"that's right i am!"

noah shouts from his side of the cage. from his small podium, the energetic timbre of his greeting carries across the vast room. his lungs are strong. his voice, naturally loud.

in the cage already are his hariyama and medicham stretching under the stagelights.

"nice to meet you! i'm noah, your opponent today." he says. "my hariyama and medicham are already in the ring. as long as you show me you can handle close-quarters combat, you'll get this knockout badge of mine."

retrieving the badge from his pocket, he flicks it into the air, the small chime of metal striking nail loud enough for hideo to hear. he catches it on its descent with a swipe of his gloved palm.

"you got the first move! i'm expecting good things!" his medicham and hariyama get into position, arms raised for the fight.

notes: POG ty for your patience

[attr="class","pkspr"][attr="class","pokesprite pokemon medicham"][attr="class","pokesprite pokemon hariyama"]

Hideo Kino

The sudden shouting caught Hideo off-guard, both him and his Rotomdex jumping (floating slightly higher in the latter’s case).

He could at least be grateful that shout answered his question. Still, his Rotomdex felt compelled to answer: “Yes.”

Hideo was quick to regain his composure, waving towards where he heard the voice. “Nice to meet you too, Noah!” Hideo shouted back - noting that the gym leader introduced himself as “Noah” - his first name. Probably alright to call him by that.

Noah even told him what Pokemon he was using. "Oh, that's cool!" Hideo commented, retrieving his Pokeballs, "I got a Medicham of my own! Though I didn't bring her for this match." Gave him a decent idea of what to expect from Noah's.

He aimed at the arena, letting his Pokemon out. His purple Oricorio had a dignified presentation, landing in the arena with a bow. A moment later, she twirled, stopping as she faced her opponents, brandishing her "fans" as she already began bouncing to a rhythm.

His Ribombee was decidedly less gracefully; the four-inch shiny nearly hitting the ground before his eyes opened wide, his wings buzzing rapidly. Pinky rubbed his eyes, looking around as he took in that he was in an arena, and there were two Pokemon in front of him that looked ready to punch him.

He shot his trainer a futile look of concern before looking back at his opponents.

The first move was offered to Hideo - and he was going to take it. "Alright guys, show them your moves!"

The now-awake Ribombee was the first to move, his arms moving from side to side as his body followed. A bright white light covered his body, the Quiver Dance taking effect.

The Oricorio, the Dancer that she was, immediately mimicked his dance, her arms going from side to side in rhythm with the Ribombee, her body similarly enveloped with a white light.

But where the Ribombee finished his dance, the Oricorio ended hers with a flourish; a quick twirl complimented by the white light around her turning pale purple. It collected onto one of her "fans", and as she pointed it at the Medicham, it flew towards her target, her Revelation Dance complete.

"Oh, quick question!" Hideo piped up. "Is it alright if my Rotomdex helps me out with this? It won't really fight, but it can just tell me what's going on."

Ribombee used Quiver Dance

Oricorico copied the Quiver Dance d/t Dancer

Oricorio used Revelation Dance (Ghost) on Medicham

noah faber

"by all means, man! whatever it takes to even the odds." noah says.

the pokemon prance in synchronization. he's reminded of the choreography of Melody Miro's challenge. both martial arts and dance require the graces of practiced footwork— but there is a reason why open air concerts are cancelled in the rain.

the gym leader commands his hariyama to summon the dewford sea. a SURF rises alongside large, broad palms. as the wave brushes the cage's ceiling it looms before curling toward the ribombee and oricorio.

through the deluge, his TELEPATHIC medicham bursts through, firing PSYCHO CUTS toward hideo's pokemon. they're not aimed to strike, necessarily— but more to tire. to keep them on their toes. to distract them from the terrifying tide surging through.

"don't let up!" noah shouts.

notes: hariyama SURFS / medicham bursts through wave and fires PSYCHO CUTS

[attr="class","pkspr"][attr="class","pokesprite pokemon medicham"][attr="class","pokesprite pokemon hariyama"]

Hideo Kino

Hideo could feel a bit of relief, knowing he could count on his Rotomdex's support for this fight. It made up for neither of his Pokemon being Telepathic. He shot a thumbs-up over at Noah, but it was time to get back to the battle.

Hideo could hear the incoming water before his Rotomdex filled him in. "Incoming Surf and Psycho Cuts, at both of them!"

If one attack couldn't be avoided, then they'd have to focus on evading the other. "Stick together!" Hideo shouted, "Avoid those cuts!"

His two Pokemon huddled together (as in the Ribombee got behind the Oricorio's fan) as they dodged around, avoiding each Psycho Cut. Which was great for dealing with that attack, but did absolutely nothing for the incoming wave. "Brace yourselves!" Hideo shouted, the two hunkering down as the wave crashed over them, pushing them against the cage.

But before the wave was fully finished, Hideo shouted his next order: "Now get in there!"

His Oricorio burst through the water, reaching the top of the cage immediately. And just as her feet touched metal, she came back down, flying straight towards the Hariyama, the target of her Aerial Ace.

As for the Ribombee?

He had been with the Oricorio the whole time - until she started her descent. She'd not-so-gently tossed him towards the Medicham like a dart, the little Pokemon ready to plant a Draining Kiss on his target.

Oricorio&Ribombee evaded the Psycho Cuts

Oricorio&Ribombee hit by Surf

Oricorio used Aerial Ace on the Hariyama

Ribombee was tossed at the Medicham and is attacking with Draining Kiss

noah faber

seeing the oricorio utilize the ceiling, noah's smile curls stronger. the metal rattling, so crisp and clear across the dusty shafts of stage light, is a sound the gym leader has heard many times before, conducted by his own pokemon.

noah hollers and leaps. "nice moves, buddy!" he lands on his little stage with a whistle.

the hariyama is struck harshly by the AERIAL ACE, its hard skull bobbing backward. hands clap together as it wobbles. dripping from its mauve skin, cold water collects into beads as the medicham focuses. a DETECT allows the fighter to avoid the bee's kiss as it corks, leaping for the shiny oricorio.

should it be able, the hariyama spins around, large palms churning the air. a WHIRLWIND develops, attempting to force air underneath the oricorio's wings as noah's medicham lunges for it.

notes: hariyama is hit by AERIAL ACE and will try to WHIRLWIND oricorio up / medicham DETECTS to try and lunge for oricorio (especially if it is in mid-air)

[attr="class","pkspr"][attr="class","pokesprite pokemon medicham"][attr="class","pokesprite pokemon hariyama"]

Hideo Kino

Hideo smiled, satisfied at hearing his Oricirio's Aerial Ace hit true. Even Noah sounded impressed.

But it would take more than one solid strike to earn a victory, and while his Oriciorio got a hit in, he didn't hear the sound of a successful Draining Kiss. Dang. At least he could hear his Ribombee's wings buzzing, so he didn't plant himself into the ground or something embarrassing.

And it was far from when he should let his guard down. "They're both going for your Oricorio!" the Rotomdex said, as Hideo heard the the Whirlwind whip up. He could even feel the wind brush against his face and hair.

Well, if that's how they'd play…"Sandwich'em!"

The Oricorio was caught by the whirlwind, pushed back and up by the force. But even as she tried to smooth out her sudden flight, she could see the Medicham lunging towards her.

So why not meet her opponent?

She pushed against the wind, once again flying up to the top of the cage - and hurtling straight towards the Medicham with an Aerial Ace.

And while that went down, the Ribombee, midly miffrd by his missed kiss, glowed bright pink and as sparkles covered his body. In a moment, the sparkles would burst forth, the Dazzling Gleam going straight for the Medicham and the Hariyama.

Oricorio was pushed back by Whirlwind

Oricorio is meeting the Medicham with an Aerial Ace

Ribombee is attacking the Medicham (from behind) and the Hariyama (from whatever direction) with a Dazzling Gleam

noah faber

"nice!" noah's voice carries through the gale, vermillion encouragement clipping through the sharpest paper plane. "keep taking those risks, hideo! you're always in control of your side of battle!"

a DAZZLING GLEAM scatters across the ring like shards from a shattered jewel. noah's hariyama erects a ROCK TOMB before it, the bright attack spattering across its obdurate surface. dry crust surrenders to the winds before his hariyama strikes the stone with its broad palm.

one chunk flies toward the ribombee. smaller masses are swept by the last few swirls of a fading WHIRLWIND: blunt barbs for hideo's oricorio— and noah's medicham.

his medicham is struck by the AERIAL ACE with a powerful crack. the pokemon's body bends as ice develops on its fist— but the DAZZLING GLEAM prevents a strike from ringing true.

needing to escape the air, the medicham uses the momentum of impact and a sharpening of its poise to roll onto the canvas quicker before the stones batter its hurt form.

"you can hear how wild this is, right?!" noah says, laugh almost reaching frenzy.

notes:
-hariyama attempts to defend itself with a ROCK TOMB / breaks ROCK TOMB with a punch to toss one boulder toward RIBOMBEE / other scattering stones toward ORICORIO/MEDICHAM.

- medicham hit by AERIAL ACE / tries to ICE PUNCH but hit by DAZZLING GLEAM / opts to reach the floor quicker.

[attr="class","pkspr"][attr="class","pokesprite pokemon medicham"][attr="class","pokesprite pokemon hariyama"]

Hideo Kino

Hideo could feel his determination harden as Noah complimented his prowess. "Thanks!" he shouted - the battle was getting pretty loud, so he had to make sure he was heard. "You're doing really well too, Noah!"

In this small arena, there was no playing defensively, no way to escape. If someone got the advantage, they were going to keep it - barring a slip-up.

"No hit on the Hariyama, two on the Medicham," the Rotomdex said. Progress was progress - and it told Hideo which had the stronger defense.

And which to focus on.

He could hear the Hariyama punch the rock, and a startled screech from his Ribombee. It was enough to tell him what was happened - his Rotomdex didn't have enough time to speak. "Dodge up!" Hideo shouted.

His Ribombee did as he asked, flying straight up - but the order came a hair too late, and while the Ribombee's upper-half was spared a hit, his legs were a little less fortunate. Pinky let out a squeal of pain as he flipped in the air, quickly re-stabilizing himself.

The Oricorio was both more and less fortunate; rocky barbs were sent her way, smaller than what came for the Ribombee. But in her position, with the Whirlwind still carrying her, there was little she could do about the incoming barbs other than brace her body, struck by each one.

"And some rocks got both of yours."

Hideo grunted - they sounded like pretty tough hits too. But he couldn't let up. "Keep it up, guys!" Hideo shouted.

The restabilized Ribombee glared at the Hariyama, but noticed the grounded Medicham as well. Two targets in sight and below him, his body once again glowed pink with a side of sparkles, a Dazzling Gleam once more firing off towards the two opponents.

But while the Ribombee repeated his previous attack, the Oricorio opted with a different one; she danced in the air, moving through the pain as a pale-purple energy coalesced into one of her fans, concluding with a sharp spin and the ghostly Revelation Dance flying at the Medicham.

"Hear it? I can feel it!" He could feel the last wisps of the Whirlwind against his face and the crack of his Oricorio's Aerial Ace. He could even feel the faint ghostly wind from his Oricorio's dance.

Ribombee's legs were hit by the rock, which made him do a sick vertical 360.

Oricorio was hit by the rocks mixed with the Whirlwind

Ribombee is using Dazzling Gleam (again) on the Hariyama and Medicham (again)

Oricorio is attacking the Medicham with a (ghost-type) Revelation Dance

noah faber

the constant barrage of a DAZZLING GLEAM continues to take a toll on noah's fighters. although the medicham is able to DETECT the flash of fairy power in time— a GHOST-TYPE REVELATION DANCE is enough to subdue the psychic pugilist.

as the medicham falls, noah's hariyama summons another surge of water. a SURF emerges from underneath its feet, hoisting its large body up on the wave as it crashes toward the ribombee and oricorio.

before the waters submerge the medicham's fallen body, a whip of red light recalls the pokemon.

"don't let up, fong!" noah says. "FORCE PALM on the descent!"

as the hariyama is lowered by the plunging waters, its large palms channel pulsing energy from their centers toward hideo's ORICORIO.

notes:
- medicham faints from super-effective attack![break]
- hariyama SURFS / rides wave and tries to FORCE PALM ORICORIO as it descends.

[attr="class","pokesprite pokemon hariyama"]

Hideo Kino

"Medicham's down!" the Rotomdex announced, the thrill of success running through Hideo's body. A 2v1 was a massive advantage in these close quarters.

But he just had to make sure of one thing. "How are Pinky and Jiggy holding up?"

"Mmmmmmmmmm," the Rotomdex buzzed. Seeing the neutral expression on the Rotomdex's screen would've made it even more obvious that his victory still wasn't set yet, so he had to play this carefully - he didn't want to trip at the finish line. "Maybe they need a breather."

"Got'cha." But it sounded like that was going to be a little difficult with that distinct sound of rushing water - another Surf was coming. It didn't even cross his mind that the KO'd Medicham might have been caught in it - he trusted that Noah wouldn't let that happen, and sure enough, he heard the Pokeball pull it back in.

"Brace for it, guys!" Hideo shouted.

His Ribombee could only stare at the wave, dejected as he was too far from the Oriocorio to use her as cover again. He tried going up, but the wave rose faster than he did, and he only get out a "Riblblblblbl!" as it enveloped him.

His Oricorio was considerably more prepared: a flap of her wings brought her back to the top of the cage, which she gripped onto with her talons. Hanging like a Zubat, a pale purple glow enveloping her body. Her Roosting ensured she was braced for the incoming attack - and recovering her wounds in the process.

When the Force Palm came to her, she didn't move from her spot: she merely raised her fans, as if those would actually stop the attack. But as the strike hit her fans, its force seemed to harmlessly pass through her like a ghost - but she'd simply ducked (or risen, considering her upside-down state) from the attack.

And from the water, the Ribombee emerged - drenched and clearly straining himself to keep afloat. He flew right towards the Hariyama, using his last bit of energy to try and plant a Draining Kiss on it.

Ribombee was caught in the Surf
Oricorio latched onto the top of the cage and used Roost
Oricorio wasn't hurt by the Force Palm
Ribombee emerges from the water and attempts a last-ditch Draining Kiss on the Hariyama

noah faber

The FORCE PALM phasing through surprises noah faber— but he is quick to realize his mistake. His knowledge of Alolan Pokemon extends to his small collection of them— but little else.

Still, such folly is a crucial stepping stone, even for him.

As the Ribombee emerges from the waters, it lands on the Hariyama with its DRAINING KISS. Fong instinctually swats at the bug, broad palm swinging toward with the heavy force of a KNOCK OFF.

But the Hariyama is weakened enough to fall on its haunches, which Noah takes as a sign of surrender. Recalled in a flash of red light, the ring is wet with the aftermath of battle.

"Ah! You got me!" Noah laughs, one forearm swiping across a sweaty brow. "Congratulations, man! You get one Knockout Badge, coming right up!"

He hops off his podium, ready to meet Hideo in the middle for the endowment of the other's efforts.

"Your Pokemon's teamwork back there? That's what I'm looking for. Well deserved."

NOTE:POGPOG ty for your incredible patience
Hideo Kino

Hideo could hear the Draining Kiss land, and he quietly prayed his Ribombee would get enough to hold on. His Oricorio, he was less worried about, considering it sounded like that Hariyama's Force Palm didn't land a hit.

Once he heard the sound of a Pokeball retrieving a Pokemon again (and he himself wasn't the source), a rush ran through Hideo; with both of his opponent's Pokemon down, he'd well and truly won!

Noah announcing it just made it all the sweeter, a wide grin adorning Hideo's face as his arms shot up.

"Great job, guys!" Hideo exclaimed to the two Pokemon still standing. The Oricorio let go of the ceiling, gracefully descending to the ground, hitting the ground with a bow.

The Ribombee shakily looked at his trainer, raising a hand as his attempt at a thumbs-up without digits, before he dropped to the ground, hitting the arena with a quiet *thmp*.

Nothing a trip to the nearby Pokemon Center couldn't fix. Hideo took out a pair of Pokeballs, drawing the two Pokemon back in as he was led towards Noah by his Rotomdex.

His smile ending, Hideo happily nodded as Noah complimented his strategy. "Yeah, a lot of my Pokemon work well together! I trained them well! But yours were pretty well-coordinated too! If mine were any less-prepared, it might've gone your way!"

Once he was close enough, Hideo's Rotomdex would stop him. Hideo's hand opened up, extender forward as he excitedly awaited the badge; he'd only know that he'd truly gotten it once it touched his hand, where he'd feel it to get all the little details before adding it to his badge case.

noah faber