AZ EXCURSION A

EXCURSION

HOWARD’S VOICE GIVES AWAY HIS POSITION. not precise, by any means, but fernando knows he’s not alone in these caves. his ZYGARDE is his only companion this time, prioritizing mobility and stealth over the bombardment he relies upon in their last encounter.

his words reveal his intent but fernando can see very few clues. the scuff marks could indeed belong to the pokemon, but weren’t they too small. despite Katherine Fairburne’s ownership, he had never seen it after it shrunk. and such vague tracks could belong to anyone.

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
howard slayte

Regirock's tale was a long one, full of citations and amendments and crossed out sentences. It is a scholar's worst nightmare, given the slew of contradictory information. Long ago, it had appeared from a tunnel emerging near Mauville. Then, its ruins rose again. It shattered into pieces, with two fragments remaining.

The mind is gone, with Adrian Malcolm barely remembering his encounter with that shard. The soul sits unused in a lab, biding its time until it can be assimilated into the stone golem. The body? That was what Howard stalked. Katherine Fairburne had done a grave disservice to the region when one of its defenders vanished.

But what was done was done.

He was familiar with it, given Regice's silent insistence that Howard chase after his fellow automaton.

The admin hardly notices the clatter of Zygarde's paws in the cave network around him. Still, he looks up.

"Who's there?"

---

FERNANDO SILPH

AZ EXCURSION A

EXCURSION

THEY SPOT THEM FIRST. it’s hard to miss with the REGICE’s size. which means their first move should be a no-brainer: immobilize and PARALYZE. the ZYGARDE’s sharp GLARE bears down on the duo, paws outstretched as it pulses in several shades of green.

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
howard slayte

The first thing that went through Howard's head upon seeing Zygarde was one of utter confusion. Behind his gleaming helmet, the admin frowned and cocked a head.

"It has a leash? Why?" He had never seen this Pokemon before, though its green and black coloration was certainly eye-catching. It looked like an Arcanine had taken a dive into a toxic waste dump. "What-"

It Glared, and Howard's limbs stiffened as his Regice's pattern went dark with Paralysis. When it began to move again, it was slow and halting. It took one step forward, before jerking.

When faced with a quick enemy, the best thing to do was Lock On.

---

FERNANDO SILPH

AZ EXCURSION A

EXCURSION

THE GLARE HOLDS THEM IN PLACE. PARALYSIS is often times reliable but never certain. which is why the pokemon’s spur for GRASS KNOT looks to actually bind them with shackles and non-toxic chains. they surge out from cracks in the ground, erupting in various places, lashing out for the closest thing they can get their roots on.

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
howard slayte

The blades of grass grow around the admin's boots, seeking to grow into the gaps and chinks of the armor he now wears. It is a solid piece of gear, but it cannot compete with the power of a Pokémon. Plant life fills the cracks in Howard's armor around his legs, leaving the admin immobile.

As plants grow around Regice, the golem's freezing cold causes much of it to wither and die, though it does restrain the golem's movements.

The air begins to freeze and crackle as a Blizzard ramps up, often interrupted by spasms of paralysis. Ice coats the cave walls as a freezing power begins to emanate.

---

FERNANDO SILPH

AZ EXCURSION A

EXCURSION

THE GROWING FROST NIPS THE GRASS KNOT AT ITS BUDS. whatever sprawl they manage to crawl out of dies once the ice actually sets in. the space between them clouds and fernando finds the lack of visibility unsettling.

“battle routine set.”

if he cannot see them then they will have to guesstimate.

“execute!”

no explicit order is given but the natural train of thought it to continue to attack. the ZYGARDE, already familiar with the approach of GRASS KNOT, instead, opts for something from above. STONE EDGE shards rattling from the roof, as they try to rain down on howard’s approximate position.

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
howard slayte

"Set...?" Admin Fox's voice turned into a snarl mixed with fear. He recognized the voice over the dun of battle. "Fernando."

Occasionally, it's difficult for Howard to imagine that he's actually fighting the Fernando Silph. Why was he being hounded, both metaphorically and literally, by this man? What does he have to gain? League. Rocket. Is it really as simple as that? The answer was obvious, yet Howard refused to acknowledge it.

"Stop interfering!" The admin snapped as the roar of the Blizzard blasted forward with the force of an artillery strike. Stones struck the golem, before covering in ice and snow as they made contact.

The cave began to shudder.

---

FERNANDO SILPH

AZ EXCURSION A

EXCURSION

THE WINDS BUFFET THEM WITH RAZOR SHARP ICE. the ZYGARDE buckles underneath the constant pressure, relenting, as it reels back. yet again, they must yield to the REGICE. but this time, fernando is prepared. he fumbles for a pokeball and when it activates, his SYGNA SUIT shifts into existence.

his trust GLALIE is summoned, spinning into action with a PROTECT. a momentary shield to provide him and ZYGARDE the chance to counter.

with a howl, the ZYGARDE pounds both paws onto the ground. LAND’S WRATH rattles the cavern walls, collapsing it entirely between the two.

a good enough buffer.

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
howard slayte