[attr="class","skullimg"]

[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skullbody"]Isaac was never much for big weight training. He was litheness. He was agility. He was quickness of body, mind, and tongue alike. Ash was probably already bigger and more muscular than he was. That was okay. In his own way, Isaac was every bit as powerful and every bit as dangerous.[break][break]

They'd never fought each other. Okay, so they had. Once. It was the worst day of Isaac's life, and he refused to blame Ashley for it, before he refused to accept that the man who knifed out his eye was the same man he called a brother. That was agony talking. That was grief talking. That was a mental breakdown. Theh were better than that now. They were stronger than that now. They were ready to face each other.[break][break]

It was funny. Months ago, Ash could barely understand why people battled. Now, if anything, he was the more battle crazy of the two. To Isaac, it was just part of a process. Move well. Study well. Play well. Eat well. Rest well. Strength came from a good life and a drive to improve, but it wasn't the end all, be all. For Ash, it was different. Since what happened on Mt. Pyre, he was hellbent on training. He was doing anything he could to squeeze out those last drops of strength.[break][break]

He sought out Zev Harcourt.[break][break]

Ugh. He shouldn't be thinking about that. Who was Isaac to judge? They'd been hurt, Ash had so much more to fight for, and he didn't want to lose it. Of course he'd be more intense. It was a marked contrast to the sweet, all-loving soul he'd met on the beach all of those months ago, but he knew buried beneath the intensity that same heart beat just as strongly.[break][break]

It had to.[break][break]

Isaac entered with no Pokeballs revealed. He was never the type to play his hand early. "Guess it's finally showtime, huh?" he asked, offering his friend a fistbump and a charming smile. It was classic traditional rules. Four Pokemon to a side. Two Pokemon out at once. Last man standing takes it all home.[break][break]

"Got any last requests before we get this going?"

[break][break]

[break]

Isaac Merlo[break][break]

NOTES

- OUTFIT, MISSION[break]
- Ash makes it clear not to take him likely with a fistbump.[break]
- He throws out Magneto and Ana riding atop of the Metang.[break]

MADE BY GUNSMILE

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[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skullbody"]Ash's last request was for Isaac not to go easy on him. That was an easy statement to agree to . . . at least, it was. Then Ash revealed that one of the first Pokemon he was sending out was a Pichu, and internally Isaac started panicking. He'd prepped for a clash of the titans, and now he was worried that he was going a little bit overkill.[break][break]

Ah well. Ash had asked for this. If he could help squeeze the maximum potential possible out of his best buddy's team of Pokemon, then a little bit of over the top roughhousing would be worth it. "Don't say I didn't warn you, man. My first pick's gonna shock the world, 'cause she is none other than-!"[break][break]

Isaac threw a Pokeball out, ball seals kicking up a flash of lightning and a crash of thunder in an Electivire's wake. The word SHOCK MASTER floated behind her as she struck a pose, her wires sparking dangerously. "Ash, meet Shockmaster!"[break][break]

This wasn't a one on two, though. Another Pokeball hit the ground right after, this one revealing a far more familiar face. Kilimanjaro the Camerupt, pivotal player in the war against Gavin's shadows, took to the training grounds once again. He gave a tepid look to his partner's theatrics, then lazily turned his focus back to Ash's team.[break][break]

"Kilimanjaro! You're on artillery. Shockmaster! Don't let 'em get in close. And both of you? Give our man here the fight of his life!" Shockmaster pumped a fist excitedly, sliding in front of Kilimanjaro and settling into a fighting stance. Kilimanjaro retreated behind her, his humps already frothing into a boil.[break][break]

Kilimanjaro was the first of Isaac's team to strike, an Eruption bursting from his back. It would lob through the air in a beautiful, terrifying arc, aiming to blast Magneto with the full force of his vitality. It was a move that got weaker the more its user was roughed up, so Isaac wanted it leveraged as much as possible in the early stages of the fight.[break][break]

To help with this, Shockmaster hung back instead of charging right into the fray. If anyone got cheeky and approached, her fist would burst into flame, a heavy haymaker of a Fire Punch following to punish anyone for getting close. She didn't risk approaching herself; her job was to safeguard, not to smash, and didn't want to end up leaving Kilimanjaro open by being out of position. Instead, her movements were limited to mirroring her opponent's left and right movements, covering Kilimanjaro's flanks to the best of her ability.[break][break]

TEAL DEER;[break]
Out come Shockmaster the Electivire and Kilimanjaro the Camerupt![break]
Kilimanjaro kicks things off with a heavy Eruption aimed Magneto's way.[break]
Shockmaster plays defense, readying a Fire Punch if anyone approaches but holding her position.


[break][break]

[break]

Isaac Merlo [break][break]

NOTES

- OUTFIT, MISSION[break]
- Magneto tries to dodge the Eruption, Ana leaps on Shockmaster's head as they take the Fire Punch.[break]
- Ana uses Nasty Plot to power up, while Magneto Bullet Punches Shockmaster to keep her busy.[break]
- Ashley cooking.

MADE BY GUNSMILE

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[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skullbody"]Isaac laughed a little as Ash's plan kicked into gear. It wasn't because the plan was laughable or anything. No, it was because it was brilliant. Ash was taking a weaker Pokemon, leveraging its unique strengths to the best of his ability, and throwing a monkey wrench in Isaac's very solid, albeit conventional, plan. Isaac couldn't have done better himself. "Man, you really are something!"[break][break]

Of course, Isaac's team wouldn't take this lying down. The Eruption may have been a miss, and Shockmaster may have been blinded, but physical pain provided all the clue she needed. As she felt the Bullet Punch sink into her gut, she grabbed at Magneto's wrist, letting his own body guide her into that oh-so-satisfying haymaker. In an even spar, they were for one on the scoreboard. In a battle like this, while Shockmaster was leading the pack on raw damage, Ash had thrown a hell of a monkey wrench into her plan. It was too close to tell.[break][break]

Luckily, Ash wasn't the only one to color outside the lines. "Hey, Ash. Remember what Mr. Miyagi said was the best way to dodge a punch?" Isaac asked. "Run on outta there, Shockmaster!"[break][break]

Sliding back from the force of her punch, the Electivire fell to all fours. And then she clambered away from the engagement, using her Quick Attack to speed away from the Metang. As she pushed herself to new heights of speed, she shook, jostled, and bucked her head, almost as if she was some sort of weird-looking Tauros. Ana was clever and crafty. But were those nubby little arms able to hold onto an Electivire moving like a streak of lightning?[break][break]

"Cut Magneto off before he can give chase!" Isaac called. Kilimanjaro's humps crackled again, but this time no lava was to be found. Instead, he bucked his back, sending a Rock Slide hurtling down into Magneto's path. The physical obstruction would be irksome, but navigable. The damage, an unfortunate match for Magneto's steel typing, would be low. But the sheer force and pressure of the rocks was enough to leave lesser Pokemon in a daze. If Kilimanjaro could hit at just the right angle . . .[break][break]

Teal Deer;[break]
Eruption is dodged. Bullet Punch and Fire Punch connect.[break]
Ana lands on Shockmaster's face, leaving her blind and flustered.[break][break]
In response, Isaac channels Mr. Miyagi's wisdom; no be there. Shockmaster runs off with Quick Attack, both to escape Metang and try to dislodge Ana.[break]
Kilimanjaro uses Rock Slide to try and blockade Magneto from escaping.

[break][break]

[break]

Isaac Merlo [break][break]

NOTES

- OUTFIT, MISSION[break]
- Ana uses Play Nice as she is flung off, to lower Shockmaster's power.[break]
- As a means to use the Rock Slide obstruction, Magneto Meteor Mashes to throw the rocks at Shockmaster's flank.[break]
- Ashley gives a motivation, Miyagi quote to Ana. That bond is growing... perhaps evolution awaits?[break]
- Both Pokemon are at the ready, resetting position.

MADE BY GUNSMILE

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[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skullbody"]The good news was that the blockade had indeed slowed Magneto down. The bad news was that this was because, instead of trying to navigate the Rock Slide, he was trying to use it as a weapon of his own. "Keep an ear out and get ready to dodge, Shockmaster!"[break][break]

Unfortunately, that was easier said than done. With Ana covering Shockmaster's eyes, and the sound of fists on stone coming from across the battlefield, she had no idea what, or when, to expect the attacks. At the very least, Isaac's warning got her turning around to face the sound of the crash. It was right in the nick of time; the first stone hit her in the shoulder instead of the flank.[break][break]

Ana gave Shockmaster a kiss on the forehead and flew off, the distraction leaving Shockmaster hit by another rock right in the chest. At least now she could see. That meant she should fight. The next few stones were met by parries from her Ice Punch, frost spreading across their surface as she knocked them to the ground. Her fluster left her too shaken up to smash them to bits, but now there were several frozen rocks surrounding her.[break][break]

Keeping a cautious eye on Ana, she scooped a pair of stones up, crushing them between her hands and clenching her fist around the shards. Was that a threat display? Or was she, too, preparing to use her environment for something?[break][break]

Everyone else was working so hard on preparations. Magneto was pounding a pile of stone to bits. Ana was distracting Shockmaster and doing feats of acrobatics. Shockmaster was playing defense against not one but two opponents, all while her sparking live wires, feats of strength, and bellowing roars kept all the attention on her.[break][break]

It was so, so easy to forget that this wasn't a 2 on 1.[break][break]

While Magneto's back was to him, Kilimanjaro worked his humps into a froth once more. He was still unharmed. He was still unchecked. And he was still hellbent on making his mark on this match. Seeing his best chance right before his eyes, Kilimanjaro decided to take a risky gambit of his own.[break][break]

Falling down onto his side, he angled the full force of his Eruption directly at Magneto's back.

[break][break]

[break]

Isaac Merlo[break][break]

NOTES

- OUTFIT, MISSION[break]
- Ana fears Shockmaster, but reassurance increases Friendship; Ana evolves to Pikachu![break]
- Magneto, half distracted, takes most of the Eruption only that thanks to a rapid Magnet Rise.[break]
- Revenge time! More Play Nice on Shockmaster and a Steel Roller on Kilimanjaro![break]
- Ashley is taunting. Boy getting COCKY.

MADE BY GUNSMILE

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[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skullbody"]"Now that's what I like to see!"

Ash's confidence was palpable, and better yet it was infectious. Isaac beamed as the white light of evolution began to form around the confident looking Pichu. Where it once stood, now there was a proud-looking Pikachu. Unfortunately, where Magneto once floated freely, now he had to prop himself with a Magnet Rise just to stay airborne. The poor Metang had seen better days, especially after taking a near-direct Explosion right to the back.[break][break]

In turn, Ash pushed the tactics that seemed to work best. Ana sapped at more of Shockmaster's fighting spirit, looking so proud in her evolution that Shockmaster almost didn't want to test her might. All the while, Magneto pulled into a spin, trying to grind into the sitting Kilimanjaro's side with a vicious Steel Roller. It was a powerful move, and while the lack of Terrain on the battlefield stopped it from reaching its full potential her prone position made avoiding what power remained an impossibility.[break][break]

Ash's delight at his seeming control of the battlefield was starting to spill into cockiness. Isaac's duo had been split off, with his stronger fighter having her will to fight being sapped by her dance partner and his artillery tied up in a melee range where she couldn't fight at her strongest.[break][break]

Yet who said Isaac only needed to depend on a single strategy?[break][break]

"I guess this is it, huh, Shockmaster? You're not gonna want to punch that Pikachu even if I ask you, huh?" he asked. The Electivire seethed a little at his blunt combat, but after stealing a glance at Ana could only nod. "Alrighty then."[break][break]

"Try zapping instead." That Shockmaster had no problem with. Still keeping her eyes on Ana, she raised her wires to the sky and launched a bolt of lightning straight upwards. What was going on here? Was she so reluctant to hurt Ana that she missed on purpose?[break][break]

All became clear when the bolt of electricity swirled in the sky, darting right down towards the freshly-magnetized Metang instead. As a non-physical technique, the fluffy feelings in Shockmaster's heart had no bearing on the amount of voltage she could put out. And, no matter how quickly the Metang could try to speed away from it, the Shock Wave would home in relentlessly.[break][break]

Maybe it would knock the weary Metang out entirely. Maybe it would just buy Kilimanjaro enough time to right himself. The Steel Roller was painful, but her hot-as-lava body blunted the impact of steel moves, allowing her to rise to her feet with little trouble. Her Eruptions would be a lot weaker from here, though, so she'd have to change tactic.[break][break]

What better tactic than joining Shockmaster in her partner swap? The Camerupt began backing away from Magneto, launching a Mud Bomb from its hump to cover its retreat. It sailed over the heads of the other Pokemon on the battlefield, angled to rain on Ana's freshly evolved parade instead. While she'd most likely be able to dodge it, the more she needed to run around, the more she'd wear herself out.[break][break]

TEAL DEER;[break]
Both moves collide: Kilimanjaro is lightly hurt by Steel Roller, and Shockmaster's attack continues to plummet.[break]
Changing tactics, Shockmaster launches a perfectly-accurate Shock Wave towards Magneto.[break]
Kilimanjaro swaps partners with her partner, launching a Mud Bomb as covering fire as they make the tag.

[break][break]

[break]

Isaac Merlo [break][break]

NOTES

- OUTFIT, MISSION[break]
- Last resort Bullet Punch to Shockmaster before Magneto KO's.[break]
- Using Magneto as a launchpad, Ana Volt Tackles her head, and while the electricity does no damage, its a show of challenge.[break]
-- Ana does this as she avoids the Mud Bomb of Kilimanjaro.[break]
- Reinhardt the Nidorino is out, and raring to go.

MADE BY GUNSMILE

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[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skullbody"]Ash seemed to think that Isaac and Shockmaster were brushing off Ana's new evolution, refusing to show her the respect that she deserved. However, that couldn't be further from the truth. Isaac, if anything, feared that matchup. Shockmaster was a physical fighter, first and foremost, and Ash and Ana had basically tied pillows to her fists. And now they goaded the prideful Pokemon, getting right in her face and trying to work her up into a confrontation?[break][break]

Shockmaster skidded back, lightly pushed by the hit but incensed by Ash's gentle instruction. Her fur bristled on end, sparks shooting into the air around her, and let out a furious battle cry. Flame gathered in one fist. Frost gathered in the other. She shot forward, prepared to plant Ana into the ground in a double fisted slam-![break][break]

And before she could, a Pokeball bounced off of the back of her head, sending her back into reserves.[break][break]

"Real easy for you to say when you've been holding her back for me," Isaac said, shooting Isaac a smirk. "Gotta hand it to you for that trick. If this was a 2v2, you'd have her number. But you're gonna have to wait a little longer to see her at her best." The ball bounced back towards Isaac, the man catching it in a seamless motion. His vision was improving![break][break]

Normally, this would be the part where he released another Pokemon. However, Isaac had other plans. "We've got a new evo and an old friend. Roll out the welcome wagon for 'em, Kilimanjaro!" The Camerupt nodded, lava already starting to spill down the sides of his humps. They exploded not upwards but outwards, overwhelming the entire battlefield. Had Isaac released another Pokeball, his new arrival would've been in as much danger as any of Ash's teammates in the face of this Lava Plume.[break][break]

Instead, he waited for the lava to start to cool before releasing his next Pokeball. A familiar looking Alolan Marowak emerged, giving his bone a rapid twirl before pointing it towards Ash in a challenge. "Let's give 'em what they want, Duster. Show 'em no mercy!"[break][break]

TEAL DEER;[break]
Shockmaster takes a Volt Tackle and a Taunt. She's not too hurt but very worked up.[break]
She prepares to batter Ana with a double-weakened, double-fisted slam, but is recalled by Isaac first.[break]
Partnerless, Kilimanjaro launches a risk-free Lava Plume at both of his foes.[break]
Only then does Isaac call in Duster. As a fresh switch-in, no attacking for him!

[break][break]

[break]

Isaac Merlo[break][break]

NOTES

- OUTFIT, MISSION[break]
- To protect against the plume, Reinhardt uses EARTH POWER to give them a wall.[break]
- Reinhardt evolves on the heckin' spot. Holy mackeral.[break]
- Soon as the plume is over? Toxic Spike fun, and a Volt Tackle to Duster.[break]
- Ashley's got two evos one fight.

MADE BY GUNSMILE

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[attr="class","skulltitle"]導通抵抗

[attr="class","skullbody"]Isaac cocked an eyebrow. Ana needed extra encouragement to take that next step, but Reinhardt? He was ready. He was waiting. All he needed was the opportunity. That opportunity came as Isaac sent one of his oldest, strongest Pokemon onto the battlefield to face him down, and a force of nature kicked up a volcanic eruption just to keep him on his toes.[break][break]

When Reinhardt emerged from his bunker, it was no longer as a prince. It was as a king. Duster focused his glare at the challenger, while Isaac burst into an ear to ear grin. "They're all stepping their up, man. Not just for themselves, but for you," he pointed out. "Just like you're stepping up for them."[break][break]

"Don't you ever go forgetting that, you hear?"[break][break]

His team's passion was undeniable, and his strategies sure were interesting. This late in the battle, and he was on setup duty? Toxic Spikes carpeted the battlefield, forming a new layer of dangers for any Pokemon that Isaac sent out. Melee fighters could weave through them if careful, but reckless sorts and freshly sent out Pokemon would be in trouble.[break][break]

Ana was the former, not the latter, weaving through the layers of spikes like her life depended on it. Perhaps it did. However, there was one downside to her choice of technique. The Volt Tackle was a momentum-heavy technique, and the spikes only afforded her so much room to move.[break][break]

Her ability to dodge would be limited.[break][break]

"Cut her off, Duster!" Isaac called. Duster twirled his bone, then lobbed it towards Ana at great speeds. Would Ana already be able to control her new body enough to avoid the incoming attack, without dodging right into the toxic spikes? Or would she end up smashing right into it at supersonic speeds?[break][break]

And if she did dodge it, would she be ready to dodge it again? The thing about Bonemerangs was that they always had a way of coming back.[break][break]

Duster himself did not fear much reprisal. In fact, if Ana managed to successfully reach him, he would lean into the attack and meet it head on. His bony armor was like a living Lightningrod, allowing him to take no damage from the technique as he tried to pull Ana into a clinch. From there, it'd only be a matter of time before the Bonemerang struck back.[break][break]

Kilimanjaro, on the other hand, was ready to capitalize on the carnage that he had kicked up. He rained Mud Bombs down on Reinhardt's bunker like an artillery strike. Before, his attacks were easy to dodge as he sniped at fast-moving targets on level ground. Now that Reinhardt stood atop shaken earth and rapidly-cooled lava, he would surely have a harder time navigating.[break][break]

"Don't think I'm gonna let up the pressure for any minute, man," Isaac said. As much as he was smiling over their clash, his voice sobered up for a moment here. "We both know in a real battle, we might not get that chance."[break][break]

TEAL DEER;[break]
Duster throws his Bonemerang, aimed to cut Ana off as she rushes between spikes.[break]
If she makes it to him, instead of dodging into spikes or being smacked into next week, he accepts the attack so he can catch her in a clinch . . .[break]
. . . knowing full well that it'll boost the chances of his Bonemerang hitting on the return pass.[break]
Kilimanjaro, hatching a way less fancy scheme, just keeps raining down bombs.

[break][break]

[break]