[attr="class","text"]

Things were growing creepy to chaotic! The 'shadows' continued to attack, shapeshifting into one enemy to another. The shadow became Dizzy and now attempting to use fire attacks to to best Zachary's real Dizzy! The difference in their appearance made them clear to tell them apart-- but their moves were something else! They were equally strong! [break][break] Aaron was also dealing with his own battle-- both physical and now psychological too, as the shadow lashed out verbally at him too. Of course it was hard to interpret with each with their own baggage! He was strong though and held his own--[break][break] But Zachary who wreslted with his own inner demons, clearly had more baggage than he would of admitted. Even as Dizzy clashed with the shadow Delphox-- the voice of the shadow self continued to torment Zachary. [break][break] "One day I'll become a gym leader. I'll earn the respect to help people and be met by challengers who would seek out my guidance to help them grow... What a joke! The real reason is you want the respect of one. To have people seek you out, instead of you seeking them-- and then turning their back on you. Why do you even care?!" the shadow's voice jeered on to torment Zachary. [break][break] "STOP IT!!" Zachary cried, covering his ears in head as the voices of his doubts exposed his feelings like a sharp knife. [break][break]As the voices continued-- Zachary's own shadow extended and the same red eyes appeared from them. Slowly something came up-- a ghastly shiny Ceruledge-like shadow, rising up behind Zachary. The source of the shadows-- or rather their leader! "No one cares about you! You deserve to be alone!" the voice jeered as the Ceruledge raised its blade to bring down on Zachary to cut his head off! [break][break] "HOOOOOOT!!" Zachary's Hoothoot cried-- spying the ghastly assailant. Seeing Zachary in its sight, Hoothoot didn't even hesitate as the little owl flew-- and rammed into Zachary, knocking him out of the way! [break][break] Zachary was sent to the ground-- and looked to soon see the Ceruledge bring down a ghastly blade of Phantom Force to strike Hoothoot, who sacrificed herself to save him! "NYX NO!!" [break][break] SLASH!! [break][break] The blade went right through the round Hoothoot, making the bird flinch in mid air and cover herself in vain defense. After a moment-- the bird was frozen, but soon opened its eyes. It let out a confused 'coo' as if to say 'what happened?" [break][break] Even more so, the ghostly Ceruledge seemed baffled too! The owl continued to hover in mid air-- baffled why the blade didn't hurt her. [break][break] Much was going through Zachary's mind. The little bird had saved him-- but more than that, the shadow like Ceruledge, was a ghost. His mind flashed with an epiphany! "That's right... Hoothoot isn't a psychic type. It's a flying and NORMAL type! And that means... Ghost attacks can't hurt it!" Zachary realized. Getting up, he looked to his equally baffled Hoothoot. "And that's not all... Nyx can reveal their secrets!" Zachary said as he got up with resolve. "Nyx-- use Foresight! Use it on all of them!" [break][break] The confused Hoothoot heard her trainer's words-- and quickly took action. From its big, round eyes-- a bright beam of red light came from the owl! The beam flashed right into the Ceruledge, and briefly shocked it with its blinding gleam! [break][break] MOreso-- Nyx cast its Foresight on the other shadow Pokemon around too-- revealing its ghostly weaknesses and even weakening some, allowing the fight to be easier for Aaron. [break][break] Despite the jeers of offense and self-doubt and defeat... the courage and care Dizzy and Nyx showed to him, made him understand one truth. His devotion to his pokemon was not one-sided. They did care for him. If there were any doubts about their feelings towards him, they were gone. "I know the truth. I may of been lonely back then... but my love for my Pokemon was not a delusion. They ARE my friends. I love that my own Pokemon care for me! It makes me strong! " Zachary shouted, prepared to go on the offense! [break][break]

Aaron Toral

NOTES

✦ Expedition 2.[break]
✦The "Shadow" transformed into a Ceruledge, and attempts to kill Zachary. Nyx intervenes and pushes him out of the way. [break]
✦ Nyx is unaffected by "Phantom Force" being a 'normal type'-- revealing Nyx's true potential. She uses "Foresight" exposing all the shadow's ghostly vulnerabilities.

[attr="class","text"]



The last turn of the second lap was up upon them as Zachary and Hermes now led! With a surprise that the big, large cat was not far behind them! The track was worn, the pummeled terrain hard to get traction. But Hermes was different! [break][break] The energetic, somewhat cocky Alola Raichu with the human riding the tail with him-- was easily gliding via psychic power! It was incredible how out of all the opponents, Hermes never touched the ground, and the only psychic contender who could hold his own in a race-- outside of Galarian Rapidash perhaps. [break][break] The little mounds did nothing to really dampen the Raichu's spirits as he easily used the hills like ramps, hopping up and over them like the waves on the ocean! Happy cries of glee and excitement came from Hermes as he was now in the lead for now! [break][break] Zachary smiled as he leaned into each one of Hermes turns and jumps, not letting go of the mouse's back! When it came to Hermes, he knew the Alola Raichu had energy to burn. He was tempted to let Hermes really cut loose-- but not yet. He needed the right moment. The right time to use his trump card to help his buddy. [break][break] One lap was left! They just had to keep it up ! Hermes weaved and hopped along the mounds, entering the straight way to the second lap marker-- and the final lap! [break][break] [break][break]

Josh Devlin

NOTES

✦ Gym Challenge -- Quick Badge Attempt.[break]
✦Hermes' Psychic levitation has minimal on the track, kicking up dust but still navigating the turns smoothly, along with the mounds on the surface. [break]
✦ Hermes seems to be in the lead as he weaves-- and hops over the mounds like tiny ramps to excite the Alola Raichu further as he speeds on. [break]
✦ Hermes Racing-Rank Stats: 8 Total[break]
Speed:B[break]
Endurance:B (Max speed move/Tera boost: 3) [break]
Reaction: C.

[attr="class","text"]

"Daylight" was fading, as they did discuss their situation a bit. In the end, they were explorers in this strange land. However, the fact Zachary didn't understand their attackers' motivations was unsettling. In the end, theorizing wasn't exactly constructive as he too felt exhausted. Dizzy gave a loud and unrestrained Yawn, as did his other pokemon, now with full bellies. Eden curled up in a small nest of leaves, and Nyx perched herself on a nearby tree, her wings tucked in and cozy as she 'stood' there dozing off to sleep. [break][break] Tired himself, Zachary soon got out his sleeping mat and covers. He took off his shoes, slipped into his sack and soon tried to sleep-- Dizzy sleeping just a foot or so away as the furry fox's natural heat kept them warm even without the fire. [break][break]

---

[break][break] Night came though, and things got worst. While it was dark-- everyone was at peace till rustles could be heard in the woods, and shadows grew closer to the grove Eden had grown.
Sensitive to the sounds-- Nyx soon fluttered her eyes open and with Foresight saw the encroaching shadows. [break][break] "HOOOT!" Nyx cawed in alarm and took flight, flying circles around the grove to try and wake them up. The little bird was quite the look-out! Hearing the quacking, Zachary woke up-- still half asleep as he rose up to hear the racket. "What's going--" [break][break] Zachary was startled to see Nyx flying right for him-- and collided head first into the bird, crashing into him. [break][break] "Brrah! Stomp! NYX!" Zachary said, having nearly had his eye poked out by Nyx's beak in her panicked state. He took hold of the round owl and petted her to get her to calm down. "What's wrong? Why are you so upset--?!" [break][break] Zachary didn't have to look long as shadowy figures were beginning to show up around the campsite. Aaron clearly had his own to fend off, as Zachary realized they were under attack. The shadows-- appeared to be all duplicates of them?! [break][break] By now, all of Zachary's active Pokemon were out and about, about to respond to the threat. Dizzy gave a bark of alarm, brandishing his flaming stick. "Jeez-- what's going on already?! " Zachary gasped as he turned around-- [break][break][break][break]-- and was met by a shadowy version of himself! His eyes widend with shock, now face to face with a shadowy copy of himself. However, unlike Aaron, this one was solitary, and just grinned at Zachary with its odd, fiery red eyes. [break][break] "Wh-what is this?" Zachary gasped, growing scared and terrified. [break][break] "Heh... pathetic!" Zachary's shadow spoke. Which was a surprise-- as Aaron was not so vocal. Zachary's however... was a whole lot more personal. "Why would anyone want to follow you, let alone you as a Gym Leader? It's quite sad, so why don't you just hang up the towel now and die under some rock already. We both know the truth why you really became a trainer, after all." he spoke, acting as cool as Zachary could be-- but his words sharp as a dagger to the heart. [break][break] Zachary's response to his words showed, clearly hurt and in denial. He backed up, afraid by the shadowy version that spoke about him. "You wanted to become a Pokemon Trainer cause you were lonely. You had no friends, no one liked you-- no matter what you tried. They called you names, they spread lies about you-- so you call your friends the Pokemon in your care? Tell me, are they really friends if they didn't have a choice than to be with you?" the shadow spat at Zachary. [break][break] Zachary's eyes widened with fright and denial. "T-That's not true! My pokemon choose me, and everyone I choose I worked hard to raise them well and happy. They are my friends! Who the hell are you to say otherwise!?" Zachary demanded. [break][break] Hearing such hurtful words from his shadow-- Dizzy began to bark loud, trying to disway Zachary from listening to such hurtful, cruel words-- but he couldn't hear them. It wasn't just slaunder, it was some kind of dark effect directed at Zachary too! [break][break]"Come on. Surely you must get it by now. I am you, and you're me." [break][break] "A trainer who can't make friends with other humans. That is the definition of lonely. If that is the case, who would willingly want to join you as a Gym Leader? How do you expect to lead one-- if no one would even look up to you? Face it-- your dream is worthless. Just like you are..." [break][break] Zachary trembled and tears began to fall down his cheeks. He wanted to deny it, he wanted to scream-- but to what point? [break][break] "BRRAAK!!" Dizzy growled-- and was answered by a swirl of rainbow-flames that shot overhead and lunged right at the shadow! [break][break] The shadow was washed away by the flames, as Dizzy took point and center! [break][break] Snapping out of it, Zachary looked up to see his Delphox before him. Though focused on the evil shadow-- Dizzy turned and gave a firm and clear look to Zachary. The fox's sharp eyes directing his feelings right at him. Feelings That Zachary couldn't doubt but feel in turn. [break][break] Devotion. Care. Friendship. Faith. [break][break] No matter Zachary's doubts and the words of the shadow-- Dizzy proved his feelings for Zachary. The Delphox would gladly risk his life to defend his dearest friend. The human boy that raised and cared for him for years since he was a little Finniken. [break][break] That love and friendship wouldn't go unanswered-- and Dizzy would make the shadow pay for trying to hurt Zachary's feelings. [break][break] The shadow began to peek through the flames-- to reveal its form. It no longer resembled Zachary, but now a Delphox! A shiny Delphox! Brandishing its own stick, it too conjured blackish flames, prepared to attack! [break][break]

Aaron Toral

NOTES

✦ Expedition 2.[break]
✦ Attacked by "Shadow Zachary" [break]
✦ XXXXX

[attr="class","text"]



The cool summer air was far more pleasant now that night had fallen. The sky was black, allowing the stars and moon to shine freely there. Despite it being night, the path was not in any way unseeable. THough as they traveled-- they were lit by a very reliable Delphox. [break][break] Zachary was now in company of a few new faces. As usual, Dizzy the Delphox was his constant companion and partner. The tricky and clever Delphox kept their surroundings lit by his torch of a stick he lit with his magical powers. More important, Zachary had a new friend-- lam logan . [break][break] To Zachary's surprise, just like Josh Devlin , he too was a gym leader. Zachary really was coming to meet a lot of important figures on his journey, and all by coincidence. The guy was very friendly, and knowledgable. They had agreed to travel together a bit-- accompanied by his flock of Psyduck with him. [break][break] Further adding to the fun, Zachary kept a lot of his pokemon travel with him. He now had the company of a Hoothoot he named Nyx, riding on his shoulder. The little owl Pokemon was very friendly and social with his new trainer, and other humans whom she met. Lastly, was Happy the Mime Jr. Happy had gotten to know Lou's psyducks very well, often mimicking them which was adorable to watch too! [break][break] Though an odd time to travel, it wasn't by intent. As a Gym Leader, they had to take on assignments-- in this case to deal with 'dangerous pokemon' that had stalked the roads around Oakdale. As someone who wanted to be a Gym Leader himself, Zachary took up the job too along with Lam. So now, they were together once more. [break][break] Despite the setting, Zachary felt quite at ease to know he was with another amazing Gym Leader. "I hope me being here isn't a problem. We really didn't get much time to talk with... well the aquarium. But it was fun there while it lasted." Zachary said to the man, hoping he wasn't a burden to him being there. [break][break] All the while, Dizzy looked back at them every once in a while, hoping to be involved with his trainer and new friend.[break][break]

lam logan @tag @tag

NOTES

✦ Hounds of Oakdale mission.[break]

✦ Personal Xatu's Sleep Talk Rules: A die is rolled and "Sleep Talk" effect will be determine by the following. Roll 1-20, will use "Calm Mind", 21-40 will result in "Air Slash", 41- 60 will result in "Stored Power" , 61-80 will result in "Shadow Ball", 81-100 will result in "Future Sight." [break]

✦ Personal Metronome Rules: A die is rolled and Metronome's effect will be determined by the following. Odd numbers indicate a status-move, even numbers indicate an attack move. 1-33 , will be a weak move, 34-66 will have power between (50-70) , 67 -100 will be 80+ attack power. Type is free to choose for the user. Depending on player cooperation, a lower power move may be selected if the roll is higher..

[attr="class","text"]



The outcome didn't come to what Zachary had originally hoped. But still, Josh seemed to approve of Zachary's pokemon. Most of them, but Dizzy he knew from their very first encounter. But Zachary was pleased. He had the approval of a GYm Leader to continue on, both in his attempts in battling the league-- and becoming a gym leader himself. [break][break] He smiled at the offer of a ride and recalled Happy to his Pokeball. "Sure. Thanks, Josh. I appreciate it. And thanks for the battle. But next time, I'm gonna win for sure! " he said with renewed confidence. [break][break] WIth that, they rode to the entrance as Zachary was taken there by the giant Pyroar. He couldn't help but pet the lovely cat as he was escorted there, as Josh still had many more things to do. [break][break] The END.

Josh Devlin

NOTES

✦Battle continues Final match. Battle is proclaimed a tie! [break]

✦ Dizzy is KOed from shockwave and ends Tera Boost. [break]

✦ XXXX[break]

✦ XXXX

[attr="class","text"]



Hermes was enjoying the battle as he soared overhead, only to land and enter another rush around the field, being the little speed-demon he was. Since attacks wouldn't easily hurt him-- the enemy trainer used words to bruise Zachary's confidence and ego. How else was he supposed to relay orders to his Pokemon to attack ? [break][break] He gave the rival trainer a look, but soon focused on Hermes. The Alola Raichu was the peak of his speed! Now it was time to let out the big guns! "Hermes-- time for some fireworks!" he said with a punch in Pikachu's direction. [break][break] "Rai!!" The Raichu shouted with glee as he soon entered a high speed drive right for Pikachu. It was then that the surfer jumped-- ascending skyward. Electricity sparked off him as he flew and began to cluster. "RAAAAII--CHUUU!!" he roared, performing a verticle, 360-degree flip-- and at the end of its tail produced a sphere of electricity! [break][break] An Electro Ball! A seemingly simple move, but one that grew stronger the FASTER the user was. Given Surge surfer, and Agility, it was a powerful combo that made Hermes a force not to mess with lightly. Fired from above, the ball would likely hit the enemy Pikachu...[break][break] Unless the enemy had other ideas... [break][break]

aaron faust @tag @tag

NOTES

✦ Zachary glares at enemy traner for the criticism. [break]

✦ Hermes goes on the offense and uses Electro Ball -- now powered up due to the raise in pokemon's speed. [break]

✦ Electric terrain - 3/5 posts .

[attr="class","text"]

While Dizzy was trying to sneak away from the fawning Ninetails, clearly captivated by his fiery charms-- Shalin was being thrown around by Hermes as he tried to get her off. Zachary winced at the scene, knowing that was NOT how you rode him. Hermes eratic zipping around was like watching a pinball machine on high speed as he zoomed by still at a fast speed-- till eventually Shalin was thrown off. [break][break] She would come rolling across the grass directly in front of Zachary, to which the boy gave a sigh of disapprovement. "Oh, I saw this coming. " he replied with a roll of his eyes, "Seriously, did you think you can just jump on his back? He's levitating on his tail for a reason. Jeez..." Zachary said as Hermes slowly floated back to them. A very displeased and somewhat hurt look was on him as he didn't like being treated like a Tarus or Ponyta. [break][break] As Shalin would recover, Zachary raised a hand and petted Hermes. The electric mouse calmed down as he floated there, offering Zachary to get on. "This is how you do it," Zachary explained. "First, you place a hand on Hermes back like this." Zachary placed his hand on the swell of the Alola Raichu's back, feeling his psychic aura tug him almost like a magnet or current of water. IT was a clear sign of Hermes willingness to let you ride with him. "His psychic aura is like a harness keeping you balanced with him-- and then you step up onto the back of his tail like this." [break][break] Zachary stepped up onto Hermes tail, with his hand still on his back. Hermes gave a pleased shout as he felt Zachary on his tail, with the pokemon keeping his trainer balanced there. Once secured, Hermes took off in a smooth and slow glide around the grass-- showing Shalin how Zachary rode on his tail with him, like a surfer. [break][break] As Zachary soon finished the small lap with Hermes, he hopped off and landed on his feet. [break][break] "Now you. And this time, try not to crush poor Hermes. He's clearly wants to impress you but not at the cost of you PRESSING him." Zachary said, in a small jab at how she kind of squished on the mouse by sitting on top of him. [break][break]

Shalin Nariya @tag @tag

NOTES

✦ Bond Bridge May-2024XXX.[break]
✦ XXX [break]
✦ XXX

[attr="class","text"]



Another psychic specialist-- and who was a Gym Leader too? That was news to Zachary as he didn't know much about this person. But he was one worth seeking out , presuming if he could best Josh in his challenge for a Gym Badge. THier battle there was indeed just a dry run-- and Zachary sought to win by the more unique challenge. The battle was fun and educational, but the special challenge sounded far more to test one's abilities with Pokemon than battle alone! [break][break]THe talk about the gym however, was interesting. He would need an exam but Josh encouraged him to apply for the minor league one. It seemed like the perfect fit, to be honest as it would give Zachary the basics to grow and become a higher Gym Leader in the future. Should he fail he could always try again too! [break][break] What really sold it was-- despite Josh's firm attitude in the face of all this, he offered Zachary his support in his drive to be part of the league and serve as a Gym Leader in any capacity. He wanted to help Zachary realize his dream. [break][break] "Thank you, Josh," Zachary said sincerely. Dizzy gave a happy bark too, followed by Zachary ruffling up the fur on his head affectionately. [break][break]

Josh Devlin

NOTES

✦Battle continues Final match. Battle is proclaimed a tie! [break]

✦ Dizzy is KOed from shockwave and ends Tera Boost. [break]

✦ XXXX[break]

✦ XXXX