2024-03-16: A Friendly Match - Ida vs. Xantia
- Log: A Friendly Match - Ida vs. Xantia
- Cast: Ida Everstead-Rey, Xantia
- Where: Celadon City
- Date: March 16, 2024
- Summary: Ida challenges Xantia to a Pokemon battle! The members of their respective teams get a good workout as they show what they're made of, although the way it ends is a little bit more disturbing than either trainer was ready for...
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
That's two successful forays into a Filgaian ruin, and (hopefully) a handful of Nedian teenagers better-educated on the nature of Filgaia. After making sure all of them got back safely--whether 'back' meant 'to Nede', or 'to Adlehyde', or wherever--Ida had a little downtime. Professor Aomori next needs her on Monday, and it's been a while since she's properly battled another Trainer. She was wondering who she could comfortably challenge when she realized...
Xantia had three Pokeballs on her person. And if there's one thing Xantia likes, it's a challenge. One thought lead to another, which lead to Ida asking Xantia to meet her at the court behind one of the Pokemon Centers in Celadon City. It's a standard-shaped arena, an elongated oval with Symbologically-treated material making up the flooring--springy enough to absorb impact, and self-repairing to accommodate burrowing Pokemon and general battle damage. A few benches sit nearby to accommodate observers.
It's a pleasant Spring day. There's fresh buds on the trees, and nearby, a flock of pidgeys forages on a few wild berry bushes. Ida waits on her half of the challenge court, wearing a zip-up hoodie with the Viridian University logo, a blue t-shirt, and grey slacks. Her hair hangs in a long braid. Four Pokeballs--three standard red-and-white ones, and a fourth with a swirled, gold-and-green top--rest on a fashion belt at her hips.
She watches the Pidgeys, simply enjoying this moment of nature being nature.
DC: Ida Everstead-Rey switches forms to Naturalist Ida and the Battling Menagerie!
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
When Ida asked, Xantia had her doubts whether she was the right person for the job. She likes to get into the action too much for her to consider a support/mentoring role would be a good fit. But, as it turns out, she managed pretty alright! Maybe she overdid one or two things, but other than that, she has a good feeling about how it went. Between that and the way she's taken a shine to Pokemon training, maybe it isn't so bad to venture outside of her comfort zone every once in a while.
Even so, she never would have thought to ask Ida for a Pokemon battle. It's too strongly related to Nede in her mind to have considered asking a fellow Filgaian. When she's the one who got asked, however, she readily agreed. Predictably. Any sort of challenge does tend to get a positive response, if it's something she feels even a little confident about.
And so, when the appointed time arrives... so does Xantia. She, naturally, looks no different than she did going on that dig. People should be used to this by now. The three standard-colored pokeballs on her belt are present, though one is currently unoccupied, as one of her Pokemon is sitting on her shoulder. Pawmi is looking rather nervous about this, but Xantia appears perfectly confident, striding onto the arena on the other end.
"It's a beautiful day outside. Birds are singing, flowers are blooming... days like these...... are great for Pokemon battling!"
...What? What did you think she was going to say?
Striking a pose as if she were the one that's about to do the fighting, and with her hands wriggling near her belt like she was about to draw a gun, she is of course not about to do either. Instead, she asks, "So, how do you wanna do this? I'm good with anything. One at a time or all at once, I can handle it!"
DC: Xantia switches forms to Crush Girl Xantia Wants To Battle!!
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Ida had a bit of an ulterior motive, as well. Xantia's seemed... hyperfocused on protecting Filgaia, and Ida knows she might have more in common with Azoth than just amnesia. Giving her the chance to do something constructive--and even a little nurturing--might help her remember she's a person, too.
As Xantia approaches, Ida greets her with a friendly wave. "It is, isn't it?" she says, with a broad smile that only gets brighter as she sees Pawmi. "Awww," she says. "It's all right, this is a friendly match." Ida's talking to Pawmi, there, as well as Xantia. "...Three Pokemon per Trainer, no stakes, one on the field at a time?" It appears traditional to offer a small sum of FOL as a stake, but that doesn't feel right here. And even if Xantia had a fourth, she doesn't feel comfortable with Erasmus battling yet.
And if Xantia agrees, Ida considers for a moment. She plucks one of the normal balls off her belt, and throws it into the ring with a gentle toss. "Go, Marigold!" The Pokeball bursts open mid-flight, a ray of bright red shooting forth onto the court. A small, vaguely fox-like Pokemon materializes, and looks back at her Trainer with a cheerful 'Evoi!'
Miss Marigold is a little on the small side for an Eevee, and hops back and forth playfully, trying to get Pawmi to come down and join her! (She has a cute little golden scarf.)
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
It's a good call, honestly. It's part of the reason why Xantia got into the Pokemon training thing to begin with, looking to distract herself from a depressing spiral of events that it didn't feel like she could change. And surprisingly, coming away with what feels like her first successful hobby ever. That's been good for her, and so has this other new experience Ida introduced her to. A month ago, she never would have called that she'd be genuinely enjoying herself so much right now.
Xantia turns her head to look at Pawmi, figuring that it's the Pokemon that Ida's addressing. "She's right. This is just training, a practice fight. We've done practice fights before. And Ida's a friend, besides. You don't have to worry." Pawmi takes a breath, and nods, taking a moment longer to gather courage.
Turning back to Ida, she nods in the affirmative. "Sounds good to me. Really don't care about the whole wagering thing myself." It's just like any other friendly battle, in that regard. They're fun for their own sake, no extra motivation needed for trying her best.
With Ida's initial Pokemon on the field, Xantia nods with a smile, having a sense that this was a pick to make Pawmi feel comfortable. She appreciates that. She opens her mouth to call something out...
...But before she can, one of the Pokeballs on her belt opens on its own accord, its occupant materializing before her. "Raaalts!"
It's small, it's wispy, and yet, the Pokemon that looks like it's wearing an oversized white dress with green hair covering its eyes is clearly eager for a fight. Xantia uses two fingers to rub her forehead. She should've seen that one coming. "Now, we've been over this..."
The Pokemon whirls about, head tilted up so as to meet eyes with Xantia. With this, whatever protest she had in mind seems to have been effectively halted, and she nods in understanding. "...alright, fine." She stretches her hand forward. "Go, then, Ralts! Let them hear your battle cry!"
This battle cry is, much as its voice earlier, high-pitched and more cute than actually threatening. But it is, also, a sonic attack, and Ralts is definitely trying to be as imposing as possible with it, accompanying this with an aggressive stance.
GS: Xantia has attacked Ida Everstead-Rey with Disarming Voice! GS: Xantia has gained 1 Combo! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: Ida Everstead-Rey mostly evades Xantia's Disarming Voice for 23 hit points! GS: Delay and Weaken applied to Ida Everstead-Rey! GS: FP up! Arcane Font!
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Marigold leaps back and forth, play-bowing a little and swishing her tail. She's acting more like Lola and her puppies, Ida thinks, than an alien Symbological prodigy. But despite all their efforts to give Pawmi a warm introduction to Trainer battles... Ralts has other plans.
"Oh," Ida says, recognition in her eyes. "I've seen one of those before!" It was from far away in a field, but she recognizes it. The typing, on the other hand... As Xantia has her little chat, Ida pulls her phone from its holster, taps on the 'PokeSnap' icon, and fixes Ralts in the frame. It takes a few, anxious moments for the image recognition to take effect, during which Marigold hops back and forth, effectively letting Ralts have the first move.
"Stay on your toes, Marigold!" Ida cries.
"Evoi!" Marigold's sensitive ears twitch. She leaps to the side, perhaps expecting a shockwave, but corrects at the last second. Her forepaws whip up and pin her ears down, a disoriented "Evoiiii...!" escaping her as she fights against the psychic attack. She gives a full-body shake, dropping back into a quadrupedal stance, and regarding Ralts with a more serious face.
One of the other Pokeballs shakes in place, and Ida reaches down to clasp it. "I know you're worried," Ida says. "But believe in her. You've seen what she can do." Right. Psychic/Fairy. Marigold's at least /not/ at a disadvantage here. "Marigold, Quick Attack!" And Quick Attack Marigold does. She's a bit slower and less fluid than usual thanks to Ralts' opener, but she lunges at the small Pokemon and then leaps about, throwing herself against Ralts from multiple different angles.
GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has attacked Xantia with Quick Attack! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has gained 1 Combo! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has completed her action. GS: CRITICAL! Xantia critically fails to guard Ida Everstead-Rey's Quick Attack for 132 hit points! GS: Riposte applied to Ida Everstead-Rey!
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia's Ralts seems a bit taken aback about the device being pointed in its direction. Unable to immediately make a decision on how to respond, the eventual call seems to be... raising an arm. It's a bit difficult to interpret what that gesture means, given that it lacks hands. But with its general level of intensity, it may be doing its best to project an image of strength. This doesn't usually work very well. Too darn cute for its own good.
"This one's a little... well, Ralts has ideas," is the way Xantia chooses to put it, trying to stay diplomatic about it. And not say what she actually thinks, that Ralts is too eager to fight aggressively. Which, you know, Xantia gets that, but it's very poorly suited for the aggressive approach. She's been trying to suggest a more tactical approach, but... well, her training's still in the early stages.
Unfortunately, what happens next is the typical sort of scenario. Ralts takes too much of an offensive posture, leaving an opening for it to get bodied by Marigold. As soon as one hit is taken, the others follow too quickly for any sort of meaningful reaction, the final strike knocking Ralts clear across the arena. Xantia bites her lower lip. It doesn't feel like it would help to go 'I told you so' right now. This is the way Ralts wants to do things, so even if it's already struggling to get up... encouragement will work better right now than a reprimand.
"Hang in there, Ralts! You're at a speed disadvantage - you can fix that with Confusion!"
In an instant, Ralts head raises, putting the intense look in its previously hidden eyes on full display. Then those eyes glow blue, and translucent waves of psychic energy flow outwards from the small Pokemon, delivering a mental assault while it works to get back into an upright position.
GS: Xantia has attacked Ida Everstead-Rey with Confusion! GS: Xantia has gained 1 Combo! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: Ida Everstead-Rey mostly guards Xantia's Confusion for 55 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Ida Everstead-Rey gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Misery adds Entangle! GS: Entangle applied to Ida Everstead-Rey! GS: FP up! Arcane Font! <DICE ROLLER> Ida Everstead-Rey rolled 1d3 <3> + 0 = 3 <DICE ROLLER> Ida Everstead-Rey rolled 1d3 <2> + 0 = 2
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
"They do seem quite intense, yes," Ida says, frowning a little. All she did was scan them with her phone's camera--did they see that as hostility? It's adorable, though something tells her Ralts wouldn't see that as a compliment. Ida's face twists in a little wince as Ralts goes flying. Marigold doesn't press the advantage against the downed Pokemon--she shakes her head, still clearly recovering from the disorienting scream.
And Ida's noticed that Marigold is good at picking up on emotional cues, and adjusting her behavior accordingly. She plays the cute little sister with Aurora, but she's also enthusiastic around Sal, and extra gentle and caring with Erasmus.
Light brown eyes meet shocking blue. Marigold sways back, and Ida takes her lip between her teeth. "Marigold! Can you hear me?" Marigold looks back in her general direction, but not directly at her. The Eevee glances towards Ralts, sniffing, cocking her head, and generally trying to sort through the maelstrom of conflicting sensory data Ralts just stuffed into her head.
Ida's hand hovers near Marigold's Pokeball. Is recalling her the best move, or--
"EVOI!" Marigold cries, and she lunges for Ralts again, defiantly! She might not be big, or scary, but she throws her whole body into a Tackle!
...But is she targeting the Ralts that's actually there?
GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has attacked Xantia with Tackle! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has gained 1 Combo! GS: Delay expired! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has completed her action. GS: CRITICAL! Xantia critically fails to evade Ida Everstead-Rey's Tackle for 124 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Xantia gains 1 additional Combo!
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Ralts is not adorable at all, Ralts is a fierce fighter who should be feared and respected. Is what the Pokemon would probably say if they were capable of speech beyond their name. It wouldn't be nice, but sometimes Xantia wonders if it wouldn't be better to speak her honest mind by calling this out as delusional. If only Ralts could keep an open mind about doing things differently... but maybe the inability to come to an acceptable compromise is her failure as trainer. Perhaps, in time...
But, for the current moment in time, while Ralts does act as instructed, too much damage had already been taken previously. Trying to cloud Marigold's mind with a Confusion attack to buy time wasn't a bad idea, but the Eevee's instincts are spot on - her Tackle is aimed squarely at Ralts's actual position, knocking it out of the arena. That would be a technical knock-out, even if it hadn't been an actual one. But Ralts is not getting up from that one. Xantia can only hope that this time, some kind of lesson will be learned from this. She takes a Pokeball in hand to recall the fallen Pokemon...
But before she's even finished doing so, there's another unexpected development. Something very similar to Marigold's earlier attack occurs, a blur of movement following rapid, repeated tackle attempts. But who...?
"Miiii!" yells Pawmi, having found courage in the defeat of a friend, enough so to deliver a Quick Attack on its own accord, without even waiting for the order. Xantia is as surprised as anyone else by the sudden showing of initiative. "Pawmi?!"
"Mi," is the simple, determined response. Xantia is left scratching her head. This battle is kind of getting away from her, but as long as her Pokemon get to do what they want, she supposes.
GS: Xantia has attacked Ida Everstead-Rey with Quick Attack! GS: Xantia has gained 1 Combo! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: Ida Everstead-Rey marginally evades Xantia's Quick Attack for 76 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Ida Everstead-Rey gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Riposte applied to Xantia! GS: FP up! Reaction bonus! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Weaken expired!
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Ida winces again as Ralts goes flying out of the arena. Are they going to get up? That's not looking likely. The martial artist's attention focuses on Marigold, who's still looking in Ralts's direction, and not at Ralts proper. "Easy there, girl," Ida says. Damn it, she thinks, there's curatives for this sort of thing, but she doesn't have any on her. Using them in a friendly battle, without having agreed upon it firsthand...? She's not sure that would be right.
But in a blur of movement, Pawmi leaps into battle to avenge her comrade. Marigold is caught flat-footed. The Eevee goes flying, hits the ground, and skids to a halt at Ida's feet. "Evoiiiii," she whines, swirly-eyed. She plants a paw beneath her, struggles to get up--
A beam of light shoots out from the Pokeball that shook, earlier. A second Eevee materializes in front of the fallen Marigold, and turns to nuzzle her face.
"Evoi," says Aurora.
"...Evoi...?" says Marigold.
"Evoi." Aurora gives her the most delicate of headbutts. Ida kneels and scoops Marigold into her arms, cradling her.
"All right, Aurora," says Ida. "Your turn. Sand Attack!"
"Voi!" Aurora digs one forepaw into the turf, which breaks apart into tiny grains of whatever-it-is. She flings them at Pawmi, intending to stall her out before she can build momentum!
GS: Burst added to Ida Everstead-Rey! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has activated Force Action: Boost! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey spends 1 Combo on Interrupt! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has attacked Xantia with Sand Attack! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has gained 1 Combo! GS: Entangle expired! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has completed her action. GS: Xantia critically fails to evade Ida Everstead-Rey's Sand Attack for 0 hit points! GS: Dispel! Riposte removed! GS: Blind and Interrupt applied to Xantia! GS: Xantia has lost 2 Combo from Interrupt!
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia and Pawmi are alike in the way that they're easily read. They regard the aftermath of Pawmi's entrance with equally overt remorse. Of course, this is what Pokemon battles are, and they should be used to that, but still. Seeing one Pokemon show care for another like that is...
Xantia doesn't even begin to understand why everything about Pokemon feels so different to her than the indifference she's always experienced previously in regard to animals. Pawmi, being the sensitive type, is the one who understands better why this feels bad, and is second-guessing the decision made moments ago.
That moment passes immediately as soon as Ida calls out her next order. Xantia is too mentally distracted to react in any way but, "Ahh, shoot, Pawmi!" But even if she'd said anything more useful there, it already came too late to do anything about the sand getting in Pawmi's eyes. "Miii, miii," the Electric Pokemon whines, bringing up one paw to wipe at its eyes in a futile gesture.
This isn't good, Xantia realizes in an instant. This is a setup for something bigger. Whatever that is, she has to do something to interrupt it. "Pawmi, quick! Hide!"
'Hide' isn't a move, of course. Unless your name is Pawmi, who knows exactly what that means. It, too, digs into the turf with its paws... and keeps going, rapidly burrowing into the surface for safety. There is a moment of awkward silence when Pawmi is just gone, before Xantia breaks it.
"...I wonder if that was a good idea. This is probably not great when you already have something in your eyes. Oh well, too late now." Her casual tone may not have indicated that she was just stalling, but that is what was going on, giving Pawmi enough time to get into position. And when she judges the moment right... "Pawmi, now!"
Pawmi bursts back out of the ground, having tried to aim for Aurora's position from underneath. Not a very expected move from an Electric type, perhaps... but that's what Xantia is banking on.
GS: Xantia spends 3 Combo on Gatling, loading 3 into Gatling! GS: Xantia has attacked Ida Everstead-Rey with Dig! GS: Xantia has gained 1 Combo! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: Interrupt! Attack weakened! GS: CRITICAL! Ida Everstead-Rey critically fails to evade Xantia's Dig for 211 hit points! GS: Shieldbreak applied to Ida Everstead-Rey! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey enters CONDITION GREEN!!
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
From her perch in Ida's arms, Marigold blinks away the last of her bleariness, and looks down at Pawmi. She's all scuffed up, and her fur is mussed, but her eyes are bright and kind. "Evoi!" she says. A concession, and encouragement.
Xantia has the right of it. With Pawmi on the ropes, Aurora drops into a low stance, golden Symbological energy gathering around her. "Aurora--!" Ida calls...
Xantia gives the call to hide. And Ida was not expecting Pawmi to burrow. Everything about it read 'electric rodent', PokeSnap typed it as Electric, and those... don't typically use Ground-moves, do they? Now Xantia's team has hers wrongfooted, because Aurora lets out an uncertain little "Voi," hopping back and forth as she tries to track the vibrations underground.
"Remember Joy's Diglett!" Ida shouts, encouragingly. "You can do this!"
Pawmi is faster than Aurora expects, though. She erupts from beneath the Eevee in a surge of synthetic turf, knocking her off her feet. Aurora skids backwards, clambers upright, and lets out a grudging "Voi," of approval.
But now...
"Pawmi's got good instincts," Ida says. "But let's see how she deals with this--Aurora, Swift!" Now Aurora drops into that low stance, energy blazing off her body. A phantasmal duplicate of her rushes forward, ramming Pawmi with blazing speed and dispersing into a cloud of bright, twinkling stars.
GS: Ida Everstead-Rey spends 3 Combo on Gatling, loading 3 into Gatling! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has attacked Xantia with Aurora Expresses Her Disapproval! GS: Riposte expired! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has completed her action. GS: Xantia critically fails to guard Ida Everstead-Rey's Aurora Expresses Her Disapproval for 230 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Xantia gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Interrupt removed!
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia makes a 'yes' gesture with her fist. Just like they practiced. Pawmi may be on the timid side, but... such good instincts, yes, exactly! Instincts, and hearing, she guesses as the reasons why the targetting was so spot-on there, in spite of the unfortunate state Pawmi's eyes remain in. Or... maybe that worked out for the best, actually. Not being able to clearly see what's going on is one way to be braver than you otherwise might have been. "Good job, good job, you did it!" she yells out, but Pawmi will have to take her word for that, now rubbing both its eyes with both of its paws.
There is no chance. Swift is right - that was way too fast for Pawmi to react, especially with reduced eyesight. Never saw it coming, you might say. Xantia didn't either, that was an impressive feat. Not to mention the intensity behind it. She lets out a low whistle. "Very nice."
One second later: "Wait a minute, no, not nice! Pawmi?!" Pawmi got struck dead center, was knocked back quite a ways, and landed face-down. What kind of looked like an effort to get up only ends up with it flopping over on its back. Xantia elects to call it there. "You did good, Pawmi... come on back now."
Recalling Pawmi, that leaves Xantia with one last Pokemon. She looks at that Pokeball for a moment, takes a deep breath, then tosses it forward. "It's up to you... go!"
She didn't name the contents of the ball. And when it opens, perhaps fittingly... there is nothing. It did look like something materialized for a second, but that glow just sort of faded away without leaving anything in its wake.
This is a ruse, of course. You can tell by looking at Xantia, who is smiling. Just waiting for the moment when Shoo the Shuppet appears right next to Aurora, opens its mouth, and...
Well, Ida probably won't hear anything, as the sound is beyond the normal spectrum of human hearing. But rest assured that an extremely unpleasant noise was just emitted, that is sure to keep a Pokemon's ears ringing when delivered at that range. Shoo finds this very funny, a series of cackling 'Shuppets' emitted while backing away from the Eevee.
GS: Xantia has attacked Ida Everstead-Rey with Screech! GS: Xantia has gained 2 Combo! GS: Blind expired! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: Ida Everstead-Rey critically fails to guard Xantia's Screech for 69 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Ida Everstead-Rey gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Misery adds Interrupt! GS: Break and Interrupt applied to Ida Everstead-Rey! GS: FP up! Arcane Font! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey enters CONDITION GREEN!!
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Ida grimaces again as Pawmi goes flying. Sure, the cute and cuddly combat lifeforms will get immediate medical treatment afterwards, and delicious snacks, but that was a hard hit. And Aurora took a hard hit, too. She might be on her feet and fighting, but Ida knows the Eevee has a tendency to bluff, if she's in a situation where she can't retreat. It sometimes makes it hard to gauge if she's had enough.
"Good showing, Pawmi! You were so brave!" Ida applauds the Pokemon as Xantia recalls her, and makes a note to give her a Berry. Out comes Xantia's third Pokeball, which--
Ida blinks. Is that a glitch? No. Something definitely came out, and then vanished. Ida didn't get a good look at it, and neither did Aurora, whose ears prick up. She's listening, listening--
This turns out to be a big mistake when Shoo materializes and SCREAMS right into the Eevee's ear. Aurora howls in dismay, while Ida stares in shock, fumbling her cellphone up to scan Shoo into PokeSnap. On one hand: that was a brilliant display of tactics. On the other hand: WOW, RUDE. Shuppet, the app concludes. Ghost-Type. Sal's not going to have a good time, but Ida might not have much choice.
Aurora, meanwhile, glares daggers at the Shuppet, her hackles rising. She coils up, and SPRINGS for Shoo, going for a full-blown TAKE DOWN...
And passes right through Shoo like they're mist.
"Evoi!?" Aurora cries, eyes widening.
GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has attacked Xantia with Normal Attack! GS: Interrupt expired! GS: Burst expired! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has completed her action. GS: CRITICAL! Xantia accepts Ida Everstead-Rey's Normal Attack for 0 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia nods to Ida's statement. Pawmi was very brave, the bravest she's seen yet! She also makes a mental note to give out some praise and snacks later. Pawmi's gonna end up getting so spoiled. Fully deserved, though.
However, Xantia saved her trump card for last. Her previous experiences have made it very clear that among her Pokemon, Shoo is easily the strongest. Also, the least interested in battles. It has to be funny for Shoo to give a damn about anything. Once you know that, though, and you get on that same wavelength...
Well, you get setups like this, where Xantia helped to set Shoo up for a surprise scare. Classic, never gets old. Shoo's cackling, not seeming very concerned about getting a comeuppance. Right up until Aurora sets her sights on the Shuppet. Its already large eyes grow even wider as the Eevee charges directly at it...
...And passes right through its body, prompting another fit of laughter from the ghost. It was never actually worried, it just thought it would be funny to act that way. This kind of behavior is starting to grow on Xantia, visibly having trouble containing her own laughter. "O-okay, okay. That was good, Shoo. Now, a Feint should do the trick!"
Calling out that there will be a feint may seem a bit counter-intuitive. But she knows how Shoo will interpret that. Vanishing from sight once again, it stands to reason to expect a distraction.
But that's not what happens. The only thing that can be seen of what actually happens is a burst of dark energy at Shoo's intended point of impact with Aurora, only reappearing after the attempt to crash directly into her. Apparently it has ways to attack while entirely invisible... talk about cheating!
Shoo, of course, thinks that cheating is very funny.
GS: Xantia has attacked Ida Everstead-Rey with Feint Attack! GS: Xantia has gained 1 Combo! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: CRITICAL! Gamble: ??? Ida Everstead-Rey fails to guard Xantia's Feint Attack for 113 hit points!
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Aurora lands, skids, and whirls around to shoot stinkeye directly at Shoo. "Evoi!" she cries, stamping a little paw into the turf indignantly. She looks back at Ida, whose offers the most reassuring smile she can. Inwardly, though, Aurora's Trainer is reeling. Ghost-Types are immune to Normal moves. What makes a particular strategy or technique 'Normal'? Honestly it's like whomever set up Nede's ecosystem was way, way into the kind of games Xiumei likes. The ones that take sixteen hours, real time, and require rule books as thick as the breadth of a hand.
Aurora sets her feet and braces. Shoo slams into her, and sends her tumbling across the court. The Eevee plants a paw again and tries to force herself upright, but she's too wobbly to stand. Ida bites her lip, shifts Marigold into the crook of her arm, and holds out Aurora's Pokeball. "Aurora, you did good. Return!"
Aurora glares at Shoo as she fades into light. You've MADE HER LIST, GHOST.
And now... it's time for Ida's last Pokemon to do her thing. Ida hurls the last normal Pokeball into the ring. A bright, trilling "Freeee~!" emanates from within as a Butterfree manifests, freshly-groomed and wearing a cute golden bandana. Xantia would, of course, recognize Catastrophe Sal. The Butterfree's eyes narrow as she sees Shoo. "Free," she says, appraisingly, and clenches her little hands into fists.
"Sal," Ida says, "remember that 'TM'. Use it!" She bought it specifically because it wasn't 'Normal-Type', because the clerk at the Poke Mart said it was a good idea. And now... Sal executes it. The Butterfree blurs forwards, twirling and flitting and generally being an aerial menace to Shoo, showing zero regard for the Shuppet's personal space. If she can buffet Shoo with air currents, she does that. If she can bounce off Shoo, she does that. And most importantly... she looks really impressive.
GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has activated Force Action: Snipe! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey spends 3 Combo on Gatling, loading 3 into Gatling! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has attacked Xantia with Acrobatics! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has gained 1 Combo! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has completed her action. GS: CRITICAL! Xantia perfectly guards Ida Everstead-Rey's Acrobatics for 71 hit points! GS: FP up! Reaction bonus! GS: Healthy! For entering Condition Green, Xantia receives 100 temporary hit points. GS: Xantia enters CONDITION GREEN!!
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia was quick to realize how important type advantages were when she noticed how easily Shoo keeps beating Ralts without even trying. Having studied those carefully, she may also have a bit of a type advantage over Ida, in having a pretty solid grasp on what should work and what definitely won't. One might not think Xantia to be the bookish type, but that would be a mistaken assumption. If she thinks she'll need the knowledge, she will read so many books on it.
What she hasn't fully realized is the ways in which Shoo is simply a lot stronger than her other Pokemon are. She doesn't have much reason to assume a strong showing in battle when it doesn't seem to care much for battling. And is failing to consider that Shuppets, in particular, have other ways of getting stronger.
But that hardly matters right now. Employing a Dark attack to divebomb its opponent, Shoo soon resumes casually bobbing in the air a short distance away from Aurora. It's smiling. Just... smiling. It's not exactly smug, but... something about its smile is just really annoying. Undoubtedly moreso when it's coming from the Ghost Pokemon that you just got smacked around by. To top it off, there is no change at all in its expression when glared at. Ghosts love grudges! Especially this one.
"Shuppet~" the ghost echoes the call of the next Pokemon to appear. Non-plussed at the narrowed eyes, you can just tell it's thinking about what would be funniest to do with this new playmate.
Xantia frowns at the mention of a 'TM'. She knows what those are, if one of those were used it basically means that anything might happen. "Careful, Shoo. Be ready!" That's about all she can say, not knowing what to be ready for. But considering what tends to work, she decides to add, "Ready to deliver a big surprise!"
Did you know that Shoo thinks taking Pokemon and people alike by surprise is very funny? Sudden scares are the best. It's all about the timing. One would think there's no time to consider that when a Butterfree is assaulting you through aerial maneuvers, but this is actually the best time.
It's true that a Ghost could be hit by those attacks. But Shoo is making good on being an absolute menace by simply... not being there, whenever the Butterfree zooms in its direction. It keeps vanishing from sight just in time for maximum annoyance. Until, finally... a direct hit! Shoo appeared to be too late with dodging that last strike, tumbling end over end in the air.
But... it only appeared so. Shoo took that hit in order to create an unguarded moment. While still tumbling, the Shuppet vanishes again. Only, in short order, to reappear behind the Butterfree. Now, how long before Sal notices? Shoo can't wait...
GS: Xantia enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Xantia has attacked Ida Everstead-Rey with Astonish! GS: Sneak! You have gained 1 Combo! Only you see this message. GS: Xantia has gained 1 Combo! GS: Xantia enters CONDITION GREEN!! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has activated Force Action: Accelerate! GS: Sneak! The true nature of Xantia's attack becomes clear! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey mostly evades Xantia's Shadow Sneak for 68 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Ida Everstead-Rey gains 1 additional Combo! GS: FP up! Reaction bonus! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey enters CONDITION GREEN!!
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Shoo, in fact, did not simply wait. Shoo has melded into Sal's shadow, and in doing so has turned itself into a large, amorphous shadow creature with extremely unnerving red eyes.
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Much like Xantia, Ida's Team is composed of Pokemon she bonded with, not Pokemon she intentionally caught. But thanks to the whims of fate, she's at a disadvantage when facing Xantia's heaviest hitter. The good news is that Shoo seems to be having fun, at least, but... this is also the bad news.
"This one's quite a character," Ida says, her tone dry as the Badlands in mid-July. She's wrongfooted, and she knows it. "You can do it, Sal! Stay focused!"
And then, WHAM. Sal lands that hit, a little vindictiveness in the trilling cry she lets out. But then-- "Free?" Sal says, glancing about to try and find her vanished foe. "...Free?" Her antennae twitch and flick. She looks down, and then--
"FREE!" Sal squawks, and she responds on reflex from her Caterpie days. String sprays from her mouthparts at her foe as she tries to entangle the horrid monster Shoo has become.
"Don't give up, Sal!" Ida cries, clenching her fist.
A bystander--wait, since when were there bystanders?--starts cheering wildly.
GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has attacked Xantia with String Shot! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has gained 1 Combo! GS: Break expired! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has completed her action. GS: Xantia mostly evades Ida Everstead-Rey's String Shot for 0 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Xantia gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Entangle and Slow applied to Xantia! <Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Even Xantia is a little taken aback by that particular surprise. She didn't know Shoo could do that. She clearly still has things to learn about Pokemon, even her own. ...That's as far as that goes, for her. Perhaps it would be more reasonable to feel a bit more disturbed than that by that transformation. But Xantia's brain is interpreting and accepting this as 'just Pokemon things'.
Shoo doesn't take many things seriously, but where it comes to scares... that's a very serious matter. But the reaction is always worth it. This time should be no different, by the Ghost's reckoning.
...This time is different. This time, Shoo is sprayed down with string. Those terrible red eyes grow wide in surprise, the shadow creature quick to melt back into Sal's normal shadow, leaving only Shoo floating there. Just... completely wrapped in string, much of its dark body turned to white in the process. Its large, widened blue eyes remain clearly visible underneath the partial cocoon. This probably looks pretty funny. To most.
Shoo sees that a little differently. This is, most definitely, not funny. And that is the biggest crime one can possibly commit.
Blue eyes turn red, a threatening dark aura seeping outwards to blacken the immediate area. And then, there are hands. Many black hands, grasping from the darkness, trying to catch the offending Pokemon. Trying to drag it into the shadows for an unseen, but well-earned punishment.
Now even Xantia gets alarmed, though even still, perhaps not as alarmed as she should be. But how should one even react to this? She hasn't got a clue. "H-Hey, hey Shoo. What are you doing...? That's not, um... maybe, a little less of that...?"
GS: Xantia has activated Force Action: Full Clip! GS: Xantia has activated Force Action: Lock On! GS: Xantia has attacked Ida Everstead-Rey with Hex! GS: Xantia has gained 4 Combo! GS: Xantia has completed her action. GS: Gamble: ??? Ida Everstead-Rey fails to guard Xantia's Hex for 153 hit points! GS: Reaction switch bonus! Ida Everstead-Rey gains 1 additional Combo! GS: Hex blocked! GS: FP up! Arcane Font! GS: Ida Everstead-Rey has Fallen! She is no longer able to fight!
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
For a moment, Ida hopes Shoo has been subdued, or pinned in place, or otherwise taken out of the picture. Nope. "Butterfree," says Sal, indignation rising in her voice. She makes a little 'bring it' gesture with a tiny hand, beckoning Shoo to come at her again--
"Sal, be careful!" Ida shouts.
Shoo comes at her again. Sal immediately has second thoughts. Panicked trilling ensues as the Butterfree flutters back and forth, barely evading the HORRIBLE GRASPING DARKNESS HANDS. Ida's jaw drops, but she recovers a moment later, realizing Sal might be in genuine danger if Shoo overdoes it.
"Evoi?!" cries Marigold, utterly gobsmacked by what she's witnessing.
"Sal, return!" And just as one of those horrible hands is about to grab Sal, a beam of light strikes her, and pulls her back to the safety of her Pokeball.
"Where the hell did you find that thing?" Ida demands, though she's more astonished than angry--at Xantia, anyway. A few more of the bystanders applaud, politely, and Ida turns to stare.
Is that normal for a Pokemon? Seriously normal?
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia is a creature of impulse, quick to improvise and act on most any situation. But this... this development has her flummoxed on what to do. Should she stop this? Whatever 'this' is? But, she can't step in personally, that's against the rules. And recalling her Pokemon now, that's the same as giving up. She can't do that, she makes a point of never giving up!
She doesn't manage to escape that mental maze before Ida decides to make the move to end this instead. Freed from conflicting impulses, she quickly responds by grabbing Shoo's Pokeball, recalling the Ghost without a word. That was... she doesn't know what that was. Other than 'alarming'.
She, too, stares at the bystanders, wondering the same thing. They don't find it odd at all, that a Pokemon can do that...? It's enough to make her wonder whether she's really begun to understand this place as well as she thought she was managing.
All she can do is sheepishly admit to Ida, "It just... started following me around one day." She has no idea whether or not it's always been like that. Shoo always only seemed concerned with having fun. She's never seen the Shuppet that... vicious. "I don't know what happened, I guess I kind of... lost control of things. Sorry, it's because I'm not a very good trainer yet that my Pokemon are just kind of doing what they want..."
That has to be it, right? Whatever the case, it seems she'll have more reading and asking around to do...
<Pose Tracker> Ida Everstead-Rey has posed.
Ida reattaches Sal's Pokeball to her belt. Marigold reaches down and offers it a reassuring pat. There are definitely going to be Poke Puffs in the near future, as an apology for this.
"And it's never done anything like this before," she says. Ida sighs, steps forward, and--if Xantia is willing--claps a hand on her shoulder.
"Evoi," Marigold adds, comfortingly.
"Maybe that's it," Ida says, when Xantia admits her inexperience might've caused this. "But... there has to be someone who could help. It's perfectly normal for people to catch Ghost-types, and even specialize in them. Someone has to know what to do about behavior like this." Ida glances past the crowd, towards the Pokemon Center's entrance. "For now... I think we'd best check our Teams in. They earned it."