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6'1" height

"With great speed comes great responsibility."

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POSTED ON Jan 1, 2024 7:18:00 GMT

With Josh so close to the title of Champion, a battle tournament would be a great way to get the Master of Faster prepared for his title match with KYLE LOPEZ. His regulars would be watching from the lounge on the second floor of Mauville Gym, following the action and watching feature matches their Leader was involved in.

The sheer efficiency that the tournament's healing machines operated at was a marvel of the event: they worked faster than ones at most Pokémon Centers, making sure the Pokémon were all in top shape for each round. This was going to be a long day: battle after battle. With them being only one Pokémon per side, at the very least they would be quick. As Josh was sipping on a bottle of water, an announcement blared over the venue's loudspeakers:

"Attention all Vital City Tournament participants. Pairings are up for round seven. Pairings are up for round seven."

Pulling up the list on his phone, he scrolled down to his name and found his opponent and his assigned arena number. That opponent was Michael Navidson .

Josh took his place on his assigned side of the battleground. Next to him was Raikiri, the Zeraora he was known for. It seemed he wasn't fooling around; he was in it to win the whole tournament. "Navy! Glad to see you're doing well in the tournament," Josh greeted his fellow Gym Leader. "What do you think your chances of making the top cut are?"

Michael Navidson

Planning to use a Z-Move!

{WC: 250}
{PC: 1}

NAME SPECIES STATUS
Raikiri Zeraora ♥♥♥

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played by

Teddie

Navy

He/Him

October 13th

Slateport

Heterosexual

E4; Gym Leader

Sheriff

5'10" / 177.8 cm height

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

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POSTED ON Jan 1, 2024 19:25:12 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","Navypog3"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-big-img"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-1"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-title"]
MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

[attr="class","Navypog3-tagged"]
Josh Devlin

[attr="class","Navypog3-subtitle"]
I HOPE YOU KNOW WE HAD EVERYTHING. WHEN YOU BROKE ME AND LEFT THESE PIECES.

[attr="class","Navypog3-pkmn"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-post"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-icon"]

Society is an illusion of structure. In the jungle, there is no rule save the rule of the strong. Even in a contest of strength like this, there are those who cling to the illusion. It is, after all, an illusion worthy of respect.[break][break]
When he signed up for the round robin battles in Lilycove’s arenas, he knew it would bring him to Josh. Josh needs his structure like a magikarp needs water.[break][break]
“Sup? Good to see you here, man.” The newly minted Elite 4 smiles at his latest challenge. Roland, one-armed chrome warrior, tilts his blade at his opponent. Half a dozen Pokemon had volunteered to be his partner for this tournament. Finally, he settled on Roland. Roland was, after all, his first fighting type. It only seems fair.[break][break]
“Frankly…don’t care who wins.” Cracking his knuckles, he nods at Roland. The Pokemon steps forward. “Ain’t about who wins or loses. It’s about having fun while we’re here. Trainers and warriors all over the city? No real chance of a problem here? Lets me cut loose. Besides, I gotta try out this guy’s gimmick.”[break][break]
Roland holds his single blade aloft. Above him, resonating from Navy’s tera orb, is a kaleidoscopic crown. Roland has become stellar type.[break][break]
“Bet you haven’t seen this before, huh? This new form’s awesome. Here, let me show you.”

[attr="class","Navypog3-bot-1"]

notes about this post

Notes go here

[attr="class","Navypog3-bot"]

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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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6,129 posts

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TAG WITH @joshdevlin

POSTED ON Jan 2, 2024 7:31:40 GMT

The Pokémon next to Navy was one Joah had never seen, and the multicolored TERA CROWN was equally enigmatic. It was clearly Terastal, but what type was it? It was certainly a terrifying opponent in combat, much like the rest of his team. "Congratulations on your promotion. I applied for the seat, too, but got denied. Guess this means I gotta get through you, too, if I want to get to the top. Whether it be the tournament or the Pokémon League."

Even Raikiri showed brief pause at the Stellar Terastallized Iron Valiant. "It takes a lot to give my boy here second thoughts. Better to learn about it here than in a battle with higher stakes." The Gym Leader was so in tune with the thundercat that he could tell the Zeraora was nervous. "You got this, Raikiri." The split second of hesitation in the volley of FIRE PUNCHES he threw may have been enough for Roland to see them coming.

Michael Navidson

gb0gMd7f

Planning to use a Z-Move!

{WC: 164}
{PC: 2}

NAME SPECIES STATUS
Raikiri Zeraora ♥♥♥

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played by

Teddie

Navy

He/Him

October 13th

Slateport

Heterosexual

E4; Gym Leader

Sheriff

5'10" / 177.8 cm height

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

awards

3,274 posts

DOLLARS

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TAG WITH @teddie

POSTED ON Jan 2, 2024 11:24:56 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","Navypog3"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-big-img"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-1"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-title"]
MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

[attr="class","Navypog3-tagged"]
Josh Devlin

[attr="class","Navypog3-subtitle"]
I HOPE YOU KNOW WE HAD EVERYTHING. WHEN YOU BROKE ME AND LEFT THESE PIECES.

[attr="class","Navypog3-pkmn"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-post"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-icon"]

Who can say what thoughts dwell within the mind of a machine? Roland’s pixelated eyes never leave Raikiri. They are trained on the electric fighter, anticipating the coming battle. Pleasantries are exchanged. Boasts are said. In the end, it always boils down to this: the duel. Whether in this machine life or the flesh life that preceded it, Roland is a creature defined by battle. [break][break]
“You’re one hell of a gym leader. Can’t wait to fight you in Ever Grande, bud.” Genuine praise accompanies the tempo of battle, Roland skirting forward. Power gathers along the edge of his blade. A flash of cold steel empowered by psychic energy dazzles the crowd. A burning memory of a certain Gallade flashes through the machine. His psycho cut is more a feint than anything – a test of Raikiri’s nature.[break][break]
Whoever gains the lead in the dance of battle is at an advantage, but it is not some insurmountable advantage. As any fighting master would say, battle is an ebb and flow.

XZS02Noz

[attr="class","Navypog3-bot-1"]

notes about this post

Roland loses a heart.

[attr="class","Navypog3-bot"]

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."

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6,129 posts

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TAG WITH @joshdevlin

POSTED ON Jan 2, 2024 21:56:56 GMT

The purple crystal on Roland's Terastal Crown began to glow, threatening to cleave the mythical Pokémon with amazing force. Though they didn't have the speed specialization that the Mauville Leader's team did, they were fast enough to largely mitigate his speed advantage. Would Josh have to face this Pokémon when they met at Ever Grande? It was a frightening prospect. Given how few Champions there were in Hoenn, though, he had to prove himself as being able to compete with the very best. If not here, then at the Pokémon League.

How much of a speed advantage Josh's partner had would become apparent when he ordered Raikiri to keep his distance, staying out of range of the dangerous melee attacks Roland flourished. His Pokémon circled the outer edge of the arena's bounds before about-facing and flinging a volley of ELECTRO BALLS at the Iron Valiant. The purpose of the attack was not to truly harm, but to scout what the unknown foe was capable of.

Michael Navidson

LLQzMwqQ

Planning to use a Z-Move!

{WC: 169}
{PC: 3}

NAME SPECIES STATUS
Raikiri Zeraora ♥♥♥

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played by

Teddie

Navy

He/Him

October 13th

Slateport

Heterosexual

E4; Gym Leader

Sheriff

5'10" / 177.8 cm height

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

awards

3,274 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @teddie

POSTED ON Jan 3, 2024 4:17:38 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","Navypog3"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-big-img"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-1"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-title"]
MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

[attr="class","Navypog3-tagged"]
Josh Devlin

[attr="class","Navypog3-subtitle"]
I HOPE YOU KNOW WE HAD EVERYTHING. WHEN YOU BROKE ME AND LEFT THESE PIECES.

[attr="class","Navypog3-pkmn"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-post"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-icon"]

Roland tries as best he can to deflect the balls. Raikiri’s slight advantage threatens to cascade into a flawless victory. His one arm seems to disappear into a blinding pink blur. It takes everything he has to stay afloat in this sea of speed.[break][break]
Sitting on the edge of the arena, Navy watches with a passive stare. If anything, Josh’s stellar lead in this battle makes him favor the younger man with a smile. He’s coming far. It’s good for the people watching this fight to see that he’s just as capable of defending them as his co-workers.[break][break]
Josh will, after all, soon be a champion of Hoenn. Navy doesn’t doubt that for a moment.[break][break]
“Return fire.” His order is brisk. Roland holds the blade towards Raikiri and fires a blast of condensed moonlight. Fey energy explodes from the moonblast, but Navy questions whether it will be enough.

m97Dwj4E

[attr="class","Navypog3-bot-1"]

notes about this post

Roland loses a heart.[break]
1/3 remains.

[attr="class","Navypog3-bot"]

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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."

awards

6,129 posts

DOLLARS

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TAG WITH @joshdevlin

POSTED ON Jan 3, 2024 8:47:34 GMT

Raikiri's speed edge, while powerful, was not insurmountable. The lightning-fast feline was invigorated by his own momentum. He was in his element. If it were civilian battle enthusiasts, Josh might hold back the Zeraora's most powerful attack. Not for Navy, though. From their many meetings, their many confrontations verbal or physical, holding anything back against one of Hoenn's Elite Four, let alone his friend, would be disrespectful.

There would be no chant. No callout of his Gym's signature move. Just a pose of him awkwardly standing like he was astride a Pokémon, flicking its reins violently as if he were commanding his steed to make a high jump. Both his Z-GLOVE and Raikiri's QUICKINIUM-Z glowed brightly, the only warning sign Navy would get of the unavoidably fast attack Josh himself had developed.

A wreath of lightning bolts surrounded Rsikiri, a sonic explosion trailing him as he rammed and trampled Roland too fast to follow.

Michael Navidson

YxxJgxGx +50

Z-Move used this round!

{WC: 155}
{PC: 4}

NAME SPECIES STATUS
Raikiri Zeraora ♥♥♥

close tab

played by

Teddie

Navy

He/Him

October 13th

Slateport

Heterosexual

E4; Gym Leader

Sheriff

5'10" / 177.8 cm height

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

awards

3,274 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @teddie

POSTED ON Jan 4, 2024 1:07:27 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","Navypog3"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-big-img"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-1"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-title"]
MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

MORE HUMAN[break]THAN HUMAN

[attr="class","Navypog3-tagged"]
Josh Devlin

[attr="class","Navypog3-subtitle"]
I HOPE YOU KNOW WE HAD EVERYTHING. WHEN YOU BROKE ME AND LEFT THESE PIECES.

[attr="class","Navypog3-pkmn"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-post"]

[attr="class","Navypog3-icon"]

Roland sees his end coming. There is nothing, nothing that can be done to stop it. Rapid calculations tell him that he will not outpace Raikiri. He will not overwhelm him. With no Z-move of his own, he is cornered like a king. It’s checkmate.[break][break]
All he can do is meet the end with grace. That is a lesson learned from his liege lord. A warrior’s greatest shame is a wound on the back. So, shirking what his logic engine informs him is the correct choice, he marches towards his end. He charges a lightning bolt. He ends this in glory, one final tera blast to end everything.

J8H8c_Qw

[attr="class","Navypog3-bot-1"]

notes about this post

Josh wins

[attr="class","Navypog3-bot"]

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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."

awards

6,129 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @joshdevlin

POSTED ON Jan 4, 2024 4:54:46 GMT

Roland appeared to face the lightning fast Z-Move with courage, Josh seeing the world around him in slow motion from his training with the ultrafast Pokémon. He had experienced that otherworldly speed for himself. He knew the kind of damage it was capable of. The sonic explosion nearly blew him off his feet. The TERA BLAST was too slow, not even having a chance to form before colliding with Roland in a streak of yellow.

After the deafening thud, only Raikiri was standing. It was a flawless victory for the Mauville Leader. "Great match, Navy. You should be able to make it far; I think this was just a really bad matchup for you. Who knows? They're advancing a lot of people to the top cut. Maybe we'll be able to have a rematch. If not, see you in Ever Grande."

Michael Navidson

{WC: 142}
{PC: 5}

NAME SPECIES STATUS
Raikiri Zeraora ♥♥♥

close tab

played by

Teddie

Navy

He/Him

October 13th

Slateport

Heterosexual

E4; Gym Leader

Sheriff

5'10" / 177.8 cm height

In the warrior's code, there's no surrender. Though his body says stop, his spirit cries, "NEVER!"

awards

3,274 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @teddie