With every step the legend takes, the walls around them shake. They are fighting a primordial monster on its home turf. This monster was old when the world was young. That this is merely a simulation carries no weight in the dog's mind. All he knows is that he has his target.[break]
His eyes betray no fear. As Groudon comes into view, Hitoshi's eyes are on its chest. There's a heart under there. It pumps blood, just like every other creature. The presence of arms, a tail, and gold eyes tells him all that he needs to know.[break]
Even a god can die. It's been done before. It can be done again.[break]
Here in this active volcano, the heat is unbearable. Amidst his bravado, Hitoshi almost faints straight away. He rips a Pokeball free and tosses out Munenori once more. The Gallade looks up at the legend and knows fear his trainer doesn't.[break]
"Oi. Cool us down. The smart ones gotta think." Munenori blinks, eventually forming a blade of water along his arm and flicking torrents of water over the three of them. As the creature lumbers forward, it'll keep them cool.[break]
"Alright, you two. Gimme a plan. Use your sword well." He commands his leaders.

SELENA KNEW Bailey Cooper ONLY THROUGH FORMALITIES: ex-champ (when Hoenn's League hasn't yet changed the championship regulations), ex-avatar, ex-alive. Her death brings no surprise or anguish; Selena Desmarais is completely indifferent. But her power, from what she remembers, are awfully terrifying. If she is correct to assume, it is also what might have killed her.

Selena knows how overwhelming being the vessel of such power. Tapu Koko is gone but the vestiges of the immense trauma and excessive energy have never left her. What is it like to be filled with exorbitant force only to be taken away in an instant?

The Kalosian knows the feeling is not only mental. It is also physical.

Selena Desmarais soaks in the RAIN brought forth by Ashley Shepard's Goomy—a temporary solace amidst the OPPRESSIVE HEAT—but she knows it won't take long before the precipitation expends. She listens intently to Hitoshi Inoue and Ashley Shepard and the situation is as clear as the Groudon's HARSH SUNLIGHT: "Seems like 'THE SWORD' and 'THE SHIELD' of the Godkiller are now ready for some action!"

It is time for the brain to get amped up too.

The lady raises her head, eyes fixed at the sky, not minding the blinding brightness as she spreads her arms for a curtsy. The evaluators must be on the other side of the screen, she assumes, as she speaks her mind out loud with the two. "Then let's give them a show they will never forget."

⚜️

"Bring out all your Pokemons. Ashley Shepard, stack up on Protect and Rain Dance. You can still use your Pikachu to distract the Groudon if you want to. Hitoshi Inoue, let's attack at all fronts. We lack the numbers so we have to improvise: best if we can spread out our offenses first before we go all in."

Selena commands thru the comms as she runs with her Pokemons around the Groudon. Her DELPHOX sets up the PSYCHIC TERRAIN as they dash, a purple dome expands from its staff as it attempts to cover the area surrounding the Groudon. The HATTERENE then proceeds with the EXPANDING FORCE: using the Delphox's setup as a catalyst for her attack. The purple dome compresses the Groudon and explodes in a wave of psychic power.

CHIMECHO will then use the RAIN to boost the power of her ICY WIND: wintry winds blow in a seemingly feeble attempt to dampen the barren lands.

---

EVENT: S.P.E.C.T.R.A. TRINITY TRIALS: GROUDON
Hitoshi Inoue Ashley Shepard

TL;DR
- SELENA recalls Bailey Cooper's AVATARSHIP with GROUDON as a basis for their strategy; recalls also her experience as a FORMER AVATAR
- SELENA listens to what Hitoshi Inoue and Ashley Shepard says; time to get ready!
- SELENA agrees with Ashley Shepard's proposal, adding that they should use all their Pokemons and spread their offensive lineups first
- SELENA and her POKEMONS run around GROUDON
- DELPHOX uses PSYCHIC TERRAIN; HATTERENE uses EXPANDING FORCE (powered by PSYCHIC TERRAIN)
- CHIMECHO takes advantage of the RAIN and uses ICY WIND to SLOW DOWN GROUDON

PROMPTS
- 🔥 Without Sygna Suits, you are at risk of the elements! You must deal with the OPPRESSIVE HEAT of the ACTIVE VOLCANO in some way!
- 🚀 SELENA DESMARAIS's experience as a former Avatar must inform the strategic approach of the team against Groudon.

“Got it.” The only command he needs. Dogs are creatures better suited to faith than humans. Hitoshi trusts in them to do as they say. The one at his side will be the shield. The woman in the back will serve as the hands guiding them.[break]

“Then let’s get this show on the road!” Two pokemon join Munenori. Jubei, wreathed in armor, hatred, and indignity. A Ceruledge with a keen blade. Behind them, at Selena’s side, is a Kingambit. Tokugawa is patient. Sitting with the brain of this organization, he observes. Battle is about waiting for the right moment to strike. Watching the battle play out, he devises his strategy.[break]

Woe be upon his comrades should his tactic come to pass. For now, he prepares with a quiet swords dance. His blade must be sharp.[break]

Jubei breaks left. Munenori breaks right. The Groudon roars and slams the ground with primal power. Every trainer knows the move earthquake. How could they not? It’s a popular move, the stuff that wins battles with the right set-up. Groudon, primal champion of the raging earth, needs no set-up. The volcano erupts around them. The ground trembles. Fissures open beneath the feet of the trainers watching the battle.[break]

Their shield will have to put his money where his mouth is. This promises to be a devastating strike on all three involved.[break]

Jubei’s blade grows, basking in bitter power. Munenori’s arm once more glows blue with the power of water.[break]

“You boys gotta know where the heart is!” Hitoshi orders them. “Strike there! We’ll find a chink in his armor!!”[break][break]

The two sword Pokemons’ blades meet across the Groudon’s chest as psychic energy converges onto its armored body. A medley of devastating attacks. Munenori’s aqua cutter is enhanced by the brief rainstorm. Jubei’s bitter blade blazes with the heat Groudon exudes simply by existing in this place.[break]

Everything looks like it’s going to plan…[break]

Until Groudon grabs Munenori in one clawed hand. It dwarfs all of them. The sheer power of the primal Pokemon ensures there will be no escape.[break]

The ground shakes under them. The claw closes around the Gallade. Magma erupts in spouts around them. It’s a scene out of hell.[break]

And they’re supposed to survive. No. Screw that. They’re not gonna survive. They’re gonna win.

WHEN DID SIMULATIONS EVER GET THIS REAL? Selena watches as the barrage of attacks from all sides leave the god Pokemon undented, seemingly irritated at the little creatures who pounce it like hell. But with just one widespread EARTHQUAKE, the land beneath them trembles and brings forth catastrophe.

It's time for Plan B. Selena should have filled at least half the alphabet at this point for backups.

The volcanic wasteland erupts with the tremors from the earth, molding the ground into an even more uneven playground for the Groudon. Thanks to the PROTECTION of the GOOMY, the rocky shrapnels are pushed away as the UMBREON's MOONLIGHT takes care of those that it missed. But with the terrain destroyed and her vantage point hindered by crawling magma and spiking stones, Selena and her team will have to rely on comms to locate each other.

On the other hand, targeting the Groudon's chest proves to be a useless attempt: the muscles of the dragonic creature has been hardened by age already. The CERULEDGE and GALLADE wild find even the finest cuts yet don't make the God bleed. Perhaps they might need first to weaken its core; this is the time when the Groudon successfuly grabs the Gallade by its hands.

"Ashley Shepard, great job on assisting. Hitoshi Inoue, don't worry about your Gallade: we'll get them. Continue finding its weak spot!"

The DELPHOX stands in her place, moving upon her trainer's commands. Circe lifts her staff and places her hand behind it: an orb of green forms from what was once a ball of fire until a FOCUS BLAST hits its hand holding the Gallade, aiming to let the Pokemon free.

Selena hears the wincing behind Ashley Shepard's words and orders CHIMECHO to find him. Soteria returns the favor and chimes the HEAL BELL for Ashley Shepard. "No one gets left behind."

Groudon stirs the earth with its cry, the Continental God posing to do another deathly move. It looks directly at Selena and acknowledges it as a threat: a HAMMER ARM swings by its left before the HATTERENE quickly intervenes with a MAGIC POWDER to the God's eyes, hoping the power from the PSYCHIC TERRAIN continues to amplify its effect.

---

EVENT: S.P.E.C.T.R.A. TRINITY TRIALS: GROUDON
Hitoshi Inoue Ashley Shepard

TL;DR
- SELENA'S PARTY is hit by EARTHQUAKE; Ashley Shepard's GOOMY uses PROTECT and UMBREON uses MOONLIGHT
- SELENA commends Ashley Shepard 's assistance and asks Hitoshi Inoue to find another weak spot
- DELPHOX use FOCUS BLAST at the GROUDON's arm to save Hitoshi Inoue's GALLADE
- SELENA hears Ashley Shepard in pain; sends CHIMECHO
- GROUDON uses HAMMER ARM at SELENA; HATTERENE uses MAGIC POWDER at the GROUDON's eyes powered by the PSYCHIC TERRAIN

PROMPTS
- 🔥 Without Sygna Suits, you are at risk of the elements! You must deal with the OPPRESSIVE HEAT of the ACTIVE VOLCANO in some way!
- 🔥 Groudon will be able to MANIPULATE THE EARTH of the location! Incorporate this difficulty in your posts in some way.
- 🚀 SELENA DESMARAIS's experience as a former Avatar must inform the strategic approach of the team against Groudon.

So much happens in so little time.[break]
Worms scurry before this great titan. Their blades pang against his armor. Their tricks make him close his eyes in annoyance. The mere act of walking causes the ground to tremble. Hitoshi almost loses his balance. Were it not for his years of training, he probably would have.[break]
No one gets left behind. Their leader rallies them with those words. Healing is dolled out. Protection. Munenori is freed.[break]
Jubei takes heart. They're winning. They're winning. He charges up again, listening to the orders of the one behind his trainer. If he can just find a weak spot. A chink in the armor. Somewhere his blade can sink into...[break]
This god quickly shows the humans what he thinks of their plans. Plans, technique, skills are things created to combat beings such as he. He cares not for their plans. His hand swipes out. Precipice Blades, sharper than any sword in Hitoshi's arsenal, strike out towards all of them - a brilliant line of obsidian spikes meaning to end this before it truly begins.[break]
Hitoshi is only spared thanks to Jubei. The black knight rushes back, his heart pierced by one of the spikes. Looking back to his master, he dies with a sigh on his lips. This is the sad fate of a man who would go against gods.[break]
"Why, you big bastard...!" Hitoshi growls up at the god. Even blinded, with his very nature shifting thanks to the magic powder, this creature is leagues above them.[break]
Hitoshi draws his katana. A stone in its center begins to glow. Munenori understands what's about to happen. He charges forward, over the blades. Teleporting behind the creature, he is enveloped in white light. What emerges is a gallant warrior with a long white cape streaming behind him. Mega Gallade levels a psycho cut on the rampaging titan. He runs up its back, trying to find a vulnerable spot. His blade is sharp. He will not fall yet.[break]
But that's not all this team has to contend with. Primal power seems to be building in the Groudon. From its chest hangs a red orb. It begins to glow. Sensing the impending change, the volcano they're standing on erupts, blasting lava everywhere.[break]
In the midst of this chaos, the supreme overlord sits. His sword dance continues. All proceeds according to plan.

THE OUTCOME CONTINUES TO PLAY AGAINST HER PLAN, and Selena can only watch and speculate for some staggered split seconds before the Groudon decides to wreck the earth yet again with its God-like power.

From a certain altitude, she watches as it finally unsheathes the PRECIPICE BLADES, shattered earth pieces racing towards the team. Selena and her Pokemon relishes in the MOONLIGHT by Ashley Shepard's UMBREON, allowing them to make a quick retaliation.

DELPHOX's FUTURE SIGHT telepathizes the motion of the ground, making sure her trainer and her teammates are safe but the attack does not spare Hitoshi Inoue—no—it is his Ceruledge that takes the fall instead. Ashley Shepard is not safe either; with one of her Pokemon down taking the same sacrifice as Hitoshi Inoue's Pokemon.

Pervaded with anger and perhaps a tinge of perseverance, she watches Hitoshi Inoue's Mega Gallade run through its spine to find a good spot. She hears Ashley Shepard also cooking up something through the comms together with Hitoshi.

Selena intends to listen: after all, a good leader does listen to her people. The idea is becoming more clear: they are all in sync.

"Very well." She speaks, tone full of exasperation. "Kingambit will be our last sword. Buff him up, Hitoshi Inoue. Continue to protect him, Ashley Shepard. We'll continue to distract the God."

The Kalosian sprints around the rugged terrain with Circe, trying to dodge the erupting columns of fire with the continued Future Sight. With the heightened psychic power because of the setup terrain, Circe attempts to send the telepathize as well with Selena's other teammates. CHIMECHO assists in raising up SAFEGUARD for the KINGAMBIT and HATTERENE takes advantage of the new typing as she fires up DARK PULSES over.

This is just the beginning.

---

EVENT: S.P.E.C.T.R.A. TRINITY TRIALS: GROUDON
Hitoshi Inoue Ashley Shepard

TL;DR
- DELPHOX uses FUTURE SIGHT; telepathizes with Selena the projection of the PRECIPICE BLADES
- SELENA evades the PRECIPICE BLADES
- SELENA agrees with Ashley Shepard's plan
- SELENA evades the ERUPTION (because of DELPHOX's FUTURE SIGHT)
- CHIMECHO uses SAFEGUARD to KINGAMBIT
- HATTERENE uses DARK PULSE to PSYCHIC-TYPE GROUDON

PROMPTS
- 🔥 Without Sygna Suits, you are at risk of the elements! You must deal with the OPPRESSIVE HEAT of the ACTIVE VOLCANO in some way!
- 🔥 Groudon will be able to MANIPULATE THE EARTH of the location! Incorporate this difficulty in your posts in some way.
- 🚀 SELENA DESMARAIS's experience as a former Avatar must inform the strategic approach of the team against Groudon.

All of this death to sharpen his sword. All these blows. Hitoshi's used to working alone. He's not used to having to watch people and Pokemon fall around him. An Umbreon does for him. There is no difference between real and fake. Death usually leaves him feeling nothing at all, but that creature's death makes him grit his teeth. Not even Jubei's death makes him react this way.[break]
Perhaps the god towering above them sees the fury in his eyes. Perhaps it shares the inverse of his frustration. It wishes them dead. That's the point of this, right? A battle to the death, winner takes all.[break][break]
Munenori's frantic bladework seems to be working. Small cracks appear along the armor. There's a chink in there somewhere. Afforded some measure of protection from the blows, he has the luxury of seconds. He treats every moment like the gift that it is. Frantic as his bladework is, the mind that serves as an extension of the blade is nothing but the reflection of moonlight upon a pond.[break]
The first ripple upon that pond is a tremor in the lava. It is but a taste of what follows. The creature's frustration builds as the dark links of its armor begin to glow as if lit by magma. A massive orb glows, showing a symbol Hitoshi does not recognize. In a brilliant flash of light that puts even mega evolution to shame, Groudon reverts to its primal form.[break]
With but a strike of its hand, this creature that shaped the earth tears it apart. Fissures open beneath each of the trainers. It seeks to swallow them whole. Hitoshi himself is about to be pulled in, only to be saved by Munenori.[break]
He is teleported to safety, but between the heat and the exhaustion of mega evolution, it pushes him to his limit. Stumbling, the second of Hitoshi's Pokemon falls into the rift. The safeguarded Tokugawa patiently appears at Hitoshi's side.[break]
"Just a few more seconds. This has gotta count for somethin'!" He says to his swords danceing Pokemon and the other members of his team. "I'm not lettin' this bastard win."

[player]https://vgmsite.com/soundtracks/pokemon-legends-arceus-complete-soundtrack/ynxxgzrhtp/1-99%20-%20Battle%21%20%28Giratina%29.mp3[/player]
🎵 Battle! (Giratina) | Pokémon Legends: Arceus Complete Soundtrack

THE DEAL WITH AVATARS IS THAT THEY ARE STRONG WHEN THEY ARE WITH THEIR PATRONS. When in solitary, it is when they are at their weakest. The simulation could have been inaccurate for this, as it can only replicate the power of the legendary Pokemons alone.

But regardless whether they are in contract or not, the Groudon is a force to be reckoned with.

The relentless assaults from their party makes the god even more ruthless; the power of LAVA PLUME in its Primal form exponentially multiplies into countless power. The color of lava flowing through its body flushes down and into the ground until they erupt from underneath.

Thankfully, Circe continues to assist with her FUTURE SIGHT, as Selena and her Hatterene continues to evade the attacks with the Vixen. However, Soteria the Chimecho is not spared. The Lava Plume crawls through the earth, chasing down the chime Pokemon in attempt to weaken their defenses. The attack finally hits: a column of magma erupts , swallowing the entire Pokemon until it faints.

But everything is just according to the plan: the strategy that the team itself has considered to win.

Selena and Hatterene are the first to skid through the mud by Ashley Shepard 's Goomy, taking advantage of the tractionless land to send another DARK PULSE into the Groudon's rear. It roars in pain as it continues to suffer from changing its typing, hitting potent and super effective attacks against the god.

Hopefully, distracting the creature will allow the Kingambit to make a swift, final move.

---

EVENT: S.P.E.C.T.R.A. TRINITY TRIALS: GROUDON
Hitoshi Inoue Ashley Shepard

TL;DR
- DELPHOX uses FUTURE SIGHT; telepathizes with Selena the projection of the LAVA PLUME
- CHIMECHO is hit by LAVA PLUME; CHIMECHO faints
- SELENA and HATTERENE evades LAVA PLUME
- SELENA and HATTERENE uses mud by Ashley Shepard
- HATTERENE uses DARK PULSE to PSYCHIC-TYPE GROUDON; distracting it

PROMPTS
- 🔥 Without Sygna Suits, you are at risk of the elements! You must deal with the OPPRESSIVE HEAT of the ACTIVE VOLCANO in some way!
- 🔥 Groudon will be able to MANIPULATE THE EARTH of the location! Incorporate this difficulty in your posts in some way.
- 🚀 SELENA DESMARAIS's experience as a former Avatar must inform the strategic approach of the team against Groudon.

They've walked willingly into hell. Once, the heat of this volcano was merely hot. Hitoshi thought it scorching at the time, but he did not know the meaning of the word. Were it not for the fact that this is merely a simulation, his flesh and bones would be melting. His skin would pop. He would collapse in agony. They would all die here.[break]
Tokugawa is taking it worse than Hitoshi. Whatever safety mechanisms have been put in place don't seem to extend to the Pokemon. With the earth under their feet cracking, with lava plumes raining down, and two of his Pokemon gone, now is the time to strike. There is a fine line between bravery and recklessness.[break]
Everyone's giving everything they have. They've worked so hard to bring him to this moment. Hitoshi stands up, draws his blade, and cuts the cloth holding his shirt in place. Tossing it to the wind, he exposes his back. With it is his resolve. Emblazoned upon his back is an artistic depiction of a roaring Entei, taken from traditional Johto art of the beasts. While anyone, such as their leader, who might have had the chance to see the genuine article, would spot differences between the real thing and that beast, the differences hardly matter.[break]
What matters is his resolve.[break]
"Oi, you." The black dog, baring his heart and his resolve for the monster, speaks to him over the eruptions and the thundering lava. "You're a god, but I'm a sword. And this sword's going to pierce your heart." Even if it costs him everything, he will have his victory.[break]
Hitoshi and Tokugawa move as one. Through the precipice blades, the heat, the blasts of fire. Tokugawa cleaves a path forward, knowing one strike means his death. The power within his honed blade is both pronounced and paramount as it cuts through sheer stone like it is warm butter.[break]
They're mere feet away. All Tokugawa has to do is jump.[break]
And the god smiles. They're close. Exactly where they're wanted. It throws the shattered body of a Pikachu before them as the lava pooled at his base explodes in a grand eruption.[break]
The shield and the mind must protect the blade, or it is all for nothing.