Though it was pretty neat how this Sneasler came to be in his company, the space-time distortions weren't something Derek thought about in a positive light. "That's because they're not actually supposed to be here...but that's not a topic for right now." Talking about it at length wasn't on the to do list, so he readily took to his side of the arena, giving a nod to Callan suggesting that their match was underway.

The first command given is for the Sneasler to deliver a swift attack at the Obstagoon's face, more specifically it's eyes. Nothing serious would come of such a mediocre attack, but the idea that Derek might play dirty was there. Even if it wasn't the other challenge, he still felt the desire to test the opponent's survival skills. And first on that list was surviving an apex predator.

Callan Young

☉

With introductions out of the way, the two pokemon seemed almost thrilled to be at one another's necks. The Obstagoon, Flea, was the ideal opponent for a Sneasler. And though it may find some advantages, the scary face daunting over it as well as the naturally intimidating face made even it hesitate. The double edge that takes place soon after makes it's mark, though not before the long-clawed pokemon manages to turn the pointy end of it's appendages towards the opponent.

Regardless of how effective it might've been, the force of the blow sends Sneasler sliding backwards, catching itself by digging in on all fours. A swords dance is performed shortly after gaining it's footing, showing off the large claws it wore in an effort to intimidate or provoke the Obstagoon.

BbM03MPa

---

tl;dr
Sneasler is hit while countering with dire claw
Sneasler uses swords dance before it's next move
Based on my rolls, determine for yourself whether dire claw misses, or if it hits, what of the three staus afflictions (poison, paralysis & drowsy) occurs in Flea

Callan Young

☉

Though it may normally have put up a better fight, it's debut in a traditional gym circuit setting seems to place the Sneasler in an odd predicament. Where it would normally hunt prey and allow them to run before giving chase at it's leisure, the relentless zeal of the Obstagoon seems to dominate the matchup. With one final clash, both pokemon seem unable to stand.

"A little reckless, but I like it!" Derek calls out as he returns the Sneasler, releasing another ancient specimen, this one strongly resembling that of a current day Zoroark.

"Move on them as soon as they spawn, Zoroark!" Enacting this nasty plot, the Zoroark moves forward to confront the next pokemon with a shadow claw as it's being sent out. Though Zoroark doesn't know, Derek is fully aware that what comes next is Callan's Toxtricity. An interesting pokemon, to say the least, and one that could definitely turn the tides of this battle in his favor.

7cRzleJK

---

tl;dr
sneasler faints
h!zoroark uses nasty plot
h!zoroark uses shadow claw
rolling 1-10 will result in a critical hit

Callan Young

☉

The first few hits are a tell, and though they seem well fought, Derek can't help but feel like this style of fighting doesn't suit his Zoroark either. Perhaps that was something they'd have to work on, starting now...

"Swift!" The call for the offensive is quick, and the attack is quicker, likely challenging the Toxtricity even in peak form. Though while he assumes it may hit, the hope that they may try to evade is what drives him.

"Follow through!" Whether the purple reptile moved or stood it's ground, an attack with bitter malice scourged forward with the chance of applying a harsh frostbite to all that it touched.

A5ztIu7b

---

tl;dr
h!zoroark uses swift
h!zoroark uses bitter malice
rolling 1-30 will result in a frostbite

Callan Young

☉

Shit!

The idea that Callan was hiding mega-evolution up his sleeve didn't cross Derek's mind. Who would wait so long to whip it out, y'know? At least that was the gym leader's thoughts on the matter. But to his credit, the timing couldn't have been better executed.

As Derek's pokemon failed to put an end to the battle, the gym leader could feel the winds of change shifting. The guitar brought down on the arena like a hammer was shocking in of itself, and when the current reached the Zoroark, it found itself completely paralyzed!

"Snap out of it and fight back, Zoroark!" The pokemon, would it have been able to, would've utilized it's extrasensory capabilities. Instead, it demonstrated the lingering effects of paralysis. All Derek could do was watch as his pokemon struggled beneath the Toxtricity's staggering gaze, vulnerable to whatever happened next. But unlike some, he wouldn't give up until Callan and his pokemon landed the final blow.

---

tl;dr
h!zoroark is paralyzed!
h!zoroark can't move this turn!

Callan Young

☉

While he could've saved his pokemon the suffering, it went against the nature of his gym challenge. Allowing the susceptible Hisuian Zoroark to be struck down, the arena lit up once more with vibrant electricity like he'd never seen before. If not purely for the fact Callan beat him in a battle, that display was enough in of itself to make Derek consider forking over the badge.

Although, if he recalled correctly, that sort of display would be best suited for Melody's gym. "Ah, man..." He drags his breath while using a pokeball to retrieve the fainted Zoroark. It probably wouldn't be very happy with him for this, but all in all, a lesson learned like that was a lesson that wouldn't be forgotten. At least not anytime soon.

Holstering the pokeball back into it's slot in his belt, Derek began pacing towards Callan through the middle of the arena. Whether he moved to meet the gym leader in the middle or not made little difference. "You and your pokemon fought well! Even managed to surprise me there at the end." Hands that were deep in his pant pockets seemed to be pushing down, as if trying to procure something. And they did.

Once in reach, Derek's arm extended for a formal handshake between the two of them. When Callan accepted the gesture, he would find the very first finite badge slipped into the palm of his hand. "Hopefully this will help you get a little more recognition. Or whatever else it might do for you." Perhaps Callan would just be happy to stare at it, or maybe even keep it close to him at night. Trainers did all kinds of things with their badges, from pawning to polishing.

"You'll be the first name on the list of people who've earned my badge. Make use of it however you can. Just...don't make me sound like a pushover." With all that had been going on, Derek didn't need that kind of scrutiny distracting him.

Before he could get another word in, however, a new message hit his phone with an audible chime. Pulling it out for a quick read, he seems to turn away from Callan with a hand raised dismissively. Kind of like a wave goodbye.

"Something came up, so I'll have to cut this short. But you should stick around Petalburg for a little while. We can go get a drink when I'm finished." Hoping Callan wasn't in any hurry to skip town, Derek at least had his number saved to get in contact with him later if needed.

THREAD EXIT

---

tl;dr
h!zoroark fainted!
derek returns his pokemon!
derek approaches callan young!
callan is awarded the first finite badge!

Callan Young

☉