If It Bleeds We Can Kill It (Gym Battle) {Costar}

[Professor Oak]

If It Bleeds We Can Kill It

---

Professor Oak, disguised as Dr. O, slogged deeper into the Azalea Gym's rainforest biome, the air heavy with the sickly perfume of exotic flowers which failed to mask the fetid tang of decaying vegetation. Sweat beaded on his brow, stinging his eyes with every agonising crawl down his face. His tank top clung taut over his aging frame like a second skin, damp and clammy, offering no relief from the oppressive humidity. The black bandana wrapped around his face was a poor disguise but a necessary one. He couldn't afford to be recognised. Not yet.

Rage, thick and acrid, burned in his throat. Agatha's betrayal, the image of Kurt's grief-streaked face, the weight of the world – it all swirled into a maelstrom of emotion threatening to consume him. He grit his teeth, channelling the turmoil into a steely resolve. Here, in the heart of this green hell, he was a grizzled soldier haunted by the spectral visages of fallen comrades, their hollow eyes mirroring his own jaded stare, a reflection of innocence lost.

Oak moved cautiously, each footfall a calculated risk in the dense undergrowth. The jungle closed in around him, an emerald prison of suffocating vines and towering trees smothered by strangler figs that seemed to stretch into eternity. Beauty here was a veil, a predator masking its deadliness with vibrant colours. Sunlight filtered through the tangled canopy overhead, casting dappled shadows across a floor of damp moss and leaf litter. It did little to dispel the oppressive darkness that seemed to seep from the dense foliage that choked the periphery. Insect chatter and distant birdcalls served as relentless reminders of unseen eyes watching, waiting.

Suddenly, a rustle from his backpack startled him. He whirled around and watched in stunned silence as Viri, his trusty Ivysaur, unzipped the top compartment with her vine and retrieved a smooth seed pod nestled amongst his supplies. It was the Miracle Seed, Breeder Beth's parting gift of hope; one she had seen the Ivory-billed Pikipek drop and had kept as a memento. Before he could react, Viri, with an uncharacteristic burst of speed, darted deeper into the jungle, the Miracle Seed clutched firmly in her vines. It was as if an invisible hand had yanked her away, propelling her into the dense undergrowth with an urgency he'd never seen before.

He started to follow, pushing through the liana, but the emerald labyrinth swallowed Viri whole with alarming speed. Disoriented and lost, Oak tripped over a hidden root, sprawling onto the damp forest floor. He paused, a flicker of movement catching his eye. The trees overhead seemed to shift, their leaves shimmering like a mirage.

For a moment, he thought he saw it – a sleek, green silhouette blending seamlessly with the foliage, a predator cloaked in nature's disguise. Its body, a sleek carapace the colour of polished malachite, gleamed in the filtered sunlight. A sliver of metallic sheen, barely perceptible against the backdrop of interwoven leaves, hinted at a wickedly curved shape, a weapon that promised a swift, merciless end. His heart pounded in his chest, a drumbeat of survival instinct.

"It’s in the trees! Tofu! I need you now!" His voice resonated with the urgency of a soldier calling in an air raid, a plea for salvation against an unseen enemy. A moment of tense silence followed, the jungle holding its breath. Then, from above, a brilliant flash of white descended like a feathered angel, a beacon of hope amidst the emerald gloom. Tofu swooped down, the beat of her wings displacing the oppressive humidity with a welcome rush of cool air.

A wave of pure, concentrated air pressure ripped through the canopy. Leaves exploded in a flurry of green confetti, vines snapped like old rubber bands and the jungle floor erupted in a whirlwind of debris. Whether the Air Slash found its mark, Oak couldn't tell. Chest heaving, he watched the jungle settle, the silence ringing in his ears. He knew, with a chilling certainty that this unseen enemy wouldn't be easily deterred. The hunt was on and he was the prey, desperately seeking his missing companion in this treacherous place ripped straight out of a fever dream.

Professor Oak challenges you!

Oak sends out Wing Commander Tofu (level 21).
Choose your first Pokémon!

---

OOC: Togekiss uses Air Slash x2

[Marchbaby]

Deep within the rainforest of the Azalea gym one of Bugy's Pokemon had been keeping watch from the moment Professor Oak had entered. Multiple Pokemon called the rainforest their home but one in particular was more than prepared to hunt him and his Pokemon. The speedy bug kept it's distance at first waiting for Bugsy to come around on the of chance their visitor actually had permission to be there. As the bug lie in wait it watched as their Togekiss started to take aim at one of the other bugs who called the area home. Unlike itself the bug being targeted was not a very strong Pokemon at all as Metapod were only good at making their shell harder.

Even with the Togekiss launching a Air Slash the mighty bug stayed back and restrained itself from trying to strike as it did not want to give away it's position until there was no other choice. The mighty Scyther patiently watched as both Air Slashes traveled towards the poor Metapod knowing there was nothing it could do to help it's friend for the time being. While still waiting for the results of the attack Scyther finally sensed Bugsy entering the rainforest and sped towards him to warn the gym leader of an intruder. In the blink of an eye it sped from it's hiding place deep in the trees to the young man.

" Scyther what is wrong? Is there an intruder here?" Scyther then nodded before trying to drag Bugsy along to stop the intruder before they could harm anything else. By the time they reached the intruder smoke covered the impact zone of the Air Slash making it impossible to see. One thing was certain and that was there was indeed an intruder and Bugsy called out for whoever was here to show themselves." Who is out here? Show yourself before I call the police. Metapod if you can hear me use Bug Bite on the intruder twice if you can. If we are too late to help you Scyther will have to use their Dual WIngbeat."

Bugsy orders Metapod (Level 18) to use Bug Bite x2. If it is knocked out in the first round Bugsy's Scyther will be sent out and use Dual Wingbeat.

[Professor Oak]

Viri, propelled by an unseen force, plunged deep into the heart of the rainforest. The once impenetrable jungle seemed to melt away before her, as vines and knotted roots that would normally ensnare a traveller slid aside like velvet curtains, leaving a clear path in her wake.

As she ventured further, the canopy grew thicker, casting the forest floor in an eerie twilight. The air was heavy with moisture, the scent of decaying vegetation intensified. Strange, bioluminescent fungi dotted the ground, diffusing an ethereal luminosity that both fascinated and unnerved her. The trees loomed taller and became more twisted; their branches tangled with spider webs that glowed an ominous red hue in the dim light. The deeper she went, the more the webs multiplied, crisscrossing her path in intricate patterns that seemed to throb like bloated veins. Viri hesitated for a moment, her vine tightening around the Miracle Seed. The pull that had driven her this far was stronger now, an imperious command that brooked no defiance.

Viri pressed on; her breath shallow as she struggled through the webbing that clung to her like gossamer chains. The darkness intensified and the trees faded from view, giving way to a sprawling network of spider silk that blanketed both the jungle floor and the canopy above. The threads thickened, each as strong as braided steel, until Viri became ensnared, her movements hampered by the sticky tendrils tightening around her limbs.

She looked up and froze. Above her, suspended by a think lattice of webbing, hung a colossal sac of silk that dwarfed the surrounding trees. Its surface, a deep claret hue reminiscent of congealed blood, pulsed with a menacing vitality, woven into a pattern too intricate to comprehend. The sac was a monstrous creation, a dark testament to nature’s most sinister artistry. As it shifted, revealing the creature embedded within, a multitude of cold, unblinking eyes peered down at her from its depths.

The arachnid was massive, its body a glossy obsidian black with legs that spanned the width of the jungle clearing. Each leg was tipped with sharp, curved hooks that glinted in the wan light. Viri shivered as the creature emerged from the gloom, descending on a single, impossibly strong thread. It halted just overhead, its myriad eyes reflecting an ancient intelligence.

"Do not be afraid, little one," a voice echoed in Viri’s mind, soft and soothing like the rattle of leaves in the wind. "I am Clotho, the weaver who spins the threads of this world. I weave the stories, the lives, the destinies that unfold in the world you know. And my sister, Atropos, is the one who cuts them."

Viri trembled as the voice washed over her, a blend of awe and fear coursing through her. The Miracle Seed, clutched tightly in her vines, vibrated with a comforting warmth, as if attuned to Clotho’s presence.

"You have brought me a gift, I see," Clotho continued, her many eyes fixating on the seed. "It is a rare thing, this seed, a token of hope and life in a world where threads are often severed before their time. Come closer, little one. You have nothing to fear from me."

Viri hesitated for a moment, then, driven by a force greater than herself, she stepped forward, offering the Miracle Seed to Clotho. The Tarountula’s slender legs moved with deliberate grace and the webbing around her seemed to coil and extend to gently receive the seed.

"You seek answers, don’t you?" Clotho said, her voice gentle yet omniscient. "Your human companion battles my sister even now, their fates intertwined in the threads I have woven. But there is more to this tale, little Ivysaur. Much more."

---

Air Slash acc. check (<95): Oow8KX3Gp_1-100

Bugsy's Metapod fainted!

Tofu gained 2 levels and is now level 23!
Tofu gained +1 Happiness (+14 total)!

"The Borrowers" gained 1 level via EXP Share and are now level 7!

---

The smoke cleared slowly, revealing the grim aftermath of Tofu’s Air Slash. Amongst the chaotic tangle of broken branches and uprooted plants was the lifeless form of Bugsy's Metapod, hanging limply from a severed vine, no more than a husk. Oak’s eyes lingered on the fallen Metapod, a pang of regret cutting through the resolve that had carried him this far. It was a small, fragile thing – so easily broken, so easily forgotten. Yet its sacrifice weighed heavily on him, a reminder that in war, even the smallest lives are swept away in the tide of violence.

The steam of the jungle rose around Oak as he wiped a trembling hand across his face, smearing the grime and sweat that had collected there. A dark cloud of emotions churned within him. "The horror... the horror..." The words slipped from his lips, a mark of the madness that had gripped him for so long. The jungle was a silent cathedral of green shadows and mournful stillness, as if it too bore witness to this dark deed.

But then, a voice shattered the quietude. "Who is out here? Show yourself before I call the police!" Oak's head snapped up, his eyes scanning the dense foliage. He glimpsed Bugsy through the underbrush – a young man, defiant and determined, his eyes burning with a mixture of fear and resolve. He was flanked by his Scyther, a sleek and deadly predator. Oak watched as the Scyther’s form suddenly vanished, melding seamlessly into the shadows of the jungle.

Oak’s blood ran cold. His gaze flicked frantically around him, searching for any sign of movement, any hint of where the Scyther might strike. The jungle seemed to close in tighter, the air growing thicker, the shadows deeper. Suddenly, a sound – a low, rhythmic hum, rising in pitch, reached his ears. It was distant at first, barely perceptible, but it grew louder, sharper, like the angry buzz of a chainsaw tearing through wood – the savage rhythm of the mantis’ wings.

He spun around, eyes wide, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound, but the jungle’s thick canopy and tangled underbrush played tricks on his senses. The Scyther was everywhere and nowhere, a phantom stalking its prey with cold precision.

The buzzing reached a fever pitch, and then, with blinding speed, the Scyther struck. Oak barely had time to react as the Dual Wingbeat slashed through the air, the force of it like a whirlwind. He threw himself to the ground, rolling through the dirt and leaves, narrowly avoiding the deadly blades. The Scyther’s strike sheared through a nearby tree, splintering it with terrifying ease.

Oak scrambled to his feet, his heart racing, his mind a blur of adrenaline and survival instinct. The jungle became a killing field. The fiend circled him, a blur of motion, its eyes tracking him with predatory cunning. Oak felt the weight of its gaze, the cold calculation behind every move. He was outmatched, outgunned – but he wasn’t out of options.

Oak’s breath came in ragged gasps as he scanned his surroundings, his eyes locking onto a dense cluster of liana vines draped between two massive trees. His mind raced, formulating a plan in the face of the relentless predator that stalked him. He needed to draw the Scyther in, to use its speed and ferocity against it.

The menacing buzz of the Scyther’s wings intensified and he could feel the creature’s presence, lurking just beyond the veil of shadows. The hunter was closing in. Oak moved slowly, deliberately, backing toward the liana vines. His every movement was calculated, a trap set for the predator that sought his end.

Suddenly, the Scyther lunged from the undergrowth, giving Oak little time to react. With a burst of adrenaline, he dove behind a large rock, just as the Scyther smashed into the stone, sending shards of rock flying. A green ichor sprayed across the foliage as the insectoid’s razor-sharp wings clipped the jagged edge of the rock, drawing its own blood. The Scyther hissed in pain and rage as it thrashed in the air, disoriented by its own ferocity.

Now was his chance. Oak darted toward the cluster of liana, the jungle around him a blur of green and shadow. The Scyther, regaining its focus, charged after him, its wings slicing through the air with deadly precision. Oak reached the vines and with a calculated leap, grabbed onto one, swinging himself to the side just as the Scyther barrelled toward him. The creature’s momentum carried it forward, straight into the tangled mass of liana. The Scyther’s bladed arms slashed at the vines, but the more it struggled, the tighter the vines wrapped around its wings and limbs, trapping it in a web of its own making. Oak watched, breathless, as the predator became ensnared, its once-deadly grace reduced to frantic, panicked thrashing.

In that instant, Oak raised his arm to the sky. “Tofu, now!” he shouted.

Bugsy Battle

---

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"]

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Tofu LV 23
HP 100% [79/79]

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

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

Scyther [Technician]: Fainted
Tofu [Serene Grace]: Normal

SP4872 Togekiss used Air Slash! -66 damage acc (<95) p_1-100 crit p_1-16 dmg p_1-16
SP55 Scyther fainted!

---

Tofu gained 2 levels and is now level 25!
Tofu gained +1 Happiness (+15 max)!

"The Borrowers" gained 1 level via EXP Share and are now level 8! They learned Helping Hand!

---

High above, Tofu circled like a guardian spirit, her white wings glowing in the sun’s refulgent rays. Hearing Oak’s command, she dove down with the swiftness of an avenging angel. With a powerful flap of her wings, Tofu unleashed a razor-sharp crescent of wind that sliced through the air, scoring a direct air strike on the flailing insect. The Scyther let out a final, piercing screech before slumping into the tangle of vines, lifeless.

Oak approached the fallen predator slowly, his heart heavy despite the victory. The Scyther lay in a twisted heap, its once-fearsome form now mangled and battered. He felt an unfamiliar heaviness in his chest, a sickening blend of triumph and revulsion. He watched as Tofu descended gracefully from the canopy and with an elegant swoop, landed softly atop the motionless body of the defeated Scyther.

Tofu released a victorious cry, a sound that resonated through the jungle. It had a strange, almost ethereal sound – a high, echoing note that seemed to linger in the air like a requiem for a fallen warrior.

---

OOC: Will switch out Togekiss for Fuecoco to face Bugsy’s last Pokémon and use Ember.

1-100·1-100·1-16·1-16

[Pixel]

"Scyther? Metapod?"

Bugsy heard the conflict occurring and the gym leader frowned, hurrying towards the noise. He pushed through the dense jungle with familiarity, listening to the rustle and buzz of every insect in the large building, a certain alarm and tension jumping between them. He saw the glinting carapace of his scizor stalking through the jungle alongside him, and the glossy beetle-blue shell of heracross against the trunk of a towering tree. As he passed through an especially dense part of the foliage, he spotted a cluster of shivering caterpie, all clustered together with fright, a butterfree fluttering above anxiously, searching wildly for danger.

The young leader swore under his breath and started to run, "I said I will call the police if you do not reveal yourself!" Hiking books crunched along the earthen floor, ensuring he didn't slip on slick rocks or moist soil. 

As he searched, Oak would have one more pokemon boldly attempt to thwart...whatever it was he was doing. The golden cocoon dropping from above, dangling from a silken string, and tried to land a bite on the intruder.

---

Bugsy's [LV 18] Kakuna dropped out of a tree.

Uses bug bite!