On The Other Side

[Andrew]

OOC NOTES:

Thread is set at night.

Andrew had a newfound energy as he and Yael entered Route 34. It was nice to have a clear line of sight again. The gloomy fog had already lifted. Instead, there was a light but beautiful flurry of snowflakes. The solitude of the woods was nice to an extent, but the sound of dedicated trainers preparing for a big gym battle was a much better motivator.

He pushed back his sleeve to check his watch. It was late in the evening but there was definitely time for a battle or two. Having accidentally avoided any encounters throughout his entire venture through Ilex, Andrew wondered if he'd lost out on valuable practice before his battle with Whitney. Just in case, he'd try to get his Pokémon in shape over the next day or two. He speculated that Whitney would be stronger than both Falkner and Bugsy. In such a big city, she was bound to have a lot challengers.

With this in mind, Andrew strolled into the tall, snow-covered grass with Yael following close behind. It was a shame he hadn't taken photographs of his day. The stark contrasts between the different things he'd come across was almost unbelievable.
"Okay, I think a battle could actually be nice," he admitted. Yael shrugged, then nodded in agreement. She'd learned some new moves that would be fun to try out.

[Venominon]

Being that it was getting late, many trainers had already called it a day and returned to their homes for the night. As such, there weren't many of them walking around route 34 at this hour, but there were still plenty of wild Pokémon running around. True, there weren't as many of them as their would be if it was day time, but there were still more then enough for Andrew and his team to get a few good battles in before turning in for the night themselves. In fact, some Pokémon actually preferred going out in the middle of the night, as opposed to during the hours of the day when the sun was overhead. Like the first wild Pokémon to approach Andrew and Yael for example. Slowly approaching the trainer and Pokémon through the tall, snow covered grass, a lone nocturnal Pokémon made it's presence known to them.

"Drowzee. Drowzee." The Pokémon in question was none other then the hypnosis Pokémon, Drowzee. This particular Pokémon's favorite food is dreams, so it loves nothing more then coming out at night, and looking for people and Pokémon who had fallen asleep on this route so it could satisfy it's hunger. However, it seemed that tonight, pickings were rather slim for this dream eater. As such, Drowzee stands before Andrew and Yael now, hoping to beat them in a battle so it can knock them out with it's hypnotic powers, then fill itself up on their dreams. Drowzee looked at them with a rather devious smirk, already focusing its psychic powers for battle. This Drowzee was very hungry, and it had no plans of letting these potential meals get away.

A wild Drowzee (LV 19) has appeared!


Select a Pokémon for battle.

Shiny check: di6Is9S71-42
1-42

[Andrew]

OOC NOTES:

- Glint uses Bite x2 (Running Shoes)

It was hard to match the invigorating feeling of exploring a new route. It was fun to compare the species of Pokémon that inhabited the different areas. Interestingly, they often varied quite a lot. Andrew was very keen to find out what creature dwelled on the outskirts of Johto's largest city.

The crunching of snow brought Andrew's attention to one of these creatures. The Pokémon, yellow and brown in colour, trudged through the snow-covered grass, leaving behind a trail of footprints. "Oh, a Drowzee! Wasn't expecting that," Andrew announced, his eyes following it as it moved. It seemed to be heading in his direction. Maybe it wanted to battle. Though it was night, it was relatively easy to see. The city lights were bright enough to cover all corners and crevices.

Having gone the entire day without a battle, Andrew jumped at the chance. Drowzee wasn't particularly interesting to him right now but he'd be glad to add it to his Pokédex. "Yael, if you don't mind, I think Glint would be best suited for this." The Squirtle had been rotting inside his Poké Ball for quite some time now, even though Andrew had kept him at hand. Yael huffed but didn't oppose.

Before Andrew could officially call on him, Glint's Poké Ball burst open, releasing him to the field. He turned to Andrew with a cheeky smile. Yael frowned, jealously and crossed her arms, unbeknownst to Andrew. "Heh, ok then. Glint, you're up. Let's get going with a Bite! Try a double attack!"
'You got it!' the Squirtle replied, still holding his wide grin. 

[Venominon]

Drowzee's hunger grew more and more by the second, as it waited for Andrew and his Pokémon to make the first move. Despite it's appetite, this Drowzee seemed to air on the side of caution. The wild Psychic type watched as Andrew called out a second Pokémon, one Drowzee recognized as a Squirtle, a Pokémon it had seen walk passed this route with their trainers many times in it's life. Drowzee had gotten lots of chances to taste the dreams of this turtle Pokémon, and from what it could remember, it's dreams were quite delicious. The hypnosis Pokémon narrowed it's eyes at the Water type, and licked it's lips, it's stomach growling at the thought of the dreams it could potentially taste from it's opponent. "Drowzee. Drow." After it had heard Andrew give his Pokémon it's first set of commands, the battle was on.

Drowzee held it's ground, waiting for Glint to get in close. As soon as Glint got close, Drowzee used one of it's arms to defend itself against Glint's Bite attack, wincing at the pain of this super effective move. "Zee! Drowzee!" However, with the thought of tasty dreams still fresh in it's mind, Drowzee wasn't about to let this stop it. Since Glint was in close, Drowzee raised it's head, then slammed it as hard as it could right into Glint's head in a strong Headbutt attack. The impact was enough to make Glint let go of Drowzee's arm, but not enough to make him back off, as he followed Andrew's orders, and bit down on Drowzee's leg for his second Bite attack. Drowzee grit it's teeth, and winced hard in great pain because of this. The wild Psychic type Pokémon was planning on striking back yet again, but it seemed that the added effect of Bite had caused Drowzee to flinch, preventing it from attacking for a second time.

Battle

---

Weather: Clear

Drowzee | Level 19
HP: 5% (3/57)

Status: Normal

Used Headbutt!
Flinched!

VS

Glint | Level 21 | Torrent | Eviolite
HP: 87% (48/55)

Status: Normal

Used Bite!
Used Bite!

[Andrew]

OOC NOTES:

- Glint uses Ice Beam

The tapir-like creature was tougher than expected. Even with a super-effective move like Bite, two turns weren't enough to defeat Drowzee. On the plus side, Glint's second Bite stunned it for a moment, preventing it from landing an attack. The tiny turtle hadn't battled in a long while so it was only natural for him to be a little rusty.
"Almost there, don't worry!" Andrew assured him, making a mental note not to neglect any one Pokémon too much.

Yael watched jealously from the side. She was certain that she could have defeated this Drowzee by now. She really hoped this battle would open Andrew's eyes to that. Why was he wasting his time with a puny Squirtle when he had fully evolved Pokémon on hand? Yael and Glint were more alike than she would ever realise. Both were desperate for approval and attention, though in different ways.

Glint was usually very proud of his abilities and loved to show off. He huffed and crossed his arms as his performance fell short of knocking out his foe.
"Try an Ice Beam!" Andrew ordered, trying to snap the Squirtle out of this sulky mood. "Let's work with this winter theme!" he commented, referring to the cold weather. Glint's love of attention was always enough to overpower his mopey mood. He unfolded his arms and inhaled, preparing to unleash an Ice Beam.

[Marchbaby]

Drowzee was now almost starving as the next round was about to begin and the psychic type was in pretty rough shape. Glint had caused far more damage than it had anticipated and his Eviolite had made Drowzee's own attacks nearly worthless putting it in a very poor position. As it tried to fight off the hunger to select another move however the young Squirtle had already started to make his move as a hunk of ice appeared before his mouth. A few seconds later the ice shot out towards Drowzee in the form of a beam scoring a direct hit. The poor psychic type was frozen solid by the move as well as knocked out leaving Glint as the winner of the battle. Drowzee did finally catch a break however as two Drowzee stepped out from a patch of tall grass and used their psychic powers to free their entrapped friend.

As soon as it was freed from its icy prison the Drowzee started to run along with its friends realizing its hopes of getting a meal from Andrew were gone. It was thankful it had at least gotten away without too much harm being caused to itself but it was still upset that it has not gotten the meal it was after. Even so there was always a chance something else might come along that it could grab a meal from and Drowzee had avoided being captured by Andrew as well giving it some form of good news to try and use as encouragement on its next attempt to steal food.

Glint gained 2 levels and +1 happiness. He is now level 23 with +6 happiness. Glint is trying to evolve, would you like him to evolve or would you like to stop the evolution? Glint is trying to learn Protect but he already knows 4 moves. Would you like Glint to forget a move so he can learn Protect?

[Andrew]

OOC NOTES:

- Glint doesn't evolve or learn Protect
- Sanga is holding Exp. Share and so also grows to Level 13 (and doesn't learn Ember)

Fortunately, the idiom "third time's the charm" was applicable here. Drowzee was unable to battle after being struck by Glint's Ice Beam. The Squirtle's mildly cocky character was restored as the psychic-type's friends intervened to rescue it. It looked like he wasn't so out of practice after all, especially compared to Sanga. There was never any doubt that Glint was going to win but a victory was exciting nonetheless.

"Nice one! Good work, Glint. Take a rest for now. Let's all try to save our strength for the gym." He recalled the water-type to his Poké Ball and then looked to Yael. The Lopunny shook her head in protest. "Well, I guess I did kind of promise you a battle too. Fine, so let's keep searching around here." 
'Thank you, thank you!'

She seemed much less antsy as Andrew gave his approval. Even though he'd received Yael as an Egg, he still hadn't quite grasped her weird quirk. From what he could understand, she was very competitive but also regularly showed signs of anxiety. Maybe could talk to Nurse Joy about it. Andrew placed his arm on the Lopunny's shoulder and nudged her along beside him.
"All good? There definitely has to be more Pokémon around here so keep your eyes open. And your ears."

[Marchbaby]

Despite her periods of anxiety Yael had no problems following Andrew's orders as she started to both watch and listen trying to locate another Pokemon to battle. After scanning around for a few moments she could hear the sound of rustling grass a short distance away and turned to face the noise while trying to be brave. Shortly after the noise started however it suddenly stopped without anything popping out to battle them at least not at first. It was only when Yael approached the patch of grass that she heard the noise that a Rattata popped out and bared it's fangs ready for a fight. Before anyone could react however a voice came from the grass seemingly coming from the rat Pokemon's trainer.

" Rattata where did you go, I know you want to train against some Pokemon but you still need to stay close so I do not lose you." The voice said before a young boy stepped out wearing a yellow shirt and blue shorts and a sideways blue baseball cap. The young lad then saw Yael and Andrew and realized his Rattata had found something to train against but not the wild Pokemon he was expecting. " Wow Rattata I think this might be our lucky day. I was expecting a wild Pokemon to train with not a tough looking trainer." After pausing a second to calm down the young boy introduced himself and then asked Andrew if he would be willing to have a battle so his Rattata could get stronger.

" My name is Samuel and this here is Rattata, would you be willing to have a battle with us so my Rattata can grow stronger?" As he awaited Andrew's answer Samuel hoped his Rattata would behave itself until the battle started as he knew his first impression had not been the best.

Youngster Samuel would like to battle, he sends out his Rattata (Level 19) Please select a Pokemon.

[Andrew]

OOC NOTES:

- Andrew sends out Yael and uses Headbutt.

The search for wild Pokémon was cut short as Andrew heard an approaching voice. A Rattata pushed through the tall grass, followed by an out of breath child wearing a baseball cap. His first impression didn't exactly scream that he possessed a high level of skill or experience but a challenge was a challenge. Besides, it was almost time to consider heading into the city now and he'd promised his Lopunny a battle. 

"Andrew. Nice to meet you," he introduced himself, offering a handshake. "Yeah, sure. We're up for a battle. Right Yael?" The normal-type wasn't about to be picky. The last thing she wanted was to lose the opportunity to another one of her teammates.
'Yes, I'll do it!' she confirmed, strutting out in front. As she got closer, the purple rat seemed more impressive than she'd initially thought. Maybe that was why Samuel was struggling to control it.

It had been a while since they'd battled with another trainer. The prize money earned at the end of a battle was a good incentive, particularly now as he approached the shopping capital of Johto. On top of that, it was refreshing to hear another human voice after his journey of solitude through Ilex Forest. The only person he'd spoken to there had been ramming his head against trees. While it was painful to even think of, at least he did get one good thing out of it. "Yael, start with a Headbutt!"

[Hunter]

Samuel was filled with excitement as Andrew accepted his challenge to a battle, this would be a great training experience for his young team of pokemon. With peaked interest Samuel glanced at the pokemon that Andrew had decided to battle with, it was a Lopunny, and a strong looking one at that. Youngster Samuel's favourite pokemon was Rattata, this choice was inspired by his cousin Joey who had been a dedicated trainer of Rattata and even claimed to own a top percentage Rattata. Aspiring to be more like his cousin, Samuel was intent on allowing his own Rattata every opportunity to train and get stronger.

"Mr. Andrew, I hope you don't think I'll be a quick and easy fight, I've been training very hard!"

Andrew's rabbit pokemon had a distinct speed advantage over Youngster Samuel's Rattata, this was sure to be a vital key to emerging victorious. Upon her trainers orders, Yael dashed across the plain surface that had been separating her and her opponent, the fog on the route certainly made it difficult to see what exactly was going on. Despite the visual's being difficult to see, the audible was indefinitely clear as a loud thud could be heard as Yael charged her head directly into the purple rat pokemon, Sam's Rattata winced in pain, that attack had most certainly hit the mark.

"Wow that was a strong attack Mr. Andrew, where did you learn that one?"

Samuel looked down at his Rattata, the facial expression that the small pokemon had showcased the pain he was in. Rattata was a fighter and wasn't going to let himself go down so easily, after all, that was how Sam had raised, a fighter. Rattata looked back towards his trainer and awaited his orders.

"Let's get one back now with a Hyper Fang attack Rattata!"

Swiftly Rattata dashed through the foggy battlefield, it only appeared as a purple blur to the keenest of eyes. The purple rat pokemon located Andrew' Lopunny and using its front fang like teeth bit down hard on Yael's arm. Samuel caught a glimpse of his pokemon's successful attack and was over-joyed, that Hyper Fang move was one that Rattata had only recently learned to use and now it was successfully using it in a battle against another trainer and his pokemon.

---

V S  YOUNGSTER SAMUEL 

---

Weather: Fog

Samuel's Rattata | LV 19 | Hustle 
HP: 10/46 (21%)
Status: Normal
Rattata used Hyper Fang!

Andrew's Yael  | LV 21 | Cute Charm
HP: 42/64 (65%)
Status: Normal
Yael used Headbutt!

---

• Yael -> Cute Charm Roll: 4ELkBa8Z1-100
• Yael -> Headbutt Flinch Roll: 1-100
• Rattata's Hyper Fang Accuracy Roll (Hustle active): 1-100
• Rattata's Hyper Fang Flinch Roll: 1-100

1-100·1-100·1-100·1-100

[Andrew]

OOC NOTES:

- Yael uses Headbutt.

Samuel was indeed much younger than him but it wasn't fair to categorise skill-level based on a trainer's age. Besides, with only two badges, Andrew could hardly call himself an expert.
"I'm looking forward to a good battle then," he said with a smile as the youngster attempted to justify his experience.

He wasn't wrong, it seemed. To an extent, Rattata was able to give back what Yael dished out. There was plenty of potential there. The fully-evolved Lopunny had the upper hand, however.

Samuel was very intrigued by Yael's Headbutt and wasted no time asking where they'd learned it. "Actually, we just learned that one back in Ilex Forest. There's a guy inside headbutting trees…", he started, realising how odd it was to say aloud. He was uncertain of how to word it. "I think he might be a little crazy… but not dangerous… except maybe to himself." He paused to examine the kid's expression. "Well anyway, I think you and Rattata could probably still catch him after the battle if you wanted to learn it."

He started to blush slightly which pushed him to change the topic. "So, back to the battle then. Yael, use Headbutt once more." The normal-type tried to grasp her surroundings through the fog. She lowered her head, preparing to attack.

[Tarlar]

The fog kept to creep in and lay low among the grass, it was not too hard to see each other not until a particularly thick piece of cloud came rolling down a hill and reduce visibility to a few meters.
The pokemon who was standing closest to each other could still make out where the other was, more or less. The trainers could see their own pokemon but not the opponents or each other.

"Ilex?" The youngster repeated and while Andrew couldn't see how the boy looked around nervously he could certainly hear that the forest wasn't a place Samuel had the heart to go.
He laughed a bit forced when he was told about the man slamming his head into trees, but found it hard to keep his spirit op when they talked about the scary forest while being out in this thick fog. It made it easy to imagine being trapped somewhere without knowing how to get out.
While Samuel wasn't scared of the fog while he was on this route, which he knew very well, he had heard more than enough stories about people disappearing in Ilex Forest to find it unsettling.
"I.. I think we can manage for now without," Samuel said and then added just as Andrew gave his order, "wasn't your afraid to get lost in there? Is it as dangerous and confusing as everyone says?"

Yael raced forward once more and aimed at where she was certain the rattata was, she had kept her eyes on it the whole time after all. Just before she reached it she made a skidding stop as she had almost slammed her head into a stump, where did the rattata go?
Something ran past her as the rattata too misjudged its aim and instead bit down on a leafless bush, making it spit splinters out of its mouth.

"Perhaps.. perhaps we should move a bit and see if we can find an area with less dense fog Mr. Andrew?" The youngster called out and rattata spun in that direction and disappeared into the white.
Happy sounds of reunion shortly after revealed Rattata had found its way back to its trainer.
"Can you hear me Mr. Andrew? I think if we move up the hill it might be less foggy. This way, I still want to train and show how much Rattata can do," Samuel continued to talk having no idea where Andrew was at the moment but he was getting some of his excitement back. This wasn't Ilex Forest after all.

Wild Encounter

---

Weather: Fog (3/5 acc)

[attr="class","qkt-bkgd"]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]

[attr="class","qkt-clip"]Rattata

LV 19
HP 21% [10/46]

[attr="class","qkt-wild-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]

[attr="class","qkt-clip"]Yael

LV 21
HP 64% [42/64]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-imgbox"]

[attr="class","qkt-pkmn-img"]

Samuel's Rattata [Hustle]: Normal, Used Hyper Fang - missed!
Andrew's Yael [Cute Charm]: Normal, Used Headbutt - missed!