pokeball was thrown into the ring, releasing his Haunter.

Spoiler: Haunter

Haunter seemed positively elated at the sight of the audience. It enjoyed attention and bobbed up and down in the air grinning. Its antics came to a stop, however, as it spotted the Skorupi.

"That's right, Haunter. It's time for games. Maybe you could start with your pretty light show?"

"Haunter!"

If Haunter noticed something off about his trainer's unusually dapper tone he never showed it. Instead his face split in the widest grin ever to grace a Haunter before his eyes started to radiate light. The Confuse Ray manifested in multicolored swirling beams aimed squarely at Kusari.

 

[CJ1145]

"Hey guys! We all engrossed in the match I take it?"

"Sorta." Daria shrugged, slapping the girl on the back to welcome her to the group, as if she'd known her all her life. She started venting about the match below. "It's interesting, but really it's a bit frustrating. Both of these guys are newbies, ya can tell. I mean, that's not bad but they keep making all these mistakes, and it just makes me wanna tear my hair out!"

As she continued to rant, Slagger rolled over and set himself up to rest against his trainer's leg, content for the moment, and unlike his fire-type teammate finding no reason to point out the hypocrisy of what Daria was saying, considering her own blunders in her first match.

Spiegel was bound by no such honor, however, and was was currently helping himself to the last of the popcorn. He needed some form of comfort food in these dark, stupid times.

 

[Shakomaru]

Well, here we go. This is the last part of the match. I just hope it's as spirited as the first two parts. Rupert is really strong, and he's trained his Pokemon well. It's terrible that one of us has to lose, but the truth is, there's no way to tie. Even if both Haunter and Kusari faint at the same time, I've still got two Pokemon left. That means I'll win if that happens. I'd just better give it my all. And.... Huh?

"That's right, Haunter. It's time for games. Maybe you could start with your pretty light show?"

"WOAH! Are we starting already? Alright then! Kusari! Use acupressure, then distract it with pin missile, and close in for bite!"

"Skor!"

 

[JdaS]

When Tom finally got around to give Kusari his orders Haunter had already trapped the Skorupi in his haunting gaze of rainbow hues. Once he was finished Kusari seemed totally out of it, striking random parts of the battlefield with its stinger instead of using the Acupressure on itself. It did hit Haunter with some of its Pin Missiles. Haunter's type combination made them little more than an annoyance though.

Haunter floated around its hapless opponent as it tried in vain to use Bite until...

*CHOMP*

Haunter's laughter had now evolved into roaring guffaws as he gleefully watched Kusari gnawing on its own pincer.

It was Rupert's move, now.

 

[CJ1145]

"Mmm-pbfffff--BWAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA--"

Before anyone present could do anything to save her, Daria had fallen out of her seat. The young woman rolled back and forth across the floor, laughing her lungs out with the sheer resounding force of her cackles. She could scarcely enunciate, forced instead to point at the self-digesting Skorupi to designate the target of her elation.

Slagger, sensing a moment of jubilation, began to laugh alongside his trainer. It all became too much for the Graveler, and he very quickly fell over and started rolling right along with Daria. This, however, was a mistake; a few changes in direction later, and one bit of unnecessary force on Slagger's part, and a Rollout attack gone wrong smashed directly into any and all trainers to his right; specifically, Remy, Darius, and their teams.

 

[Shakomaru]

Tom could only watch helplessly as Kusari staggered around. Being lost in thought had let Rupert attack first, and the confuse ray was successful.

"CHOMP"

"Owch! That has gotta hurt... Kusari, just keep trying to snap out of it, and if you feel like you can land an attack use it! It won't matter what, it'll help us out somehow. Oh! And try to dodge anything that comes your way!"

However the poor pokemon stayed confused, and started attacking the ground. Meanwhile Rupert's Haunter was cracking up, and Rupert had a very confident expression.

Well, I can really only watch what will happen, but confusion is pretty temporary. Hopefully Kusari will break out of it before she takes too much damage. A couple of bites should take it out, but who knows if I'll even hit it?

 

[Anayna]

Haunter's laughter had now evolved into roaring guffaws as he gleefully watched Kusari gnawing on its own pincer.

"Hau hau hau haunter!"

Rupert on the other hand didn't quite know how to feel. Okay, that worked. But laughing at Kusari like that is just rude, Haunter. She has barely even done anything to hurt you - yet. That can very easily change with that Bite attack of hers though. I have to remain in control here. That's the only way we can win.

Win. It wasn't that Rupert was convinced that they could win. This was just about showing his team and himself that he could give it his all when necessary. The main thing holding his pokemon back in the past had been himself. To change this meant learning mastery of oneself from Cubone, and learning to master Haunter. The Gas Pokemon had never been easy for Rupert to control. Haunter sometimes needed to be ordered very differently from Cubone.

Well, now what? Hypnosis? That might put Kusari out of commission for a while. But then that Confuse Ray would be essentially wasted. Toxic? No, she is Poison/Bug type. And Haunter isn't exactly the most durable 'mon, so we need Kusari gone soon. At least Haunter is far faster than her.

"Haunter! Um... Why don't you play ball?"

Haunter seemed to think this an excellent suggestion and immediately created a ball of black shadowy stuff and then threw the Shadow Ball at the Skorupi.

 

[JdaS]

As Kusari kept givind the ground what for, Haunter was charging a Shadow Ball. A crackling shadowy ball of dark energy formed between the Gaseous Pokémon's hands until it was time to release it.

The Shadow Ball hurtled towards Kusari, impacting and widening to twic its original size, engulfing the target. As it dissipated, the small Skorupi came tumbling out, struggling to get onto its legs. Fortunately it had also gotten rid of its confusion, it was time to strike.

Making use of its multiple legs, it quickly made its way towards Haunter, launching itself at it and bearing down with its pincers for a Bite.

*CHOMP*

Success! Haunter was feeling the pain as a pair of pincers and a row of serrated fangs now refused to let go of their prey. It wasn't until it made its way through the ground that Kusari was forced to stop. Coming back up and looking very annoyed, Haunter was done playing. No more Mr. Friendly Ghost.
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Meanwhile, in the podium, Remy was suffering from Daria-related pain for the second time in two days.

"...owwwww. You mind keeping your Pokémon from maiming me every two seconds? I might have to start keeping Primeape out of its ball if this keeps up..."

Remy said while getting up from underneath 230 pounds of rugged rock, holding his pained back.

 

[Redryhno]

Darius saw the Graveller start a rollout before Remy and stood in front of Knuckles, and got hit with it instead. He fell on top of his Sandslash, who was more than a bit annoyed by this and dug his way out, demolishing the rocks with his claws and pulling the few bits of stone on Darius, off of him.

"You think you could rein it in a bit, honey?" He said as he was forced to tapped some more tobacco into it,"I've only got this one pipe and I'd rather not have to leave here looking for one, not when there's all this fun happening."

 

[CJ1145]

"...owwwww. You mind keeping your Pokémon from maiming me every two seconds? I might have to start keeping Primeape out of its ball if this keeps up..."

"You think you could rein it in a bit, honey?" He said as he was forced to tapped some more tobacco into it,"I've only got this one pipe and I'd rather not have to leave here looking for one, not when there's all this fun happening."

"Er, sorry!" Daria exclaimed, looking somewhat amused but not without a hint of shame as she retrieved Slagger's Pokeball, calling him back before he could cause any more trouble. "Really, I am; he gets a little out of hand sometimes, but he doesn't mean it, honest!"

She stood back up and sat back down into her seat. She looked very nervous, even a bit... awkward as her face twitched a bit. She was searching for some kind of topic to distract from yet another embarrassing incident on her part. She fixated on Darius and his tobacco. "Hey, uh, Smoker? Ya smoke."

Spiegel leaned forward a row in the bleachers, on the other side of Darius from his trainer's view, to give her a deadpan stare.

Daria realized suddenly just how stupid a statement that was, and nervously grinned even wider as she scratched the back of her head. "Well, I mean, obviously ya do! But, is there a reason or something? Doesn't seem like a lot of people do anymore."

 

[Anayna]

Haunter's Shadow Ball had found it's target but so had Kusari's second Bite and with a Dark type advantage it was plainly obvious which had been more effective. This was especially obvious in Haunter's sudden silence. It wasn't laughing anymore. It wasn't even smiling anymore. Instead Haunter stared at Kusari with an expression that emanated genuine anger and something almost like betrayal.

Oh crapbaskets. Haunter is nothing like Cubone. Cubone faces anything no matter what the odds. He is fearless. Haunter on the other hand always needs to feel that he has the upper hand. When he doesn't he gets nervous. And when he gets nervous he gets angry. Haunter didn't expect Kusari to posses Dark type moves. This makes him nervous. I have to stay in control!

"H-Haunter! Use Hypnosis! Send Kusari to sleep! Then fire every Shadow Ball you can muster!"

Nothing. Haunter just continued to stare at the Skorupi indignantly.

"Haunter! I said..."

"HAUNTER!"

Haunter opened its eyes wide and they radiated a dulling yellow light, even while he charged a Shadow Ball with one outstretched hand.

 

[Shakomaru]

*CHOMP*
Leaping out of the dust cloud from the enemy's shadow ball, Kusari's jaws had hit the target.

"Great job Kusari! Just keep trying to bite that ghost! Two more hits and it should be out like a light!"

"H-Haunter! Use Hypnosis! Send Kusari to sleep! Then fire every Shadow Ball you can muster!"

"Oh we can't have that, now can we Kusari?"

"Skor!"

"Exactly! So keep your eyes closed, use acupressure, and try to dodge every shadow ball you can! But keep trying to get close to it! And when you're close to it, use bite! Now GO!"

 

[JdaS]

Kusari managed to avoid Haunter's Hypnosis in the nick of time. Using Acupressure, it could feel its offensive capabilities being heightened and dodged the first Shadow Ball. Haunter was still angry, however, and started charging more of them. Kusari made a break for it. With its Attack heightened, one Bite was all it needed, the only problem was getting through the Shadow Ball barrage unscathed.

The small Skorupi made for a difficult target as it waved in between the Haunter's powerful blasts of shadowy energy. Kusari was close, now it was just a matter of jumping and getting the hit.

Haunter's charging another Shadow Ball... The Skorupi jumps...

Tension fills the air. This could go either way.

.......

THE SHADOW BALL MISSED! BY A HAIR'S LENGTH!!! And Skorupi connects with the Bite!

Haunter howls in pain as the Dark-type attack takes it down. Unable to keep going, it faints.

That's it folks! TOM RELICT IS THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH!

What a spectacle that turned out to be! A Cubone with amazing spirit, awesome show of skill by the Sinnoh native Relict. I tell ya Terry, keep an eye on this kid!

Will do, Andy. Group 14's remaining matches are next, so don't touch that dial, folks! We'll be right back after these messages.

 

[Shakomaru]

TOM RELICT IS THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH!

"ALRIGHT!" Tom shouted as he jumped and punched the air. Kusari shook herself off and jumped onto his shoulder, where her trainer patted her on the head.

"All of you guys were amazing! That was a great battle!"

"Skor..."

"Right. You're right. Hey Rupert! That was an amazing match! You're really strong! Keep training and we'll have a rematch in the future, ok? Uh... Sorry about your pokemon... I'll go with you to get them healed up alright?"

He ran over to where Rupert was standing and offered his hand.