SILPH VS FAIRBURNE

PAYBACK'S A BITCH

HIS GAMBLE DOESN’T PAY OFF. He’s seen the Sableye before. He knows it can Mega Evolve. But he has no choice. Without putting the Pokemon to sleep there’s no way he can catch back up. It’s an all of nothing that lands him with a big fat zero.

“Tch.”

Fernando clicks his tongue in disapproval as the Wigglytuff is rendered unconscious. There’s nothing he can do but watch as the METAL BURST knocks it further back. It lands on the sand, a soft cushion compared to a standard gym floor, but remains sleeping.

“Your win,” he admits reluctantly, returning the Pokemon.

When he rehangs the Pokeball on his belt he attaches it to his left side, a different position from where he stored it earlier. In fact, his left side is saturated with Pokeballs while his right remains relatively sparse.

“I suppose I’m easy pickings if you catch me after I’ve expended my A-team. But a good win nonetheless.”

He matches her smile with a flash of teeth.

“Catch me when I’m fresh and I’ll show you just how much I trust you.”

Katherine Fairburne

SILPH VS FAIRBURNE

PAYBACK'S A BITCH

EACH SLICE ONLY DELAYS THE INEVITABLE. Each incision against Gyarados’ scales causes it to FLINCH. But the rage never dies. It carries the Pokemon forward as sure as the rain continues to pour from its earlier RAIN DANCE.

Yellow flashes of lightning blot out the backdrop before the boom of THUNDER strikes. Hot electricity courses throughout the sky, looking to fry anyone unfortunate enough to travel in the Gyarados’ airspace.

“One to one.”

Fernando finds no pride in his win. It’s more business than anything else. While he still counts it for their record keeping, he knows well in advance that Katherine’s expertise, and therefore her strength, is laid in Ghost types.

Katherine Fairburne

SILPH VS FAIRBURNE

PAYBACK'S A BITCH

EXPECTATIONS SHOULD BE MANAGED. Fernando doesn’t hold his Pokemon to unrealistic standards. All he asks is to wring from them every last ounce of potential they have. The same applies to his Gyarados.

When the THUNDER SHOCK lands lightning courses throughout the Pokemon’s body. Having used an electric moves only moments earlier, its body proves both more resistant than normal (which is barely anything all things considered) but acts as a conductor as well.

PARALYSIS shoots it out of the sky as its muscles cramp. Unable to sustain itself, it enters freefall.

“WATERFALL.”

It’s the only move the Pokemon can use and reliably hit as it crashes on top of the Morpeko. Fernando doesn’t expect much. Maybe some damage. It FLINCHING, if he’s lucky. But either of those spell better than leaving the field with an empty defeat.

A battle is a marathon of inches. All he asks is that they make that lasting crawl. Anything to set up better conditions for those that come after.

Katherine Fairburne

SILPH VS FAIRBURNE

PAYBACK'S A BITCH

A TWO FOR ONE SPECIAL TURNS THE TIDES OF BATTLE. The cost efficiency of his Gyarados is rewarded with a well earned rest. Satisfied, Fernando chooses his next Pokemon with care. Everything he has left proves disadvantageous against the Larpras. So he tries to salvage what he can.

His Dragonite graces the field, wings flapping wildly as it ascends. Chilly winds roll in as the MIST settles but a speckle of light still shines through. It blinks twice as a warning, charging from its open maw, before a HYPER BEAM tears through all hell.

Katherine Fairburne

SILPH VS FAIRBURNE

PAYBACK'S A BITCH

THE ICE BEAM LAST LONGER THAN THE HYPER BEAM. He hadn’t accounted on the Pokemon just weathering through the clash of beams to land an attack. The result is a much weaker version, diluted by the expended energy, but one that proves just as devastating.

The Dragonite tries to evade but its too exhausted from its HYPER BEAM. A small shift allows the attack to hit its much smaller wings but the creeping ice starts to spread like an infection, threatening to FREEZE the Pokemon. Unable to keep afloat, the Dragonite starts to fall. However, it aims its body, using its other wing to steer its gliding descent.

Water covers the Pokemon as it forces itself forward with an AQUA JET, looking to maim the Lapras with its raw size.

Katherine Fairburne

SILPH VS FAIRBURNE

PAYBACK'S A BITCH

THE DRAGONITE IS PLUCKED FROM THE BATTLEFIELD WITH A FLICK OF THE WRIST. A red beam parts through sand and sea, recoiling within his palm as the Pokemon is safely deposited. Another one down and another notch in Katherine’s favor in this drawn out tie.

“You assume I know?”

Of course he does. Nothing of interest gets past him. At least willingly. These Pokemon, whatever they are, are too mainstream to escape his sights. He has both of them; ghost and ice.

“They originate from Galar. They’re strong but their temperament leaves a lot to be desired.”

MISTY TERRAIN clings to his body as he brings out Tapu Fini to serve as a measuring stick. The Pokemon shadow thickens as the aroma proliferates around his feet.

“They’re considered Legends due to their rarity and sudden resurgence. Surprisingly effective in medium range combat.”

Contorting fingers spell out the signs for the deity to rise. It breaches the MISTY TERRAIN and stares at Katherine blankly.

“Go ahead. She can take it.”

Who those words are meant for remains to be seen. Regardless of his intent, the Tapu Fini responds in kind. The fog around them start to congeal into a more humanoid shape as the Pokemon prepares its z-move.

Katherine Fairburne