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"With great speed comes great responsibility."

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POSTED ON Sept 16, 2023 5:27:22 GMT

Josh had shown he had vastly improved as a combatant since the Battle of Dewford last April. While several of his Pokémon were stuck in the League infirmary, casualties were much lower than they were last time. He was truly making a difference on the battlefield. He was a more skilled rider than before, he had honed his skills with Danjuro thanks to studying at Finnegan Yang 's school, and most importantly, he had diversified his skillset as a trainer. While ludicrous speed was still the preferred tool for fighting, it was no longer his only tool.

As Josh took to the battleground on his Raichu mount, Toralf, his eyes peered skyward, only to see a familiar face atop a Corviknight. It was Cillian Quinn , and Lugia seemed to be nowhere nearby. This was his chance to exact sweet revenge for what happened in Hoenn's southeast wetlands. "Toralf, ELECTRO BALL," the Gym Leader ordered. The giant electric rodent's tail glowed with a sparking sphere that rapidly grew larger. After letting it reach full size, the Raichu drew its long tail back, then cracked it like a whip toward the held electric attack. The ELECTRO BALL went flying toward Cillian Quinn at great speeds.

MP THIS THREAD: 10

Cillian Quinn

{WC: 200}
{PC: 1}

NAME SPECIES STATUS
Toralf Raichu Good
Fire Eyes Salazzle Good
Aleph Type: Null Good
Moosh Ursaluna Good
Wiley Furret Good
Janus Espeon Good

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played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

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POSTED ON Sept 17, 2023 18:07:37 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

There is a change in the air.[break][break]

They feel it, bird and rider both, a split second before the impact — but there is nothing to be done. Cillian's MIASMA speeds their reaction time, but not enough. The Corviknight's metal feathers ordinarily provide protection, but the ball of electricity that slams into the bird at fierce speeds dissipates across that conductive plumage to fry the tender flesh beneath.[break][break]

With a pained and furious shriek, the Corviknight begins to plummet.[break][break]

Though it had not given him time enough to save his mount, the swirling shadows that pull tight around him lend Cillian enough time to rip a pokeball free from his waist and toss it toward the ground. The Dhelmise that emerges from an umbral pool, rather than a burst of light, is immediately commanded with a keen whistle and a loud command.[break][break]

"Switch!"[break][break]

Deep pink psychic energy from an ALLY SWITCH joins the dissipating black, and suddenly Cillian is on the ground with the massive anchor hurtling alongside the Corviknight to the earth. The bird's steel feathers shimmer as it prepares for impact with an IRON DEFENSE. Cil clicks his tongue, clearly issuing a second order to the anchor.[break][break]

Sharp golden eyes hone in on the aggressors, his lip curling in a sneer.[break][break]

"Didn't taste enough humiliation last time?"[break][break]

This time, however, there is no taste of ozone in the air. No rain, no PRESSURE, and no Lugia.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Josh Devlin

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] 🖤 (T) BRAN (M) MIRROR ARMOR + AERIAL AUTOTOMIZE - EXTREME SPEED / STEEL WING / POWER TRIP / DRILL PECK / BODY PRESS / IRON DEFENSE / DEFOG

🌟🌸🖤➕ (E) EURYDICE (G) STEELWORKER + CURSED BODY - ALLY SWITCH / BRICK BREAK / GIGA DRAIN / WHIRLPOOL / PHANTOM FORCE / ANCHOR SHOT / SHADOW HOLD / SPRINGTIDE STORM / SLUDGE WAVE

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played by

raikourider

Master of Faster

He/Him

December 12

Goldenrod, Johto

Straight

Mauville Gym Leader

Champion

6'1" height

"With great speed comes great responsibility."

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TAG WITH @joshdevlin

POSTED ON Sept 18, 2023 5:47:58 GMT

The lack of the familiar ozone taste and PRESSURE, part of what scarred Josh's mind from his last encounter with the Underboss, wasn't there. Perhaps Lugia was on the mend from a battle with one of the League's Avatars? Either way, the lack of the despair-inducing god's presence supercharged Josh's morale. Yes, there were still Shadow Pokémon to contend with, but it was not a vengeful god of the sea.

"Stuff it, Gavin," Josh unintentionally deadnamed the Underboss, popping open a second Poké Ball containing Aleph, a Type: Null whose violent gaze locked onto the Dhelmise's eyeball. The normal-type raised his claws, winding up for an X-SCISSOR. Toralf pointed his tail at the hurt Corviknight, a THUNDERBOLT crackling from it and ready to be discharged at a moment's notice.

"If you don't want me to fry your Corviknight again," Josh boldly declared from his Raichu's saddle, "tell me this. What is Rocket doing here, and what are they building underneath the island? We've already busted your little bunker, Greyson Connors and I. Call off your men. Now."

MP THIS THREAD: 20

_4MqGzyj Aleph obedience roll

Cillian Quinn

{WC: 177}
{PC: 2}

NAME SPECIES STATUS
Toralf Raichu Good
Fire Eyes Salazzle Good
Aleph Type: Null Good
Moosh Ursaluna Good
Wiley Furret Good
Janus Espeon Good

close tab

played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

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TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON Sept 18, 2023 7:53:59 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

Cillian doesn't react to the name; he's used to it even from Rockets who've yet to adjust to an underboss they've known for years by a different name. Of far more interest are Josh Devlin's words, sparking a sharp laugh in Cil's throat.[break][break]

He really thinks he can talk me down?[break][break]

"Save your breath," is advised, ending in a click of the tongue. "I'm not telling you shit."[break][break]

Given orders by the click, his Corviknight moves with EXTREME SPEED toward its electric foe. The fast attack would allow one small swan song before the bird was taken by the flash of thunder, swallowed by shadow as it falls.[break][break]

Cil doesn't react beyond sending out another, a lithe eel who LEVITATES above the ground as it COILS in anticipation.[break][break]

The underboss eyes Aleph with a sneer.[break][break]

"Care to tell me what atrocities you committed in that thing's name?" He had a Type: Null of his own, knew intimately the horrors of their creation. "Or are you going to keep pretending you're morally superior?"[break][break]

Click.[break][break]

Eurydice lunges toward the chimera with a BRICK BREAK.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Josh Devlin

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] 🖤 (G) MERROW (F) LEVITATE - DARK LEECH / COIL / GASTRO ACID / DRAGON TAIL / VOLT SWITCH / SIGNAL BEAM / BIND

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played by

raikourider

Master of Faster

He/Him

December 12

Goldenrod, Johto

Straight

Mauville Gym Leader

Champion

6'1" height

"With great speed comes great responsibility."

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TAG WITH @joshdevlin

POSTED ON Sept 19, 2023 7:08:22 GMT

The burst of blinding speed from the Shadow Corviknight caught Josh off guard, the impact nearly flinging him off his unusual mount. As a Pokémon racer, he knew every single Pokémon capable of using that move. That one was not on his list. It would be something he would have researched... except he could not. Bora was dead. Dead for Aleph to exist.

His gait a little rougher and his steps a little slower after that sudden move, Toralf retreated from the action, both vermin and rider catching their breath. "I wouldn't have done it by choice. The League had my hands tied in Aleph's creation. Bora and Valoo... they live on in him. Their sacrifices will not be in vain!" Josh cried.

As if on cue, X-SCISSOR and BRICK BREAK collided with one another. Aleph let out a shriek, the Dhelmise's bone-shattering swing leaving him far for worse. Toralf, too, joined in the action after recovering his stamina. Feigning a Quick Attack, the electric-type charged before kicking up a large cloud of dirt from slamming on the brakes, stopping in point-blank range to blow the Eelektross a SWEET KISS.

MP THIS THREAD: 30

lwZyA_oU Aleph obedience roll

Cillian Quinn

{WC: 192}
{PC: 3}

NAME SPECIES STATUS
Toralf Raichu Fair
Fire Eyes Salazzle Good
Aleph Type: Null Fair
Moosh Ursaluna Good
Wiley Furret Good
Janus Espeon Good

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played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

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7,877 posts

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TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON Sept 19, 2023 12:21:21 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

Cillian lets out a harsh laugh.[break][break]

"You call us monsters," he sneers, "yet defend those who'd force your hands to commit the same crimes? Hypocrite."[break][break]

He knew this man was prone to anger, revels in his own ability to stay calm in contrast. He remains stoic even as his Eelektross fumbles in its attempts to swing a DRAGON TAIL toward the Raichu; its tail hits rock, instead, and it hisses in pain.[break][break]

It seemed the CONFUSION had indeed taken hold. Unfortunate.[break][break]

But Eelektross was not the only combatant.[break][break]

Though the X-SCISSOR caused it considerable pain, the shadow-strengthened Dhelmise persists. Tendrils of crimson seaweed slither from the limbs of its anchor in an attempt to scrape against the Null's side, DRAINING its energy.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Josh Devlin

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] 🖤 (G) MERROW (F) LEVITATE - DARK LEECH / COIL / GASTRO ACID / DRAGON TAIL / VOLT SWITCH / SIGNAL BEAM / BIND

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played by

raikourider

Master of Faster

He/Him

December 12

Goldenrod, Johto

Straight

Mauville Gym Leader

Champion

6'1" height

"With great speed comes great responsibility."

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6,089 posts

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TAG WITH @joshdevlin

POSTED ON Sept 21, 2023 3:20:36 GMT

Since their last meeting, Josh had grown as a combatant, as a leader, and as a person. Shutting out Cillian's derogatory comments, he wasn't going to let this opportunity slip away from him. With the Eelektross stunned, the Raichu swung his IRON TAIL toward Cillian's Pokémon, banking on the foe's ability to handle steel-type attacks being mitigated by its delirious state. The bolt of his sharpened tail flew toward the aquatic electric-type in a blur, slicing toward the Eelektross with the speed and precision of a whip crack.

Meanwhile, Aleph paid the price for overexerting himself, falling asleep after the X-Scissor. Unable to deliver a follow-up attack, the Dhelmise was free to siphon the Type: Null dry. "Now's not the time for this, Aleph..." Josh mumbled as he withdrew the fallen Pokémon. Hurling a second one to replace the normal-type, a Salazzle taller than even Cillian made her presence known with a FIRE LASH aimed around the ghost-type's upper body. Was that a saddle on the poison-type's back? Who would dare ride one? And with how corrosive their bodies were, how would one even strap a saddle to one?

MP THIS THREAD: 90
Posts (40)
Ally KO (50)

Cillian Quinn

{WC: 191}
{PC: 4}

NAME SPECIES STATUS
Toralf Raichu Fair
Fire Eyes Salazzle Good
Aleph Type: Null KO
Moosh Ursaluna Good
Wiley Furret Good
Janus Espeon Good

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played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

awards

7,877 posts

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TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON Sept 21, 2023 14:21:38 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

Cillian's cutting words don't land as he hopes, and thus he lapses into the silence of intense focus. It's broken only by a sharp whistle that stirs the Eelektross from its confused state just in time to COIL up and bear the brunt of the blow.[break][break]

Eurydice cannot endure the wrath of a FIRE LASH quite so well, parts of its colony singed and glowing with embers as the Salazzle pulls back. But the landed hit was a double-edged sword, for the CURSED BODY of the shadow Pokémon would see the move disabled.[break][break]

In retaliation, it pulls water from the earth to form a WHIRLPOOL that surges toward the dual-type.[break][break]

Cillian's focus is not on the saddle, but on the prospects of this fight. If he stayed, he could surely prevail with time, but at what cost? His Aerodactyl was down, and now one of his strongest shadows was facing a type disadvantage.[break][break]

MIASMA swells across the field, giving nothing away.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Josh Devlin

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] 🖤 (G) MERROW (F) LEVITATE - DARK LEECH / COIL / GASTRO ACID / DRAGON TAIL / VOLT SWITCH / SIGNAL BEAM / BIND

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played by

raikourider

Master of Faster

He/Him

December 12

Goldenrod, Johto

Straight

Mauville Gym Leader

Champion

6'1" height

"With great speed comes great responsibility."

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6,089 posts

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TAG WITH @joshdevlin

POSTED ON Sept 22, 2023 2:43:33 GMT

Just as Fire Eyes began to pull on Eurydice with her FIRE LASH, the glowing whip disappeared. The Dhelmise had been freed thanks to its CURSED BODY causing the attack's form to vanish. Josh, trusting the fire-type had things under control, put his focus on the Eelektross. Leaning in as low as he could on Toralf's back, he squeezed the electric vermin's sides hard, spurring the Raichu into a QUICK ATTACK that may have been too fast for the shadow Pokémon to react to. Cillian Quinn 's SHADOW MIASMA would have made it seem more like a normal-speed charge, but would that be enough to save his partner? He would have a small window to deliver quite the counterattack, perhaps one his Shadow-enhanced reflexes made him the only person in the world capable of utilizing.

Little did Josh know that Fire Eyes was having trouble aiming while trapped in the swirling WHIRLPOOL, her follow-up VENOSHOCK flying in a circle around her. Depending on the ghost-type's position, only a portion of its colony may have been exposed to the corrosive toxin.

MP THIS THREAD: 100
Posts (50)
Ally KO (50)

Cillian Quinn

{WC: 179}
{PC: 5}

NAME SPECIES STATUS
Toralf Raichu Fair
Fire Eyes Salazzle Fair
Aleph Type: Null KO
Moosh Ursaluna Good
Wiley Furret Good
Janus Espeon Good

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played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

awards

7,877 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON Sept 22, 2023 11:19:58 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

Their speed and evasion enhanced by the MIASMA, Cillian's Pokémon prepare themselves for the incoming attacks. Eurydice ALLY SWITCHES with the Eelektross, causing the QUICK ATTACK to phase straight through the ghost-type as the VENOSHOCK hits Eelektross, instead. Though not immune to the poisonous spray, it hurts Merrow far less than the Dhelmise's grassy colony.[break][break]

UNCOILING from its previous position, the Eelektross now VOLT SWITCHES toward the Salazzle, swallowed up by a swirl of MIASMA as it recalls itself in favour of an ally.[break][break]

That ally proves to be a Delphox, who lingers close to Cillian's side rather than engaging in the fight. She seems to be kissed by a similar corruption to the Eelektross, black crystal growths peeking out from her fur. The wand she wields is not one of wood, but of that same dark obsidian.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Josh Devlin

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] 🖤 (G) MERROW (F) LEVITATE - DARK LEECH / COIL / GASTRO ACID / DRAGON TAIL / VOLT SWITCH / SIGNAL BEAM / BIND

🖤 (T) MAB (F) MAGICIAN - DARK ROOM / MAGIC ROOM / PSYBEAM / FLAMETHROWER / WILL-O-WISP / WISH / SHADOW FIRE

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played by

raikourider

Master of Faster

He/Him

December 12

Goldenrod, Johto

Straight

Mauville Gym Leader

Champion

6'1" height

"With great speed comes great responsibility."

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6,089 posts

DOLLARS

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TAG WITH @joshdevlin

POSTED ON Sept 23, 2023 6:32:38 GMT

What incredible speed and reaction time Cillian Quinn possessed. It was as though Josh was fighting himself. Even with the Beast of the Sea asleep, the might of the Harbinger pushed the Gym Leader to his limits. There may not have been another soul in the world with the capability to order that ALLY SWITCH in time, Josh and Toralf instead passing through the grass-type to no avail.

The VOLT SWITCH was just as expertly placed, the WHIRLPOOL surrounding the fire-type conducting the electric attack so well that the soaked Fire Eyes may have been a water-type in the moment. With a squeal, the lizard collapsed, but the whirlpool remained. The unconscious Pokémon was still trapped within, battered by debris caught up in the swirling current. His Poké Ball's beam was being blocked.

He had to disrupt that whirlpool, or Fire Eyes might die.

Hurling another Poké Ball toward the Dhelmise that was the water attack's source, Josh ordered his team to bum-rush the red phantom: Toralf with THUNDERBOLT, and the newly-summoned Ursaluna, Moosh, with HIGH HORSEPOWER. The charging bear with steering bars on the front of his saddle stared at Cil's Pokémon with blood-red eyes, determined to ram and trample the foe to free his desperate ally.

MP THIS THREAD: 110
Posts (60)
Ally KO (50)

Cillian Quinn

{WC: 209}
{PC: 6}

NAME SPECIES STATUS
Toralf Raichu Fair
Fire Eyes Salazzle KO
Aleph Type: Null KO
Moosh Ursaluna Good
Wiley Furret Good
Janus Espeon Good

close tab

played by

thorn

Gavin Merlino

he/him

october 28th

circhester, galar

demisexual

the harbinger

underboss

6'3" height

creatures of habit, carrion flowers, growing from repeated crimes.

awards

7,877 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON Sept 23, 2023 11:47:05 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twtgm"]

[attr="class","main"]

Though Cillian presents a calm and unflappable demeanour, concern surges beneath the surface as he sees the focus pinned on his Dhelmise. He couldn't afford to let the anchor fall; it was his main method of safe transport when Lugia was at rest.[break][break]

A quick two clicks of the tongue see his team forced on the defensive, the Dhelmise vanishing with PHANTOM FORCE.[break][break]

Suddenly, their small battlefield is plunged into darkness.[break][break]

The user creates a dark area in which all other Pokemon lose their vision, hearing, and sense of smell due to the darkness. Pokemon that have explicit abilities that say otherwise may not be affected. Any sources of light can illuminate this area but the lighting will be much dimmer than expected.

[break][break]

Vanishing into the umbral embrace of the Delphox's DARK ROOM, Cillian steps into the PHANTOM FORCE.[break][break]

Should Josh Devlin or his Pokemon find a way to illuminate the darkness, they'd find no trace of Cillian or his team but the lingering SHADOW MIASMA.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Josh Devlin

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] 🖤 (G) MERROW (F) LEVITATE - DARK LEECH / COIL / GASTRO ACID / DRAGON TAIL / VOLT SWITCH / SIGNAL BEAM / BIND

close tab

played by

raikourider

Master of Faster

He/Him

December 12

Goldenrod, Johto

Straight

Mauville Gym Leader

Champion

6'1" height

"With great speed comes great responsibility."

awards

6,089 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @joshdevlin