A Rocket Blackmails A Radio Star (Op: Child's Play) [F]

[Caramell 🍬]

The pupils of Blanchard’s eyes widened. Something clicked like cracking a safe, if only to spill its contents on the floor. He fumbled, both mentally and physically, as his hands ached by his sides in a fidgety mess. The icon was familiar. With it poured a resonance of remembrance, full of pain and suffering others he’d known near and dear to endure. Blanchard grimaced, his face curved into a sharp scowl, his fingers flickering in and out of his pockets in a heated need to find something important.

“Scum.” The words were cold and harsh. He couldn’t lose his cool. The momentum was going great, finally turning the tide in his favor as his eyes darted back to the battle at hand. Silas flipped his script, pulling the ferocious canine back if only to send out a hulking massive presence of a bug whose large horns seemed to spell certain doom. They were both fighting types, though, there was no need to fear Silas’ Athena. What could she possibly bring to the table? “You won’t get away with any of this, you know.” Blanchard stated firmly, finally pulling out a small communication device that he attempted to flip open.

“Low Sweep, Hulk. Maintain the advantage.” A quick order with a firm nod. Hulk loomed over Athena in an instance. With one foot kicked out, Hulk spun around wildly, managing to catch Athena’s feet with his own. She tumbled on the ground with ease, though managed to pick herself up just as easily. “We’ll make sure your entire gang is locked away in a prison cell where you belong. Mark my words.” Blanchard threatened, fingers working in an attempt to quickly press the buttons on the device. He needed to act fast, before it was too late!

Athena slammed into the protective barrier, breaking it into a million shattering and dazzling pieces. They fluttered around magnificently. While the moment was still built up, she rushed towards Hulk and slammed into him with all of her weight, causing the large many-armed Pokémon to stagger backward. It knocked the wind out of his chest temporarily, causing him to keel over and catch his breath. As soon as he regained himself, he swept his feet under her once more. Then Hulk immediately dropped to the ground and slumbered away peacefully. “Damnit, not now.” Blanchard muttered underneath his breath.

Trainer Battle

---

Weather: Yawn

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Hulk ♂ LV 28
HP 46% [42/91]

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

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

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Athena ♀ LV 31
HP 72% [72/100]

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

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

Hulk [Guts]: Asleep [0/1]
Athena [Guts] : Healthy [-1 SPD]

SP+ Mercenary switched with Athena!
SP38- Hulk used Low Sweep! Athena's Speed dropped!
Hulk feels drowsy*!
*(Since it wasn't noted already gave them both drowsy after first strike, which also avoid Athena falls asleep until next round.)

SP44 Athena used Brick Break! Athena removed the Light Screen on the field!
SP38 Hulk used Low Sweep! Athena's Speed dropped!
Athena is feeling drowsy and Hulk has nodded off to sleep!

---

Mane-Event: 18/91HP | Static - Normal | Fire Fang, Volt Switch^TM, Light Screen^TM, Shock Wave
Gale: ? | ?
Hulk♂: Guts | Low Sweep, Knock Off, Scary Face, Vital Throw

Mercenary HP 59% [54/91] Asleep [0/1].

[Pixel]

What could two fighting types do to each other? Well, a lot if you were the superior heracross. He could use aerial ace in a pinch, but this machoke wasn't being evasive and his poor defenses and bulk meant that the stag beetle's brick breaks slammed into him like a truck. He watched as Athena crashed through that light screen like it was sugar glass to collide with her foe, never quite down for the count, even when repeatedly knocked on her back with those low sweeps slowing her pace.

He did not need her to be fast, just efficient. 

"Again," he called out to the beetle as the machoke fell unconscious at her feet. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a full heal. Silas very casually went about curing that pesky sleeping ailment houndoom was suffering from, releasing the hound next to him and spritzing her fur with the full heal. He didn't seem alarmed by Blanchard's response at all, including his fumbling for a strange little communication device. "You must have realized by now I have jammed communications in this area, correct? You are not getting help any time soon."

He snapped his fingers and Syn abandoned his attempts to pester Gale in favor of swooping down and mobbing Blanchard, massive wings beating in his face as his claws reached for that device, whatever it might be. Silas just chuckled at the scene, feeling quite in control and empowered by this whole scenario. While he did...lose his footing a bit when things went sideways early on, he was confident that he would be able to handle these matters.

"As for getting away with this...I most certainly think I will. After all, how will you stop me? Stop us? You are just one man against a hydrapple. Team Rocket is a beast with many heads. Even if you think you can defeat me, there are dozens more who can take my place. A very brutal cycle. Keeps a man on his toes, yes~? And honestly I would rather be the one doing the devouring rather than being lopped off at the neck before I can take a decent bite out of the society pie."

He laughed, "Honestly. This is all a means to an end. I have nothing but pity for you, sir. But it might be best to be thankful it is I who you are dealing with rather than one of my peers. After all, I'm one of the friendly ones~"

—

Word Count: 416| OOC:

Brick Break + Full heal on Houndoom to wake her up

[Caramell 🍬]

The young male glared at Silas as his mind raced with possibilities. He needed to come up with a fool-proof plan. Quickly, he flipped the two metal slides open and turned his fingers nimbly to the buttons underneath its screen. If he was quick, Silas would have no standing to prevent Blanchard from reaching the needed personnel. He didn’t need to speak – just send a signal with the right button pressed followed by a very specific set of sequences. Silas remained locked away to the other side of the field, whilst Blanchard kept his Pokemon just close enough to provide some level of protection from Silas’ supposed cruelty.

“We’ll have to see.” He stated firmly. Though as his index finger swooped down on one of the buttons, a large black avian swooped down. Ack! Sharp claws ripped and tore through the air itself, managing to snag Blanchard’s suit in his talons. Pieces of cotton fluttered around them, creating large holes in the usually well-put-together man’s outfit. “Stop that! Ugh. Mane-Event, I need you to shock this bird away!” It was too late. With a loud clatter, the small electronic device fell to the ground and slid inside of a nearby gutter. Gale flapped her wings mercilessly, managing to clear away most of the spores that swirled around the area – at least, temporarily so.

Athena rushed in, horn lowered at just the right angle. There was a loud, guttural cry that erupted from Hulk’s voice as the large stag beetle lifted him up and tossed him into the air as though he were an omelette. Hulk slammed on the ground behind, a crumbled heap on the concrete, unable to move an inch. Blanchard quietly cursed underneath his breath, eyes burning with the frustration of many emotions that swirled inside of his chest. THIS COULDN’T BE HAPPENING! Not like this! Not like this! “I’m not worried about your supposed ‘hydrapple’ of an organization.” Blanchard bluffed.

“Evil will never reign for long. You’re nothing but shadows, cast out with enough light.” He scoffed nervously, fingers fumbling about until he managed to pull out and call Mane-Event officially from his ball. The large blue Manectric hopped forward, toes testing the ground with a malicious glimmer in his eye. He was back! Ready to take on this pest and show them why they were messing with the wrong crowd. “I’m not going easy on you once I have you apprehended. I’m seeking the maximum sentence we have for your crimes.” Blanchard hissed, eyes darting from Mane-Event to Gale. This… this wouldn’t remain very well if Gale was needed to shift from keeping that Parasect’s spores away. Sh[--]!


Trainer Battle

---

Weather: Yawn [Weakened 1/3 chance of effect either side]

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Mane-Event ♂ LV 30
HP 20% [18/91]

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

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

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Athena ♀ LV 31
HP 20% [20/100]

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

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

Hulk [Guts]: Asleep [0/1]
Athena [Guts] : Healthy [-1 SPD]

SP44 Athena used Brick Break!
SP38 Machoke fainted!

Blanchard sent Mane-Event back out!

SP+ Silas used Full Heal on Mercenary!
SP77 Manectric used Fire Fang! A critical hit! Athena avoided a burn!

---

Mane-Event: 18/91HP | Static - Normal | Fire Fang, Volt Switch^TM, Light Screen^TM, Shock Wave
Gale: ? | ?
Hulk ♂: Guts | Low Sweep, Knock Off, Scary Face, Vital Throw

Mercenary HP 59% [54/91].

---

Athena gained +1400 EXP to [1400/2977 EXP]!
Athena gained +1 ♥ to [+1 Happiness]!


Mercenary gained +467 EXP to [1961/2611 EXP]!
Mercenary gained +1 ♥ to [+15 Happiness]!

Blanchard isn't done yet!

He's sending Mane-Event back out! Will Silas switch Pokemon?

Note: I did not do the 2nd round as you wouldn't have the opportunity to switch, if you wanted. So Full Heal can be auto-used start of next round. ^^ The other option was forcing Athena to remain out since the offer wouldn't have been given.

Pixel asked no switch just continue so we continue. Inventory Full Heal: 2 > 1

[Pixel]

Syndicate kept mobbing the bodyguard, flapping powerful wings and pecking at him, even as he tried to get the manetric to attack. Unfortunately, the fact the bird was on his head probably was what kept Mane-event's attention on Athena, since attacking the beetle charing at them probably seemed safer than electrocuting both his trainer and the pokemon making it impossible for him to see. Then again, that was just an assumption made when Mane-Event charged at Athena with a mouth full of fire instead of zapping Syn.

Eventually the honckrow was satisfied and flew a little higher, temporarily giving the battlefield reprieve from the spores as Gale whisked them away with powerful wingbeats.

"Evil never prospers, yadda yadda. Don't you sound like a hero~" Silas jeered. "I'm surprised so many people are so...into all of that 'the goodness in light' nonsense, especially since those that you consider beholden to the light are so easily corrupted. After all, I think there is saying somewhere out there that goes something a little like: 'All evil needs to take flourish is for good to look the other direction.' I'm paraphrasing, really, but even you should understand that Team Rocket cannot be stopped as long as your cops are lazy and easily bribed, and the common folks are dissatisfied." 

He took a couple steps closer now that Mercenary was awake and rising to her feet. He saw that Athena, who had been swaying from lethargy before, was somehow still awake. Likely because of the thinning amount of spores in the air. Interesting. 

"Keep that pesky hound from throwing any more light screens up, Athena." He drawled. "Up the pressure with another brick break." Silas was confident that he was about to turn the tide of this battle totally into his own favor, regardless of what choice his foe made. Put up a light screen? That pup was toast. Knock out Athena? Mercenary was back on her feet. Switch pokemon? Foolish given the spores floating around, they'd go back to being a noxious threat if he didn't keep up the pressure for as long as possible.

The heracross lunged forward at the manetric, ready to slam a devastating strike to the hound if he didn't strike first.

"When will it sink in that I'm not the one going down after this fight? Hm? I've already handled that other man's pokemon and you know you can't win this. You haven't knocked out any of my pokemon. Numbers are in my favor."

Another step closer.

—

Word Count: 418 | OOC:

Brick Break again

[Caramell 🍬]

Blanchard needed to remain cool and collected in the moment. They were backed up against a wall, but they weren’t out for the count. Silas tried to confuse Blanchard and steal away the hope that lay in the pit of the wise man’s chest. That hope, blossomed by the seed of determination and watered with hard, diligent work, always paid off in the end. “Sounds like the motto of a thief.” Blanchard spat a heavy layer of spit on the ground and snubbed the heel of his shoe into it for emphasis.

“Probably watched every business you ever tried honestly go under and figured you’d steal someone else’s hard work instead.” Mane-Event stood with his hackled raised. He curled his lips back, flashing those pearly white daggers menacingly. Mane-Event would snap his teeth in the air, as though snatching invisible bugs out of the sky, as his tail lashed angrily behind him. He wanted to prove to his trainer that they could easily thwart their adversary. “Mane-Event use – MANE-EVENT!”

The hound bolted. He raced across the ground before his trainer could issue the command. All he left in his wake was one long streak of lightning. As soon as Mane-Event collided with Athena, he knocked her over onto the hard concrete pavement. They tumbled for a moment, causing scratches along her thick shell. All the while, Mane-Event easily rose back up and raced back to disappear into his Poke Ball, causing Gale to flutter down from her hard work into the midst of the battle at hand.

“Gale…I guess you’re up now. You’ll need to show this troublemaker why crime never pays.” He turned, ruffling his hands through his hair to steal his nerves and feign calm. “I don’t know what cops you’ve met in your life.” Blanchard stated. Firm. Ever steady, ever firm, a voice that never wavered. “But all the ones I’ve worked for are steadfast in their morals. There’s nothing you could do to convince them to turn a blind eye to your wicked deeds. You’ll be wishing I let you crawl into the cesspool you must have crawled out of, when Gale is finished with you. It’s far from over, tyrant.”


Trainer Battle

---

Weather: Yawn [Weakened 1/3 chance of effect either side]

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Gale ♀ LV 25
HP 100% [74/74]

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

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

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Athena ♀ LV 31
HP 0% [0/100]

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

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

Gale [Keen Eye]: Healthy
Athena [Guts] : Healthy [-1 SPD]

SP77 Mane-Event used Volt Switch! Gale was called in!
SP44 Athena fainted!

---

Mane-Event: 18/91HP | Static - Normal | Fire Fang, Volt Switch^TM, Light Screen^TM, Shock Wave
Gale: Keen Eye | Whirlwind, Sleep Talk ^TM, Aerial Ace ^TM, Steel Wing ^TM
Hulk ♂: Guts | Low Sweep, Knock Off, Scary Face, Vital Throw

Mercenary HP 59% [54/91].

---

Athena can no longer fight!

Please call out your next Pokemon.

[Pixel]

"Me? Steal someone else's hard work? Only when necessary. Honestly, that is just business at that point. Nobody gets to the top by playing nice and telling the truth. Most of those men in penthouse suites have at least a few shady under the table arrangements, even if their only crimes are betraying their wedding vows for fleeting pleasure. Money laundering, mistresses, fraud—it's dreadfully common. Men with squeaky clean reputations are all the more suspicious. They're just clever enough to cover up their tracks...but even they have their secrets." Silas took another step forward. Still smiling. "And I would know business. Too bad that other people couldn't cover their tracks—their foolishness tends to blow up in everyone else's faces." He shrugged. "The cost of business, I suppose."

Another step.

He watched Mane-event charge forth and flatten Athena. An expected cost. The hound swapped out with Gale. Silas readied a command for Mercenary, but like Blanchard, his pokemon seemed to have a mind of their own. Syndicate swooped down to confront that stupid bird with glittering eyes and a thirst for conflict.

"Far from over Tyrant!" Syn mimicked with a cackle. He lunged forward and attempted to slam into the pidgeotto with a sinister night slash. Getting rid of this bird would mean finally having nothing interfering with his task. The spores were already thinning out so much that they were hardly effecting anything. Parasect peered down from his perch, a little confused about what to do. Should it keep making spores or just...stop for a bit?

It settled on stopping because it was just leaking them off the side of the building now and every so often an errant breeze would blow them in the right direction. Silas didn't notice the parasect stopping using Spore, too focused on the fight in front of him.

"You don't stand a chance," Silas mocked. "You know just as well as I that I still have the advantage here. And that cesspool I supposed climbed out of? Heh. There's plenty of 'good men' in it. Maybe I should drag you down into the depths and see what happens when you emerge again? Will you be this annoying after?" 

Silas kept closing in. He was awfully close to the car now. The very car with the sleeping girl inside. If this battle kept going, he might be able to reach the door soon at this rate.

—

Word Count: 403 | OOC:

Honchkrow swapped in to use night slash!

[Caramell 🍬]

Blanchard gritted his teeth. There was a slight twinge of pain running up from a weakened tooth in the back of his mouth he knew needed to be seen by a dentist, whose compromised form couldn’t handle the aggressiveness at which Blanchard gritted. He winced, eyes burning with a quiet seething desire to rip the smug look right off Silas’ face and shove it back down his loudmouth. “That’s precisely why you’ll never win.” Blanchard snapped firmly, spitting on the ground whilst stating, “Tu”. “You have a warped view of the world. Mane-Event, don’t let him near her!”

Sparks flew in odd directions, causing Gale to fly erratically around the arena. She chirped angrily, clapping her wings together to try and disperse more of the spores from her side of the field. Several of the electrical pulses would fly right for Silas’ hand, singeing him if he wasn’t careful and didn’t pull himself back from the passenger side of the car. Sure, he was inching closer and if Blanchard didn’t act fast, he wouldn’t be able to stop Silas. But that didn’t mean he was totally down for the count right now.

“Sorry Gale, try to send that bird flying into oblivion!” Blanchard struggled, calling loudly to his partner. Gale turned a sharp gaze on him before nodding her head, her wings flapping at a breakneck speed. Syndicate moved in, causing large shadows sharpened like blades that cloaked his form. They cut Gale deeply, knocking several of her feathers off her chest and sides to flutter around them as the two avian Pokemon duked it out. “There’s no way I would ever let evil like you prosper!”

A powerful blast of wind knocked Syndicate backwards through the air and far off the field. Maybe Silas would recall him in time, before he was sent over the horizon line to some unknown spot altogether? Instead, a bright pink sheep hopped out in his place. Where did all of these Pokemon keep coming from? For an evil henchman, Silas seemed well packed with plenty of tainted companions to help him in his mission. “You’ll have to drag me down there over my dead body.” Blanchard snapped firmly, even as fear blinded his senses from the inside. SHIT SHIT SHIT! WERE THEY IN TROUBLE! They needed backup, fast! Where were the IPF that normally patrolled this side of town, anyways?!


Trainer Battle

---

Weather: Yawn [Weakened 1/3 chance of effect either side]

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Gale ♀ LV 25
HP 27% [20/74]

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

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

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Jessica ♀ LV 28
HP 100% [85/85]

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

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

Gale [Keen Eye]: Healthy | Drowzy
Jessica [Static] : Healthy

SP55 Syndicate used Night Slash!
SP48- Pidgeotto used Whirlwind! G5HhmJEXp_1-3 Jessica is sent out!

---

Mane-Event: 18/91HP | Static - Normal | Fire Fang, Volt Switch^TM, Light Screen^TM, Shock Wave
Gale: Keen Eye | Whirlwind, Sleep Talk ^TM, Aerial Ace ^TM, Steel Wing ^TM
Hulk ♂: Guts | Low Sweep, Knock Off, Scary Face, Vital Throw

Mercenary HP 59% [54/91] | Syndicate 100% HP [Participated]
1-3

[Pixel]

"A warped view or a realistic one? Not everyone who shakes hands with the devil lives in cowering fear of when their soul will be claimed. What's the point? The best thing anyone can do when they're in hell is make some deals. Are you there yet, Blanchard?" The man never gave his name, but Silas knew it. He knew it from the profile he was given before this mission. His face, his name, his occupation and daily routine. Silas had all of that in ink on paper. 

He let his white smile widen, hand pulling away from the now electrified door handle. How annoying. He slipped the hand into his pocket, curling his fingers into a frustrated fist. He needed to be rid of that obnoxious electric hound. 

It was then that the winds picked up. He found himself bracing himself, one foot staggering back as he bent forward against the powerful gale. A whirlwind attack! Bits of rubbish flew around them, swirling like rotting leaves in the churning, whirling waters at the base of a waterfall. There was a clatter as a metal trash can was tipped over and flung out of the alleyway. A chunk of cardboard was sent flying high into the sky, a kite without a string or a small, grubby child running beneath it. 

He instinctively reached to cover his head. It wouldn't do for his wig to be snatched off right now. 

Syn did his absolute best to not get thrown out of the battle, but he couldn't pump his wings fast enough to compensate for the force of the wind. Those spores were likely to no longer be a concern now—the winds purged the alleyway and poor Syn was flung out of the alleyway just as carelessly as the rubbish. Silas managed to grab a pokeball and return the honchkrow before he was completely launched to who knows where.

The wind also dragged Jessica from her hiding place, forcing her to leap in front of her trainer to catch her bearings. She sparked up in annoyance. This wind was ruining her perfectly groomed coat! GOSH!

"Oh, how convenient. Jessica, use electroball," Silas suggested, watching as the flaafy sparked up, more than happy to comply with that request. "Now, as for dead bodies, no need to be so...morbid. Murder isn't my usual modus operandi. But if you insist, I could make arrangements, just for you~"

—

Word Count: 403 | OOC:

Jessica uses electroball

[Caramell 🍬]

Fear permeated every fiber of Blanchard’s body. Silas wasn’t the typical, run-of-the-mill Team Rocket. He carried a strong sense of expertise, with a promise of a higher rank than the usual grunts Blanchard would sometimes knock out of their pathways and call the police to come collect them for the penitentiary further up along the region. “Making deals with the devil is a dangerous game.” Blanchard spat, his voice quivering with a strange sort of frustration as he realized the unlikely chances of him walking out of this victorious.

He had to protect Alexandria at all costs. Even as she slumbered inside of the vehicle, tucked away with her three trusty Pokemon clutched next to her in their Poke Balls, he knew that this was all that mattered. He didn’t need to make it out alive from their fiasco, but she did. The years spent watching her grow up held its own stronghold of an attachment, causing Blanchard’s heart and mind to feel for her as though she were his own flesh and blood – and not just a client that needed his protection. “I’ll never make dirty deals like you.” He huffed, a bluff. If it meant keeping her safe and out of Silas’ clutches, then he was seriously considering it.

“Gale, don’t let up!” What a stupid move! She called out an electric sheep, of all the creatures she could have summoned forth?! Her winds would have easily demolished the gigantic mushroom of a Pokemon sprinkling its sleepy-time spores vigorously in the air. That would have afforded them some bit of extra time, surely. Right? But now, he stared down the barrel of the proverbial loaded gun and hoped that it wouldn’t fire before he could empty the chamber. “Give that fluffy sheep your strongest Aerial Ace! Try to stay high in the sky and swoop to avoid it’s electrical attacks!”

Winds slashed through Jessica’s luxurious wool, causing her to look as though she were in desperate need of a groomer. Bits of tattered, stray wool floated up into the air, caught inside of the winds Gale’s attack created, and spiraled in long loops towards the ground around her. Jessica retaliated in kind by firing a powerful blast of her electric energy, easily frying Gale in midair and causing her charred body to plummet down towards the earthen ground below. “Gale!” Blanchard screamed, recalling her in an instance with a quick click of her ball.

“It’s all up to you now, boy. Don’t let up! Give ‘em all you’ve got, Mane-Event!” Blanchard snapped loudly as the sparky dog hopped in front, ready to take Jessica on himself. Blanchard crept closer to the car, using Mane-Event’s body as a sort of shield. If he was lucky, he could reach the other side of the vehicle and yank Alxandria free. Then he could run off with her and foil this evil man’s plans. It would be at the sacrifice of his beloved canine, but at least the child would still be safe. Just a bit closer…a little more…before Silas could stop him…!


Trainer Battle

---

Weather: Yawn

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Mane-Event ♂ LV 30
HP 20% [18/91]

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

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

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Jessica ♀ LV 28
HP 82% [70/85]

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

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

Gale [Keen Eye]: Healthy | Drowzy
Jessica [Static] : Healthy

SP48 Gale used Aerial Ace! It was a critical hit!
SP38 Jessica used Electro Ball! Gale fainted!

Mane-Event jumps back into the fray!
(Screen just prepped for next mod. You still get your free switch.)

---

Mane-Event: 18/91HP | Static - Normal | Fire Fang, Volt Switch^TM, Light Screen^TM, Shock Wave
Gale: Keen Eye | Whirlwind, Sleep Talk ^TM, Aerial Ace ^TM, Steel Wing ^TM
Hulk ♂: Guts | Low Sweep, Knock Off, Scary Face, Vital Throw

Mod Notes
Mercenary HP 59% [54/91] | Syndicate 100% HP | Jessica HP 82% [70/85]

---

Jessica gained +1250 EXP to [1250/2437 EXP]!
Jessica gained +1 ♥ to [+8 Happiness]!


Syndicate gained +417 EXP to [2140/2611 EXP]!
Syndicate gained +1 ♥ to [+9 Happiness]!

Blanchard is sending Mane-Event back out!

Would Silas like to swap Pokemon?

[Pixel]

"Nothing worth your while is without risk. Stocks, changing jobs, even seemingly benign things such as going to college or  proposing to a girlfriend. All have risks that are taken because the reward is great—you could end up losing everything pursuing any of those things. How is a deal with the devil any different? What is the use of one's soul after one's demise? What if hell is but a place of our own making and heaven beyond the grasp of even the most pious of mortals? What if in truth there is no risk at all but that which we perceive—our own fear to take that next step, our on inhibitions, the true risk to our success and happiness? What a spineless existence would a life be without ambition and the risk that it naturally carries."

Silas let himself breathe, his monologue punctuated by Jessica swiftly defeating Gale. Violet eyes gleamed. This was almost over.

"Mercenary, finish this."

The houndoom leapt from her ball, back into the fray with a howl and a bright column of fire.

"I can assure you the child will not be harmed," Silas said breezily. "Not a single hair on her head. In fact, We do plan to return her safely to her father once she has served her purpose. Likely she will be given a shiny thing to distract her if she asks too many questions, a snack and a pat on the head as she is assured her father would be there soon to pick her up. You, however, we have no particular reason to play nice with. Knowing that, are you certain that my 'dirty deals' as you call them, are beyond your interest?" 

—

Word Count: 000 | OOC:

Swapping back to houndoom for my free switch.
Mercenary is holding Choice Scarf and using Flamethrower.

[Caramell 🍬]

Blanchard stood like a statue; his fists clenched tightly shut at his side. He wanted to walk over and rip the smug smile off Silas’ face. He wanted to scream so loud that all of Johto woke up and rushed over to hear his plea. He wanted anything but the moment he seemed trapped within, where an evil man’s corrupt thoughts slowly began to make more sense the longer the suave maniac spoke. “Your soul is eternal. All else fails in comparison.” Blanchard huffed haughtily underneath his breath.

“Why would I risk the one thing you’re given in this world that nothing else can take away? We all die eventually. I do not fear death.” A bluff, but a well calculated bluff. Not even Blanchard’s cold, dead gaze budged to hint that it was anything other than that. He was human, so death itself scared him just enough that he played it safe with his life. He was always keeping his body in tip-top shape – an easy goal with the high-profile job that he had. But moreover, he ate a strictly healthy diet, never allowing himself the simpler treats that others took for granted. “I don’t gamble.” He scoffed with a roll of his eyes.

Mercenary raced onto the scene, firing a powerful blast of fire. The flames were intense. They consumed every inch of Mane-Event, causing the blur furred hound to yowl at an ear-splitting and deafening volume. Even Blanchard had to cover his ears and avert his eyes to what became of his companion. His childhood friend, eaten alive by Mercenary’s flames, whose callous reaches remained merciless in their hunger to consume everything around them. “Mane-Event… you monster!” Blanchard choked on his own tears.

He collapsed, knees falling to the ground as his body began to convulse and shake. Tears streamed, flowing along his face. He was unable to fight it. His will, his whole reason for being. Beyond just the purpose he’d given himself as her bodyguard… the meaning he’d given his life here and now… crushed. Suddenly, an urge he hadn’t felt in years gnawed from the inside and in that moment, Blanchard longed to drown his sorrows inside of a tall glass of his favorite drink. I’ve worked too hard for this sobriety! And this man comes and crushes everything…how? Why?!

Then… quietly. Eyes changing from pure confusion to something more. Questions were filling his head. A chance at redemption if he leaped through the fires of hell itself. Was it worth it? To be born into something wholly different? “You swear to me not a single hair on her head will be harmed?” The words were still cold, even through the tears and fear that consumed him. Cold and heartless, spoken from the unshakable hatred that Blanchard formed against Silas. If he wanted to right this wrong, however, he needed to survive. Survive, until it was safe to get help, to overthrow this tyrant. “As… long as she is not hurt. That’s all I care about…” Blanchard surrendered.

A strange, psychic energy shook from inside of the car, promising Silas that not all was over quite yet. Would he challenge this energetic force and still try to kidnap the girl? Likely one or more of her Pokemon, telepathically connected to her, would thwart his advances if he tried…

Mercenary gained +1500 EXP to [3461/2611 EXP]!
Mercenary gained +1 level to [Lv 30]!
Mercenary can learn Fire Fang! Forget move?

---

---

Alexandria's Seren the Kirlia is ready to attack should Silas try anything funny!

Trace | Draining Kiss, Metronome ^TM, Psybeam, Confuse Ray ^EM

[Pixel]

Houndoom was said to breathe hellfire. That burns from their flames would never quite heal, their memory echoing forever, the event etched into flesh. Silas did not care if Mane-event was alive or dead or crippled. Likely just fainted but in a horrible state that needed quick medical attention, but he couldn't tell from this distance. He watched with a small smile as Blanchard collapsed, crying out the name of his beloved companion. He stepped forward again, resting a light hand on Mercenary's head, stroking her fur with gentle praise.

Good girl.

You did well.

Then he saw it, the break in the other man's psyche, the slip into vulnerability. He was finally willing to deal with the devil. He had reaching his breaking point. 

"I promise. I will hurt not one hair on her body. She might not even wake up to notice what is going on and all of this will just be an odd dream she will forget by the time she is old enough to understand." His voice was soft. Soothing. He even took a moment to make himself seem safe and non-hostile, checking over his pokemon and healing them up with bottles of soda that one could find in any vending machine around town. He even removed the scarf from Mercenary's neck and tucked it into his pocket, subtly slipping a feather between her teeth that she could crush and eat if needed.

Athena was revived and given a soda to nurse. See? Harmless. He motioned for Parasect to scuttle down to ground level. The bug could spore the girl if things got....messy. It was evident that this whole scheme was very well thought over.

Once his pokemon were healed and Blanchard's worries soothed, he approached the car door and tried to open it. He did see the Kirlia...

"Mercenary, stand guard, if that Kirlia becomes aggressive...use flamethrower. Don't hit the girl."

—

Word Count: 000 | OOC:

Before engaging in a battle I am doing the following:

Swapping Mercenary's Choice Scarf for a genius feather.
Reviving Athena. Healing Mercenary and Athena with lemonade.

Leaving the healing items for mods to update from my inventory.

[Caramell 🍬]

Blanchard nodded like a helpless puppy, stuck to the sidelines. He had nothing left. His Pokemon were defeated and his only way to signal help was lost to the gutters. Even though the day remained relatively clear despite the spores Silas’ large mushroom-like Pokemon released in the air, it felt as though a thousand-year rain poured down on his mind and spirit. What was he going to do, now? How was he going to face Alxandria’s father and explain what happened? How could he face the man in the mirror after making deals with the devil himself?

Alexandria tossed and turned inside of the car, completely sound asleep in the moment. She spoke through her dreams to her Pokemon, however. “Don’t worry, Alexandria. My Trace abilities will help me against this hound. I doubt they expect it.” Seren spoke to Alexandria, who screamed and cried relentlessly inside of her dreams. Her worst fears were coming to life, where bad men were hurting her father and keeping her far from her home. “Please, Seren, keep me safe! Father trusts you and so do I.” She whispered softly through tears.

Seren turned to Mercenary, taking a bold step forward with her hands raised up high. “Step aside, pup. You’re not ready for this battle and I have no problem demolishing you where you stand.” She prepared to fire an attack, but stopped as soon as Mercenary released the flames of hell itself upon her. Seren smirked instead, her eyes growing dark with a strange hunger. “That doesn’t hurt me, pup. Did you forget your own ability? I made it to suit myself, as well.” She then released a powerful blast of ghostly energy that caused Mercenary to stagger with a strange, confused stare in her eyes. “Now leave while you still can.” Seren hissed.

Trainer Battle

---

Weather: Normal

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Seren ♀ LV 25
HP 100% [61/61]

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

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

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Mercenary ♀ LV 30
HP 100% [85/85]

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

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

Seren [Flash Fire]: Healthy
Mercenary [Flash Fire]: Confused [0/3] [+1 Sp.Atk]

Seren Traced Mercenary's ability! Seren now has the ability Flash Fire!
Mercenary ate her feather! Her Sp. Atk increased!
SP71 Mercenary used Flamethrower! Thanks to Trace, Seren is immune! Her fire type moves will increase power!
SP37 Seren used Confuse Ray! Mercenary is confused!

---

Seren: 61/61 HP | Trace - Normal | Draining Kiss, Metronome ^TM, Psybeam, Confuse Ray ^EM
?? (Kadabra):??
?? (Metang): ??

Mod Notes
Jessica HP 82% [70/85]

---

Lemonade had wrong image graphic. Confirmed with Pix she meant Lemonade. Inventory: 3 > 1 | Revive Inventory: 2 > 1

[Pixel]

Mercenary narrowed her eyes. How inconvenient. That Trace would hardly be the end of things. She had other options. Mindful of the human in the car, she opened her maw to launch a dark pulse...only to be bedazzled by a bright and flashing light. Confuse ray. No. No she refused to fail here and now. She had already made a critical error, she could not fail her master now. Now when she was the super pokemon! She had already persevered through far worse today! 

Teeth bore into a snarl, she fought to focus her sights on Kirlia, bumping awkwardly against the side of the car as she stumbled, her footing unsure.

<I will end you. I will not let this distract me. Your meddling CONFUSION will not stop us.> She growled. She opened her maw again and began to launch those dark pulses at her target, hoping to hit and trying to avoid the sleeping child as instructed as she hid her disoriented status from her trainer.

Silas idled over to the other door as Blanchard sat there and his companion was also dawdling around uselessly, like trying to comfort the little girl, aware he was helpless to stop him now. He opened the opposite door. Just in case.

"Awe, isn't she darling? Children are always much sweeter when asleep."

—

Word Count: 000 | OOC:

Absolutely KICKING myself for not notice the Trace on Kirlia. I shoulda used dark pulse. Okay, fingers cross houndoom pushes through confusion.

Dark Pulse x2
If I somehow KO kirlia and don't smack myself in confusion, please use dark pulse on next mon in the roster.

[Caramell 🍬]

Seren’s hard stare locked in on Mercenary. The hellish hound with her long, forked tail and sharp goat horns did not scare her. She’d faced worse beasts in her lifetime, all in the aim of protecting her trainer. “You will never end us. Our trainer will always remain safe. Step aside and admit your folly.” Seren snapped firmly, sending psychic signals back to her trainer’s mind to keep the sleeping girl calm. The nightmares intensified, causing the young girl to dream of a world literally crumbling underneath her feet.

Alexandria, you have to remain calm and strong. We’re almost at the end of the battle, I will remain victorious. Seren promised inside of the girl’s mind. Bits of the grassy ground inside of Alexandria’s dream crumbled away. Underneath that earth was a dark void, swirling with a hypnotic trance. It sucked and pulled at Alexandria’s frail dream-like body, trying to drag her inside of its grasp. “I’m trying!” Alexandria promised, shaking with fear. “But this world wants to destroy everything I love! Please, don’t let it!”

Mercenary shook through the worst of her confusion, easily consuming her prey with her powerful dark blasts, knocking Seren out easily. As Silas hurried to another door, another psychically minded Pokémon appeared. It shook its spoon wildly in the air, summoning a large barrier around the car itself to protect most of the entrances and exits. The light screen wasn’t impenetrable but would prove to be difficult to attack through. “Who dares try to harm my trainer?!” Houdini roared.

It spun around and glared at Mercenary, a strange psychic energy rising off its body as though warning her. “A hound of hell. Your kind does not belong in this world. Why don’t you return to the underworld where you belong?!” The Kadabra snapped loudly as Mercenary struggled through her confusion. She succumbed to it this time, and as she shot her attack it would consumer her instead. Houdini smirked with a raised eyebrow; hands positioned in preparation of his next attack. “Ah, yes, you can’t even tell who is you and who is me. And you’re going to stop me? Likely story!” Houdini snapped with a sharp laugh.


Trainer Battle

---

Weather: Normal

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

[attr="class","qkt-wild-pkmn"]
Houdini LV 25
HP 100% [69/69]

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

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

[attr="class","qkt-trainer-pkmn"]
Mercenary ♀ LV 30
HP 81% [76/85]

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

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

Houdini [Synchronize]: Healthy
Mercenary [Flash Fire]: Confused [2/3] [+1 Sp.Atk] | Light Screen: [1/5]

SP71 Mercenary used Dark Pulse!
SP37 Seren fainted!

** Houdini appeared! **

SP72 Houdini used Light Screen! A dazzling screen appeared on Houdini's side!
SP71 Mercenary used Dark Pulse! Mercenary hurt herself in confusion!

---

Seren: 0/61 HP | Trace - KO'd | Draining Kiss, Metronome ^TM, Psybeam, Confuse Ray ^EM
Houdni: Synchronize - Normal | Light Screen ^TM, Body Slam ^TM, Psycho Cut, Recover
?? (Metang): ??

Mod Notes
Jessica HP 82% [70/85]

---

Mercenary gained +1250 to [2100/2791 EXP]!