Pavement Flower [Gauntlet] [F]

[Tiki]

As Alex was leaving work for yet another day, this time with Strawberry Mango Smoothie, he stumbled upon someone whom he had seen a few times in his journey. "Hey.... I've seen you a few times already. Are you following me or you're just another trainer who started in New Bark Town?"

"Me? I'm not following you, and yes, New Bark Town. Name's Ethan. I'm an aspiring DJ." They shook hands.

"Well that's very cool. Nice to meet you. And I am an aspiring doctor, for humans. Not Pokemonn."

Ethan nodded, well that's something different from his profession, but they're both inspiring to be something, he thought. "That's very cool. I just finished a battle in this underground of an area in this city. They give you this TM called Drain Punch."

"Oh wow! And I just finished battling Gym leader Whitney. Watch out for her... I mean her personality." Alex grinned, and then wish his newly met friend good luck in gym battle upon finding out he hasn't done it yet. Meanwhile, his new friend wished him good luck on this mysterious gauntlet challenge after finding out Alex hasn't done it, and gave him direction.

---

As he followed the direction Ethan gave him, he stumbled upon a building in a pretty much shady, and back alley area. He opened the door with no expectation in mind on what the inside of building it would be. It turned out to be just a poorly lit indoor arena that's a bit smaller than a Pokemon Gym but with enough room for a Pokemon battle, and spectators to watch and eat.

OOC: miracle seed move to Lilligant

[Marchbaby]

Shortly after Alex entered the building a pair of spotlights began to shine on him followed by a loud screeching noise coming from a microphone attached to a massive set of speakers. A moment after the screech stopped a man walked up to the microphone and began to talk in the most annoying voice imaginable.

" HELLO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WELCOME TO THE GAUNTLET! I AM YOUR HOST FOR THIS FANTASTIC EVENT. WITHOUT FURTHER TO DO IT IS TIME TO ANNOUNCE OUR CHALLENGERS! I WONDER WHICH OF THESE FINE PEICES OF FLESH AND BONE WILL BE TOUGH ENOUGH TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT ROUND!

After pausing for a moment the spotlights began to shine on the other side of the room at what looked to be a worker of some kind. He did not seem too bothered by the lights at all though the announcers voice was a different story. Without even having a chance to get a word in the announcer decided to open his unbearable trap again filling the room with his horrible voice.

" IN THIS CORNER WE HAVE WORKER ROBERT AND WHAT LOOKS TO BE HIS ELECTABUZZ. NOT THE MOST COMMON POKEMON FOR HIM TO USE BUT IT HAS QUITE THE NASTY SHOCK. I HAD A NOT VERY PLEASURING EXPERIENCE WITH THAT ONE A WHILE BACK. NOW LET's MEET HIS CHALLENGER. HIS NAME IS AH..........." The announcer was not sure of his name but being the dimwhitted fellow he was he came up with something on the spot.

" HIS NAME IS NERDY DEXTER. YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST FOLKS. DEXTER AND ROBERT ARE ABOUT TO BRAWL AND ONLY ONE CAN WIN. GET GETS BETS IN NOW AND HOLD ONTO YOUR BUTTS AS THIS NEXT EXCITING INSTALLMENT OF THE GAUNTLET IS ABOUT TO GET UNDERWAY."

Robert was glad to hear the announcer shut up for a moment long enough for him to speak. THough he was in this to win he still wanted to know what his opponents real name was. " That guy needs to take a long walk off a short pier into waters infested by Sharpedo. Now that I can hear myself think I would like to introduce myself. I am Robert and this is my Electabuzz that I shall be using. If you do not mind me asking what is you name?" He asked hoping the announcer would be too busy stuffing his face full of snacks to talk again for a while.

---

Alex has entered the Gauntlet!

Round 1 VS. Worker Robert!

Worker Robert sends out his Electabuzz(Level 20) Please select a Pokemon. 

 

[Tiki]

Suddenly some beams of spotlight focused on Alex, and he didn't feel comfortable about this, as well as having a strange feeling about what would happen. He listened to the announcer's voice and the content the announcer said, and observed the surrounding. This place seemed to be something like a battle arena, but not a gym. Soon enough, a man on the other side of the arena appeared with an Electabuzz, and ready to rumble.

"I am Alex, and well, this looks like an arena. Why isn't this advertised and in a shabby alley?" Alex replied, as well as asking about the strangeness of this place's choice of location. "My turn, come on out, Chryaisy! Start off with a Sleep Powder!" He greeted and tossed out his choice of Pokemon, releasing a pretty green Pokemon who seemed to be embodiment of a giant flower. The Pokemon bowed, and then began wafting some deadly powders in the air that could put Pokemon to sleep.

[Noerd]

"AND ROBERT HAS CHOSEN HIS ELECTABUZZ! THIS FEARSOME ELECTRIC TYPE HAS BROUGHT HER TRAINER COUNTLESS VICTORIES BY HER LONESOME! HOW WILL NERDY DEXTER RESPOND TO THIS POWERFUL FOE?! DOES HE HAVE ANYTHING TO RESIST HIS ELECTRICAL MIGHT?!" the Gauntlet announcer shouted at the top of his voice, having just noticed the current situation. He really was excited by the whole environment, it seemed. Naturally, upon seeing Alex's Pokémon choice, he yelled even louder. "AND DEXTER'S CHOICE IS A..." The announcer stopped for a moment to flick through his copy of 'Fantastic Pokémon and Where to Find Them', searching for the unusual Pokémon that he'd yet to encounter himself. A moment or two later, he snapped the book shut and continued his commentary. "... A LILLIGANT! THIS GRASS TYPE IS THE PERFECT COUNTER TO AN ELECTABUZZ! WHAT A TWIST IN THE TALE! CAN YOUNG ROBERT PUT UP EVEN THE FAINTEST OF A FIGHT AGAINST SUCH A BAD MATCH-UP? ONLY TIME WILL TELL!" Robert sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. "ROUND 1 IS ABOUT TO BEGIN! NOW THEN... WITH ME, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! 3... 2... 1... LET'S GET READYYYYY TO RUMBLLLLLLLLE!"

"Alright, Electabuzz, let's have an Ice Punch ASAP!" Robert called out, but Alex and his Lilligant were a little too quick for their opponents. Chryaisy started the battle by lowering her head and launching a thick mess of green particulates, which shot rather swiftly toward Electabuzz. "Ah! Electabuzz, don't let those hit you! It's a Sleep Powd-" But Robert was too late. His partner had already jumped high and out of the way of the attack. This, of course, prompted a certain someone to jump out of his seat and shout down his microphone.

"AAAAAAAND THERE IT IS, FOLKS! A SLEEP POWDER ATTACK! DEXTER SURE KNOWS HIS PARTNER'S STRENGTHS HERE! PUTTING THE OPPONENT TO SLEEP WOULD SURELY HAVE MEANT GAME OVER! BUT ROBERT'S NO SLOUCH, AND ELECTABUZZ DODGES MAGNIFICENTLY! ONLY IN THE GAUNTLET, FOLKS, WOULD YOU GET SUCH HIGH-OCTANE ENTERTAINMENT! NOW, HOW WILL ROBERT THE - UM - ROCKET, RESPOND TO THIS DECLARATION OF WAR?!" Robert shook his head once more, not looking pleased with his impromptu nickname. Electabuzz, having got plenty of air, came back down to the ground with a bright-blue fist. As she reached the floor, she swung her frigid arm straight down into Chryaisy's skull, eliciting a screech of pain from the Grass type as the previously-ordered Ice Punch finally hit its mark. A cheer erupted from the audience that had gathered, followed by the ever-so-obvious...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAND THAT'S IT! A DIRECT HIT FROM ICE PUNCH! ROBERT'S SECRET MOVE TO DESTROY ALL GRASS TYPES HAS ONCE AGAIN MADE AN APPEARANCE! NERDY DEXTER'S LILLIGANT DIDN'T STAND A CHANCE! IT LOOKS AS IF THERE'S NO FREEZE STATUS HERE, BUT WHAT AN AMAZING CHOICE FROM THE ROBERT-INATOR! NOW, DOES DEXTER HAVE A GOOD ANSWER TO THIS DEVELOPMENT?! KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED, FOLKS, BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT TO GET GOOD!" With that, the announcer finally returned to silence, and the two could perhaps talk for a moment now that the only sound was coming from the excited onlookers. "The door's that way, Alex, if you want to make an escape now." Robert said, motioning toward the exit. Despite this clearly not being his first Gauntlet, Robert was not particularly pleased with the commentator's ways. And, frankly, who could blame him? Electabuzz rubbed its ears, just as displeased as its master with the noise emanating from the speakers around the arena.

Gauntlet: Round 1

---

Robert's Electabuzz | Level 20
HP: 100% (62/62 HP)
Status: Normal
Electabuzz used Ice Punch!
"I... can't... hear myself... think..."

VS

Alex's Chryaisy | Level 30
HP: 73% (67/91 HP)
Status: Normal
Chryaisy used Sleep Powder! But it missed!
"SHUT UP, FOR GOODNESS'S SAKE!"

[Tiki]

Alex couldn't believe that the battle would be uh, this exciting already. Was it the loud announcer's enthusiasm and mood-provoking choice of words, or the crowd's reactive cheering to the first round of battle? There was no way that the first round could cheer up people this fast. He watched as the battle played out. With Chryaisy's Sleep Powder wafting in the air, the Electazbuss's solution was to jump high and then punch down with an Ice Punch. He could hear his grass type expressing the pain from the attack, but he wasn't going to find the exit just yet.

"Hang in there, Chryaisy! That was just a lucky dodge! Now go for another Sleep Powder!" he cried loudly, cheering his Pokemon as the flower type bowed and began wafting the air with more sleep powder.

[Noerd]

I apologise in advance for what is about to transpire. Send all complaints to Mrs. Arr EnJee. She apparently hates Lilligant.

The commentator was quiet for a surprisingly long time, while both battlers got their orders to their Pokémon. The crowd had since stopped cheering too, now that the excitement was temporarily at a standstill. The excitement generated almost purely by the commentator, of course. It almost made one want to simply not battle for the sake of a little silence. However, neither player was about to give up this battle it seemed. And, unfortunately, this meant they had to restart the battle. "Electabuzz, another Ice Punch when you get a chance. We'll end this as soon as we can." Alex issued his order also, and the two Pokémon squared up to eachother again. The tension in the crowd was quite clear, with some muttering and murmuring going on. As soon as Chryaisy took her first step, though, the crowd would be riled a little by the narrator from up on high.

"AAAAAAAAND NERDY DEXTER'S LILLIGANT LOOKS LIKE SH-ER... is it a she? He? Um..." He stopped talking for a moment, staring at Chryaisy as if this would help him divine her gender. He wasn't really an expert on the matter, though, so he ended up taking a guess based on her appearance. Sexist though it was, he decided... "SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE'S READY TO GET GOING AGAIN! WILL SHE TRY THE UNRELIABLE SLEEP POWDER AGAIN, OR DOES SHE HAVE ANOTHER PLAN THIS TIME AROUND? ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT, FOLKS! AND THAT'S BY WATCHING!" And with that unnecessary final comment, he waited for the action to unfold before his eyes. Chryaisy did indeed continue with the 'unreliable' attack from earlier, loosing a second Sleep Powder attack. Electabuzz began to move forward, seemingly not worried about the attack at all. Robert said nothing, looking quietly confident. As the spores approached Electabuzz, it once again took off into the air, to the great approval of the announcer.

"OOOOOH! ONCE AGAIN, ROBERT'S ELECTABUZZ OUTWITS LILLIGANT! WHAT AMAZING ACROBATICS FROM THE ELECTRIC TYPE! BUT THAT'S NOT ALL, FOLKS! HERE COMES ELECTABUZZ NOW, AND I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHAT'S COMING! WITH ME NOW! IIIIIIIIICE-" he shouted loudly. Unfortunately, the audience weren't 'with him'. They cheered on the attack as Electabuzz once more drove his frigid fist into Chryaisy's head, but they weren't going to shout out the attack name. It wasn't that exciting, even with the hype being built up by a commentator who clearly didn't get out all that much. But he wasn't going to admit defeat and continued on regardless. "PUUUUUUUUNCH! THE ATTACK LANDS ITS MARK! LILLIGANT'S GONNA FEEL THAT ONE IN THE MORNING! AND... WHAT'S THIS?!" The loudmouthed idiot stayed silent for a moment as Chryaisy's head started to glisten in the spotlights above. In fact, her entire body quickly began to shine as it was covered in a thick layer of ice. This brought the first unprovoked reaction from the crowd as a mixture of cheers and boos came from all around the battlefield.

"OH MY GOODNESS! IT HAPPENED! THE ONE-IN-A-MILLION FULL-BODY FREEZE CHANCE! I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER SEEN IT IN PERSON! ROBERT HAS NOW GOT FULL CONTROL OF THE BATTLE! HOW WILL NERDY DEXTER POSSIBLY GET OUT OF THIS PINCH?! THIS BATTLE JUST GETS MORE THRILLING BY THE SECOND! DON'T LOOK AWAY FOR A MOMENT, LADIES AND GENTS!" The noise from the crowd was quickly replaced by more muttering as they all started to discuss what had just occurred. A freeze was incredibly rare, for certain. Not one in a million, as the announcer claimed, of course, but it was still very rare. Some declared that this was "unfair on Dexter", others said "well, it's over now", and others still sounded confident that Alex was still going to win. "It's all part of his plan", they said softly. No matter who you listened to, this was certainly a difficult situation for Alex. The commentator had that part correct, at least.

Gauntlet: Round 1

---

Robert's Electabuzz | Level 20
HP: 100% (62/62 HP)
Status: Normal
Electabuzz used Ice Punch!
"I'm over here! This way, Lilligant!"

VS

Alex's Chryaisy | Level 30
HP: 47% (43/91 HP)
Status: Frozen stiff
Chryaisy used Sleep Powder! But it missed!
"It's not my fault, OK. It's the n-okiamfrozennow."

[Tiki]

At the moment the audience seemed to be cheering for their old friend the electrician and his Electabuzz. Alex didn't mind that, as he wasn't one to care about his audience. However, he was more concern with his strategy sort of failing right now and even his Lilligant was frozen solid. He would have to drop his sleep powder antics if he were to keep using Lilligant. The Electabuzz's ice punch do decent damages, but if Alex played his cards right, he could prob still save this battle and not having to resort to his other Pokemon and unknown opponents.

He fished for an Aspear Berry from his bag, knowing that it has the property to heal frozen status. He walked himself inside the battlefield, and fed his Lilligant the berry. Soon, the grass type's body warmed up and helped thaw the ice. Well, that wouldn't be too bad for now. "You did great, Chryaisy! This was my mistake this time. Hang in there and use a Giga Drain okay?" He talked to his Pokemon face to face as the ice thawed, and helped to cheer up his Pokemon about such really bad probability. Then, he hurried himself to get away from the ring before the Electabuzz punch him instead, and back to the contender platform.

Aspear Berry + Giga Drain

[Marchbaby]

By some miracle Robert was currently winning the battle despite his Pokemon having a far lower level and the frozen status Alex's Pokemon had acquired only helped him out even more as it meant either a free turn would have to be given to recover from it or Alex would need to hope for his Pokemon to thaw out naturally. Either way it meant Electabuzz was going to get to have even more uninterrupted fun as Robert was ready to give his Pokemon another order. Without him even saying a word the electric types hands became encased in ice ready to strike again.

" Forutre was really with me with that last attack. Lets see if luck will not stay with me again in this free turn, Electabuzz use Ice Punch again." With the order given the electric type punched Chryalsy right in the face with another frozen fist. She nearly fell over from the impact but her level alone gave her enough strength to get back up. With no intentions of holding back a giant green sphere appeared in front of her before she fired it at Electabuzz trying to score some much needed revenge.

" OH MY GOODNESS FOLKS, NERDY DEXTER SUDDENLY LANDED A HIT. ELECTABUZZ LOOKS LIKE IT JUST RAN INTO A BRICK WALL TRAVELING AT LIGHT SPEED. THE CARNAGE IS UNREAL, THIS BATTLE HAS SUDDENLY TAKEN A HUGE TURN BACK IN HIS FAVOR. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR SEATS THIS BATTLE IS RED HOT." As the annoying announcer finished speaking Robert was in complete shock as his Pokemon was barely able to keep going. Luck had indeed played a roll in the battle again but this time it was not in his favor at all.

" Quick Electabuzz use Ice Punch again, if you do not freeeze that thing this time all hope is lost." Electabuzz tried once again but even with another powerful punch it could not bring Chryaisy down and after the last attack Robert was not very hopeful about the next round at all.




Battle

---

Robert's Electabuzz | Level 20 | Static
HP: 6% (4/62)
Status: Normal
Used Ice Punch x2!

VS.

Alex's Chryaisy | Level 30 | Own Tempo
HP: 28% (26/91)( Lost 26 HP to first Ice Punch, Regained 29 from Giga Drain, then took 22 more from the 2nd Ice Punch)
Status: Normal
Used Aspear Berry, Giga Drain!

---

[Tiki]

This gauntlet was actually quite a challenge of its own, and Alex wasn't expecting the slightly weaker looking Electabuzz to pack a literal punch. The giga drain did quite a number on the ELectabuzz, but it was still standing long enough to make this battle a little of a drag. Not wanting to be bothered by such Ice Punch again, he went ahead and told his Pokemon to use another Giga Drain. The Electabuzz looked like it was on the end of its endurance, and as much as Alex would liked to have his Pokemon to take advantage of a Sleep Powder when it got successful, at this point he decided to just finish off the Electabuzz and see what the next one would bring. His head froze as his eyes looked forward, being tensed about what opponent would appear next.

[Noerd]

This battle was proving to be much more of a challenge than anyone could have anticipated. The crowd was transfixed by the heated exchanges taking place, and Alex's use of an Aspear Berry had managed to turn the tide back into his favour for once. Robert shook his head in disbelief, still unable to believe what had happened. "I swear, you must be the unluckiest opponent I've faced in this gauntlet challenge. I'm not gonna complain though, this has been a really interesting battle thanks to that." A smile played on his lips as he thought back through the battle thus far, planning his next move at the same time. "What say we finish this in style, eh Electabuzz? Go out there and try to get another Ice Punch off. You do that, we've got this in the bag." Beaten but by no means out yet, Electabuzz nodded and pulled one fist back, walking slowly back into the battlefield. The yellow humanoid was understandably cautious now, eyeing up the opposing Lilligant every opportunity it got. That Giga Drain of hers was quite a dangerous weapon, after all.

"ALRIGHT, FOLKS! ELECTABUZZ LOOKS PERFECTLY FINE TO ME, AND IT'S BACK INTO THE RING FOR ANOTHER ROUND. BUT DEXTER AND HIS LILLIGANT AREN'T GONNA GIVE UP THAT EASILY, AND THEY'RE ABOUT TO LAUNCH ANOTHER ATTACK! WILL IT BE ANOTHER OF THOSE POWERFUL ATTACKS OR PERHAPS ANOTHER TACTICAL SLEEP POWDER? WILL IT HIT? SO MANY QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED! STAY IN YOUR SEATS, FOLKS!" The announcer looked as if he was already struggling to find new things to shout into his mic, sweat forming on his brow as he continued to commentate pointlessly. Back on the battlefield, Chryaisy was again the first to move. She took a couple of paces forward, watching Electabuzz's arm. She knew what that fist was capable of by now, and it wasn't pretty. She formed another green orb of energy, loosing it at Electabuzz before it got within striking range. The orb collided with Electabuzz, sending it flying back and onto the ground to a round of applause from the crowd. The orb then returned to Chryaisy, who absorbed it into her body and sighed happily as it refreshed her further.

"ANOTHER POWEFUL HIT FROM THE LILLIGANT! ELECTABUZZ LOOKS LIKE IT WAS LITERALLY HIT BY A TRUCK! WHAT AN AMAZING COMEBACK FROM NERDY DEXTER! NOW COME ON, ROBERT, FIGHT BACK LIKE WE KNOW YOU CAN!" But no matter how much the commentator might have tried to rouse Alex's opponent, it seemed as though Electabuzz had had quite enough of the battle. It wasn't waking at all, and Robert pulled out a Pokéball, seeing the situation for what it was. "Congrats, Alex. That was a good match, even if you were unlucky as all hell." Electabuzz vanished into its Pokéball, and a rapturous cheer erupted from the gathered crowd. This was, naturally, punctuated by yet another interruption from the announcer. THAT IS IT, FOLKS! ROUND ONE IS OVER! THE WINNER IS... NERRRRRDY DEXTERRRR!" The crowd starting chanting "Dexter!" over and over, as if to further accentuate the fact that Alex was little more than the newcomer that no-one really recognised. Readjusting his hat, Robert turned around and walked out of the arena slowly, waving a hand back toward Alex in lieu of a goodbye.

Gauntlet - Round 1

---

Robert's Electabuzz | Level 20
HP: 0% (0/62 HP)
Status: KO'd
Electabuzz did sod all!

VS

Alex's Chryaisy | Level 30
HP: 31% (28/91 HP)
Status: Normal
Chryaisy used Giga Drain, gaining 2 HP!

---

Congratulations! Alex has won the first round!


Chryaisy gained 1000 EXP (2022/2791)!
She also gained 1 Happiness (up to +5)!


Tikikala gained 1 level via its EXP Share! It reached Level 12!
Tikikala is trying to learn Synthesis! Should it?

---

"BUT OF COURSE, THIS IS THE GOLDENROD GAUNTLET! IF YOU THINK THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT, YOU'RE MISTAKEN MY FRIEND! IT'S TIME FOR ROUND TWO! ARE YOU READY, FOLKS?" The crowd looked fired up after that last battle, cheering loudly in response to the commentator. He answered the audience in return by shouting even louder than before. It seemed almost miraculous that he was even capable of being louder, and yet he was. "AND WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT, A NEW CHALLENGER APPEARS!" He switched off his mic abruptly after this before laughing at the video game reference he had made, despite it not being particularly amusing. As he continued to struggle to control his own body, another figure approached from the far end of the makeshift arena. A man dressed in a smart business suit arrived, a wide smile on his face as he heard the crowd's cheers. He looked rather worse for wear, in truth, with black circles adorning his eyes and wrinkles aplenty on his face. One had to wonder why a man like this would be taking part in underground battle gauntlets. He clearly had a well paying job to afford a suit like his, and he was well kempt aside from the tired face.

"Good afternoon. My name is Pete. May I ask yours? I assume the commentator made up 'Dexter' himself, anyway. He has a habit of doing that, I am afraid." He asked, as well-spoken as one would've expected from his attire. The new opponent waited for an answer from Alex, but just as Alex would've finished introducing himself a familiar voice shouted once more. It seemed he'd finally gained control of his voicebox again, much to everyone's dismay. "AND IT'S PETE NEXT UP! DON'T LET THAT SUIT AND TIE FOOL YOU, FOLKS, HE'S AS MERCILESS AS THEY COME. NOW, WHICH AMAZING POKEMON WILL 'THE GENTLEMAN TRAINER' SHOW US?" Pete looked rather frustrated already, his hands almost crushing the Pokéball that he had selected as he pulled it out and presented it to the cheering crowd. He tossed it into the arena in front of him, where it quickly burst open to reveal a small Bug-typed Pokémon. With a gold and black body and thin, white wings, the Ninjask stared ahead and waited for Alex's next move.

"WELL WELL, IT'S GOING TO BE NINJASK FROM PETE! THIS BUG MIGHT NOT LOOK STRONG, BUT IT'S GIVEN MANY A TRAINER A REAL BEATING, LET ME TELL YOU! THIS WON'T BE AN EASY MATCH FOR DEXTER AND HIS GRASS TYPED LILLIGANT! WHAT WILL DEXTER DO? ROUND TWO IS ABOUT TO BEGIN, SO DON'T YOU DARE TURN AWAY GUYS!"

---

Round 2



Clerk Pete is the next challenger! He has chosen his Ninjask (Level 21) to battle with!

Will Alex stick with Chryaisy or switch out?

[Tiki]

Synthesis over Growl
1 Soda Pop on Lilligant + the 2 hp from giga drain so it should be 80/91 since SM changed healing value
Dustox Gust then Light Screen

After Chryaisy finished her attack, she bowed as the Electabuzz was defeated, as if the audience were actually watching her gracefulness too. While the electric type didn't have much of life to drain from, the Lilligant was glad the opponent was down finally. She was waiting for what would happen next, but Alex was just waiting for the loud and beginning to be annoying announcer to get done with his lame joke.

Thankfully, even the next challenger wasn't spared from the commentator's enthusiastic tone. He greeted himself as Pete, and then out from the Pokeball was a Ninjask. Bug (and grass) was his specialty as he quite read up and study a lot on them. This shouldn't be that hard. "A Ninjask, huh? That's a cool looking Pokemon right there! Take a break, Chryaisy, and drink this Soda Pop." He smiled, and told his Pokemon to come back. The naive grass type stood there for five seconds thinking she was about to return to a Pokeball, only for Alex to holler her about the Soda Pop that he pulled from the bag and handed over for her to drink while his next Pokemon continued the battle.

"You're up, Tackzill! Hit the Ninjask with a Gust! And then a Light Screen!" He hollered. While he did know that this particular bug he's facing won't be using any special attacks, but now that he called out his Dustox, might as well set up a screen just in case the next one does.

[Blazey]

Clerk Pete.
Clerk Pete smiled a bit when he never got a response about names. He chuckled before replying to what Alex had to say. "Very well, and yes ninjask is a cool pokemon" Pete was then interupted, "LOOKS LIKE DEXTER IS USED A DUSTOX! HOW WILL IT FAIR AGAINST PETE'S NINJASK?! SO MANY QUESTIONS! TO BE ANSWERED SOON!" Pete rolled his eyes, "Lets get to business shall we? Ninjask, Swords Dance if you please" Pete said this with a calm tone, his ninjask giving a small nod. "Ninjask" He then began to wiggle a bit in place as the effects took place, though, it didn't do any damage at all. "AND PETE GOES FOR A SWORD DANCE!! COULD DUSTOX BE IN TROUBLE?!WAIT WHATS THIS?!" The announcer stopped when he saw Tackzill flap their wings to start the first attack. Winds picking up strong with poor ninjask getting stuck in it. "DUSTOX HAS STARTED UP A GUST! AND NINJASK IS STUCK IN IT! WHAT WILL PETE DO?" Pete was still calm and he smiled a little, as Ninjask was thrown two and thro.

"Not a bad attack there, but we aren't done yet. Ninjask, give that dustox a taste of your X-Scissor" Ninjask nodded as it got itself out of the gust before charging at Tackzill. This caught tackzill off guard as the Ninjask slashed it claws in a scissor motion. Tackzill went back a bit wincing a bit, but something came to it's aid. The Black Sludge tackzill was holding."OOOOOOO AND NINJASK RETALIATES WITH A X-S-SCISSOR!!! WELL DUSTOX BE OKAY? OR WILL DEXTER WIN ANOTHER BATTLE? ONLY TIME WILL TELL!" Easily recovering thanks to the Black Sludge Tackzill took that time to set up a set of light, the light screen as its effects were set. Tackzill feeling a little bit saver now.
Battle

---

Pete's Ninjask | Level | 21
Health : 52%(33/63)
Status : Atk +2
Ninjask used Swords Dance and X-Scissor!

VS

Tackzill | Level | 30
Health : 95%(81/85) (-18 from X-scissor, +14 from Black Sludge)
Status : Damage done by special attacks to team are reduced by 50% for 5 turns
Tackzill used Gust and Light Screen!

---

Weather Status:YOUR INSIDE!! THERE IS NO WEATHER!!

---

[Tiki]

OOC: black sludge healed way too much hp btw.

In a battle of bug against bug, Alex would like to believe and demonstrate that he knew what he was doing, and this battle was no exception. Although the opponent seemed to knew what he was doing with the Sword Dance and then X- Scissor, Alex figured that his bug and poison type Pokemon should be able to resist the high power of X-scissor, on top of the black sludge slowly recovering health. The nerdy trainer was also well, trying to ignore the speaker for another time, totally not acknowledging him.

"Not a bad move, Sword Dance and then X-scissor, which is probably what I would do too. Though it's too bad my Pokemon is also a bug type, so she don't take as much damage. Tackzill, use Gust again!" Alex complimented the opponent, trying to ease the pretentious tension the announcer was trying to create.

[Lamont]

While this certainly wasn't the ideal situation Pete was still determined he had a shot at winning this. After all, his Ninjask was far superior in his speed, and thankfully his opponent had wasted a turn with that Light Screen; giving the clerk a smidgen of a chance to turn this around.
"Heh, thanks. Having to go up against your gusts it's probably the best combo to have a chance of KOing your dustox first." The clerk didn't comment on the type weakness the move had versus the other bug though. He didn't want to admit that somehow he'd managed to raise Ninjask with only ONE attack move. What had he been thinking? A quiet nervous sigh escaped him as he worried over it. Likely he had just been swept up in his duties, juggling all the phone calls and meetings and just hadn't been thinking at all. Poor Ninjask...

But he would make it up here. He was going to win this! "That's it Ninjask, another X-Scissor!" The gold-black bug buzzed affirmatively before zooming off. Flitting side to side in near a blur he approached Tackzill. Ninjask's speed was amazing and mixed with the attack boost shining off of those large claws the cross slash that came still managed to sting despite the type weakness. Should the fluttering bug have been any other type, or not holding her nurturing sludge, this Ninjask may have actually had a good chance of sending her unconscious.

But that's not how it was going to go. Tackzill hummed; pleased. In a rapid ascent the dustox immediately whipped up a little wind storm before Ninjask could retreat. Her wing beats were in perfect time, trapping the other flying bug in its whirling grip and knocking him unconscious.

Battle

---

Pete's Ninjask | LV 21
HP: 0% (0/63)
Status : +2 ATK
Used X-Scissor!

VS

Tackzill | LV 30 | Shield Dust | Black Sludge
HP: 62% (53/85)
Status : Light Screen 3 More Turns
Used Gust! Critical Hit!

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VICTORY!

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Tackzill gained 1050 EXP and grew to LV 31!
She gained +1 Happiness!
Tackzill is now too high level for this competition



Tikikala grew to LV 13 thanks to EXP Share!

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"THERE YOU HAVE IT GUYS AND GALS! WOW, TOP SHELF STUFF HERE DID YOU SEE THAT GUST? POOR PETEY NEVER STOOD A CHANCE. EVERYONE GIVE A CHEER FOR OUT RISING STAR, DEXTER!" The crowd, already rather rowdy, raised its volume in cheer for Alex's victory. Pete recalled his pokémon, gave thanks for the match, and swiftly exited the ring. "ALRIGHT WELL LET'S JUST DIVE RIGHT INTO THE NEXT ONE. PLEASE WELCOME THE NEXT CHALLENGER, OUR EXPERT FINGER PAINTER PIERRE!"

Stepping from the background an older gentleman entered to face Alex. "You have such a spark young man! There is a beauty in battle that I wish to capture so please, give me your best. Don't hold back! Because I certainly won't be."

With barely a toss the painter released his champion for this fight.

Artist Pierre sends out his Xatu (LV 22) to battle!
Please select a pokémon

[Tiki]

Chikorita Synthesis over Growl....
Lilligant Quiver Dance + Giga Drain

Even though both Pokemon were a bug type, sometimes you just needed a little help to defeat your own competition. In this case, Dustox still held onto the Gust attack not long from her evolution, and it really helped out with other bug types for now. The Ninjask might be fast, but it had nothing against its own competition. The bug was trapped in the whirlwind of Gust, and fell to the ground, unconscious.

Up next, was an older gentleman, who seemed to be an artsy kind. While art wasn't a thing Alex knew what to do with it, or enjoyed, he did appreciate the beauty in knowledge. "Thank you. If you say so, I'll give you my best. Good job, Tackzill! Take a break!" He smiled, and turned to his Lilligant that was in the sideline watching the previous battle. "You're back up, Chryaisy! Use Quiver Dance and then Giga Drain!" He spoke politely, gesturing his hand to signal his Pokemon to go back on the battlefield. The grass type moved forward, bowing before her dancing and using her Giga Drain.