In Skyler's defense, she'd argued and grumbled all the way to the arena. Apparently, someone had signed her up for the traditional tournament battles without her input. She'd nearly escaped too, or would've if not for the all too-cheerful beefy guards promptly depositing her in the arena.

The crowd wanted blood and she was to be their entertainment. Brilliant.

The guy from across the way (her opponent) is treated to the sight of a wild-looking blonde woman throwing the middle finger at the two security guards securing the premises - and only then turning to face him. A silvery gaze sweeps over the three pokemon, its sharpness contrasting with the otherwise lackadaisical character.

Three pokemon are sent out to the field, immediately locking eyes with the other three. At the referee's sharp whistle, Golisopod moves first - a sheen enveloping the bug as an Iron Defense shimmers into existence. Kommo-o slams his fists together, Working himself Up for the fight.

Between those two a Lapras simply stares out, serene. She does nothing.



samuel carter
triple battle!
Golisopod uses Iron Defense, Kommo-o uses Work Up. Lapras... stares ominously.
Notes: I was going to bring Phione, but I have other plans for it. D: 

"Right-o!" Wholly unused to participating in traditional battles, Captain Dross is at a bit of a loss. While her opponent prepares, she blinks against the glare of the sun in her eyes, strategies crumbling like sand castles during high tide.

It didn't help that she was getting restless, just standing around.

"Just uh- do something." The lackluster command gets her a few boo's out of the spectators closest to her, to which she replies with another rude gesture - prompting a few shocked gasps that sharpen the amused curve of her smile. Maybe she'd start liking these showdowns yet.

Despite their trainer's vague wording, the three pokemon on the field don't hesitate. Long used to acting on their own, Kommo-o charges forward with a CLOSE COMBAT at the Toxtricity, ready to all-out pummel the electric type. Unfortunately, the Golisopod finds itself the victim of Gastly's HYPNOSIS, wobbling in place as its eyes close and it succumbs to sleep. Watching this with too-intelligent eyes, Lapras lets out a single high note, summoning MIST from thin air to surround them and help disguise their location.





samuel carter
triple battle!
Golisopod is asleep! Kommo-o uses CLOSE COMBAT on Toxtricity. Lapras uses MIST to disguise their location.

"Well," Skyler peeks out at the ongoing battle with a frown, watching the mist cover both Lapras' and Golisopod's figures, "...shit." A restless foot taps on the ground, looking to use some of her pent-up energy.

Then she sees Kommo-o launch itself at the Toxtrocity, sparks of electricity floating over the dragon's scales as it is PARALYZED by the former's electric charge. "Ophi, PROTECT yourself!"

The command comes just in time to halt Metagross's Confusion from hitting the dragon, the pink-hued energy finding a shimmery shield between itself and its target. Stopping just shy of hitting Kommo-o.

Behind the misty shroud, a clear single note cuts impossibly through the din of the crowd. Silence follows in its wake, as if by virtue of its existence, every other sound shrivelled down to whispers. A pause, then another note. Rising high in a haunting hymn that echoes throughout the arena.

Standing in the shadows of crowded yet hushed audience stands, Skyler smirks.





samuel carter
triple battle!
Golisopod is still asleep! Kommo-o uses PROTECT to stop Metagross's Confusion. Lapras uses PERISH SONG (1/3) here we go!

From within the misty shroud, something awakens. Its shuffling can barely be heard above the haunting song that spills from the curling mists, but its origin soon becomes apparent when a previously asleep Golisopod surges out of the cover with a war cry.

Captain Dross, who has absolutely no experience when it comes to traditional battles and would've felt more at ease under the surface of the ocean punching fish, lets out a cry of encouragement, closed fists pumping up as the bug charges Metagross - taking the Zen Headbutt himself instead of letting it hit the dragon. Mandibles latch onto the steel-type, the FIRST IMPRESSION buzzing with energy as it attempts to hurt the opponent.

Unfortunately, Kommo-o is in a bind. Despite being pumped up for the fight, static electricity snakes through its scales, holding it in place for the time being. That makes it an easy target for the Toxtricity to attack - which it does, along with Gastly. For this round it seems, the Kommo-o is paralyzed. Thankfully, its typing makes it resist electric-type damage.



samuel carter
triple battle!
Golisopod woke up due to a hero complex! Kommo-o is paralyzed so it can't do anything. Lapras uses PERISH SONG (2/3) woot!

When it comes to Skyler's strategy... well, there is none. She's used to fighting in the depths, where circumstances change from one second to the next, so she's become adept at improvising. Long term planning though? Not her thing.

So when her opponent's efforts seem to converge into a specific, soundproof pokemon, she grits her teeth and takes a few steps forward before being warned against it. Ugh, traditional battle were bullshit. You couldn't even punch someone.

"Ophiurus, protect yourself!" It seems like the most logical course of action, given that Lapras' song was at an end. Gastly's Acid manages to hurt the Golisopod, making it hiss in pain. The following Dark Pulse has it teetering over the edge of fainting, though it retaliates with a SUCKER PUNCH. Thankfully, Kommo-o's PROTECT manages to stave off attacks long enough for the song to finish.

Even if the Zen Headbutt manages to have the dragon take a few steps back out of its sheer strength.

As the PERISH SONG finishes, the Mist is blown away by an oceanic breeze - revealing the shape of a MEGA LAPRAS.



samuel carter
triple battle!
Golisopod uses Sucker Punch on Metagross! Kommo-o is paralyzed but manages to use PROTECT! Lapras uses PERISH SONG (3/3) woot!

Pokemon are recalled back into their pokeballs, all fainted save for a very confused dragon. Captain Dross blinks at the sound of her name being echoed from the stands, and while she'd been perfectly at easy flipping off a few annoying people, this kind of attention feels like an itch across her skin.

Still, she doesn't hesitate to meet her opponent in the center of the arena as the cheers fade away. Her hand unhesitatingly reaches for his in a handshake. A wry grin steals over her expression at his words, edged with a playful sort of mischief.

"Strategy? That's not really my thing, I'm afraid. But I'm honored you think so." She's shameless in her admission, amusement underlining her words. A head tilts to the side then, eyes alight with curiosity. "I think I've seen you before, but I can't remember where..."

There'd been a HNN article mentioning the new caretaker of Mt Pyre along with the respective picture, but Skyler often didn't retain information which didn't pertain to 1. fighting 2. drinking or 3. sailing.


samuel carter