Setting up the TRICK ROOM came at a cost. The quicker Charizard took the opportunity to bathe the Drifblim in its billowing flames.

Pain washed over its body as it was BURNed. But with it something else. A sort of lightness to its flight. Though it didn’t feel faster, it felt stronger. Perhaps the warm air inside it had grown hotter!

Either way, Drifblim was not about to wait for a command, it knew it well enough. Time to deal damage!

A short static crackle flew over the Drifblim as electricity was gathered at its front. With TRICK ROOM active, the now surprisingly quick Drifblim sent a crackling THUNDERBOLT directly at the Charizard intent on doing as much damage as it could.



TLDR: (Trick room 2/5)

- Drifblim is hit by FLAMETHROWER
- Drifblim is BURNED and FLARE BOOST is activated
- Drifblim uses THUNDERBOLT at Charizard.

Empty pleasantries or not. Johanna accepted Kathrine words all the same. And with the greetings finished the battle began.

Mismagius sent wisps of blue flames towards the Gengar, who met the sinister chuckle of his opponent with a grin equal if not larger.

“Retnauh free rein.”

And with that the Gengar fell to the ground, its body becoming one with the shadow. Nimbly dodging the blue wisps as it charged toward the Mismagius.

Once close enough it would quickly jump out of its shadow to attempt a SUCKER PUNCH.

The Sandwich offering caused great happiness among the group.

The first to join her was from among Etties pack. The Pokémon Princess and Duchess approached, idly sniffing. Perhaps hoping to catch a scent of the best Sandwich, little did they know they were all crafted with equal love.

Princess was offered a Sandwich, before Johanna felt the light nipping at her fingertips. Johanna quickly realized that it was not food but play that the Duchess wanted. And so obliged until another one came to pick a Sandwich.

Johanna listened to Ettie speak as she idly played with the Duchess, attempting to have some mock tickling-competition, should the Pokémon desire it.

Howling? Ettie truly was a wild child… The realization was growing ever stronger.

And while it did she gave Callan, Ettie and Josh their requested food offering each of them a smile, and in Josh’s case a snicker at his comment.

Callan gave a howl, though Josh refrained from participating. Johanna was not about to skip it, and so allowed her voice to release an “Aroooooooo” howl befitting her stature. Some might even describe the attempt at howling as cute, if a bit on the weak side.

Her Drifblim joined in the attempt. But what escaped it sounded more like the eerie howling of the dead than that of a canine sound.

With the howl done Johanna left Callan and Josh to talk about TERAVOLT stuff. Figuring she should not impose upon them, she instead walked over to Ettie as her Drifblim would begin to prepare a sleeping area.

“So, Ettie. It’s a big pack you got. How did you meet them?” She would offer the girl an inviting smile, hoping to spend a moment for casual talk before sleeping.


LOCATION: The Border

@tag

She gave Levy an enthusiastic double nod. Company was definitely preferred.

“It certainly was eventful.” Johanna mused. Taking another sip.

“For better or worse.” Thoughtfully she considered her words. She didn’t really want to talk about all the calamities Hoenn had weathered this year. But what else was there to mention to a stranger?

Perhaps they had had success with something.

“I mean, I could mention all the obvious stuff. But I’d personally rather focus on something else.” No Meteno and such for her tonight. “Perhaps you’ve had some personal success you wouldn’t mind sharing?”


OOC: The Burning Maw Prompt for New Years Event
LOCATION: Rustboro City

She felt a worry she hadn’t felt in a long time. Deep seated roots tugged at her heart. But then she felt Megan’s hand patting upon her head and she felt a sense of ease washing over her, alongside some measure of comfort as Megan promised her help should she be set upon by Team Rocket.

Lips tightening into a thin line, as Johanna tried to decide whether to smile or look worried. She did not like the thought of Megan getting pulled into her bad blood with Team Rocket. But in the end, her choice fell upon a smile. For she knew she could not stop Megan, even if she wanted to.

“I promise.” Though it didn’t feel particularly great to make a promise that was sure to inevitably lead Megan into danger.

OOC: Mission thread for POST PAAA. Takes place right after.
LOCATION: LILYCOVE CITY

Callan’s surprise was not lost upon Johanna and Shiinotic. But there was little they could do about that. After Zev Harcourt’s little visit she had to be cautious.

Callan took a seat, but Johanna kept standing, arms crossed, body mildly tense.

“Oh, that’s very thoughtful of you.” She eased a bit.

“Well, I will admit. Opening this place has been a bit more stressful than I imagined. But it’s nothing I can’t handle.” Johanna tried to reassure the Elite Four member. But truth be told, was it not for the lovely staff that she had hired, there would’ve been no way she could’ve done it in time.

OOC: Follow up from STAR PLATINUM

The Warning was clear.

The whimpering of the Weedle only helped cement the threat in the back of Johanna’s mind.

She had had no intention of telling any of this information to anyone. But now she was given a grim reminder as to why she shouldn’t even consider the notion.

Some might’ve thought it cheaply bought freedom. But she knew that what she had been granted was not freedom. But a chain that Team Rocket was all too willing to pull on.

“I… I understand.” She spoke as her gaze fell to the Weedle. The grim taste of defeat washed over her tongue like poison.

If only she had been stronger…



OOC: Set before her gym officially opens.
APARTMENT OVERVIEW Floor plan
MISSION: MAKE IT DOUBLE
LOCATION: EVER GRANDE CITY

The hypnotic waves washed across the battlefield, only to be met by a spinning vortex of fire halting its path.

The Drifblim had to dodge, get out of the way before the fire washed over it and caught it in a vortex.

And that’s what it did. Rising as high and dodging out of the way as it felt the searing heat at its back. It had just barely managed to dodge.

Johanna knew there would be a speed issue between the two. But hopefully the move she was about to use could change this.

“Joe, TRICK ROOM!”

The Drifblim was quick to act. For a moment it shone a bright light, before a wave of ethereal psychic energy washed over the arena, enveloping the arena and anything inside in its effect.



TLDR:
- Drifblim dodges out of the way of the Fire Spin.
- It then sets up TRICK ROOM (1/5)

Visiting Draconic shrines wasn't something that Johanna had done often. The Joy family didn’t exactly have a lot of ties to the Draconic type. And this shrine in particular was hard to reach, with its subterranean location, whirlpools and what not making the travel difficult.

But Johanna made the way all the same in the company of her Tinkaton. The little hammer-wielding pink Ruby eager to beat the living shizzle out of all the rare dragons they saw on the way.

But she refrained at the insistence of her trainer.

Finally they reached the Shrine. Where they were supposed to offer a prayer of fortune for the new year. Once the prayer was said, they turned their attention to the bell they were supposed to ring.

The Tinkaton prepared its hammer, waiting for the right moment before it gave it a good whack making the whole thing ring.

OOC: Tinkaton tries to Learn Dragon Hammer and forgets Sweet Kiss

@tag

The ANCIENT POWER struck true. Claydol applied all of its focus in its task, trusting that its Trevenant team-mate could handle the fish for a moment.

Josh’s fans gasped loudly as Jolteon was knocked out of the battle. Small children even begin to ask their parents if it was alright.

Johanna’s gaze turned to Claydol and then to Josh. Realizing that Josh was finally getting into it. This was no longer merely a battle for him, and yet she questioned if he was having fun.

The morale of Josh’s fans only lowered as they saw the Lanturn being thrown into the air far past the Jolteon and Claydol’s position. But Josh hadn’t given up.

Josh commanded the Lanturn in the air to HYDRO PUMP before he gave a rousing speech which united all the fans in faithful cheer.

Claydol had turned to look at the Trevenant, realizing what had happened it quickly turned to try and see where the Lanturn had been thrown. By then the powerful blast of Water was already flying toward him.

Claydol could not dodge, teleport, perhaps. But in the time it took to decide it was already too late. The HYDRO PUMP slammed it from its position and down into the ground where it continued to push until it reached the edge of the pool and past it.

With arms stretched wide, the Trevenant was ready to catch its team mate. But as the Claydol flew into its arms, the force buckled Trevenants weakened body. With a humongous splash that sent water flying far onto the dry parts of the arena, the pair fall beneath the surface only to emerge moments later knocked out.



Josh’s fans went wild with cheers and applause.

Even Johanna had an amazed smile on her lips.



CURRENT BATTLE MANIA EFFECT:

- Forward the Electricity bill to the Mauville Gym (Perpetual Electric Terrain)

[attr="class","title"]GL GROUP CHAT

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[attr="class","credit"]milky