GAVIN VS FERNANDO

HE WHO NEIGHS LAST

SILPH IS SINGULAR. Hearing his surname besmirched by others in reference to his siblings always leaves a sour taste in his mouth. Moreso than usual, as of late.

“Don’t worry,” Fernando narrows his eyes in a squint as he tries to make out the field from the blinding white sand in front of them.

“I’m the only one that matters.”

He pairs that statement with a challenging tone meant to rile his opponent up. A swift sleight of hand from his waistband produces two minimized Pokeballs.

He drops both of them by his feet, shoulder length apart.

Fernando’s horses come into play: Glastrier and Spectrier.

It cost him a small fortunate to acquire both but these Galarian equine almost make up for the region’s recent invasion. Their power transcends traditional Pokemon, almost Legendary, actually. But he’s yet to put sufficient time into training them.

That’s why he brings them here.

Cillian Quinn

Gavin cared as much for the Star Tournament as he had for the gym challenge; it was a means to an end, nothing more. But Liam's arrogant persona necessitated a certain approach, and so Gavin sneers.

"We'll see about that."

He's not at all surprised when Fernando faces him with a pair of legendary Pokemon — he'd all but expected it. He feigns it with a lifted brow.

"Never seen horses like that before. Where'd you get 'em?"

He whistles, then clicks his tongue.

Metagross folds its legs beneath it as it begins to hover under the effects of its MAGNET RISE. Lycanroc, however, goes straight for the offensive — with NO GUARD in place, it lunges for the Glastrier with a FIRE PUNCH.

---

Use a supereffective move - complete!

GAVIN VS FERNANDO

HE WHO NEIGHS LAST

GAVIN’S INQUIRY DOESN’T SURPRISE HIM. These Pokemon are only found in Hoenn. They’re from Galar, supposedly, but remain nothing more than legends documented in books of old. To someone from any other region, these are both a fresh sight to behold and a menace unrealized.

“Made them,” he states proudly.

Gavin’s subtle cues are matched with Fernando’s trademark phrase.

“Battle routine set!”

The horses coil around each other, stomping on sand as they prepare for battle. His Glastrier is notably less enthusiastic underneath the summer’s sun but they both trot in a paired rhythm.

“Execute!”

And with his command they charge forward with a galloping BULLDOZE. The approaching Lycanroc will find no trouble with landing a FIRE PUNCH but connecting the blow will result in both horses trampling right into the Pokemon as they stomp through anything in their way.

They’re far from trained and the attack is less targeted and more like mauling through anything in their way as they take off in a long run forward.

Cillian Quinn

Bullshit.

But Liam King would know of such creatures only from fairy tales, and so Gavin doesn't call Fernando on what he's certain is a bluff.

NO GUARD ensures there's no hope of dodging the coordinated attack, so Gavin clicks his tongue twice and indicates the Spectrier. Lycanroc LASHES OUT in its pained fury, claws pulsing with dark energy as it exacts revenge.

Safely off the ground, Metagross is able to engage. It does so with a METEOR MASH, pulling back one of its tucked-in limbs and careening toward the Glastrier with a volatile punch.

GAVIN VS FERNANDO

HE WHO NEIGHS LAST

BOTH HORSES CHARGE THROUGH ALL OBSTACLES. They continue to run until they gain enough distance to comfortably to turn around without colliding into each other. Their lack of control means the Lycanroc lands an easy blow as they pass through but their power and speed only grows the longer they continue galloping.

And, with no real strategy, the twin horses engage in a throttling BULLDOZE as the Metagross approaches with its METEOR MASH. Harsh steel meets frosted ice, impervious to the temperature change, but that won’t stop them from barreling through.

Cillian Quinn

They appear ill-trained but for their coordination — it's what Gavin clings to for the hope of a win, even as they bulldoze through his Lycanroc yet again. Strong though it was, it was unlikely the werewolf could hold strong against the legendary duo for long.

A strangely pitched whistle follows the next click of his tongue.

Chest heaving, jaws dripping saliva, the werewolf throws its head back and howls. There's a vicious gleam in its red glare before it launches itself toward Glastrier with reckless abandon. Again and again it strikes, an ALL-OUT PUMMELING.

Metagross avoids the worst of the twin barrage with its MAGNET RISE, but proximity due to its close-range attack sees it sustain some damage from a side-swipe. It doesn't retreat, instead pursuing Glastrier with a BRICK BREAK.

---

Use or encounter a z-move - complete!

GAVIN VS FERNANDO

HE WHO NEIGHS LAST

NONE OF THEM HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT’S COMING. Just a whistle—as bad an omen as it is—means nothing without pairing dialogue to it. It isn’t until the Lycanroc starts to unfurl that he puts one and one together. Whatever technique or move they have, the wind up portrays something impressive.

“Defensive maneuvers!”

The call comes out too late. The approaching Lycanroc cuts half-way as the rampaging equine rear around to charge straight forward with another runthrough of BULLDOZE.

Gavin’s Lycanroc goes all out as it berates them in a series of physical strikes. A pair of PROTECTS come up but even that shatters like glass against the ferocious nature of the Pokemon’s Z-move. Vast energy pours out as the Pokemon pulls from inside, allowing it to even catch the ghost-type Spectrier in the crossfire.

Punches and kicks, claws and teeth, like a maggot, the Pokemon infests its way into both beast with a truly ALL-OUT PUMMELING.

The Metagross, not to be forgetten, zooms in from another angle to sandwich the pair in a pincer maneuver. Their focus fire culminates on the Glastrier and it breaks at the knees, crumpling onto the sand under the intense pressure. Hairline cracks melt into its mane, much to the chagrin of its twin.

“STOMPING TANTRUM!”

Thankfully, the Spectrier, while caught due to its close proximity to Glastrier, is merely bruised in comparison. Flushed anger is channeled into the way it bucks as it stomps out both melee range enemies. Sand is kicked up and horse hooves go flying, empowered by the frustration that comes from having its PROTECT fail.

Cillian Quinn

A horrible splintering of ice precedes the Glastrier's fall, but Gavin's sense of victory is short-lived. With its anger boosted by its shattered defenses, the tantrum thrown by Spectrier is all the more devastating.

NO GUARD means there's nowhere for Lycanroc to run.

It yelps, stumbles, but Gavin returns it before it can throw itself back into the fight. It's been trained to fight to the death but such things are not needed in civilized spaces.

Placed on the back foot, Gavin lifts a hand to his sunglasses and pulls a pin free from the side. It glows, reacting in a violent burst of light with the stone set into Metagross' steel. The MEGA EVOLUTION sees iron limbs sprout TOUGH CLAWS as they shift to a new position.

Gavin whistles, and Metagross throws a STOMPING TANTRUM of its own.

GAVIN VS FERNANDO

HE WHO NEIGHS LAST

ACCESS TO Z-MOVES AND MEGA EVOLUTION CATCHES HIM BY SURPRISE. They’re national treasures akin to Galar’s Dynamax albeit not as highly guarded in exchange for being Hoenn’s primary export. But to find a trainer who’s acclimated themselves in such a short amount of time is staggering. Fernando can feel his skin crawl as his frown surfaces alongside the Metagross’ claws.

“Avoid melee. SHADOW BALL!”

The sand quivers as both STOMPING TANTRUMS kick up a a small storm. Disheveled ground obscures the battlefield, a whirlwind of sound and tremors. It isn’t until his Spectrier leaps out, making a mad run in the opposite direction does Fernando feel a speck of relief. It certainly looks worse for wear, knotted mane unkempt in fizzy split ends, but all that matters is that it’s still kicking.

A steady gallop clears several meters as the Pokemon has no intention of turning back. Dark energy pools, like eldritch tendrils, across the Pokemon’s body, until a SHADOW BALL manifests in its mouth. Only then does it pivot, turning on its front hooves to turn back and launch the attack.

Cillian Quinn

Gavin notes Silph's frown, offset by his own trained indifference.

Perhaos we still stand a chance.

The order to avoid melee is a smart one; even in its mega-evolved state, Metagross has trouble keeping up with the galloping Spectrier. It hovers after its opponent in the hopes of closing the gap, and this leaves it susceptible to attack.

If his Metagross couldn't get close, this fight was lost.

A frustrated click of his tongue against teeth.

"Target the ground."

Another STOMPING TANTRUM seeks not to attack Spectrier directly, but to damage the earthy arena around its hooves in the hope of slowing it down enough to close the gap.

GAVIN VS FERNANDO

HE WHO NEIGHS LAST

THE GAP IS SMALL BUT IT GROWS WITH EVERY LEAP. For the Metagross to catch up will require a speed boost or for his Spectrier to pause. Which means the Pokemon has the correct idea. Looking to shift the environment to hinder their maneuverability shows remarkable decision making.

However, by the time the STOMP TRANTRUM dishevels the sand, which it does to great effect, the Pokemon has already turned to launch its SHADOW BALL.

Behind Metagross, Fernando’s decision to refrain from recalling his Glastrier pays off. The Pokemon is too injured to move but that won’t stop it from launching an ICICLE CRASH from above. Heavy stalactites of ice descend upon the Metagross’ location and where the Pokemon predicts it will be if it continues on its current path.

Cillian Quinn

Their plan is solid but executed too late. Spectrier wheels around to launch its attack, which Metagross zips sideways in order to dodge. That should have been an excellent opportunity for the dual-type to close in, but—

With the groaning, splintering sound of shattered ice, the Glastrier's unexpected rebuttal strikes the Metagross hard.

There's a hiss of frost and mist that temporarily obscures his view, but the red light that pulses from the luxury ball in his hand tells Gavin everything he needs to know. He purses his lips in dissatisfaction, then shifts his attention to Silph and nods.

"Good show."

GAVIN VS FERNANDO

HE WHO NEIGHS LAST

GAVIN’S REASON FOR RECALLING HIS LYCANROC REMAINS UNDISCOVERED. Fernando hinges his victory on his Pokemon proving sturdier than his opponents. Some of that is chalked up to their powers as a species but also his unfamiliarity with their raw strength. With more experience, perhaps he would’ve noticed the discrepancy.

“Indeed.”

Both Pokemon are recalled in quick succession. Their balls take up the left spot on his belt, different from where they were prior to the battle. As his Pokemon get expended, he notates this by their positioning, working his way through the ‘more-than-six’ he carries on him.

“It’s not often non-natives are capable of getting their hands on a Megastone.”

Hoenn has slowly started to export their unique Megastones to other regions, at a steep cost, but the process is still new enough that it catches him by surprise. Regardless, Fernando recognizes talent for what it is.

“You should stay around a bit and make a name for yourself.”

Fernando makes the notion of tossing something at Gavin, a warning before he actual does. A Silph Badge is flung forward in a measured, underhanded toss–unaware of how unneeded it is.

“Trainers like you are hard to come by. Not many can keep up with these lab grown Legendaries, even if they pale in comparison to the real things.“

Cillian Quinn