Things were going to be dangerous, no matter how much El tried to stick to the backlines and avoid conflict. There was going to be a time where they'd have to defend themself in one way or another - it just wasn't possible to run away from everything, especially if they were trying to help someone. And when Rocket was involved, well, not everyone was going to exactly play nice or be kind to them like Blackjack was. Nor was it possible for someone like Blackjack to always be there to back them up.

El understood it. He had a point. It didn't mean they had to like it, though - their expression twisting slightly as they listened to Blackjack's words. If the two of them were going to have some sort of spar so that El could prove themself, it really did seem like now was the time for it. Even if they were, ultimately, more than a little reluctant to face Blackjack head-on like this.

Bibidi placed a hand on their shoulder - and as the duo's eyes met, El could feel the gentle, encouraging, urging that the Alakazam provided. This might not be the most pleasant scenario for El - but they'd never learn or improve, if they just kept running away. And this was not the sort of place for one to be inexperienced or rusty.

El shakily sighed, the fingers of their left hand fidgeting and tapping against the grip of their cane. "I... I'll fight you." They'd agree, as much as they would've rather not. Both Blackjack and Bibidi were right, though. And hopefully, this would be the only time they'd have to fight - that once they'd proven themself, they'd be able to avoid too much trouble from there on.

But, that meant the question of who to use. Bibidi was plenty capable - but they were reluctant to have her fight when she was more or less a service/support pokemon for them. Behemoth was strong though, so they'd pluck his ball off of their belt. Maybe him and Akero? Or Psyche...? One of them c--

El's thoughts would be cut off however, when one of their pokeballs opened on its own. Out came a little Turtwig - a plaster across her nose - as she stood before the two siblings, snorting with determination. "Y-Yggy??" El squawked, caught off guard by the grass-type's sudden appearance. "Why'd you come out??"

'Wasn't it obvious?' Yggdrasil seemed to ask with the eager gaze she cast back at El. The mention of a fight had caught her attention - and she wanted in! This was her opportunity - her time to shine! She'd show everyone just what she could do! And glancing ahead at Blackjack, she'd stomp one of her feet on the ground, pawing like a bull ready to charge. Give her your worst, she dared!

El, meanwhile, sighed a little - scratching the back of their neck somewhat sheepishly. They couldn't say no to her, if Yggy really was that deadset on fighting - really, she and Behemoth tended to work together pretty well, anyways. So maybe this could work?

Tossing a ball, Behemoth was sent out next; the little Nidoking shaking himself off, as if in anticipation, as he landed on the ground. Seeing Yggdrasil next to him, he couldn't help but hold his head just that littlest bit higher - looking just as ready as she was for the coming fight..!

Isaac Merlo

Blackjack didn't seem to wholly approve of Yggdrasil coming onto the field - and El, in response, couldn't help their cheeks flushing in an awkward expression. It wasn't exactly like they had chosen for her to come out - it was more that she had chosen herself! And yet, here she was. For as much as they'd rather sub her out for someone else in what felt like a more serious situation though, it wasn't likely she'd take no for an answer. This was the first chance she had to have an actual fight in a long while, after all - she was ready for this!

At the very least, Blackjack was willing to roll with it - and for his first choice in this fight, he'd send Ceres onto the field! The torterra easily towered over Yggdrasil - but despite this, the turtwig showed no fear. Yggdrasil let out another snort - holding her head high to look Ceres in the eye, stamping with both of her front feet in what seemed to be fidgety anticipation and eagerness. She was raring to go! She'd show this Ceres what she's got!

But then came the question of Blackjack's second pokemon - and he'd let loose the rest of his pokemon - the most notable ones being a Lucario and a Dragonite, both of whom looked quite imposing. And it only took a glance for El to notice the mega stone and tera crystal that the two bore - which, safe to say, made them sweat a little. Surely, they wouldn't be expected to go up against a mega pokemon, right?

Thankfully though, this didn't appear to be the case. Instead, El watched as a little Ralts - Echo - stepped forward, looking as friendly and chipper as could be. Though they couldn't help a slight amount of puzzlement at the choice, they supposed it was only fair when they had Yggy on their side, right? Unable to help a faint smile, they'd wave back to the psychic-type, saying "Hello, Echo."

But, this wasn't the time for pleasantries - it was the time for a fight. When they noticed Blackjack motioning to them, it took a moment for them to realize that he wanted them to make the first move - and well... They paused for a second to try and think it out - to try and remember what combat moves Yggy and Behemoth had, and what would work together--

-- But before they knew it, Yggy was charging forward! The turtwig was running head-on towards Ceres - the sprout on her head sprouting into a glowing horn, as she attempted to slash at the larger torterra with Leaf Blade!

"Y-Yggy hold on--" They'd stammer out at first - brain trying to catch up with the sudden change in plans that the turtwig made. A small mental nudge from Bibidi would have their focus shifting to Behemoth though - and wanting to make sure he was ready, they'd call "Behemoth - Focus Energy!"

The Nidoking let out a low snort with this - and stomping at the ground, he'd slam his fists together and throw his head back in a bellowing roar, whipping himself up for the fight ahead!

Isaac Merlo

It caught Yggdrasil by surprise, when Ceres met her Leaf Blade with a stalwart Wood Hammer. Initially, she'd be pushed back a little - feet skidding across the ground - with this surprise. But upon realizing the opposition proper, she was determined to stand her ground! Yggy wasted no time in digging her feet into the ground - and made an attempt to push forward in turn! She could do this!

But Behemoth, on the other hand, was met with a different sort of opposition - namely, a number of illusory Echos circling around him! The nidoking snorted, a low growl escaping him as his eyes scanned each one - as if trying to tell which one to strike at. Yet, with him being as confused as he was by the swarm, he couldn't decide which one to try taking a swing at!

All the while though, Blackjack's words reached El - and the ranger-in-training took in a deep breath as they mulled them over. It was okay for Yggy to act on her own. It was more important as a trainer to have awareness, to trust their pokemon... But also know where to provide direction as necessary.

Who do they call to first? Glancing between the two, El's gaze settled upon Behemoth - who had made a couple of basic swings at the illusory Echo's, but to no avail. It was clear that he was having more trouble out of the two at the moment - how could one tell the real Echo from all of the fakes? Trying to think to Behemoth's more offensive moves though, something seemed to click in El's head, as they'd call "Earth Power - spread it out, Behemoth!"

The Nidoking seemed to catch on to El's idea quick - and though he growled at the Echoes running circles around him, he'd focus more on the ground beneath his feet. With a mighty roar, his fists would begin to glow as he lifted them high, before slamming them into the ground beneath him! Cracks spread around him - and from those cracks, came pyroclastic eruptions! Not with the purpose of hitting any one single 'Echo' though, but instead trying to strike as many as possible at once to flush out the real one!

Even if it spreading it out meant that it wouldn't hurt as much as it could've, both Rivalry and the prior Focus Energy meant that Behemoth was putting his all into it.

Meanwhile, Yggy - left to her own devices - would attempt to steel herself. A steely glow would spread across her body - starting from her shell and going outwards - as she used Withdraw, to increase her defense amidst the clash! She wasn't going to let herself be knocked over anytime soon..!

Isaac Merlo

Behemoth, initially, would make a satisfied snort at seeing a number of the illusory Echoes fade away from the onslaught offered. Sure, there were a couple more left on the field - but all he had to do was use another Earth Power, and the true one would be weeded out no-problem..! Rearing up, he'd raise his fists with the intention of once more causing the surrounding battlefield to erupt...

... Only to pause and whirl around - albeit to little effect - when he suddenly felt something settle onto his back! Bewildered, the Nidoking would snarl as he craned his head to try and get a better look at who or what it was - to see a flash of green and white just out of the corner of his eye! Abandoning the pursuit of the double-team clones, Behemoth would immediately attempt to reach for the Echo settled on his back.

But though he could occasionally feel the whisper of the dress-like trail of the Ralts against his claws, there wasn't enough for him to get a grip on anything before the psychic-type would simply shift positions!

Yggdrasil, meanwhile, was facing a problem of her own. A sturdy body and fearless will could only serve one so well when faced against someone so much bigger than yourself! And though she made a valiant effort to stand her ground as some sort of immovable object... She was anything but, something that was quickly proven as Ceres began actually pushing. And despite her best efforts to force her way forward, Yggy found herself sliding backwards.

The turtwig was alarmed at this, initially - caught off guard enough to let Ceres slide her back a couple paces. But when she snapped back into her own wits, her expression furrowed, and she attempted to dig her feet into the ground for any sort of footing. She couldn't let herself be beat so easily - not when this was her chance to prove herself to El! And yet, despite how much she tried to put herself into pushing back, she didn't manage to stop her backwards slide - only slow it.

And El could see that if she kept trying like this, she was only going to hurt herself - their expresion twisting with concern. This approach wasn't working, it was clear to even them. "Back off, Yggy!" They called - wondering how they could switch tracks to better face Ceres.

But despite hearing them loud and clear, Yggdrasil stood her ground - trying to push back, even as a crack began forming in the energy that shaped the Leaf Blade. She could do this, she just needed to push a little harder, to try and match Ceres' own strength..!

Which didn't exactly help El's concern - unable to help chewing the nail of their thumb for a moment as they glanced between their two pokemon. Behemoth was struggling to catch his opponent, and Yggy wasn't going to beat hers in a contest of brute force... But Yggy wasn't going to back off from her clash with Ceres - not unless...

Something clicking in El's mind, they'd call out once again. "Behemoth needs a hand, Yggy - back him up!"

Even though this was essentially El repeating their directions - but with a different framing - it was enough to get Yggdrasil's attention. Though reluctant to part from Ceres, the turtwig would throw herself into a sideways roll to disengage from the clash - so as to avoid being crushed under the larger torterra's Wood Hammer. And once Yggdrasil was on her feet once more, she'd glance towards her teammate, to see Behemoth, growling as he tried to buck Echo off of his back!

She could see the problem now - and though she still wanted to prove herself against Ceres, she'd charge over. She had to help Behemoth out, too!

And Behemoth, seeing his partner quickly approaching, would offer a Helping Hand - namely, in throwing Echo a curveball to try and keep him from getting away. Throwing himself backwards, he'd bash his back against a nearby boulder before turning to face away from the fast-approaching Turtwig...

... Who'd make a leap at Echo, attempting to Crunch the ralts while he was hopefully stunned!

Isaac Merlo

A number of vines had shot up from below - and though Yggy would attempt to twist in the air on reflex to avoid it, she'd find herself squawking as she was grabbed by one of the tendrils. Tossed like a hacky sack, she went sailing a short distance, before hitting the ground and tumbling a little further.

Even if the toss had been a gentle one though, El's concern was immediately apparent. "A-Are you okay, Yggy??"

Which, judging by how quickly the little turtwig rocked back onto her feet, was a yes. Even if the landing wasn't the greatest, she was sort of made to shake off blunt force and tumbles like this, between her shell and prior Withdraw.

Behemoth, meanwhile, would be forced to stumble away from the writhing vines of the Frenzy Plant - snarling in alarm. He could see as Yggy was taken for a ride - though the mess of tendrils made it less than easy to actually try and advance towards his companion. But the sensation of movement on his back would distract him - and though he'd reach back as if to try and snag Echo, he'd be surprised when the Ralts was suddenly hanging in front of his face!

Initially, his reaction was to snarl - his claws beginning to drip with poison as he prepared to strike. But the eye-catching motion of Echo's waving arms drew his attention and - back and forth, rhythmically, almost soothingly, he couldn't help but find himself staring at the sight. His eyes began to droop, his arms dropping to his sides, as he gradually began to relax...

El, seeing the trouble that was fast approaching, would try to call out to Behemoth. "Don't look - use Megahorn!"

And despite the drowsiness apparent on Behemoth's face, it seemed that he heard El's call - or at least part of it. Oh, a Megahorn? Sure, he could do that... His horn would extend and take on a pale green glow - and without putting too much thought into it, he'd jerk his head backwards, as if to try and poke Echo with it! ... Although, this motion would be closer to him just tilting and flopping his head back - and then giving a wide and toothy yawn.

But as Behemoth began flopping forward into his quadrupedal stance - as if preparing to curl up on the spot - it was Yggy's chance. Whilst Echo was distracted putting Behemoth to sleep - and potentially dealing with being jabbed - she'd get up onto the Nidoking's back - and attempted to ambush the Ralts with yet another Crunch!

Isaac Merlo

El winced as Yggy bit down on Echo. Though it didn't sound like the Ralts was all that hurt from the attack, they still couldn't help but feel a bit empathetic to how it must've felt; which was to say, not exactly pleasant. They didn't want to see anyone get hurt - especially when all of this fighting, even beyond what was going on between them and Blackjack, felt so needless.

And yet, if they wanted to stay and help, they had to prove that they could protect themself.

Even if Yggdrasil managed first blood though, there was still trouble to be had. Behemoth, with no one directly disturbing his sleep, would proceed to curl up on the spot - not unlike a dog - and let his eyes drift closed, yawning widely. Even as Yggy and Echo were fighting but a couple feet away, and even as Blackjack called to El, he didn't seem to so much as stir!

Their only silver lining here was that it seemed like Ceres needed a minute to recover from the prior use of Frenzy Plant. But that was only temporary - definitely more temporary than the slumber that Behemoth had been put into.

Meanwhile though, there was Yggy - clamped down on Echo from the prior Crunch. Even as psychic energy jolted through the turtwig's body though, she stayed clamped on - her eyes twisting shut. In fact, she might've ended up biting down a little harder in response - as if in an attempt to cope with or steel herself against the pain!

Rather than let Yggy make a chewtoy of Echo though, El would make a call. "Wake Behemoth up, Yggy!" They couldn't let her get ganked on by both Ceres and Echo, after all!

Which was what managed to get Yggy to let go of Echo - the turtwig glancing over to the sleeping Behemoth, and running up to him. At first, she'd let out a loud squawk in his face - nudging at him with her front feet - though to no avail, as her only response would be a loud snore from the Nidoking. Something seemed to click in her head though - as when he didn't so much as react to her shouts, well...

... She'd decide to bite him, too - right on the nose!

This got a response. Rearing up onto all fours in pure surprise, Behemoth bellowed - the motion sending Yggy tumbling a short distance from him. Bewildered, he'd glance around himself - before letting out a small snarl, seemingly directed at himself for having fallen asleep. His gaze settled upon Echo before long, eyes narrowing as he snorted. His instincts from Rivalry demanded he give the Ralts a piece of his mind, for this embarrassment.

El, meanwhile, couldn't help but sigh heavily - they supposed that worked, but also ow.

Isaac Merlo

El blinked at Blackjack's words - not wholly expecting to be called a quick learner in the midst of the fight. Before they could stammer out a 'thank you' though, the rocket member continued speaking - implying that there was more to this than just fighting. That the heart of this test was something besides just proving that they could protect themself in a proper battle.

A number of expressions that could be described as thoughtful and/or inquisitive crossed their face - though, they couldn't help but murmur (mostly to themself) "What else is this about, then...?" Because this started as them proving that they could take care of themself - that they'd be okay on their own, in a dangerous place... What else was Blackjack asking of them, then?

What else did Blackjack expect for them to show, in the context of a pokemon battle?

Yggy, meanwhile, had ended up once more engaged with Ceres. Although, this was a bit different from one's ordinary clash. Though the turtwig was in a bit of an awkward position, it was clear that she wasn't about to take whatever the larger torterra had planned laying down! Using Leaf Blade, she'd brandish it to try and poke Ceres in the softer and unprotected inside of her opened mouth, to get the torterra to back away! (Hopefully for long enough for the turtwig to get back onto her feet!)

Behemoth, meanwhile, was more than a little bewildered at recieving a 'kiss' on the nose. He winced the slightest bit - not that it really damaged him all that much - between his nose still being sore, and the move itself being an attacking move all the same. Growling low, he was prepared to give chase towards Echo -

"Behemoth - help Yggy!"

- but El's call made the nidoking snap his attention away - towards where Yggy was trying to fend the amused Ceres off. Rumbling in his throat, he'd make to charge at the fellow ground-type using Megahorn, rushing at her on all fours - although, he didn't seem to be putting his back into it the same way he did against Echo. It would rude to be overly rough towards a lady, after all!

(Disregarding the fact that fighting at all seemed pretty rough, that was!)

Isaac Merlo