Crossing his arms and letting out a flicker of fire from his mouth, Salazar was annoyed to a degree that Joey had decided to call quits on this one so early as the Ultraball went flying past over his head. "
Hey jefe, I can take this joke. Not my problem if he wants to go dormido mid-battle, eh?" Knowing his Pokemon was upset once more, Joey pulled an uncomfortable face and shrugged sadly. "
Look partner, it's not that I don't doubt you're strong. It's more that we've got a stampeding buncha' Tauros waiting in the wings and I kinda fancy not being made to be as flat as a pancake, y'know? Don't worry, I know you'll always be my partner. From the start to the end." Giving Salazar a thumbs up, Joey turned to look at the ball, to which Salazar also followed. As much as he hated to put a hole in Joey's plans, the fiery lizard was actually hoping the slumbering oaf would break free and they could finish this little mano a mano to the end properly. As it rocked back and forth with its black and gold design, Joey leaned in closer, half expecting it to burst out. From all the tales he had heard back at his time in Fuchsia, his mother would always come home about all these near misses trainers had whilst out in the safari zone trying to capture this beast.
With a final rocking, the Ultraball made a small glow at the front of its sphere, notifying to all parties interested, that the Pokemon had been caught. "
Alright! We come out of this with a brute and a half and thankfully no stampeding nonsense." Looking to Calistra, Joey smirked cheerfully. "
Heh, looks like I won't have to be annoyin' ya for some illusions after all." Clawing her face, Calistra begged to differ. "
Don't talk so fast, simpleton. You've riled them up. Look." Pointing over her spare hand to where the remainder of the Tauros were stampeding around in circles, it seemed as if the lack of their alpha male had meant that they were now leaderless. And without a leader to reign them in and keep them under control, Joe, Calistra and Salazar were all fair game. Gulping, Joey quickly grabbed the Ultraball and let his mind race as he tried to come up with a way out of this. He knew he could rely on Calistra to make some illusionary copies of them and have the Tauros herd fooled to go for the illusions whilst they made a getaway. He could also rely on Chugga to create a smokescreen. There were options but he'd need to think fast on what they would decide on doing.
With Calistra already out, Joey was about to yell out when Salazar stomped forward, pushed past Joey. "
Not this time, jefe. I've had to put up with mice, cats and now sleeping bulls mocking me. This... This is what i've been after. Something to make the sangre pump like crazy. A whole Tauros stampede? No hay problema." Cracking his knuckles, Salazar kept a watchful eye as the herd grew closer. "
Dammit Sal, stop being a hotheaded idiot and stop tryin' to play the part of hero. We'll get out of her and go and give the broad in Olivine a tussle. I ain't letting my Pokemon risk it all here stupidly." Despite Joey's orders, Salazar chuckled confidently and went charging on forward to meet up with the herd without a single word. Not as fast as the Tauros themselves, he made sure he ran up on ahead to create enough safe distance from Joey and Calistra and decided to let the Tauros do the rest of the running. With the tip of the gang coming in close proximity, he quickly whipped his tail forward and exuded a dense smokescreen to aid in taking down as many of these Tauros as possible. Salazar was something of a brash fighter but he at least had some brains in longing this fight out so that he could muster some chance of winning. Confusing a number of the herd, they diverted off around the smoke as the few other Tauros caught up and rejoined with the herd.
His eyes flicking precisely from bull to bull, the Charmeleon made a mental note of their number. The odds were definitely stacked against his favour. "
Eh, what's a dozen when you've their big bad boss?" Taking advantage of the smokescreen that was still up, Salazar went dashing forward to confront one of the simpler looking Tauros that had aimlessly got lost in the smoke. Using his sharp claws, he spent a good few swipes lashing at the Pokemon to ensure that had been dispatched. Breathing heavily, the Charmeleon knew his dull claws weren't going to win this. Leering his eyes, he spotted that two more Tauros had noticed his presence and were now closing in on him. Opening his mouth, he pelted out two distinct bursts of fire from the depths of his lungs. Igniting the Pokemon up in a burst of fire they let out bovine screams of agony as they collapsed to the floor. "
Heh, this is too-OOOFF!" Butted from behind, it appeared that with the dissipating smoke, the rest of the Tauros herd had wizened up to Salazar's location. Each equally taking a turn to butt into Salazar with his horns, Joey hurried forward. He knew this was some sort of test his Pokemon wanted to get through on his own but he wasn't going to let his Pokemon idly be savaged in such a way. "
Back the hell off you bellends! How about you...!? Huh?"
Before he could finish his words, a sudden burst of light emerged from the centre of the Tauros' ring. As the light intensified, a distinctive growl that could only belong to Salazar sounded out. "
Ahhhh... Magnifico! This is it!" Having trained arduously in the time Joey had left him at the warehouse, Salazar was ready to prove his worth as an asset to the team and what better way than evolving into something greater. With the light so blinding, a number of the Tauros backed off with only the most bullish remaining. Exploding in a sudden surge of brightness, Joey and Calistra were left standing as they took on the form of the new and improved Salazar.
No longer a chest high lizard, he had turned into a fearsome winged dragon like beast! "
Oh crap man... Salazar weren't lying when he said he wanted to show us somethin'." Almost speechless, Calistra managed to reply in a whisper. "
Consider my interest piqued at this point." Letting out a deafening roar, Salazar wrung his fists against is chest and let loose a powerful blast of fire. "
Heh heh. Who wants to dance, eh Toro?" Visibly panicked some of the Tauros had the right mind to flee but it was the same bullish ones from earlier that stood their ground and inspired the meeker to remain. "
Time to test out these new gifts."
Instantly strengthening out his new found wings, the Pokemon utilised a new move it had realised upon developing these appendages. Striking and knocking out cold two of the Tauros with a simple flick of its wing span, Salazar did not relent there. Opening his maw wide, he summoned forth a steady stream of fire that burst out numerous expulsions of fiery blasts. Taking out a significant number of the herd, it left one considerably antagonistic looking Tauros left. Clearly the second in command after the they had captured, it was up to this Pokemon to reclaim the dignity that had just been stolen from this proud bunch of bulls. Scraping his hoof against the dirt path, it let out an indignant burst of hot air from its flared nostrils as it stared down the Charizard. Failing to blink, Joey's Charizard continued on staring back at the Tauros with no let up of its gaze. At this point, it would be tantamount to surrendering and Salazar wasn't about to let that happen. Instead leering his eyes, Salazar flicked his wings out to show off his impressive wing span and to further intimidate the Tauros. Taking this as the final insult, the Tauros let out a frenzied roar as it charged forward, its deadly horns jutting out as it lowered its head to hopefully gouge the dragon.
Stomping his foot defiantly into the ground, Salazar stood his ground and with a deft grab of the bull's horns, grappled onto them and stopped them from wrecking any serious damage. The only problem now was he had to contend with the animal's sheer strength as it continued to gallop along to try and pierce it. Leaning forwards as it tried to counter act the force, they were at a stand still in trying to overpower the other. Even with Salazar trying to guide him to the side both ways, the Tauros wasn't budging and simply remained on its path. Growling angrily, Salazar had at this point had his share of the Tauros' antics. The demonstration of its strength had gone on long enough. Opening up its mouth once more, the Pokemon decided to top this off with a grand finale. Its eyes turning into a frightening glow, the Charizard began to conjure forth an orb of fire as the light around them appeared to die out. Eventually growing in size, Salazar shot the orb forward as it turned into a bluish flame of draconic rage. Having grappled the Tauros by the horns, the move had hit with such close proximity, the Tauros simply perished as the move made contact.
The hellfire still burning around it, Charizard looked to the horns that had been retained in its hands and stared at them considerably. At this point, Joey and Calistra were struggling to tell what had happened. "
He didn't, did he? He didn't just outright OBLITERATE that last Tauros?! Crikey!" Trying to sense past the intense flames, Calistra confirmed as much. "
I can't sense anything... Maybe your partner is worth more than I gave him credit for." The dragon rage fires now dying down, Salazar turned on the spot and looked to Joey and Calistra, his outline only really visible. One thing that was noticeable however was that the Charizard now seemed to sport an extra set of horns.
Stomping past the fires, it became clear he had taken the bull's horns and wedged them into its own skull, now showing off a fearsome set of extra horns. "
Heh, gotta remember the fallen." Joked Salazar as he walked up to his allies. A cocky smirk on his lips, the Charizard looked to Joey for approval. "
So, jefe? Whaddya think? My training paid off, huh?" His eyes blinking, Joey had no idea what to say. Which in itself was a feat miraculous given how much he loved to talk.
"
I... I..." Trying to find the words, a moment of silence fell between them all before he finally found what he was trying to say. "
The day I stole you away from the lab, I had no idea that you would become something so great and powerful. I mean hell, you were bit of a naive little nipper, eh?" Grinning from ear to ear, he recalled how young he seemed when he was but a Charmander. "
Then you evolved up into a Charmeleon and I do reckon part of that little ordeal in Union Cave shaped you into the gent I see before me today. You developed a better understanding of the world. Into the cool customer we all know and love." Shaking his head, he raised out his arm and patted his newly acquired Charizard on the side, feeling the roughness of his scales. "
But now you've become some badass dragon." Clearly overjoyed, he punched his fist into his open hand. "
Haha! Guys at the warehouse are gonna be so jealous. But they won't recognise ya. And with them wings, man... We could go flying back and break in from the ceiling. They'd lose it completely, haha." Returning a hearty laugh of his own, the idea pleased Salazar. With the three of them enjoying this turn of events, it seemed matters were unfolding elsewhere at the very same time...
Filled to the brim with members of Joey's gang as well as the Pokemon he has come across since adventuring across the region of Johto, his supposed abandoned warehouse was anything but. Now it seemed as if they would have to change the name. With most of the gang members generally hanging out and chilling, they would socialise and look after the various Pokemon Joey had acquired. Of course, not all of Joey's reserves were interested in fraternising with humans. A good number Joe had caught bore him ill will or were on the wilder side and could not care less what happened to the little group they had going on there. The follow events would centre around a number of Pokemon which shared such dissent. Oozing up from a crack in the floor, a sludge like Pokemon none other than Hexxus the Grimer appeared to be surveying the main warehouse. Looking at all the Pokemon there, the nefarious character was definitely up to something. Most of the Pokemon regarded him with mistrust and knew him to be a crafty schemer. Which was right on the money. "
Well, well, wellity, weeeeellllllll. What mischievous endeavours can be done today? The place is bursting to the seams with all sorts of pieces to play in this woeful game of chess. Myes, I do wonder... Mhm. What a diabolical idea, eheh. Heheheheheheh. Ohohohoho." Reducing himself back into a disgusting slime, he slipped back through the cracks and made his way over to the first of his targets for the ruse he had planned.
"
Mephisto, Mephisto, my good ol' chum Mephisto, ohoho. What a coincidence bumping into you here. Why, might even be fate engineering this chance meeting? Mhm." Twiddling his sludge like fingers against one another, the moody psychic stood up from having leaned against the wall and stared at the Grimer with intense scrutiny. "
Hmph! You dare approach the presence of the great and almighty Mephisto! You vile... HM?" His eyes leering closely together, Mephisto had used his advanced psychic ability to read the scheming Grimer's mind. He cared little for the Pokemon's machinations and actually found Hexxus to be something of a laborious presence to be around but his idea was sterling. "
Ahaha! You can count me in. If the stupid blockhead is out to play, maybe it is time for us to do the same. Come, we shall find some other willing participants." Smiling evilly, Hexxus could see the pieces falling into place. "
Now, now, Mephisto. I'm sure you've read my mind on whom we can turn to next. A baneful assassin that has more than once toyed with death... Mhmhmhmhm. The perfection addition to our cause." Nodding, Mephisto touched the Grimer reluctantly and with a small burst of light, teleported to their next target.
Despite their sudden appearance, the next invitation on their list wasn't surprised in the slightly. Simply turning on the spot and rolling into a small, rotund ball, the next choice rolled out of harm's way and got a better vantage point at his would be assailants. "
I care little for who you both are. I've seen you around. But know this. If you have business with me, be prepared to pay the price." With Mephisto and Hexxus both leaning back with uncertainty, it was the silver tongued Hexxus who would break the silence and woo the ruthless Venipede. "
Scar, Scar, Scaaaaar. Myes, my wonderful little Venipede. How good it is to finally meet. I've admired your talents from afar. Word is, you're the baneful assassin. And what better way to prove this than join us on our merry little way, myeees." Clearing his throat, Mephisto chimed in having done a quick mind read of Scar and getting an understanding of his past. "
Ja, the goopey mess speaks the truth. What action and thrills await you here? Would you rather not accompany us out on our cause?" Eyeing them both up, it was clear Scar remained aloof and distrusting of the duo but the chance for some action was hard to pass up. "
I could kill both of you in the blink of an eye. Any double crossings and you won't have a chance to regret. As long as this is clear." Smiling with an oily look to his expression, Hexxus was most pleased. "
An excellent decision my good friend, together we're one step closer to succeeding in our little foray."
Using his powers of teleportation, Mephisto whisked the now growing number of the team to their next invitees. Known for their ferocity and savageness, they occupied a fairly large territory to themselves and were referred to as the prehistoric gang. It was a rather exclusive club with only two members but they were known to be ardent dissenters to Joey's regime. Arriving with safe distance between them, Mephisto looked over and quaked slightly. "
Hmph, we are not inviting those dummkopfs are we? My mind control fails on these brutes in the fact they have such tiny brains. Must be the reason for the blockhead failing to succumb to my powers. They are of to great a liability!" Sludging forward, Hexxus looked at the two ancient Pokemon and appeared deep in thought. "
Hmm.... Hmmmmmm.... HMMMMMMM! A tough call indeed. I shall approach these with promises of... Hm? Oh! Ohohohoho! Mephisto my good friend. We did right in inviting little Scar along." Ushering the psychic's gaze, it appeared that the Venipede had scuttled off into the prehistoric gang's territory and had done so without any sign of fear. Standing before them, Zidane and Ridley both shot the centipede a nasty, contemptuous look. "
What are you here for? Have a death wish you little bug? Disappear before Zidane swats you." Seethed Ridley as he remained on his perch on one of the structural supports. "
Enough. I'm not here to endure your petty comments. The psychic flake and the scheming muck have a proposal."
His lengthy maw turning into a despicable grin, Ridley leaned closer and decided to take notice. "
Alright. You've amused me enough by showing such fearlessness. Hurry up and get on with it before I lose interest." Relaying the information he had been told, Ridley exchanged glances with Zidane and continued his devilish sneer. "
Heh, if it means escaping from this wretched dive. At this point I would deeply prefer being left in my amber encasement. Count us in." Letting out a nod of his lofty head, Zidane pledged his support also. Turning around and returning to Mephisto and Hexxus, Scar informed them of their team up. "
The prehistoric duo are in." Scoffing Mephisto found this impossible but Hexxus was quick to move on. "
Very good, veeeeeery good my friend. You are clearly made of the same caste as I. A way with words, the gift of the gab if you will, mhm, myes." Not quite done with his plan, Hexxus had one final call to make. "
Now, what you must all realise is, if we are caught, which is probable we will, a scapegoat is needed. One who led us all astray on their flights of whimsy. Ohohohoho, it's not as if we would have the mastermind to develop such a plan? Why, there is only one diabolically, rueful villain in this group who could devise such a scheme." Reading the Grimer's mind, Mephisto teleported and it wasn't long before he came back with his arm holding onto a rather disgruntled reptile.
"
Argh! You blundering buffoon! Unhand me! Do you have any idea who you have your bony hands on? It is I, the great King K.Rool! And I demand you let go of me lest I sound the alarm and lay waste to you with the might of the K.Rool Klan!" Raising an incredulous eyebrow to what the Sandile had just said, it wasn't long before the words it had angrily stated invited a round of raucous laughter from the rest of the group gathered here. The K.Rool gang did in fact exist however the real joke of the matter was that it comprised of K.Rool himself and his near sighted lackey by the name of Bottles. It was hardly a fighting force to be scared off. Dropping the Sandile off onto the floor with a plonk, Mephisto shook his head. Rebalancing the crooked crown that balanced on top of his head the Sandile was taken aback as Hexxus wasted no time in closing the deal with the final member he required for this to work. It was all very well hatching this plan but if they didn't have a scapegoat to fall back on, it would fall completely to pieces. Rearranging his body as if to pretend kneel, Hexxus spoke out hoping to appeal to K.Rool's ego. "
Your majesty, may I say what an HONOUR it is to be basking in the glory of your presence. Truly, it is a wonderful day to be alive. As your subjects, I wanted to include you in on a plan we have going. You see, we wish to journey outside of this broken down castle. We just thought as our rightful king you would wish to accompany us."
Falling for the ploy hook, line and sinker, K.Rool lapped up the Grimer's words. "
Hah hah hah! I like the cut of your jib. You may well yet earn your place into K.Rool's gang. Brilliant, I like the sound of this plan." Looking up from kneeling, Hexxus smiled in a disgustingly slick like manner and commended the Pokemon's decision. "
Is it any wonder your regal self is our kingly saviour? Excellent, myes." Deciding to make clear the last leg of their plan, the Grimer parted a section of his body and drooped out a number of Pokeballs. "
My good friends, these Pokeballs may be a hated sight, an extension of our enslavement but they shall also be our blessing, not just a curse. With these, we shall escape in them and make our way to the outside world." Sneering with a cocksure grin, Hexxus made clear why they had to do this. "
Some of us are..." Looking over to the prehistoric part of the group, he continued on before moving his gaze elsewhere. "
Quite sizeable, mhm. It would be obvious we would be disappearing. Mephisto however, being humanoid in form and shape, can disguise himself as a human and we can escape via the computer network." His arms slicking outwards as they dripped with sludge, Hexxus pointed to some clothing he had obtained. "
What's more, I even procured some clothing our delightful overseer Looker left out for laundry. With that hat and jacket, i'm sure we'll keep suspicion low. So... Any questions? Do speak up now, this is a historic undertaking." Receiving none from the assortment of villains, Hexxus began returning them to their Pokeballs.
Leaving just Mephisto and Hexxus alone, Hexxus made clear of one last thing. "
Don the disguise, make for the terminal and on our way we go! Myes, not a bad plan, hm?" Saying nothing, Mephisto put on the long trench coat and large rimmed hat. Feeling awkward, he returned Hexxus into his Pokeball and took the assortment of Pokemon into the jacket pocket. Making a swift departure for the PC terminal they had, Mephisto used his keen psychic ability to make sure the watch was clear and that nobody had seen him wearing such outlandish garb. Finding the terminal Hexxus spoke of, he clicked the submit button and it wasn't long before the entire team was electronically shifted to a new destination. Appearing inside a Pokecentre, Mephisto had little clue as to where they had arrived. Given the system was likely keyed in to follow Joey as closely as possible, it was likely he wasn't too far off. Raising his collar, he felt uncomfortable as a kid began looking at him awkwardly. "
Little dummkopf...!" Using his psychic powers, he created a psychic illusion that blanketed his appearance and made him look slightly more human. It was a weak attempt but would help prevent any excitement for the time being. Slowly walking out of the Pokemon centre, it appeared they had arrived in what could only be described as a rustic, traditionalist city.
Having little interest in human dwellings, Mephisto made a beeline for the city gates and exited out of them into the wild sprawl of Route 37. Feeling a bit more at home now there was less humans in the way, Mephisto looked about. He had read Hexxus' mind and knew there was a bit more to the plans he had let on to the rest of the gang. With enough muscle and talent accompanying them, all they needed to do was enlist more wild Pokemon to do their bidding in the hopes of causing a rebellion. Pulling an uncertain face, the psychic type Pokemon stepped forward and began wading through the tall grass. This is what Pokemon trainers did, was it not?
OOC: Boxing the Tauros for now, will fill out details later.
Using x2 Rare Candy from my inventory (Auto-updating) on Salazar and letting him evolve into Charizard. Once evolved, replacing Scratch with Wing Attack.
To shake things up as well, i've done a MEANWHILE ELSEWHERE schtick where Joey is still in route 38 but some of the dissenters in his team have decided to have a little day trip exploring elsewhere. To reflect this, i've replaced all party Pokemon to ones who haven't had as much limelight. I'm currently venturing on Route 37 during night time. 
VS
