character tag: alec foster [break]

pokemon: [break]

Alec had flown toward the Draconid shrine that was deep within Meteor Falls on Inferno’s back, its black-colored skin, reminiscent to the cave’s darkness. He’d occasionally come here to meditate, trying to relieve himself of the anger that he had felt towards Team Rocket for what they had done to him. However, his mental scar ran even deeper than the one that was now on his left shoulder. Instead of coming here to meditate, he decided to try something a bit more different this time around.

Rather than just simply ‘meditate’, he figured that perhaps that the Draconids would bless him and Inferno, giving them the strength to see Team Rocket get what was coming to them. After Alec silently lit a few of the incense that were strewn about the wooden countertop, he sat on one of the cushions, beginning to pray.

“I … I’ve never been good at this sort of thing, but … All I ask is for one thing. Please … Give me and Inferno the strength to protect the Hoenn Region and its people. That's all I want,” Alec’s thoughts glided softly through his mind as his hands were clasped together. As Alec still sat there in prayer, Inferno the Charizard had decided to ring the bell for his master. After a few good rings, the tolling of the bell dulled, prompting Alec to get back up on his feet from where he sat. As he left the cave, a sense of determination filled his heart. Would be enough to fill the void that Team Rocket left there? Only time would tell …

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Notes: Inferno the Charizard replaces Dragon Rush w/ Dragon Hammer!

Alec wasn't expecting Andrea's Salamence to go down that easily, however, the sandstorm that Zephyra made had sapped whatever strength it had left as it was falling down to the ground, thus make it hit the ground hard. Despite witnessing his own victory at that moment, a part of him felt ... sad. It reminded him of the crushing defeat he had when he faced off against Team Rocket. He remembered lying there with his pokemon, battered and broken. The scar that had been given to him that day started to ache, forcing Alec to instinctively clutch onto the top of his left shoulder for a couple of seconds as the sandstorm finally had begun to subside.

As Andrea was talking to him, he forced himself to smile at her, not wanting to have her see his pained expression as he was reminiscing about that horrific day. "I guess I did, huh? I gotta admit though, it was a very close call. I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but you definitely got the skill and spunk," Alec said, giving Andrea a smirk. It was at that moment that he pulled out Zephyra's Pokeball, returning her to it so that she could rest like Bruce was doing.

"You're gonna go far as a Gym Leader, Andrea." Alec said to her, confident in his own words. "I thought I would ... but that ship has sailed ..." Alec thought to himself. A part of him found some semblance of closure today, battling Andrea. Of course, it was nowhere near whole, but at least it was a start.

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Notes:

SPOILER: Click to show

1. Zephyra the Flygon is the last one standing.
[break]
2. Alec is the victor!
[break]
3. The sandstorm subsided.

Andrea Vaneau

"And you shouldn't underestimate a Dragon Tamer," Alec had said, smirking back at Andrea with the same confidence. Sure, Andrea owned dragon pokemon, that much was clear. However, Alec was born into a family who specialized in training and taking care of them, He had been doing so for the past sixteen, almost seventeen years. Andrea's Slowbro ended up using SURF, not only hurting Alec's pokemon but her Salamence as well. While yes, that was rather clever, but Alec believed that Andrea didn't realize how much it'd actually wear out her Salamence. Even with the two Dragon Dances it had accumulated over the course of this battle, it had still been affected by the Sandstorm since the very beginning of this battle. Bruce the Garchomp braced itself for the oncoming tidal wave conjured up by the Slowbro, deciding on its own that now would be the best time to take out the daft one once and for all. It used its speed and as well as shark-like fins to surge through the water, using a powerful DRAGON RUSH of its own gunning right at the Slowbro with full force.

Bruce stood for about a second after his attack connected, but fell to the ground, no longer able to keep fighting. Alec pulled Bruce's Pokeball, returning it. "You did well, Bruce. Rest up," Alec said, putting the Pokeball back inside his bag. He had given it his all in this fight, and he wasn't gonna down without taking down that Slowbro with him either. It all now depended on Zephyra.

Despite Zephyra Getting hurt from the Slowbro's attack, It still paid mind to Andrea's Salamence which started to gun for her, rushing at her in a straight line. Zephyra used her two wings while levitating in the air as a shield, just like how Bruce had done with its fins from earlier The Salamence had collided with her, and the impact did hurt, however, she made use of her LEVITATE once more, swiftly moving upward slightly, only to bring down a DRAGON CLAW down at the center of the Salamence's back, right between its two red wings. That particular spot was Salamence's weak spot. Of course, it was rather hard to hit, but with Zephyra's increase in speed, she didn't have to necessarily outspeed the salamence, but rather outsmart it. The force behind Zephyra's dragon claw would send the Salamence spiraling downward to the ground. Alec was sure that it wouldn't hit the ground, but he was sure that the attack that Zephyra landed on its back would be extremely painful. Not to mention, The sandstorm was still raging, only making it more difficult for Andrea's pokemon.

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Notes:

SPOILER: Click to show

1. Bruce powers through the Surf and attacks Brody the Slowbro with Dragon Rush.
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2. Bruce still takes damage.
[break]
3. Double KO on Bruce the Garchomp and Brody the Slowbro(?)
[break]
4. Zephyra defends against Salamence's Dragon Rush.
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5. Zephyra still takes damage.
[break]
6. Zephyra counters with Dragon Claw on Andrea's Salamence.
[break]
7. the sandstorm still rages on!

Andrea Vaneau

Alec had smirked when Andrea commanded her Slowbro to use Ice Punch on Bruce. Truth be told, this was the moment that he had been waiting for. "Defend and Counter, Bruce!" Alec called out to his Garchomp. Despite not giving the Garchomp a precise command, it knew exactly what to do. With Slowbro not necessarily being the fastest and most agile pokemon on Andrea's team, as well as having its speed lowered no thanks to Zephyra's BULLDOZE from earlier, Garchomp, managed to bring up the right fin from his arm, using it somewhat as a shield. Bruce would still be hurt by the Ice Punch, however, it was better than taking a direct blow to his midsection. Then with a roar, Bruce the Garchomp, lifted the same fin he used to defend, also, catching the slowbro off balance. The two fins flashed a color of green, then Bruce immediately charged forward, making a slicing motion with both of its fins, slashing at the Slowbro simultaneously, while having passed its target a few feet forward. Alec held a smirk, seeing that Bruce's training had definitely paid off, with Its DUAL CHOP being in synch with its own movement. The real question though was whether or not the Slowbro would have been able to handle an immediate counter, having two hits being conducted on it at once at such a close range.

It was clear that Bruce was slightly a little more banged up than Zephyra, but he was still in this fight, and judging by the look on its face, it was determined to pull through and try to lead Alec to win the battle. "Oi, Zephyra. Keep that Dragon Dance up," he called to his flygon, which happily obliged. One could say that he didn't pay attention to Andrea's Salamence doing another one as well, however, that was far from the truth. He knew that Salamence in general was strong. Hell, he owned not just one, but two of them. He knew their strengths and weaknesses, so there was no need to worry all that much. As long Zephyra kept up her DRAGON DANCE as well, they'd still be on par with one another.

---

Notes:

SPOILER: Click to show

1. Bruce defends against Brody the Slowbro's Ice Punch
[break]
2. Bruce still takes damage.
[break]
3. Bruce counters with Dual Chop on Brody the Slowbro.
[break]
4. Zephyra does a second Dragon Dance.
[break]
5. The sandstorm rages on!

Andrea Vaneau

Alec watched on as Zephyra finished her spiteful onslaught. However, despite the beating it had taken thus far, it started to heal itself, which Alec should have known better. However, the sandstorm was still raging on, so to him, it didn't matter whether or not Andrea's Slowbro healed itself. Not to mention, her Salamence was also affected by the debris the sandstorm was blowing all around them. Bruce the Garchomp then suddenly emerged from behind the Slowbro, charging at it with full force as it came back up to the surface. Andrea was probably wondering why Alec's pokemon had yet to attack her Salamence. But, then again, the answer was obvious. He wanted to let Sandstorm that Zephyra brewed up take its toll on the flying dragon. Then once it was fairly weakened, he'd have his two dragons change their attack pattern and gun for the Salamence together as a team.

"I guess one could say I chose wisely to have them focus on the Slowbro for the time being. I know for a fact that if I had them both gunning for the Salamence, we'd be in a tight spot," Alec thought to himself. "Zephyra! Fall back for a bit and use Dragon Dance!" Alec called out to his Flygon. She nodded, having gotten over her little spout of anger against the Slowbro. She ascended a bit further into the air, dancing along with the raging sands. With his Flygon now having used Dragon Dance, her speed and physical attack power would grow, which made her able to handle the Salamence, if it came down to it. However, he still planned on having his two dragons focus on the Slowbro. Facing off against the Salamence would only be a last resort situation. "You're a pretty good battler, Andrea." Was all Alec had said to her. There was no hint of sarcasm in his voice, which probably wasn't normal for Alec. He was being serious. It was clear that she and her pokemon were working well together, just as he was. He could also tell that she cared for her pokemon deeply, just as he does.

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Notes:

SPOILER: Click to show

1. Bruce emerges from underground and attacks Brody the Slowbro with Dig.
[break]
2. Zephyra falls back and uses Dragon Dance.
[break]
3. The Sandstorm rages on!

Andrea Vaneau

Despite the whipping of the Sandstorm that continued to swallow the vicinity around them, Alec had managed to hear her command her Salamence to take flight. If I had to wager a guess, she's gonna use her Salamence to find Bruce while up in the air," Alec thought to himself while squinting his eyes, seeing the Garchomp's silhouette within the raging storm. "Oi, Bruce! I think it's time to wake up!" the dragon tamer called out to his Garchomp. At first, didn't seem to budge, but a few seconds after, the silhouette started to move. Bruce raised its head, looking over at Alec, giving his master a nod, then proceeding to use DIG, burrowing under the ground.

Alec was kinda surprised that calling out to Bruce actually woke him up. Normally, his Garchomp was normally a hardhead at most times. That was when Alec noticed Andrea's Slowbro start to do something. Was it moaning? That was when he caught Zephyra waving around in the air as if something was swinging her around. That was when he put it together. Andrea's Slowbro was using Psychics. After the worst was over, Zephyra, shook her head, not liking having been tossed around like that, giving the Slowbro from beneath the most sinister glare ever. It kind of even made Alec worried. Zephyra always got upset very easily, especially when battling, but he never saw her make that face. The flygon sped down directly towards the Slowbro, stopping a few inches above the ground in front of it, only to continuously BULLDOZE the ground with its two powerful feet, while shrieking violently. She decided to see whether or not the Slowbro liked the same thing. As Alec watched on, he only thought one thing. I will never make Zephyra angry ever again... She'll destroy me!" he thought to himself.

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Notes:

SPOILER: Click to show

1. Alec calls to Bruce the Garchomp, waking him up.
[break]
2. Bruce the Garchomp uses Dig, burrowing its way underground.
[break]
3. Zephyra is hurt by Brody the Slowbro's Psychic.
[break]
4. Zephyra retaliates with Bulldoze on Brody the Slowbro.
[break]
5. The Sandstorm rages on!

Andrea Vaneau

REDEEMING

welcome to the poké mart!

10X Sparkling Dusts for 2 Shiny Swaps! found in Alec's PC(0 PD)

2X Shiny Swaps (0 PD)
Inferno the Charizard becomes Shiny!
[break][break]
Nat the Sceptile becomes Shiny!

TOTAL

do come again!

0 PD

Alec held his smirk as Andrea chose her pokemon. Her Salamence, along with a Slowbro. "Interesting choice. That Slowbro might be a problem if it knows an Ice type Move," The dragon tamer thought to himself. Luckily for him, he had somewhat of an idea of how to start this battle. Alec watched Andrea's Salamence perform a dragon dance while the Slowbro let out a yawn, which he noticed had started to affect his Garchomp. "Zephyra, Sandstorm! Bruce, Sand Tomb!" Alec commanded. Zephyra started to take flight, flapping her wings, which had summoned up a Sandstorm, quickly wrapping around the battlefield, While Bruce at the same time, used the sand that started to blow in the wind, making a good cluster of it sent hurling toward the Slowbro. If the Slowbro were to be caught in the SAND TOMB, then it would have a much harder time.

Just shortly after Bruce the Garchomp made its attack though, it had dozed off, falling asleep. Alec wondered though if they'd be able to find his Garchomp though, despite it being asleep, its SAND VEIL, would make him a little bit safer. "I don't mean to play dirty, but a battle is a battle, Something I'm sure you'd agree with me on," Alec called out to Andrea as the Sandstorm only just started raging, putting up the hood of his cloak as to not get sand in his eyes.

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Notes:

SPOILER: Click to show

Zephyra the Flygon used Sandstorm!

1. A Sandstorm Kicked up!

2. Bruce the Garchomp used Sand Tomb on Brody the Slowbro!

3. Normal DMG if hit & will be trapped anywhere between 2-5 turns.

4. Bruce Fell Asleep due to Brody the Slowbro's Yawn

5. Bruce, the Garchomp's SAND VEIL ability is in play due to the Sandstorm!

Andrea Vaneau

The way the Salamence and girl made their appearance known to him, definitely reminded him of his own 'grand entrances'. Was she also wearing a dragon onesie? Despite her eccentric choice of garb, Alec answered her. No worries. Also, nice to meet ya, Andrea. Name's Alec. As for my pokemon of choice," he said, tossing out two pokeballs on opposite sides of him, revealing a Garchomp on the left and a Flygon on the right. "I'll be using these two," was all he said. He had plenty of different pokemon to choose from, but he always favored using his own dragons. Admittedly, Alec didn't have a 'strategy' per se, however, he had a feeling that these two would be more than capable of holding their own.

He had no intention of asking Andrea what her choices would be. Instead, he figured he would just wait and see what she would choose. Honestly, Alec liked it that way. He preferred being surprised. Always knowing seemed kinda boring. Either way, the serious-looking expression he had on his face had shifted to a smirk filled with anticipation. It was clear that he was ready for battle.

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Notes:
Andrea Vaneau