The Drapion fought every bit to keep holding onto the slithery opponent. But for all its efforts Gholdengo managed to escape and RECOVER.

It was then as the creature fixed itself that Callan informed Johanna of its full typing. She smiled. He didn’t have to do that. But it did help cement the choice that she had to make.

“Thanks for the advice! But you didn’t have to do that, we are battling after all!” Johanna replied.

But now that she knew it was a Ghost type, she would take full advantage of Drapion’s typing.

“CRUNCH!”

One might call Drapion’s way of attacking simple minded. But why fix what is already working?

Drapion charged forward insectoid legs pushing against the battlefield, kicking up dirt in an light dust cloud. Flames died out in favor of an almost eerie shine on the fangs in its mouth as the Drapion got closer and closer to its target, hoping to be able to land the CRUNCH on the Gholdengo’s head.

The terrain pleased Josh. And that was all Johanna could ask for.

Though her happiness quickly gave way for a momentary sigh when Josh revealed himself to be a wordless battler. Silence made for poor showmanship.

But if he wasn’t going to play the part, then she would have to. Johanna was ready.

Lanturn fired a CONFUSE RAY towards the Levitating Claydol. But it could recognize a mind altering attack from miles away. It was quick to dodge out, Johanna didn’t even have to tell it to do so.

“Clay SANDSTORM! Hauke WILL-O-WISP!” She proclaimed, arms waving in exaggerated motions to put on the show.

The Giant tree was not much for dodging. It felt the sensation of prickling PIN MISSILES hitting its body. But it was quick to respond in kind by firing balls of flame targeting the Jolteon, hoping to put a burning curse upon it.



CURRENT BATTLE MANIA EFFECT:

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

She had surmised correctly. Though the damage that came was far bigger than what she had expected. Her mouth opened wide as the entire arm of the Gholdengo broke into coins.

She was about to stop the match right then and there to see if it was alright. But the Gholdengo glided backward, seemingly unconcerned after the initial yell. And since Callan didn’t react either, as far as she could see and hear. Perhaps everything was alright.

While Johanna was worried for the safety of Gholdengo. Drapion found itself surrounded by flickering coins levitating in the air at the behest of their master.

The coins flew at Drapion like bullets.

Drapion did its best to dodge as many as it could and tried to parry the rest with fire enhanced claws. But still, it felt the sting of gold digging into its body. Causing great pain.

“Don’t let it move around!” Johanna commanded. After all, it seemed Gholdengo had mobility on its side.

The Drapion charged forward aiming to latch onto the Gholdengo with its FIRE FANG enhanced claws. And halt its gliding around.

While Gholdengo was plotting something Nasty. Drapion was perceiving the enemy as well. It’s sharp SNIPER eyes looking for edges to hit to do the most damage.

Johanna followed suit for a moment. Glancing at the Gholdengo, it’s body seemed to be made of or at least make use of some form of golden coins.

Steel type might be a safe assumption? Johanna thought.

“FIRE FANG!”

The Drapion roared and charged at the golden ghost. Fire bathed the fangs in its mouth, and the claws at the end of its arms, ready to bite into the opponent.

A familiar voice caught her attention as she finished up talking with two young new fans that happily ran along at the sight of Josh.

Clad in her Regal Jester’s attire, face full of paint and everything. She spun around with a happy grin on her face. Bells chiming at the movement of her hair.

“Well hello hello hellooooo!” Her smile beamed. She was in character right now. “Yeah I sure am glad as well! Wait Is it already time for the challenge? Oh how time flies when you are having fun!” She pretended to look at a wristwatch. “You are here for the challenge, no? Let’s get to it!”

---

And as Johanna and her challenger would find their way to the trainer boxes people would begin to fill the spectating rows.

The show was about to start and as always the court jester took center stage for a moment.

“Come hither both young and old. It is time for our Queen to answer the call of challenge once more.” The voice boomed loudly enough for even people outside the arena to hear.

Johanna waved to all the spectators both those here and those who might be watching from the livestream-feed.

“But who dares challenge our Queen you might ask?” Suspenseful pause. “Some call him the fastest man in Hoenn? With a title like ‘Master of Faster’ Who am I to deny those claims. Give a round of applause for NONE OTHER THAN OUR VERY OWN MAUVILLE GYM LEADER, JOSH DEVLIN!” The microphone boomed, the applause washed down like a tidal wave from the spectators. The cheering voices of kids tried to fight alongside the applause, and some few voices even managed to sneak through.

The Jester gestured for the Audience to quiet down. “Well that was a mighty fine applause. So fine in fact, it deserves some good news. But don’t worry I got plenty of good news for you all. You know what time it is? IT’S TIME FOR BATTLE MANIA!”

The screens hanging about began to project four numbers with equally cute symbols. “So without further ado, trainers summon your Pokémon.”

And on cue Johanna summoned her two chosen Pokémon, a Claydol and Trevenant.

Once Josh had summoned his Pokémon the Jester would continue.

“Remember first moves go to the challenger. And with that out of the way. Let’s roll some numbers and GET READY TO RUMBLE!” The Jester ran off out of the arena as the Battle Mania lottery began.

Each number glowed for a moment, as the lottery was being performed. But then it happened! Number 5 glowed bright with its lightning design. The moment the lottery decided on its path. Electricity washed over the arena, covering it in perpetual Electric Terrain.

Johanna kept beaming an exciting smile as she would watch for Josh's reaction.



BATTLE MANIA:
- 0 - 25 (Johanna) 4: The Grassy Hills of Oldale
- 26 - 50 (Josh) 5: Forward the Electricity bill to the Mauville Gym
- 51 - 75(Johanna) 9: It’s getting hot in here
- 76 - 100(Josh) 10: Bless the Rains in Route 111

lY4aTRk_

Johanna eased somewhat when the woman replied. And she was quick to put on a brave face when the little girl revealed herself.

“Phew, glad to hear it.” Johanna replied once Aubrey confirmed that neither she nor the girl was hurt.

“No. I didn’t see the impact. I only heard them and came running.” Johanna explained her gaze moved from the woman and child and onto her surroundings as she looked for the sure signs of a crater.

Meanwhile the Dragapult that followed Johanna began to sniff at Aubrey and the girl, both curious and mildly worried.

Johanna felt bad. She had scared the man. Though perhaps she was more pleasant company than his own thoughts. At least it seemed so as he continued talking to her, asking a question even before she could apologize.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Johanna first spoke, though she was quick to continue. “Well, I am enjoying it I think?” She was unsure.

“I mean, I am drinking a zombie, having a conversation with a stranger. What more could I ask for?” Johanna was slowly getting into the groove, past the tension of nervousness. “Oh, but where are my manners? My name is Johanna. Are you enjoying the New Years, Mr?” She trailed off.

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

Hair and clothes were their conversation of choice for but a brief moment before Madeline grabbed a bottle and watched the Happiny at work.

Her reassurances did little to ease Happiny’s worries, for her words were truly those of someone who had roofied the drink. Were it not for Madeline’s display, Happiny would not have bought the reassurance. But alas she was given no choice but to accept. Happiny gave a small nod.

By now Madeline offered the heavy hitting question.

Why?

“Well, we used to be situated in a shadier neighborhood. And since I travel a lot and sometimes for longer periods of time, people kind of thought my place was easy pickings.” Johanna explained. "So, I got tired of that, and here we are."

The Happiny nodded along in agreement.

Johanna looked down upon her own hands. Megan’s frustration was not unknown to her. To know they could do so little against a deity, even if it was to protect Megan.

But would the frustration help? Not likely.

No, she had to be there for Megan. She had to help her shoulder the burden of failure.

“I know.” Johanna spoke. Getting out of bed, though she probably shouldn’t.

She was quick to try and place her hand on Megan’s clenched fists. “But I don’t think it’s right to hold on to that frustration. There was nothing WE could do.” Johanna said, trying to pull Megan out of her headspace. “But we both survived, and that is what is important.”

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

She reached the Happiny. Gentle hands touched the pink skin of the Happiny, cradling her into her arms. It responded to slightly muttering sounds Johanna did not understand.

Her breath was laced in fear. She figured Team Rocket would come for her. But she hadn’t figured it would be this quick. And that’s what she heard.

Then she heard it. The crack behind her. Their assailant was still here. But she had to act. Perhaps that was one good thing that came from her Rocket training, the willpower to act.

Pushing away the fear that it might be oscar clayton’s genesect behind her, she quickly grabbed the nearest piece of broken table with her free right hand, flung it behind her before trying to move forward to put distance between her and Zev. Her long blue hair trailing behind like a tail.

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

Johanna was on her way home walking down the well lit streets of Ever Grande City, towards her recently purchased apartment. The neighborhood was nice, clean. Though at this time there was not a soul on the streets.

She still had to get used to the route, sure she could’ve gone home to the mansion, though the walk would be much much longer. But that wasn’t why she had chosen to get an apartment for herself here. Honestly she didn’t want to impose herself on her mother or the staff.

Anyhow. Fatigue was smeared upon her face as she reached the apartment complex entrance. She had used the last few days to work through the Gym-Leader-Qualifications-Exams, a herculean task meant to weed out those unable to properly serve the function. Now she would simply be waitting for her results, and honestly she was a bit worried she wouldn’t pass.

And so with this fatigue clouding her vision she didn’t notice that the lock on her door didn’t click when she unlocked it. She swung open the door, and tried to hang her black jacket upon the coat hanger, but as she let go the sound of falling jacket landing upon the floor alerted her to something being wrong.

“Odd… Did Acacia move the coat hanger?” Johanna mumbled. As she bent down grabbed the jacket again.

But then it hit her. The eerie silence, the lack of Pokémon coming to greet her. Something is wrong.

“Acacia, Trub, Zig, Edd. Where are you?” Johanna turned on the light revealing the small entry corridor leading toward the dining and kitchen area."This isn't funny. I don't want to play hide-n-seek!"

The Coathanger lay broken on the ground, extra shoes strewn about. Someone had gotten into a fight here. Guess I need to check surveillance to see who started it this time… It wouldn’t be the first time, and yet why did this feel different?

Johanna gulped and moved on, forgetting completely to take off her shoes. She turned on the light in the dining room as she entered. Eyes shot wide as she saw the destruction laid bare before her. Table broken pieces strewn about, kitchen counter cracked in half.

But the worst of it all was the Pokémon. Four in total. A Galarian Zigzagoon laid in the middle of the kitchen counter, clearly the impact source of its breakin. A Weedle, Happiny and Trubbish laid knocked out, resetting against pieces of table and chairs respectively.

“Oh no, what has happened here!” Johanna yelled in concern as she ran to each Pokémon starting with Happiny to see if they were alright.

Completely forgetting to see if whoever had done this was still here.

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

The Goodra looked different, that was sure. But thinking about it wouldn’t do her any good. Johanna knew this. And so she allowed her Dragapult upon its chosen path.

A small surprised smile emerged as the two Pokémon clashed and the expected damage seemed far smaller than it ought to have been.

Not the usual typing? Johanna thought.

“That’s a very durable Goodra you have there!” Johanna proclaimed, perhaps even playing it up a bit. They were supposed to have fun after all.

Dragapult was quick to try and dodge out of the way of the Dragon Pulses. It managed a few, but one of them landed, sending it careening against the Arena floor.

It shook off the pain, though it was clear that it hurt quite a bit. A shimmering ominous dark purple covered its body as the Dragapult tried to disable the Dragon Pulse move for a bit with its CURSED BODY.

“Ethan FLAMETHROWER!”

The Dragapult’s flames spewed forth attempting to bathe their opponent in the heat.