Honestly, Lex wasn’t expecting to see Lulu at something like this. It didn’t seem like something the Head Scientist of Rocket would do. Of course, Lulu wasn’t like any other scientist she had met. In a way it seemed Lulu craved conflict as much as any Rocket Enforcer would. If she didn’t crave it, then she was sure fucking good at starting it.

In a strange, out of character, moment Lex took a second to explore her feelings. The desire to battle Lulu didn’t stem from a sort of vengeance, not today at least. Whatever fight they were about to indulge in wasn’t the one that Lex would consider adequate to satisfy he need for retribution. No, this stemmed from simply wanting to build strength and test her mettle against Hoenn’s best.

“Absolutely,” she returned the grin with a toothy smile, tossing her own pokeball into the air to reveal an Altaria. The Humming Pokemon gracefully floated up into the air. The stark contrast between the two makes for a compelling aesthetic that gathers a small crowd of people to watch the match.

Noivern began with AGILITY, probably Lex’s favorite move. The pokemon puts space between itself and its slower opponent. Winter climbs behind her opponent, dark eyes trained on the bat. It had the height advantage and Winter doesn’t attack yet. Instead, an icy MIST trailed behind, protecting it but also providing a bit of cover for itself if the Noivern decided to turn and bomb towards her.

Lulu Flint

Winter uses MIST!

Lex is far from Hoenn’s best. In reality, she’s still quite fresh to the battling scene. The craving for conflict is new and exciting. Despite the challenges the tournament brings, she’s determined to participate and do well. If anything, it would prove to herself she isn’t helpless and weak. She certainly felt that way.

This is her first fight with the Altaria. She’s testing it, seeing if it could hold its own. Is the pokemon worth her time? It isn’t a pokemon she typically reaches for with lower speed and less agility. The Noivern, on the other hand, was much more her style. The thief’s amber eyes peered upward, watching the Noivern bait the Altaria into zooming past it.

The pokemon took note, sending out the obscure MIST to hide and protect itself from the bat. Unfortuantely, it doesn’t do much against the BOOMBLAT. The power of the sound move rattles the Altaria, driving it off balance and causing it to tumble forward in the sky. Her wings fold to reduce her drag, allowing the momentum to somersault her forward. A sudden push slows her progress when she’s facing the bat. Her beak opens and the purple flames of a DRAGON BREATH tear through the mist towards the shadow of her opponent.

Lulu Flint

Winter uses DRAGON BREATH!

They're lost in the MIST, Lex follows Lulu’s gaze up towards the sky, trying to catch any sort of glimpse of the battle above. The thief hasn’t battled much with the Altaria. Honestly, she doesn’t have much of a clue if the pokemonis even a capable battler. Guess this will tell her whether she needs to subject the avian to more training or not.

The BOOMBURST rattles the air and it’s quickly followed by a screech of pain from the Noivern as purple flames flash through the white cloud. Lex smiles, Again, Winter, she thinks to herself.

Instead, the MIST shifts and begins to swirl like angry clouds as the HURRICANE force winds begin to whip around the Altaria. The Mist struggles to keep its form, thinning in the wake of the attack. Altaria fights against the winds that painful buffet her soft cloud-like wings. It’s hard to keep steady against such a force. There’s no way she’s catching the Noivern in these winds. Instead, as the air clears, she takes aim at the opponent. Rising she spread her wings wide. A mysterious pink energy swirls her before shooting up into the clear sky. After a moment of charging, a crack echoes through the area as a the MOONBLAST made of fae energy tears down from the heavens towards the Noivern.

Lulu Flint

Winter uses MOONBLAST!

The Altaria flares its wings, summoning the fae energy to drown the Noivern. The Dragon Pulse counters, but the fairy-type move is powerful, cutting through it like butter to keep the draconic energy from reaching the Humming Pokemon.

Pillowy wings beat against the air, a frustrated click of the Altaria’s beak snaps as eyes narrow, bearing down on the bat. Enough is enough. The dual type has something to prove. If playing dirty is what she needs to do, then she will. Winter grunts, clearing her throat to begin SINGing a sweet song. It rings through the air like a beautiful chorus, aiming to lull the Noivern to sleep so it falls from the sky.

Lulu Flint

Winter uses SING!

Lex to could hear the sweet song ring through the air. The melody meant for the Noivern did influence the trainer. She blinked, eyelids heavy as a yawn thretned to part her lips. It was the sight of the Noivern barreling towards the earth with Winter nosediving after it that kicked in enough adrenaline to snap her awake. Winter has no intention to rescue the Noivern form its fate, she simply wants to make sure it crashes into the sand as intended. Instead, a flash of light consumes it, leaving the Altaria chasing nothing but air. Her wings expand, catching her and pulling her back up.

Once the Noivern is returned, Lex finds herself surprised. She glances towards the other side of the field as Lulu’s voice rings out. Was that meant to be a compliment? Or simply a statement of fact?

Regardless, Lex returns the Altaria and replaced the sphere on her belt. After a moment of silence, she tilts her head, reaching for the one thing they have in common, “Drink?” she has a few minutes before her next battle.

Lulu Flint

Lex has no intention of sharing anything with Lulu. Her nightmares and dreams were her own and she didn’t need Lulu analyzing them. The woman had already taken enough from her. Some things she’d like to keep to herself.

There’s a tiki-style bar not far. The festival was well-stocked with places to find some stiff booze. It’s a quick walk, a quiet one. Lex doesn’t even know why she invited Lulu to join her. Honestly, has nothing to say. Perhaps this is just a first step towards a civil working relationship.

A finger points towards one of the only bottles of whiskey behind the bar. The bartender obliges with two shot glasses and the bottle. He pours the first rounds. It doesn’t even occur to Lex that Lulu may not prefer whiskey. Oh well.

Lulu Flint