Rock and Roll [GYM][f]

[Pixel]

After finishing his geodude hunt and simultaneous training of, Adrian settled at the pokecenter for the night. He then recalled having to sit in the lobby at Falkner's, waiting his turn because he didn't schedule an appointment. Well, not this time! He would be prepared. He looked for an opening and found a spot tomorrow evening, likely a little late for younger trainers, who were journeying alone and away from parents for the first time, to feel comfortable being out and about.

With that scheduled, he settled for the night and rested up.

The next day was spent crossing his t's and dotting his i's so to speak. With apologies to Buddy, because she couldn't really be of any help in this gym, he sorted out how was best to bring with him to register as his team. Ig was the obvious choice and his lead. Next was Barry as a switch in. And Flicker, while frail, was technically a fire type and had come in clutch during the bug hunt. Three for three he matched Bugsy. Hopefully it would be enough.

Zag and Queenie were also in his pocket, but they were honestly not right for this gym. In fact, most of the his other pokemon really weren't right for this gym. But that was fine. He'd figure it out. Three should be enough, right?

He then spent the afternoon browsing around some of the stalls of the nearby cultural festival to pass the time. He was most interested in the Tauros, but he also walked away with some new TMs and a desire to return to the festival to see what else he could find of interest. Of course, his pockets were feeling awful light, so he'd need to be a little more reserved with his spending for the moment.

As his appointment drew closer, he settled with one of the TMs he purchased and taught it to Ig. Stealth Rock. A move geodude learned at higher levels, but would be incredibly useful now. Perhaps it was a little wasteful or foolish, but he felt it was a good plan. He trained Ig up for this moment. It was time to let him shine. Hopefully he wasn't being impulsive...

The last thing he checked was his bag. Potions. Revives. Check, check, check. 

He made sure Ig had his stone plate as well.

Barry still had that pecha berry from when he was caught.

And Flicker...well, he didn't really have anything for her, so he just offered his backpack for the fire-ghost to settle in per usual. He chuckled to himself softly and pulled his bag over his shoulder. Alright. Time to head out.

With his chin high, he stepped out into the Azalea evening, hoping he wasn't being rash in his decision to challenge Bugsy earlier than originally anticipated. He went to the receptionist and showed her his ID to confirm his appointment and then he settled to wait.

Because that was all he could do right now. Wait.

When Bugsy was ready for him, he'd come get him like Falkner. Was the gym leader battling another challenger right now? Was he taking a break? Was there a kid about to run out of that door crying or would they emerge beaming with victory? Anyone who followed news on the Gyms knew that Bugsy was a uniquely challenging gym leader. While he had two cocoons on his team, that scyther was a heavy hitter. It sliced through inexperienced, ill-equipped teams like butter with a hot knife. You didn't have a resistance to flying or bug moves? Better hope your defense was high enough to withstand its speedy assault.

All he knew for sure was that his plan might help prevent Bugsy's trademark switcharoo spam. But who knew for sure? Maybe he'd get outclassed and outplanned by an experienced trainer like him who would be used to trainers coming after him with rocks, birds and fire. Maybe he'd just get unlucky and that scyther would be a master of critical hits. He couldn't predict anything at all.

But when his name was called, he would take in a deep breath and give it his all.

Taking his place opposite of Bugsy, a serious look on his face, he prepared himself for the start. 

"Ig, you know what to do!" he called out, hoping to maybe catch his foe off guard by not calling an attack. Ig did indeed know the plan. As soon as he entered the field, the rock type would be focused on two things. First, using stealth rock to set up hazards on the field on Bugsy's side, which would make switching around his pokemon dangerous...and then was to use Curse. While it would make him slower, but boost his attack and defense to help him not only hit harder, but endure more attacks from the heavy hitter. 

Of course, if they stumbled out of the gate, he did have two pokemon in the back that could tank a hit as he got Ig back up.

—

 

 OOC: 
Using one of my stealth rock TMs on Ig.
Swapping Barry into my party over Buddy.
Swapping Guardian over Puddles.

I am giving Guardian the Ralts the EXP Share.

Running shoes: Stealth Rock + Curse

Queenie not present.


Words: 840 (+800)

[Tiki]

"Adrian Hartt?" A young assistant with glasses and a clipboard and a pen like they were a coach for children's soccer team hollered out in the lobby. Once the identity of Adrian was confirmed, the young assistant would then guide the challenger trainer inside the arena. The young trainer seemed nervous and tense, but this was common for everyone seeking to challenge Bugsy.

"Afternoon, Adrian! As you have known, I am Bugsy, the gym leader for Azalea Town. I dedicate myself to learn more about bug type Pokemon, so don't underestimate them!" A younger looking but determined trainer appeared, with purple thick hair and an outfit looking like a park ranger. He grinned and began the battle, as readily as the challenger was. "Come on out, Scyther!"

Inside the jungle-like looking Pokemon gym with lusher green grass than the wilderness outside, a blur moved from within the trees, and began to slow down in front of them, revealing it to be a powerful and assertive Scyther. The mean looking bug hovered in the air, waiting for its next move and the opponent's next move.

Upon seeing Adrian's Geodude, the gym leader was amused but not surprised. Using a rock type against a bug type was quite a common sight. "Quick, Scyther, use U-Turn before the Geodude could move!" He smiled and didn't wait for the opponent Pokemon to move, as the giant green bug rapidly moved into a blur to strike the rock type, and then readily retreated behind Bugsy as another Pokemon took its place. Bugsy tossed out a Pokeball and sent out a Metapod. Then, the Geodude hurled some rocks around the field in Bugsy's side, making it rocky for whatever Pokemon he would send if they stumble upon them.

"Stealth Rock? Not many people come to this gym with this move. That's interesting." He complimented.

"This one looks prepared. Metapod, use Harden!" The walking bug encyclopedia gave his next command, and the immobile cocoon Pokemon tensed its body to toughen up, and to embrace the Geodude's next move. However, the Geodude simply chanted something weird and then his body glowed in a way that both enhanced him and weakened him.

Wild Encounter

---

Weather: Clear 

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Metapod LV 18
HP 100% [51/51]

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

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

Stealth Rock'd

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Ig LV 18
HP 47% [22/47]

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

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

Metapod [Shed Skin]: Status, Defense +1
Igenous [Sturdy]: Status, +1 Attack, +1 Defense, -1 Speed

SP55 Scyther used U-Turn! Switched with Metapod!
SP17 Geodude used Stealth Rock!

SP21 Metapod used Harden!
SP17 Geodude used Curse!

[Pixel]

"I try to be," Adrian replied to the prepared comment. He let out a slow breath. Ig took a lot of damage from that heavy hit, but that was expected. Now was the time to get the ball rolling. He pulled a potion out of his bag, not wanting to be caught unprepared now that he had Ig set up to be a little tougher and hit a little harder. After all, extra boosts didn't help if a certain crit machine known as that mantis got any craft blows in. 

With a spritz onto Geodude to help restore his health back up, he let out a slow breath, "Alright, bud. Time to go Use smack down." He figured after a harden or two, it would be hard to knock out the cocoon in one hit, but he was pretty confident that he could win that war of attrition. 

Then whatever was sent out next, even if it could set up, should be worn down by the entry hazards. 

"There's a little festival in town. I went shopping, Found some useful stuff," Adrian admitted wryly. And that Stealth Rock TM currently felt like a great purchase. Sure, it might seem like a waste for a party of three, but with Bugsy's deadly U-Turn strategy, even rock type's like Ig had a hard time withstanding those blows. But with pressure to avoid switching in and out, he could possibly focus on one pokemon at a time, and make sure he was braced against whatever antics the scyther was apt to pull.

He watched as Ig formed a rock in his hands and threw it hard at the metapod, his aim on point, assuming a certain bug didn't have some alarming surprises in store. Adrian was pretty sure metapod couldn't learn any accuracy effecting moves. Heck, a butterfree with an array of powders right now would be downright terrifying. Poison. Sleep. Paralysis. Maybe even some confusion thrown in there for good measure. 

Instead Bugsy boasted the un-evolved form, perhaps favoring its bulkier defenses in order to support Bugsy's pivoting scyther?

—

 

 OOC: 
Potion + Smack Down

Words: 347

[Rexman]

Bugsy watched as the potion was sprayed on the opponent, the medicine acting quickly to heal some of the divets and jagged rock pieces that were damaged or almost falling off. Though he was eager to win and defend his badge, he still appreciated the small acts that trainers undertook to show their Pokemon that they cared. Granted, this more than just a simple battle, it was small gestures that were often missing in regular everyday life.

It gave the young man a positive outlook and hope for the future.
While the Geodude healed, Metapod started to glow again as it hardened its exterior membranes, bracing for whatever hits may come in the future.

"Is Rock type your favorite type of Pokemon? It's always fun to battle and train your favorite Pokemon. After all, that is why this gym is specialized as so," he said with a big smile, pointing to the gym around him. Between ornamentation and design of the room, no one would ever be surprised that the young man was a bug fanatic.

"Metapod, you've boosted your defense, so let's go on the offense now, use Bug Bite," he commanded.
Hopping forward, the cocoon Pokemon somehow bit in the exterior layers of the Geodude's thick skin, doing very little damage to the newly healed ridges. Unfortunately, this attack put the Metapod right next to the Geodude and when Smack Down was called, the Metapod's eyes went wide before the rock made contact with the pupa's underbelly, sending the Metapod flying back. Landing hard in front of Bugsy, the Metapod shook itself before rebalancing itself in front of it's trainer.

"Wow, strong hit! This is what gym battles are all about!" he said, his face erupting into a big grin.



Gym Challenge

---

Weather: Clear

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Metapod LV 18
HP 49% [25/51]

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

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

Stealth Rock'd

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Ig LV 18
HP 80% [38/47]

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

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

Metapod [Shed Skin]: Healthy - Defense +2
Igenous [Sturdy]: Healthy - +1 Attack, +1 Defense, -1 Speed

SP - Adrian used Potion on Ig, +20 HP restored
SP 21 - Metapod used Harden - +1 Defense

SP21 Metapod used Bug Bite
SP11 Geodude used Smack Down

Stealth Rock is active!


Bug Bite Crit:
au3dnZME1-16

Smack Down Crit:
1-16
1-16·1-16

[Pixel]

"Oh...uh...No?" Adrian replied. "I don't have a favorite type really... I'm a breeder..." Adrian rubbed the back of his head. He could call himself that now. He did have a breeding business at the ranch. He'd successfully bred and incubated a few eggs now outside of his backpack. "...This geodude was one of the first eggs that I ever hatched. He was in my bag and was born during my battle with Falkner...It seemed fitting to bring him here today for this fight."

And while it might be easy to mistake the egg move curse for Adrian's work as a breeder, in all honesty, he had just gotten lucky when Mr. Pokemon asked him to hatch and take care of an egg for him. 

"Ig. Keep it up. Use smack down again."

He might still need to use another potion, but he was confident that they were in a good place still. He just had to keep an eye on Ig's health. 

He watched the geodude turn to grab the cocoon pokemon again and yeet it into the ground. This war of attrition was currently being won by stall, but with luck, it would speed up soon. 

—

 

 OOC: 
 Smack Down

[Rexman]

The grin remained on Bugsy's face as the conversation between the trainers continued around the battle. While some trainers seemed to use talking and conversation as a distraction technique, Bugsy seemed more to just enjoy learning more about his opponent. His confidence never seemed to waver about his position in the battle, despite that he was slowly running into a disadvantage.

Adrian had planned his team well and had come up with a very innovative strategy, one that the bug master had never really seen before. He was so used to people coming at him with fire and birds, that rock was almost a breathe of fresh air. Something for him to learn from.

"Wow, a breeder? Raising and hatching new generations of Pokemon? That is beautiful. Especially if your battling partner is one of your successful hatches. Makes the match worth having, time and time again,"

As he spoke, his Metapod glowed white again as it hardened its shell, just before the rocks came crashing down on it from Ig's attack. Somehow, the cocoon Pokemon was still standing, but he was heavily damaged, his exoskeleton showing many dents, bruises, and scratches. Still it soldiered on, ready to keep taking hits, as if he could just do this all day.




Gym Challenge

---

Weather: Clear

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Metapod LV 18
HP 2% [1/51]

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

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

Stealth Rock'd

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Ig LV 18
HP 80% [38/47]

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

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

Metapod [Shed Skin]: Healthy - Defense +3
Igenous [Sturdy]: Healthy - +1 Attack, +1 Defense, -1 Speed

SP 21 - Metapod used Harden - +1 Defense
SP 11 - Ig used Smack Down

Stealth Rock is active!

[Pixel]

"Yeah...it is. All the more worth it," he murmured. "I like...seeing pokemon grow and...thrive. Become better and stronger. To become the best they can be." And he learned so much from each of them. Even Ig here. Who was a little oblivious and very stubborn. "This is just a step. There's many more to go."

He glanced at Ig, who looked steady and ready to continue, "Ig, finish up here with another Smack Down." He had the experience share equipped to another baby that he was set on raising. Never a dull moment. Never an act left unbalanced. He had to teeter on those fine edges, trying to find the right way to juggle getting strong enough for the gyms with raising all the pokemon in his care.

And he loved it. He thrived in it.

Ig was just the start. Proof of concept, really.

He watched with a proud smile as the geodude grabbed another rock, floated over to Metapod, and made to force the battle into the next phase. One where Bugsy wasn't set up and had to send out a pokemon into the rocks. Scyther wouldn't be able to survive a bunch of switches, so the moment he chose to send the mantis out, he best be ready to keep it in until one of them was defeated.

—

 

 OOC: 
 Smack Down
Please use mod bar

[Tiki]

Even Bugsy knew his Metapod was hanging by a thread. However, he wasn't going to give it to Adrian easily without a little challenge. "That's good. Growing with Pokemon is a great experience for everyone, whether it is growing stronger, growing old, or more."

"Now, Metapod, go for a Bug Bite!" The bug type expert ordered, and his seemingly immobile Pokemon hopped around the field until it was close enough to bite the floating rock with arms. Then, the Geodude returned with a rock smacking onto the blinking eyes Pokemon. With his first Pokemon defeated, he smiled and returned the fallen cocoon.

"Not bad at all. Scyther, your turn again" The trainer called out, and in another blur of light green, the Scyther zoomed past toward the challenger, and reappeared in an intimidating manner. Bugsy waited curiously to see what would Adrian had his Pokemon do.

Gym Challenge

---

Weather: Clear

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Metapod LV 18
HP 0% [0/51]

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

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

Stealth Rock'd

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Ig LV 18
HP 72% [34/47]

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

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

Metapod [Shed Skin]: Healthy - Defense +3
Igenous [Sturdy]: Healthy - +1 Attack, +1 Defense, -1 Speed

SP21 Metapod used Bug Bite!
SP11 Ig used Snack Down! Metapod fainted!

Stealth Rock is active!

---

Igneous gained 3 levels from winning!
He gained 1 level from the bar!
Now he is level 22!
He can learn Bulldoze, delete a move?


Guardian gained +1 Level from EXP Share; growing to Lv 2!

---

Bugsy is bringing back (Level 21) Scyther again! Switch Pokemon or no?

(Scyther HP will be 50/66 after Stealth Rock and Sitrus Berry activation, not sure if I do it this post or next mod post)

[Pixel]

"This gym will help him grow even stronger than before. I know it." 

With that small victory, Ig looked a little stronger and braced for a renewed fight with the scyther. Adrian was fairly sure he could withstand at least one, maybe two more strong hits from the scyther. Maybe this was where they started their sweep?

Adrian watched as the rocks cut into the scyther as it returned to the battlefield, sharp and extremely dangerous to pokemon with weakness to stone. Though, the scyther didn't look as damaged as it should have been...perhaps the super fast pokemon ate a berry to recover some health. 

Regardless...

"Ig. You know what to do. Keep it up," he called out.

The geodude flexed his arms, formed another stone and got prepared to smack down that scyther. C'mere you flighty mantis. Face the Smash.

While he did have back ups, he was grateful that it seemed like he wouldn't need them. Ig was doing great on his own and looked like he'd quickly become one of the All-Stars on his squad, which was quite frankly amazing progress. Not too long ago at all, he was a freshly hatched rock that didn't know what rain was like...and now he was taking on the Ace of a gym leader without hesitation or fear.

—

 

 OOC: 
 Smack Down 

Learning Bulldoze over Sandstorm. 
(Self-Updated)

[Caramell 🍬]

As soon as Scyther appeared, she would scarf down a small berry she held against her buggy body. It helped him feel better…but not nearly enough to feel like her old self. “So you’re my opponent. Still?” The large mantis braced himself, sharpening her own blades against each other as she eyed the small rock cautiously. This thing was an absolute menace. Scyther knew that based on typing alone. But what Scyther knew more than anything else was that she trusted Bugsy to make the best calls for him, even in the worst of situations. “Guess I’m going to have to give it my all! Nothing can withstand the formidable team that is Bugsy and myself!” She scoffed haughtily.

“Your rocks pose a huge risk for me now.” Bugsy hummed thoughtfully. Given some of the inexperienced Bugsy wanna-be trainers that the GYM Leader faced almost consistently, it was good to see a strategist giving it their all against the GYM Leader. Some just believed in straight brute force to win their goals. That wasn’t a bad plan sometimes, but often it just landed you in a world of hurt when you weren’t prepared for other alternatives that snaked their ways before you. “Scyther, we’re going to have to try a different tactic.” He huffed. “Use Dual Wingbeat!”

Scyther smirked as her wings began to beat as fast as they could against her body. Their high vibrations creates large gusts of wind that would spiral around the green mantis’ body. “With pleasure!” She raced through the air after Igneous, slashing at the sturdy rock a couple of decent times, though the damage wasn’t as strong as Scyther had hoped for. Was it the same hardening campaign her cocooned companions often favored? Igneous immediately grabbed several small rocks and pelted Scyther with them in various places, causing the bug to flee back to Bugsy’s side from exhaustion. “Yes, I figured you’d go for that move. Well, I’ve still got one more companion you haven’t met yet. Come on out, Kakuna!” Bugsy called, releasing the bright yellow cocoon from her Poke Ball.


Gym Challenge

---

Weather: Clear

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Scyther LV 21
HP 0% [0/66]

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

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

Stealth Rock'd

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Ig LV 18
HP 55% [31/56]

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

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

Scyther [Technician]: Healthy
Igneous [Sturdy]: Healthy [+1 Attack, +1 Defense, -1 Speed]

SP55 Scyther used Dual Wingbeat!
SP13 Igneous used Smack Down! Scyther wants to nappy bye!

Stealth Rock is active!

---

Igneous gained +2 levels!
Igneous increased to Level 24!
Igneous wants to go 💥 BOOM 💥!
Forget a move and learn Self-Destruct?


Guardian gained 1 level.
Guardian increased to Level 3!
Guardian learned Double Team!

GYM Leader Bugsy isn't finished yet!

He sends his Level 18 Kakuna out! Will Adrian switch?

[Pixel]

Ig withstood the dual-wing beat with grace. Then retaliated, taking down that pesky ace of Bugsy's team with no issue. Adrian grinned. Perfect!

"You've done awesome, Ig, I'm proud of you,' Adrian praised, grinning openly, ignoring Bugsy's presence for now to give his geodude a pat on the back. "I think you've done so well, you should take a break and give one of your teammates a chance to shine." Ig turned to stare at him, impassive. He wanted to stay in and smack more bugs. "Heh, I know, I know. You're doing so great, but that scyther was the one the rest of the team couldn't handle. And...I think we both know someone who would appreciate a chance to battle. She's...rather fond of battling bugs."

Ig hummed in acknowledgement, allowing Adrian to return him.

"Okay, Flicker, you're up," he said, still grinning. Clearly a happy, proud papa. From his backpack phased a little candle ghost. She floated forth, bobbing about with big, giddy eyes when she spotted the kakuna. 

<Bug!> she giggled. <Burn, burn, burn! Burn the buggies! I got to burn so many buggies. There was a big, scary bedrill and it burned too. It's such a fun game.> She twirled a bit, floating and dancing with delight. Flicker's laughter was eerie and childlike, and Adrian was oblivious to the absolute arson this litwick was declaring in her babble.

She drifted back to Adrian to flit around his shoulders in excitement before darting forth towards the kakuna. 

<Can you even move buggie? If you were a big buggie, you could fly away and flee. But you're not. You're a small buggie. No wings or legs to run away from my fire. Oh this will be a fun, fun game. And look at all these rocks? Do they hurt you? Do they crush you? They're very scary looking. I'll have to be careful to not be crushed too.> 

"Flicker, you should be able to handle this with an ember. Go on. Let's wrap this up," Adrian was confident. He saw the end in sight. Victory was his. It was a thrilling rush, to know how close he was to winning his second badge. He could have swept with one pokemon, but letting Flicker have this one would make her happy. In fact, she seemed utterly delighted to be presented with this battle.

He wasn't so sure why she got so happy when she battled bugs, but she did. He couldn't possibly break her little ghostie heart and not let her battle a bug that didn't seem to pose any risk to her. After all, what could a half injured kakuna do to her? Bug bite? Poison sting? The cocoon pokemon weren't exactly known for deep move pools, nor were they known for hitting hard. As a special attacker, any kind of defense boosting moves would be useless to defend against her fire.

"She really likes battling bugs but I didn't think she had the defenses to handle your scyther. So I did bring fire to this battle," Adrian offered in an offhand way. "I took her to the bug catching contest that happened recently and with her help I caught a scyther of my own. That's one of the reasons I know how strong they are and how she wouldn't likely be able to withstand an all-out assault from your ace. I didn't hatch her but...I like making my pokemon happy. And if battles like these make her happy, well. Why not give her the opportunity." 

Adrian was a bit of a rambler now, too excited to really be shy. It was amazing what a little confidence could do for someone's behavior. He was a generally withdrawn and moody man, but right here, on the cusp of victory, he was smiling and talking freely about his pokemon. He did already mention his aims as a breeder, so his passion for pokemon was unsurprising, but likely rang clear in moments like this. 

One didn't have to like people to like talking about pokemon.

Flicker herself even had a special place in his heart. After finding her in a trash can on a rainy day, seeking shelter from the storm, she helped him hatch many eggs in return for the favor. He didn't really use her in many battles, as she wasn't the strongest, but her love of battling bugs wasn't something he could deny. 

He watched as the excited ghost giddily flew forth and her flame grew large. It swelled in sized and turned a bright blue before she breathed a series of little embers alllll over the kakuna. She continued to laugh and giggle like a little arsonist.

<Burn, burn, burn! Burn little buggie!> 

It was a playful maliciousness that could be quite frankly disturbing, but unless you understood her speech, it was hard to detect. Then again, many ghosts could be quite...dangerous in their mischief, often fueled by grief or hatred or a desire to do harm or mislead.

—

 

 OOC: 
 Switch to Litwick and use Ember
(If it knocks out, use mod bar)

Words: 831 (+800)

No boom learning

[Caramell 🍬]

Bugsy studied the lit candle that floated around the battlefield. He’d faced many Pokemon from the various trainers that wandered in and out of his GYM, but Bugsy hadn’t quite faced such a Pokemon as Flicker before. It was interesting to see what his challengers brought out to face him. “Your Geodude is pretty strong. Though, my Scyther was at a pretty tough disadvantage and those rocks you laid on the field made it tougher for me, for sure.” He praised with a quick nod of his head. “I assure you my Kakuna won’t go down without a fight of her own!”

The yellow cocoon stood dormant in her spot as she eyed the floating ghostly candle. It was an intimidating foe who stared at the bug and chatted away about burning her to cinders, scaring Kakuna half to death. Even Bugsy noticed and raised an incredulous eye at his bug. “Are you alright, Kakuna? Let’s try your Poison Sting!” He called out, clasping his hands around his mouth to amplify his voice. Kakuna just grunted with a strange, buggy sound, and rolled a bit in her spot as confirmation. Several long, poisonous barbs shot from her body and scored Flicker in various locations. One managed to dig in deep in Flicker’s ethereal body, poisoning her and causing the flame on the top of her head to flicker with a slight purple hue. “Oh, that’s a good mark!” Bugsy cheered.

The flames that followed, coupled from the rough cuts from rocks that had been scattered around the battlefield previously, knocked Kakuna out in one fell swoop. It cried loudly, before falling down in front of Bugsy’s feet in a defeated heap. He recalled his Pokemon easily, then pulled a few things out of his pocket as he walked over to Adrian. “THE BATTLE HAS BEEN CONCLUDED! CHALLENGER ADRIAN IS THE WINNER!” The judge called from the sidelines as Bugsy held out a Technical Machine, badge, and lump sum of cash.

“This is for winning. The TM is U-Turn, the same move my Scyther used early on. Hopefully, you can see how useful it is yourself. This is the official Hive Badge from the Azalea GYM, to showcase my defeat to you in battle. Also, this badge allows you to use the Hidden Machine Cut outside of battle, though the only people we know of who knows how to teach that move are our local Charcoal Maker.” He added thoughtfully, before bidding Adrian and his team a fond farewell.

Gym Challenge

---

Weather: Clear

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Scyther LV 21
HP 0% [0/49]

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

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

Stealth Rock'd

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Flicker LV 21
HP 86% [50/58]

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

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

Kakuna [Shed Skin]: Healthy
Flicker [Flame Body]: Poisoned [-7 HP]

SP23 Kakuna used Poison Sting! Flicker is poisoned!
SP19 Flicker used Ember! Kakuna avoided being burned!
Stealth Rock is active!

---

Flicker gained 3 levels!
Flicker increased to Level 24!
Flicker is trying to learn Fire Spin!
Forget a move and learn Fire Spin?


Guardian gained 1 level.
Guardian increased to Level 4!

Bugsy congratulates Adrian!

He gives Adrian $1800, Hive Badge, and TM89 U-Turn for winning.