Round 7 (Losers)

[Godai]

SPOILER: Click to show

{Luke Windsor}

Pokemon
Litwick Caught at Level 5 Nickname: Alina Gender: Female Type: Ghost/Fire Ability: Flame Body Height: 1'0" Weight: 6.8 lbs Health: Low EXP Rate: Medium Slow EXP Gauge: (72/81) EXP Gained: 66 Level: 20 Division: D9 Total Stats: 200 Attack: 20 (10%) Defense: 36 Sp. Attack: 76 Sp. Defense: 48 Speed: 20 (10%)	Moveset: 1. Astonish 1. Ember 3. Minimize 5. Smog 7. Fire Spin 10. Confuse Ray 13. Night Shade 16. Will-O-Wisp 20. Flame Burst Unique Moves: -Toxic (TM) -Telekinesis (TM) -Shockwave (TM) -Hidden Power: Bug (TM) Item:
Gliscor Received at Level 10 Evolved at Level 11 Nickname: Makani Gender: Female Type: Ground/Flying Ability: Hyper Cutter Height: 7'6" Weight: 132.2 lbs Health: Above Average EXP Rate: Medium Slow EXP Gauge: (72/81) EXP Gained: 54 Level: 20 Division: D5 Total Stats: 280 (+2) Attack: 75 Defense: 73 (26%) Sp. Attack: 10 Sp. Defense: 50 Speed: 72 (+3%)	Moveset: 1. Poison Sting 4. Sand Attack 7. Harden 5. Knock Off 11. Ice Fang 11. Poison Jab 13. Quick Attack 16. Fury Cutter 19. Feint Attack Unique Moves: -Aerial Ace (TM) -Mimic (TM) -Toxic (TM) -Hidden Power: Psychic (TM) Item:

SPOILER: Click to show

{Joshua Warden}

Atirador (Vikavolt) Level 25 Gender: Male Type: Bug / Electric Ability: Levitate Health: Intermediate Total Stats: 350 + 13 Attack: 24 Defense: 75 Sp. Attack: 143 (130+13) (37%) Sp. Defense: 75 Speed: 46 (13%) Vitamins Used: Calcium x1

Moveset: 1. Vice Grip 4. String Shot 7. Mud Slap 10. Bite 13. Bug Bite 16. Spark 19. Acrobatics 20. Charge 23. Thunderbolt 23. Air Cutter 25. Guillotine Unique Moves: - Charge Beam (TM Move) - Energy Ball (TM Move) - Thunderwave (TM Move) - Roost (TM Move) Item: -

Cavaliero (Silvally) Level 26 Type: Normal Ability: RKS System Health: Above Average Total Stats: 375+36 Attack: 90 (78+12) Defense: 86 (78+8) Sp. Attack: 86 (78+8) Sp. Defense: 78 Speed: 86 (78+8) Vitamins Used: Protein x2 Carbos x1 Iron x1 Calcium x1

Moveset: 1. Tackle 5. Rage 10. Pursuit 15. Imprison 20. Arial Ace 24. Multi Attack 24. Poison Fang 24. Ice Fang 25. Crush Claw Unique Moves: - Shadow Claw (TM Move) - Icy Wind (TM Move) - Swords Dance (TM Move) - Thunder Wave (TM Move) Item: None

[chaosonex]

The grass and trees didn't show any of the damage from previous battles that Josh could see, a fact that caused him to frown. He looked with an almost desperate energy as he tried to spot anything. The alternative would imply that the arena was completely rebuilt between battles, which seemed preposterous.

Still, as hard as he looked, he didn't see anything.

Josh shook his head as he approached his designated spot. He knew he was focusing on other things to try to avoid thinking about his previous battle. He'd started so well, but the victory had been plucked right from his grasp. Well, it wasn't going to happen again.

He smiled, trying to make it appear as it he'd intended it for his opponent all along.

"Greetings? Let's have a good battle, yeah?" Josh called out as he pulled the Pokeball from his belt. He didn't wait to see what his opponent tossed out, after all, it didn't really matter. Both Trainers had already picked their first Pokemon, so it was up to luck who had the better matchup.

Atirador appeared in a flash of light, buzzing his wings as he looked around. Electricity crackled along the bug type's pincers, and it kicked up dust with each buzz of its wings. The opponent's Pokemon, a small candle looking creature, seemed dwarfed by the enormity of Josh's Vikavolt.

"Atirador, don't let it strike first, use Mud Slap!"

Josh didn't know anything about the other Pokemon. He guessed it might be a fire type from the flames on its head, but sometimes you couldn't be certain. Atirador picked itself up off the ground and beat with audible droning against the ground. Aura formed into globs of mud, arcing across the distance towards the opponent.

Josh let out a breath as he realized he'd been holding it. Atirador wasn't the fastest of Pokemon, but hopefully he might get the surprise on the opponent.

[Revelation]

Luke looked up at the flashing screens suspended above the flora-filled field. “Loser’s Bracket Finals” scrolled across the screen, along with pictures of himself and his opponent.

He’d really made it. One of the final three. That was farther than he thought he would have gotten by far.

Might as well try to finish it all while he was here.

His opponent yelled out from across the field, pulling Luke back into reality. He returned a grin to the man, trying not to show any nerves of his own. “Hey! Yeah, let’s have a good one. Good luck!”

He pulled one of the two pokeballs he had ready out and tossed it into the arena. Alina, his litwick, appeared in the middle of a grassy patch. She squealed at the sight of the trees and foliage surrounding her.

“Alright, Alina, let’s ju-”

Small brown spheres began pelting the ground around Alina. One hit her and pushed her back, knocking her to her side. She and Luke both cried out in surprise at the same time.

Luke’s defensive instincts kicked in. “Alina, Minimize!”

The small candle-like creature did not need further prompting. As the aerial assault of mud bombs continued, aura pulsed around Alina’s body, causing her entire form to contract with each passing second. It faded as she reached roughly half her original size. While not speedy, being only about a six-inch tall target certainly helped with staying alive.

“Alina, respond before it finishes so it can’t escape! Use Will-O-Wisp on those wings!”

Three small spheres of translucent lavender aura were spat out of Alina’s flame. Circling each other in a chaotic dance, they collectively raced across the field, spiraling straight towards the gigantic insect.

[chaosonex]

The crowd roared as the two Pokemon exchanged blows. The mud had only struck the candle Pokemon with one strike before it had shrunk itself down. Atirador buzzed past the candle, which gathered a ghostly flickering light to itself and thrust the energy forward. The ball of energy jittered randomly along its track following Atirador, and the bug type's evasive maneuvers grew frantic as the orb of ghostly light drew close. The ball erupted in a burst of heat that warped the air and Atirador let out a screech.

"Atirador!" Josh cried as the bug type rolled along the ground. It came to a stop with legs splayed and wings half extended. The lights along Atirador's body glowed brighter and it shook itself as it turned, aiming its massive jaws straight at the Litwick. Josh smiled at the bug type, formerly so timid and now ready to wage war. The crowd's roar reached a crescendo as they got caught in the spectacle. Josh found he actually had to wait for the noise to die down before he could give his Pokemon direction.

Josh smiled to his opponent. "Atirador here is an expert shot, just thought you should have fair warning." Josh nodded at the bug type. "Use string shot, then follow it up with Thunderbolt!"

Webbing shot from the bug type, coating sections of the battlefield as it tried to use area coverage to tie up the Litwick instead of focused shots. Satisfied, Atirador spread its wings. Light grew brilliant along his sides as he charged energy, and electricity crackled around him. The massive pincers spread wide, then narrowed as the bug type took aim at its opponent.

"Now!" Josh ordered.

A brilliant bar of light erupted from Atirador. Tinted yellow along the edges, it wasn't what Josh had expected for the move. He'd seen the arcing, jumping stream of energy that made up most electrical attacks, but this was something different. It was like Atirador focused the energy into a beam, rather than simply directing it.

[Revelation]

“Nice job, Alina!” Luke praised his litwick as the attack hit, blackened streaks marking where the attack had landed on the large body of the beast.

It certainly did not please the insectoid pokemon, as it began to emit light while staring down the tiny candle that dared oppose it. Alina stood her ground, facing it right back.

The other trainer, Josh, yelled out words of warning to his counterpart. Luke smiled, the corner of it slightly faltering as he responded. “Appreciate it! Warning: Alina plays dirty!”

His eyes darted around the battlefield, taking in the environment around him. The bug was showing signs of raw power, something Alina was lacking a bit. Guerrilla tactics might be useful here.

A sudden pitch change from the crowd notified Luke that the opponent was making a move. Large strings spewed about, connecting to the grass and trees. String shot. The same damn move that had rendered Makani immobile and lost him Round 1.

Thankfully, he was a bit more prepared this time.

“Alina, respond with Flame Burst! Cut through those strands and punish that creature!”

Alina’s flame began to flicker wildly at the command, notifying Luke that his message had made it through. The purple fire expanded, rapidly growing upon itself into a suspended ball of heat and energy. As it reached its peak, Alina twitched her wick, causing the inferno to finally spill over. The flames poured out over the field, a pure wave of lavender fire washing over everything in its path. Grass, brush, and the sticky strands combusted as they came into contact. Still, the energy streamed forward, towards the vikavolt.

It wasn’t finished, however. Light continued to collect within its body, building up to a brilliant yellow sphere between its imposing mandibles. As the fire moved toward it, It responded with a brilliant beam of energy, slicing directly through the path of the fire and heading towards Alina.

The move barely registered as it happened. Luke heard himself screaming, his breaking voice calling out just one word.

“Telekinesis!”

Alina flinched, wrapping herself in a tight ball and turning away as aura enveloped her tiny body. She just began to float as the beam hit, splitting the arena as the energy tore through the soil. The sheer power of the hit sent Alina flying, propelled further by her weightless form. She flew to the side, colliding with a tree branch. She dropped to the ground, moaning. The crowd collectively gasped at the power shown, causing the overall noise to die down for a brief minute, before roaring back to a new feverish level.

“Alina! Get back and hide!” Luke’s face was warped into a grimace as he turned and looked back at his foe, a ragged line of destroyed land pointing straight towards his pokemon. “You certainly hit hard, but she has a little bit of fight left in her!”

[chaosonex]

Josh's mouth hung open a little as the little candle started burning the strings coating the battlefield. Her attack flared in intensity and swept out across the field, consuming the land with an ominous purple flame. Several trees caught as strings disintegrated into bursts of heat. Branches cracked and fell as the flames expanded.

Then Atirador's thunderbolt had split the air.

The resulting devastation was a powerful reminder of just what the creatures were capable of. It was chilling to see the scorched earth and still burning trees.

One corner of Josh's mouth pulled into a smirk as Josh's opponent called across the battlefield. Josh indicated the field burning before them.

"She has more than a bit of fight. You've trained her well."

Josh swept his hand forward, "Atirador, use Air Cutter!"

Atirador's pincers opened and stretched. It let out a cry that sounded almost mechanical, and the lights on its body began glowing even brighter. A small gust started to fill the arena. Without warning, the air whipped about, sending slicing blades flying randomly through the foliage. Some of the embers were blown out, while others were spread by shattered wood. The blades spiraled out, filling the battlefield with slashes of air.

The once shy and timid grubbin wasn't so weak any more. Josh smiled at the bug type, though it was focused on the battle.

"Looks like we both are a little hard on the battlefield." Josh offered his opponent with a smile.

The flames now had been pushed towards Josh's opponent. Once they had spread out from the center of the battlefield, now foliage and burning forest lay scattered on the far side of the field. Josh wasn't certain if the move had hit the small fire type, but he hoped the massive area of the attack hadn't given it anywhere to hide.

[Revelation]

The wind whipped around Luke violently, ripping the retort he had for Josh out of his mouth. The sheer force of it caused Luke to have to take a step back. A whistle blew through the air, its short chirps drawing the trainer’s attention. He turned to see the referee pointing at his feet and motioning him to step forward.

A glance down explained it. His right heel was outside the trainer box. Luke looked back up helplessly at the ref, voice caught in his throat. The official, noticing the worry, smiled and shook his head. He mouthed “Pokemon move. Doesn’t count.” and walked back to the center of the sideline. Luke adjusted himself, signalling his gratitude at the figure. He turned his attention back to the desolate remains of the field and the force that did most of the damage.

“Okay, Josh. I see how it is.”

Alina crawled out from under some of the nearby wreckage as he spoke. Luke smirked as he noticed her movement.

“You got rid of Alina’s hiding spots, so let’s steal your visibility! Alina, Fire Spin!”

Alina squeaked energetically at this. She was battered up badly and had very little left in the tank, but having finally had a win had put a spark in her. Her flame began to elongate into a serpentine form, crawling across the field. It began to encircle the insectlike pokemon, removing any means of escape. The fire spewed out smoke as it continued to move, filling the air with a dark haze.

“Alina, try and get one more hit in if you can! Flame Burst!”

Her flame switching from feeding the circle to build up one more hit of the fiery substance again. The familiar lavender ball swelled up, ready to release as one final hurrah for Alina.

[chaosonex]

Josh found himself smiling at the thrill of the battle. The crowd seemed to be enjoying it as well. Uproarious cheering came from all sides as the crowd exploded with excitement at the battle's events. The entire crowd appeared as one massive undulating mass surrounding Josh. Only the distance kept them from feeling like they were creeping in on Josh.

He cast the thoughts aside, trying to focus on the battle. The candle wasn't doing so well, its hiding spot had been eliminated, and a good swath of the battlefield converted to piles of smoldering embers. Smoke was rising in fits and spurts from the material, giving the battle the look of something from a holocaster drama. Drifing clouds of sparks rose when a branch would fall, slowly floating between the combatants like dust in some sort of old video of the wild days.

Josh winced as the flames surrounded Atirador. The bug screeched, flinching itself as it took a cautious step back. Josh set his jaw and focused on his opponent.

"Its not enough." He declared with more confidence than he felt. Hoping Atirador could hear him, he shouted as loud as he could.

"Atirador, use Air Cutter one more time!"

Again the sharp mass of wind rose up, sweeping across the battlefield. Josh's opponent shouted something as well, and a burst of flame erupted, flying towards Atirador, who was still surrounded by fire.

The wind carried the burning branches and leaves beyond the battlefield, where they gathered against a wall. There were shouts of disappointment as smoke billowed and blocked the view of the action.

"Atirador, use Roost!" Josh shouted. He wasn't sure if the bug type would have time to brace itself for the coming impact, so he tried to get it ready by bolstering its health. From what glimpses he could see before the fire struck, the bug type was surrounded by an aura of sky blue energy.

[Revelation]

The slicing blades of wind were too much for Alina. She shot her final Flame Burst at the vikavolt before being slammed into the by aura-powered air. Her limp body flew back, rolling to a stop a few feet away from Luke.

“I’m so sorry, girl. Rest now.” Luke bent down and recalled the litwick, smiling sadly at it. It had done more than he could honestly have hoped against this kind of power.

The crowd roared as the announcer declared Alina out of the match. Luke stood up and straightened his shirt, his eyes focused in a steely glare. Atirador, as it had been called, was shimmering with yet another wave of aura. He couldn’t tell what it was, but this bug could cause problems. Especially since there was one unknown creature to face.

He grabbed his other registered pokemon from his belt and chucked the ball as high as he could into the air. As the form from within was released, he yelled out over the smoldering remains of the battlefield.

“Finish it quickly, Makani! Aerial Ace, followed by Ice Fang!”

The large gliscor fully formed in midair, wings already outstretched to try and catch the air. She hissed as she looked around, trying to understand where everything was. Her eyes finally caught sight of the insectoid creature below.

Prey.

Her lips pulled back into a gruesome smile, fully revealing the lethal fangs within. It was her tail, though, that began to be filled and surrounded with a shimmering layer of translucent white aura. As this happened, she hooked a sharp left in air, arcing up and around towards her target. As she passed over the top of it, she shot her wings back, throwing her entire body into a steep dive down. The aura continued collecting, fully wrapping her tail and her two stingers. A small streak of pale blue aura began encircling her fangs, signalling her next move should this aerial attack not finish the job.

[chaosonex]

Josh started to open his mouth to commend the little candle on her performance, but his opponent seemed to be too fired up. He tossed the Pokeball high above the battlefield, revealing a shadowy form that swooped about as it flew. It didn't even have a chance to fully form before its Trainer had given it an order.

Josh considered telling Atirador to hide, but there wasn't anywhere to go. Besides, he was still trapped by the swirling flames. Narrowing his gaze, Josh tried to work with what he had.

"Atirador, use Energy Ball! Wait for it to get close, then hit as hard as you can."

He tried to watch the skies to give Atirador direction, but the opponent's Pokemon blended in perfectly with the smoke and dimming night sky. There was a whooshing sound, followed by a screech and Josh jumped as he looked back at Atirador. The shadowy shape was rising away from Atirador, only to turn and dive with a an aura built up around its fangs. It spiraled as it dove, and Atirador never had a chance. A green ball of energy shot harmlessly into the air as the opponents Pokemon collided once more.

The flames died down to reveal a collapsed Atirador. Josh pursed his lips, recalling the Pokemon, then gave his opponent a smile, though it was forced.

"A Pokemon for a Pokemon, eh?" Josh pulled the green Pokeball from his belt and held it aloft.

"Very well, go Cavaliero!"

The Silvally appeared in a burst of light, shaking its head at the scent of the smoke. Josh pointed at the enemy Trainer. "Use Icy Wind, then follow up with Imprison!"

Cavaliero howled in agreement, sending a burst of cold air blasting across the battlefield. This pushed the smoke clouds away and frosted what tufts of green grass remained. Following up on it, Cavaliero sent an orb of menacing red light hurling at the opponent. If Josh was going to be down to his last Pokemon, he was going to borrow a page from that girl he'd fought early in the tournament.

[Revelation]

“What is that?” Luke gasped softly. His studies had made him at least passingly familiar with most pokemon. This one, though, was new to him. Was it new? Extremely rare? What was this?

Makani circled in the air, hissing and clicking at the trainer that dared to take her meal away from her. She eyed the strange creature, licking her fangs. This new creature might do.

The beast reared its head and roared, the air screaming as it blasted over the gliscor with freezing intensity. Makani was thrown back, a painful moan escaping her as her muscles contracted. She crashed to the ground, barely landing before another orb of energy hit her, molding over her body.

“Makani!” Luke brought his fist up, covering his mouth. He huffed into the enclosed hand, trying to calm himself slightly. That creature was fast and powerful. It didn’t help that it appeared to at least have Ice-type moves, which would destroy Makani. What the hell could he do?

“Makani, shake it off!” The gliscor was already getting up, trying to shake some of the crystals that had formed on her body off. That red aura had faded a bit, but the outline of it was still there. It hissed, ready to get back into the fight.

“Okay, try to get in with an Aerial Ace!”

Makani jumped up, wings flapping furiously to get it off the ground. She flicked her tail, trying to get aura down into it. As she struggled to get up to speed, she looked back at the aura-deprived appendage. With nothing working, she switched tactics on the fly. Purple aura rushed to fill her tail instead, collecting into those dual stingers as she went in for a jab.

“Crap, slowing her up and locking her moves? That’s cold, Josh!” Luke called over, trying to lighten the mood swirling around his head. “Makani, get ready for a Quick Attack to disrupt whatever it tries to do next!”

[chaosonex]

"Cavaliero is... Special." Josh explained to his opponent. He offered a smile as the opponent's Pokemon failed to use their move. It felt good to be on the other side of such a tactic, though it did feel... Slimy. It wasn't a tactic he could see himself using all too often. Not against normal Trainers anyways.

"Feel free to take the time to use your Pokedex." Josh shrugged. "I've had to use it a few times myself in the tournament."

He laughed at the opponent's word play. He shrugged again, this time indicating Cavaliero. The adaptable Pokemon stood proud in the battlefield, turned grey with ash. Here and there, only a few fires still burned, though the edges of the battlefield were still green. The crowd had become hushed as the tension built, and Josh was grateful for it. Cavaliero wagged its fin like tail as it followed Gliscor's movements. There were times Josh wasn't certain it even knew it was in a battle.

"Have to take what advantages you can. Still, its been a good fight!" Josh found he meant it. This battle had been interesting, as it had put strain on two of his best Pokemon, and even exposed some weaknesses in Atirador's fighting style.

"Cavaliero, use Crush Claw, then follow up with Rage!" Josh played to Cavaliero's current type. It also helped that the playful Pokemon had a tendency to use Rage. Aside from Icy Wind, it had historically been its go to move.

The chimeric Pokemon charged at the Gliscor, only to be struck by the flying type's dash. Cavaliero twisted, lashing out with claws glowing white. It let out a howl and tried its best to follow up with a full body tackle. As it had done since before it had evolved it swung its head as a way to attack even though it no longer wore the heavy helm.

Cavaliero howled, breathing heavily as it readied to go into a berserk fury. Just as it had many times before, the normal type was losing its playful air to the frenzy that came from using the move.

[Revelation]

“You can say that again.”

Luke nodded and began reaching towards his back pocket for his Pokedex. If he had the time, it might help. Who knew?

That thought was stopped by the quick response Josh had. Caliero rushed forward, tanking the Poison Jab and Quick Attack in stride before slashing down across Makani’s wings with energetic claws. The gliscor tried to twist out of the way, but the icy remnants of the earlier kept the wings too stiff to maneuver. They were an easy target, and the claws were not going to miss. They slashed down directly onto the thin membrane, tearing straight through the leathery flesh. Makani screamed, the surprise and pain echoed by some in the crowd.

Luke let go of the pokedex, letting it fall to the ground and bounce away. His hands cupped around the side of his mouth, trying to amplify his screeching command. “Makani, Quick Attack! Get out of there now!”

The gliscor shot away from the beast, aura streaming off of her body. She spiraled back, spinning as she landed. Her ragged breathing and wild eyes revealed just how bad she was doing right now. She growled and bared her fangs fully, all the while her left wing hanging in limp strands, grounding her for the rest of this fight.

A roar drew attention back to the other end of the field. Cavaliero was whipping its head around and stomping on the ground, the look on its face similar to Makani’s. Both were out for blood now.

Luke flipped through Makani’s moveset mentally, trying to find what best worked when the gliscor couldn’t fly. There wasn’t much he could find, and he hesitated in calling out another word. Makani took that as a chance to do her own thing.

She launched forward, scurrying across the ground as quickly as she could. Greenish energy filled her claws and she moved. Cavaliero stared her down as she leaped towards him, the two pokemon colliding in the center of the arena. Makani clawed at the chimeric creature’s face while it responded with powerful thrashes of its own.

“Makani, no! Fall back!”

Makani continued, either not listening or not even hearing it to begin with.

“Shit, Makani!” Luke fumbled around for her pokeball, trying to grasp it with shaking hands. “I yield, I yield! Josh, call it back!”

There! Luke finally had her pokeball in hand and aimed it at his pokemon. She was still clawing away, but each hit from the frenzied opponent pushed her farther and farther into the ground. He aimed it at her and pushed the button, sending a beam of light to envelope her. The normally quick retrieval felt like an eternity as her form slowly dissolved, finally removing her, and Luke, from the fight. Luke dropped her ball to the ground, gasping for air. His heart pounded against his rib cage, the understanding of how lethal that ending could have been shooting adrenaline throughout his entire body.

“You win… Josh,” Luke started between gasps of air. “Good… game. Next time…” He trailed off, hoping the other man would know his meaning there. He offered a weak smile as the announcer declared the victor, bowing his head slightly while the medical team ran out to get his pokemon and take them away.