Ghostly energy struck, and Ryuu hissed with a pained rage as the Kingdra briefly thrashed - disorientation seeming to make it difficult for him to coordinate a dodge. In fact, the thrashing would send the Kingdra knocking itself into a nearby rock - scale and stone alike cracked in the impact as the hiss rose into another enraged trumpet.

Not even giving Makoto a chance to make a command, Ryuu lets out a Brine that he wildly sweeps in Rayth's and Jack's direction! It's dangerous and wild - especially with his Sniper ability, sand sent flying where the Brine hits the shore - but it's clear to see that he's also lashing out blindly.

Makoto grits their teeth a little in seeing this - fingers briefly trailing along their belt. Do they switch Ryuu out, or even play a little dirty? It's not as if they're beholden to the rules of a typical league battle, after all...

TLDR/NOTES:
- Ryuu is struck by Hex; thrashes about in an ill-coordinated attempt to dodge, and hurts himself in the process.
- Fires off a blindly/wildly-aimed Brine in both Rayth and Jack's general directions; Focus Energy and Sniper both making it potentially dangerous.

jack wainwright

In times like these, Makoto wished that they had pokemon who could mega evolve - for that second wind, that edge in a fight like this. Even if they had other pokemon still, one of them wasn't exactly meant for direct combat.

Ryuu tumbles from the impact of the Shadow Ball - and though it seems to be enough to knock him back to reality, he's left weary and pained. The Kingdra lets out a low bubbling hiss, swaying, but initially able to push himself upright... At least, until he collapses onto the sand - not unconscious, breathing heavily, but certainly unable to continue fighting.

Makoto curses softly - recalling Ryuu, and considering their options. Though Obake could still fight a little longer, he wouldn't exactly threaten this ghost as a Toxtricity, and Haguru was at a disadvantage as well... Which left a pokemon of theirs who - while strong, and while not necessarily ornery or disobedient, was a bit of a wildcard in nature.

Thus, out came Tsukiko the Alolan Ninetales. The fox seemed not outwardly hostile - even though she appeared to recognize that this was a pokemon battle. In fact, she seemed almost friendly, tails giving a swish and ears perking at the sight of Rayth and Jack...

"Evasive tactics; Aurora Veil!"

... At least, until her demeanor shifted from that of playful, to mischievous.

Throwing back her head to howl, a snowstorm was whipped up by her Snow Warning - paired with the multicolored lights of an Aurora Veil. And that was the last that one would see of her, before her Snow Cloak allowed her to disappear into her own storm - the only sign that she was still here being playful foxlike laughter, carried upon the howling winds.

TLDR/NOTES:
- Shadow Ball knocks some sense into Ryuu, but he is unable to continue fighting; he is switched out for Tsukiko the Alolan Ninetales.
- Tsukiko is just here to vibe. She's also here to be a lil shit.
- Snow Warning whips up a snowstorm - which allows Tsukiko to set up an Aurora Veil, and disappear amongst the snow with Snow Cloak.

jack wainwright

The motes of flame danced into the cold - but it was hard to tell right away whether they landed. Aside from the foxy laughter, the winds swallowed up even the sounds of Tsukiko's own steps as she danced to and fro amongst the snow. But maybe someone would notice the way her laugh broke off in a soft yelp when one of the flames scorched across her flank - leaving a light burn...

... That wasn't about to stop her from her mischief, though - she didn't need to mega-evolve to cause some shenanigans. "Confuse Ray!"

Because a number of lights would begin to shine in the snowstorm - whirling about hypnotically, bewilderingly, as they closed in on Rayth - the fox attempting to return the favor, for the trick she had pulled on Ryuu before!

TLDR/NOTES:
- Tsukiko is lightly burned by Will-O-Wisp
- Retaliates with Confuse Ray to give Rayth a taste of her own medicine.

jack wainwright

Okay - perhaps confusing the Chandelure was a volatile choice to make; especially now that it was wildly tossing fire every which way! But, Tsukiko still had tricks aplenty up her sleeve. "Dig - avoid the fire!" Makoto called, as they - too - took cover nearby; they weren't gonna take it like a Wobbuffet.

Diving into the earth like how any fox might dive into the snow in search of prey, Tsukiko would disappear underground to avoid the licking flames of the Fire Spin. And beneath the earth, they'd attempt to line up for an ambush - even if their flank ached, they were prepared to give the Chandelure a surprise as soon as the opportunity arose...

... At least, once she figured out where Rayth was in relation to herself, that is.

TLDR/NOTES:
- Tsukiko burrows with Dig to avoid the flames, and is preparing for a below-ground ambush. (She has no fucking clue where it is in relation to herself, though. send help-)
- Burn is still owchie

jack wainwright

The Shadow Ball flew, sending the snowflakes flying every which way. But there are no signs of the Alolan Ninetales, no matter how much one might look... Aside from a mound of dirt and snow, that'd become briefly visible in the attack's wake.

"Now!"

But now came the question, of whether this visual warning was too late or not; because suddenly, Tsukiko would emerge from the earth, seeking to try and ambush Rayth with the prior Dig! If the Chandelure was a slowpoke about it, she'd end up caught up in the fox's attack; even if it was hindered by their burm!

TLDR/NOTES:
- Shadow Ball makes a brief gap in the storm, revealing the mound that Tsukiko made while burrowing
- Tsukiko attempts to ambush Rayth + strike her with Dig - even if a little weakened by their burn.

jack wainwright

As Rayth collapses, Tsukiko comes to a pause - head cocked, tails swishing. She glances back to Jack - glancing to the Sawsbuck he brings out - and her tails give an eager wag as she turns to face them, as if looking forward to what she seems to be treating like a friendly fight!

But before they know it, Jack and the Sawsbuck both turn tail - leaving Makoto and their pokemon behind.

Tsukiko makes a soft and disappointed whine, but Makoto just sighs and shakes their head. "You did good," They whisper to her, scratching her behind the ear before they return the Alolan Ninetales to her ball.

And Kuro, still hidden in Makoto's shadow, takes the time to change their disguise up now that there's noone there to see them. Shapeshifting them into another nobody.

Leaving them ready to seek out their own faction's outpost - so that they can tend to their pokemon, for any fights ahead...