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

[greydients]

Just normal damage - nothing more than usual, nothing less.

[heritrix]

[I mean so does Rin, shhh, but Zelda's her friend!]

If we had a banner and some face paint it'd be even better, like one of Sena's American football games. Since we don't, though, just put a few more exclamation points behind that chant. [Rin gives Michael a thumbs up, then pumps her fist in the air too.] Gooooo Saber!

[Are we teaching a demon how to cheerlead, we're teaching a demon how to cheerlead. TODAY, DEMON GUY. TOMORROW, THE SOULS OF THE DAMNED.]

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

[Well Monta sure wants to have a go after hearing that. That means things will get done faster if he does it, right?

It takes all Sena has to hold him back.]

I...I believe in Zelda. But if she needs it...we'll help.

[azumods]

[dear god that is going to be the question of the day whenever i have to battle zelda

how much does saber's opponent look like food

Anyway.

The Wrap will successfully manage to catch Lucario hard; his trainer, however, just tips her head a little and does not seem particularly perturbed at the notion of a connection being established between Lucario and Saber's face.]

Let's encourage it to let go - Close Combat.

[...That. That is probably why.]

[perfectselfie]

Got it. I was trying to think, because I wouldn’t guess Water or Normal would do much...

[heritrix]

It's fine, I get it. It's hard to sit still.

[She doesn't think anyone here is used to that, herself included.]

[eudaimonikos]

We're merely repeating, Ignis, I can come up with my own taunts.

[discutio]

Some would call that terribly impolite, you realize.

[eudaimonikos]

Wait on her to call you. She knows we're here if she needs it.

[enjoymyatelier]

Well, I think I’d understand why you’d be so committed to this eternal peace thing a bit more if that were the case, but I’d also expect more evidence of such a grim practice.

[A Gym Leader, though, huh......... if he can accomplish something here, they might have a decent ally on their hands.]

In any case, let’s begin, shall we? I, Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, shall begin with Velasquez here.

[The Frillish is very nearly making an attempt to look cool and intimidating. It’s a floaty jellyfish but. He can look kind of spooky!!]

[niceoppai]

Yeah. This girl's tough, even if she does look like a kid. But maybe what's important really is the battle right now...

[hyruglyphics]

[ That flurry of punches is blinding in it's quickness. Though it does seem to tire the Lucario, just a little? Maybe? But for a long second, Saber remains standing there, the tongue still wrapped tight around the thing, not quite eating it, but trying to hold it and squeeze it tight.

It almost looks like it survived that blow, even if it clearly was really hard.

... But then, after about a good ten seconds of dramatic silence, the dull eyes of the Lickitung, Saber, roll back and ... it collapses to the side, the tongue going slack. Zelda frowns a moment, shocked... but then smiles, courching down to walk over towards the pink monster, even if it does put her sort of uncomfortably close to the Lucario. And she pets her, ]

You really are strong, Saber.

[heritrix]

That she's agreeing at all gives us an opening. [Rin nods at the now revealed Maylene.] She's different than some of the others we've faced, and if she's who Michael thinks she is... We have a good chance to coax the fighting spirit back out of her.

[hyruglyphics]

We'll try!

[ Hence the Wrap.

... Even if that sort of got powered through really quickly too because damn that Close Combat. ]

[eudaimonikos]

Like football.

[He has a point of reference for that, and after watching Rin with a speculative gaze, he cups his hands around his mouth.]

SA-BER, SA-BER, SA-BER!

[niceoppai]

Yeah! [Chelsea bounces up in the air and pumps her fists.] Go, go! ...And try not to eat it or something!

[greydients]

I definitely wouldn't use your Normal-type - Lucario is a Fighting-type and it will make short work of it. Water will do a similar amount of damage to Electric.

[azumods]

[The Pokémon she releases then is...actually, it's sort of cute, or at least it would be if it weren't just as lifeless as everything else around here. That said, there's a sense of power to it - the sort of thing that implies a high level and good training - and she isn't going to waste any time getting started.]

Breloom, Spore.

[...She's gonna be really annoying, Kayneth.]

1/2

[heritrix]

Now you got it! Just like—

[heritrix]

[Aaaand down goes Saber. Rin closes one eye and winces because ouch, that look like it hurt.]

[azumods]

[For what it's worth, she doesn't try to order an attack on Zelda; she just stays where she is, the Lucario moving back to her side after a moment.]

...She is. She did a very good job.

[There seems to be a little more behind that than there has been - it isn't warmth, exactly, but it's...something.]

[heritrix]

[Rin chuckles amidst her own cheering.] I still can't believe these are sentences we're actually uttering... Saber's going to hold such a grudge against me when I tell her about this.

[Not the Saber Lickitung, that is. ...though the fact that she goes down the moment after Rin says this has Rin's smile vanish in place of a wince.]

[enjoymyatelier]

[AFTER THE LUCARIO BUSINESS HE WAS SO READY TO BE SMUG




AND THEN SHE SENDS OUT SOME FUCKING MUSHROOM RAPTOR THAT PUTS HIS JELLYFISH TO SLEEP]

...Velasquez! Hang on, snap out of it-

[CAN HE JUST SHOVE A CHESTO BERRY IN HIS POKÉMON’S MOUTH? Is that how it works?? Okay that’s how it works... Velasquez is kind of groggily waking up, though, so he’s still open...]

[hyruglyphics]

[ A look of surprise comes across Zelda's expression for a moment, and then she smiles. Good. This was having the effect she was hoping for. She can't possibly offer something like defeat for this woman, but she can at least try. And so Saber is petted two more times before the big pink thing is recalled into the ball.

And Zelda stands. ]

... May I continue with Miphanus? [ The Beldum here. who honestly looks a little fearful until Zelda smiles at them. At which point, the eyeball turns determined! ]

[eudaimonikos]

Ooooooh.

[This aligns with his football references perfectly.]