BALDER VS FERNANDO

A BLIGHT AGAINST THE SLATEPORT SUN

FERNANDO CARES LITTLE FOR BALDER. The man’s relevancy in his life has dwindled since his resignation from Hoenn’s affairs. While he remains well informed due to circumstance, he no longer takes a limelight in official capacity. The more personal titles of CEO of Silph Co. and an obscure Gym Leader preside over a former duty taken for granted.

But that does not discount Balder’s weight. While Fernando’s distaste for him palpable, that mistrust and resentment sits caged within the inner confines of his mind. Externally, his demeanor is nothing short of pleasantries—a two-faced coin rigged to always show the proper side.

He is here for duty. As long as a trainer breaths battle so too will he rise to the challenge. From the beach’s sands, Fernando glares upward, squinting against the glaring sun. He can barely make out Balder’s figure against the backdrop of Celesteela’s impressive frame. How he had gotten ahold of one of these fabled Ultra Beast eludes him but Fernando’s certain that there’s a price to paid.

Treasure often comes at the expense of another.

“I don’t take it you expect me to battle that,” he calls out, Pokeball in hand.

Balder Schwartz

BALDER VS FERNANDO

A BLIGHT AGAINST THE SLATEPORT SUN

THERE ARE TWO RETORTS THAT COME TO MIND. Neither come out as Fernando keeps the situation amiable. He lets it settle in the pit of his stomach, smiling through the exchange with muted compliance.

Sand picks up and Fernando shields his eyes with a raise of his hand. He allows Balder the chance to step onto an even playing field with patience, well adjusted to the different approaches trainers have shown.

“Sounds good,” he answers, tossing his Pokeball into the air.

A Talonflame soars upwards as it peers at the two trainers below. It squawks with a prolonged screech, eager to stretch its wings.

Balder Schwartz

BALDER VS FERNANDO

A BLIGHT AGAINST THE SLATEPORT SUN

FERNANDO QUIRKS AN EYEBROW AT THE QUESTION. An immediate, “without us,” serves to answer his query. Fernando distaste for physically involving himself in these battles, casual or not, sits at the tip of his tongue. Not since Alexei Ivanov’s Gym Challenge.

“Battle routine set.”

The call for battle starts but the Talonflame doesn’t charge in to attack. It flaps its wings repeatedly to sustain its altitude. It’s discrete, masked by the natural need to stay afloat, but the wind around it starts to contort around its body: RAZOR WIND.

“Execute!”

Balder Schwartz

BALDER VS FERNANDO

A BLIGHT AGAINST THE SLATEPORT SUN

NOIVERN’S EAR-PIERCING SCREAM CAUSES THE TALONFLAME TO RECOIL. Supersonic sound waves leave it CONFUSED as its head continues to ring long after. Thankfully, it maintains flight, repeating the flap of its wings. RAZOR WIND currents take form as it fires several off at the Noivern.

Balder Schwartz

BALDER VS FERNANDO

A BLIGHT AGAINST THE SLATEPORT SUN

CRUSHING SOUND WAVES BATTER THE FALCON. The impact of each vibration sends the Pokemon sprawling in the air. Movements that defy physics over take the bird as its thrown like a ragdoll, devoid of its bearings. When the repeated blasts end the Pokemon starts to fall.

Seconds pass and it regains its bearings. Hot flames sprout from between its feathers. In a sudden burst of speed the Pokemon approaches with a FLAME CHARGE.

Balder Schwartz

BALDER VS FERNANDO

A BLIGHT AGAINST THE SLATEPORT SUN

NOIVERN MULTIPLES WITH BEFORE TALONFLAME’S EYES. The Pokemon is already disoriented enough without the duplicates. But now it has no bearings on which one could be the correct one and which were just after images. So, it doubled down. GALE WINGS allow it to accelerate as the Pokemon performs a slew of ACROBATIC maneuvers in the air, ramming straight into each instance as it picks up speed.

Balder Schwartz

BALDER VS FERNANDO

A BLIGHT AGAINST THE SLATEPORT SUN

TALONFLAME’S FLYBY IS MET WITH A VENGEFUL DRAGON PULSE. Repeated surges of draconic energy bat the bird with jarring impact. It falters in the air before becoming alight with FLAME CHARGE. Red fumes hold it steady as it turns around for another collision.

Balder Schwartz