Tales of Slowpoke Tails [F]

[Morrigan]

After taking part in a short training spurt on the edge of Azalea Town, Sharada finally recieved orders from HQ about her next mission; Operation Slowpoke. In the outskirts of town stood a lone Well, civilians knowing that it is home to various Slowpoke but lately, more serious matters have been going on underneath the brick work. Team Rocket have invaded the Well upon finding out how much Slowpoke Tails sell for on the Black Market and in all of Johto there was no better place to acquire them than Slowpoke Well itself. Personally, the idea of cutting off a Pokemon's tail made Sharada feel sick to the stomach but after finally receiving a uniform from a fellow Rocket in the Poke Center during the dead of the night, she knew that this would be the final test before being welcomed aboard as a Grunt. She had proved her trust, even if she didn't like the things she had do to.

Changing from her usual outfit, rearranging her team slightly and escaping the last Pokemon Center she could safely pop her head in for a while, the brunette was now forced to be one with the shadows, lurking ever closer to her destination. Upon reaching the edge, the girl poked her head over the ledge, looking in to work out just how deep it was. "Urgh, I cant believe I'm about to do this... No doubt I'm gonna have to fend off trainers down there aswell." With a fair few more grumblings, the girl turned and with one heeled leg going in the well, secured her footing on the rickety ladder. Slowly and gently, Sharada climbed her way down until she reached the bottom, her large shades not really fitting in this dark and gloomy cave.

Feeling a shiver shoot up her spin, she had recalled that the message had mentioned there being a Rocket Admin a little further in and she had to make her presence known before dealing with a Slowpoke whichever way she saw fit. So, with a shrug of her shoulders, the Rocket uniform clad girl stepped deeper into her surroundings, just waiting for something or someone to jump out at her.

Operation Slowpoke
Objectives;
- Defeat those who stand in your way -
- Cut off a Slowpoke's tail and return to base -

[Kataya]

Silver hadn’t been down in Slowpoke well for too long, in fact, he had just gotten finished training His Ghastly against one of the Slowpoke. He had come down this way because at least these Slowpoke made it clear that they wanted to battle half the time, when they weren’t lazing around. The Ghastly floated in front of him, Triumph and pride clear in the ghostly Pokemon. Silver’s lips were stretched firm in a frown as he watched the Ghastly bask in its own pride.

“Stop it. How do you expect to get any stronger if you already think you’re the best?” The Ghastly was quick to return to being as stoic as it had been before. Silver turned around, placed his hands in his pockets, and began to walk away. He stopped short as soon as he spotted Sharada. The blaring red R on her uniform brought up masked anger in the boy, and it leaked venom into his words as he spoke to her.

“What are you doing here?” he hissed out. To him, all Rocket were scum, for deeper reasons he would never explain. His scowl deepened as he glared at her.

“Whatever you’re doing down here, leave, or my Ghastly will be quick to take care of you, damn Rocket.” The Ghastly seemed ready to go through with a battle if it was at all needed.
_____________________________________________________
Warning!

Pokemon Trainer Silver has spotted you, and warns you to get out of the Well now!


But if you insist on staying, he will fight you with Ghastly (Level 16)!

[Morrigan]

Managing to walk quite well despite the ground being uneven in her odd choice of crimson red heels, Sharada seemed to be coping fairly alright in these rocky conditions as a Grunt. The fashion loving girl had also dramatically changed the design of her uniform, equipping leg warmers to cover most of her legs and sewn in jacket to protect her arms. Burgundy fingerless gloves sat on her hands, her long hair tied up into a high ponytail and gradient shades covered her icy cold blue eyes. As long as the bright red capital R on her chest was available for all to see and show them just who she was and what she was a part of, it didn't really matter what alterations she made. Or so she hoped.

Walking with great strides and about to plunge into her pocket to light up a cigarette, the brunette was stopped as the sound of some sort of battle echoed behind a near clump of rock. Peeping around from the edge, Sharada's eyes widened upon seeing someone other than a Rocket member down here. With a fiery red mess of hair and plain clothing, he seemed to be training against a Slowpoke who had decided to plop into the water's edge upon losing. The way he spoke to his Gastly wasn't exactly the friendliest, however. His stern words of demanding his Pokemon to think so highly of themselves somewhat irritated her. Sure, she had Pokemon who also thought they were high and mighty but she would never ask them to change, only to be nice to one another.

Being kind wasn't on this job description, however. Orders were that she had to defeat anyone who stood in her way and if this boy was one, then business had to be done. Stepping out to make herself known, she noticed that he was quick to turn, recognise the symbol on her chest and then demand her to leave. Merely shrugging it off and lighting up a cigarette, she leered through her shades to him, "Isn't it a little past your bed time? I'm sure you're mother is worried sick." Breathing in the fumes, she blew a thin stream of smoke towards the crimson haired boy, "But before you go, I gotta say, Gastly is a pretty rare little thing. And rare things like to make their way into my possession." Smirking as the ghostly spirit seemed up for the challenge, Sharada picked out a Pokeball of her own and tossed it effortlessly in front of her.

Within seconds, her insanely grinning Meowth Cheshire burst onto the scene. His eyes wild and frantically looking around for his endlessly rejecting of his love partner, Devia. Rolling her eyes, Sharada knelt down and gave the Meowth a firm knock on his skull with her clenched fist, meaning it in a playful way it caused him no harm but to actually snap back to reality. "Cheshire, I need you to sort out this... little boy. Use Bite on his Gastly and make it swift. I'm really sure his curfew is drawing near."

[The REAL Joey]

~~ VS. Silver ~~

As belligerent as Silver was to proving his might over others and foolishly believing himself to be the greatest of trainers, it belied a surprising aspect of his character. Although it may not have been immediately clear with it even seeming like he'd be a perfect fit for Team Rocket, Silver in truth loathed these lowlife criminals. Time and time again he had harped on about weak trainers but Team Rocket took the liberty with that expression. Ganging up together to try and cover each other's weaknesses, he knew deep down they were nothing but pushovers if tackled one by one. Ignoring the female grunt's threats, Silver merely leered back at her with a nasty little smirk of his own. "I may not be a crappy little Rocket like you but that's not to say I don't often find things winding up in my possession... Although." His eyes drifted to Sharada's goofy looking Meowth and snorted. "I doubt i'd want something as mangy and flea bitten as that. What's with the doofy looking grin?"

Insulting her choice of Pokemon aside, Silver's face took on a new intensity. "Gastly, let's make sure these vermin don't run away like every other stupid Rocket in existence. Mean Look! If we can corner them we'll be able to finish them off for good." His Gastly snickered at the command. Prior to being captured by Silver, the Gastly had lived an unfulfilled life merely haunting around people's houses and getting half hearted scares in response to its mischievous pranks. With Silver however, things were different. The Gastly was in a whole new league to demonstrate its unholy talents. Disappearing as it began to move forward, Sharada's Cheshire did the same but without any ethereal powers to allow it to fade, the Pokemon had to make do with being seen in full sight as it pushed on. Being a lot more agile than the Gastly, Cheshire made it to the middle of the battlefield a lot quicker and felt a strange sensation phase through its body. Cunning as he was, the feline knew instinctively to bite at that precise moment for the simple fact Gastly was floating right about there. As his jaws clashed shut, the Gastly materialised into full view and had a look of absolute terror and dismay on his visage.

Although he was intangible and nothing could grab a hold of him the mere fact that his unusual faced cat had tried to viciously bite him had an adverse effect on the poison gas ghoul. Whizzing around in the air, Gastly seemed unable to get a hold of himself until Silver rather nastily cut in. "Pull yourself together you worthless idiot. I'll quite happily hand you over to that Rocket and finish you all off with my other Pokemon." Freezing instantly, the thought of being lumped with this insane cat bought some sense into Gastly's mind. Shaking its head, it remembered the command it had been given. Lowering itself down to Cheshire's level, Gastly closed its eyes before reopening them seconds later and revealing a terrifying, soul destroying expression on its shifting face. Its eyes had ballooned up to three times their size and an insidious glare was shot from them. His eyes seemed to spiral around as well while his features became twisted into a devilish look. Eventually relenting, Gastly rollercoastered its way back to Silver and cackled evilly. It had received a beating but these ghosts worked in unpredictable ways.

With the round seemingly coming to a close, something that had been evidently bothering Silver from the start of the battle was about to become clear. "Wait... I know you..." Leering his eyes as if to remember all that time ago, he snapped his fingers at the realisation. He would've known earlier had it not been for her make over. "YOU!" Taking a high and mighty position, the sheer look of smugness over his face was nothing to take lightly. "You were at Silver Cave. Hah! You were that dumb weakling of a trainer who had that runt of a Charmander..." Eyeing around her, he grinned viciously. "Did the weak baby little trainer fail to look after it? I heard their tails can be quite fickle in keeping alight... And you know what they say about a Charmander's tail... It's what keeps them alive." Smirking, Silver relished the chance to get back at this trainer who had showed him up in Silver Cave. "You may have won then but don't think you're going to get lucky again. This time i'm using proper Pokemon unlike those weaklings before." Folding his arms and swishing his hair out of his face, he went for a final nail in the coffin. "Figures someone like you would end up in Team Rocket. Weak little rats always bind together in a pack to make themselves look strong." Flicking his eyes at Sharada, he drove them in with the sharpness of a dagger. "You're no exception."



Trainer Battle

---

Silver's Gastly | Level 16 |
Health : 10% (9/40 HP)
Status : Normal
Ghost got your tongue, geddit?!

Cheshire | Level 17 |
Health : 100% (45/45 HP)
Status : Normal, Can't Escape!
We'll see who gets the last laugh... Hint: It'll be me

---

[Morrigan]

Sharada couldnt help but close her eyes tightly behind her shades, her cheeks puffing up somewhat as a large grin hid behind her hand which was supporting her cigarette. Eventually she help it in her hand and let out a chuckle of a laugh before looking back to the crimson haired boy once again. Had he really just called her crappy and Cheshire a mangy, flea bitten moggy? Well, it didn't matter because she found it quite funny. "Ahh, these silly little insults mean nothing to me. My Meowth is mangy and flea bitten, even a blind man could tell that much. When one lives on the streets, what do you expect? But looks dont mean squat, even he can strike down your ball of gas." Once her giggle fit had died down, she took another dreg of her smoke the brunette stared through her shades as the boy now ordered his move.

Narrowing her eyelashes as his Gastly faded into nothing, it was all up to Cheshire to pin point the ghost on his own. The Meowth wasn't the strongest of her bunch but he was agile and intelligent, his dopey grin obviously making some think otherwise. But even she didn't understand why he was always smiling or why he loved to rummage around back alleys, looking through bins and come back looking disgusting. He sure was an odd feline but he was Sharada's feline and no matter what words some little punk said about him, he didn't take it to heart or pay no matter altogether anyway. He merely sat, large pearly white fangs glaring as his eyes stared blankly at the boy. Then, with a single chomp of his teeth, he got hold of Gastly. "Bingo." was the only word Sharada spoke, smirking smugly behind her cigarette as the crimson haired boy tried to get his Pokemon back on track.

It was quite funny actually, the way he spoke to his Gastly was ridiculous yet he was complaining about how bad Team Rocket were. Sure, behind the scenes they most likely did horrid things but at the end of the day, this guy was probably just some new trainer and he was speaking badly on his Pokemon. Holding back her words by breathing in and out streams of smoke, she braced herself for Gastly's attack. It's horrific face made hairs stand up on the back of Sharada's neck, her toes twitching rapidly in her shoes as a way to stop her from squealing. Cheshire, on the other hand, remained completely silent, only a single drop of sweat rolling down the side of his face. He sure was a strange Meowth.

Ready to make her next order, the sudden shouting from the crimson haired boy caused her to back up a few paces. A bit nerve wrecked incase he may have seen her once with Joe or something, she soon regained a calmer posture upon him revealing where he had seen her. Of course, it was starting to come back to her aswell. It was much darker in the other cave but his poor attitude to his Pokemon was like a light switch flicking on in her mind. Deciding to play dumb, she turned her nose up to him. "Hah, you remember me? Too bad I dont remember you. I should be honoured though, a trainer remembering my face, it obviously meant we had a battle worth remembering. So much has gone on for me that I dont have enough time keeping some red haired punk in my memory."

Chuckling innocently, she dropped her finished cigarette end to the floor and stomped it out fiercely before crossing her arms and staring at him. "And Charmander, or, Charmeleon is perfectly fine, thanks for remembering him too. I'm sure his tail is burning brighter than your hair right about now, no way that'll be going out anytime soon." Flinching at his final words, Sharada took a few moments to pause. She wasn't here because she wanted to be here, it was more undercover than anything. Of course, he couldnt and will never know that. Lowering her head slightly and smiling, she looked over the edge of her glasses at him, "Hah, I love your use of the work "weak". You claim other people to be, yet you're not doing so well yourself. I'll beat you again this time just like I did before and if you come to be a pain in Team Rocket's side, I'll beat you again, and again, and again. I dont need fellow Rockets to back me up as I can do it on my own. They merely have a few benefits I need to help me reach my goal." Bluffing her way out, she decided that enough talk had been had, "Cheshire, use Bite on the Gastly again! Dont worry, that stupid looking ghost cant hurt you."

[Kataya]

Silver let out a very audible, bitter laughter that echoed through the well. It showed through that somewhere earlier in his life, Silver’s happiness had definitely been stolen away from him, and only Silver knew why. It was the same reason he did everything he did, and the same reason why he despised Team Rocket and everyone in it. Though when he stopped laughing, his eyes were once again cold unfeeling daggers that were trained on Sharada.

“I’m doing perfectly fine. My strategy has gotten me where I need to go. I don’t know how you can think the way you do things is any better if you ended up a Rocket.” He sneered. His Gastly seemed ready to attack, although Silver already knew that it wasn’t about to go first.

“Team Rocket has always been a vice for those who feel like they can’t fend for themselves, as I have mentioned before.” He closed his eyes for a minute, memories coming to him in waves, and when he reopened his eyes, they were narrowed at her.

“You don’t know anything about being a trainer.” He decided. Chesire, having more than enough of his talk, launched himself forwards towards the Gastly. Quickly, he sunk his teeth into the normally untouchable gas ball. The Gastly gave a Ghostly wail of pain before falling. Silver scoffed.

“I told you not to get too proud, Gastly.” He mentioned as he recalled Gastly. He quickly pulled another Pokeball from his belt, summoning his Zubat.

“I will not let you pass.” He declared, making sure she knew.
____________________________________________________
Cheshire is the Victor!

Chesire grew to Level 20 thanks to his Lucky egg, and he also gained +1 Happiness!


Pokemon Trainer Silver sends out Zubat (Level 18)! Will you switch Pokemon?

[Morrigan]

Once again it was time for Sharada to play the listener, her face looking completely blank as his laughter echoed from the walls. Whatever it was, he seemed to have a deep hatred for, well, everything. Personally, she couldnt remember their last encounter too well. A strange Delibird dropped her off a Snorunt and then some odd red haired male battled her. It was too dark to really remember his face but his voice was a different story. Looking down her nose at the mysterious lad who explained his hatred for Rockets quite clearly, a part of her deep down wanted to agree. Rockets were lousy, dirty, petty humans who clung together in a pack to look big. But she needed Doopliss and other information, so putting up with noisy brats like this would have to do for now.

Angry with herself having to stick up for this terrible name, Sharada forced a grin. "Think whatever you like. The way you are acting is pretty much any common Rocket male, just without the uniform. And it must be painful, being defeated by person who is a part of something you detest so much." Readjusting her shades as Cheshire sprang to action, it's huge row of grinning fangs was more than enough to finish off the Gastly, the purple spirit gaining a firm telling off from it's owner. With a click of her fingers, Cheshire returned his face to Sharada's side, the brunette holding forward his Pokeball and returning him, "Nice job, Cheshire. Return for now."

Deciding to retaliate as she picked out her next Pokemon, Sharada's eyes were busy lingering on two different Pokeballs in either hand. One being the nervous Delphine and the other being her calm Kirin. "I dont? Just like I know nothing about you, you know nothing about me. You know nothing of my past experiences before joining the Rockets and you will know nothing of my future either. I'm stern with my team, not violet like yourself." Gripping tighter onto Delphine's Pokeball, Sharada secured Kirin back to her belt and sent forth her tiny Ralts.

Due to the training in the previous route, the little female had grown up quite alot. She had lost a lot of her nerve, allowing her to battle freely, she was just more shy of talking for now. Gripping tightly onto her Eviolite upon release, the tiny creature stared up to the Zubat. Both had moves what could finish each other off in an instant. Zubat was quick and one bite could faint her, whilst Delphine held defense in her hands and a powerful electric move in her possession. This was a complete gamble but she had to cross her fingers for this one. "Delphine, use Thunderbolt!"

[The REAL Joey]

~~ VS. Silver ~~

Her words had a strange effect on Silver. To any other person in such a situation they would be mere throwaway insults but her diatribe about him being nothing more than a Rocket grunt out of the uniform seemed to spark an unrivalled loathing within the teenager. His eyes now full of malice and a soured tilt to his lips, he angrily yelled back at her. "I AM NOT A ROCKET!" Listening as his voice echoed throughout the vast underground well, he continued on with a hushed voice although it was still laced with venomous hatred. "Don't you even DARE try and compare me to being one of you. I'll never be a Rocket, NEVER!" Looking to take out his unfathomable rage on both Sharada and her choice of Pokemon, he looked to his fluttering Zubat who had died inside a few times from all the amplified yelling it could hear. "You snivelling little blind faced bat brains. Don't just act like you're not part of this. Everything she is insulting me with is pointed just as much as you as anything else. Soar forward and bite her stupid looking baby to pieces!" His voice was unrelenting and spat all over the cave floor. She hadn't even got half way through his Pokemon and she had already managed a mental victory over the young kid.

His eyes mad with power lust, Silver had somehow reigned himself in to shoot her a look of superiority. "Stern? Stern gets you nothing. What really wins you battles is through training. And the more violet the training the more prepared your servants will be for anything that calms their way." Turning his attention to his Zubat, he laughed sneeringly as it swooped down to go for Delphine's neck. "Just watch as your dumb looking kid is wrecked! Bit by bit, i'll heighten the infant mortality rate alone by myself. Out in the battle is no place for babies!" Sure enough, his Zubat performed a rather slick swoop down from the caves walls. Whether it was because the Pokemon felt naturally at home in such a darkened and confined space it was hard to tell but it seemed to be performing much better than it would do out in the open. Having no trouble in locating Delphine, the bat began to sink his sharpened fangs into her neck. The bite was nothing short of savage and was no mistaking a critical hit. Struggling with such a bloodthirsty beast on her, Delphine would have fallen before its violence had it not been for a special little gem she had been holding onto. As if communing with it, she remained silent before her body seemed to spark with a strange energy. Using her psychic abilities to manipulate the electric fields around her, a sudden artificial thunderbolt laid into Silver's Zubat, not even giving it a chance to retreat. Falling to the floor with a sickening sizzle echoing through the cave and steam rising from its body, Delphine looked up.

Bloodied but her eyes boldly defied any outcome Silver had planned out for her. About to sickle his body by tearing his flesh bit by bit off the repugnant teenage boy, a blinding light erupting from her made it clear that matters were going to take a different turn. Her body starting to fluctuate and develop into a new form, it was obvious to all that Delphine was evolving...! Or... Would have done so had it not been for Silver who stepped forward and stared sardonically into Sharada's eyes, despite the strobes of light. "I don't think so. I'm not done yet. Croconaw, make sure she stays a childish baby forever!" Throwing out his Pokeball, a brutal looking reptile charged out, its hefty jaws clashing. It immediately honed in on the light and charged at it murderously. If Sharada wasn't quick, Delphine would be trapped a Ralts forever! Returning his Zubat, Silver seemed to remain quiet as he contemplated something. Whatever it was, it kept him deep in thought. "I don't get it... She practically killed Zubat like it was nothing. By rights... I should have won... Did her friendship, in the form of that stupid gem, really scupper everything?" Placing his Pokeball away solemnly, this may have been a turning point in the ruthless trainer's adventure.



Trainer Battle

---

Silver's Zubat | Level 18 |
Health : 0% (0/47 HP)
Status : Normal
...

Delphine | Level 18 |
Health : 7% (3/43 HP)
Status : Normal, Can't Escape!
Who IS this impudent little brat?

---

Victory!

---

Your Ralts fought courageously and has levelled up!
It went up by 3 levels and is now Level 21!
Delphine would like to learn the move Magical Leaf.
Delete a move so that she can learn it?
Delphine also gained +1 Happiness!
A blinding light engulfs Delphine but you can't evolve at this moment!...

---

Silver interrupts you and sends out Croconaw (Level 23) to kill Delphine!
Do you wish to swap Pokemon?

[Morrigan]

Blinking from behind her shades at the crimson haired boy's sudden explosion of words, his anger seemed to tickle her. Placing a hand across her brow and lowering her head slightly, she couldnt quite hold back her smiling which allowed the odd giggle to escape her lips. Personally, she would never wish for anyone to be a Rocket but this kid was practically on fire with rage that she almost couldnt help but tease him about it. "Catch yourself a breath, kid and calm down. I dont want to listen to your teenage, anger tantrums, geez." Clicking her fingers together as if realising something, she straightened herself up again, "I get it. You met a recruiter and they said you were too young or a really shit trainer so you were rejected? And since you couldnt accomplish your dream of being a dirty, revolting Rocket you turned to just plain out hating them. How sweet.[/color]" Pushing a finger against her bottom lip, she pouted sadly, "Too bad. Your bright red hair would really stand out more with a strapping large R on your chest. Perhaps you should consider joining again? After two losses against me, I'll be sure to put in a good word for you."

Laughing and shaking her head once again at his words to his Zubat, she pointed out his problem. "HEY MELON NOSE!" her voice now echoed against the rock, her shout having to grab his attention somehow, "Dont go insulting your Pokemon when it's the trainers fault for being terrible! That and this Ralts practically feeds off your negative comments, so I would be careful what you say, she may look innocent but she adores it." Bluffing her way out again, there was no way that Delphine would get angry at Silver's words, she was more likely to hide away shyly then get enraged about something. For all she knew the Pokemon couldnt even understand what he was saying!

Falling silent, it was about time for Delphine to put her powers to the test. Just like she had guessed, the Zubat was much faster and swooped in straight away, it was also a sickening experience to watch as her little darling was ripped into right in front of her eyes. Thankfully she just barely managed to hang in there and within seconds, conjured up her comeback. Shivers shot frantically down her back at the sight of the close Thunderbolt. She couldnt stand that sort of weather outside whilst she was safely locked in a house, let alone a Pokemon using such a move. At the end of the day, the move did what she had wanted it to do despite her fears; Fainted the Zubat.

Pulling down the rim of her glasses slightly, she had to double take as her incredibly weak Ralts began to glow. She was going to evolve here and now?! Was she insane?! Readjusting her frames, the brunette gritted her teeth and glared angrily as the male stepped in, demolishing Delphine's chance of evolving. Her moment of glory wasn't going to be taken away just like that! Gasping at the sight of a brutish Croconaw, Sharada had a very tiny time frame to save her Pokemon. Grabbing Kirin's ball which she had rightly sectioned off earlier, the brunette tossed the Pokeball forward, hoping her loyal Zebstrika would protect Delphine in time, "KIRIN USE SHOCK WAVE!" Upon hearing these words, Kirin's hooves clashed against the ground and sensing the dire situation, neighed out loud and was ready to move straight into his attack.

[The REAL Joey]

~~ VS. Silver ~~

Angrily staring down Sharada, Silver almost couldn't help but let a mad tickle of laughter slip from his lips as she proved just how much of the picture she was blind to. "You're definitely a rookie grunt. The way you think a recruiter would even REJECT me. That's laughable. You obviously don't know who I am." Leering his auburn eyes warningly, he decided now wasn't the best time to go into his past. And in his heart of hearts, why should he? This lowly grunt may have met him more than once but she was no where near worthy of being told such a huge bombshell. It wasn't like he used this knowledge sparingly either. Instead of actually resolving his conflicted past, he snarled his lips and lashed back at her in a vehement tone of voice. "You can take your offer and cram it. I'm not interested. Nothing will stop you Rockets from falling apart again. You're an inevitability waiting to screw up big. Obviously getting heckled by some lofty child all those years ago wasn't enough of a beating to get it through your thick skulls." Looking at his Croconaw, he grinned evilly. "Maybe a crushing bite from him would prove sufficient."

Almost spitting on the ground as Sharada tried comforting her Ralts, Silver shot a look of aberration. "If it feeds on spiteful comments then you're obviously doing a shameful job. So malnourished it can barely keep up its oversized head." In a short matter of seconds, the Ralts would be sprawled all across the floor but the entry of an imposing steed put things at odds with Silver's grand plan. "Hm. I don't know what kind of Pokemon that is but you're not taking Croconaw out easily. He may be dumb but he's strong." Slowing to a halt, his Croconaw gnashed its jaws aggravatedly as it sized up its new opponent. Normally, it'd decide to run and cower but for the first time ever it had just received some roundabout praise from his very own trainer... Was this a dream? Boosted by his words, Croconaw bulked up his own posture and stared down Kirin who did not look pleased in the slightest by this despicable form of bullying. Urged by Sharada's words, Kirin summoned a mighty bolt of lightning with its horns and sent forward a spiralling wave of electricity. Startled at the prospect of being zapped, Croconaw stood its ground in the futile hope Silver may praise him more.

Oh how he tried and tried and tried to be the strong behemoth his master wanted. If he could just get his acceptance, he would do anything. "You... Can do it Croconaw...! Don't you dare lose here!"Keeping his eyes shut through the whole ordeal, Croconaw was relieved to open them still conscious as the attack filtered off. Seeing the horse trying to recollect its energy, the crocodile lurched forward with a murderous rampage. Its jaws wrung throughout the cave as they echoed its hideously sharp gnashing. These clashes soon turned to that of tearing through flesh. Then came the agonised neighs of Kirin who was almost mortally wounded. It had received a good shock but it appeared the reptile gave as good as it got. "The moment my Croconaw retaliated back at your zebra... I saw it. The look of utter fear and despair. It appears your Pokemon isn't used to things hitting back at it." He was close to losing but that didn't mean he was going to ease up on the taunts.



Trainer Battle

---

Silver's Croconaw | Level 23 |
Health : 19% (13/70 HP)
Status : Normal
I bet you taste reeeeeeaaaaal good

Kirin | Level 27 |
Health : 53% (69/85)
Status : Normal
Stand down vicious plebian

---

[Morrigan]

Sharada fell silent as Silver shot hack at her with another rant, gritting her teeth and appearing visible irritated by his behaviour. The way he felt so high and mighty about himself really ticked her off and rubbed her the wrong way. If she actually have the courage and strength, she probably wouldnt hold back and just march over there, give him a good slap or two around the face and then go back to her spot. Being in a group wanting to take over the world, she couldnt quite say it out loud, but she really despised people who looked down on others. His cocky attitude and use of words also teased the back of her mind. Whilst she was thinking how much of a pain he was, little did she know who truly stood in front of her. If she did, she would have bound, gagged and tossed him in a bag to take back to HQ. Pleasing the boss of all bosses would surely allow her possession of Doopliss in a second. It was too bad she had no clue.

Then, there was a comment about some kid defeating the Rockets. Actually, she had heard the odd snippet like this once or twice. Merely forcing a smirk, she added, "Well, aint gonna happen this time. The people's knight in shining armour hasnt appeared to stop us yet, doubt he'll be able to either. Afterall, Rockets were taken down once, we've smartened up and wont let it happen again." She didnt know what the hell she was saying but the words spurted out regardless. Being from Hoenn, she had no idea who this male was which apparently took down the Rockets in the past. Rumours spread around her own little ocean region that a lone trainer was able to sort out the dispute between Team Aqua and Magma but she highly doubted that this could be the same one.

Saving her thoughts of some legendary trainer for another time, Sharada's icy blue gaze was glued to her Zebstrika as it shot forward towards the Croconaw. Cautiously moving herself, Sharada managed to retrieve the Ralts who was in such shock and stress that it couldnt quite find the time to evolve, yet the odd glow still radiated from her. Grunting at the sight of her Ralts in pain, Sharada looked back up to the battle only to see the enemy Croconaw take a huge chunk off from Kirin's chest with it's bite. Seeing the amount of oozing blood from the wound on his chest was almost enough for her to return him back but really, he had been through worse. Gym battles, wild encounters, the lot, this was just another experience to add to Kirin's list and Sharada didnt feel the need to remove this victory from him. "Hah, it doesnt seem like your Pokemon get out much. Afterall, I'm mere seconds away from winning." More than prepared to offer some potions to Kirin after this battle, her icy eyes couldnt help but wear a glaze of worry. "Kirin, use Quick Attack! Dont go easy on it!"


OOC: So much more I could've worked with but I honestly just cant think it tonight.

[The REAL Joey]

~~ VS. Silver ~~

Giving Sharada a calculated drill of his auburn coloured eyes, it seemed the brat was fast planning his eventual getaway. Not before leaving a few choices words of course. "Who said anything about a knight in shining armour? Something like that is way too archaic. Its time for a modern day version. One that won't stop until all of you are six foot under." Unable to go off further on his tirade, the vicious youngster flinched only slightly as Sharada hallowed the finishing words. Remaining perfectly quiet, he watched without a sign of remorse as his resilient partner was mowed down by the sudden unrivalled dash that Kirin boasted. Spearing the malicious crocodile right up into the air with a thrust of its majestic thundered horns, Silver's Pokemon merely grunted as it felt all consciousness slip away from its being.

Before its fainted body could properly hit the floor, a familiar red light enveloped its bulk and in a matter of seconds was returned to the sanctuary of its Pokeball. Stuffing it away into his jacket pocket, Silver took a couple of steps back, all the while keeping his eyes affixed on the female Rocket in case she pulled anything treacherous. "I pegged you down as a rival when you cheated your way to victory at Silver Cave. But I know for certain now you're my arch nemesis now that you're ganged up with these rats. Next time we meet, I won't spare anything in my arsenal to finish you for good." Trudging back a few more steps, the teenage boy span on a step and made fast his retreat, leaving Sharada to pick up the pieces after the battle. His footsteps now but a fleeting echo, there were far more pressing matters plaguing Silver's mind. "I hate to say it but is friendship really what's giving her the edge? Most Rockets don't seem to established anything other than the fact their Pokemon are tools... But she... She had a bond. Dammit!" Cursing his revelation, things would surely be different the next time they met.



Trainer Battle

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Silver's Croconaw | Level 23 |
Health : 0% (0/70 HP)
Status : Normal
...

Kirin | Level 27 |
Health : 53% (69/85)
Status : Normal
Gutter trash like you got what you deserved

---

Victory!

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Your Zebstrika fought courageously, gained 1150 EXP and has levelled up!
It went up by 1 level and is now Level 28!
Kirin also gained +1 Happiness!

---

Having used all his Pokemon, Silver blacks out and flees!
In his haste, the angsty rival dropped some money.
You manage to retrieve a nice sum of £690! Score!
Proceed on to deal with the rest of the troublemaking
individuals halting the operation.

---

OOC: Updated matters for you.

[Morrigan]

Shivering with slight nerves after all the electrifying sparks which zapped from Kirin's body as it sped forward with on last attack, the brunette couldnt help but notice that the crimson hair boy had fallen into a state of silence. Perhaps he was thinking of a way to turn things around, to kill her himself or a route in which to escape but it didnt matter. She was winning and one step closer to retrieving this tail to get everything over and done with. Coughing behind her clenched fist and pushing up her glasses, she girl gave him one last icy cold stare as the attack collided. Half expecting him to run off and leave his Croconaw behind, she was greatly surprised as the crocodile was withdrawn that bit early. Smirking at the fact that he may have finally understood what he was up against, she couldnt help but laugh at his last trail of words. "Cheated? Nemesis? Whatever your playful little imagination can think up for now, I suppose. Next time we meet I wont be as willing to play games. Just remember that."

Not taking her eyes off the boy as he began to step back, she remained perfectly still as he charged towards the exit. This victory couldnt quite bring a smile to her face, too many thoughts plaguing her mind. He was irritatingly confident but was he as wanted as he was making out? His bitter attitude towards the large capital R really made her question it. Shrugging her arms, the sudden cry from Delphine giving into the light grabbed her attention. "D-DELPHINE!" Kirin trotted to Sharada's side, shielding her eyes a little from the bright light which now engulfed the underground Well.

Squinting as the light finally began to dim, Sharada had to pull down her shades, staring with her icy blue eyes at the sight of what had replaced her tiny Ralts. It was a Kirlia! With legs and arms long enough for her to now stand and look after herself, it seemed the little psychic type was in awe with her new figure. Kirin also snorted as if in agreement with this change before willingly tapping his snout against his Pokeball resting on Sharada's holster and returning himself. Leaving the two alone, the brunette was finally able to smile, "Yyou look great Delphine, I'm really pleased." Noticing that she lifted her head and tilted it as if in confusion, a painful expression soon crossed her face. Grasping her side, the tiny Pokemon fell to her knees, Sharada gasping out in horror and rushing to her side. "D-Dammit! That bit really did you in... Return Delphine, you deserve a good rest. But dont worry, if we meet that punk again, he's all yours."

Flinching at the sight of her Kirlia finding it difficult to keep her large crimson eyes open, the brunette swiftly returned the Pokemon and stood back up to her feet. Sliding her shades back on and double checking all her belongings, the girl looked from left to right, trying to decide which route to take next. She had already expected someone to jump her, which was Silver but after the evolution of Delphine she wasn't expecting anyone else.

[The REAL Joey]

"...AND STAY OUT YA WHIPPERSNAPPER!" A sudden thud to the floor echoed throughout the passageways leading to the heart of the cavernous Slowpoke Well. As the sight came into view, it seemed like the rambunctious Silver, others had dared to stoop into the Rocket's den. Despite their renowned infamy and the new ground they've gained since reforming, it would appear not everyone was as fearful of the mobsters as they had been the first time around. The victor of the recently finished battle was but a mere elderly male, a hand gripping onto the back of his hip and a weary aura about him. The Pokemon he had used was obscured by the darkness but nevertheless, it seemed to be everywhere and anywhere, just within the sanctity of the shadows. Just out of the cloak of the darkness was a tell tale sign. Sprawled with a pair of hands and a head with the rest of the figure's figure blanketed out of visibility, a familiar black hat sporting a big red R was messily dropped on the cave flooring. Letting out a wheezing cack, the figure turned around at the sound of footsteps approaching. Immediately seeing the R on her chest, the male burst out into a tempestuous outrage.

"DANG NABBIT! You no good Rockets think you can just do as ya please?! Not today, not while Kurt's here on the job." Wincing at a pain in his back, the man doggedly persisted on and raised a hand forward threateningly. "I may be just an ol' codger but this man ain't gonna cower no more." Letting out a pained gasp as his back seemed to be playing up once more, the elderly figure did everything to put it to the back of his mind. Thankfully, rage was one hell of an anaesthetic. "You little hoodlums may have got lucky pushing me down this well but my hip can hold on a lil' longer while I gave you all a GOOD hidin'! Mark my words!" Focusing his gaze a little harder on Sharada's appearance he let out an indignant grunt of disapproval. "To think they've got young lasses like you parading about like some sort of hussy! Where's ya dignity ya little wench?!" Obviously a man of tradition and chilvarly, it was clear his blood was boiling over to the point he might even pass out of his own accord. "SHUCKLE! ITS TIME TO SHOW THIS NEW WHIPPERSNAPPER WHAT'S WHAT!" As if slithering from out of the shadow was a weird tentacled beast.

At first, yellow writhing appendages kept close to the outer rim of the caves passageway wall but then came a disheartening scraping of something stone like against the own rocky floor of the cave. And then came the low sounding growl. Now in full view, the Pokemon known as Shuckle was now seen. It's many yellow tentacles were coiling around forming an impassable net like blockade, keeping anyone from advancing. Its boulder like shell acted as convenient little shield for the rest of its body, its tentacle like head poking out now and again as it examined the foes before it. Most Shuckle were actually very sweet and docile but this one seemed extremely enraged. Obviously it took after the feelings of its crotchety old trainer. Quickly allowing Kurt to pass through in a small opening, the elderly trainer yelled out from behind the wall of tentacles. "It's about time you disrespectful little urchins learnt to respect living things." Her mission objectives may have been clear but it was an age old case of easier said than done. With any more delays akin to the form of Silver and this miserly old Kurt, it felt almost as if Sharada would never reach her goal.



Trainer Encounter

---

Kurt is blocking your way!


He sends forth Shuckle (Level 25), who is blocking your way as bad as a Snorlax!
Please select a Pokemon for battle.

[Morrigan]

During her time of surveying the area around her, the sudden loud thump followed by a booming, echo of a voice caused her ears to prick up. Without even thinking of the possible dangers ahead, the brunette began to walk forward with great haste, venturing deeper into this underground Well. It was getting a bit darker, the intimidating rocky walls creating eerie shadows meaning anything could jump out at her. Due to that previous battle, a few of her Pokemon had fallen a bit weak, so another battle like the one with the crimson haired boy could lead to a bit of trouble. Turning the corner, however, her light blue eyes werent infact met with that of a youngster but more so the opposite. Hunched over with a hand on his back and angrily yelling, this elderly man seemed like yet another obstacle for her to overcome. Sharada had a great love for her grandparents, meaning that this may very well be difficult.

Then, she noticed it, the body of perhaps a fellow Rocket sprawled in the shadows and did her heart miss a thousand beats. Having trouble to gulp, a lump was caught in her dry throat, a slight drop of sweat rolling down her forehead. What the heck was in the shadows? The movements of the creature seemed to be coming from every direction, wiggles of shadows tricking her eyes. Even though she wanted to run, to save herself from this mysterious Rocket-killing beast and avoid hurting an innocent old man, it was far too late. The balding man turned with a wheeze of a cough, complaining about his back before spotting her and the red R sprawled across her chest. The girl's posture was nervous at first but holding back her nerves, she steadied herself, frowning behind her shades as he spoke out to her.

"H-Hussy? Wench?..." Trailing off before her brain could even think up a comeback, the girl was about to be shown the horror that had so violently finished off the previous Rocket. Scraping against the rock, her eyes widened as some tentacle beast dragged itself from the shadow and out into the open. Grimacing as it made some sort of wall with it's tentacle like arms, the brunette took numerous steps back to remain at a safe distance before instinctively grabbing a Pokeball. "If you're down here to try and stop us-... No, of course you are. You should turn back and head on home. It isn't brave and it isn't clever to try and stand up against us!" Needing to limit her words on the man incase his odd creature snapped and decided to break every bone in her body, the brunette swiftly sent forward her choice for this one; Cronos the Charmeleon. She had no idea what this thing was or what it was weak to but she knew Cronos wouldnt let her down, "Cronos! Dragon Rage!"