sculpted | MISSION 004 [SOUTHERN ROUTE 35

MISSION 004 [SOUTHERN ROUTE 35 - ACTION/VIDEO]

[[GOOD MORNING, JOHTO! Should you be watching your video feed this fine day, or in the vicinity of the outskirts of Goldenrod City, you'll soon catch sight of Alex Louis Armstrong posing dramatically in front of the camera, shirtless. Of course.]]

I have a marvel for you all today! My beautiful Stein has evolved into his final form!

[[And suddenly, popping up in front of the camera is....

....a swan in a purple bra. A sparkly purple bra.]]

Witness the way the sunlight catches his glossy feathers! The way the light sparkles across his wings! Have you ever seen such a magnificent sight, Johto?!

[[As Armstrong speaks, the Swanna goes through a series of triumphant poses. And if one looks closely, they might even see some....pink sparkles near his eyes? Could he have learned the art of the Armstrong sparkle, passed down in the Major's family for generations?]]

My Pokemon are now all in their final forms! And so I pose this question to you, noble viewers; what Gyms do you recommend we take on? We have been training our bodies firmly and dutifully in preparation for this day!

[[And behind him, Armstrong's team of Pokemon sit quietly, mostly looking amused at his display. Some look annoyed, but more at the Swanna's posing rather than their trainer.]]

Alternatively, should you wish to come and marvel at the sight that is the magnificent and beautiful Stein the Swanna, I welcome you all with open arms!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Welcome!!!

[[HAVE YOU COME TO MARVEL AT THE BEAUTY OF HIS LOVELY PERFECT GORGEOUS HUG-IT-WHILE-SLEEPING ~~RAPIDASH~~ SWANNA???]]

[OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD]

...Armstrong...

[SCREAMING, HIS WHOLE BRAIN IS SCREAMING]

I see your... duck has evolved...

He has! My beautiful duckling has blossomed into a magnificent swan!

[[CUE TRIUMPHANT POSE FROM SAID SWANNA! HE'S LOVING THIS SHIT]]

Have you come to marvel at him, Colonel? I wouldn't blame you; he's something else!!

I was actually out training my own Pokémon, but I will agree with you; he is something else.

[Okay, let's... try to recover from the massive brain-breakage here!]

What level are your Pokémon, Armstrong? Perhaps it might be best to test them in battle, hmm? I can tell you what I know about the Gyms if you can defeat me.

[Don't worry, he doesn't have all his level 100s on him! In fact, he's raising his lower-leveled things!]

Oh? Are you proposing a Pokemon battle, Colonel?

[[LET HIM PUT HIS SHIRT BACK ON JUST TO RIP IT OFF AGAIN]]

I accept your challenge!! Name your terms!!

[WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THAT OH GOOD GOD]

Right... well...

[orz]

You have six Pokémon, correct? A six-on-six fight then, anything goes.

[Archer smirks then, selecting a Pokéball from his belt.]

I do hope you've studied double battles, Armstrong.

[The first Pokémon called out is Archer's Pawniard, Queen. She's relatively powerful for a first stage Pokémon and she stabs both her little knife arms in Armstrong's direction in challenge. Archer's second Pokémon summoned is a Milotic, Trébuchet. She coos softly and swishes her tail about.]

Are you ready?

....a double battle?

[[Armstrong has never studied this, no! Fortunately, he likes to learn on the go!]]

I believe we may be able to handle this, Colonel!

Maastricht!! Löwenmensch!!

[[And Armstrong's Pidgeot and Luxray will float and trot respectively onto the field, looking very keen for a fight! Meanwhile, Stein flutters over and perchs himself on Armstrong's shoulder.

...you didn't expect him to fight, did you?]]

You may take the first move, Colonel Archer sir!

[...You know, he's starting to understand where Kimblee's coming from about those names... What did those poor things do to you, Armstrong?]

[Archer has his own Luxray as well, but he'll keep her in reserve for the time being. Queen and Trébuchet are weaker and they're the two he's been training together for quite some time.]

Very well then.

[Archer doesn't give his Pokémon any verbal commands, instead merely nodding to the both of them. Queen goes first, shrieking loudly with a Metal Sound attack at both of Armstrong's Pokémon. Trébuchet is quick to follow that up with a high-powered Hydro Pump attack, launched directly at Löwenmensch. The Pokémon are aware of their own type weaknesses and have been taught to target those they are good against, or at least those who could possibly take them out easily. Flying-type moves won't do anything to Queen, but Electric-types can target her rather-low Special Defense...]

[Needless to say, Archer's smirking already. He's pleased to finally get the chance to fight against Armstrong, even if he doesn't have his most powerful Pokémon with him.]

[It's more fun this way.]

[[Armstrong may not be the greatest soldier due to his refusal to abandon his policy of mercy, but but he makes up for it with strategy and pure determination!!]]

Maa!!

[[It only takes a word, and his Pidgeot has zipped neatly in front of his Luxray to catch that Hydro Pump attack, which knocks her to the ground with a screech, her wings flapping angrily. However, that gives Lowen the Luxray the chance to respond with-]]

Discharge!

[[-aimed right at that Milotic!]]

[Archer's expression darkens when that move hits - both Queen and Trébuchet take the hit. They survive, though both aren't going to take another hit like that. Trébuchet has been paralyzed, which causes her Marvel Scale ability to kick in. Defense won't do a damn thing against another Special Attack though. Archer waves a hand airily in her direction and she uses Recover. It won't do much, but at least with the heightened defense she won't go down to anything Maa can throw at her. ...Hopefully.]

[Queen, on the other hand, shakes herself off and goes back to stabbing her knive-hands in Armstrong's direction. Archer points toward the injured Pidgeot and Queen dashes forward, sweeping one blade-arm down in an Aerial Ace attack.]

[[Maa shrieks angrily when the attack hits, but it's more of a sting than anything too serious. Picking herself up, she shrieks again, taking to the air. It's a bit slower than she would usually, as she's still trying to shake off the effects of that Hydro Pump, but she gets up there.

Lowen, on the other hand, immediately springs towards the Milotic, teeth bared in a Thunder Fang technique, while Maa soars back towards Queen, talons out, in a furious Hurricane attack.]]

Finish them!

[Both attacks hit simultaneously and Queen and Trébuchet are knocked out. Archer's expression changes to pure fury for a moment before he controls himself and returns both of them. The next two out are far stronger - Caïssa the Luxray and Arbiter the Drapion.]

Arbiter!

[The Drapion is a bit on the herpy side and tends to require a bit more direction than his others. Archer gestures in the direction of the weakened Maa and the Drapion springs forward, charging up his own Thunder Fang attack. Meanwhile the Luxray launches herself at her male counterpart over there, aiming a Superpower attack at him.]

[[Armstrong doesn't miss the look of fury on Archer's face, but he files it to the back of his mind as he focuses on the battle in front of him.]]

Maa...!!

[[The Pidgeot crashes to earth with a screech, her wings twitching as she passes out. With a concerned frown, Armstrong quickly returns her to her pokeball, murmuring to it inaudibly as he selects his next pokemon.]]

Stephanitz, Flame Wheel!

[[And out bursts his Arcanine, running towards the Drapion in a swirl of flames. Meanwhile, Lowen accepts the tackle from his female version over here, eyes widening in shock as the Superpower technique hits, knocking the air out of his lungs and causing him to release a strangled cry as he weakly tries to bite Caïssa in rebuttal, quickly sinking to the ground.]]

[Excellent, he can work with this. Arbiter is built for defense and takes the hit quite well. Caïssa also takes the attack and dashes away to get some distance. Archer folds his arms and nods in the direction of Stephanitz - Caïssa quickly complies by switching her attention over to the Arcanine. She lets loose a Swagger attack while Arbiter acts of his own accord, slamming his tail against the ground and unleashing an Aqua Tail attack.]

[...Has Archer mentioned he's very fond of those move tutors? Whoops~]

[[Steph roars in shock and pain as the Aqua Tail hits her, struggling to stand as the Swagger attack takes its toll. Eyes rolling in her head, she leaps towards what she hopes is the Luxray, ready to attach with Reversal.]]

Lowen, you have to help her!

[[Forcing himself to his feet, the Luxray staggers over to the fray, releasing another Discharge before crashing back to the ground, fighting to get back on his feet.

The tables have turned; now Archer's pokemon are walking all over his. Armstrong frowns again, never taking his eyes off the battle in front of him.]]

[Oh shit not Reversal--!]

[...And there goes Caïssa. Archer frowns and returns her. He should probably work on getting Pokémon with higher defenses. Arbiter, on the other hand, takes the Discharge attack fairly well and shakes it off. He slams his tail down again in Steph's direction - another Aqua Tail attack.]

[This time, Archer doesn't pull out another Pokéball. Instead he merely points forward and shouts the name of his next Pokémon.]

Isolani!

[Have you been paying attention to Archer's shadow, Armstrong? If you have, you might have noticed a strange warping every so often as the shadow tries to conform to what it should be doing in the sunlight. The shadow elongates itself and starts laughing, suddenly zooming forward as soon as Archer shouts the name. Out of the shadow comes a Gengar, making a face and still laughing.]

[Isolani launches a Shadow Ball attack as soon as he's out in the open, aimed at Lowen. Archer is down to three Pokémon - Arbiter won't be able to take too much more, but it's clear Archer is no longer worried.]

[After all, he's saved the best for last.]

A-Ah..!!

[[Armstrong's eyes widen as both his Arcanine and Luxray crash-land either side of him, unconscious.]]

Steph...Lowen!!

[[Taking a brief moment to check they aren't badly injured, he returns them to their pokeballs and turns back to the field.]]

[[Right! He's lost half his team and only has three to go; better make this count!]]

Berlichingen! Neuschwanstein!

[[If you managed to catch those names, you'll notice Stein the Swanna rolling it's magnificent eyes, before fluttering daintly onto the field. Must he battle? Must he really?

His battle partner is possibly the bitchiest Lucario in the world; he runs onto the field, slamming his fists together and snarling, bouncing lightly on his feet. He is gunna take you guys out, dammit! Even if he cannot stand this bastard he's supposed to be fighting alongside!]]

Stein, Hurricane! Berli, Copycat!

[[Stein rolls his eyes again, before taking to the skies, preparing to fire said Hurricane attack at Arbiter. Berli, however, is furiously enthusiastic, racing onto the field and hurling your Shadow Ball right back at you, Isolani.]]

[...Your Pokémon certainly have charisma, Armstrong... Archer's not quite sure what to do with that. All the same, he flicks a finger casually and Arbiter leaps in the way of the attack. Ghost-type moves doesn't do much to him and he shakes it off lightly. The Hurricane attack, however, does a significant amount of damage, leaving the Drapion barely hanging on. Archer frowns for a moment, but he's not too worried.]

Again, Arbiter!

[He launches himself at Stein, charging up that Thunder Fang attack again. Archer turns to Isolani and nods - the Gengar attempts to land a Hypnosis attack on Berli. He'll have to teach Isolani some more varied moves to take on Fighting-types in the future - that is what Berli is, right?]

[[Berli neatly avoids the Hypnosis attack but Stein is hit head-on with the Thunder Fang, letting out an animalistic shriek as he crashes to the ground, twitching. Through some miracle, he's managed to grasp onto a few remaining hitpoints, but he can't move or attack. He's basically out of the battle.

Armstrong's eyes widen, and he quickly orders Berli's next move.]]

Heal Pulse, Berli! Quickly, help him!

[[Berli turns at that, but he doesn't immediately move to fire off the healing attack. If anything, his lip curls up as he stares at the usually proud Stein, struggling to stand in a mess of singed feathers.

It doesn't go down well with his trainer.]]

Berlichingen!! You will do as I say!

[[Jumping up as if he was the one receiving an electric shock, the Lucario sheepishly heals Stein, the Swanna furiously getting back to the air and shrieking angrily at his rescuer, in that frustrating language only pokemon understand.

Armstrong, on the other hand, covers his face with his hand.]]

How dreadfully embarassing...

[[He was going to pay for that little spat between his Pokemon, and he knew it. Archer wouldn't miss that little oppurtunity.]]

[What in the world was that?]

[Archer has certainly seen Pokémon that don't get along - his Crobat and Honchkrow hated each other back when they were a Zubat and a Murkrow - but he's never seen it get in the way of battle. This might be because all of his Pokémon are battled-hardened warriors who thrive on the battlefield and enjoy beating faces in. Or something.]

[He doesn't say anything though, instead tipping his head slightly in consideration. How odd. Yes, he will confront Armstrong about that after the battle - but now isn't the time for that.]

[Instead, he smirks again and nods to his Pokémon. Arbiter once again goes after Stein with the same attack. Isolani, however, switches tactics without any sort of command, instead shifting to use Spite on Berli.]

[Archer recognizes that move - the Audino Sheska had, Appendi, recently learned that move and Archer has found it quite useful. He doesn't want Berli using that again and prolonging this battle any further.]

[[This time, Stein doesn't get back up after the Thunder Fang technique. Nothing like a x4 weakness to Electric attacks, goddammit.

Returning Stein to his pokeball, Armstrong gives Berli a Look, before beckoning his final and strongest Pokemon onto the field.]]

Make me proud, Bentheim!

[[And Ben the Golem intends to, starting the battle by slamming into Isolani with a furious Heavy Slam attack, while Berli tries to earn himself back some respect from his trainer by Aura Sphere-ing Arbiter over there.]]

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