Beginner RP: CowboyJake (Botanic Gardens)

NBP #1

Heavy on the breeze is a dampness, the kind that clings to skin like burrs cling to fur. The humidity breeds upon her skin, beading in droplets of sweat that roll down to sting her eyes. Wrinkled hand raises to gracelessly smear the sheen from her forehead. Pupils swim upward through watery blue orbs to glare spitefully at the sun, and to offer the clouds that seem to barely miss it every time a pleading glance.

Blue bird that drifts beneath her gives a concerned coo at her distress. Cloudy wings beat up another small breeze for her stressed Ranger companion. Babbs offers the Altaria a weak smile.

"There, there," she breathes, thin fingers reaching up to give small, rounded head a little pat. Digits comb through the ribbon-like plumage flowing from the creature's crown, unsticking it from the back of her neck, where it clings in the damp. It's a shame the weather is so poor--the place was so nice a few hours ago, when the morning was cool, but the afternoon is a hot, sweaty mess.

Babbs spares a longing look at the Gardens past the gate and the outpost. They'd be there in the shade, soon enough, but for now, they were here. She lingers outside of the sod wall that surges about the Gardens. Old figure leans against the structure, raising her hand again to shield her eyes as she looks out for the "Jake" she's supposed to be leading through today... ​

Encounter Stats:
none yet!
​

Trainer Stats:

Spoiler

Jake Aldenberg at the Botanic Gardens!
Remaining Encounters: 5
Environment: Rain on the breeze, but the sun refuses to stop bearing down.
Pokemon Encountered: none yet!
Pokemon Captured: none yet!

Items: Park Ball x3, Energy Powder x1, Lava Cookie x1, Pokedoll x1

MCR: 0 characters
Total: 0 characters

Pokemon Stats:

Spoiler

Mark / Poliwag / M / Mild / Water Absorb
EMs: TM Rest


Sara / Duskull / F / Hardy / Levitate
EMs: TM Trick Room

 

Eventually, a small figure rises over the lip of the hill by the gate, though it quickly becomes clear that it's not human. Dull gray cloth fluttering in the breeze, the creature is either unaffected by the sweltering heat, or very good at hiding it. Nonetheless, the humidity leaves a glistening sheen on its enameled mask, with a single pale red eye burning silently behind it. It flits to and fro around the area, looking at the greenery intently as if to commit the surroundings to memory, only stopping to turn back as its escort finally crests the hill.

"Ugh...Wait up, Sara. We're almost with you." The spirit's owner comes into view, laden with pockets and packs all over his body, and hefting a deep blue spherical Pokémon, a little smaller than its compatriot. Upon reaching the path atop the hill, he gently sets down his cargo, which immediately proceeds to start hooting for attention. "Another water break? Fine, but not too much. I've got to ration this stuff, you know." While he pulls out his water bottle (thank goodness he brought a spare) the trainer takes the chance to look around at the area, pausing to glance nervously at the harsh sun. The humidity kept it from being too hostile to his Water-type friend, but if he was nervous about bringing him to a Grass-type haven before, now he was worried sick. Not helping was the fact that he slept little last night, between reading article after article about what to expect in the Park and his Pokémon bouncing off the walls at the thought of a new playmate.

Visions of Solar Beams dancing in the back of his mind, the man takes a sip of the water himself before walking the rest of the path to the gate, pausing once or twice to keep his charges in line. Upon seeing the Ranger stationed in front, he waves and jogs the rest of the way up. "Hello, is this the Botanical Gardens? I'm Jake, and I had set up for a tour today." He considered what he'd read about park policy and stiffened suddenly, motioning toward the tadpole at his feet. "Oh, and is it OK that I had both of these guys out on the way here? I didn't see anything about it on the notice board back at the docks..." He trails off nervously, noticing his ghostly protégé circling and prodding at the Ranger's partner.

 

NBP #2

Eyes squint as she stares it down, curious as to the form's identity, but her body does the identifying for her. Chronically allergic to the other-worldly, she feels the small, ghostly creature soon after she sees it. Entire countenance scrunches into an even more wrinkly bunch of tension the moment before she gives a tremendous sneeze--one that draws a surprised jump from her dutiful companion.

"Damn ghost allergies," she mumbles as she reaches back to rummage in her pack, drawing from it a red-and-white dyed handkerchief that she quickly rubs at her nose. Duchess gives a low, sympathetic coooo and brushes cloudy wings across her companion's back. Babbs squints past low, sweaty brows at the approaching figure, noting the round sphere of tailed blue that he sets to the ground as he crests the hill.

Jake, she recalls from the Pidgeot HQ had sent to warn her of her new charge. He sure looks like one--bright polo, navy jeans, unassuming brown hair that the sweat and humidity dampens nearly to a warm black. He seems older than most she sees out here. Luckily, age isn't a contest when Babbs always wins. She casts a small little smile his direction as he picks up the pace as soon as he sees her--good, at least someone in this place knew she wasn't getting any younger!

The kid's jovial, polite, greeting her in the kind of classic way she's heard a thousand times before. But she hears the word "tour"--and his concern for the rules--and can't help the grin that breaks out across her face and the laughter that bubbles unbidden from her throat.

"Nice to meet ya', Jake. I'm Babbs, and I'll be keepin' ya' alive today!" Tone is absolutely jovial, and even that might be considered an understatement as she seeks to lighten his mood a bit. "First of all, tours are for museums and zoos I'm no guide, kid--I'm a Ranger, 'cause nothing's behind glass in this place." Eyes flash to the ghostly companion that drifts about Duchess, who is too enraptured with her Trainer's words to notice. As such, when Sara's ghouly digits extend in a prodding jab, the Altaria gives a startled squeal. The reflexive Cotton Guard fluffs her wings and chest instantly, expanding into layer-upon-layer of defensive cushion that nearly devours the bird's tall neck. She alights immediately to the ground, where she stares a bit helplessly at Babbs.

"Second," she starts as she bends over to aid her spooked companion, "Don't worry about your friend--as long as you keep the other one in control and outta battle when the other one's fightin', you're fine, kid. Not like we'll keelhaul ya' or anything for havin' out two of your Pokemon." Babbs shoots him a smile, one that dissipates as she turns her eyes out to the sweaty path ahead. She stifles a sigh. And a sneeze.

"And don't bother yourself about Duchess here, she's a bit of a pufferfish when startled." Hands pat comfortingly at Duchess' neck until the dragon is calmed enough for the cotton of her defenses to dissipate. The hunched woman straightens and looks back at him. "Well, ready when you are, Jake!" It was his first run, so she'd let him set the pace, choose where he wanted to go. She gestures out to the plethora of flora and fauna that races out across the planes before them. Perhaps he'd see something interesting and want to visit. And perhaps he wouldn't, in which case she'd give him the... well. Tour. Crud.​

Encounter Stats:
none yet!
​

Trainer Stats:

Spoiler

Jake Aldenberg at the Botanic Gardens!
Remaining Encounters: 5
Environment: Rain on the breeze, but the sun refuses to stop bearing down.
Pokemon Encountered: none yet!
Pokemon Captured: none yet!

Items: Park Ball x3, Energy Powder x1, Lava Cookie x1, Pokedoll x1

MCR: 2,254 characters
Total: 2,254 characters

Pokemon Stats:

Spoiler

Mark / Poliwag / M / Mild / Water Absorb
EMs: TM Rest


Sara / Duskull / F / Hardy / Levitate
EMs: TM Trick Room

 

Keeping me alive? The Ranger's comment was obviously meant as a joke, but something about it got under Jake's skin. He takes a second to remember what exactly was on the waiver he signed alongside his entry form. Obviously they don't ever have anyone actually get hurt here...right? His thoughts drift to how much damage even his greenhorn battlers could do (and did) to a drywall door, and if the park really did have Pokémon that feral and powerful... Right, best to focus on something else for now.

A bit more sweat on his brow than a moment ago, he quickly clears his drying throat. "So, do you think we could start off in a more...shady area? I'm not sure how good open sun is for Mark's, er, skin," he remarks, bending down to feel his resting Poliwag's ever-so-slightly wrinkled membrane. "And thanks for the info about Park policy," he continues, turning to his other partner while fumbling around in a pack on his waist, "but I think a time out is appropriate." He pulls out a bright red ball, marked with a cheap sticker of a cartoon skull, and recalls Sara to stasis even as she continues to cackle to herself about the blue bird's spooked reaction. "She came in expecting a chance to fight, so I think it may be best to keep her in check until we find an, uh, opponent, right?" he hastily explained to the Ranger beside him. "Anyways, let's get started, I guess! Lead the way!"

 

NBP #3

Unfortunately, her joke only serves to make the boy more uneasy. She sees the slight distance in his eyes as his mind wanders and can't help the little knit of her brow. It's not often she gets a creature that won't lighten up under the influence of her winning wit. It's almost blasphemy. Only the most hardened or timid of heathens had ever resisted her old lady charm. This one was some work, it seemed, and Babbs liked a challenge!

His concern for his little tadpole guy--Mark, she commits to memory--is a good sign. Babbs notes that down, too, ticking down brownie points for the kid to spend at the Babbs Bonus Botique™ later if he got himself into trouble. He makes a good decision of better safe than sorry in withdrawing his mischievous companion, and much to Duchess' relief. The elderly Ranger gives a good-natured chuckle and returns her own friend, as well.

"Sure thing, kid. We'll head toward that clump o' willows over there and see what we've got. The humidity should keep your friend damp til then." Perhaps that'll soothe his anxiety a bit. The kimono-clad guide begins to step in surprisingly large, agile strides toward the aforementioned area, not really looking to see if he he's keeping up. The woman's a train, really. She chatters quietly as they walk, maternal instincts urging her to try to calm the kid down and break the metaphorical ice. Well, if the heat didn't melt it first. The distraction of talking at least helps her bear the sweat soaking into her poor old pores.

"So, you new to all this Trainer thing? Ah, I remember being young like you once. Had myself a nice laddie back when I got my first Pokemon--my Skiddo, Nana, that's who I started with. A sweet thing she is, spry as a spring green even after all these years. You know, I gotta ask her what she does to keep off the wrinkles, as you can see I need a little help in that department. Well, anyway, he was a real charmer, that one..."

Their trek to the willows proves uneventful, most of the other inhabitants of the Gardens taking refuge in the shade on the hot day. Voice inches lower and lower as they near the cluster of drooping trees, which seem to sag lower than usual under the sun's weight.

"--you know, back in my day--" she's beginning in a hoarse whisper as they step beneath the shade. "--we didn't have--oh! Eyes roam up as she talks, and she stops abruptly as she sees something dangling up above. Knobby finger pulls up to her lips and she turns toward him. "Shhh," she says, gently, not in an accusatory way, but it's still ironic when considering who has been doing the talking for the past ten minutes straight.

Up above, dangling from the end of a low-hanging limb, is a small gem of a berry. Broad, prehensile leaf firmly grips the narrow end of the thinner branches, though it still seems almost dainty in the way it curls around it. A single stripe trickles almost tentatively over rosy skin, stopping right between the relaxed shape of tiny closed eyes. Smile rests on its sleeping face. In its slumber, the Cherubi sways back and forth, twisting occasionally to reveal its much more minuscule twin budding from its short stalk.

Babbs turns her eyes back to him after examining their first encounter. Brows raise in a quiet inquiry--you interested? ​

Encounter Stats:

Cherubi / ? / ?? / Chlorophyll / 100% [SLP]

vs

???
Engage? Or let it sleep?
​

Trainer Stats:

Spoiler

Jake Aldenberg at the Botanic Gardens!
Remaining Encounters: 4
Environment: Rain on the breeze, but the sun refuses to stop bearing down.
Pokemon Encountered: Cherubi!
Pokemon Captured: none yet!

Items: Park Ball x3, Energy Powder x1, Lava Cookie x1, Pokedoll x1

MCR: 3,645 characters
Total: 3,645 characters

Pokemon Stats:

Spoiler

Mark / Poliwag / M / Mild / Water Absorb
EMs: TM Rest


Sara / Duskull / F / Hardy / Levitate
EMs: TM Trick Room

 

Where does she get that energy from? Trying to keep up with his guide would have been an ordeal for Jake even in ideal conditions. Laden with gear and frying under the afternoon sun, not to mention carrying a frog the size of a toddler, it was all he could do to stay moving, following her toward the grove in the distance. She seems busy carrying what appeared to be a conversation with herself, and Jake is definitely grateful for that, since even if he wasn't winded, he wouldn't have had a whole lot to say. Instead, what little spare concentration he had is spent looking around the area and trying to get a sense of direction in the Gardens. Sure, it was certainly beautiful, but nowhere near what Jake had expected. From what he had heard, the Park was supposed to be teeming with life, wild Pokémon around every corner. Maybe we just came on a bad day? Or maybe... something worse scared them off? No, no, now you're just letting your imagination getting the better of you. Probably. Hopefully.

After what seemed like far too long, Babbs finally draws to a halt. Jake follows not far behind, taking deep breaths with his hands on both knees the moment he stops moving. After catching his breath, he roots through his pack for the spare water bottle, drinking greedily before sharing with Mark, before a quick hush from Babbs pulls him back to the moment. His head whips around, mind already preparing justifications about the weights slowing him down, before a quick gesture upwards reminds him why he came here. Steeling his nerves, he slowly gazes into the branches, blood pumping in his ears...

And he sees an adorable little cherub of a cherry dozing off in the tree, swaying gently among the rustling leaves. Feeling quite the fool, he lets out a massive breath he didn't even realize he was holding in and tries to remember the entry on Cherubi he read the previous night. Grass type, highly docile, needs... constant sunlight. Rats. His flat was fairly generous about housing Pokémon, and it was certainly easy to buy a humidifier for Mark, but with his fabulous window view of a brick wall, and with Cherubi evolving into one of the most sun-hungry Pokémon known, raising one didn't seem feasible, or at least not particularly humane. He briefly considered letting Sara loose to finally get some energy burnt off, but assaulting a sleeping, juvenile cherry just for his own 'Mon's kicks seemed more than a bit unwarranted. He looked down, and was glad to see Mark hadn't noticed the drowsing fruit yet. Jake quickly shook his hand at Babbs to indicate he was taking a pass, then began to back away very quickly and very quietly, all the while trying to distract Mark from the hanging boughs.

 

BP #1

Babbs keeps her shuffling steps quiet as she moves along, practically (and perhaps almost comically) tip-toeing in the steel-toed combat boots hidden beneath the long swish of crimson kimono. Upon seeing Jake's response, she hurriedly dips her head as not to tip off his Pokemon--though the creature seemed fairly easy-going from what she'd seen so far. Much to what she assumes is all of their relief, they make it to the other side of the tree without disturbing the sleeping creature.

Suddenly, however, something does it for them.

***​

She wakes at the sound of intruders, little round eyes opening and glimmering like obsidian jewels up above. She's late, like she's always been. The little striped creature had never been very good at waking up on time. Her Momma hadn't been too kind to her about it, telling her that she'd never evolve if she never got enough dew, but there was just so much to explore and fight in the night that she couldn't help it! She'd tried to change, a lot, but somehow she just kept disappointing her Momma. And so when the noise wakes her in the afternoon and she looks down to see intruders, she knows exactly how to prove her Momma wrong, that she would evolve and make it big out there in the world!

The small yellow missile plummets from the willow's drooping branches like a bat out of hell! Well, as much as a bat out of hell as a Sunkern can be. Rounded bottom bounces straight atop Mark's head, catching the unsuspecting Poliwag completely by surprise and stumbling back when the several pounds of plant matter soars away and to the ground in front of him. Usually-happy frown is completely contorted into a wrathful, determined scowl as it faces its opponent. She'd show these intruders who was who!

Babbs whirls at the Poliwag's small, startled cry. Brow furrows at the sight of the Sunkern, eyes trailing up to where it'd bounded from. Usually they didn't drop past morning, and they definitely weren't usually so active! The energetic creature was bounding to and fro with startling speed, its small body charged with the power of the day's sun. A shimmering gold dances about its body, practically exuding energy!

It takes Mark a moment to recover. It's surprised by the Pokemon's speed, and afraid of hurting her too badly, but such an insult cannot be taken sitting down! He releases water from his amphibian pores in the same moment it curls its tail to scoop its broad side against the earth. The liquid flows down bulbous form and down the fanned-out surface, soaking near-instantly into the parched mud beneath it. Mark gives his tail a firm, spastic flick, flinging the Mud Shot straight into the Sunkern's face as it stumbles up from its bounding fall!

The creature gives a strange sound of displeasure as the wet substance smacks against her face. It slows her for only a few moments, though, and then she's quickly bouncing the mud from her very upset features. Body tilts forward and suddenly, a brilliant yellow energy begins to collect beneath twin leaves. Mark's eyes widen suddenly and he rolls to the left. Blinding beam of light surges from between the Sunkern's petals. It blasts narrowly between Mark and his Trainer behind him, nearly singing the strap of Mark's fanny pack with how closely he manages to dodge it. The recoil rocks the Grass type's body back and then around.

"Looks like we've got ourselves a live one!" Babbs steps aside. It was not her job to interfere--merely to make sure the rash Sunkern didn't completely destroy him.

The Sunkern tilts forward again. Small spore-like shapes of light begin to pool beneath leafy top once more, though it's slower this time, having used her energy up a bit too willy-nilly--but Jake didn't have long!​

Encounter Stats:

Sunkern / F / Rash / Chlorophyll / 83% [Speed doubled from sun! Shook off the mud slowing her!]
used psuedo-Bounce, Solar Beam!
Solar Beam missed, but it's charging another!

vs


Mark / Poliwag / M / Mild / Water Absorb / 89%
used Mud Shot!
​

Trainer Stats:

Spoiler

Jake Aldenberg at the Botanic Gardens!
Remaining Encounters: 3
Environment: Rain on the breeze, but the sun refuses to stop bearing down. [HARSH SUNLIGHT!]
Pokemon Encountered: Cherubi, Sunkern
Pokemon Captured: none yet!

Items: Park Ball x3, Energy Powder x1, Lava Cookie x1, Pokedoll x1

MCR: 2,709 characters
Total: 6,354 characters

Pokemon Stats:

Spoiler

Mark / Poliwag / M / Mild / Water Absorb / 83%
EMs: TM Rest


Sara / Duskull / F / Hardy / Levitate
EMs: TM Trick Room

 

Eventually, the group of explorers (or really, one explorer and some tourists) manages to slink away from the snoozing cherry. Mark is still more interested in the water bottle Jake waggled just out of the Pokémon's no-armed reach, and doesn't even realize anything is amiss. Taking a long deep breath once the fruit is out of sight, Jake gives him a few slurps of the drink, watching with vaguely disgusted fascination as the frog's intestines visibly churned (he had no idea that's what the spiral actually was supposed to be), before turning back ahead to focus on the path before them.

Out of the blue, he hears a sound like a passing cruise jet just behind him, followed shortly by a strangled cry of pain from Mark! Whirling around so fast he almost falls over, his stomach drops as he sees his worst fears concerned: a small Grass-type attacking Mark with everything it has! Before he even can give a command or confirm his partner's health, he watches as Mark counters on his own, effortlessly combining dirt with water to launch a heavy ball of mud at his foe. Where did he learn to do that? Can all Poliwag do that? However, Jake was immediately shaken from his reverie when he saw the tell-tale charging effect of the single thing he didn't want to see today. "Mark! Get out of the way! NOW!" Jake shouts, leaping for cover himself just as the beam fires. It passes within mere inches of his skin, and he can feel the raw heat. Unfortunately, he knows too well that this isn't the kind of heat Mark can shrug off effectively. His thoughts snapping back to his trainee, Jake sits up from his prone position to see Mark apparently completely unhurt, having dodged the attack completely despite being the central target. Smiling briefly at this unexpected display of skill, Jake immediately starts considering how to turn this fight around.

Right, well, Mark could start a rainstorm, that'd certainly put a damper on this little monster, or he could use Hypnosis to buy us time to run, or his Amnesia would... The Sunkern begins to charge up another blast, though, and Jake sees he has no other quick options. "Great work, Mark, now get out of there!" he practically screams, his spiral-stickered ball already rolling in his palm. He wastes no time in recalling Mark and sending out Sara instead, trying to release her behind the enemy so she isn't blasted the moment she enters the field. Once she gets her bearings, Jake begins to shout commands one after another. "Right, Sara, time to set up the fight just like always! You remember the order it goes?" Sara's low chuckle and nod indicates that she does indeed remember, and bracing her formidable defenses in case the foe attacked her, she reaches her arm deep into her eye socket and pulls out her lone red eye, crackling and blinking in the sunlight. She then proceeds to throw it up into the air, and its eerie red glow seems to increase more and more, until it becomes like a second sun, hanging some 20 feet over the battlefield like a grim red chandelier.

Jake could already begin to feel its effects, in his case general nausea and lethargy. He realizes a moment too late he probably should have warned Babbs of his plan. Nonetheless, he forces himself to stay standing, as he could already see its effects. Sara, normally sluggish to move and focused more on head-on defense than dodging, starts to move faster and faster as the pale red glow of her evil eye overtook the surroundings, casting twisting shadows through the branches of the willow and making all the plant life look vaguely wilted. Meanwhile, he watches to see whether the effects of Sara's Trick Room would reverse the incredible speed of the Sunkern, ordinarily moving like greased lightning in the summer sun. Great execution, Jake muses, feeling more and more confident despite a roiling wave of dizziness. Buying that TM was an excellent use of her fight money. Sara, for her part, though, isn't done with the set up Jake commanded, and although the odd red glow stays fixed on the participants and the surroundings, the flickering orb hanging over the brawl begins to fall toward the proceedings, as though it were a simple rubber ball pushed off a table. As it picks up speed, however, its malicious intent becomes clear, the fizzling Will-O-Wisp plummeting straight down towards the Sunkern. As it contacts the ground, it explodes like an overfilled water balloon into a wave of deep burgundy flames, flames that wouldn't harm the body but instead leave a scorching wound on the soul, or at least that's what the blurb in the Pokémon League handbook says.

Actually, they're pretty ordinary flames that certainly would burn the body, and intensely dramatic description aside, burning the enemy was exactly what Jake had planned. With the speed difference reversed thanks to Trick Room, and the foe's physical attacks severely hampered, Sara has free reign to get to the part of a battle that she enjoys most. "Great work, Sara! Now it's time to get in there and chew her up at close range!" Sara had already been inching towards the foe impatiently while carrying out her initial techniques, and the moment she receives the go-ahead, she launches towards the hopefully-crippled foe, ominous yet devastatingly effective eye re-sparking behind her mask as she prepares to launch further attacks in a hand-to-leaf engagement.

 

BP #2

In the brief moment that Mark is withdrawn, the determined Sunflora cannot help but pause, the gathering of energy slowing just enough for the switch. For a second, she's thought that she'd won, and that her opponent was retreating! But the same flash of neon crimson that'd carried away her adversary suddenly arcs around her. Body tilts drastically as little eyes follow the lightning-quick path, turning to see that another has been placed in her way! No matter--she'd just have to show 'em like the last one!

But by the time she's turned quickly enough, the wispy creature is but an uncertain form with a deep, empty socket.

The very sight chills her to the bone as soon as she notices it. Chill races down her spine. Small child has never seen a Ghost type, let alone been near enough to one. Time it takes for her to recover from the experience is enough for the glow to brighten up above and her muscles to begin to feel... strange. Sunflora still feels empowered by the sun and yet... it's almost as if her body won't follow her commands with near the speed!

Babbs braces herself against the thick bark of the willow, arm raising to her mouth as she feels the familiar wave of nausea that rises at the Trick Room's effects. Throat constricts as she swallows it down hard. Fingers pinch her nose and continue to battle the sickly sensation as she sneezes. Damn ghost allergies... her mind repeats irritably. You'd think she'd have found a remedy for that by now! She sluggishly draws her gaze up to the sky to see that the rain they've been waiting for is fast approaching...

Shimmering crimson eye up above begins its rapid descent, capturing the disoriented Pokemon's eye. It crashes down in an eruption of scorching flame before she can move in time with the effects of the Trick Room. A small cry erupts from wincing features as it sears her very leaves, charring and crinkling the edges of one of her buds. Frustration rips through her, followed quickly by a sense of helplessness. Tears begin to well in her eyes. Lips quiver. She'd been so powerful! She'd been so close to showing her Momma that she could be something, that she could protect them and be useful--and she'd blew it.

The sight of her oncoming opponent doesn't deter her tantrum--however her, body had still been collecting energy all this time, and it erupts suddenly as she folds partially over in her grief. Channel of sunlight bursts unexpectedly from the seemingly-disarmed Grass type. Sasha dips out of the way just in time to avoid the brunt of it, but it scrapes across her right side as she strafes to her left and streaks forward!

Her assault quickly manifests into a vengeful one! A dark aura consumes her small fist and she rockets it into the Sunkern's body. The Payback hits hard, sending the little creature flying and tumbling. It's enough to at least knock the child out of her tantrum; when she looks up from the roots and short grass around her, little beady eyes are both hurt and fierce! She channels her energy but this time, instead of expending it, she tries to sap it from her opponent in a Giga Drain!

Bright green specks of light suck the energy from the oncoming Ghost type and to the Grass one, causing Sarah to pause for a moment, if only to give Jake the brief second he would need to consider his options! It seems the small plant is already getting tired--the Giga Drain is almost easily shaken off in comparison to the scorch of the Solar Beam! ​

Encounter Stats:

Sunkern / F / Rash / Chlorophyll / 46% [Trick Room! BRN]
used Solar Beam, Giga Drain!

vs


Sara / Duskull / F / Hardy / Levitate / 83%
used Trick Room, Will-o-Wisp, and Payback!
​

Trainer Stats:

Spoiler

Jake Aldenberg at the Botanic Gardens!
Remaining Encounters: 3
Environment: Rain on the breeze, but the sun refuses to stop bearing down. [Harsh sunlight but it's about to rain! Trick Room is in effect!]
Pokemon Encountered: Cherubi, Sunkern
Pokemon Captured: none yet!

Items: Park Ball x3, Energy Powder x1, Lava Cookie x1, Pokedoll x1

MCR: 8,078 characters
Total: 11,723 characters

Pokemon Stats:

Spoiler

Mark / Poliwag / M / Mild / Water Absorb / 89%
EMs: TM Rest


Sara / Duskull / F / Hardy / Levitate / 92%
EMs: TM Trick Room

 

Even though the Trick Room's ill effects had gotten to the point that he had to sit on the ground for balance, Jake hadn't felt this good all day. He had spent the whole morning worried about how risky and threatening the Park would be, but now Sara was blowing all his expectations clean out of the water. Not only did she execute the starting combination perfectly, but now she was closing in to hit hard. Jake instead turns his attention to their opponent, trying to gauge the strength of the foe. It seemed that the Will-O-Wisp, combined with Mark's reflexive assault, already put a massive dent in the foe's stamina. Jake considers taking one of his Park balls out from his back pocket, but decides against it since Sunkern is just as needy as Cherubi when it comes to sunlight. Come to think of it, are there any grass types that don't require constant sun? Oddish, I suppose. Those things can grow anywhere, Jake muses, thinking back to an infestation that kept his town park shut down for a solid week. Or maybe one of those Alola-natives, don't they grow in a shady jungle?

As for his current opponent, it seems scarcely able to keep up with Sara, especially with the Trick Room granting her improved speed in addition to sapping the seedling. Watching her dipping and diving all over the place, Jake remembers the charging Solar Beam just a split second late. "Sara, out of the way!" he calls, but Sara instead dives straight at the enemy, taking a grazing blow across the arm as punishment for her recklessness. She instead turns that wound into an advantage, helping her charge her Payback. Jake groans, as he really should have known better than to give her free reign. Left to her own devices, she'd happily take a stab from a Rhyhorn if it meant she'd have a chance to retaliate. As for the enemy, her movements seem to get slower and slower, and despite landing a health-sucking attack, it's clear that Sara is by far the better for wear in this situation. Jake could swear he could see a tear gleaming in the plant's black (well, blacker now) eye.

Sara, for her part, responds to the Giga Drain by sinking into the ground, bone-pattern cloth fluttering down through the grass until completely gone from sight. It doesn't take long for her to reveal herself, however; rising up from just behind the grass-type. She cackles deeply as her arms wrap around the enemy in a loathsome embrace, and Jake slowly rises, talking nervously as he realizes just what her intention is. "Sara, this is a friendly battle. You don't need to use Hex." Unfortunately his comment does little to slow Sara down, as by this point she's already begun the attack, focusing all of her and her opponent's senses on the existing burn wound and intensifying the pain tenfold in an effort to exploit the Sunkern's weakness. Jake is already standing up and calls out to his Pokémon, "Sara, that's enough. You won." Once the move is complete, Sara lets go of the foe and cautiously eyes her opponent, arms folding behind her back as she edges back over to her coach, trying to ensure the foe doesn't try anything funny.

 

BP #3

Ghostly form sinks into the swaying grass until even the rippling whisper of spectral fabric fades from existence. The exhausted Sunkern looks frantically from side to side, trying to locate her opponent. Everything feels like it's crashing down around her, everything she'd ever wanted to prove spiraling down the drain! Tears well in deep earthen eyes as for a moment, she's too frustrated to even move, to even think, on the verge of tantrum.

Then, she feels a tingling at the base of her bulb and she remembers that she's not alone. Beneath her are millions and millions of entities connected to her by her type. She presses her conscience into the grass around her and she can feel the ghostly presence move through the roots toward her. Small, rounded bottom wiggles against the tender grass and down slightly into the soil. She focuses all of her energy from the sun into slowly sinking roots into the earth.

It's not fast enough to trap Sara underground, but it almost is. The Duskull emerges halfway from the ground before the Ingrain's roots clench around her, beginning to squeeze her form. In retaliation, the Ghost type wraps her arms around her opponent and begins to force their focus to their scorched hide. The Sunkern releases a cry of pain, but grits its mouth and only squeezes harder, and harder, and harder, giving it everything she's got. She would not go down so easily! She would not go down without a fight!

The rapid damage begins to take its toll on Sara. Crimson light in her eyes begins to flicker with the sheer force of the Sunkern's makeshift constrict as she draws upon the earth's energy to aid her. Then, suddenly, wide eyes of the Grass-type fall suddenly shut and the child's roots go limp. In the end, she succumbs to the burn as she faints. Sara reels backward with ghostly wheezes as she's able to feel her body again, drifting backwards and away from her quarry.

If there was one thing that Babbs had learned from the Park, it was that things never went as one expected it to. With gnarled cane in hand, she shuffles over to the fallen Sunkern and gently rests her fingers on an unscorched part of its body, ensuring that it wasn't in too critical of condition. She'll be sore, and a bit worse for wear,

The elderly woman turns her gaze upward to Sara and to Jake, offering them a smile. "The little thing'll be alright," she reassures. "You fought well." Eyes roam upward to the willows swaying around them. Their previous quarry had long ago scurried away, taking the rest of the wildlife with it as they'd all moved away from the fray. They'd need to keep moving to find more. Even as she thinks it, the dark clouds finally devour the sun. She drops her pack to the ground and rummages through its seemingly-infinite depths. From it, she pulls out a bright yellow rain parka for herself and a dark blue one for her quarry.

"Here," she says as she offers it to him. "You'll need this." With surprising spryness, she slips her own on, and looks across the path through the willows. It'd take them directly into the rain--unless Jake wanted to alter their course. ​

Encounter Stats:
encounter ended!
​

Trainer Stats:

Spoiler

Jake Aldenberg at the Botanic Gardens!
Remaining Encounters: 3
Environment: The edge of the rain has finally reached them.
Pokemon Encountered: Cherubi, Sunkern
Pokemon Captured: none yet!

Items: Park Ball x3, Energy Powder x1, Lava Cookie x1, Pokedoll x1

MCR: 0 characters
Total: 14,830 characters

Pokemon Stats:

Spoiler

Mark / Poliwag / M / Mild / Water Absorb / 89%
EMs: TM Rest


Sara / Duskull / F / Hardy / Levitate / 62%
EMs: TM Trick Room

 

Jake watched the final throes of the battle play out, grumbling about giving Sara too much leeway. I was hoping she'd just land one or two more hits before I could have her scare it off with Astonish or some such. As it is, she took another big hit she didn't need to, and that Sunkern isn't looking too hot either. He slowly looks over to his guide as she checks on their fallen opponent, but to his relief, Babbs confirms that the Sunkern won't be in any lasting harm. His fears allayed, for now, Jake finally smiles and bends down on a knee to congratulate Sara, brushing off her now-rather-wrinkled cloak while commenting at length on how well she handled the set-up combination. True, he'd need to remember to keep a tighter leash next time, but he wasn't about to let that spoil the moment of Sara's first fair-and-square win.

Reaching into a side pocket, he pulls out the spoils of war: a small tin of Chicken-Soul Soup, found as part of a sale on ghost-type accessories he stumbled across. The trainer is about to reach for the can opener when he feels a few small droplets, and receives a few more when he looks up to confirm. Blinking water out of his eyes, he looks back at his companion. "Sorry, Sara, but the snack is gonna have to wait. Plus, who wants to eat soup in the rain?" Giving the victor one last rub on the mask for luck, Jake grabs the small skull-patterned ball from his pack and returns the spirit to rest. Instead, now that the extreme sun is gone, he brings his water-lover back out, and, after a second or two to adjust, Mark starts to squeak with sheer joy, jumping in quickly forming puddles and rolling around in the damp grasses. Formerly dried out by the heat of the day, the tadpole's absorbent skin was already becoming fresh and supple, and Jake nodded as he saw the hints of a protective layer of mucus reforming in the damp air.

About to grab his umbrella, Jake halts when he sees the Ranger offering him a navy rain jacket. "Heh, it's funny, isn't it?" he starts off hesitantly. "First we stick to the trees to stay out of the sun, now to stay out of the rain. Ironic." Jake wasn't sure if that was actually what irony meant, but if talking about the weather was what it would take to make small conversation, he was willing to give it a go. He ventures another look down at his toady, slightly muddy but highly satisfied. "So, now that Mark's enjoying himself, shall we continue on? Lead the way."

 

NBP #4

Her charge pulls out a tin of Chicken-Soul Soup to reward his ghost type companion. Babbs gives a little shudder, feeling her allergies flare up at even the sight of the spooky snack--but then he feels the raindrops and decides to postpone their meal, withdrawing Sara to her small, bone-printed haven. Instead, they release their small tadpole friend out into the rainy world.

The world seems to sigh as the water begins to bless the earth. For so long, it'd held its breath with the scent of the rain clutched tight to its parched throat, and now the sky rewards its patience. Temperature seems to drop within moments. Babbs practically feels the heat cleanse itself from her skin. Ah, to feel young again!

Mark's excited jumping causes Babbs' features curl into a good-natured smile. She can visibly see the creature's health improve as the rain moisturizes its sensitive skin. The kid's good-natured joke only improves her mood as she shuffles along.

"Mother Nature's got a weird way of blessin' us," she murmurs, rubbing her hands slowly together, ruminating over the pain in her joints and the ache of her bones, over the Pokemon she's lost and the friends who have passed. The world worked in strange ways, in strange rhythms of love and pain. This was just a small note of what it had to offer. His question jars her from her minute moment of distance. She looks up, eyes brightening as she returns to here and now with him.

"Sure, hun," she croaks and casts a glance over her shoulder to grace him with another little beam. The drooping willows seem to curl in toward them, as if guarding them from the rain, which seems to pour harder and harder in each passing moment. The grass quivers as it's pushed down into the earth, scaring various creatures from their shelter. She spies the striped form of a Zigzagoon scurrying away and into the distant forest, as well as the fleeting shadows of others fleeing.

One, however, toddles frantically toward them.

Leafy body slams into Mark. The two round little bodies bounce off of each other, their little collision sending Mark and the opposing creature to their rears, both momentarily dazed. Babbs looks over just as they fall, spying the Poliwag and the wet Budew try to gather their bearings. The Budew is a big one, with upper bulb just beginning to blossom to show a small, teasing slice of red and blue within. Its small face is scrunched into a disoriented frown.​

Encounter Stats:

Budew / ? / ?? / ??? / 95% [CON]
ran into Mark!


Mark / Poliwag / M / Mild / Water Absorb / 89%
was run into!
​

Trainer Stats:

Spoiler

Jake Aldenberg at the Botanical Gardens!
Remaining Encounters: 2
Environment: The downpour has begun! It has cooled considerably.
Pokemon Encountered: Cherubi, Sunkern, Budew
Pokemon Captured: none yet!

Items: Park Ball x3, Energy Powder x1, Lava Cookie x1, Pokedoll x1

MCR: 2,442 characters
Total: 17,272 characters

Pokemon Stats:

Spoiler

Mark / Poliwag / M / Mild / Water Absorb / 89%
EMs: TM Rest


Sara / Duskull / F / Hardy / Levitate / 62%
EMs: TM Trick Room

 

All told, Jake felt like things were going pretty alright, despite the downpour all around the travelers. He had finally notched a win for his team, Mark was in high spirits, and he was still loaded to the gills with supplies, now that he had a poncho in addition to his umbrella. Now they just needed to keep their eyes peeled for a more suitable inhabitant of the park to take home with them. Jake took a moment as he was walking to pull out a notepad from his pack to list off their encounters so far, and more importantly that he should keep Sara under closer watch next time. By the time he looked up, Mark had ambled a short ways ahead of the group, and was trying to get his attention.

He probably should have been more focused on where he was going! A small Pokémon knocks into the pollywog with enough force to knock him flat on his back. His short legs struggle for purchase before he rights himself by pushing off the ground with his tail, by which point Jake has already closed the gap. It looks like my wish came true after all, he muses as he cases the situation. True, Budew was still a grass type, and would need some sun every day, but assuming he could handle its temperature requirements (and he was fairly sure he could, or at least more easily than a need for sunlight) it'd be pretty easy to raise. In the meantime, it seems the opposition is just as dazed as Mark was from the collision. He'd have to act fast..."Mark! Take the initiative and use Amnesia before it gets it together!" Mark acquiesced promptly, breathing deeply as he cleared his mind to focus. The rain and wind became little more than white noise as the tadpole tuned out everything but the foe before him and the sound of his coach's voice. Meanwhile, Jake hurriedly whipped out the notepad from before, scribbling down every move he remembered Budew learning. Stun Spore should be pretty hard to spread in this rain, Amnesia ought to soften its Mega Drains... Mark may be able to win this on his own! Somewhat shocked by that realization, Jake shook his head and quickly returned to the task at hand.

We could lead with a Body Slam, Jake muses as he watches Mark try his best to avoid incoming attacks. Well... maybe not. Mark was well over twice the size of the sprout, and he certainly wasn't the type to go in guns blazing, especially not on a less-than-aggressive target. Budew takes special attacks well, right? OK, that's it! "Mark, try for a Bubble Beam!" Mark responds by pulling his huge lips out into a wide "O" shape, the layer of rain-based mucus on his body forming into a film across his mouth. Taking aim at his foe, he launches a thin stream of bubbles at high speed, pelting the bud before they pop violently, scattering a bit of mucus from the impact. "OK, nice! Now try to get in close, it's no stronger there than it is from a distance!" Turning away from the battle momentarily, he throws out a quick question in a low voice so Mark won't get distracted. "Hey, is there any way to tell what ability a Budew has? I don't want to get Mark poisoned because I didn't notice it was the barbed variant."

 

BP #4

Babbs has to hand it to the kid--he at least performs well under pressure. Despite his surprise, her charge doesn't miss a beat, thinking quickly to shout out a defensive command while the smaller Budew takes a tad longer to recover. The tadpole Pokemon focuses on only the rain soothing amphibious skin and the drone of the downpour, letting everything else but it and his opponent trickle out of focus.

His opponent is not that slow, however--while the Grass type's adversary was in the end stages of trying to forget the world around him, the Budew was looking to draw the attention of everything around it! The Trainer's shouts jar him from his confusion. He bolsters the foliage that coats his body, flaring it out to make himself look far more impressive than he actually was. The Growth consumes some of the stored energy he'd stored from the brightness of the sun earlier that day, empowering him!

Order of his Trainer pierces through the fog that has begun to occupy his mind. Brow sets with determined furrow as he pushes his focus into drawing bubbles out into the air. The BubbleBeam pours from his lips in a mighty stream, blasting straight for the Budew. Prepared, the foe counters by launching a flurry of round, barbed seeds from its bud and straight into the bubbles. The Worry Seeds pop the mucus-laden projectiles, foiling the attack--one could never assume that something would hit! They latch onto the Poliwag, drastically slowing the rate in which his body can absorb water and generate its protective mucus. Tiny hooks of the seeds dig painfully into his skin.

Premature order from his Trainer causes Mark to scurry forward. However, in his Amnesia, he forgets to take caution with the nature of the ground beneath him--heavy downpour has slicked the grass and dirt with slippery mud. The tadpole slips on both the moisture and his mucus, sliding toward the Budew, who gives a flourishing spin! More foliage falls away to answer Jake's question as soon as it's posed, revealing intrinsically-poisoned spikes scattered across the thick, stalk-like skin of its form.

One tiny foot inclines upward as the creature balances upon his other stubby limb. With a chubby grace that makes Babbs a bit envious, it begins to pirouette toward the sliding Mark, peeled-back leaves flapping in the breeze like a glorious tutu, seeking to attack with its poisonous spikes!​

Encounter Stats:

Budew / M / Sassy / Poison Point! / 95% [ATK,SPATK +2]
used Growth, Worry Seed, Fabulous!


Mark / Poliwag / M / Mild / Water Absorb Insomnia! / 78% [SPDEF +2]
used Amnesia, Bubble Beam--failed!​

Trainer Stats:

Spoiler

Jake Aldenberg at the Botanical Gardens!
Remaining Encounters: 2
Environment: The downpour is in full swing! The ground is getting slick!
Pokemon Encountered: Cherubi, Sunkern, Budew
Pokemon Captured: none yet!

Items: Park Ball x3, Energy Powder x1, Lava Cookie x1, Pokedoll x1

MCR: 5,554 characters
Total: 20,384 characters

Pokemon Stats:

Spoiler

Mark / Poliwag / M / Mild / Water Absorb / 78%
EMs: TM Rest


Sara / Duskull / F / Hardy / Levitate / 62%
EMs: TM Trick Room

 

For a few seconds, all Jake could do was watch with his mouth open, his umbrella nearly falling to his side. I got cocky, he repeated to himself. I got cocky and now Mark is getting shredded out there because of it. How does something so small move like that? In his haste, he had forgotten the array of options available to the opponent, and their assault was countered effortlessly as a result. It was as though the sprout was mocking him for expecting it to roll over as easily as the Sunkern did, and now thanks to another tactical error his battler would more than likely take a beating of venomous barbs. Mark, for his part, was still skidding across the mud, face-down in the muck. This agile of a Pokémon, and I'm using Mark? Mark, who just a week ago still needed to practice "walking and running" as part of the daily routine. Hm... actually, that gives me an idea. Best take it slow to begin with, though. Don't need another exchange of attacks like that.

The trainer's first call rings across the increasingly marshy garden. "Mark, put on some brakes and use Mud Bomb!" Mark obliges the order, first by digging his tail into the soggy ground and curling it sharply, spinning to a stop. Perfect. If he can do that much, the big plan should work excellently. The tadpole had taken on a significant faceful of dirt during his slide, but was now able to turn this to his advantage. He blows one last bubble, this one significantly larger than the others, and deposits his mouthful of mud into the bubble as he does so, lobbing it in a heavy arc towards his foe. This may not be too hard to dodge, Jake muses, but it'll buy us some space forcing him to avoid the blast, plus it'll give him a surprise if he tries to pop this one like the others. Mark, for his part, was knocked by the recoil of his earthen ballistics into a reclining position on his side. It would look rather impressive if he didn't immediately begin flailing in an attempt to right himself.

"Well, I suppose we won't be winning in terms of style," Jake chuckles before stopping short. Mark isn't trying to stand up, not that he could-- he's writhing on the sodden ground in a vain attempt to dig out the thorny seeds stuck in his skin. His focus from earlier is all but shattered, and if Jake let this continue his charge might injure himself, to say nothing of being wide open for the enemy. The young man's voice cuts through the white noise of the rain all around. "It's okay, Mark. I'm here. It's going to be alright as long as you take a deep breath." The little frog slows, but doesn't respond, instead expelling several ounces of water from every pore in an attempt to loosen the sticky burrs and trying to struggle to his feet. "That's good, Mark, that's a good Water Sport. You're gonna be alright," his trainer says slowly but loudly, finally ready to put his idea into action. Mark seems to calm down, stopping his flailings, and Jake seizes the chance. "Just think of it like this," he calls, pulling his shoes up to unstick them from the quickly forming mud, "This is just like you're skimming on the pond back home. You love skimming, right? You're the best there is at it."

Mark hesitates at first, and Jake is about to call out again. After all, that Budew isn't waiting around for a heartwarming second wind. Finally, he lies down with his smooth belly on the soaked ground, swishing his tail experimentally. Evidently pleased with his findings, he lowers his head, digs in his tail to push off, and springs into action in a navy flash, using his surprisingly dexterous tail like a rudder as he skims across the puddles and slick undergrowth like a spiral-patterned jet ski. Jake grins, though only for a second. That puts the mobility advantage firmly in our court, but we're one Stun Spore away from losing it again. What's more, this doesn't really fix the challenge of landing significant hits on the enemy, since using physical attacks is risky... "Incredible work, Mark, just strafe 'em for now! The big thing is not to get hit!" Burbling gleefully at his newfound freedom of movement, Mark tucks in to circle his enemy from a distance, Water Gun already priming.

 

BP #5

Wide rudder of a tail scoops down into the mud, the sudden drag on the back of his body flipping him face-first into the mud. Clear membrane flexes quickly over sensitive amphibian's eyes, defending it from the muck even as his eyes clench briefly shut. A mouthful of mud quickly fills small mouth. As his momentum trickles away, he props himself up enough to balloon all of that moisture and fertile earth into an impressively, disgustingly mucus-y Mud Bomb.

Head swings as he lobs it toward his pirouetting opponent. The Budew all but smirks at the easily-defeated attack, thinking it as easy as the last. Worry Seeds spray out just as it's about to collide--but when they pop, they explode the silt and slime right into its face. Strings of dirty mucus drape themselves across poisonous form. The dancing Budew stops in his tracks, features contorting in a look that is nothing short of complete and utter revulsion. It begins to shake itself with a twisted cry of fury, buying Mark and his Trainer enough time for the pep talk that the Pokemon badly needed!

Trainer's voice soothes the Poliwag, taking his focus away from the spiny seeds that dig into his sensitive flesh. Its little eyes clench shut again as it tries to gather its bearings. Deep breath cycles through its lungs and on the exhale, it begins to excrete the water it'd absorbed from the rain back out of its pores. It loosens the seeds and gives him a breather, a moment of calm to listen.

But then he's submerged slowly into the imagery of home. Clenched orbs slowly ease their tension until he can nearly visualize it, until he can practically see his quaint little pond. It soothes him like the rain soothes his pores, cools his flesh and his panic. One paddle, then two, then another and...! He's off!

Between the rain and its shaking, the Budew has finally freed itself by the time Mark has begun swimming. He takes one look at his suddenly-agile opponent and gives a frustrated huff--he will not allow himself to be outshone! Suddenly, he closes his own eyes and begins to spin; he moves slowly at first, but then a soft glow begins to trickle down his form as he gradually picks up speed. Leaves quiver on nearby branches, drooping willows quivering as their petals and boughs begin to pluck away.

Babbs looks on, squinting, and that's when she realizes that the Budew isn't just dancing--it's conducting. "You'd better stop that thing, quick!" she offers tersely, voice rising over the drum of the rain. The pieces of foliage begin to follow the edges of peeled-back petals, the same glow on its body beginning to overtake the projectiles it controls as more and more begin to swirl around it...!

Mark's Water Gun launches from a distance, streaming through the rain--and though it hits the Budew, it isn't enough to break its focus compared to the torrential rain pouring around it!​

Encounter Stats:

Budew / M / Sassy / Poison Point! / 69% [ATK,SPATK +2]
used Worry Seed, failed! Charging Leaf Storm...!


Mark / Poliwag / M / Mild / Water Absorb / 78% [SPDEF +2]
used Mud Bomb, Water Sport, Water Gun--sorta worked!​

Trainer Stats:

Spoiler

Jake Aldenberg at the Botanical Gardens!
Remaining Encounters: 2
Environment: The downpour is in full swing! The ground is getting slick!
Pokemon Encountered: Cherubi, Sunkern, Budew
Pokemon Captured: none yet!

Items: Park Ball x3, Energy Powder x1, Lava Cookie x1, Pokedoll x1

MCR: 9,707 characters
Total: 24,550 characters

Pokemon Stats:

Spoiler

Mark / Poliwag / M / Mild / Water Absorb / 78%
EMs: TM Rest


Sara / Duskull / F / Hardy / Levitate / 62%
EMs: TM Trick Room

 

Jake grins, watching as their adversary falls for the Mud Bomb ploy hook, line and sinker. His spirits are only lifted further seeing Mark skid around the field, the itch of the seeds all but forgotten in the simple joy of motion. When he glances back to the enemy and sees the foliage spiraling all around it, however, the smile slides off his face faster than any Poliwag could hope to move. Now how'd this thing learn Magical Leaf, he ponders, but as the leaves continue to build up confusion gives way to terror. Mark needs to run! I need to stop it! I need to... hang on is what I need to do. Making a hasty call is how I ended up getting in this mess. He takes a look at Mark, flawlessly carrying out techniques meant for waterborne combat, before looking to the enemy, building up a swirling coat of leaves, already likely too thick to penetrate with a Water Gun, and finally to the trees the bud was drawing the leaves from. His guide shouts at him to stop the attack, but he yells back over the pound of the rain. "I have another idea! I'm going to have him dodge it!"

Jake quickly reviews his information. From what he knows about Leaf Storm, it's a move to finish a battle with a bang; extensively powerful, but leaves the user tuckered out, and that's assuming a seasoned veteran is carrying it out. If something like a Budew tries it, it'd be completely pooped... assuming its foe survived. Furthermore, as the trick with the Mud Bomb noted, the Budew before them has style and grace, but might be too cocky to pick up on a ruse ahead of time. Better yet, the enemy seems to be proud to a fault and Mark showing off would almost certainly throw him off his game. To combine all of these, if Mark were able to dodge the Leaf Storm unscathed... "OK, Mark, special move! Use the Bubble Coat and widen your loop!" Mark begins to spit out more Bubbles, but instead of launching them as projectiles, they stick to his slimy skin as he skids across the slick sod, forming a layer of foam that continues to thicken until only a hint of navy can be seen under the bubbles, a thin trail left behind him. As he does so, he circles further and further outwards from the swirling foliage until he's practically reached the trees.

The Bubble Coat finally reaches its full size, leaving a misshapen lump of foam sliding around near the edge of the clearing. Jake is just glad to see the technique working well on land-- he'd originally came up with the trick to confuse the wild Woopers that infested the pond he swam at. Of course, although the Coat was likely resilient enough to stave off a Tackle, an attack of this magnitude would chew right through it. Luckily, neither Jake nor Mark was done. "Nice, now fake 'em out with the decoy!" Mark quickly brakes to a complete halt behind a tree, and not a moment too soon. However, with a final quick burst of bubbles to push it along, the Coat keeps going, skidding to a halt out in the open. Jake took a brief moment to survey the effect of the trickery. Though it wasn't a perfectly executed ruse- he could still see the edges of Mark's body behind the tree, and the lump of bubbles is quickly flattening out- he prays that, with reduced visibility from rain, it was clever enough to fool the Budew into opening fire on the decoy and exhausting itself.

 

BP #6

Energy builds within the Budew's form. The building power fueled by the residual strength of the sun surges through its body, threatening to explode with catastrophic results. The tiny creature is like a young snake who cannot control its venom; when given the opportunity, it will release everything it has! Power gifted to him by the sun begins to prove too much and even at his young age, he can recognize the feeling of losing control and the fear that comes with it. Desperately, he begins aiming for a target.

Babbs watches a bit impatiently as the Poliwag begins to streak about in slowly-widening circles. Every passing moment feels like watching a burning fuse creep closer to its bomb, but she knows that the Budew is weak enough that she would be able to intervene if things went awry. A hopeful part of her wants to trust the Trainer, who has shown to be adept so far, but experience tells her to never let her guard down. She keeps weathered hands hovering over a ball within the flap of her kimono. Alert blue eyes watch with hawk-like intensity.

The Poliwag sheds its decoy at the perfect moment; the panicking Budew had began honing in the moment he'd went behind the tree. Between the lowered visibility and the urgency to release, the moment he sees the blurry figure of bubbles zip from behind the cover, he launches his attack.

Glowing leaves that spin around the leafy Pokemon's body suddenly swirl from it, whipping about in a vortext that flings mud in all directions--including toward Babbs and Jake!The Budew lets out a squeal as it unleashes its power, driving all of its strength behind this final attack! Leaf Storm rips easily through the pouring rain and the bubbled decoy--but the edge of the large swirling vortex also rips behind the tree where Mark has taken shelter!

With a startled sound, Mark dives into the cover of the roots. Several leaves clip his back, leaving shallow cuts that criss-cross against his tender flesh, but his mucus offers him some protection. Their stickiness slows down the leaves before they can go too deep or too far, minimizing the harm it does to him. The vortex passes, slowly petering out--but not before it's ripped up a hefty amount of flora and other plant life, leaving them strewn about.

A mud-soaked Babbs looks on, impressed with the sheer power of the Budew's attack. But the aftermath isn't great; in its fervor, the Budew had torn its own leaves from its petaled form, exposing the tender bud atop its head, as well as some of the softer leaves beneath its outer coat. The damage has been done; it stands, quivering, all of its grace and pomp lost, unable to even summon the energy for a pirouette. He sits, defeated and humiliated without most of his leaves, the hard rain harshly stinging his exposed bud. Tiny sobs barely reach above the roar of the downpour. ​

Encounter Stats:

Budew / M / Sassy / Poison Point! / 40% [ATK +2, DEF -2, SP DEF -2]
used Leaf Storm!!


Mark / Poliwag / M / Mild / Water Absorb / 68% [SPDEF +2]
used Bubble Coat!​

Trainer Stats:

Spoiler

Jake Aldenberg at the Botanical Gardens!
Remaining Encounters: 2
Environment: The downpour is in full swing! The ground is soaked, with plants beaten down into the mud.
Pokemon Encountered: Cherubi, Sunkern, Budew
Pokemon Captured: none yet!

Items: Park Ball x3, Energy Powder x1, Lava Cookie x1, Pokedoll x1

MCR: 13,011 characters
Total: 27,854 characters

Pokemon Stats:

Spoiler

Mark / Poliwag / M / Mild / Water Absorb / 68%
EMs: TM Rest


Sara / Duskull / F / Hardy / Levitate / 62%
EMs: TM Trick Room

 

It takes a few seconds for Jake's breathing to recover. Once he manages to regain control, he croaks out a few words at a time. "Babbs? Babbs, are you alright? I'm fine, where are you?" A few seconds later, the figurative aftermath of the blast hits him. "Oh, god, Mark! Mark, are you okay? I'm right here, Mark!" He calls out, slipping over the sodden ground as he dashes to the tree he last saw his partner behind, nearly collapsing when he found the tadpole, a little cut up but nothing serious, nothing a little time and TLC couldn't fix. "Mark. Mark, you did it. You're a champ, Mark. You did so good, Mark." Kneeling down to hold his companion, the trainer practically falls over laughing and crying, paying no heed to the mud seeping into his clothes. "I'm so, so proud of you, buddy."

The pair stayed like that for a few moments before Jake realized he'd forgotten something, turning around to the wilted flower. It seemed inconsolable, its formerly-splendid plumage shredded to bits in its own rage. That's not its clothes, Jake thought quietly. That's its skin. How could it bear to do that to itself? "Mark, we should..." By the time he looks back down, though, the pollywog had risen back to its unsteady feet, waddling his way out to the center of the clearing. When he noticed his trainer's eyes on his back, Mark turned around and peeped quietly, nodding in the direction of their devastated foe. Half-understanding, Jake suddenly considered how cold it was in the rain, how rough it would be having to sit out here all night. You always were a bleeding heart, Mark.

As the two reached their opponent, they both tucked into a bow, poorly but earnestly mimicking the seedling's sweeping motions. "It was a good fight," Jake nearly had to shout to be heard over the rain. "We wanted to thank you for the duel..." he trailed off, pulling a Park Ball out from under his jacket... "And offer you the chance for a rematch. What do you say?"