Spirited Away (Gym) [F]

[latani]

(OOC: I'd like to request the Rawst Berry given to Astrid, and Life Orb equipped to Nyx, please!)

"You'll do amazing, sweetheart! Your father and I are rooting for you."

Tanya grinned and settled back in her seat, her mother's face sharing the screen alongside her father's Pidgeot, the bird insisting on greeting her, as if she hadn't spent her childhood playing with it. She'd stopped by the Center for a change of clothes, heal her team up, and call up her family. Her father was off on another business trip, but he'd heard of her success at Goldenrod City's gym and had passed along his best wishes through her mother. Anise didn't keep her long, perhaps sensing Tanya's impatience despite being so physically far away, and signed off after promising another call following her success - or loss, Anise mused. Tanya didn't argue this, not wanting to sound arrogant about her chances of winning, and bade her mother farewell to make the short trek to her next destination.

The atmosphere in Morty's gym succeeded in lifting the tiny hairs on the nape of her neck, accompanied by a skittering sensation down her back. Confident and assured as she was, the gym reminded her too much of her encounter with the samurai, something Tanya still hadn't quite gotten over. She wouldn't let this shake her resolve, Tanya's hands clenching into determined fists and deep breaths serving to reduce the worst of that uncomfortable feeling. No way was she going to challenge Morty without her best game face put forth. Tanya had come into the gym without a companion Pokemon, deciding not to tip her hand about what Pokemon she was planning on using against the Ghost leader, although she did regret just having company in general on her walk up to where Morty was supposed to be.

(Oh, forget it. I don't want to be alone and if he tries to spook me...) A quick flick of the wrist after rooting in her bag brought forth Yoshi, the Water-type taking a moment to peer around the dimly lit gym interior. Not as easily unsettled as her trainer, Yoshi appeared rather relaxed despite the tension that quickly seized hold of her. This was no mere training jaunt, she realized. "Morty!" Tanya called suddenly, startling her partner. "Tanya Jordan here, to challenge you to a battle!" Upon delivering that line, Tanya whirled to face Yoshi and beckoned her forwards. "Whatever he sends out, I need you to use Dark Pulse on it. But wait until he gives the go ahead, just so he doesn't think we're both uncivilized savages," the redhead said dryly. It was unusual to be given a command in advance, but Yoshi made no protest and kept her eyes trained for any movement.

we're dancing in the flames tonight

MADE BY PISCES

[Noerd]

(Rawst Berry swapped over to Tarlar's 70-year-old character.)

Tanya would hear footsteps as her challenge echoed across the Gym; each and every small noise amplified by the structure of the nigh-upon-empty building. A male figure eventually became half visible through the poor lighting of the arena, smiling. It was a genuine smile, but the way his face was lit up didn't do Morty's pleasant personality any favours. The Leader replied once he finally caught a glimpse of the challenger.

"Well, someone sounds eager!" called Morty, misjudging his opponent's current train of thought somewhat. He was quickly corrected on proper sight of Tanya, the young lady's lack of composure quite obvious to the eyes. Morty's mind raced as he tried to find some way to ease her mind. It wasn't that nerves were rare in his Gym - quite the opposite in fact - but most trainers overcome by the Gym itself were much meeker in their challenges. Now, having made an error of judgement, he had to find a way to try and calm her without obviously changing his tone, lest he offend or further disturb her.

"I'll try to keep the pleasantries short then," he started. Perhaps stalling for a bit before the battle and talking to her would ease her mind. "Welcome to the Ecruteak Gym. Since you already know my name, I guess you'll be aware that I'm a Ghost type specialist. Don't let that fool you though; I'm a nice guy, I swear!" This last remark was followed by another smile from the Leader. He exhaled a little deeper than usual, readying himself for the match and hoping that something he said was working. Anything.

"Anyway, I guess we'd better get started. Gastly, you're on!" With that, Morty let loose a Pokéball into the shadowy room before him. The orb cracked open with a flash of light to reveal the disconcerting figure of his first Pokémon. All Tanya would really see was Gastly's face looking straight at her; its body (if one could call it that) was obscured quite well by the relative darkness around it. It moaned softly, as its species so often did, in lieu of a battle-cry. Morty could only hope that his partners weren't going to worsen Tanya's mood.

The first attack of the match belonged to Yoshi, the Frogadier swiftly getting between her trainer and Gastly. Arms out in front of her body, the Water type immediately produced wave upon wave of black energy and sent it flying at the gaseous blob opposite her. Gastly reeled backward in pain with a mighty groan of discomfort, eyes tightly shut as the Super Effective hit made its mark. Its cloudy form slowly began to fade, leaving Morty shell-shocked as his first Pokémon fell before landing a single blow. The Leader recalled his Gastly, shaking his head.

"Well, that was a shock. I wasn't expecting a Water type to take us out so quickly, to be honest. We'll have to ratchet things up a notch or two, I guess!" He presented his second Pokéball before launching it forward. The creature that emerged this time looked no friendlier than the Gastly that Tanya had just beaten. Its ghostly face cackled mischievously as two seemingly disembodied hands danced around in front of it. "Let's see how you handle Haunter here, Tanya."

VS. Morty

---

Morty's Gastly | Level 28
HP: 0% (0/63 HP)
Status: KOd

VS

Tanya's Yoshi | Level 26 | Protean
HP: 100% (72/72 HP)
Status: Currently a pure Dark type
Yoshi used Dark Pulse!

---

Congratulations! Gastly has been KOd!


Yoshi gained 2100 EXP (extra due to Lucky Egg)! She reached Level 27! [1718/2269]
+1 Happiness (up to +2) also!


Next is Morty's Haunter (Level 30). Will Tanya switch Pokémon?

Tagging latani as this is fixed now. Again, apologies for my mistake.

[latani]

Morty, from what Tanya knew of him, was a perfectly pleasant person and not someone to inspire fear, beyond his preferred method of battling. The lighting casting unfortunate shadows on his otherwise genuine smile threw her off, but she'd already committed to this challenge, and backing down now just due to poor timing of nerves was just not going to happen. After all, it wasn't his fault she'd gone through an exhausting trial of sorts that resulted in fighting an actual spirit, with ghostly Pokemon to boot. (It wasn't all bad. Falchion is different, but he's still a Pokemon...) Reminding herself of the good that resulted from her ordeal helped ease the worst of her jitters, and just in time to hear Morty introduce himself proper. Realizing her face had given him cause to believe she was very much daunted, Tanya meant to speak up and correct him before Morty sent out his first Pokemon.

Its sudden appearance in the intermittent lighting gave the redhead a start - though Tanya was quick to reassure herself that such an appearance invited similar reactions from pretty much anyone. This, compounded with the eerie sound issuing forth, rendered her speechless. Yoshi took this time to quickly enact her orders, her own battle nerves fleeing in the face of helping Tanya. True to form, the Frogadier made a show of her attack, the rippling waves of dark energy forcing Gastly not only away from her trainer, but succeeded in completely knocking it out. Arms lowering, Yoshi blinked wide eyes at the fading Ghost-type that Morty quickly recalled. "Yoshi's not your average Water type," Tanya said, breaking her silence with a slight smile. She didn't mention the cause for that reason, being the ability Protean, opting to keep Morty on his toes in hopeful suspense.

Yoshi's quick dispatching of his first Pokemon proved effective enough in loosening her tongue, speaking up again upon recalling Yoshi to her ball. "I apologize for my unorthodox manner of starting this fight - a bit of the nerves speaking, and some over-eagerness to challenge you after training for a while." Time well spent after how Yoshi had performed, and round two against Haunter would be another measure of how it had helped prepare her for this moment. Finding the ball she wanted in her rather disorganized bag, Tanya sent out her Krokorok next, Astrid eyeing up Haunter with an unflinching gaze from beady black eyes. At least this was one Pokemon of hers that wouldn't suffer from a bad case of battle anxiety. "I don't doubt you'll make this an interesting fight, Morty. Astrid, go forth with Crunch!" Tanya called. She wasn't naive enough to expect her luck to hold, and could only hope Astrid didn't fall prey to Morty's clever tactics.

we're dancing in the flames tonight

MADE BY PISCES

[Lamont]

"That is my specialty," he returned the confidence with a smile. He was very aware of his ghosts' lack of physical prowess in comparison to many other pokémon; particularly ones that he ended up facing a lot in these challenges. But somehow he always managed to even the odds if not turn things in his favor. His ghosts' trickery and indirect tactics were the key to many of his successes and it seemed this red head was aware of this as well. That certainly didn't put things in his favor. But when did that ever stop him?

"You have quite the collection of unusual pokémon there, but Crunch is a move I know," he commented. Morty's Haunter cackled in support, completely unbothered that Astrid was stomping her way forward with teeth primed. As the body-less ghost made a taunting face at the fierce krokorok Morty finally decided how he should proceed. Any move like crunch was going to devastate his haunter if hit and it was unlikely the alligator was going to miss all on her own. So he'd just have to force it. "Kick it up a notch Haunter: Confuse Ray."

Despite Astrid having a great head start, her jaws nearly close enough she could make a final lunch and have the jokester crumbling in her maw, Haunter proved to be no slouch. Bringing its long tongue back in and flourishing its hands in a fancy fade-in-fade-out pattern the ethereal being had no trouble catching Astrid before she had made it to him. The Haunter jolted upward so fast it appeared to have just teleported. Its huge eyes boring down into her own there was a sudden wave of energy that overcame her. She had to stop. Suddenly the entire world didn't seem right. The spooky void of the gym surrounding them overtook the floor so it seemed like she was walking on nothing, Tanya was sideways, the Haunter was just eyes.

Blinking incessantly to try and clear her head she tried to make sense of what she was seeing. Her equilibrium was off as she watched the shifting shadows so she closed her eyes and planted her feet. The Haunter's cackling returned; mocking. The noise fueled her determination. She focused on the noise and her feet. There was solid floor still beneath her, she just couldn't trust anything else. Opening her eyes she ignored everything, only searching for this big eyes. They were easy to find. Astrid's vision tunneled in and she went for it like a sharpedo inches from a seel.

Haunter screeched in pained surprise as the gater's chompers encompassed its bulk and pressed down. It seemed the speedy tactic hadn't quite worked out as well as Morty had hoped. He whistled, "That's two down in one shot. Impressive. Looks like we have quite the challenge today buddy." It may have seemed like Morty was speaking to Tanya, but by the end of his sentence it was clear he was addressing another; of who made themselves known just then.

From a wash of shifting shadows Gengar formed, large mischievous smile gleaming in the flicker of lights around the gym.
"This here's my final pokémon Tanya. Let's see if we can't break that streak of yours."

---

KO!

---

Astrid grew to LV 31 and gained +1 Happiness! (+8)

---

Morty's sending forth Gengar (LV 34)
Will Tanya switch pokémon?

[latani]

All the foreknowledge in the world could only go so far, which was why she'd come in with a simple plan - brute force. And maybe just a small sprinkling of luck, for good measure. Morty had ways to counter brute force, naturally, but beyond training for days on end, there wasn't much she could do about that. Yoshi's performance had been stellar, and for that Tanya was endlessly glad. Now it was down to Astrid, the stern-faced Krokorok unmoved by Haunter's teasing expressions. Crunch was a devastating attack - if Astrid could land it. The redhead watched with anxious eyes as Morty decided on a course of action, his command raising a feeling of utter dread; confusion was even more of a gamble than most status effects. (It's okay. Astrid's strong - she needs me to back her up no matter what.)

Astrid had to stifle a growl of irritation when Haunter pulled a fast one on her and set the world askew. It was unnerving, not being able to make much sense of anything, but if Haunter and Morty had hoped to temper her fighting spirit with trickery, they were dead wrong. It only stoked the flames of indignant anger, the Krokorok using her wiles to enable her to finish off Haunter in a single powerful chomp. Tanya's voice didn't quite pierce through the confusion muddling her mind, but Astrid could tell by tone alone that her trainer was proud. "Some rest should get you back to normal," Tanya murmured as she recalled Astrid, repressing a shiver as a prickling sensation danced down her back again. She looked up in time to witness Gengar's unearthly arrival, the phantom almost melting out of the shadows.

(Relax,) she told her fraying nerves, (it's just one last Pokemon before his badge is as good as won.) Heart thumping despite her attempts to think confidently, Tanya grinned as she addressed the gym leader. "I came prepared," Tanya said. "You're not a gym leader for show, so I had to step my game up." She took out her last ball, eyes briefly closing as she took a deep, steadying breath. It was now or never. Sending the ball flying with a quick toss, Tanya felt a burst of pride as Nyx landed neatly on the gym floor in front of her, one taloned foot holding onto a faintly glowing orb. "Your Gengar is strong, but so is my Nyx. Night Slash!" Her Honchkrow lifted off the ground, ready to strike when the opportunity arose.

we're dancing in the flames tonight

MADE BY PISCES

[Marchbaby]

Morty knew he had to go all out with all but his final Pokemon knocked out. With both going down in a single blow he had a very strong intuition that Tanya would try for a perfect streak against him. The type advantage Nyx had over his Gengar was dangerous enough but as soon as he saw the faintly glowing orb he knew he was in for disaster if the crow Pokemon was able to get off an attack. Fortunately for him Nyx was very slow compared to his Gengar and he had taught his sneaky partner a nice move to help protect it against anything it could out speed. As he watched Nyx get ready to strike he knew it was time to act.

" Under normal circumstances a Honchkrow with a Life Orb would be a disaster for my Gengar to handle but I came prepared. Gengar here happens to know one of the few psychic type attacks that can hit dark types. It does not do any damage but Hypnosis is useful in its own right. So long as luck is on my side it will stop your Pokemon before it can get a chance to strike." He said as Gengar got the hint and fired a series of hypnotic waves towards Nyx. The crow resisted the urge to slumber as long as she could but even her type could not save her from falling victim to the Hypnosis as she drifted off into a light slumber.

" It appears luck was only slightly on my side as the hypnosis barely worked but nonetheless it stopped you from getting off your attack. Nice try as you would have defeated me if luck had not saved me. I might not be so lucky next round but we will have to wait and see." He said as Gengar watched its opponent with a very careful gaze. It knew if the bird managed to get off its Night Slash while holding such a powerful item that any hope of winning this battle would certainly be lost.




Gym Battle

---

Weather: Normal

Morty's Gengar | Level 34 | Cursed Body
HP: 100% (95/95)
Status: Normal
Used Hypnosis

VS

Tanya's Nyx | Level 31 | Super Luck
HP: 100% (112/112)
Status: Asleep (1/1 turns)
Nyx is asleep (1/1 turns)!

[latani]

Like Gengar was to Morty, Nyx was Tanya's own ace in the hole - her best sure shot for this last fight. But it also put a huge bullseye on the Honchkrow, a Pokemon Morty was probably quite familiar with considering one could find Murkrow on the nearby route. It was too much to hope that the leader would take it easy, and that left the redhead crossing figurative fingers Nyx would be able to avoid whatever trickery was surely heading her way. Then Morty spoke, confirming her fears, and she watched with held breath as the Ghost-type moved in front of the leader and grinned wickedly at Nyx. She stared down her beak, unimpressed, while Gengar launched the Hypnosis in visible waves that enveloped her with ease. Her eyes drooped alarmingly, Nyx scolding herself back to wakefulness as she lost some altitude.

"Nyx!" Tanya called, but to her Honchkrow, her voice sounded far away, unable to pierce the veil of sleep slowly, inexorably, being drawn over her. Nyx hit the ground heavily, her wings and feet feeling weighing her down, as if they had turned to stone. She slumped down until her chest was resting against the floor, eyes closing completely this time as she succumbed to the siren call of sleep. Tanya sighed, but she wasn't angry at Nyx, or Morty for that matter. It was a battle, and he was doing what he did best by putting the brakes on her non-stop ride to victory. What was even worse was that she was extremely aware of the secondary ability of Honchkrow being Insomnia, something that would have made all this much easier.

"You may have stopped Nyx for now, but it's just delaying the inevitable," she said, doing her best to sound confident. Her trust in Nyx was implacable, and it was only that trust that stopped Tanya from using an item to wake her Pokemon. Odds were Morty would attempt Hypnosis the following turn, and likely land it again, knowing her luck. "Nyx! If you can hear me, Night Slash!" Tanya said, raising her voice to try waking Nyx. Her Honchkrow continued dozing, talons still tightly gripping her Life Orb despite her current state. (Come on, amiga. I know you've got it in you.)

we're dancing in the flames tonight

MADE BY PISCES

[Marchbaby]

Morty had very few options remaining as he could not extend how long Nyx would sleep and Gengar did not have any way to boost its defense enough to endure a single hit from Night Slash when powered up by the Life Orb so he knew he needed a miracle hit it he were to defeat Nyx before she could wake up and attack. " Gengar this is our last chance, use Shadow Ball before that Honchkrow can wake up." He said as Gengar started to build up a spherical shaped energy to fire at Nyx. The ghost type took careful aim to make sure he would not miss and then fired. The sphere scored a direct hit but it was nowhere near enough to knock Nyx out.

As soon as she was hit Nyx opened her eyes and Morty's heart sank knowing all hope was lost if she scored a hit as her Life Orb would give her attack a huge power boost. " Gengar look out, that Night Slash will not have any trouble bringing you down if it hits." As fast as his warning was it was not quick enough for Gengar to dodge in time as Nyx was suddenly surrounded in a dark veil of energy. The life orb became almost blinding as it boosted the Honchkrow's power along with her own dark energy as she flew towards Gengar slashing across its chest with her wings. The energy contained in her wings sucked every bit of energy from the ghost type Pokemon as it fell to the ground.

" It looks like you have bested me in the end, even with my best effort I could not overcome your powerful team and I am pleased to give you this Fog Badge and TM for Shadow Ball as a sign of your victory. I also have some prize money for you as you have more than earned it after such a fantastic display. I cannot say I am not a bit disappointed to lose to you but you are indeed a worthy opponent. I wish you luck on the rest of your journey." He said as he recalled his Gengar and started to walk out of the gym to heal his battered team.



Gym Battle

---

Weather: Normal

Morty's Gengar | Level 34 | Cursed Body
HP: 0% (0/95)
Status: Normal
Used Shadow Ball

VS

Tanya's Nyx | Level 31 | Super Luck
HP: 55% (62/112)(Life Orb caused 11 damage)
Status: Normal
Nyx used Night SLash!

---

Nyx gained 1700 experience and now has 1700/2977 experience needed to level up.


Morty has been defeated, he gives you the Fog Badge, 3720 Poke in prize money as well as TM30 Shadow Ball for your victory. HM03 Surf may also be used outside of battle.

TM30 Shadow Ball x1

Money and items are updated.

[latani]

If there was one upside to this, it was knowing Dream Eater couldn't chip away at Nyx's health. Not much for solace, but it did narrow Morty's pool of move choices down to two. Once Nyx woke up, his Gengar was toast and he knew it, unless the other move she had yet to see was Will'o-Wisp. Even then, however, he would have to bank on landing it and hope it took enough out of Nyx to survive one super-powered Night Slash. The leader's back was against the wall, and this bolstered her in turn, green eyes bright with anticipation. The call for Shadow Ball did succeed in making her internally wince - coming from a Gengar, this was going to do more than tickle her still dozing Honchkrow. (If this doesn't wake you up, I don't know what will.)

Nyx twitched in her sleep, a spark of hope bursting to life in Tanya's chest. Then Shadow Ball struck with enough force to make the big Dark-type skid across the floor, a pained noise issuing from Nyx. Scornful scarlet eyes snapped open soon after, wings unfurling - intimidation tactics. But she wasn't going to wait and see Gengar's reaction, her wrath provoked and heightened by the power coursing through her from the orb she clenched tight as she flew towards her foe. This was no pretty attack, nor did Nyx draw it out, choosing to end it as swiftly as possible. When Gengar fell back with no signs of rising, only then did the Honchkrow turn back towards Tanya and perch gingerly in front of her.

Taking the Shadow Ball, and then having her already less than stellar health eaten into by the taxing demands of the Life Orb left her less chatty than usual, though Tanya doubted Nyx would have spoken in front of anyone but herself. "I'm so proud of you!" Tanya murmured, one hand affectionately stroking Nyx's head. She switched her proud grin for a sedate smile as Morty approached, holding her winnings. "Thank you so much for battling me. It was a honor!" Tanya said after he spoke and handed over her gifts, taking them with an awed expression. Nyx leaned into her as Morty took his leave, a not-so-subtle hint that she was very tired. "Yes, let's go get some rest. You deserve it."

we're dancing in the flames tonight

MADE BY PISCES