MARCH UPDATE

POSTED ON Sept 16, 2023 13:30:27 GMT

Patrolling the sky was far from Hideo's strong suit; he already had enough challenges when he only had to move forward, back, left, or right; having to go up and down made it that much harder for him to know where everything was - moreso when he had to rely on his Pokemon to do that actual moving.

It was fine when he just had to fly from one city to another, but looking around for stuff in the sky was not easy.

At least his Dragapult was a smooth ride, the boy riding atop it. An Orbeetle sat beside him, its Telepathy doing the actual looking part for Hideo. It was quiet so far for him; hopefully it stayed that way.

Cillian Quinn

MP Tracker: 60

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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 18:44:19 GMT

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That kid again.[break][break]

This time, Cillian recognizes Hideo Kino. The kid who'd managed for so long to slip under his radar, dismissed as a non-issue or else forgotten among a sea of faces far more important to the underbosses agenda, at last strikes enough of a chord to be remembered.[break][break]

That was not a good thing for the boy.[break][break]

From atop the back of an Aerodactyl covered in obsidian crystal growths, Rocket's underboss sneers, "You always seem to end up in Rocket's way, kid. That'll get you killed if you're not careful."[break][break]

He clicks, tapping his Aerodactyl's neck, and feels the prehistoric predator jerk violently beneath him as it fires off a HYPER BEAM toward the Orbeetle guardian. Beside them, a slowly-spinning snowflake sets up a shimmering LIGHT SCREEN.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Hideo Kino

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] 🌟🖤 (T) SLUAGH (M) PRESSURE + DARK PREDATOR - ROAR / AGILITY / SKY DROP / FIRE FANG / STONE EDGE / HYPER BEAM

🖤 (T) PRIDWEN (G) LEVITATE - BANEFUL BUNKER / ACID ARMOR / WISH / LIGHT SCREEN / FREEZE-DRY / RAPID SPIN / NIGHT SLASH

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Hideo

he/him

October 18th

slateport

undecided

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i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

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POSTED ON Sept 18, 2023 23:57:44 GMT

Nope. No quiet for him or his team.

This guy at least had the decency to announce himself first. He recognized the voice; it was the same guy that gave him a hard time in the Ultra Sea. Great.

"Wouldn't be if Rocket didn't show up everywhere to mess stuff up," he answered, holding on tight to his Dragapult; he wasn't under any illusion that this was about to be a fight he could just walk (or rather, fly) away from.

His Orbeetle gave him a quick rundown of what Pokemon the man had deployed: a Cryogonal, who was already setting up a Light Screen around the man's team, and an Aerodactyl, who his Orbeetle informed him was very…scary? Stony?

Before he could ask for a clarification, the man attacked first, a Hyper Beam coming right for his Orbeetle - and by proximity, Hideo as well. The boy gave his Dragapult a quick couple pats - his way of saying "move".

The Dragapult was fast, boosting its speed with its Agility. It was able to avoid the Hyper Beam, but only narrowly; this wasn't an opponent they could be relaxed around. The Dragapult moved to circle around their opponent, to make it harder to get locked on to - but without moving further away away from them.

His Orbeetle, meanwhile, spouted off a series of profanities at the Aerodactyl for that attempting beaming - though neither trainer would understand it. It, too, set up a shimmering Light Screen around Hideo's team.

Cillian Quinn

MP Tracker: 70

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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 19, 2023 11:21:36 GMT

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Last time, Cillian had allowed Hideo to leave with little more than a warning. This time, he would not be so lucky.[break][break]

He was a kid. From the sounds of it, wrong place and wrong time. There was no need to kill him. But the fact that he did not immediately ask for mercy or retreat tells Cillian that he needs to be taught a lesson in meddling where he's not welcome.[break][break]

Cillian clicks his tongue twice, sign language suggesting to the Cryogonal that it defend. It shimmers under the effects of its ACID ARMOUR, ice melting and forming anew with a sickly purple sheen.[break][break]

The Dragapult carrying its trainer is ignored only so much as Cillian doesn't target it, though he keeps his eye on it in case of a counterattack. The Aerodactyl is given a single click, and the sign language suggests target.[break][break]

The DARK PREDATOR marks its prey, shadows swirling around the Orbeetle and Aerodactyl both.[break][break]

Another click, this time with the command six.[break][break]

The HYPER BEAM, fired off unexpectedly without need to recharge, seems to have a devastating effect on the Aerodactyl as well. Cracks form along its stony wings, its flight patterns faltering somewhat as it adjusts to its pain.[break][break]

Aerodactyl can IGNORE THE COOLDOWN of HYPER BEAM. If it does, Aerodactyl takes RECOIL DAMAGE that cannot be prevented by the ability ROCK HEAD.[break][break]

PRESSURE prevents nearby Pokémon from using the same move twice in a row. Aerodactyl is no longer affected by PRESSURE or INTIMIDATION.[break][break]

Aerodactyl has an additional ability, DARK PREDATOR. Aerodactyl may pick a single target to hunt. It will be able to track, chase, and deal more damage to its prey, but takes additional damage from all other sources.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Hideo Kino

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] 🌟🖤 (T) SLUAGH (M) PRESSURE + DARK PREDATOR - ROAR / AGILITY / SKY DROP / FIRE FANG / STONE EDGE / HYPER BEAM

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Blue Star

Hideo

he/him

October 18th

slateport

undecided

Gym Leader

Ace Trainer

smol height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

2,442 posts

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part of

TAG WITH @hideo

POSTED ON Sept 19, 2023 17:57:06 GMT

The last time Hideo encountered this guy, he'd actually been trying to leave the Deep Sea, so he'd been much more willing to just walk away. Here, where his job was to stop Rockets from getting into the island? He had to stay and fight, even if there was a strange Pressure about the situation that he couldn't put his finger on.

His Orbeetle notified him of something strange around both itself and the man's Aerodactyl - but couldn't describe what it meant beyond the fact it was freaked out, and that the Aerodactyl's attention seemed to be focused on it. It was certainly already affecting the information the Orbeetle was feeding Hideo, now unclear and panicked.

Hideo gave his Dragapult another couple of pats to speed up - and could feel his Dragapult shake her head. She didn't want to speed up faster? No, she'd never refused like this before - perhaps she couldn't? Was there some kind of Torment that affected her?

Another Hyper Beam came their way - way too soon compared to the previous one. Just what kind of Aerodactyl were they dealing with here? "Pull up!" Hideo shouted, his Dragapult turning upwards, taking his Orbeetle out of the line of fire - and putting herself into it.

Which, thankfully, passed right through her harmlessly - her ghost-typing coming in clutch. The sudden speed did force his Orbeetle to need to Psychically hold Hideo onto the Dragapult so the boy didn't fall off, but they otherwise got out without harm.

It wouldn't go without retaliation: the Dragapult faced straight towards the Aerodactyl, the two Dreepy with her firing towards it. It was about time their foe got to deal with her Dragon Darts.

Cillian Quinn

MP Tracker: 80

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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

7,886 posts

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POSTED ON Sept 21, 2023 11:13:25 GMT

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Cillian scowls as the Dragapult attacks, clicking his tongue to signal for the Cryogonal that hovers dutifully at his side. Just as Dragapult had taken the attack for its own ally, it intercepts to see the Dreepy-darts collide with its armored surface.[break][break]

Still recovering from the back-to-back HYPER BEAMS, the Aerodactyl bides its time and focuses on raising its AGILITY.[break][break]

Though he had no initial intentions to down the child's mount and send him plummeting into the sea below, the intervention of that mount in Cil's plans shifts his focus. If he were to insist on playing with fire, then Hideo Kino would feel its burn.[break][break]

Another click of the tongue sees the Cryogonal spin forward with a NIGHT SLASH.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Hideo Kino

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] 🌟🖤 (T) SLUAGH (M) PRESSURE + DARK PREDATOR - ROAR / AGILITY / SKY DROP / FIRE FANG / STONE EDGE / HYPER BEAM

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Blue Star

Hideo

he/him

October 18th

slateport

undecided

Gym Leader

Ace Trainer

smol height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

2,442 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @hideo

POSTED ON Sept 21, 2023 23:12:16 GMT

Hideo's Orbeetle was able to get a moment to focus on the situation, relaying some more information to Hideo: the man's Cryogonal took the Dragon Darts, and yet the creepy-looking Aerodactyl seemed to be hurt anyways.

Had his Orbeetle simply missed the Aerodactyl getting hit by a dart?

No time to wonder: the Aerodactyl was on the move, but the Cryogonal was the one to strike next, a Night Slash coming right for the Dragapult. She wouldn't evade in time, the slash getting a solid hit on her.

Her retaliation was swift, her priority on the closer foe; her tail would came from below, to smack the Cryogonal away as she made a U-turn, to fly away from her attacker.

Hideo held on tight once more, his Orbeetle keeping an eye out for the Aerodactyl's next attack.

Cillian Quinn

MP Tracker: 90

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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

7,886 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON Sept 22, 2023 10:55:04 GMT

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Another quick click of the tongue sees the Cryogonal activate its BANEFUL BUNKER as the Dragapult makes contact, likely POISONING its foe.[break][break]

Cillian's cold gaze lingers on the Orbeetle; it had been the original target, but it seemed to be passive in comparison to the Dragapult. Did it serve some other purpose for the boy, then? Rather than shifting to any correct assumption, Cillian's paranoia takes root. Would it try to enter his mind? To SHATTER his PSYCHE, as had been done to him before?[break][break]

He couldn't eliminate the Orbeetle with that pesky Dragapult still on the field, however... reluctantly, he shifts focus.[break][break]

Click.[break][break]

A wash of heat spreads over him as the Aerodactyl opens its jaws to reveal FIERY FANGS that seek purchase in the ghostly dragon's tail.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Hideo Kino

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] 🌟🖤 (T) SLUAGH (M) PRESSURE + DARK PREDATOR - ROAR / AGILITY / SKY DROP / FIRE FANG / STONE EDGE / HYPER BEAM

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played by

Blue Star

Hideo

he/him

October 18th

slateport

undecided

Gym Leader

Ace Trainer

smol height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

2,442 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @hideo

POSTED ON Sept 23, 2023 17:46:03 GMT

Hideo's Dragapult managed to elude the Cryogonal - but something seemed off to Hideo; his Dragapult's flying wasn't as steady as it'd been before. It wasn't as simple as her simply being tired or hurt - she would've simply slowed down in those situations.

His Orbeetle gave him the answer: she'd been poisoned by a Baneful Bunker the Cryogonal had used. Not good; he didn't have any Pokemon on him that could cure it, and he didn't have the luxury of time to fish out an antidote.

Especially not with the Aerodactyl quite literally on their ass, his Dragapult screeching as its Fire Fangs dug into her tail. Hideo didn't even have a chance to shout an order before she turned to face her attacker, aiming another set of Dragon Darts point-blank.

Hideo's Orbeetle was too preoccupied keeping the boy from getting flung off by the sudden maneuver to interfere with the battle.

Cillian Quinn

MP Tracker: 100

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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

7,886 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin

POSTED ON Sept 24, 2023 12:54:44 GMT

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Not even the speed granted by the Harbinger's boon nor its own AGILITY could allow the Aerodactyl to dodge the point-blank darts; the prehistoric predator shrieks as they pepper its rocky hide, some finding purchase in the cracks made by its liberal use of the HYPER BEAMS. Cillian can feel it flagging beneath him, clicking his tongue to instruct his mount to back off.[break][break]

The Orbeetle couldn't or wouldn't intervene, it seemed, so his Cryogonal could take over the battle from here.[break][break]

Ordered by another click of Cillian's tongue, it does just that, turning on its side and whirling like a frigid frisbee as it goes in for another NIGHT SLASH.[break][break]

Aerodactyl continues to amp up its AGILITY, having been told to focus on dodging attacks. The goal was to plunge this meddling kid into the ocean, not to go on an impromptu dive himself.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Hideo Kino

[attr="class","pkmn"][break] 🌟🖤 (T) SLUAGH (M) PRESSURE + DARK PREDATOR - ROAR / AGILITY / SKY DROP / FIRE FANG / STONE EDGE / HYPER BEAM

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played by

Blue Star

Hideo

he/him

October 18th

slateport

undecided

Gym Leader

Ace Trainer

smol height

i used to dream in the dark of palisades park.

awards

2,442 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @hideo

POSTED ON Sept 24, 2023 17:51:11 GMT

Tried as she might, the Drapagult wasn't able to take down the Aerodactyl. Firing at that range had a decent amount of recoil to it, and the poison was already doing a number on her. Hideo could see the writing on the wall, and grabbed her Pokeball.

The Night Slash from the Cryogonal sealed the deal, the Dragapult losing consciousness and plummeting down. Hideo was taken down with her, the Orbeetle by his side grabbing on to him.

Hideo recalled his KO'd Dragapult, resigning himself to this defeat. He was confident that he wasn't about to get dunked in the sea below them, though: his Orbeetle was already slowing his descent, a Psychic enveloping him. It'd be enough to get him back to the mainland, at least, but he was out of this fight for now.

Was this how things would've gone if he'd fought the man back in the Ultra Sea?

Just what other strange moves did the man's Pokemon have in store?

And just who had he battled?

Cillian Quinn

MP Tracker: 560

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+300 loss

+100 mission completion

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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

7,886 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @gavin