Easter Capture Contest: Chainy

"Sweet, an assignment" I exclaimed with intense excitement.

I had just recently been ordered to do a special Event-class mission for the Park. Since it was my second mission entirely, it was a pretty big deal, at least for me. To top all this off, I was to escort a pro Trainer through the Enigma Ruins. Since off-duty I have gone into the Park before, I think it would be a great way to improve upon my battling strategies. I could also hope to gather more Ranger experience by going into arguably the most difficult area of the entire Park. I ran to the teleporter, bringing an assortment of my Normal-type Pokemon with me, as I couldn't really gauge what the ruins would look like. I stepped on the pad, and then heard the strangest sound ever. It was like some strange combination between a 'hssss' and a 'bzzzzzt' coming from the teleporter base. It was then I noticed a sign posted on the console (that I had neglected to read) that read, "OUT OF ORDER".

Oh dear...

I warped to the Enigma Ruins, but I did not land on the ground. I kind of hung up in the air a second, giving me a moment to gather my bearings and scream, then I hit the ground. Then everything went dark. I eventually woke up to the the visage of the Veilstone City Gym Leader Jakk Carter hovering over my body. I saw him on a Sinnoh League poster once. Me being a Normal type trainer, I considered it suicide to try to attempt his gym, so I went elsewhere.

"Oh, hello there!"

​

--STAT TIME--
Name: Jakk Carter
Location: Enigma Ruins
Encounters Remaining : 5
Items: 3 Park Balls, 2 Super Balls, 1 Hyper Ball, 2 Lava Cookies, 2 Energy Powders, 1 PokeDoll

Tank the Scrafty (Male)
Rash Nature
Intimidate Ability
HM/TM: HM04-Strength, HM08-Rock Smash, TM06-Toxic, TM44-Rest, TM48-Rock Slide, TM50-Substitute, TM55-Roar, TM64-Protect, TM89-Dragon Claw, TM93-Bulk Up, TM95-Taunt, TM101-Rock Tomb, TM103-Torment, TM126-Stone Edge, TM135-Grass Knot, TM147-Low Sweep
BM/SM/MT: Dragon Dance, Drain Punch, Fake Out, Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Thunderpunch, Zen Headbutt, Detect, Counter, Amnesia

 

@Crossover;

I had been assured that there would be a Ranger waiting for me at the entrance to the Enigma Ruins. Neither I nor either of my brothers had been here yet, which was one of the reasons I had elected to come here today: my brother James had asked me to recon the place and give him my opinion of it as a Trainer. I knew that he was still in mourning over the loss of the Outer Heavens, but he could no longer pretend that the Enigma Ruins weren't a part of the Park. Another reason I was here was that I heard all kinds of Pokemon were found here, and I didn't really have anything in particular I wanted to catch. I already had most of the Fighting types to use in my Gym.

My Scrafty waddled alongside me, using the strange gait that helped keep its pants up. I was often curious as to whether the pants were actually attached to the Pokemon in some way or whether they were more akin to Alakazam's spoons, but I never had the courage to ask. It was not advisable to piss off a Fighting-type Pokemon, especially a Rash one.

As it turned out, my Ranger was waiting for me. He just wasn't conscious. He was laying on the ground, fully out of it. I crouched low over him, considering different ways to check if he was okay. I was just about shake him when his eyes flew open.

"Oh, hello there," he said to me as if we were meeting under completely normal circumstances.

"Uh, hi," I replied, taken aback slightly. I stood up and offered a hand to help the Ranger up. "My name is Jakk, I'm here for the Capture Contest. This is my Scrafty, Tank."

Tank looked at the Ranger and snorted. Sometimes I wished that he would be a little bit more polite, but his nature was almost uniquely suited for battles. He never got depressed and always fought his hardest, even against Pokemon that he should retreat from. This was the main reason I had chosen to bring him along today. I was hoping that he could handle pretty much whatever the Enigma Ruins chose to throw at us.

 

I stood up, regained my composure, and noted that if he asked why I was unconscious, I'll blame global warming.

"Well, I'm Ranger Justin Cross, and I find it an honor to be escorting a Gym Leader through the Ruins." I grabbed a Pokeball with a 'D' sticker printed on it and tossed it into the air, and my Ditto Dave emerged. "And this little guy is my good pal Dave."

At that snide remark, Ditto promptly used Transform, and became the visage of a large Machamp.

"No, no, Dave, I didn't mean it like that. No, no, not the arms! NO-" Dave began spinning me like a ragdoll, and after a lttle bit, decided to let me down, dazed.

"Well, Mr. Jakk, I assure you that we will safely through it make -- me trust!" I said in my dazed confusion. "Come on!"

I ran into the ruins, somehow dragging Jakk behind. We entered into a misty, dark room, and it was bone-chillingly cold. In the darkness, I spotted a small, crow like silhouette on the floor. It must be Murkrow, the Darkness Pokemon.

"Jakk, you want to catch this Murkrow?" ​

--STAT TIME--
Name: Jakk Carter
Location: Enigma Ruins
Encounters Remaining : 4 | Pokemon Seen: Murkrow | Pokemon Captured : N/A
Items: 3 Park Balls, 2 Super Balls, 1 Hyper Ball, 2 Lava Cookies, 2 Energy Powders, 1 PokeDoll

Tank the Scrafty (Male)
Rash Nature
Intimidate Ability
HM/TM: HM04-Strength, HM08-Rock Smash, TM06-Toxic, TM44-Rest, TM48-Rock Slide, TM50-Substitute, TM55-Roar, TM64-Protect, TM89-Dragon Claw, TM93-Bulk Up, TM95-Taunt, TM101-Rock Tomb, TM103-Torment, TM126-Stone Edge, TM135-Grass Knot, TM147-Low Sweep
BM/SM/MT: Dragon Dance, Drain Punch, Fake Out, Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Thunderpunch, Zen Headbutt, Detect, Counter, Amnesia

 

@Crossover;

"I'm Ranger Justin Cross, and I find it an honor to be escorting a Gym Leader through the Ruins. And this little guy is my good pal Dave," he added as he threw a PokeBall into the air. A white flash revealed a Ditto, which landed and on the ground and shot the Ranger a dirty look. The Ditto's pink amorphous form began to twist and shake as Dave turned into a Machamp. The Pokemon looked down at Justin with a menacing grin and promptly picked his Trainer up. After being spun for a little while, Justin was returned to the ground, no worse for the wear.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Well, it seems like your Ditto truly has the spirit of a Fighting Pokemon. Well done, little one," I said to the Ditto while smiling. The Ditto looked like it was trying to decide whether or not to take offense at my remark. One quick look at Tank's expression seemingly convinced it that the comment wasn't worth pursuing.

"Oh, and don't worry about me being a Gym Leader," I said to Justin. "Here I'm just an ordinary guy, albeit one with rippling muscles." I flexed my arms in an over-the-top comedic manner. I remembered off-hand that the last Ranger I had done that to had simply ignored me. That Ivy Frost sure was a woman and a half.

Justin laughed and assured me that we would be fine, although he still sounded a little dazed from his Machamp-induced ordeal. He led me into the ruins. They looked pretty normal from the outside - seen one group of collapsed stone buildings, you've seen them all - but there were a couple of things strange about it that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Even in their collapsed state, the stones all seemed to fit together, like they weren't actually collapsed at all.

The inside of the ruins further increased my curiosity. After stepping out of the bright sunlight I had a quick glimpse of cobwebs, young plants and a couple sparking electrical cords. These images quickly faded, and before my very eyes the scenery changed from a dark, mysterious stone cave into a dark, mysterious wooden room. Fingers of mist probed the walls and lowered the temperature far enough for me to start wishing I had brought a jacket. I didn't know what had happened or how it occurred, but Justin didn't seem alarmed. They are called the "Enigma" Ruins for a reason, I suppose.

Shadows coated the entire room, even though there wasn't a discernable light source. It took me half a minute to realise that one of the shadows on the floor was moving with incredible regularity. I was about to ask what Justin thought it was but he beat me to it.

"Jakk, you want to catch this Murkrow?" he asked me.

I narrowed my eyes but couldn't quite make out where the bird was. Still, the fire of an oncoming battle started to warm up inside me and I looked over at Tank. I could see that same fire in his eyes, and I knew our decision. "Murkrow, a Flying type. As in, super Effective against Fighting types, so a dangerous opponent. What do you think, Tank?"

The Scrafty grinned and made a half-grunt, half-growling sound as he crouched low into his fighting stance.

"That's what I thought." I smiled. "Prepare yourself, Murkrow!" I suddenly shouted. "You are about to face the might of Jakk Carter, Gym Leader of Veilstone City, Fighting Type Extraordinaire, and his Scrafty Tank, the only Pokemon to ever face down a Cresselia and Suicine in a row without being defeated! Together we have braved the oceans and the mountains and all terrains in between just so that we might battle you here and now, as fate has dictated. Come now, and let us enjoy a battle that the gods themselves might speak of with fondness for eons to come!"

Gods, I enjoyed melodramatic speeches. Most of my Pokemon didn't like my tendency to wax eloquent, but Tank wasn't one of them. He enjoyed the waves of testosterone that flowed through their bodies as one.

"Tank, the key to defeating one's enemy is knowing where they are!" I exclaimed. "With that in mind, use Detect to locate the Murkrow, and strike him with a Thunderpunch. Fuel the electricity with all the power of your soul, and strike down those that would oppose us with the manly fire of your raging blood!"

Tank laughed, which was a rut-rut-rut sound. He crouched even lower and scanned the room with his large eyes. His eyelids narrowed slightly and I knew he had located his target. Electrical darts started to play around his right fist and he exploded forwards, kicking up shards of wood as he took off.

 

@ChainReaction01;

OOC: What gender would you like Murkrow to be?

That Tank definitely did not act like a tank. Once he locked on to that Murkrow he took of like a rocket. So fast, in fact, he slugged the tiny bird right in its belly, and it FLEW. It moaned in pain as the electric currents pulsed through it's veins, indicating that the punch did very hard damage. As it flew, it eventually regained control over itself, and spread it's wingspan far. It's wings glowed with a blue hue, and then it put them together, releasing a strong gust of wind, and inside of the gust was a blue 'X' shape of flying type energy . The wind was not helping me stay warm in any way shape or form, and the 'X' was heading straight for Tank. It made contact, and jugding by how that attack transpired, it appeared to me as if Tank had gotten hit by Air Slash. In it's weakened state, Murkrow seemed a little pooped after that onslaught of Thunderpunch, so it landed on the cold ground and huddled itself together and closed it's eyes...


--BATTLE TIME--
Tank(Male Scrafty) VS Murkrow(??? Murkrow)
85% --- 60%
Used Detect; Thunderpunch --- Used Air Slash; Using Roost
CUREENT CAPTURE COUNT : 5,229 / 9,000
​

--STAT TIME--
Name: Jakk Carter
Location: Enigma Ruins
Encounters Remaining : 5
Items: 3 Park Balls, 2 Super Balls, 1 Hyper Ball, 2 Lava Cookies, 2 Energy Powders, 1 PokeDoll

Tank the Scrafty (Male)
Rash Nature
Intimidate Ability
HM/TM: HM04-Strength, HM08-Rock Smash, TM06-Toxic, TM44-Rest, TM48-Rock Slide, TM50-Substitute, TM55-Roar, TM64-Protect, TM89-Dragon Claw, TM93-Bulk Up, TM95-Taunt, TM101-Rock Tomb, TM103-Torment, TM126-Stone Edge, TM135-Grass Knot, TM147-Low Sweep
BM/SM/MT: Dragon Dance, Drain Punch, Fake Out, Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Thunderpunch, Zen Headbutt, Detect, Counter, Amnesia

 

OOC: Male, please.

Tank's Thunderpunch hit the Murkrow right on, and the small yellow sparks crawled all over its body, although I thought they might be focusing a little on the wings. Maybe it just looked that way because the Flying-type started to flap its wings very fast and rise into the air. Brisk winds began circulating throughout the room, further decreasing the temperature. I really started to wish that I had worn more than a tank top. Still, if this was all a simulation, was the cold real or was it just simulated? Did it even matter?

I shook my head to clear it. I couldn't be thinking about random things like that right in the middle of a battle.

The winds were really bad now, and in the centre of a small tornado was an X made up of glowing blue energy. The Murkrow pushed at the X and it flew towards Tank, faster than he could move. The X smacked into him and pushed him backwards a little bit, but thankfully he didn't look too hurt. That would be because of his fantastic defenses - Scrafty were known to absorb an incredible amount of damage in battle before succumbing to unconsciousness, even when versus Flying-type opponents. As Tank was right now.

Instead of staying in the air like I expected, where it was hard for Tank to reach, the Murkrow landed on the ground. It bunched its wings up tightly and closed its eyes, concentrating hard on something. I didn't quite know what it was doing until I saw its breathing start to ease. The bird must be using Roost! It wasn't a move I saw often, simply because my Gym Pokemon usually did enough damage to discourage stall battles.

Now, I had a choice to make, and I had to decide quickly. Either I could let this bird heal itself and ram it with a Focus Punch, or go for a quicker attack in an attempt to keep it from healing entirely. After a short deliberation, I decided on the latter - while Murkrow was Roosting, the resistances of its Flying typing meant that Focus Punch would deal supereffective damage, which risked knocking the Wild Pokemon out and invalidating it as a capture. If I was going to use a Fighting-type move, which I almost had to, it would have to be one that didn't do quite as much damage.

"Quickly, Tank, hit it with a Brick Break!" I yelled. No time for fancy speeches now if I wanted to minimise the healing that Murkrow got done.

The Scrafty ran forwards, moving his legs in a sweeping motion so that he didn't get tangled up in his pants. I remembered with a smile that he used to trip over himself a lot when he was a Scraggy, and he always got very angry when he did. He used to spend lots of his time developing ways to move without tripping, and now that he had evolved they wee definitely paying off.

Tank brought his right hand up high over his head and held it out flat, like he was about to karate chop some boards. The force he could bring that hand down with was incredible, enough to dent the armour of a Steelix. Here's hoping he didn't accidentally knock out the Murkrow.

 

@ChainReaction01;

Event Post #1

---

Tank's Brick Break interrupted the bird's plan to Roost, causing it to take flight. Then the temperature rose as the little bird summoned a wave of flames, trying to put a barrier between them.

---

Current Battle Stats:

??? M Murkrow: 41% [Used Heat Wave]
Rash M Scrafty: 78% [Used Brick Break]

Trainer Stats

Name: Jakk Carter
Location: Enigma Ruins
Encounters Remaining: 4
Pokemon Encountered: Murkrow
Pokemon Captured: None
Items: 3 Park Balls, 2 Super Balls, 1 Hyper Ball, 2 Lava Cookies, 2 Energy Powders, 1 PokeDoll

MCR: 8,209/9,000 [Uncommon Rank]

Pokemon Stats

Tank the Scrafty (Male) @ 78%
Rash Nature
Intimidate Ability
HM/TM: HM04-Strength, HM08-Rock Smash, TM06-Toxic, TM44-Rest, TM48-Rock Slide, TM50-Substitute, TM55-Roar, TM64-Protect, TM89-Dragon Claw, TM93-Bulk Up, TM95-Taunt, TM101-Rock Tomb, TM103-Torment, TM126-Stone Edge, TM135-Grass Knot, TM147-Low Sweep
BM/SM/MT: Dragon Dance, Drain Punch, Fake Out, Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Thunderpunch, Zen Headbutt, Detect, Counter, Amnesia

 

As it turned out, my fears were unfounded. The Murkrow saw Tank's incoming attack and decided to take flight rather than risk being struck. This meant that the attack only clipped the Wild Pokemon, but I was fine with that. The main objective was to stop the bird from healing, and Tank had been able to do that.

Unfortunately, as the Dark-type rose higher into the air, small sparks and flames began to flicker at its wingtips. As the bird flapped harder and harder the flames extended into a full-blown sheet of fire, a miniature hurricane of red heat. Tank stumbled backwards quickly, but he couldn't avoid being singed a little bit. This would make my job a little bit harder - Tank needed to get close, but he couldn't do so until that fire was gone. Well, there wasn't any point waiting around. At least Tank knew a few moves that could increase his battling capabilities.

"Okay, Tank, it's time to finish this," I said to the Fighting-type. "Do a Dragon Dance while we wait for that fire to die out. The second you think you have a clear shot, get right up in that bird's face with an Ice Punch!"

The Scrafty nodded and started doing a rhythmic dance. He slouched and swayed from left to right, making flicking motions with his fists and whacking his tail against the ground to create a beat. It looked kind of like the way a street brawler would dance, if indeed they danced: something about it was primal and dangerous, like Tank was saying I have grace, but I can feed you your toes if I want to.

When the dance was finished, Tank gripped his right wrist with his left hand and crouched over it. Small particles of ice swirled through the air in a spiral formation and attached to his right hand, focusing on his knuckles. The way he was slouching reminded me of the way that martial artists used to prepare their most powerful attacks in the cartoons I used to watch as a child. Hopefully this strike would be as effective as theirs. I prepared a Super Ball to throw at the Murkrow - after this attack landed, I knew that the Wild Pokemon wouldn't be able to take much more.

 

@ChainReaction01;

Event Post #2

---

The capture is successful after a powerful strike with Ice Punch. After wandering about a bit more, a tiny noise alerts you to another Pokemon. A Sewaddle comes over and tries nibbling on your boot.

---

Current Battle Stats:

??? ??? Sewaddle: 100%


Trainer Stats

Name: Jakk Carter
Location: Enigma Ruins
Encounters Remaining: 3
Pokemon Encountered: Murkrow, Sewaddle
Pokemon Captured: Naive M Murkrow @ 15% HP 10,299/9,000 MCR
Items: 3 Park Balls, 1 Super Balls, 1 Hyper Ball, 2 Lava Cookies, 2 Energy Powders, 1 PokeDoll

MCR: 0/4,000 [Common Rank]

Pokemon Stats

Tank the Scrafty (Male) @ 78%
Rash Nature
Intimidate Ability
HM/TM: HM04-Strength, HM08-Rock Smash, TM06-Toxic, TM44-Rest, TM48-Rock Slide, TM50-Substitute, TM55-Roar, TM64-Protect, TM89-Dragon Claw, TM93-Bulk Up, TM95-Taunt, TM101-Rock Tomb, TM103-Torment, TM126-Stone Edge, TM135-Grass Knot, TM147-Low Sweep
BM/SM/MT: Dragon Dance, Drain Punch, Fake Out, Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Thunderpunch, Zen Headbutt, Detect, Counter, Amnesia

 

The flames started to weaken, and I caught glimpses of the Murkrow as it hovered in the air and tried to maintain the barrier. The bird couldn't do so forever, though, and the second Tank saw a gap he blasted forwards. His feet moved so fast that I couldn't focus on them. With a mighty leap, the Scrafty flew towards the Murkrow and performed a text-book uppercut, with the sole difference being that his hand was cloaked in ice. Ice fragments shattered outwards as the bird was knocked out. It dropped to the ground in a big feathery lump. Tank landed gracefully next to the unconscious Pokemon.

Acting quickly, I threw one of the Super Balls at the Murkrow. It was absorbed into the ball and quickly lay silent. I picked it up and congratulated Tank, who grinned back at me. We both walked through a door and deeper into the house. To our surprise the house led into a cave tunnel of some sort. I looked at Tank and shrugged, and just before we moved down into the tunnel I felt something on my foot.

A small green Pokemon was nibbling on my boot. I wasn't quite sure what was so appetizing about it, but the Pokemon seemed barely aware that Tank and I were potential dangers.

"Hey there little one," I said to the Pokemon. "My friend and I need to get going, you should try to find some nicer food elsewhere." I shifted my boot slightly as I talked, trying to dislodge the small Pokemon without hurting it.

 

@ChainReaction01;

Event Post #3

---

You manage to toe the Sewaddle out of the way, and getting the hint, it crawls down the path to find something else to nibble on. Then, a bush jumps out at you, startling Tank. A leafy bug shakes itself off in front of you--a Burmy.

---

Current Battle Stats:

??? ??? Burmy: 100%

---

Trainer Stats

Name: Jakk Carter
Location: Enigma Ruins
Encounters Remaining: 2
Pokemon Encountered: Murkrow, Sewaddle, Burmy
Pokemon Captured: Naive M Murkrow @ 15% HP 10,299/9,000 MCR
Items: 3 Park Balls, 1 Super Balls, 1 Hyper Ball, 2 Lava Cookies, 2 Energy Powders, 1 PokeDoll

MCR: 0/4,000 [Common Rank]

Pokemon Stats

Tank the Scrafty (Male) @ 78%
Rash Nature
Intimidate Ability
HM/TM: HM04-Strength, HM08-Rock Smash, TM06-Toxic, TM44-Rest, TM48-Rock Slide, TM50-Substitute, TM55-Roar, TM64-Protect, TM89-Dragon Claw, TM93-Bulk Up, TM95-Taunt, TM101-Rock Tomb, TM103-Torment, TM126-Stone Edge, TM135-Grass Knot, TM147-Low Sweep
BM/SM/MT: Dragon Dance, Drain Punch, Fake Out, Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Thunderpunch, Zen Headbutt, Detect, Counter, Amnesia

 

The little Pokemon nibbled on the hem of my boot for a couple more seconds before I managed to shake it off. Apparently, the Sewaddle got the point and decided to try its luck elsewhere. I silently wished it luck and continued on down the path. Tank was already a good twenty paces ahead - he had lost interest in the Wild Pokemon as soon as he saw that it wouldn't be a challenging fight.

Not a minute later I was startled out of my thoughts as a pile of leaves threw itself at me. A quick backstep ensured that the bush flew past me. Apparently Tank was surprised too because he tensed his arms and ruby flames ignited around his wrists.

"Hang on a second," I said to him. I turned and watched a Grass-Cloak Burmy wriggle out of the collection of leaves. This Bug-type looked a little more agitated than the last one, and I doubted I would be able to leave peacefully. Still, it was worth a shot. I motioned for Tank to back up slowly, but if the Burmy kept being aggressive I would allow my Pokemon to teach it a bit of a lesson.

 

@ChainReaction01;

Event Post #4

---

You try to edge away from the Burmy, but it puffs up and gives an angry noise, jumping up and down a little. It looks like it's on the verge of doing something, but it hasn't moved yet.

---

Current Battle Stats:

??? ??? Burmy: 100%

---

Trainer Stats

Name: Jakk Carter
Location: Enigma Ruins
Encounters Remaining: 2
Pokemon Encountered: Murkrow, Sewaddle, Burmy
Pokemon Captured: Naive M Murkrow @ 15% HP 10,299/9,000 MCR
Items: 3 Park Balls, 1 Super Balls, 1 Hyper Ball, 2 Lava Cookies, 2 Energy Powders, 1 PokeDoll

MCR: 1,035/4,000 [Common Rank]

Pokemon Stats

Tank the Scrafty (Male) @ 78%
Rash Nature
Intimidate Ability
HM/TM: HM04-Strength, HM08-Rock Smash, TM06-Toxic, TM44-Rest, TM48-Rock Slide, TM50-Substitute, TM55-Roar, TM64-Protect, TM89-Dragon Claw, TM93-Bulk Up, TM95-Taunt, TM101-Rock Tomb, TM103-Torment, TM126-Stone Edge, TM135-Grass Knot, TM147-Low Sweep
BM/SM/MT: Dragon Dance, Drain Punch, Fake Out, Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Thunderpunch, Zen Headbutt, Detect, Counter, Amnesia

 

I slowly backed away from the Burmy. I could see out of the corner of my eye that Tank was steadfastly refusing to do so. Perhaps this was what set the Burmy off: it puffed its little chest up - expanding the cloak of leaves that surrounded it - and started making angry squeaking noises. It was quite clear that the Bug-type wasn't going to let us leave without a fight. I sighed. My item basket contained a PokeDoll that would help me to escape, but I didn't want to use it to deter this little Bagworm Pokemon when I might next encounter a Togekiss or a Scyther or a Milotic. Still, I hated to beat up on innocent Pokemon, so this would have to be quick. If I remember correctly, this Capture Contest allowed for five Encounters. I had captured the Murkrow and left the Sewaddle alone, so even after this Burmy I still had two more Encounters to go. I doubted that I would find a better Pokemon than the Murkrow, so I definitely could not afford to use my PokeDoll just yet.

"Tank, let's get this done as fast as possible," I said to the Scrafty. Fires were still flaring around his wrists, and it was obvious what he wanted to do. Well, I would oblige him. "Let's start out with a Fake Out, and when you're up and close hit the Burmy with a Fire Punch! If it's still not scared off, send it flying with a Chip Away. Hopefully this will teach our little friend not to challenge those who are obviously way out of his league."

Tank grinned and snorted before blurring towards the Burmy. I wasn't entirely sure that I would be able to scare it off easily, but I had to hope. Fake Out was the only high-priority move that my Scrafty had, and it could only be used to initiate a battle. Thankfully, the Burmy hadn't started fighting yet. While it was reeling from Scrafty's initiation, a Fire Punch would inflict quadruple damage, and hopefully scare the Bug-type off.

 

@ChainReaction01;

Event Post #5

---

The Burmy takes a Fake Out attack but still refuses to leave--it wants to prove itself in battle, so it lunges out and bites Tank. In retaliation, the Scafty lashes out with a Fire Punch, which the bug isn't expecting. It squeals in pain, and as Tank comes in with the Chip Away, it protects itself with a barrier to stall for time.

---

Current Battle Stats:

??? ??? Burmy: 46% [Used Bug Bite and Protect]
Rash M Scrafty: 72% [Used Fake Out, Fire Punch, and Chip Away]

---

Trainer Stats

Name: Jakk Carter
Location: Enigma Ruins
Encounters Remaining: 2
Pokemon Encountered: Murkrow, Sewaddle, Burmy
Pokemon Captured: Naive M Murkrow @ 15% HP 10,299/9,000 MCR
Items: 3 Park Balls, 1 Super Balls, 1 Hyper Ball, 2 Lava Cookies, 2 Energy Powders, 1 PokeDoll

MCR: 2,905/4,000 [Common Rank]

Pokemon Stats

Tank the Scrafty (Male) @ 72%
Rash Nature
Intimidate Ability
HM/TM: HM04-Strength, HM08-Rock Smash, TM06-Toxic, TM44-Rest, TM48-Rock Slide, TM50-Substitute, TM55-Roar, TM64-Protect, TM89-Dragon Claw, TM93-Bulk Up, TM95-Taunt, TM101-Rock Tomb, TM103-Torment, TM126-Stone Edge, TM135-Grass Knot, TM147-Low Sweep
BM/SM/MT: Dragon Dance, Drain Punch, Fake Out, Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Thunderpunch, Zen Headbutt, Detect, Counter, Amnesia

 

My Scrafty only took a couple seconds to reach the Sewaddle and lash outwards with both of his palms. He slammed the heels of his hands into the Bug-type's forehead, smashing it into the ground. The Sewaddle was surprisingly resilient, though - it rebounded from the cave floor and sank its little sharp teeth into Tank's right arm. Tank grunted in shock, obviously not prepared for the sudden retaliation of the Sewaddle. He was shocked for what seemed like an eternity, but finally his battle-sense returned. Fire erupted around his left fist and he punched the Wild Pokemon square off his arm. The Bug-type flew through the air and smashed into the wall before rolling down to the floor. Tank rank forwards with his right arm raised high, preparing to perform a karate chop on the Sewaddle. However, just as he was about to strike, a green shield surrounded the Bug-type and the attack bounced harmlessly off.

I swore under my breath. This Sewaddle was being more of a pain than I had anticipated. Unfortunately, I would probably have to knock it out before I could proceed. Very well, I'd have to stop pulling my punches. I was hoping that the Fire Punch would have scared it off, but the Sewaddle was brave. I would have loved to capture it just for its tenacity, but unfortunately I needed the Murkrow more and I could only capture one Pokemon for this contest.

"Tank, it's time to finish this," I said to him. "Use your Head Smash attack, and finish with Faint Attack!"

The Scrafty roared, and the red plumes on his head started shining softly as they became rock-hard. My Pokemon then began watching the Sewaddle, waiting for it to drop its shield. Hopefully he could pin the Bug-type to the wall with his Head Smash attack and then punch it a few times. The Faint Attack would definitely hit, but the question was whether the Head Smash would or not - it had horrid accuracy and was notorious for missing in situation that required a hit for a win.

 

@ChainReaction01;

Event Post #6

---

The combination of attacks manages to knock the Bug-type out, but Tank receives a little bit of recoil damage from his techniques. You carry on, and soon come across a Pokemon with an onion-shaped head. It looks at you calmly and meditatively, like it doesn't care what you do.

---

Current Battle Stats:

??? ??? Meditite: 100%

---

Trainer Stats

Name: Jakk Carter
Location: Enigma Ruins
Encounters Remaining: 1
Pokemon Encountered: Murkrow, Sewaddle, Burmy, Meditite
Pokemon Captured: Naive M Murkrow @ 15% HP 10,299/9,000 MCR
Items: 3 Park Balls, 1 Super Balls, 1 Hyper Ball, 2 Lava Cookies, 2 Energy Powders, 1 PokeDoll

MCR: 0/9,000 [Uncommon Rank]

Pokemon Stats

Tank the Scrafty (Male) @ 57%
Rash Nature
Intimidate Ability
HM/TM: HM04-Strength, HM08-Rock Smash, TM06-Toxic, TM44-Rest, TM48-Rock Slide, TM50-Substitute, TM55-Roar, TM64-Protect, TM89-Dragon Claw, TM93-Bulk Up, TM95-Taunt, TM101-Rock Tomb, TM103-Torment, TM126-Stone Edge, TM135-Grass Knot, TM147-Low Sweep
BM/SM/MT: Dragon Dance, Drain Punch, Fake Out, Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Thunderpunch, Zen Headbutt, Detect, Counter, Amnesia

 

Tank's stiff plumage pinned the Sewaddle against the tunnel wall and he punched it in the body repeatedly. His fists were cloaked in darkness as he did so. When the merciless barrage of blows was finished, Tank took a step backwards and allowed the Bug-type to fall to the floor. It was completely unconscious. Once again, I felt bad about having to do this, but my guilty conscience was somewhat allayed by the fact that the Wild Pokemon had wanted to battle.

I noticed that Tank's neck was moving a little stiffly, no doubt a side-effect of his Head Smash attack. Not only was the move inaccurate and unwieldy, it had an alarming tendency to wound the user as well. Still, Tank seemed mostly okay and I knew he'd rather quit the challenge altogether than admit he was in any kind of pain.

Further on down the tunnel we encountered a meditating Meditite. It reminded me a bit of Sasha but not quite as fiery. It watched us calmly as we approached. Hopefully it would allow us to pass by unimpeded. I passed Tank an Energy Powder to restore his strength, just in case this Meditite felt like a battle.

 

@ChainReaction01;

Event Post #7

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You heal tank with the Energy Powder, but as you try to pass by, you feel the air start to shift. There's a weight to it, and when you look at the Meditite, its hovering off the ground. Keeping its sitting position, it hovers in front of you, blocking your path.

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Current Battle Stats:

??? ??? Meditite: 100%

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Trainer Stats

Name: Jakk Carter
Location: Enigma Ruins
Encounters Remaining: 1
Pokemon Encountered: Murkrow, Sewaddle, Burmy, Meditite
Pokemon Captured: Naive M Murkrow @ 15% HP 10,299/9,000 MCR
Items: 3 Park Balls, 1 Super Balls, 1 Hyper Ball, 2 Lava Cookies, 2 Energy Powders, 1 PokeDoll

MCR: 1,104/9,000 [Uncommon Rank]

Pokemon Stats

Tank the Scrafty (Male) @ 100%
Rash Nature
Intimidate Ability
HM/TM: HM04-Strength, HM08-Rock Smash, TM06-Toxic, TM44-Rest, TM48-Rock Slide, TM50-Substitute, TM55-Roar, TM64-Protect, TM89-Dragon Claw, TM93-Bulk Up, TM95-Taunt, TM101-Rock Tomb, TM103-Torment, TM126-Stone Edge, TM135-Grass Knot, TM147-Low Sweep
BM/SM/MT: Dragon Dance, Drain Punch, Fake Out, Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Thunderpunch, Zen Headbutt, Detect, Counter, Amnesia

 

Tank downed the Energy Powder with a grimace on his face, and I couldn't blame the little guy. Out of curiosity I had stuck my tongue into one of the packets while waiting to be let into the simulator. It tasted like the pastry that I had found fused to the back of my microwave. Well, after my Primeape had pissed on it and Stresser had accidentally pounded it into a wall. And James had bet me to lick it.

Unluckily, the Meditite decided that Tank was worthy of a challenge. It levitated down off of its raised platform and blocked our path. Tank would probably be raring to go, but I wasn't so sure. The Scrafty's only weaknesses were Flying-type and Fighting-type moves, which meant that the Meditite was in a good position to hurt my Pokemon a lot. Considering I didn't want to have my PokeDoll go to waste, I decided to use it now. The chances of coming up against a Pokemon worse for Tank to fight were pretty low, so I pulled out the plush toy and threw it to the side, hoping that the Psychic-type will take the bait.