A familiar voice called out his name, forcing him to turn to see who it was. Like expected, the gym leader himself flagging him down with a wave. The scarred man gave him a half grin, hand rose to politely wave back. “Hey there,” he greeted, still envious of him but did his best to push it aside, “Yeah... It’s me.” Mav couldn’t tell if the gym leader was thrilled to battle him or found it rather annoying. It never really crossed his mind how others thought of him. It was probably something he should consider if he did want to be an Elite Four some day.

Approaching the man, he extended his hand out to offer an hardy handshake. “Hope you don’t mind,” he added in, retreating his hands back into his pockets after the handshake, “I was also hoping you can tell me how my birds are. Tell me if they need improvements or what they need to work on more.” He paused, shrugging his shoulders casually. “I’m always open to learn more.” Although the man has studied many dark, fire, and dragon types over the years, he never really studied flying or avian creature in specific. After all, a gym battle wasn’t just about the battle. It was about learning.

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz

With formalities out of the way, Maverick followed the gym leader without much thought behind it. And despite the man’s disability, it did not hold him back as they migrated to the outside area. His warm gaze flickered to what Alexei wanted to show him, brow raise in an awe. It was fantastic. Maverick always loved when a gym was tailored to not only the types or creatures being used in said gym, but for the wild creatures that lived there and trainers who owned such creatures. “Astonishing” was the only thing the scarred trainer could say.

The man was so lost in absorbing the facilities that he completely forgot for a moment why he was here. It was the gym leader that remembered, dragging him back down to earth and refocus on the task at hand. “Oh! Right!” Mav swiftly snatched two pokeballs from his pockets, revealing them before releasing the creatures from their captivities.

The first was an oddly colored talonflame from normal. She spread her wings wide in the air, letting out a screech and stretching. Once she felt loose, the creature shake her feathers to loosen them and hovering over her masters left side. Gaze darted to the gym leader, narrowing at him before turning her beak into the air in discuss. This human wasn’t her father. Molters. She had no interested.

The second one to materialized was another strange colored bird. The pink feathered honchkrow puffed out his chest, beady digits flickered from Maverick to this other human. He hovered in flight to Mav’s right, silently judging both his master and his human. Oh, how he despised the human kind.

“Right so,” he started, left hand rose to scratch the back of his neck. “This is Izumi” The trainer gestured to the shiny talonflame before motioning to the shiny Honchkrow. “and that is Marrok.” A half grin, half glimpse was revealed on his face. But then remember, this was a sky battle. “Oh!” Maverick's hand that was behind his head reached into his pocket to grab another ball and flashed it to him to indicate he didn't forget. “And I have another pokemon to ride on while we battle.”

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz

Upon releasing his two avian creatures of choice, the gym leader seemed stunned by them. His own brows rose to react to the gym leaders reaction, wondering if the man saw more in them then he did. The blonde even pointed out his own dark feathered bird as a large flock of flying pokemon swarmed into the area. Unsure of what to say, he gave the man a small smile and mumbled “He looks happy and healthy” in hopes that was the reaction he desired. Maverick expected the gym leader to have one, if not many more. Unlesss… was this Murkrow special? What this all a test before the battle?

But at the mention of the houndour, this got his full attention. “Oh yeah! No problem! I’m glad I was able to help!” His love for those dark fiery species had no bound. If anything, they were his reason for living. He was happy to help someone who needed help taming the creature.

“And for my creatures,” the man continued, warm gaze flickered to his two birds, “I was just hoping that after the battle- win or lose- you could tell me how they are. Advise to raise them better, improvements to help them, or anything really sense you may see something more than I might.” His shoulder’s shrugged casually, returning his gaze on the gym leader. “If you want too, of course.”

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz

His gaze flickered to the familiar pink feather bird when the gym leader pointed it out, listening to what he had to say. “Oh,” he replied, observing as a normal colored evolved form landed right beside it, “I see. Well.. I don’t know much about this honchkrow’s past.” The man admitted, remembering he captured the shiny avian almost two years ago in a swarm, “But I do know he shares the same feeling about his oddly colored feathers. He hates it.” Marrok glared at the pair in the tree, both jealous and indignant towards them. “But that’s about it.” The conversation made the trainer wonder about his avian’s past, not really knowing much with them being unable to speak their language. However, the trainer did own a noivern. Hmmmm...

His thoughts got shifted once again when a large shadow circled over head, catching the trainer’s attention almost immediately. His gaze flickered up, brows rose at the sight of yet another familiar species. Hydreigon. A dragon and dark type. He had one of those and battled against one of those as well. To his surprise however, it seemed as the gym leader was suddenly ready to battle. His placid gaze followed him as they took their spot in the area. Maverick had to admit, he was rather disappointed that the gym leader was using a dragon as his flying type of choice. The ex gym leader was hoping to see a true avian trained by the best in action. If he would have known, Mav had dragons out the wazoo.

How unfortunate. And honestly, he found it rather boring.

As expected from his honorable opponent, the trainer was given the first move. But seeing as they were going against a dragon rather then a true avian, Maverick’s motivation to battle was a little- lackluster. Changing his plans to fit this new discovery, Maverick recalled his shiny talonflame and shoved her into his pocket for later use. “Alright Marrok,” he mumbled, letting out a soft sigh in between, “Time to mix it up, you know the drill.” The honchkrow moved to his spot across from his opponent, beady eyes glared at the dragon as they took on a intense red glow. A hint of a smirk was on his beak. Several golden balls of energy materialized around him, moving about in some kind of memorizing pattern. They inched closer to the dragon in their little dance, trying to trap it in its CONFUSEing RAYs.

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz

Maverick wasn’t going to deny the truth. His curiosity about the dragon and dark type that was skillfully trained by an avian expert was something he wanted to see. Sense he specialized in the dark typing and it has been his favorite type for many years now, seeing the creature trained under someone else wing was VERY interesting. However, he had fought many of his own kind and was looking forward to seeing how a true avian should be taught by someone who was the master.

The pink feathered bird sent out little balls of swirling dizziness. And to Maverick’s surprised, the bright flashes of light followed by a angry puzzled roar form the dragon confirmed it worked. Interesting. “This might be your only shot,” the man mumbled to the cocky honchkrow, Mav’s arms crossed over his chest, “better make it count.” The trainer knew Hydreigon’s very well. The power they possessed. If his bird wasn’t careful, he would be a goner sooner rather then later.

“Icy Wind.” It was a cheap shot, but they needed to weaken it before it snapped out of the confusion. Luckily, it should also reduce its speed which could help them later. Marrok let out a irritated squawk, leaning back in his flight to be sure he was facing the dragon in hopes to not miss. His wings began to flap harder and harder with each seconds, soon an icy cold waves of gusty wind formed and was hurled at the opponent. Not only the dragon’s weakness, but maybe even slow it down in the process.

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz

With the confusion still in full effect, Marrok’s Icy Wind was able to hit its mark. The bone chilling breeze cascaded over the dragon, both weakening and angering it all at the same time. It was so mad, it attempted to retaliate back at the oddly colored honchkrow with a loud roar. However, the confusion got the best of it and only managed to hit itself. Poor thing.

Taking advantage of the status aliment that still hindered the dragon from blast his bird into the heavens, Maverick wanted to attempt to get as many powerful hits before it recovered. “Brave bird.” Marrok didn’t hesitate, gaining altitude swiftly. And when he felt like he was high enough, the avian pulled his wings in close to his body into a dive. His body soon became surrounded in light blue aura, diving at an incredible speed like a missile. His body even became surrounded in a red hot flame, only to open his wings last minute in an attempt to slam himself into the dragon with a powerful BRAVE BIRD.

It was a risky move. For if the avian creature managed to hit the dragon, the move will not only hurt himself but also put him too close for comfort to the dragon. But, it was a risk they needed to take before the confusion wore off and the wrath of the Hydreigon came out.

[attr="class","wizzcred"]❤ wizz