Mahogany Town

Angelique's behavior shouldn't have surprised Liz by now, but she still shot a sidelong scowl at the red Smoochum even as she tried to ignore the rude creature. Something her mother tried to teach her, don't give attention to someone with a foul attitude and they'll stop using it. She really hoped that Angelique had heard of that too. Cherry was preoccupied with Josette and her wisdom as a far more experienced battling Pokemon. It was simple concepts she was offering, but the Cyndaquil nodded along and absorbed all he could from her anyway. He felt sometimes like he was supposed to take care of the rest of the team and so listening to others when they had something to say felt like part of his job. The smarter and stronger he was, the better he could protect his family. "You guys really do know a lot. I feel like I'm still in Newbark Town compared to all of you." The little rodent remarked, shaking his head. Josette certainly had achieved a new level of intimidating for Cherry but he was in no way discouraged by her. She was, after all, sitting here and trying to teach them what she could. Everything he took away from today, including those battles he was watching, would be for his betterment. "Th-that's good...I don't know if I'm learning anything." Liz mused, avoiding eye contact with Marcellus at his mention that her Pokemon could still learn even if she failed to do so. She was only being hard on herself, she was taking in what Julian and Marcellus had to teach just fine. It was the gross difference in power and skill between the young woman and her friends that was discouraging her. What might have been major achievements before seemed like tiny steps when she tried to look at her friends and what they had already accomplished. The only thing that stopped Liz from giving up entirely was their assurance that she was, in fact, a good trainer. Regardless of her mistakes.

The battle had to be something legends were made of. Maybe Pryce was used to such encounters, Marcellus surely was with the way even his little babies would speak. Liz was watching a spectacle the likes of which she had never seen in her life. She cheered and she cringed and at no point was she settled. The battle was visibly difficult on both sides--and more of Julian's Pokemon fell than Liz would have liked to see--but after all was said and done, it was rather short. Not that one could tell from the way the redhead looked at the end. She seemed just as used up as the defeated Pokemon. The matches were replaying in slow motion and streaking by at the same time. She would catch herself focusing on moments that were making her upset when she should have been taking in the strategies used to get into those situations. Cherry watched with fascination and flailed helplessly whenever Liz get overzealous and waved the poor Cyndaquil around. Both trainer and Pokemon's thoughts scattered at the sight of one of the world's Gods taking the field in a last effort to defeat the Gym Leader. Liz was gripped by the sheer terror of such a beast she had only witnessed from far away and on the cusp of defeat by Julian before. At its full strength and too close to escape, Liz couldn't help freezing under Zekrom's sheer pressure. The blast that finished Piloswine caused Liz to shudder before falling to her knees. She'd had tears pricking her eyes throughout the battles as she tried to focus and refrain from crying when her friends were being beaten. Those tears now flowed down her cheeks as Cherry struggled to regain his senses. The Cyndaquil had been awestruck, but he knew death when he saw it. "T-t-that thing...How could I...ever...?" Cherry was understandably afraid and disheartened in the face of the Legendary Zekrom. He was far too young to be thinking about how to defeat the mighty Unovan Dragon.

When Liz's grip fell, Cherry slide to the ground and trembled there before forcing himself to stand up on his hind legs to peer over at Pryce as he berated Julian but also rewarded the young man for a worthy battle. Liz was looking to Julian, but she saw nothing as the image of Zekrom still threatened the woman's thoughts. It fell to her Cyndaquil to take in the last moments of Julian's battle and appreciate just how each leader behaved. Pryce was a gruff, ornery old man but he didn't shy away from a well-earned defeat. He was angry that Zekrom had rampaged for even that moment, and nothing more. Cherry couldn't help but feel like Pryce would not like Mom at all. She had gumption and she fought for what she believed, but she was still an idealistic child with no idea what those ideals meant. He still shook with fear, but he was recovering, grateful for the distraction of having to take care of Liz's needs in place of his own. He was staring up at his trainer quietly before furtively glancing at Josette for help. He said nothing, trying to devise a way to snap Liz from her waking nightmare on his own, but he knew Josette was capable of doing so far more easily than he could hope to. Once she was snapped back to reality, she needed help to stand up on weak legs and it took all of her will not to throw herself into Marcellus for comfort. "I-I'm fine. I'm--I'm okay." She offered with a hoarse rasp of her voice. It was like she had been sobbing endlessly even though no sounds had come out when Zekrom frightened her so. "I-is it over? We should congratulate Julian." She added as the thought of supporting her friend helped Liz to shake off that fear. That's right. Julian controlled Zekrom now. He wouldn't let it hurt her. He controlled Zekrom. He wouldn't let it hurt her. He controlled Zekrom...

Liz had been able to walk off the jelly legs by the time she met back up with Julian and gave him a strong hug that might worry the teen. She was still shivering from time to time, but she could blame that on the cold and her ill-prepared wardrobe. "You were so amazing! I never in a million years could have beaten that many people!" She declared cheerfully, forgetting to make her mouth visible to Julian as she spoke and only hoping he was looking. The woman just couldn't help putting herself down when she looked at her friends. He had only proven again how far beyond her he was and how impossible a trek it felt like to reach him. Why a guy like him ever wanted to kiss her was unfathomable in her thick skull. She smiled at the young man all the same as the hug fell back from suffocating to uncomfortably tight. She had rejected him before, but that didn't mean she didn't care for him. Liz hadn't decided on her actual answer yet, but she felt she had simply been approached too soon. Julian was an impressive man all his own and she just had to figure out how much she appreciated that.


Pack: x16 Rare Candy, Pokeball x, Potion x, Pokedex, Oran Berry, x2 Pecha Berry, TM19 Roost, x2 Great Ball, x2 Berry Pot, Sail Fossil, Green Barrette, Choice Specs, x2 Belue Berries, x2 Durin Berries, x2 Pamtre Berries, x2 Spelon Berries, x2 Watmel Berries, x3 Boost Mulch, Red Barrette, Pink Scarf, Changing Star Seal, Aspear Berry, Cheri Berry, Chesto, Berry, Rawst Berry, Quick Claw, Rainbow Spray (Used for Zodiac Absol), EXP Share, x4 Ultra Ball, Big Mushroom, Moomoo Milk, Illusory Candle, TM 99 Dazzling Gleam, TM 13 Ice Beam, x3 Salac Berries, x3 Ganlon Berries
Plot Piece: Ring of Alolan Dugtrio Hair (Curse)
Pokemon Encounter: 65/7 Wild Encounter Charged!
Trainer Battle: 92/25 Trainer Battle Charged!
Item Posting: (TM 09 Venoshock) 7/50
Badges: Zephyr Badge


Pokemon:

After the battle, and with Liz's embrace, it had fallen rather quiet. Marcellus looked at the destruction and waited for the next move to be made. Now Marcellus usually was one to be four or five steps ahead when he wanted. He was calculating, and he made sure he got to where he needed to be. He chose his words very carefully when he was thinking about it, so every word he said previously was thought out, so that it was indeed positive, he didn't want to pull away from Julian's feat. The Seven gym in any region was nothing to laugh about, but he did want to make sure he worded everything carefully, so it would mean exactly what he wanted. And it did. They soon left the wrecked gym, he didn't quite want to stay much longer to begin with, fearing the return of the leader, and they began towards the Pokecenter.

Julian turned over his Pokemon to Nurse Joy, and it would seem that they might branch off to do their own thing. He turned to speak with Liz once again, only to find an empty area and the door shutting behind her. Marcellus blinked for a moment and looked down to his smoochum. "Very peculiar that one." Marcellus commented, which for him that wasn't a bad thing. "I like her" Josette spoke with a sweet smile. There could be a number of reasons why Josette would like someone, but Marcellus was sure it was just because Liz was nice to her. "I liked her first, Josette." Angelique blurted out, but both Marcellus and Josette turned their heads without pause and gave her a quick shush, and began on their way. Marcellus wasn't quite sure what exactly what he was wanting to do. Training wouldn't exactly be ideal in this climate. The only ones he would want to train would be against the elements, Novu and Ryer he assumed, so he knew that option was out. With Cronus gone still, which his extended vacation was starting to work on the male's nerves, he couldn't check up on those he wanted to. Sure he could call them, but he wanted to check without them really knowing, they didn't need to know anyways. With that thought knocked out, his stomach growled. It had been all day since he had eaten, and that was a surprise. He was a lean male, however he definitely was well fed. With his resources, and the few Pokemon that could cook at his house, as well as his own skills, he was never for a lack of food. "How about we make some breakfast bruschetta?" He asked, to which both Smoochum agreed, both feeling just as hungry. While it was obvious that it wasn't the morning anymore, there never was a bad time for breakfast, at least he thought. He knew there was a guest kitchen he could use, but without Cronus or even Alakazam there, he was going to have to go shopping himself. He set out towards the grocery store, and began his shopping. He didn't really need much help, or spend too much time shopping since he was making one meal, he just had to make sure he had enough. He bought a stiff quarter loaf of bread, sourdough toast to be exact, chickpeas, tomatoes, an avocado, a small bottle of olive oil that he would leave at the center, and a lime. He began back to the center, glad to see Liz hadn't returned yet, hopping they wouldn't have to wait as he cooked. He was going to make enough for Liz, Julian and his Smoochum, maybe an extra slice or two for any extra Pokemon, but if they didn't want it, he was sure he could feed it to his Pokemon as they moved on. He set the bag down and began to lay everything out as he needed it. He didn't want to use the dull knives that were already there, that would be unpleasureable. He reached into his own pack and pulled out one of his own cooking knives and uncased them. He started to slice the loaf of sourdough, having to force it a bit seeing it was lightly toasted already, and stuck them in the supplied toaster to brown even more and get warmed. He thought that would be nice in this weather. He quickly chopped up the tomatoes and set the aside then move over and poured out the juice form the chickpeas in the can, something he didn't exactly like, preferring them more fresh... but This is what he'd have to do without Cronus. He poured the peas into a bowl, chopped the lime and squeezed some juice out, salted and peppered them, and pulled out a mashing utensil. "Time for a bit of brutality." He thought out loud without realizing it. Usually if he was cooking with someone besides his Pokemon he would absentmindedly explain the steps he were taking, as if he were teaching them, and little comments like those would lip out, some seeming a bit off kilter. He began to mash and grind the chickpeas together until it was a nice smooth texture, and then moved over to the avocado, peeling it, and scraping out the actual edible part, and scooped them into a bowl, using the rest of the lime juice, salted it, some olive oil he began to mash and mix the avocado into a spread. Once the toast was done, he pulled the pieces all out and began to oil the slices with tomatoes on them, but then added tomatoes to a few slices, then the avocado, then chickpeas. It was something very simple, but also healthy.

He laid them all out on the plates, and cut a slice in half and put them on a plate. "Here you go." He commented as the two began to eat their halves. He turned back and leaned against the counter, ready to grab himself a slice, a familiar voice but not familiar silhouette came into the room. Marcellus had to take a moment to eye Liz over, wearing a large and thick pink coat with red ribbons... He almost wished he could have offered her a coat from Emiri's closet at his house before she got...that. He never really liked anything in the redish hue. But he didn't let it stop him from listening as she spoke to him and the near by Julian. Apparently having taught her seel Gus a new attack. "What did you teach him?" Josette asked as she swallowed, curious about which attack he now knew. However, Marcellus was ready to answer her question. He reached back and pulled out the plate and held it out. "I made us a quick, and somewhat late, breakfast." He commented. He was holding it out so that both Liz and Julian could get a piece or two. The thought crossed his mind to only make enough for him and Liz, with that stunt Julian pulled not allowing him to fly with them, at least how he assumed. But no, he wanted to appear that he was the better person and offer him some too. "It's a Bruschetta, something easy we can eat on the go. It has tomatoes, Chickpeas, and avocados on them." He explained, gesturing to each in case they liked or didn't like the ingredients.

Liz could only beam at Marcellus and Josette as they showed interest. She presented Josette with a fragment of the Ice Beam TM as if that somehow explained everything. Although maybe the frozen Pokédex could’ve tipped the Smoochum off. “Ice Beam! He...froze my Dex. But he’s really good with it!” She declared emphatically, although she had never actually tested the attack before deciding such a thing. Gus could have frozen her device by accident and she was none the wiser. The redhead smiled brightly at the offered breakfast item and crunched into the toast without listening to Marcellus’ description. The brief drain of color from her face indicates she would have benefited from doing so...Liz still tore off the chunk in her mouth and gulped it down with some effort. She looked ill but didn’t show any other signs she didn’t like what she was given. “Haha...sorry. Not a fan of avocado. I should’ve listened so I knew what I was biting into.” She explained apologetically. That didn’t stop the young woman however as she crunched again—her blanch less obvious this time—and finished her given slice in a surprisingly clean display of barbaric eating habits. “Ma says to never leave a plate full. It’s rude. And wasteful.” Liz muttered sheepishly before licking her lips and snagging a napkin to wipe her mouth.

The note Julian stuffed into the redhead's hand was almost dropped, but Liz gained the sense to grip the paper before it fell. She frowned in thought at Julian's note, not sure she wanted to have another trip outside. That didn't stop her from giving the young man a nod before she smiled at him. "Yeah? We can do that! I think I need to train my Pokemon a little. I think I owe them." She stated, waving to Marcellus as she spoke. "Hey, Julian's going out training. Wanna come?" She asked the white-clad trainer. Her hand resting on her belt now as she fingered one of the Pokeballs thoughtfully. Glancing at the pair of Smoochum, Liz turned away and followed Julian out of the Pokemon Center. The walk up to the bridge was not enjoyable, but she survived the trek. Persian going up against that Fearow was surprising and Liz cried out at the first Thunder. The battle was short-lived and another Thunder ended it for the poor Fearow. Liz looked around as if she felt watched as she crossed the bridge. Instead of being ambushed at the bridge as one might expect a clever Pokemon to do, Liz didn't find trouble until she stumbled up by a cave mouth that had an uncomfortable warmth whispering from deep inside. Faint sounds in the darkness gave Liz a clear indication that she shouldn't be going in there. Instead she was shown how right she was when an Arbok staggered out of the dark like a weary hiker. Liz screamed and the serpent Pokemon shrilled in response. The Poison Type swayed side to side, freaked out by the sudden appearance of a human and trying to scare her off! Fluffy instead came out of her ball into the freezing cold and promptly zapped the Arbok when he made a menacing lunge forward.

Realizing it was up against an Electric Type, Arbok made the smart decision and scooped snow and dirt into its mouth before hocking the Mud Bomb at Fluffy's eyes. The Flaaffy recoiled with a cry and shook her head hard to toss the mud from her face and wool. It didn't work but Arbok wasn't slowing her down, either. "Fluffy! Go for it! Use Thunder Wave!" Liz cried, hoping for the effect to be immediate and let Fluffy do some harm back to Arbok. The snake Pokemon yelped in pain before it seized and crumpled on the ground in a shuddering heap. Liz was about to press the advantage she now had when Fluffy fell into the snow as well, scraping her face on the ice trying to scrub the mud away. She had to pause, contemplating all the times Fluffy had paralyzed an enemy only to be knocked out immediately afterward. She was tough, but nowhere near deserving that kind of punishment. Even as Liz reached for her belt Fluffy staggered to her hind legs and began charging up for her next attack. Instead of fighting--and losing again--she was shocked to feel the comforting warmth of the energy from Liz's Pokeball. "You did good, Fluffy! Get cleaned up and stay warm!" She called to her Flaaffy before it vanished. "Time to go! Get 'im, Astro!" Cried Liz as she threw out another ball and released her Ledian. He flexed his six arms and buzzed eagerly toward his opponent. Fluffy was getting beaten up on a lot, and now he had the chance to get revenge for his sheep friend!

Astro was swift just like the time he had saved Liz from that Alolan Raticate. He swooped in and struck hard against the villainous Arbok. The large serpent was struggling to right itself when its nerves seized up again and left it convulsing on the ground. Astro stopped short of knocking it upside the head while it was frozen up like that, but he did still use Aerial Ace to land multiple blows across its body. He looked apologetic and buzzed backward to give Arbok space as it hacked and retched toxic spit onto the snowy floor. During Astro's next Ace, Arbok reared up suddenly and opened his maw wide as if he planned to gulp the Ledian down like a snack! Instead of chomping the ladybug he got a spray of slimy acid for all of his annoyance to the wild Pokemon. Astro yelped in pain, shaking off what he could before delivering a short pummeling to his target, then giving an uppercut to his jaw that staggered the miserable snake.

The battle continued like this for some time. Arbok stopped reasonably attacking Astro and seemed desperate to get away as he hacked and spit and tried to use Mud Bomb several times to no avail. The Bug Pokemon was more reluctant with each pass until he looked to Liz. She hesitated, knowing her Ledian was a good-natured Pokemon that didn't take pleasure in beating up on some helpless thing like that. She bit her lip before steeling her resolve. Astro needed to grow stronger too. This was her only choice! "I-it's OK Astro! It's fine! Give him everything you got! Go Astro!" She called, lying more to herself than her Ledian about being OK with this battle against Arbok. Astro faltered at the encouragement, but nodded all the same. He could at least fall back on his trainer to remind him it was worth it to beat this Arbok. Arbok reared up and tried to bite the pesky insect only to get bopped on the nose. He streaked around, back and forth, and punched up Arbok until he completed the combo with a centered blow to the head which knocked Arbok back into the mouth of the cave and against a wall. Liz looked to Julian with unease before her better nature won out. Bright red hair and ribbons bounced in the snowy air as Liz approached the Arbok and adjusted his position to be more comfortable. She picked Berries out of her backpack and dumped four into his mouth. As Liz placed both hands over Arbok's jaws and "chewed" the berries for him, she visibly paled while worrying about the thing waking up. It wasn't just fear of Arbok panicking and attacking her, Liz knew the Poison Type serpent well enough to be scared of it. A little spiteful, too. He was like that thing that messed up her arm! It made Liz pause in her compassionate act, fingers curling briefly over Arbok's nose as she considered an opportunity she hadn't entertained in a long time. Astro's concerned cry and a pick up in the wind made Liz snap out of her cruel fantasy and stumble away from Arbok. It flinched when its nose hit the floor, but remained unconscious. Liz's first victory in Mahogany Town was achieved!

Round 1:
Fluffy was Intimidated by Arbok!
Arbok used Mud Bomb! It's Super Effective! (-110) Fluffy's accuracy was lowered!
Fluffy used Thunder Wave! Arbok was Paralyzed!
Round 2:
Liz returned Fluffy, Liz sent out Astro!
Arbok used Swallow! ...But nothing happened.
Round 3:
Astro used Aerial Ace! (-50)
Arbok is Paralyzed! It's unable to move!
Round 4:
Astro used Aerial Ace! (-50)
Arbok used Spit Up! ...But nothing happened.
Round 5:
Astro used Aerial Ace! (-50)
Arbok used Acid Spray! (-30) Astro's Sp. Defense was harshly lowered!
Round 6:
Astro used Aerial Ace! (-50)
Arbok used Mud Bomb! ...It doesn't affect Astro.
Round 7:
Astro used Aerial Ace! (-50)
Arbok used Swallow! ...But nothing happened.
Round 8:
Astro used Aerial Ace! (-50)
Arbok Fainted! Fluffy gained 5 EXP! Astro gained 13 Exp!


Pack: x16 Rare Candy, Pokeball x, Potion x, Pokedex, Oran Berry, x2 Pecha Berry, TM19 Roost, x2 Great Ball, x2 Berry Pot, Sail Fossil, Green Barrette, Choice Specs, x2 Belue Berries, x2 Durin Berries, x2 Pamtre Berries, x2 Spelon Berries, x2 Watmel Berries, x3 Boost Mulch, Red Barrette, Pink Scarf, Changing Star Seal, Aspear Berry, Cheri Berry, Chesto, Berry, Rawst Berry, Quick Claw, Rainbow Spray (Used for Zodiac Absol), EXP Share, x4 Ultra Ball, Big Mushroom, Moomoo Milk, Illusory Candle, TM 99 Dazzling Gleam, TM 13 Ice Beam, x3 Salac Berries, x3 Ganlon Berries
Plot Piece: Ring of Alolan Dugtrio Hair (Curse)
Pokemon Encounter: 62/5 Wild Encounter Charged! (Arbok: lv. 39 18 exp m 300 hp Spit Up Swallow Acid Spray 30 -2 Sp. Def Mud Bomb 55 -1 Acc)
Trainer Battle: 94/25 Trainer Battle Charged!
Item Posting: (TM 09 Venoshock) 9/50
Badges: Zephyr Badge



Pokemon:

Josette didn't flinch as the now ledian swooped down to her closely. She wasn't afraid of the bug, and she was quite fond of him actually. He was brave, and heroic, as well as knightly. If she could have a knight of any kind, especially in the vulnerable stage, she'd happily accept them. So far, she honestly did enjoy his company, and was happy to see him, and she was proud to see that he had evolved. He then explained why he had to evolve, telling a harrowing tale of a black raticate that attack them. She clasped her nubs together, much like any princess would do, letting out a gasp as he spoke. "A black raticate? Wow, I'm sure you really took care of him if you evolved doing so." She spoke happily, the cloth hanging from her hat flapping about in the wind, though the pointed hat didn't seem to slide on her head, or come off. "I'm so happy for you, Astro! You're even more knightly now!" She congratulated happily. Marcellus listened to Liz as she explained how surprised she was about how the Arbok battled. "Every Pokemon hold surprises, especially in hostile environment like theses. It's best not to underestimate any Pokemon." He advised. Liz turned her attention to her Mareep who got the worse end of the battle she fought, so he turned his own attention to Ryer. He knew the strange reptilian Pokemon wasn't hurt, but if he experienced any pain, he was going to rid him of it with a potion or two. He didn't bother with trying to search for the Zubat where ever it was after Ryer used his tail as a baseball bat and sent it flying. He didn't really care to search for the bat, it would be fine eventually, and he didn't want to stumble onto any other bats.

Ryer had grown use to the snow, and began to prance through it, playing with the crunching under his claws, trotting in a series of circles and ovals. Enjoying the winds that caught and filled his wings. Marcellus pulled his coat across his chest as she followed Ryer a step or two, watching him bounce around, not wanting him to get to far seeing that it was blending in with the snow. Before too long, a scream caught his and his Pokemon's attention. Marcellus turned around quickly, as did Josette. He wasn't sure if it was the same one or not, but an arbok was now coiled around Liz and her mareep. Josette let out a cry of fear, as both smoochum and Marcellus took off running towards the snake. "Elizabeth!" Marcellus cried out, as he ran through the snow. "Josette, Angelique Freeze it off them" Marcellus ordered. Both red and white smoochum raised their arms to freeze the snake, but suddenly a black ball of energy came out of no where and slammed into Angelique, sending her into the air and into the snow a few feet away before she tumbled to a stop screaming. Almost immediately after another came into view, and hit Josette in the back as she was turned to watch Angelique tumble, sending her into the air as well. Marcellus looked to his smoochum wide eyed, and turned to see where the attack came from. It looked like a shadow ball, but it was more... black. He only saw mountain and snow, until a third came into view and slammed into his chest. He felt the force knock him from his feet and into the air like his Pokemon, and let out a yelp of pain. There wasn't a seering pain to it, he felt the ghostly energy run through his body, but it didn't hurt as much as he has felt like in the Ball. It was a distraction, or to stop them from helping? He didn't have time to think. Marcellus had landed in the snow on his back as he rolled to the side and rolled through snow clutching his chest. Ryer began towards his trainer as he spotted his own trainer in trouble, bounding for him, stopping at his side, and hissing in the direction of the attacks. He was expecting something like in the ball room, but the only thing that came into view was a mountain Flaaffy. Ryer didn't hesitate. He unleashed his anger in a wave of fire as he moved forward, and continuously blasted fire wildly. The flaaffy tried to defend itself by sending balls of electricity at Ryer, but his fire didn't slow until the flaaffy fled. Luckily for them everything was covered in snow, so once it melted the water put out any fire Ryer started.

Marcellus didn't worry about the fires as they were soon put out, as he began to get up, wincing at the feeling in his chest. It wasn't a pain, maybe an ache? It would be hard for him to describe the nonphysical pain he felt from the attack. "Oh! If I get my hands on what ever shot me!" Angelique shouted angrily. "I think Ryer took care of it?" She commented with confusion in her voice as she rubbed her face. It was strange that a Flaaffy would use shadow ball, or could... He had seen stranger things happen but he had a hard time thinking the sheep was the colporate. He didn't ponder on it long as he realized Liz could still be in danger. Marcellus was lucky he wasn't on any cliff side, and there was an open area for them to tumble, but still covered in snow Marcellus, Josette, Angelique, and the very warm Ryer, began back to his friend in peril. They of course weren't far, but as they came on the scene of them free from harm, and Liz attacking Astro. The snow ball attack was harmless for the most part, but the four couldn't help but stop and stare, Ryer's flat head ing to the side with confusion as he sat down. "Get him!" Angelique egged on, but he was soon returned. She turned on her sheep and he moved to stop her. Marcellus took a step to move closer, she was worked up and afraid, and he thought that wasn't any reason to take it out on her Pokemon. As if he hadn't done the same before. She stopped herself and returned fluffy, and whirled around quickly. She began to try and defend or explain herself, as she fumbled with her words, settling on "hatesnakes!" His wide eyes softened a bit. He remembered back the first time he was sucked into Darkrai's tower, when he first met Emiri. A Hydreigon swooped down and snatched him off the ground. He honestly thought that was it for him, and it was going to roast him alive. It was one of his most horrified moments of his life, and he could only imagine she were feeling the same, if she was afraid of snakes as she also seemed to hate them, which definitely made sense to him. He walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry we couldn't help you sooner." He began, normally Josette would have been able to get it off. Luckily for the snake's sake it was caught, and Josette and Angelique didn't actually freeze it solid. "Are you alright?" He asked her, looking her over for bites, and glanced to see if Julian had come to her aid as well.

Liz could not decide what she felt was worse. Knowing that Marcellus had seen her behaving this way, or realizing that he was not judging her the way she felt she deserved. Yes, he had shown distaste for her behavior, but his words were kind and supportive. He spoke as if he understood fear and hate. She didn't know any better than he did but it did cause the redhead a moment of bristling at the idea of him "approving" of her actions. She had so many things wrong, and Marcellus was doing so well to keep from treating her like a bad person, Liz simply felt like she deserved it. Not getting that harsh treatment made her feel worse as if Marcellus was going to decide she was someone worthy of praise. She felt like a complete low-life and her companion was simply interested in supporting her. His own apology for not coming to her rescue only made the redhead flinch. If it hadn't been for Astro, she and Fluffy could have been killed! She had seen Angelique and Josette prepare to fight, but her attention went elsewhere when faced with being strangled. Liz barely managed out a pitiful stammer still trying to justify her situation to Marcellus. "I-I know! It's fine.N-n-no-oothing's wrong! At all. I'm fine!" She insisted at the moment, looking around the mountain as she seemed convinced that she could find relief somewhere out there, waiting for her to just go and find it and avoid this awkward situation.

Diggle, who had been forgotten in Liz's anger, wandered away from the party barely a shiny blip on ground. She paused when she heard something climbing up a ridge. The Marill that she encountered made the Aron curious for the briefest of moments. She was about to ignore it when the rascally water mouse rushed up faster than Diggle could react! It wanted to battle and she had no way out of it! The first blow hit hard and Diggle was knocked silly. Her armored skin held, but she was reeling and her body throbbed from pain she couldn't compare to anything she had experienced before. That was saying something with Pokemon like that Alolan Raticate that had very nearly killed her at the Reserve. Diggle hunkered down and her plates glowed as she absorbed the next attack and threw Marill off. The Water Type staggered back and was struck by a follow-up Metal Claw combo that reduced Diggle's pains and gave her some of that lost strength back as her body hardened to deal with the new threat. Marill began to laugh and dance wildly while it was recovering from being hit so hard, making Diggle question its sanity until freezing rain began pouring down on the mountain. She flinched from being pelted by a handful of icicles--because that may as well have been what they were--then began to really fight back! Her head clanged violently against Marill's impressively strong nubs and tail, bouncing off of each other more than actually fighting after a while. Diggle fought bravely, and she did a lot of damage in spite of Marill recovering health with Aqua Ring, but she realized that she was no match from the beginning. Marill tensed its nubby arm and feinted one last punch which Diggle moved to Protect against like she had every attack after being hit the first time. Instead, Marill spun around and managed to time it perfectly so that its tail was reaching Diggle's head the moment she opened her eyes and lost focus on her protective barrier. Her skull rang and hot pain shot through exposed flesh. Then the world went black...

Liz was still trying to pretend that her behavior was nothing strange even though Marcellus had come right out and said he understood her position. Liz was going to answer Julian when she noticed him, redness creeping over her face, but she was grateful to see he hadn't come in time to know what she'd done. "Julian! Oh--it's fine." She made quick and futile attempts to sign to him as she stumbled through the snow to speak to her friend so he could read her lips. The rain began to fall then and harass everybody with freezing cold water pouring down from the sky. Anyone with sensitivity to weather would have sensed it coming the moment Marill began Rain Dance and Marcellus--most likely to be keeping an eye out right now--would have seen the clouds change for Marill's attack. Liz coughed into her gloved hand before smiling awkwardly. "It was just an Arbok! We're OK!" She spoke loudly enough that Julian would feel the vibrations, between that and her uncomfortable expressions there was no questioning that Liz was lying about what had happened. Rather, not being entirely truthful. The redhead was trying to think of how to explain what else had gone wrong, turning away against the cold rain and ignoring it while wanting to make up a good excuse to her friend why she wasn't worried about an Arbok that had just tried to kill her. For one, it was gone now, obviously. Liz opened her mouth to spit out a lame story when a sickening CRACK! echoed across the mountain. "It's nothing, really. Diggle just--" Her face went from a humiliated scarlet to ghostly white in the moments after hearing Diggle get taken down. Her heart sank and her stomach was twisting knots down somewhere in her feet. "D-Diggle..." She turned slowly, noticing the small path of Diggle wandering away who had been completely ignored after she freaked out. "Dig?" Without giving Julian a proper explanation, Liz turned away and started toward the source of the sound. She stumbled and punched the ground to keep from falling, forcing herself back up and beginning to run on the snow even as it grew slick from the rain. A burst of glittering water blew Diggle through a small snow bank and up into the air. Liz threw herself in the Aron's path and was knocked flat in the very next moment, losing some Pokeballs out of her bag and sending her team scattering off of her hip into the snow. "DIGGLE!!" The redhead screamed, cradling her Aron in her arms and looking up as Marill waddled up over the ridge. It looked confused, but it quickly became excited at the idea of having more opponents as it took a step toward the party.

Instead of getting to fight one of the stronger teams it could see, Marill was intercepted when Fluffy's ball snapped open and the Flaaffy lunged out battle-ready. In the very next moment, Fluffy was struck upside the head with Marill's tail and knocked for a loop before falling flat onto her face. Liz sobbed, trembling in fear of a tiny water mouse that was scarcely a point of notice for her friends. "Fluffy! Get up! Get up, baby! You can do it! You can't lose! You won't lose anymore! Fluffy!" Liz was sure her Flaaffy was down for the count, but she couldn't find her Pokemon among the balls scattered in front of her and she was still trying to protect Diggle against this monstrous mouse. It waddled toward Liz with the intent of harassing her friends when a thunder clap behind it brought its attention back to Fluffy. The veil of water around its body causing it to recover more from Diggle's earlier damage. It couldn't help but smile as Fluffy stood up with electricity crackling across her body as her wool took in the Charge necessary to boost her up again. Fluffy crouched down to all-fours as she channeled the power with Marill rushing forward to deliver the final blow against the electric sheep. Marill leaped and spun in the air to bring its tail down on Fluffy's head this time, but the attack never landed. Fluffy jumped up after her opponent, grabbing it around the middle and catching its tail between them. Her tail glowed and her wool sparked as she glared at the water mouse who suddenly looked nervous. It had sorely misjudged its target! In the next moment, the pair disappeared in a flash of lightning before a burnt Marill went sailing out of the blast range and Fluffy collapsed on the ground bleeding from her head wound. She sparked erratically before discharging her excess energy toward the sky and stumbling over to her trainer. She was more concerned with Diggle, her friend, than Liz but the redhead still grabbed onto her Flaaffy tightly when it got close. After so much stress and then being yelled at for nothing, Fluffy hadn't been expecting the hug. She had been starting to think Liz was just a really bad trainer. Not an awful person, just not someone that should be training Pokemon. Maybe she wasn't so bad...

"HELP! Marcellus! Julian! SOMEBODY!" Liz was still crying, grateful tears that Fluffy had beaten the Marill, but also terrified for her two battered Pokemon. "Diggle! She's hurt! Fluffy, too! Please help!" She pleaded, holding her bleeding Pokemon to her chest. The boys might not view anything in the mountain as a genuine threat, but Liz was a rookie trainer and outclassed even by the weakest Pokemon hanging around here. It was great luck for her that this was the worst she had experienced so far. The young woman was fumbling in her pack now, grabbing Potions and berries to help her Pokemon recover while--hopefully--getting help from the boys to make sure Diggle was OK. The Aron's mask was split diagonally from the gap above her right eye to a spot down below her left eye near the Iron Pokemon's nostril. Even though Marill was taken care of, the shift in weather wasn't changing back. Icy rain continuing to fall around the group of trainers.

Diggle vs. Marill!
Round 1
Marill's Huge Power takes effect! Marill's Attack raises greatly (+30%)! Marill used Play Rough! It's not very effective... (-72) Diggle's Attack fell! (48/120)
Diggle used Metal Claw! (-36) Diggles Attack rose! (264/300)
Round 2
Marill used Play Rough!--
Diggle used Protect! Diggle negated Play Rough!
Round 3
Marill used Rain Dance! It began to rain...in the mountain...covered in snow and ice...Have fun, kids!
Diggle used Metal Claw! (-40) Success! Diggle's Attack rose! (224/300)
Round 4
Marill used Aqua Ring! Marill began to refresh itself...! (+19) (243/300)
Diggle used Headbutt! (-77) (166/300)
Round 5
Marill used Double-Edge! Aqua Ring continues to refresh Marill! (+19) (185/300)
Diggle used Protect (Priority)! Diggle negated Double-Edge!
Round 6
Marill used Aqua Ring! Marill began to refresh itself...! (+19) (204/300)
Diggle used Headbutt! (-77) (127/300)
Round 7
Marill used Play Rough!--
Diggle used Protect! Diggle negated Play Rough!
Aqua Ring continues to refresh Marill! (+19) (146/300)
Round 8
Marill used Aqua Ring! Marill began to refresh itself...! (+19) (165/300)
Diggle used Headbutt! (-77) (88/300)
Round 9
Marill used Double-Edge!--
Diggle used Protect! Diggle negated Double-Edge!
Aqua Ring continues to refresh Marill! (+19) (107/300)
Round 10
Marill used Aqua Ring! Marill began to refresh itself...! (+19) (126/300)
Diggle used Headbutt! (-77) (49/300)
Round 11
Marill used Play Rough! It's not very effective...(-72) Diggle fainted! Go, Fluffy!
Aqua Ring continues to refresh Marill! (+19) (68/300)
Round 12
Marill used Play Rough! Fluffy's Attack was lowered! (-117) (3/120)
Fluffy used Charge! Fluffy's Sp. Def rose!
Aqua Ring continues to refresh Marill! (+19) (87/300)
Round 13
Marill used Aqua Ring! Marill began to refresh itself...! (106/300)
Fluffy used Thundershock! Charge Spent! It's Super Effective! (-120) Marill fainted!
Diggle gained 12 EXP
Fluffy gained 6 EXP

((Holy f***! Screw Huge Power! I should've caught this bitch!
Does anybody have a problem with this pushing us toward our event(s)? Rain Dance on a mountain seems like a pretty good way to make everyone hide in caves or get buried in an avalanche or something.))

Pack: x16 Rare Candy, Pokeball x, Potion x, Pokedex, Oran Berry, x2 Pecha Berry, TM19 Roost, x2 Great Ball, x2 Berry Pot, Sail Fossil, Green Barrette, Choice Specs, x2 Belue Berries, x2 Durin Berries, x2 Pamtre Berries, x2 Spelon Berries, x2 Watmel Berries, x3 Boost Mulch, Red Barrette, Pink Scarf, Changing Star Seal, Aspear Berry, Cheri Berry, Chesto, Berry, Rawst Berry, Quick Claw, Rainbow Spray (Used for Zodiac Absol), EXP Share, x4 Ultra Ball, Big Mushroom, Moomoo Milk, Illusory Candle, TM 99 Dazzling Gleam, x3 Salac Berries, x3 Ganlon Berries
Plot Piece: Ring of Alolan Dugtrio Hair (Curse, Found in Leafstone Preserve), Diggle's Cracked Mask (Reduce Defense), Wild Marill Tagalong (Met in Mahogany Town)
Pokemon Encounter: 54/5 Wild Encounter Charged! (Marill: Lv. 39 f Huge Power [Atk+3] 300hp 18xp Play Rough 90 -Atk; Aqua Ring +6.25% MaxHP; Rain Dance cause Rain Weather; Double-Edge 120 1/3 Recoil to user)
Trainer Battle: 96/25 Trainer Battle Charged!
Item Posting: (TM 09 Venoshock) 11/50
Badges: Zephyr Badge



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