Test 2.

[azumods]

WILLPOWER The chamber at the back of the cave is not unlike the one before it - it's large and oppressively dark, with shallow pools of water puddled on the floor. However, it isn't entirely impossible to see; off in a far corner of the cavern, there's a dim light shining pale blue, the soft glow pulsing steadily like it's keeping time, like a heartbeat. It's likely, however, that you're not going to get a good look at whatever is causing it before a voice rings out from the entrance behind you, immediately setting the Spiritombs off with loud, ringing shrieks that indicate over half a thousand souls aren't pleased with what seems to be happening here, and as the words register, you'll realize it's probably for good reason. "In the name of Team Galactic, I'm going to have to ask you all to leave. The Guardian is rightfully ours." It's immediately obvious that at the very least, the voice doesn't belong to Saturn - it's higher-pitched, belonging to a woman from the sound of it. Turning to face the source will reveal a woman in full Galactic grunt uniform; she seems young in the face and she's rather short, though she's built as though she's likely strong for her size. While she's clearly here to do a task, her eyes are noticeably just as devoid of spirit as the others that you've seen - she's just as heavily brainwashed as the rest. The Spiritombs you've encountered will do their jobs; they'll protect the Lake Guardian physically, promptly proceeding to get between it and...well, everyone else here. They aren't going to back down until the perceived threat is dealt with; they really, really don't like Team Galactic. What happens now is up to you.

Comments

[eudaimonikos]

Oh, probably. This is obviously different from whatever happened to the normal townspeople. She's a powerful Trainer, so it makes sense that they would want her specifically in some kind of...not a leadership role. More like that one knife you've got that's really quality, so you use it for the important jobs.

[greydients]

[You know, it is really convenient that this woman is using the one Pokemon she's studied as hard as she could-]

I think...if I'm remembering correctly, a Fire-type or a Ground-type would be the ideal Pokemon to use. Ah, and Fighting!

[.......

none of which Zelda actually has, um]

[eudaimonikos]

Probably wasn't even necessary to fight them, just do what they did to the whole world and sweep up whoever you want. They're not going to resist!

[greydients]

[Have a solemn nod in response. Rey has similarly realized that Zelda is...not in the best place right now, but regardless-]

Don't worry. We'll back you up.

[hyruglyphics]

[ Whenever she's ready...

... Well, now or never, really. It's a one on one match, and while Saber might have some useful moves here- actually, no Saber has far more useful moves here. If she can get that paralytic saliva on them...

And so: ]

Saber! We'll strike first, try to lick it!

[ And so...! Incoming seven foot tongue to try to use Lick the Lucario. ]

[discutio]

. . .

[thank shiva the people with sight have been doing their research.]

And me of all people without fire. With how this day is going, I'm not surprised. Do you know if anyone can challenge her on that front, should it be necessary?

[semistableman]

Almost certainly.

[eudaimonikos]

You're right. A normal Fighting-type would be weak to Flying, but the Steel negates that...

[He speaks off-handedly, mentally trying to figure out who in our group has what]

My two would be bad choices.

[hyruglyphics]

[ She can't deny she's scared. But with how Saturn and now this woman and Cynthia all reacted... this world works on sports-like combat. Not true warfare or violence. they all should be fine. Maybe. Probably. ]

I know. [ Though, to Rey, she also gently adds, ] Though these battles are meant to be one on one, correct? Unless our lives are in danger, allow me to see this through.

[greydients]

I'm not sure. I mean, I have Riolu, which is what Lucario evolves from - he's a Fighting-type, but...I don't exactly like his chances.

[Her Riolu, with minimal training, up against his fully-trained, evolved form?

....let's just. not.]

We need to ask around and find some Pokemon who might actually be able to do some damage!

[ventulus]

[ ... ]

Oh, right.

[eudaimonikos]

Anyone with a Ghost, too. They aren't especially strong against it, but they might be able to avoid a lot of its attacks.

[heritrix]

[Oh god, her ribs, she's going to die. Monkey is actually holding his hands out before him like he might need to brace her or something.]

I-I can't wait to tell her!

[Haha...ha. Rin struggles to get her breath back, slapping her thigh to help calm herself down. There's still a huge smile on her face after she's stifled her giggles, though, and she might actually be crying from mirth.]

Listen up, though. You might have named her after Saber's endless stomach, but that person is a King of Knights all the same! Saber the Lickitung is at a type disadvantage, so you'll have to be clever, but there's no way the three of you can lose this fight now, got it? You have a namesake to honor now!

[greydients]

[Rey nods, placing a hand on Golett's head.]

I have a Fighting-type, but he's a Riolu - it's what Lucario evolves from. I'll use him if I have to, but...he won't stand a chance.

[And she really does not feel like watching her Pokemon get the crap kicked out of him.]

Do you know anyone who has the types we need, Michael?

[eudaimonikos]

It doesn't seem like it was planned too well, but when you have a trump card like that, you can let a fair amount of things fall through the cracks.

[greydients]

Ah, of course! Ghost-types! Fighting attacks can't affect Ghost Pokemon!

[IF ONLY SHE KNEW SOMEONE WITH A GHOST-TYPE

IF

ONLY]

[azumods]

[That sure is a tongue, isn't it- ]

Extreme Speed.

[The command is issued calmly, and the Lucario moves immediately - its pacing is swift to the point of being difficult to track, serving its purpose of getting in, dealing as much damage as possible, and getting the hell out, trying to evade as much of Saber's...that as possible.

...This thing is proving to be very, very fast, Zelda.]

[hyruglyphics]

[ Zelda knows, of course, that she likely will lose. There's no way she won't... she went in with that idea. But then, to think like that wouldn't be good, right? No, it is better to do the challenge with the hope and knowledge of wanting to win overall. She inhales, exhales, and seeing Rin's face like that...

Her own green eyes harden with determination. ]

I shall do my best to not let her down! Miphanus is also named for a hero I cannot disgrace the name of!

[discutio]

If I'm not mistaken Hemera's Dark, Sonantis is Psychic, and Highwind is a Flying-type. I don't know that I'll be of much help should Zelda lose, from my limited understanding of elemental advantages.

[greydients]

[Ah...of course. Rey nods again.]

Okay. I'll try to support you from the sidelines - just let me know if you need any more information on Lucario!

[discutio]

Rey?

...Can someone just...ask the screaming souls of the damned over there to help?

[THERE ARE MANY GHOSTS HERE?]

[eudaimonikos]

[Luckily, we listed out some people with Fire-types on our way in here when we were looking for light sources!]

Morag's Torchic, Sena's fire monkey. Lobanja has fire - [Pointing to Jake] - but her secondary dark-type puts her at a disadvantage, I wouldn't lead with her. Shame, she's fully evolved.

[thunderwolf]

She's pretty confident she can brute force them, so it's hard to say how long they can hold her off.

[thunderwolf]

I can offer Rose for that.

[Hahaha he thinks Rose is just Ghost-type.]

But...

[hyruglyphics]

[ She should have known it wouldn't be that easy- ... Well no, she did. But after Rin's pep talk, she can't go down doing nothing. Because that tongue can't touch Lucario at all as it sonics the hedgehogs all over the place here.

On fear of the tongue twisting into a tie, Zelda frowns- ... No, wait, it doesn't need to be a precise Lick, what if-

But as she has the thought, Saber takes the hit. The blow's very hard, given the difference in technique and level. But Zelda got Saber, caught her because of her resilience. Despite the blow, and while still glassy-eyed and emotionless, it remains standing, miraculously.

And so she can order- ]

Change techniques! Wrap it!

[ Like it did for Miphanus! This one means the tongue goes out in a wide arc, intending to wrap itself around some body part of the Lucario, trapping it. Or so. That is the plan ]