Alexandra Briarwood

it happens both impossibly slow, and so very fast.

echo's pained laughter turns almost shrill as the shadow spawned fists are consumed in the seemingly infinitly-expanding maw of the dusknoir. her large crimson orb burns like the sun of an unapproachable horizon. it's enough to have the floating pokemon falter, stumbling into the air like a child in fear of the monster beneath his bed. only there was no running from this monster.

even as she twitches and convulses, does echo not feel any sort of confidence. he prepares to begin another assault, forming a mass of inky shadows in between dark-violet hands, but finds himself immediately interrupted by a sharp, piercing stab into his back. the FUTURE SIGHT staggers him forwards and towards the ominous mist that pours from his opponent's maw.

the gengar swats fruitlessly at the mist for a second; two. then, the pain begins. it attacks the very essence of his being, layering atop the already agonizing BURNS. the two attacks form a connection that echo can't think clearly enough to understand, but even if he could — it didn't matter.

attacked on what feels like three fronts, echo collapses unconscious. his dissipating form is collected in red light as greyson returns him, a troubled expression forcing his jaw to steel itself shut.

finally, he sighs.

"your dusknoir is really impressive."

notes + echo FAINTS!

As predicted, the assault proves too much for the Gengar. It’s returned after fainting beneath the Dusknoir’s attacks. The Dusknoir is not unscathed. Once her opponent is defeated, she slumps, exhaustion taking hold before she too is consumed by the crimson light of her pokeball, “Thank you,” Lex smiles, replacing the Dusknoir’s pokeballs and extracting another, “I’ve done quite a bit of training with her,” she hold out her hand, rolling the steel sphere in it with a grin, “Best two out of three?” he seems like the competitive type, she doubt’s he’ll say no.

Before his answer even comes, the sphere cracks open to reveal her next pokemon. A tall, sturdy, strong Blaziken takes the field. His flames burn bright, igniting across his wrists and ankles in preparation. His beak clicks loudly, impatient to get things started. The fire doesn’t just burn across his limbs, the fire for a challenge burns in his eyes. He’s a battle seasoned pokemon through and through.

Greyson Connors

Lex releases APOLLO the Blaziken

jUODUBId

Alexandra Briarwood

"best two out of three."

he echoes, a competitive smirk forming. he appraises the blaziken with keen interest, then finally, with something akin to acceptance as he releases his pokemon. kel, his infernape, centers his body and curls his toes in the warm sand. he doesn't need orders to understand the intention, only having to catch the gleam of challenge in the other fire-type's eyes.

with a few brazen steps, he releases a warriors cry and a NASTY PLOT begins to brew. the sand explodes beneath him as he races forward, a MACH PUNCH prepared.

notes +

A sharp, high-pithed screech pierces the beach as the Infernape lunges forward with its own battle cry and the promise of an exciting battle. The Blazkien pushes off strong legs, kicking up his own cloud of sand as he too lunges forward. Each long steps close the distance. And each stride burns the flames across him brighter until they seem to consume him. The Mach Punch comes quick and strike across him, but it does little to impede the momentum of his FLAME CHARGE.

Greyson Connors

Apollo meets the Mach Punch with FLAME CHARGE
Speed +1 (Flame Charge
Speed +1 (Speed Boost)

Alexandra Briarwood

the FLAME CHARGE rolls over him like a burning tide, his fur singing beneath a hostile flame that wasn't his own. with his MACH PUNCH furthering his speed, he was still able to keep up with the blaziken —— barely. but, with their distance zero'd in like this, he didn't much need speed to catch him. powerful, limber fists and feet reach out in a display of strikes, their CLOSE COMBAT taking center stage.


notes +

At this close range, there’s not much chasing to do and Apollo doesn’t run. Especially not from a fight. After flames calm, he remains in place, meeting the Infernape’s CLOSE COMBAT with a series of quick blocks as his arms raise above his head and he curls into himself. Of course, it doesn’t save him from the potent fighting-type attack. Each strike leaves a sharp pain that resonated through his body. Despite the tough blows, he still feels light, stronger. The moment the Infernape lets up, even in the slightest, he takes the opportunity. It’s a lightning quick, swift motion. A knee buckles, lowering his body. Powerful legs drive him up, talons clenched into a fist with a strike aimed beneath the Infernape’s jaw.

Greyson Connors

Apollo is hit with Close Comabt and counters with SKY UPPERCUT
Speed +1 (Speed Boost)

Alexandra Briarwood

the SKY UPPERCUT connects, driving the infernape's teeth together in a gut-wrenching clench. blood pools at the back of his throat, and eyes water from contact. but he wouldn't lose. not like he did to FERNANDO SILPH's gym.

responding with the same lightning quickness, he grapples the entirety of the blaziken's arm with his monke agility, aiming a MACH PUNCH at his solar plexus.

notes +

The MACH PUNCH connects, forcefully ejecting the air out of his lungs and air sacs. A sharp, quick inhale brings it back as the he swallows the pain. His beak snaps together, a threatening display. The primate grips his arm, he yanks him forward. Flames ignite across his knees as he stand to full height, driving his knee up and at the Infernape’s abdomen.

Greyson Connors

Apollo is hit with Close Comabt and counters with BLAZE KICK
Speed +1 (Speed Boost)

Alexandra Briarwood

their blows send hot gusts of winds pulsing outwards, and even greyson can't help but be impressed by the display.

"keep it up!"

kel's agile form shifts enough for the blaziken's knee to just miss his core. it likely would've ended there, had that been the case. grunting in pain, he lifts himself up using blaziken's own arm, wrapping hands and feet around the chicken. once done, he surrounds himself with the full strength of his FLAME WHEEL, aiming to burn the enemy down to the core.

notes +

The monkey’s hold is tight around the Blaziken. It would be fruitless to try and pry him off, his dexterity if greater than the bird’s. Instead, she wraps his arms around the Infernape’s body, holding him tight like in a bear hug (awwww cuuuute). They erupt in flames as the Blaziken BOUNCES off the ground and into the air with the Infernape in tow.

Greyson Connors

Apollo hugs Infernape and uses BOUNCE
Speed +1 (Speed Boost)

Alexandra Briarwood

kel's stomach soars up into his throat, as the ground becomes but a distant memory. there's a moment —— one very slight moment —— when the blaziken reaches the apex of his climb, and gravity takes hold.

he strikes then.

shifting his body weight, he attempts to push himself on top and drive a MACH PUNCH into the chickens chest.


notes +

The BOUNCE reaches it’s peak. A subtle pause in the air doesn’t change the Blaziken’s strategy. His hold is tight, and although the MACH PUNCH strikes, their decent is met with a shift in the avian’s form. He attempts to position the Infernape below him, talon digging and clawing their way into the mammal’s brown fur. Gravity pulls and the goal is to slam the monkey into the sand.

Greyson Connors

Apollo hugs Infernape and uses BOUNCE
Speed +1 (Speed Boost)

Alexandra Briarwood

their descent becomes a struggle to remain top-dog. two peak fighters tangled by limbs, harried by frustrated, aimless strikes. their fall is marked by the tumbling, and rotating, until the collision.

and not even greyson knows who'll make it out from the shadows of the pit.

until, finally, a figure does.

and his eyes widen.


notes +