Lessons from Failed Exam (ON HOLD)

[Tiki]

Please update this first
swapping sandshrew back with frosmoth
swapping Ariados with Scolipede

Alex found himself spiraling a little. He could not believe two of his Pokemon fainted against battling Morty. Sure, he got himself a new gym badge and other things, but he felt like a failure for having his Pokemon fainted. This had never happened before. As an aspiring doctor, failure was not something he had expected to encounter. Sure, he knew of stories that you could not saving everyone, but this partial defeat felt like getting 70 on an exam and still pass.

He felt like he was not a good trainer for having his Pokemon fainted. Sure, he also knocked out other people's Pokemon or wild Pokemon on a daily basis, but his own?! He was mulling and internalizing this thought for a whole day. He sent out his Pokemon in Route 38 and let them enjoy after the hard Pokemon battles. Well, some of them didn't even participate! He found a flat log and sat, and began contemplating where his planning or training had gone wrong.

Tackzill the Dustox and Chryaisy the Lilligant stood separately to talk about their defeat. After a long discussion, the grass type wanted to be alone for a bit while enjoying the breeze. The bug and poison type, instead looked for an opponent to battle to strengthen her self. She'll start off with a Psybeam!

OOC:
I dare next post to have Dust in the Wind reference

[Caramell 🍬]

Sharp winds ravaged through open prairie and ripped at the tall golden grasses that shot out several inches out of the ground. The grasses shuddered and shivered, being knocked one way than another from their harsh forces. Small shrub trees groaned as their long trunks bent in odd directions with smaller branches snapping and crashing to the ground below, sending smaller creatures scurrying off through the tall grasses in search of cover. A herd of white horses with bright red fires jutting out their necks and rear ends as manes and tails huddled close together.

The gusting winds felt good. They closed their eyes only for a moment to enjoy the ravaging breeze that caused their flames to enlarge and burn even brighter upon their backs. As a strange metallic creature floated by and accidentally hit one Ponyta against its head, causing it to snap its eyes back open, the brief moment it felt was instantly gone. It snorted, shaking its head warily and blinking as it searched the area around it and lifted itself up onto its four hooves. All its dreams passed through its eyes and as it registered the waking world curiosity pulled at its reigns.

Ponyta would shoot a long flame from its mouth that passed just past the metallic magnet and sent it flying off into the distance in a hurry. They singed the golden grasses near the wild horse, who reared up and galloped at the tops of its heels after its opponent, though it was largely unable to keep up. In its wake Ponyta’s hooves kicked up large chunks of dust that spiraled in the raging winds through the grasses in a mini storm whose strength wouldn’t even be enough to irritate your eyes. When its eyes landed on squarely on Alex sitting on a log. It reared up, puffing small flames out of its mouth, and snorted angrily. If Alex didn’t react fast the wild horse would send a burning ball of fire in his direction.

A Wild Ponyta Appeared!

Level 25. Will know Egg Move Double Edge. What will Alex do?

Shiny? W|JoLWD|1-42 | EM: 1-11 1-42·1-11

[Tiki]

OOC: Poison Tail then Great Ball

Although the wind was howling, and Alex was distracted by his own thought of the previous gym battle, the sound of the Ponyta's hooves clicking on the ground made him look up from where he was. His eyes was narrowing to make sure that it was a Ponyta at first, and instead of calling out his Pokemon to defend himself, he ran perpendicular direction to where the fire type was coming from.

The Dustox tried to fly over with a Psybeam to prove herself, but the wind drift made it a bit difficult for her. Instead, the Scolipede was lounging in the grass when it spotted the Ponyta. He got up and lifted the top of his body, and when the fire type got close, he swung his tail that was charged with venom.

Alex heard the sound of his Pokemon's cry, and then remembered that he could have just stayed on his log. He slowly walked back toward his log and stand on it. Seeing the fire type up close, he mindlessly grabbed a Great Ball from his bag, and prepared to toss it at the opponent. He waited like he did for many of his Pokemon captures.

[Caramell 🍬]

The wild equine was not afraid of the large bug that jump in between itself and the human it reared up to attack. It snorted, stomping one of its hooves into the ground, and dug at the earth underneath its hoof. Shaking its head wildly, it spun around and bucked at the other Pokemon, though found itself completely taken aback by Legigant’s move. As soon as the poison-dripped tail contacted the wild horse, it sent Ponyta flying back through the tall golden grasses that covered the savannah. Thankfully, Ponyta avoided the poison that tried to seep into its veins, shaking the worst of the toxic sludge off its body.

So that’s how this opponent wanted to play games? Alright, bet! The horse began to spit out large flames all over its body. As it did so, the mane along its neck and back and tail that were both made of fire would grow until the flames completely engulfed the wild equine. It would then run at full speed until it created enough momentum it could cause its entire body to spin across the ground. It sped after Legigant in a large wheel of flames and would slam into the large beast’s chest, though Alex’s impressive bug would easily withstand the worst of Ponyta’s attack and completely avoid being burned in the process.

What it didn’t expect was Alex tossing a small blue ball with bright red ridges after it. The horse whinnied loudly as a bright burst of red light shot from the center of the sphere and swallowed the wild equine whole. When the Great Ball tumbled to the ground, it would rock around in large sweeps inside of the grass. No doubt that this wild horse was none too happy about being captured by this strange trainer. It rocked several times, knocking against small rocks and rolling over broken twigs that littered the ground between the golden grasses. But eventually, a loud and successful ding would announce Alex’s victorious capture.

Catch? (85%) _jL5b74|1-100

---

SUCCESS!!

---

Legigent gained 1250 EXP.
Legigent increased to 3907/3169 EXP!
Legigant gained 1 level.
Legigant increased to Level 33!
Legigant grew closer to Alex. +1
Legigant increased to +9 Happiness!


Frosmoth gained 1 level.
Frosmoth increased to Level 10!

Please fill out the form on your new Pokemon:

[img src="https://pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/bw/ponyta.png"] [img src="https://play.pokemonshowdown.com/sprites/itemicons/great-ball.png"]
[b]Ponyta[/b]
Name: [choose]
Gender: [choose]
Level: 25
OT: Alex Burke
Moves: Flame Charge, Agility, Flame Wheel, Double Edge [sup]EM[/sup]
Ability: Run Away or Flash Fire
Nature/Personality: [choose]

-1 Great Ball deducted from inventory.

1-100

[Tiki]

Alex picked up his newly captured Pokeball, but he did it so emotionlessly and expressively. He was very much occupied with his thoughts. He went toward Gig and routinely patted his Pokemon and then gave him a short and soft "Thank you." Then, he returned to his log and sat, and then stared into space.

"Is he okay?" The Lilligant asked the Dustox, looking at her trainer in a close enough distance to talk with the bug, but not within earshot. It was not like the human could hear them speak directly anyways.

"I think physically he is fine. But the fact that you and I were knocked out fighting the ghost man made him feel really bad." The bug flapped, humming a response.

"Aww... I don't hold a grudge against him. I did my best, he did his best, and you did your best." She held up her arms in a thinking position. "I wonder if we can do something to make him feel better?"-- She paused and thought-- "I am going to look for orange flowers. Bright colors might brighten up his day."

"That's worth a try, I'm going to look for fruits that he might like." Tackzill buzzed in agreement, and the two began looking for ways to cheer their trainer up.

On the other hand, the lazy Scolipede just laid on the ground again, but this time closer to the human, in case another horse on fire neighed in their direction.

[Tarlar]

Flowers might help lighten Alex's mood and realize that getting knocked out in battle wasn't the worst which could happen for a pokemon. It was not uncommon to happen in the wild too, although there it was much more dangerous since the fainted one was defenseless until they woke up again. In trainer battles it was more just an inconvenience and of course often a slap in the face to the trainer and pokemon, that they had failed or miscalculated somehow.

Finding flowers at this time of year, in spring when everything bloomed, shouldn't be a problem at all. The challenge would be if Alex's pokemon were too deadset on specific colors, as orange was a less common wild one. The lilligant would spot flowers more or less instantly she began to looking, they were nodding their heads in the wind, only problem, they were white. Not far off the ground under some trees was covered with yellow flowers, but they were definitely not orange.
Perhaps some dandelions would do? They were yellow but certainly colorful and easy to make into accessories if she so wished.

Suddenly a yellow ball of electricity tore through the white flowers leaving only a few behind still standing, a magnemite began to spin around itself and tore through the yellow ones beneath the trees.
When it stopped spinning it turned back to look at the damage it has just done, "unnatural, must go. Nature green, man made thing belong in city," it said mechanical to itself.

Magnemite [Lv 24] is destroying all flowers it comes across.
Weather will be Gusting (Tailwind)

Shiny: bV4AnA|g1-421-42

[Tiki]

"Hm... there's a lot of white flowers here, but that would be the wrong color for cheering someone up," The Lillitgant muttered to herself, while carefully pulling off some yellow and orange flowers at least. This area was disappointedly filled with white flowers spreading everywhere. As if that wasn't bad enough, a sudden Pokemon was zipping through the area, destroying many flowers in the process.

"It's too fast, I can't hold it back!" The Dustox hollered.

Alex's Venusaur was lazily enjoying the wind when he heard something flying by. He stood up and stretched his legs and summoned a Sunny Day. The bright sun showed up and heated the breezy air to a halt. He thought the sunlight's glare would be enough to catch the Manemite's attention. Then, he stood in front of the duo type and fired a Weather Ball from his back-flower.

"Slow down will ya? The city ain't going anywhere," Saurobix shouted at the Magnemite, shaking his head visibly.

OOC:
use bar please

[Tarlar]

The magnemite didn't seem to notice neither Chryaisy or Tackzill as it continued it onslaught of the colorful flowers. the lilligant stood far enough away to not be in the way and the dustox was too slow to stop it, and therefore wasn't seen as something to react on.
"Must go green. Men destroying nature. Must return nature to green to save it." The apparently very biological interested magnemite said as it slowly turned around itself, looking for more non-green stuff to get rid off.
It spotted a wooden bench painted white and it was the next thing it destroyed, leaving the broken remains behind it. For someone wanting to clean up and help nature, it surely left a mess behind.

Saurobix sun enhancing energy ball shot up in the air and removed the few clouds and perhaps thinned the air as well so that the sun's rays much easier could reach the ground. The temperature raised drastically as the sun happily baked the area, making the air flimmer.
The electric magnet looked unaffected, it sent another electric ball through some flowers and would have targeted a trashcan if not Saurobix had spoken up. That somehow got through to it and it turned just as the venusaur sent another energy ball to the sky.
"Man made things and nature-destroyers must stay in city! Danger! Danger! Nature in danger! I clean up and remove not nature things! I save nature so pokemon can live! Tree die. Pokemon die. Man die. Must save nature." The magnemite screeched and everyone around it winced.
It could probably have helped it in a battle but as Saurobix's weather ball had been energized by the sun's rays and was now flaming hot as it plummeted towards the ground, it never got the chance.

"Error. Error. Error." The knocked out magnemite mumbled as it lay on the ground. After a while it would slowly get up hovering and then float back towards Ecruteak to recharge.

Saurobix grows (24*50*1,5) 1800exp! (2946/3169)
He also gains +1 Happiness! (+11)


Frosmoth gets a level through the exp. share and grows to [Lv 11]!

(ooc: I'm so sorry for the wait!)

[Tiki]

Saurobix thought the Magnemite was being hilarious. Surely, a being made from human conception would not be fighting against human to preserve nature? Or maybe it gained an insight from someone, something, somewhere, and decided to return things back to its natural state. "You're a funny one, I'll tell you that!" The big toad chuckled before resting himself after blasting the Weather Ball toward the floating magnet.

"Thank you, Saurobix! I'll keep looking for more flowers!" The Lilligant bowed her head and happily returned to looking at flowers to create a bouquet.

"You welcome, now don't wander too far. I can't help if you're too far away!" He replied, and then yawned and tried to return to his sleep.

The Scolipede suddenly let out a light chuckle, but quickly stopped himself. "I like how we're both trying to nap here, but just in separate spots." He kind of screeched at the toad to get his attention.

"You can stay close to Alex! Lemme rest now!" He tattled back quickly, and then turned his body to focus sleeping.

Strangely enough, whether it was from Saurobix's Sunny Day or the natural course of the weather, the sun seemed to had stayed up, shining bright and warmly. Perhaps, the warmer temperature could help Alex with his mood.

OOC:
Looking for encounter

[Tarlar]

With how powerful Saurubix had become it was surely his doing that the heatwave had settled in the route, there could be no other explanation as it would be just too big of a coincidence if a real natural heatwave had started right after he had used Sunny Day. If Alex really wanted to know, he'd probably have to check the weather reports and see if any heatwave had been foreseen. Speaking of weather reports, that must be a horrible difficult job in a world with pokemon who could change the local weather in a whim.

A magnemite, yet another one, was floating around but unlike the last it just enjoyed that summer seemed to have arrived. It was nice and sunny and the perfect day to be outdoors and enjoy it, which was lucky when you were a wild pokemon who didn't have anywhere else to go and even one that didn't have to care about where it next meal should come from.
The magnemite floated out and in a circle around some of Alex's pokemon, focusing on the ones who gave it most attention and leaving the others alone. It was not about annoying others but looking for friendly interactions, which a play fight also could be of course.

It hummed as it was nonverbal having no mouth, and spun around itself and moved to non existing music, it blinked warmly and hopefully with its one eye at the pokemon in the hope they understood that it didn't want to harm them.
It floated down and tried to pick a blade of grass as the others were interested in the flowers, but with nothing to grab it with and magnetic waves not working on plants it quickly gave it up and began floating around them in the funny moving pattern, happy electricity making it sparkle.

Magnemite [Lv 23] is enjoying the weather and inviting to a dance.
Weather will be Heatwave (Harsh Sun)

Shiny: |XPfyvfA1-421-42

[Tiki]

Saurobix and Gig were both trying to sleep, in separate spots. However, the intense sunshine was giving them difficulty to sleep, even though they would also seem like exothermic creatures who would prefer sunlight to keep them warm. Or maybe, it was the air which had the wrong humidity and making it difficult to fall asleep.

Another Magnemite had found themselves around Alex's Pokemon, but the Magnemite would find itself mostly ignored or brushed off by other Pokemon. Saurobix and Gig paid it no mind, although in these two Pokemon's mind, they were kind of aware of the floating Pokemon, and closed their eyes to try to avoid eye contacts. "This won't do, this is not a flower!" The Lilligant replied, unfazed by the wild Pokemon's attempt to help. "Uh, sorry, you're different from the other Magnemite. I can't play fight right now, I already got my arms and telekinesis full." The Dustox replied, while holding an apple or two with her small hands, and then her psychic power at a slight limit holding another apple or two.

Alex looked up a bit, as he heard and saw the commotion from the electromagnetic Pokemon, and its jolly and carefree floating and dancing got he thinking. He wondered if lives were better as a different lifeform with less care about the world, where only thing that mattered was survival, population, and safety. The only success you might care was hunting or getting your food, but it would be much less stressful than today's life as a complicated lifeform!

"Are you sure you want to fight?" The Venusaur finally opened his eyes and spoke toward the Magnemite. "You know, I didn't hold back on the last one just now, right?" If the duo type really wanted a battle for fun, then he wouldn't hold back himself and use another Weather Ball.

[Caramell 🍬]

Magnemite buzzed with strange metallic sounds and blinked as it floated away from the long blade of grass. Its attempt to help the large Lilligant went largely unappreciated. It spun around in the air and caused the two horsehoe shaped magnets on the sides of its head to spin around its entire body in a wild manner as it glanced down at the simple grass and beeped. And while it might be hard for most to know the emotions behind the metallic Pokemon’s noises, it was a very sad and sorry beep to be sure. The Dustox stated that it couldn’t play, though, which caused Magnemite to shake its whole body profusely as it didn’t want to fight, either.

A large dinosaur with a huge pink flower protruding out of his back spoke up. Magnemite’s single eye widened in alarm. Saurobix was massive in comparison and it knew that there was no way that it could manage a fight against such a mammoth of a Pokemon. What was it even made of, anyways? All the pancakes in the world to fatten it up, followed by a literal wall of plant material to make it as massive as it was?? It buzzed and whirred, floating up high above Saurobix, and caused large electric pulses to zip between its two horseshoe shaped magnets in harsh warning for Saurobix to stay away. It was a bluff, and one that it hoped Saurobix wouldn’t make it make good on.

The Weather Ball grew into an impressive size and seemed to glow like a miniature sun. Some flames licked around the edges of the massive ball that Saurobix created. As soon as he fired the large ball at the wild Magnemite, it fled in terror. It rushed through the tall grasses past the horizon line while Saurobix’s attack chased after it relentlessly. Though it was just out of eyesight for Alex’s team, the telltale sizzle and loud buzz of pain and sorrow that echoed over the plains was enough to assume them that Saurobix’s attack had successfully found its mark. That smarts, ya know!!

---

Saurobix gained 1150 EXP.
50*23: 1150
Saurobix increased to 4096/3169 EXP!
Saurobix gained 1 level.
Saurobix increased to Level 33!
Saurobix grew closer to Alex. +1
Saurobix increased to Level 12!


Frosmoth gained 1 level.
Frosmoth increased to Level 12!
Frosmoth is trying to learn Mist!
Forget a move and learn Mist?

[Tiki]

Saurobix wasn't fond of the Magnemite Pokemon. While those species looked like they're floating or flying, it just seemed like something's unnatural... about them! The fiery Weather Ball that the Venusaur conjured smacked right into the steel type, making it buzz and beep and hum in pain before it zipped past half of the team and disappeared into the wilderness again. Saurobix sighed and then returned to sleep.

At the limit of her weak but useful psychic power, the Dustox returned to Alex with three apples. She was ready to offer them as comfort before slicing them up. Alex looked up from his sadness and began speaking. "Oh?... You... got me apples? I love it! Um... Thank you. You're not mad that I wasn't as good as a trainer when we're battling Morty?"

The Dustox buzzed happily, trying to communicate that it was fine. "It happens man, I think these apples are sweet enough, come enjoy it! Maybe they'll make you feel better!" Dustox tried to slice them, but that's actually outside of her powers. Then, she placed two of them on Alex's hands, released those two from her psychic, then sliced her current one and toss the seeds and other inedible pieces away for compost.

Alex took a bite, and smiled as the sweet apple filled his sad face. Even for a disappointment that he felt he was part of, his Pokemon still supported him!

OOC: encounter please.

[Caramell 🍬]

The hot sun brought out a lot of Pokemon who enjoyed their warm rays. It sent just as many wild Pokemon – and the travelers that walked along its long, winding pathways through tall patches of golden grasses – scurrying towards the nearest shaded tree or body of water so that they could cool off. Some wild horses galloped through the tall grasses in the distance, chasing after each other as they playfully nipped at one another’s hind quarters. One kicked its sharp hooves against the ground and leaped high into the air, clearing over a tall bush and landing on the other side. Two nodded to each other, then one at at time would back away to race and jump over the same bush.

Two horses paused in the distanced and turned to watch the strange boy who seemed to be upset about something sitting down with his Pokemon. A large plant Pokemon with a gigantic flower shooting out its back slept peacefully as a small moth fluttered over to Alex to offer him some small red fruits to eat. They whinnied and kicked their hind legs in the air behind them as they watched with curiosity. “Too close?” One questioned, while the larger horse shook its fire mane freely and neighed, “Maybe…watch.” It jumped back over the bush and raced at the tops of its hooves towards Alex and the strange Dustox.

“Are you friend or foe?!” The white equine reared up on its hind legs and kicked them high in the air just above Alex’s head. It would land back on all fours to stand firmly in front of Alex and his team of Pokemon while staring the lad intensely in the eyes. Would this trainer challenge the wild stallion or flee in fear? Perhaps, they would ease the wild mustang’s mind and reassure it that none of Alex’s partners meant them any trouble. Then they could escort these possible trespassers safely off the route, which the wild horses found to be ‘their’ rightful property.

A Wild Ponyta appeared!

Level 26. What will Alex and his team do?

Shiny? 9O9lTsAh1-421-42

[Tiki]

"We're friends," the Dustox replied, while keeping her eyes on Alex's safety. The upset man was slowly getting better as he was enjoying the sweet apples his Pokemon had brought him. After the Ponyta had settled down from jumping around them, the poison and bug type was a bit skeptical on this fiery foe. However, she knew that she wasn't strong enough to withstand or to knock out the flaming steed. She turned her body toward some of the Pokemon around her as if looking for help.

Thankfully though, the sound of galloping alerted Alex's resting Pokemon. The Scolipede came rolling and Screeched out loud, "They're not for you to battle! You can fight me instead!" The many legged Pokemon hollered with a deafening sound to catch the Ponyta's attention.

"They're not at their best right now, so they wouldn't give you a satisfying battle. I am though. They just needed some time and a place to relax, away from people." He explained to the Ponyta. When the fire type would engage in the battle, he would prepare for a Poison Tail.