Afraid of the Dark? Or is it Bugs? (TDS) [F]

[Venominon]

Having completed his unexpected ghost busting adventure in the Ilex Forest, Shinya could've move on to Goldenrod City and tried for his third Johto region gym badge. However, there was still one more thing that the Team Skull grunt had to overcome before he'd feel comfortable moving on. Completing his third Alola trial. He didn't know much about it, other than the fact that it was located inside the Dark Cave, just outside of Violet City. And, of course, there'd be a totem Pokemon waiting for him at the end of the trial. Since this trial took place inside the Dark Cave, Shinya figured that meant that this totem Pokemon would be a Dark type. And with a team full of Bug type Pokemon, the Dark type's natural predator, Shinya grinned, feeling pretty good about his chances with this trial.

Although, that grin quickly disappeared as he re-entered the vicinity of Violet City, stepping into a rather deep and surprisingly vast puddle of water. "Oh, for cryin' out loud! What the heck?!" The Bug type trainer stated with some very obvious displeasure on his face and in his voice, looking around and seeing that Violet City had become flooded since the last time he was there. Still, this wouldn't be anywhere near enough to stop his advance, pressing onward despite the water that had quickly flooded his shoes. His determination to see this trial through didn't stop Shinya from letting out an exasperated sigh though, as he hoped all this water didn't also flood the Dark Cave. But even if it did, he still had Joltik to rely on. And with the new move she had recently learned, any and all wild Pokemon that decided to face him during the trial would be in for a very painful surprise.

With dusk falling over the region of Johto, the Alolan trainer didn't wish to waste too much time, marching as fast as he could through the flooded landscape in and around Violet City. Thankfully, he reached the cave before nightfall claimed the sky, seeing two very familiar old people sitting out in front of it. The very same elderly couple that oversaw Shinya first two Alolan trials. To this day, Shinya still had yet to make use of the Z-Ring and Z-crystal he had obtained, but that was beside the point. Continuing to make his way through the flooded grasslands, Shinya strode right over to the elderly man and woman, addressing them confidently. "Hey, old timers, remember me? I'm here for my third trial. So, let's have it." Given the rules of the last two trials, Shinya figured he'd have to leave three of his Pokemon behind for this one too, already prepared to do so if that was the case here as well.

OOC: Before this trial officially begins, I'd like to remove the Assault Vest that Scizor is holding and give it to Sizzlipede instead. Also, I'd like to use the TM25 Thunder in Shinya's inventory on Joltik, having her forget Electroweb in its place. Thank you kindly.

[Caramell 🍬]

The elderly couple waited near the trial on a small bench that had been placed out along the scenic trails near Violet. They playfully pushed on each other’s shoulders and pointed to various wild creatures. Some small caterpillars either striking green exoskeletons with large, bright red antennas or in drab brown exoskeletons that nearly blended in with the rotten logs on the ground crawled about underneath the piles of leaflitter on the ground. “The weather’s really brought them out.” The elderly wife commented with a slow nod of her head. “I bet this spring will bring such new growth, we’ll have plenty of Butterfree and Beedrill evolutions come late Summer.” The husband hummed thoughtfully.

As Shinya approached, though, they both turned their attention to the Team Skull Grunt. He was a welcomed face they’d grown to know over the course of past trials, where Shinya proved himself against the Totems he’d faced. Another Alolan native, they couldn’t help but want to welcome a familiar face, though they’d seriously disagree with her party affiliation and the associated delinquency. “Hello there!” Maui greeted, jumping up with a large wave of her hand. “I hope the torrential rains that’s caused this recent flooding hasn’t been to hard on you as of late!” Kaui nodded with an added thought. “Nature sure could use the rains for her new growth.”

“It was Shinya, correct?” Kaui asked with a raised eyebrow. Maui dug around and pulled out a small wooden token. She passed it over to Kaui, who looked it over softly with a short hum. “Thanks, hon. Shinya, as you may recall, you can only do this trial with 3 of your Pokemon from your party. We’ll be more than happy to watch the others for you, though! We actually welcome such a fun task. What we ask of you this time is to take this wooden token to Dark Cave just a short ways in that direction,” Kaui gestured, “and present it at the entrance. Everything else will reveal itself once you’ve done this.” Kaui explained.

Maui and Kaui give Shinya a Wooden Token!

Will Shinya take it to Dark Cave entrance to meet with a strange Ralts?

[Venominon]

"Alola." Shinya returned Maui's greeting with the traditional greeting of their homeland but did so in a rather bland tone of voice, knowing from his previous two encounters with these folks that any and all attempts to intimidate them would be more or less pointless. "Meh. It's annoyin', but whatever. It rains almost every day in Po Town anyway." The Team Skull grunt responded to Maui's next batch of words with a shrug of his shoulders, not too bothered by the floodwaters, all things considered. Plus, Shinya had also taken notice of all the worm Pokemon that had been drawn out into the open by said floodwaters, and he was certain that his Wimpod would enjoy these conditions himself as well. Sizzlipede, on the other hand, not so much.

However, playing in the water would have to wait, as the Bug type trainer was far too focused on the trial at hand for such things at this time. If he and his team were able to win this trial, then Shinya would gladly give his Pokemon anything they wanted as a reward. "Yup. Ya got it, pops. Shinya Stinger. That's me." But for the moment, Shinya's focus was on the elderly couple, answering Kaui's quarry, then turning his attention back over to Maui as she spoke to him once again. "Yeah, ya mentioned that before. I'm guessin' the Totem Pokemon this time around will be a Dark type, right? Lucky for me, I've got a team full of bugs. And among 'em, I'm gonna go with Scizor, Joltik, and Sizzlipede for this trial. As for Wimpod, Yanma, and Anorith, here." 

Shinya withdrew the three Pokeballs containing his Turn Tail, Clear Wing, and Old Shrimp Pokemon, handing them over to Maui for the time being. "The three of them should get a big kick outta this weather. Feel free to let 'em out so they can enjoy themselves. But if anythin' happens to any of 'em, consider this the last trial you'll ever be hostin' here in Johto." The Alolan trainer voiced that last part in a very serious tone of voice, shooting the elderly couple a short but very threatening glare as he did. Thankfully, his facial expression softened once Maui had begun to speak again, accepting the wooden token from her, then turning his gaze over to the Dark Cave's entrance. Growing curious as to the identity of who or what awaited him there, Shinya confidently gripped the wooden token in his right hand and approached the cave, eager to begin his third Alola trial and win another Z-crystal.

OOC: Scizor, Joltik, and Sizzlipede have been selected for this trial.

[Caramell 🍬]

“We promise to take goo care of your Pokemon.” Kaui spoke firmly with a nod as Maui collected the three that would be staying behind with them. They appreciated Shinya’s love for his Pokemon. He bond was strong and shone through in the way he talked about them, and no doubt the way he worked alongside them to face any of their challenges. As Shinya disappeared to the cave, Kaui and Maui would let the three Pokemon out to frolic in the water-soaked environment. Ralts would appear before Shinya with piercing eyes that shone just underneath it’s thick green ‘hair’.

“You’ve come!” The strange psychic type spoke inside of Shinya’s head telepathically. “Once you step foot inside of the cave, the trial will begin. There’s a strange, dark presence controlling the cave. Its darkness will consume you, leaving you to either face it and make it to the pedestal to take control, or be succumbed by it.” Ralts created a small, bright ball of light that it used to lead the way, motioning for Shinya to follow close behind. “I sense…a Cleanse Tag…with you. May I see it?” Ralts stopped for a moment and turned to Shinya with an intense stare. “I can use it to keep the Curse at bay, as much as is possible at least.”

Once the matter was settled, Ralts would continue to lead Shinya and his team deeper inside of the cave to a large chamber with a temple built in its center. The temple was in need of desperate repair, with walls caving down and chunks of debris scattered all about. Thick, dark bands swooped out at lightning speed from the strange relic, attacking Shinya’s team and immediately consuming Scizor, who burst forth with his thick red pinchers crossed over his chest, preparing to fight. “The darkness has consumed your friend. You must help him snap out of it before it is too late.” Ralts spoke once more to Shinya.

Shinya's Scizor is attacking!

Level 26. What will Shinya and his team do?

[Venominon]

As soon as Yanma, Wimpod, and Anorith were freed from their respective Pokeballs, the first thing they did was look around and wonder where their trainer had gone. However, the minute they spotted the Dark Cave, as well as the elderly couple before them, they recalled Shinya talking about taking on the third Alolan trial. Even though they were all a little hurt that Shinya didn't choose them for this trial, that feeling was overshadowed by the other emotions the three Bug types felt at that moment. Of course, they all had faith in their trainer and their fellow Bug types he did take with him on this quest, but they all couldn't help worrying at the same time. More than anything else, they wanted Shinya, Scizor, Joltik, and Sizzlipede to return to them soon, safe and sound, and with a brand-new Z crystal in their possession.

Since there wasn't anything else the three Bug type could do at that time, they proceeded to have some fun in the area around the outside of the Dark Cave. Yanma fluttered around the surface of the water, using her Psychic and Gust attacks to push wild Caterpies and Weedles into the shallow water. Wimpod scuttled and swam around under the surface, enjoying the first opportunity he had gotten to do so in quite some time. And Anorith found herself a nice, cozy log to curl up on, falling asleep in under thirty seconds. All the while, their trainer was venturing into total darkness, soon unable to even see his hand in front of his face. So, coming to a stop, he reached for one of the Pokeballs he did have with him, knowing that at least one of his Pokemon could give him some light.

"Huh?! What the heck is this?! Did we die?! Did the world come to an end?! Let me at whoever did it?! I'll torch 'em where they stand!" Sizzlipede appeared from his Pokeball in a bright flash of light, already looking for a fight, causing flames to ignite from his red-hot body, which is exactly what Shinya was looking for. With the Radiator Pokemon giving them some light, both trainer and Pokemon could finally see. Thankfully, unlike the route outside the cavern, the inside of the Dark Cave was bone dry. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Sizzlipede. Ya really think anyone could take us down so easily? We're in the Dark Cave, tacklin' the third Alolan trial. So, save your fury for the totem Pokemon and its little helpers."

Shinya gave Sizzlipede a quirk rundown of their current situation, then the two headed deeper into the Dark Cave, with Sizzlipede leading the way and his flames burning brightly from then on. And it wasn't long until the Bug type duo spotted something through the darkness, hearing a voice in their heads to go along with it as well. Since Ralts wasn't a Dark type, Shinya doubted that it was a threat, listening to the small Pokemon speak before following it deeper into the cave. "That so? Well, there's no team better suited for takin' down Dark types than a swarm of bugs. So, don't sweat it, small stuff. Team Skull's got this." Once again, the Team Skull grunt sounded very confident in himself and his Pokemon, showing absolutely no fear, even when surrounded by darkness on all sides.

Still, he did grow curious when Ralts brought up the Cleanse Tag, not sure what the Feeling Pokemon meant at first, but then remembered the piece of paper he picked up during his time in the Ilex Forest with Silas. "What? Ya mean this thing? If ya think it'll help, then okay. Here ya go. I'm pretty sure it's just some old piece of junk though." The Bug type trainer grabbed the Cleanse Tag from his bag, then handed it over to Ralts, still not entirely sure what it was or what it could do. If anything at all. But he didn't really care enough to bother asking, continuing to follow Ralts deeper into the cave with Sizzlipede by his side. For a while, everything was quiet. Far too quiet for Shinya's comfort. And as soon as their party reached the rundown temple, Shinya's suspicions were confirmed, as the darkness itself attacked him and his team.

"Hey! What the heck is that?! Let go of that!" The Alolan trainer yelled out, trying desperately to wrestle Scizor's Pokeball away from the darkness, but it was too late. One look into Scizor's eyes, and Shinya could tell that his first Pokemon wasn't in his right mind, which did well to make Shinya angry. Clenching his fists, gritting his teeth, and glaring his eyes right back into Scizor's, Shinya's hair and eyes began to burst with bright light and pure power, curtesy of Tapu Bulu. "Okay, now I'm mad! Nobody messes with my Pokemon, damn it! Ya better release Scizor now, or else!" Unfortunately, it didn't look like the darkness was intimidated by Shinya either, maintaining its hold on the Pincer Pokemon.

"Let me at 'em, boss! I've always wanted to try my luck against Scizor anyway! I promise I won't burn him too badly!" Sizzlipede shouted out and glared at Scizor himself, already fully prepared to enter the fray and fight for his teammate's freedom. However, no matter how mad he was, Shinya was no fool. He knew that Sizzlipede had the clear type advantage over Scizor, but Scizor still had Wing Attack in his arsenal, and was faster and stronger than Sizzlipede. So, after quickly coming up with a different battle plan, Shinya grabbed the only remaining Pokeball he had left, tossing it out to face the challenge. "You'll get the next one, Sizzlipede! Right now, the Pokemon we need is right here! Go get 'em, Joltik!"


In yet another flash of light, the Attaching Pokemon appeared, and with her Compound Eyes ability, she had little difficulty spotting her possessed teammate through the shadows. "Woah! Scizor?! C'mon! Snap out of it! I love a good battle as much as the next Pokemon, but I don't wanna hurt you!" Joltik tried to reason with the larger Bug type, but it was still no use. Fortunately, Shinya's power quickly flowed through her small body, and his orders came just a few short seconds later. "I don't wanna either, Joltik, but it doesn't look like we've got a choice! So, let's give that new power of yours a try! Hit Scizor with Thunder Wave, then follow it up with Thunder!" Quickly putting her game face on, Joltik began to build up massive amounts of electricity in her tiny body, before unleashing it all upon Scizor in a blinding flash of lightning, putting every last ounce of energy she had into her attacks. "WAKE UP, SCIZOR!"

OOC: Running Shoes used. Thunder Wave, followed by Thunder.

[Tiki]

Unfortunately for the Joltik, she might have to spark friendly fire to her friends to wake her up from the engulfing darkness. The Scizor hissed as Shinya said something, merely stopping him from striking first. The Joltik used this opportunity to spark a weak jolt of electricity to surge through the friendly opponent. Scizor groaned and stood hard on his legs as he was gathering his composure after having his limbs numbed by the Thunder Wave. However, that didn't stop the Scizor as he dashed forward after an initial limp. With his arm-claws glowing a soft pink or purple, the Scizor struck the Joltik hard, causing her to be knocked a few inches and reflexively got back on her four little feet.

Then, the Joltik charged up a huge voltage of electricity and sent it toward the Scizor. The cave briefly lit up as the Thunder zapped the Scizor, but thanks to his steel resistance, the paralyzed claw cutter was able to withstand it like being punched by a paper clip. Then, the Scizor roared again and flew forward to punch the little bug some more. The tiny but enduring Joltik was on its last silver drop of its health.

The Ralts sighed and apologized to the human. "I am sorry, I've tried to resist the darkness, and it got to one of your Pokemon before I could repel them. I believe in you and your Pokemon! Just a little more and the Scizor could shake off the darkness!"

Trial Battle

---

Weather: Clear

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Scizor LV 26
HP 60% [48/80]

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

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

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Joltik LV 10
HP 1% [1/70]

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

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

Scizor [Swarm]: Paralyzed
Joltik [Compound Eyes]: Panting

SP46 Joltik used Thunder Wave!
SP23 Scizor used Psycho Cut! Critical Hit!

SP46 Joltik used Thunder!
SP23 Scizor used Brick Break!


who first? 1 is Scizor Wy4FA4Rvp_1-2
paralysis? 1 is para p_1-4 crit p_1-8
Thunder crit p_1-16

paralysis? 1 is para p_1-4
crit p_1-161-2·1-4·1-8·1-16·1-4·1-16

[Venominon]

The paralysis Joltik inflicted upon Scizor didn't seem to be working, but that came as no surprise to Shinya. After all, he didn't raise any weaklings on his team. This presented quite the conundrum to the Team Skull grunt though, as he never thought he'd ever have to face one of his own Pokemon in battle. And to make matters worse, he only had two other Pokemon to do battle with at this most critical of moments. And one of them was looking more than a little worse for wear after the first two rounds of battle so far. Still, she did a good job withstanding both of Scizor's attacks. But withstanding a third attack was definitely out of the question for the Attaching Pokemon.

Thankfully, no matter how angry he was over the possession of his very first Pokemon, Shinya was still able to calmly access the situation and come up with a solution. Making full use of the bright green light that came from his hair and eyes, Shinya ran right over to Joltik's side, grabbing a jar of Moomoo Milk out of his bag. "Hang in there, Joltik. You're gettin' through to Scizor. I can feel it. Here. Drink this. It'll give ya the energy ya need to fight on." After he brough the jar of milk down to her mouth, Joltik proceeded to drink down every last drop, which was rather surprising for a Pokemon with such a small body. Nevertheless, she pulled it off, feeling all of her pain and fatigue disappear along with the milk.

"Woo! Just what I needed! Thanks, boss! I just hope you're right about Scizor!" The Bug/Electric type said to her trainer, then they both turned to face their brainwashed companion once again, as Shinya stood back up and discarded the empty jar. "This has gotta work, Joltik! It's just gotta! We can't lose Scizor! As much as I hate to admit it, he's the strongest fighter we've got right now! So, c'mon! For his own good! Zap 'em again! Zap 'em again! Harder!" Sizzlipede did his best to cheer Joltik on from the sidelines, continuing to burn his entire body brightly and wishing that he could do something more to help in this dire situation. Be that as it may, he was certainly doing more to help than the Ralts that guided them here, which Shinya turned to glance at the moment he heard it speak up.

"Ya know, ya could've warned us about this possibility ahead of time, don't ya think? If anythin' happens to my friend, it'll be on your head. Ya got that, pipsqueak?" The Bug type trainer said to the Feeling Pokemon in a mildly threatening tone of voice, glaring at it slightly as well. After making that point clear, he turned back towards his possessed Pokemon, and gave Joltik her next command. "Sizzlipede is right though, Joltik! It's gonna take a lot more volts to snap Scizor outta this! So, hit 'em with another Thunder attack!" Joltik nodded her small head, then proceeded to build up another round of massive voltage within her tiny body, hoping that this round would be enough to wake her friend up. "I hope we'll still be friends after this is all over, Scizor!"

OOC: Moomoo Milk used on Joltik before attacking.

[Pixel]

If the scizor was concious of what was happening with his body as it was puppeted to attack his teammates, then it didn't show. There was no strain or restrain on his steely face. Just cold apathy. His wings buzzed a bit as he propelled forward, ignoring the desperate healing done by Joltik as it guzzled down some milk. Both arms took on an odd, purple glow. He was ready to strike again! One claw slashed forth, launching hand of psychic energy at the joltik, cutting down the little pokemon's HP harshly. At least it wasn't a critical strike...

And so far that paralysis didn't stop scizor from moving!

He just kept marching forward, readying his next strike.

The joltik hopped a bit, charging, then launched another thunder down upon the scizor! There was a loud and terrible crash and the mantis swayed. Was it over? No. Not quite. He shook off the ache and lunged forward again, slicing deep with another psycho cut!


Trial Battle

---

Weather: Clear

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Scizor LV 26
HP 23% [18/80]

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

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

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Joltik LV 26
HP 4% [3/70]

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

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

Scizor [Swarm]: Paralyzed
Joltik [Compound Eyes]: Panting

SP46 Joltik drank down some MooMoo Milk! Full HP!
SP23 Scizor used Psycho Cut! 

SP46 Joltik used Thunder!
SP23 Scizor used Psycho Cut!


paralysis? 1 is para gKNm39Ygp_1-4 crit p_1-8

paralysis? 1 is para p_1-4 crit p_1-8
thunder crit p_1-161-4·1-8·1-4·1-8·1-16

[Venominon]

Thanks to the milk she chugged down, Joltik was able to tank another volley of attacks from her possessed teammate, but that didn't stop her from feeling completely drained once it was over. Once again, the small Pokemon was barely able to remain standing, but still refused to give up. After taking the third Psycho Cut since this battle began, Joltik slowly got back on her feet, looking right at Scizor with all four of her eyes narrowed on him. "...Get out of my friend...whoever you are..." The Attaching Pokemon was determined, but far too hurt and exhausted to keep this up for much longer. A fact which Shinya quickly clued into, not daring to take his eyes off of his bout for even a single moment.

Fortunately, it looked as though Scizor was nearing his limit as well, and Shinya and Joltik still had one thing on their side. While the paralysis may not have stopped Scizor from moving, it did slow him down, making Joltik the faster Pokemon of the two of them. The stage was set perfectly to end this battle with one more attack. The question was, could Joltik muster one more Thunder before her small body gave out? Shinya certainly hoped so, sending as much of Tapu Bulu's power over to Joltik as he could, every bit as determined as she was to save Scizor from whatever was possessing him. "That's the way, Joltik! Don't quit! One more attack and Scizor will be free! So, here! Take this and put an end to this already!"

The energy quickly filled Joltik's tiny body, helping her to steady herself and her vision, causing even more sparks to be seen coming from her body. "Thanks, boss! I've got this! Just be sure to have another jug of Moomoo Milk ready for Scizor! He's gonna need it after this, and we're gonna need him if we're gonna win this trial!" Shinya nodded his head, once again reminded of the fact that Scizor was the strongest Pokemon he had right now, and they still had no idea what kind of totem Pokemon was waiting for them at the end of the trial. And, of course, they always had Sizzlipede around for back up. Because after this battle was all said and done, Joltik would definitely need a whole lot of time to rest and recuperate.

But before any of that, the Bug/Electric type still had one more job to do before her role in this trial was complete, and she wasn't about to fail and let her friends down. "One more time, Joltik! Bring Scizor back to us with one more Thunder!" The Bug type trainer gave the order, while both his power and the sparks coming from Joltik's body continued to rise steadily. All the while, Sizzlipede continued to shine brightly and cheer his teammate on from the sidelines. "Heck yeah! That's the stuff! The power of Thunder compels ya, Scizor! Take it, then get your butt back over to our side where ya belong!" Shinya's power and Joltik's electricity continued to rise for a full minute, until Joltik let it all go, sending it all right at the Pincer Pokemon with everything she had left. "Rgh!...SCIZOR!" 

[Pixel]

Scizor lifted a claw, looking ready to smash it again into the joltik, but the little tick moved far faster right now. Scizor had no priority and paralysis made his movement sluggish. He lunged for the weakened joltik, but the tiny pokemon charged up and became a blinding flash of electricity! BAM! The air crackled and rumbled as thunder rolled though, ominous as well as momentous. As the light faded, scizor stood tall, looming still over the joltik...before suddenly swaying. And collapsing. 

Defeated.

The ralts moved a little closer and inspected the scizor, hands hovering over his steely carapace, 'He is free of possession now. My healing is meager, but I can rouse him at the very least before you continue on your quest.' A bright pink glow enveloped the scizor and scratches and scuffs were polished away. The twitching of paralysis did not return to his limbs and he would lay there, resting, until Shinya woke him for further healing. Ralts stepped back. 'Shall we proceed?'

---

Joltik HP [5/72]
Scizor HP [40/80]

---

Joltik gained +1300 exp

2399/2107

Joltik gained a level and grew to LV27

292/2269

+1 happiness

[Venominon]

As soon as Scizor fell backwards and Ralts gave the all clear, Joltik was finally free to let her guard down, falling to the ground herself and panting heavily. Although she had gotten stronger as a result of her victory, three Thunder attacks in a row more than took it out of her tiny body. "...We...We did it...Hooray...Does anyone have any batteries?..." On that note, Shinya approached his two downed Pokemon, starting with Joltik, kneeling down beside her and withdrawing three items from his bag. A Super Potion, a regular Potion, and a battery for her to snack on. "Here ya go, Joltik. Thanks. We couldn't have saved Scizor without ya." Shinya gave her a smile and sprayed her with the two different kinds of potions, while she accepted the battery from him and immediately helped herself to the electricity contained within.

Once the Attaching Pokemon was fully healed, the Team Skull grunt stood back up, made his way over to Scizor, and knelt down beside him. This time, he grabbed a single bottle of Soda Pop from his bag, unscrewing the cap and holding the bottle up to the Pincer Pokemon's mouth. "Urgh...Boss?...My head...What the heck just happened?..." Scizor questioned in a very groggy tone of voice before drinking the carbonated beverage he was offered, unable to recall anything that took place in the past several minutes. "Some scrub thought it would be a good idea to pick a fight with Team Skull. That's what happened. Glad to have ya back, Scizor. Now, c'mon. Drink that, get on your feet, and let's go show this scrub what happens when ya mess with Team Skull."

Several seconds later, the soda bottle was empty, Shinya tossed it aside, then both he and Scizor got back on their feet, eager to get some revenge. And not just them. "Yeah, yeah! Anyone who messes with Team Skull gets burned alive and destroyed! Let's go find this chump right now, boss! I still haven't gotten to battle yet, and I'm eager to burn something to cinders!" Sizzlipede shouted out in a tone that was almost as fired up as he was, burning even brighter than he was while the battle was going on. "And you'll get that chance very soon, Sizzlipede. Believe me. Ralts, lead on." The Alolan trainer spoke to the Radiator Pokemon, then their guide, waiting for them to lead the way deeper into the Dark Cave. But before moving on, Shinya waited for Joltik to finish her battery, then called her back to her Pokeball for some well-deserved rest.

OOC: Soda Pop used on Scizor, and one Super Potion and one regular Potion used on Joltik before moving on with the trial.

[Pixel]

The ralts waited patiently for Shinya to heal his team. No comment or judgement. It knew its healing was meager and that the bug-specialist would need to give further attention to his pokemon if he wanted to be at full strength when facing the totem. When it was time to continue—items used, batteries devoured—the little pokemon turned to guide him deeper into the swallowing darkness. The air remained oppressive and the shadows dense. No light beyond what the ralts produced seemed to penetrate the gloom, and even that only kept Shinya from walking into walls. 

Eventually, they entered a chamber and the psychic energy the ralts produced seemed to splash against the walls a little brighter, as if they were being...welcomed to come closer. Or perhaps lured into a trap. 

"I can go no further with you," the ralts explained. "The last leg of this trial is yours alone."

It would stand at the tunnel's end, offering light enough to see the altar and the crumbling remains a temple's inner chamber. Perhaps once this was a place of great significance. Though given his possession of a cleanse tag, this was not Shinya's first experience with haunted holy sites. When he approached the altar, regardless of his intent or his words, there would be an eerie presence that would send chills down his spine, like he was being judged from an invisible being. And then, a shape would arise, its ragged maw curled with menace.

"I see you have evaded the curse," it uttered in an upsettingly unnatural voice—like many overlaid on top of one another, some whispering, some screaming, some just mingled into a whistling wail akin to a wind blowing through an abandoned graveyard. "No matter. You will go no further, human."

---

(-1 soda pop, -1 potion, -1 super potion)
All pokemon are at full health

---

The [LV 25] Totem Spiritomb appeared!

What's this? It looks a little stronger than it should be...

[Spiritomb starts the battle with +1 SP. ATK]

[Venominon]

So as to avoid any of his Pokemon being possessed again, Shinya called both Scizor and Sizzlipede back to their respective Pokeballs before moving on. True, Scizor's Pokeball wasn't much defense against possession earlier, but now that Shinya was aware of the possibility, he kept his guard up the entire time. There was a great deal of silence from there, as he continued to follow Ralts' lead through the dark tunnels. In fact, for a while, the only sounds that could be heard were the sounds of their footsteps and the echos that followed. The Bug type trainer remained completely unafraid of the darkness that surrounded them, though the dry air did make him have to grab a bottle of water from his bag. He chugged the entire body down in less than five seconds, crushed the empty bottle in his grip, then tossed it into some of the seemingly unending shadows he passed on his right.

Upon entering the hidden chamber, Shinya took a moment to look around at the temple as best as he could with the light Ralts had provided to him. "Geez. Even far away from Alola, they really don't pull any punches with these trials, do they?" The Alolan trainer asked a rhetorical question out loud, fully aware of how trials worked back in his homeland. They were often set up in or around locations that were meant to be scared, and that did get Shinya wondering about the significance that this particular site once served. "Yeah, yeah. Team Skull's got this. Later, pipsqueak." The green-haired trainer said to the Feeling Pokemon, then ventured deeper into the ruins it had led him to, never letting his guard down for even a second.

Of course, Shinya hadn't forgotten about the Totem Pokemon, knowing that it would likely attack him at any moment, especially when he approached the alter to claim his prize. Not wanting to waste any more time, and still looking to get some revenge for the possession of his first Pokemon, Shinya made his way over to the alter, expecting to face a powerful Dark type Pokemon. And that's when the Team Skull grunt felt a whole new presence, eyeing the face he saw and listening to the sound of the voice that came with it. However, in spite of the very creepy manner in which this voice spoke, the only emotion Shinya felt at that moment was anger, glaring right at the face and shouting at it. "Curse?! You'll be wishin' that all we did was curse ya by the time we're done with ya! Nobody messes with Team Skull! Nobody! So, bring it on, ya cheap, lousy, ugly scrub!"

Shinya was raring to go, but quickly hesitated as soon as the rest of the Totem Pokemon came into view, catching the teenager off guard for a moment, which was almost immediately followed by an exasperated sigh. "Urgh...Oh great. Of all the Dark types in the world of Pokemon, it just had to be a Spiritomb. Damn it." Shinya cursed his luck with this encounter, knowing that as a Dark/Ghost type, Spiritomb didn't have the Bug type weakness that most other Dark types did. With that, the trainer from Alola was forced to come up with an entirely new battle strategy on the fly, and the fact that this particular Spiritomb was a Totem Pokemon meant that his choices in this battle would make or break Team Skull's chances for victory. And given the three Pokemon he had on hand, Shinya continued to arrive at the exact same conclusion. No matter how many battle scenarios he played through in his mind.

"I know you're still tired from your battle with Scizor, but I really need your help one more time, Joltik! So, c'mon out and give it your best shot for Team Skull!" Shinya grabbed the Attaching Pokemon's Pokeball from his bag, and reluctantly chucked it back into the fray. Although Joltik had been given a battery to eat and potions to heal her up, she was still looking more than a little fatigued, panting as she stood before the Forbidden Pokemon. "...Boss...ya know I love ya with all my heart...but I don't think I have any Thunder attacks left to give...Sorry..." Shinya figured as much, but thankfully, that wasn't the plan he had come up with, giving Joltik the best orders he could think of at that moment. "It's okay, Joltik! I've got somethin' else in mind for ya! Start off with Thunder Wave, then follow that up with Struggle Bug!" Using what little electricity she had left to offer, Joltik generated a Thunder Wave, sending it towards the Totem Pokemon and hoping that it would do something to slow it down.

OOC: Running Shoes used. Thunder Wave, then Struggle Bug.

[Lamont]

The spirit wasn't unfamiliar with the hotheaded confident types sent in to challenge it, but the curt lad had a swagger that did leave it speechless for a retort. Not that it was unnerved. Spiritomb's base rattled against its podium as the ghost fully manifested itself before Shinya; beaming a jagged smile all the while. Its imposing silence didn't last for long though as it got a good look at its opponent.

"Such a puny thing." The array of voices reverberated throughout the cave ruins once again. A spit of dust trickling from the ceiling in reply. Spiritomb would quickly discover that size wasn't to be underestimated.


Light from the wave of electricity softly outlined the near edges of the cavernous room. It was nigh impossible to avoid, and it was not a type of intangible energy the totem was well equipped to defend against. The being emitted a deep, rumbling hiss that caused notable vibrations for those in the vicinity. An invisible weight gripped itself around the tick's tiny body; suffocating her but for a second before erupting off in an audible wail that rang against the walls.

"Don't struggle." Came further words. A shadowed hand could be seen in one's peripheral vision stretching from Spiritomb to Joltik. She of course did not comply with its instructions and successfully shook herself free with a static spark separating the two in a brilliant flash of blue light. The forbidden pokemon mumbled incoherently as it struggled to compose itself; seemingly a little stunned by the encounter.


vs Totem

---

Weather: Clear

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Spiritomb LV 25
HP 82% [55/67]

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

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

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Joltik LV 27
HP 7% [5/72]

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

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

Spiritomb [Infiltrator]: Paralyzed
Joltik [Compound Eyes] : Normal

SP48 Joltik used Thunder Wave! Spiritomb became paralyzed!
SP15 Spiritomb used Hex! Critical Hit!

SP48 Joltik used Struggle Bug!
SP15 Spiritomb couldn't move!


*Running shoes exhausted

[Venominon]

"Tch. Small? Yeah. Weak? You wish." As always, Shinya was ready with another snappy comeback, shooting it right at his and Joltik's much larger opponent. Of course, size wasn't everything, and that was especially true right now. Even without the paralysis she had inflicted upon the Totem Pokemon, Joltik was still the faster one of the two of them. Granted, Spiritomb's attacks still packed quite a punch, even after having its special attack stat lowered by Joltik's Struggle Bug. Thankfully, the Bug/Electric type had managed to weather a single hit, but one look at her told Shinya that two hits were definitely out of the question. And just like that, it was critical decision-making time again.

For the third time since this trial began, Shinya had several possibilities laid out before him. Possibilities that could end up making or breaking his chances of completing this trial. He could heal Joltik up and have her keep battling, but there were no guarantees that the paralysis would kick in a second time when they needed it most. And if he chose to only have Joltik use one more move, the question of which one still remained as well. Thunder was Joltik's strongest attack, but the Bug type trainer could also have her use Struggle Bug again to lower Spiritomb's special attack even further, which would make things easier for the next Pokemon to face it. Of course, the Attaching Pokemon was still holding Shinya's Grassium Z, making Bloom Doom a possible course of action too.

However, the Team Skull grunt was doubtful that Thunder or Bloom Doom would be able to finish off the Forbidden Pokemon as it was at that moment. Plus, both Scizor and Sizzlipede were still fresh and ready for a good battle themselves. It was a sad reality, but if Team Skull was going to win this fight, then someone would probably have to lose it. And so, Shinya gritted his teeth, pushing forward with the course of action that he deemed to be correct, mentally hoping that he made the right call with it. "Sorry about this, Joltik, but I need ya to use Struggle Bug again! We gotta lower this totem's power even more! This ya can handle it?!" Even in her severely weakened state, Joltik still heard her trainer's voice loud and clear, shaking her entire small body, sending another attack Spiritomb's way, and giving it all the energy she had left to give. "...You bet!...I've got this, boss!...Just make sure you, Scizor, and Sizzlipede beat this chump for me!"