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It was a clash of wills, of pride. The dark type was a scrappy fighter, an upstart punching up at everything eventually, even if every now and then he got a little thrown off by a giant roaring dragon.[break][break]

The Dragon, however, viewed itself as something approaching the apex, a ferocious creature willing to trade blows with even impossibly strong beasts. Few were the dragons that could force it to grow more and more furious in battle, but even fewer were the opponents who it could allow itself to escalate against outside of its own kind.[break][break]

Among all of them, it would remember the scraggy who challenged it so brazenly as one of-[break][break]

"It evolved!? What kinda two-parter is that? Block it, Haxorus!"[break][break]

The Dragon growled, not out of rage, but excitement. The crimson on its arms receded, and was replaced with a hue of lime green. A shift in footing and gaze brought it into a position to stare up at the falling Scrafty's High Jump Kick.[break][break]

Those crossed arms formed an X-Scissor to block, pushing back against its foe. It wouldn't dare try and dodge an attack from something it felt was worth crushing. Not now, not ever.

---

+10 MP for IC Post, (+10 this post)[break]
370 MP total obtained across event

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The crimson claws that Haxorus fashioned out of its tusks were the tools by which it intended to vent each and every frustration it had built up watching the battle unfold up until that point. While at first it may have looked as if it was rampaging, he was merely blowing off steam in a manner befitting his nature.[break][break]

It was an alien mindset in a way, something even only its trainer could only somewhat understand. It raged for its allies, yet that feeling was not one it felt out of kinship, but mutual respect. While it may not seem like it, that specter and insect were some of the only two Haxorus had ever respected.[break][break]

That's why when the shadows dispersed, it didn't swing wildly again, and planted a heavy foot into the ground, pressing down onto the earth with enough force to crush steel flat in time with Scraggy. The sand around them burst from their shared declaration, and a cloud hid them from sight.[break][break]

Despite this, Ito could tell just this once what his partner meant without even seeing him, as by now he had gleamed the source.[break][break]

"Ya' weren't just mad they lost... you wanted a shot too, didn't 'cha, Haxorus?" The crimson glow faded from the tusks and left them to revert to their original red tint. Instead, the light came from its claw, mirroring the strike of the prideful martial artist's in that moment.[break][break]

"Give it to 'em! Strike back as hard as you want!" The Dragon's trainer shouted the only order he needed, and he brought down a straight Dragon Claw to clash with the dark wave of force aimed at it, a punch filled with rage... and most importantly, a Dragon's pride.[break][break]

After all, it could always respect a fighter willing to challenge its might.

---

+10 MP for IC Post, (+10 this post)[break]
360 MP total obtained across event

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Even though the dark type took a martial stance, the creature that glared down at it would not. Draconic energy surged through its veins in sync with its blood, sparks of that lingering crimson light lighting up the air around them as a reminder of its elevated state.[break][break]

The stance Scraggy struck was fitting for a dark and a fighting type, a dirty brawler with a great amount of pride in itself. It was different than the monster looming over it, anchored in an entirely different nature than it was.[break][break]

That’s why Haxorus couldn’t contain itself, and why Ito wouldn’t try and stop it. A crimson glow coated those tusks upon its head as its feet pressed cracks into the earth with a forward motion, lunging towards the jumping shadows. Those tusks became claws honed to the most lethal degree, forged by rage.[break][break]

That fear of the dark that people carried… that was something it sincerely couldn’t understand. That’s why it spared no effort swinging those tusks out in an arc as it launched forwards, crushing one shadow mid-jump, only to be pounced upon by the second, taking a scathing headbutt.[break][break]

It stalled briefly, only to swing again, only to retaliate with a snarl and a second swing.[break][break]

”’s just a lovetap! Ya’ haven’t broke anything!”

---

+10 MP for IC Post, (+10 this post)[break]
350 MP total obtained across event

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It was only natural that scraggy would run in the face of that roar, as there were very few living things that wouldn’t. Contained within it was the pride of a dragon and the rage of an apex predator who was made to sit and watch as its closest allies were defeated by foes it saw as inferior to itself.[break][break]

Crimson eyes glared down the terrified Eevee from the moment it touched down on the battlefield, holding a gaze as steeled as the blood red tusks that adorned the sides of its head. Those eyes never once left it, even as it leapt into the air.[break][break]

A small burst of growing stars fell from the skies upon it, but the Haxorus didn’t move, simply staring right up into the air at the coming attack. Ito gave no order, and decided to let Haxorus handle a swift attack that curved to lock onto it.[break][break]

The stars struck it head on, sending a small cloud of dust up into the air, obfuscating the amount of damage dealt.[break][break]

Just moments later, another roar came from the dragon’s maw, only this time it was accompanied by a surge of crimson light from within the smoke. The roar blew away the smoke, revealing Haxorus once again, this time covered in a light aura of crimson. Dragon Dance.[break][break]

It didn’t care about the damage sustained, as pure rage drove it past that.[break][break]

”So that’s how you feel, huh Haxorus… gotcha, let’s get ‘em!” Ito stripped off his backpack, then set it on the ground behind him, letting his jacket freely slip down his shoulders some. ”Give it to ‘em! Blow em away!”[break][break]

The dragon snarled and rushed right ahead with its head down while moving fast, faster than the other two pokémon of Ito’s put together and then some. It rushed right ahead to try and catch the Eevee, swinging a single set of claws coated in crimson like a fist. It was simple, but destructive all the same, like a dragon should be.

---

+10 MP for IC Post, (+10 this post)[break]
340 MP total obtained across event

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Grudges were brought to bear against a singular sentient grudge. Retribution came for all, even specters haunting the land, that was just the natural law of the world. No matter how fantastical the creature, or how exceptional the trainer, it was impossible to beat how the world worked in a battle.[break][break]

That's the hard lesson Ito learned the moment he saw that scraggy rush down his Spiritomb. Like he had done with Venipede, he reached for his bag to grab its pokeball, only to realize that he was just too late this time. His overprotective nature wasn't enough to prevent one of the world's laws from flying right into Spir's ghostly face.[break][break]

If he'd simply chosen to give an order rather than get scared and overbearing, perhaps there could have been a different result. Instead, all Ito gained for his masterful planning was a harsh reality check.[break][break]

The specter let out a pained cry, then retreated into its stone, utterly trounced. For the first time in weeks, Ito returned it to its pokeball, pressing the orange half of the sphere to his temple. "Dammit... you too Spir? I... tch, I'll make up for this, I promise."[break][break]

The look in his eyes changed in an instant, having seen that crimson flash come as the result of his own decisions twice now. A shaky hand firmly pressed down upon a single remaining pokeball, this one painted over with crimson tusks on each end. The shaking ceased as he held it, rolling a thumb over the release as his breathing calmed down.[break][break]

"This is my last Pokemon. This time- with this one- I'm not gonna lose!" Without breaking Kouji's gaze, Ito let his last pokeball fly into the air, allowing the final of his crimson flashes to let out his final partner.[break][break]

Bright scales and crimson tusked reflected the sun's rays as the beast fell from the sky, crashing down across from the Scraggy. It leaned down for a moment, then reared back, letting loose a fierce roar of dominance.[break][break]

[break][break]

Haxorus was finally ready to deliver its own retribution.

---

+10 MP for IC Post, +50 MP for own KO (+60 this post)[break]
330MP total obtained across event

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"Oh what a great fuckin' idea, why didn't I think of that?" Compared to Akira, Ito wasn't at his breaking point yet, and thus couldn't bring himself to completely snap at the only other human he'd met in that godforsaken place. With that in mind, all he managed to retort with was a frustrated grumble, all while he watched his Haxorus get thrown back from the clash with the unknown monster, sliding right back across the alley's pavement until it stopped itself right in front of them.[break][break]

The light of the confusion ray floated towards the advancing monster and caused it to stop for a brief moment. Previously resolute and determined to tear them into ten quadrillion pieces, it instead began to teeter and shake almost drunkenly. Its maw came open, a plume of fire gathering within it before-[break][break]

The fire blew up inside the monster's own mouth, causing the alleyway to once again crumble in on itself, cutting the pair of trainer's off from their pursuer.[break][break]

"Holy hell, that worked- hey the path's back, get your ass moving!" Once again, Ito pulled Akira along without asking her.[break][break]

He meant well, at least.

---

+10 MP for IC post, +10 MP for assisting another Pokemon/Trainer (+20 this post)[break]
280 MP total obtained across the event

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The spectral Pokémon was still stunned from the 'terrifying' face the Scraggy made as its opening move, and found itself in an even scarier situation immediately afterwards.[break][break]

The hoodlum in yellow rushed in, calling forth the shadows of its allies to attack a single enemy, drawing the strength it alone lacked from those around it to Beat Up the ghost type its trainer ordered it to.[break][break]

Spir attempted to flee from them, but it quickly realized that the rock it was bound to was not that swift to begin with, and the lingering terror of that expression only made it more sluggish. The shadows had their way briefly, pushing the Spiritomb across the field.[break][break]

”Push back Spir! Dark Pulse!" Unwilling to see another one of his partners hurt too badly, Ito took the reins back, and called out to it. As if snapped out of a stupor, the Spiritomb's body suddenly surged with swirling purple and black light, only to release it all in one burst outwards from itself at its attackers.

---

+10 MP for IC Post (+10 this post)[break]
260 MP total obtained across event

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There existed a minor difference between the team rocket members and Ito and Colton.[break][break]

It wasn’t skill, that much was a guarantee. If placed in a room with a trainer worth their weight in badges, there was a far higher chance than not that Ito would be sent home with a single sheet of paper with a crimson L printed on it.[break][break]

No, in this case the difference was simple, yet heartbreaking. It was a universal law of the world put into practice, an unwritten rule of nature that all things followed.[break][break]

Those with power dominate the weak, and in this case the ‘powerful’ were those with fully evolved pokémon, unfortunately.[break][break]

The monsters they carried around in pokeballs were more than capable of developing into colossal threats, capable of things humans just weren’t. For example, the olive green light that coated the Haxorus’ tusks as it charged carried unbelievable weight, swinging like a deadly axe for what it believed to be a Conkeldur, only for the illusion to give away on contact.[break][break]

The poor Zoroark never stood a chance, and crashed into the already topped Graveler at high speed.[break][break]

”Lucky break! Keep it up and we’ll-“[break][break]

An icy chill swept over the cave before Ito could finish talking, as hail began to fall from the ceiling in a place where such a thing should be impossible. ”Snow…. Abomasnowwwww!” The source of the hail could be heard from even down the tunnel, heavy footsteps approaching the current battlefield.

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+10 MP for IC Post[break]
250 MP total obtained across event

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”It’s a hellscape because I hate this goddamn alleyway back home!” This time Ito didn’t properly react to what was going on behind them, but Haxorus’ stomping behind them meant their pursuer hadn’t broken free yet, thankfully.[break][break]

”I’m from Castelia! Getting stuck in this damn loop is just my luck, because all I can think of is this stupid alleyway!” He explained, watching as the alleyway shifted in front of their eyes once again, opening up into a back alley without an exit this time, cornering them both.[break][break]

The giant monster behind them let out another roar this time, then threw its body into the rocks to smash them apart. It was highly unamused by the attempt to stop it, clearly, an only charged at the pair of them at high speed.[break][break]

”Shit, shit shit… Haxorus! X-Scissor!” Ito called out to his partner, letting olive green light coat its tusks before it lunged to strike.[break][break]

Simultaneously, azure blue light coated the monster’s wings, and it swung them at Haxorus, their clash causing a shockwave that put cracks in the nearby alleyway walls.[break][break]

”Oi, you got some way to slow it down, r-right!?”

---

+10 MP for IC post (+10 this post)[break]
240 MP total obtained across the event

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Of all the things the specter had expected to be faced with, a little hoodlum was not one of them. Compared to the rocketeer’s previous Pokémon, this was one both Ito and his own Pokémon recognized.[break][break]

”Scraggy…? Gotta be on the lookout for-“ He had planned on making some kind of smartass deduction about a pokémon he was somewhat familiar with, only for that very same pokémon to just make a dumb face and stare right at Spiritomb.[break][break]

Spiritomb was an interesting pokémon. By all accounts, it was a specter haunting a rock, projecting itself out from it in a ghastly visage. Its typing was bizarre as well, being one of very few ghost and dark types, sporting an impressive neutrality to nearly all types with the exception of the ever cheerful fairy type.[break][break]

Knowing this, very few people would ever expect for that very same specter to react, let alone emote.[break][break]

Spir make an expression of such abject horror that its tether extended far enough that it nearly separated from the rock, eyes wide and spread apart in sheer terror.[break][break]

In a way, you could say it was super effective.

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+10 MP for IC Post (+10 this post)[break]
230 MP total obtained across event

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It took pride in one’s own abilities to accept death as a possibility and charge on anyways, pride only one side of the clash truly had. That was the difference between fighting for oneself and fighting for another’s sake. It’s impossible couldn’t take the risks that matter with someone depending on you to not fail.[break][break]

The Venipede prepared another barrage of poisonous jabs as the first finished, but it once again just wasn’t quick enough. Before the second set could start, a suicide charge broke its tempo, and claws ripped across it. The unbalanced insect’s guard was crushed, and it was sent rolling away, having suffered heavy damage in exchange for its efforts.[break][break]

”V!” Ito cursed his own inexperience as his precious partner dragged itself up, defiant in the face of a highly dangerous foe. It could continue- it was ready to, knowing the battle was one it could win.[break][break]

However, its trainer was too concerned, and called it back without a word.[break][break]

”Sorry, V. I’ll do better next time.” He muttered, stowing the pokeball before removing his backpack. Inky blackness slipped through the cracks of the slipper, only to emerge out on the battlefield in a single burst.[break][break]

A distorted cry echoed out as the shadow emerged into the light, and a Spiritomb replaced the Venipede.[break][break]

”Its on you now Spir!”

---

+10 MP for IC Post (+10 this post)[break]
220 MP total obtained across event

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Unfortunately for both Akira and Ito, they were just a bit too slow for their own reasons, and the source of the roaring revealed itself by smashing in the wall of the alleyway they ran down.[break][break]

The falling rubble obscured it first, only for one beat of its wings to instantly clear the dust and stone, blowing apart the mess it’d made itself to gaze upon the two fresh cuts of meat in the Ultra Sea.[break][break]



”Ohhhhhhh hell no! That’s the fucking thing you meant!? What the fuck is that!?” This time Ito kicked into a sprint, but he grabbed Akita’s wrist without thinking, dragging her along at a faster pace.[break][break]

He didn’t know know why he was so willing to pull her along, but considering how tired she looked, there was no point in asking. His hand fished into his bag and dragged out a pokeball, tossing it out in front of him.[break][break]

”Run!! Haxorus, Rock Slide!!” The crimson tusked dragon scraped its head across the earth, sending a barrage of stone at the crimson winged menace behind them. It wouldn’t stop it, but it bought them time.

---

+10 MP for IC post (+10 this post)[break]
210 MP total obtained across the event

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He flinched as she started shouting, causing that unmovable scowl he always wore to shift downwards just a bit more. When it came to moments like these, Ito wore his emotions on his face better than he did the jacket he was so attached to.[break][break]

”Fuck me for trying, I guess…” He mumbled, getting right up to follow after her with a light jog. ”Listen lady, I’ve already told you that this alley has been looping on me for half an hour! It’s not gonna randomly swap up I-[break][break]

A great and terrifying roar swept above the alleyways, one Akira knew very well. Judging by the sound of it, they still had time before it was on top of them, but it wasn’t very far at all.[break][break]

”W-What was that!?” Ito started to move a little faster, only for the alleyway to shift before their very eyes once more as the right turn they’d been getting ready to take quickly became a curved pathway to the left.

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+10 MP for IC post (+10 this post)[break]
200 MP total obtained across the event

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