"Dragon Dance, then use Phantom Force!" Dragapult danced around a flame attack and dived into a portal. The Delphox tried to keep the Victini busy, along with Drifblim. Taking out another Pokeball to throw into the fray, Zach already did so, releasing a Xatu. Who used Nightshade, that just pissed off the Victini. Giving the other boy a deadpan look, Aaron unleashed his Dusknoir. "Shadow Punch." The Dusknoir started slinging ghostly fists in various formations. But it would still take time for Dragapult to pummel the little creature.

So time to float some ideas. "Remember our match? Try Magic Room to help cover us, and then Future Sight. If that Xatu knows Future Sight, do that too." He hoped that the Future Sights would come much sooner than during their match. And maybe the various impacts would then stun it enough for just complete obliteration. Or enough to make it think twice about dealing with the two of them.

14 engage in battle with the vengeful and vestigial spirit of moltres or victini. Check
15 become lost in the mist.
19 involve a waterfall in some way (e.g. training, obstacle). Check
21 encounter soulmarchers, marching parades of warrior spirits (pokemon or human) with feet that do not grace the ground.

zachary stellar

Aegislash's resistance to psychic type attacks didn't matter much when it was in its attack mode. It's defenses were so horrible that even a not very effective attack would do decent damage. Still, the Psybeam was enough to hold the Iron Head using sword in place...and the Future Sight struck from above in a true two pronged attack. And with no way to defend thanks to that Encore, the explosion from the attacks resounded throughout the stadium, along with audible gasps. Aegislash fell, knocked out. At the announcement, Aaron returned one of his oldest friends. "Nice work. You've earned a good polishing and shining. I'll make you sparkle." With good work comes good rewards. Spoiling his Pokemon after good showings, whether it was in victory or defeat, was a regular thing for him.

Putting away the pokeball, Aaron grabbed another and threw it out, revealing a huge Dhelmise. The anchor Pokemon floated high, only to gently lower itself down. Normally, he would have mixed one special attacker with one physical attacker, but he admittedly was a little lazy on that. More so when over half your roster were physical attackers. Oh well. When the coninuation was allowed, it time to sweep this scrub (jokingly)! "Sword's Dance." In line with the tune coming from the little Mime Jr., the anchor danced with energy swords swirling around, giving the Pokemon a faint reddish brown aura. They were just going to wait and see what other tricks the little guy had...and if they were good enough to warrant more attention or if they could boost once more.


zachary stellar

Ace put his finger on Aggron's pokeball, just in case he needed to do a quick switch. Only to find it missing. And seeing the Sneasal to disappear behind a barracade of granite. Not good. In addition the fever pitched battle ahead of him. But Aaron was also quite prepared for theft. Taking out a whistle he normally kept around his neck, he blew into it, letting out a piercing noise that even Pokemon in Pokeballs could hear. That Sneasal was going to have a very angry Aggron bursting out of his ball to contend with. Shame he didn't have any Stealth Rocks at his backside. From his small pack, the little blonde also took out a pair of goggles and a light desert scarf. For an odd reason, any time he had a Pokemon that knew Sandstorm, he kept those two items with him, even in official matches. He was glad he developed that habit here. "I'm well aware. So they shouldn't have any issue when those same tricks or tactics get thrown right back at them. Klinklang, Sandstorm, full blast! Don't worry about the trainers. Metagross, Bullet Punch!"

The gears unleashed a thick Sandstorm, thick enough to block the Flamethrower, but that also delayed the storm's spread to even around the two trainers. It also helped out against the Salamence, buffetting it and whittling it down. Klinklang was held down by the Flygon, but Metagross was soon behind the dragon, doing a well aimed punch at the center of the creature's back. The Sneasal would find it extremely difficult to keep the stolen Pokeball closed as it wiggled and squirmed, the Pokemon inside trying to get out. If successful, the Aggron would have leapt up, and aim an Iron Tail at the sneaky ice type. Aaron ignored the question, hoping his earlier comment, and maybe the Sandstorm expanding well into the trainers' spots, would answer it.

TLDR
Aaron notices the missing Pokeball, produces a thin, oddly shaped whistle and blows it, may or may not make both people and Pokemon flinch at the sound.

Klinklang gets held down by Flygon, but still uses Sandstorm to block a Flamethrower, though it also slowed the storm's expanse into even the trainers' areas.

Aaron produces goggles and a desert scarf to deal with his own Pokemon's Sandstorm.

Metagross uses Bullet Punch on Flygon.

Aggron may or may not burst from their Pokeball and uses Iron Tail on Sneasal.



Michael Navidson

Redeeming 1 x type 1 evo, 3 level tutors, 1 x Psychic, 1 tm/tr tutor and 1 x form change, 2 x Egg move.
Buying 2 x type two evos (100), 11 level tutors (440), 9 x TM/TR tutors (540), 1 x type 2 and 1 x type 3 evos (100).

Total: 1280 pd

Riolu evolves into Lucario (learning Aura Sphere), also learns Flash Cannon, Psychic, Dragon Pulse, and Nasty Plot.
Gimmieghoul evolves into Gholdengo, learns Make it Rain, Shadow Ball, Power Gem, Recover, Nasty Plot, and Dazzling Gleam.
Yamask turns into Galarian Yamask, evolves into Runerigus, learns Earthquake, Snore, Rest, and Curse.
Houndstone learns Last Respects, Phantom Force, Dig, Play Rough, Yawn, and Howl.
Litwick evolves all the way to Chandelure, learns Flamethrower and Trick Room

The extra wetness didn't bother Aaron...since he was already wet from getting drenched earlier. As expected, Zach did scream until his Kadabra decided to do something about it. Thankfully sparing his Drifblim from having to carry at least two more passengers. Again, the other teenager spouted something about the malevelant spirit. "Don't be fooled! That one's out for blood, a vengeful and very pissed off spirit of one!" There was no calming down the spirit...they were already on the attack. Zach countered with a Mystical Fire attack, while Drifblim unleashed Air Slash to cut the flames to pieces or making them explode well before them.

Taking out another pokeball, he released Dragapult. Who immediatly fired little Dreepy at the spirit via Dragon Dart. They were still a good distance from the ground, but at least Driblim could provide some covering fire. Kadabra likely needed to concentrate so they could get to the ground safely. This wasn't Dragapult's first rodeo, he helped take on the Moltres last time, this one was just a tad more manuverable, but was being defensive from all the ranged attacks being sent its way. At least, for now anyways...

14 engage in battle with the vengeful and vestigial spirit of moltres or victini. Check
15 become lost in the mist.
19 involve a waterfall in some way (e.g. training, obstacle). Check
21 encounter soulmarchers, marching parades of warrior spirits (pokemon or human) with feet that do not grace the ground.

zachary stellar

The name was familiar enough. "I've never met him, but I know the name. He was a known troublemaker in Littleroot. It's not surprising that he ended up joining Rocket." But lucky? Perhaps it was his arrogance talking, but maybe he was unlucky to not have met their real heavy hitters...or they lucky to have never met him. A legendary was powerful, yes, but any Pokemon can be taken down.

But on to the battle at hand, the Flygon came in with a Dragon Claw. "Meteor Mash." The Metagross rose to the challenge, right arm glowing silver-white, and matching the Dragon Claw. What he did notice was the Stealth Rocks going after something else from the fog. Soon, a Salamence showed up, spewing flames from its mouth at the floating meteor. The X part of his body glowed with psychic energy, firing off an X-shaped Psycho Cut that split the Flamethrower into fourths, and redirecting the flames around the steel beast harmlessly, if a bit close.

Then came Navidson's question. Oh? Now this was a gym that he could appreciate, and the tiny grin on the kid's face would show it. "Not any of significant skill or power." Just weaklings. He'd assume still the three Pokemon limit was in effect. With that in mind, the blonde took out a Pokeball, and sent out Klinklang, opting to go with a supporting Pokemon unstead of brute force.


Michael Navidson

No one was perfect. And who knows, maybe Kadabra was a newer addition. A theory he further supported by the next happenings. Closest to his own troublemakers was his Magnezone and Banette, but their's was more just their wondering than anything. Zach never heard of the Border though...or probably the other areas too. "It's not the entire mountain, just parts of it, due to portals that have popped up here and there. Ultra Wormholes, that leads the the Ultra Wilds. Each area is very unique, and are called by their features. This one here is the Border. As in the border between life and death. Because of the dangers, the League limits who can enter and who can't. Kids and civilians need escorts if they're going to dive in. But I'm stubborn, stronger than most, and I trust you to watch my back. You in?" That was high praise considering the two just met.

Zach quickly agreed. Awesome. A little fellow daredevil to go traveling with. With the Kadabra actually being helpful this time, and parting the waterfall. And the aura hit him full blast. Something was waiting for them. With some caution, he led the way to the portal, just walking right on in. Then immediatly falling, since the portal was literally in the middle of the freaking sky a good thirty yards away from a mountain. With a tick as he started to fall, he released Drifblim to catch him. And Zachary and his Pokemon.

A scream sounded throughout though, and not just the boys' if Zach did as he fell. A malevolent spirit curved around a different mountain and started straight towards them. Oh boy...now was this Moltres or just a different spirit?


14 engage in battle with the vengeful and vestigial spirit of moltres or victini.
15 become lost in the mist.
19 involve a waterfall in some way (e.g. training, obstacle). Check
21 encounter soulmarchers, marching parades of warrior spirits (pokemon or human) with feet that do not grace the ground.


zachary stellar

And there was the defensive move, one of two that was so famously used by the Mime line. A very loud, gong like noise resounded throughout the stadium. But it didn't break or shatter. But then came the trap. Encore?! The Future Sight! With no way to defend, the combination of that and any attack from the Mime Jr. was sure to finish off Aegislash. Infuriating...but very clever. So after bashing his head against the wall a few times...the ghost went over it and tried to slam downward with the shining head of shinyness. Sometimes a wall can be too strong to break. So you have to go around it. Aaron half wondered if the little guy will then dodge or just put up another barrier. Will the little guy trap himself in?

Either way, the little guy was already showing the audience up. There's be few defenses that Ace and his Pokemon couldn't break, double true for such a strong attacker as Aegislash. The Reflect bent, but never cracked. But it was also a static object. He thought anyways...tricksters are often...unpredictable.


zachary stellar

Aaron...was drenched. That was the only reason he didn't respond. "It's Toral (tor-el). I was hoping to explore the Border a bit on my own, but the League is being...snippy. Won't let me through without an escort. So figured I'd try to sneak in." He was also pretty familiar with Mt. Pyre for the ghost types. He stared expectantly at the Kadabra. But nothing in terms of an apology. "Your Kadabra is an asshole." Thankfully, very unlike his trainer. Looking back at the waterfall with the very hostile aura, at least if someone was going to catch him, it was someone he knew was strong. And creative. "A partner might not be a bad idea. Care to join me through that portal? Seemed the League missed one..."

He pointed at the glowing behind the waterfall. With Aaron already wet, it didn't matter much to him if he had a method of getting through there dry. Luckily, he kept his stuff in a waterproof backpack. So everything there was fine. "It could be a bit rough, and a tad dangerious. But it shouldn't be anything that we can't handle." With Aaron himself being experienced, and Zach having proved his strength to Aaron in their Battle Hut fight, this should be easy. So long as they didn't run into the spirit of Moltres again...


14 engage in battle with the vengeful and vestigial spirit of moltres or victini.
15 become lost in the mist.
19 involve a waterfall in some way (e.g. training, obstacle). Check
21 encounter soulmarchers, marching parades of warrior spirits (pokemon or human) with feet that do not grace the ground.


zachary stellar

Flygon used Laser Focus to avoid the Stealth Rocks, not that they were really meant for it. Blonde eyebrows furrowed...didn't that also enhance something else? The sheriff gave him an almost creappy smile as he asked about their big hitters. Of course he would...the two that he didn't have hardly anything on. "I don't have much. Some lady that used a Seviper and then escaped after I knocked it out. Lack of light in a cave. Some guy in a black suit and mask that used a Zarude...injured as well. Nothing to really identify them on. I did see in the Littleroot invasion that someone of their's unleashed a Xerneas, but I wasn't close enough to be of some help on that one." He wasn't much help on identifying people that took good care in not being recognized.

So, with that bit of conversation over, he returned Aggron, and tossed out Metagross. The large meteor also landed with a thud and a groan. "Magnet Rise." With a small spark of electricity, the iron giant started to float and hover. If that Flygon wanted an aerial battle, it'll get one. He did wish he'd taught it Ice Punch, but he also didn't expect to take on so many Flygon from gym leaders either. Well, it was only two, but the fact that it happened twice was pretty weird...


Michael Navidson

Aaron was annoyed to say the least. He got rejected from the League outpost keeping an eye on the portal to the Border. Even though he'd been there once before, even though he'd shown them his gym badges, they weren't having any of it! He was so pissed. The blonde had all the supplies, even had a Cleanse and Spell Tags, for the entire trip! But he wouldn't let this get him down. These imbeciles always underestimating kids. When they need all the help they can get taking down Team Rocket and handling the many other threats that plagues this region. So instead of going through the proper channels, he decided to sneak around. Or find some other way in.

Scouring around, they had the place locked up tight. Going around, he felt a strange sensation. Despite all instincts telling him to run away, he stepped forward. Soon finding a shining waterfall. The blonde was about to go through until he heard a noise behind him. Turning around with a pokeball in hand, he waited to see who or what it was. Hopefully not a League official...


Jellicent, Drifblim 2, Cursola, Annihilape, Dusknoir, Dragapult

zachary stellar

14 engage in battle with the vengeful and vestigial spirit of moltres or victini.

15 become lost in the mist.
19 involve a waterfall in some way (e.g. training, obstacle). Check
21 encounter soulmarchers, marching parades of warrior spirits (pokemon or human) with feet that do not grace the ground.

EXPEDITION TEAM

FAREWELL, MY FREE ADVENTURERS!

CHARACTERS: zachary stellar Aaron Toral
EXPEDITION #: first time for Zachary, second time for Aaron
SELECTED PROMPT #s: 14, 15, 19 and 21
NOTES: Have a Spell Tag and Cleanse Tag

"You won't get any agruement from me on that point, sir. I don't like being told to go away and retreat from the area when they clearly need all the help they can get." Though Aaron did visible flinch at the mention of the colossal asshole and liability (at least to him) that was Matias. That being said, he fully agreed with that sentiment. It just...seemed like the League should be able to do better. With that, the battle was afoot. Ace mirrored his adversary, taking out a Pokeball and throwing it. Aggron revealed himself with a heavy thud and a focused gaze. Originally not a calm Pokemon, Ace had worked with it to the bone. Flygon was going to be a challenge...but Ace had an idea.

The Gym Leader made the first move with a double super effective strike. "Jump, then use Stealth Rock." The metal beast ran forward, showing a bit more nimbleness than typical of Aggron. With a running jump, the beast curled into a ball, and used his tail as a spring board for a larger jump to avoid the Earthquake. Whil still unable to really touch the Flygon, the Aggron sent out rocks that would hover and stay within striking distance of any new Pokemon that Michael would send out. Even with the battlefield going deeper underground. It was the main step in his plan, and originally he would switch to Kingklang to set up Sandstorm. But the use of a Flygon made that idea pretty much useless. Metagross it was.

Taking out two Pokeballs, one to return Aggron and the other to release his meteor, the blonde stopped as Michael asked a question. It was a pointed question, not to mock him or anything...but there was a reason for it. Sadly, the Gym Leader would have to hear an answer he wouldn't like. "Yes. Both intentionally and not so intentionally. I've encountered two adversaries that might actually give me a full run for my money, all others fled far too quickly or were victims of Rocket's coercion. Or just plain weak, even with a numbers advantage they didn't touch me or my Pokemon." It kind of made him question just how many heavy hitters Rocket had...and if the League was far weaker than anyone knew. All he knew was that Rocket didn't strike fear into him at all.


Michael Navidson