"Dragon Hammer -- It - it wasn't super effective, but it wasn't uneffective." El responded to Blackjack's shocked exclamation, their voice a quick murmur. If the not-hydreigon was part-Steel, then Dragon Hammer would've surely hurt a lot less. "If not Flying, it's Fire or Fighting." Because Dragon Hammer also ruled out Fairy, and Poison Jab ruled out Ghost or Poison, as far as types that were defensive against Bug went...

Which, the good news was that they were on the money with the false hydreigon being part-Flying, as Shockmaster's Shockwave does well in damaging it. Yet, on the flipside, the bad news was that the not-Hydreigon did not take kindly to this - and immediately retaliated with an Earth Power that sent the electivire flying.

With noone else between the siblings and the mechanical beast, it loomed - coming closer and closer, slowly but surely, veiled in a darkness that swallowed up the surrounding area as well. El shifted closer to Blackjack, as if for reassurance - the tension in their body plain to see, a tremble in the hand they placed on his shoulder. Fear gripped their heart, and yet - as they stared into the eyes of the beast, even as it crept near...

... Something welled up in them, that even they couldn't fully explain.

Their hand on Blackjack's shoulder tightened - but it stopped trembling. Their breathing was quickening, but they continued to meet the hydreigon's gaze - the grip on their cane tightening as well, jaw tightening, until...

... With a shout that rose up from their chest out of nowhere, they lashed out at the same time that the mechanical dragon lunged - their cane swinging to strike it in the head. "Y... YOU LEAVE US ALONE!" They yelled at the top of their lungs - fueled by the courage to protect, the will to stand up straight. They were already tired of being scared, of cowering back - and so they acted, adrenaline dulling the flare of pain in their bad knee. "I- I WON'T LET YOU HURT HIM..!"

As if in an echo of their attempted strike, something flashed out of the corner of El's eyes - white and brilliant. And before they knew it, something was slamming into the not-hydreigon - driving it back! Startled, El was snapped out of that sudden boldness; they stumbled away - into Blackjack - as if to try and avoid being caught up in the midst of the fight ensuing before them.

The shape of this newcomer... At first, it almost reminded them of a certain aggron - Kiryu. And yet, as the bright light that wreathed the beast's body faded, they quickly realized that this was anything but - the shape being far more reminiscent of a tyranitar than an aggron. But all the same, the towering beast fought back the false dragon without hesitation - with a certain courage that still felt oh-so-familiar...

... They didn't need Blackjack's words, to know that they were safe with the not-tyranitar. But they still nodded - breathing out a soft "Yeah..." in response, as they leaned into their cane once more. They were surprised that it came out of the smack with only a dent - though their parents had spent money on getting the best they could for them, so perhaps they should've expected it to be this sturdy.

Not that they could stay distracted for long. Taking in a deep breath, they'd point to the silver kaiju - calling "Behemoth - Helping Hand!"

And the Nidoking, in response, was ready to offer some aid. He'd let out a bellow to the not-tyranitar in encouragement (and perhaps a little goading,) as he charged and leapt at the not-hydreigon's back. If he managed it, he'd wrap his arms around where its neck met its main head, and pulled - aiming to put it in a sleeper hold, and hopefully render it open for an attack.

Meanwhile, Akero would make her own whistle of encouragement as she swooped above everyone - sprinkling down a Life Dew to try and perk up Isaac's pokemon, as well as extending the protective glow of her Safeguard to this newfound ally.

And finally, Bibidi was not done with their other foe. As the not-Volcarona attempted to rise up and away from the earth, she'd once more exert her Psychic upon it. 'Grabbing' it, she'd attempt to slam it back down into the earth - so as to allow the other pokemon a chance to join in the beatdown. She would not allow it to hurt anyone.

support combo!

Isaac Merlo

The false dragon was seemingly dead, and the mechanical moth on the back leg. At Blackjack's direction, El would remain where they were as he retrieved his pokemon - some of the tension leaking out of their body, with the belief that this was over. All they needed now was to chase off the moth, and then--

-- And then, El noticed the way that the not-volcarona's wings began to glow - or to be more specific, glow in a different color. "B-Blackjack, Bibidi - get back!" They called in warning - knowing a bad sign when they saw it.

Thankfully, what happened next was not an attack - but instead, a status move that'd fill the battlefield with electricity. Less thankfully, the Electric Terrain that the not-volcarona had set up resulted in things quickly getting out of hand.

First came the Fiery Dance - and as flames engulfed the battlefield, Akero and Behemoth both would be struck. They were sent staggering away from the volcarona, embers clinging to feathers and hide alike. The only one who managed to avoid it would be Bibidi, who had backed away at El's prior warning.

Secondly though, was the false hydreigon. It was as if the electrical terrain had revived it - for it suddenly lurches back to life, throwing itself into the not-Tyranitar! It was clear that their newfound ally had been taken off-guard by this - and with the ferocious attack on display, it was hard to say just how much longer the tyranitar could hang on for, its green glow beginning to flicker and fade...

El, however, was determined to stand up for their newfound ally - and to protect everyone here the best they could. "P-Psyche - Water Sport! Sobek, Roar!" Out came a masquerain and fuecoco both - and though they may not have been best suited to directly fighting (excluding perhaps Sobek against the false hydreigon,) they had options in the way of support.

Psyche flashed the eyespots on his wings in the false dragon's direction in a clear show of Intimidation - and all the whilst, would rain water down alongside Akero's Life Dew, helping fireproof the pokemon present!

And Sobek, meanwhile, would appear on the not-tyranitar's shoulder - and took in a deep breath... Before letting out a bellow unlike the size of the little crocodile, right in where he guessed the not-hydreigon's ear to be, in an attempt to force it back!

But that wasn't all - because Bibidi and Behemoth both were on the field still, even if the latter was clearly becoming exhausted. The alakazam in question would continue to exert her Psychic ability upon the not-volcarona from afar, seeing no point in fixing what wasn't broken. The nidoking, finally, made a show of roaring as he charged the not-hydreigon once more - swinging at it with Poison Jab to try and draw its attention away from the mechanical kaiju.

i try to avoid having repeated support/assists when i mp tally but like - what else do i call what's going on up above ghkdjfghd

Isaac Merlo

The Bug Buzz rattled Bibidi to her core - sending her staggering to the ground, and taking a knee. However, she did not let the not-volcarona stop her so easily; reaching out with a spoon to focus, she'd attempt to use Telekinesis to try and hold the false moth in place as she sent a mental ping out to Psyche and Akero.

Which, the duo would quickly answer; Psyche swooping overhead to try and take advantage of Bibidi's efforts with a Bubble Beam aimed at the not-volcarona, and Akero rocketing in with an Extreme Speed..!

Meanwhilst though, the not-hydreigon's limbs lashed out in an Outrage. One arm would slam into Behemoth, its beak-like mouth digging into his arm as if in an attempt to tear at it, a hateful gaze meeting one of rage and determination all the same. Snarling though, the nidoking would manage to pull his arm free as the head continued its orbit - backing away to avoid being struck again.

Sobek, meanwhilst, would make a startled rasp - and turning tail, his answer was to simply try and run away from the head after him! When it seemed as though that the secondary head was about to grab him though--

-- Yggy would be faster, popping straight out of her pokeball, to snatch onto it with a Crunch! Sobek blinked - but he would seem to catch on, and joining in, he would Bite it to try and aid in weighing down the limb, which writhed angrily in the duo's jaws.

But, there still came the question of the mechanical tyranitar; much like how Blackjack rushed forth to the kaiju's side, El was not far behind. Using one of the arms being occupied as an opportunity, they'd duck in and settle on the opposite side. "Just a little longer," They spoke softly, encouragingly, hopefully, placing their free hand as if they intended to help it back onto its feet. "Y-you can do it, just a little longer!"

Cracks formed below, the rising shimmering heat almost scalding against El's skin. They refused to glance downwards, but they knew what was happening. Instead, they pressed themself closer to the silver tyranitar's side, squeezing their eyes closed. "Wake up..." They whispered against its metallic hide, tensing as if to brace themself...

... For an attack that would never come.

With a roar, the not-tyranitar was once more clashing and charging against the false dragon with a fervor like none other - their fight causing tremors through the cavern, sending ripples through the mist. El stumbled back a little, eyes wide, unable to help but feel just that slightest bit small in witnessing this fight - and yet... "B-Behemoth!"

The Nidoking, smacking aside the auxiliary head that was harassing him, would glance to the two titans. With a mighty bellow, he'd encourage the silver tyranitar with a Helping Hand - attempting to match its fervor as he cheered the mechanical beast on!

Isaac Merlo

With Behemoth backing up the not-tyranitar, the world was lit up in white - both from the Blizzard, and the Z-Move that the mechanical beast harnessed soon after. The barrage of lasers that struck the not-hydreigon down was a blinding and destructive sight - leaving barely anything left of the false dragon, when vision returned to El and their pokemon.

Seeing that there was essentially nothing left of the mechanic beast, something flickered in El's expression as they glanced to the tyranitar. A question briefly crossed their mind - the question of whether this had been how things had to end for the not-hydreigon - despite the very fact that it likely would've done much worse, if the silver tyranitar hadn't come.

Victory against the moth came soon after, at least - and though Bibidi, Psyche, and Akero were visibly hurting from the retaliatory attacks, they were still standing nonetheless. As the moth fled - taking the mist with it - Bibidi would watch, but none of them made any move to pursue.

Instead, Akero would get to work in helping patch everyone up - sprinkling down more Life Dew for the crew. Even El couldn't help but find some relief from it, having probably put more strain on their bad leg as they should have over the course of everything.

But as Blackjack checked in with everyone, they'd nod. "Y-Yeah, I... I think we're okay." They confirmed, adrenaline and tension leaking in lieu of just a general exhaustion. That had been a lot - more than a lot, even - and it was clear to see that they probably needed a minute.

But despite that, they'd turn their attention to the mechanical tyranitar - the one who had stepped in to save them. Slowly, carefully, El approached - unsure as to whether the kaiju would be friendly, or even just simply an ally, now that the other mechanical pokemon were gone. "Are... Are you okay, too?" They spoke in a soft voice - fingers reaching up to trace one of the spots where the not-hydreigon's fangs had pierced the silver plating that formed the mighty beast.

They weren't sure if they could patch up these wounds like with a pokemon that was flesh and blood - but at the very least, they hoped that Akero's healing could provide some relief all the same...

As if echoing the concerns as to the tyranitar's nature in El's mind though, Bibidi would move closer to them - and carefully, she'd attempt to reach out to the tyranitar's mind. Wondering whether her inability to sense the not-hydreigon had been a result of its dark typing, or if it had been a result of its robotic form....

Though El briefly wondered who the 'her' that Blackjack spoke of referred to, for the moment, they were simply more focused upon the tyranitar's wellbeing. When it gave a gentle rumble, it put a smile on their face - and they'd reach up to gently pet it. "You did great," They praised the silver kaiju, their voice soft and gentle and affectionate, feeling a sort of warmth in their chest whenever they looked to the mech that they couldn't explain.

Watching as Blackjack got nudged over though, El couldn't help but laugh brightly - much of the tension and stress in their body beginning to die down, in the face of moments like this.

Though as Blackjack grinned at them and offered praise, El blinked somewhat owlishly. They grew a bit sheepish and modest, scratching the back of their head as they cast a smile to him. "I mean, y-you helped a bunch there too, y'know? Even with your pokemon tired, they did their best out there, too." They'd respond, adding "Don't sell yourself short, Blackjack..."

Meanwhile, it seemed that a few of El's pokemon had taken to socializing with the newfound friend. Sobek and Yggy both would admire the silver tyranitar, gazing up at it with eyes wide with awe... Whilst Behemoth, being Behemoth, would attempt to give a hearty flex in the machine-mon's direction!

El opened their mouth for a moment - as if to deflect or play it off further - but... After a moment, their cheeks flushing just a slightest bit brighter at the audible teasing, they'd simply nod in response to the praise. "Th-thank you," They murmur, unable to help a small, cathartic, sense of pride sparking up in their heart - a shy smile of their own spreading across their face.

It was hard to argue with it, when Blackjack put it that way.

But, then came the lead up to a sure departure - Blackjack suggesting that they get moving. El would initially nod at this, prepared to pack up and get a move on... Although, a couple of questions would occur to them at this moment.

First, they glanced over to the not-tyranitar - and then back to Blackjack, asking "What do you... Think we should do about them? Are you thinking of taking them with you?" It seemed like an obvious conclusion, with how quickly Blackjack seemed to take to the silver kaiju - but may as well ask anyways.

But as for the next question, well... "And also... Who is... Who're you looking for, that you mentioned before?" El was a little more uncertain in posing this question - not wanting to overstep any boundaries - adding "I've been, y'know, helping everyone I come across - so I might've run into them... Or if not, well, I can keep an eye out for them?"

But looking Blackjack up and down, a third question occurred to them. "If... If you or your pokemon are still hurt, by the way... Could I come with you, at least to somewhere safer, so Akero and I can take a look?" At the very least, they wanted to do something to give back to Blackjack - especially with all the help he's been, in keeping an eye out for them.