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!

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[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.]]

[Arbiter is too weakened as it is - the Aura Sphere knocks him out cold. Isolani barely manages to cling to consciousness - his defense is terrible too, of course - and Archer frowns. Ah well, time to pull out the big guns.]

Let's go, Alekhine!

[The Alakazam appears from the Pokéball, wearing a smirk that matches Archer's own. The Alakazam is his most trusted Pokémon, even if it is on the lazy side and a bit of a slacker. 5,000 IQ, yeah right.]

[Isolani switches tactics immediately, firing off another Shadow Ball attack aimed at Berli. The Alakazam doesn't seem bothered and lets the Gengar go first, waiting for a moment longer than necessary to make his move. He's obviously quite comfortable with battling and he knows his type advantages just as well as Archer does.]

[He fires off an Energy Ball attack at Ben, still smirking like the douchebag he is.]

[[Berli wears the Shadow Ball and cries out angrily, immediately retaliating with a Copycat. None of his regular moves are able to do anything to the Ghost-type, so Copycat is all he has.

Maybe Ben will be able to...give him some assistance....oh.

Or not, considering he's lying unconscious on the ground. So much for the strongest pokemon in the party, shit son.]]

Bentheim...!!

[[Now he's down to only Berli. This isn't going to end well.]]

[The Copycat Shadow Ball knocks Isolani out, but Archer isn't worried. Alekhine hasn't taken any damage, and even though he had nothing Defense-wise, he should be able to withstand Special Attacks easily. Archer's smirk deepens as the Energy Ball hits - excellent. It's a very uneven one-on-one, but Archer has no intention of ending the battle now.]

Finish him, Alekhine.

[The Alakazam's eyes glow and he unleashes a powerful Psychic attack. Of course, Archer's just assuming that Berli over there is a Fighting-type...]

[[Ignoring the Steel-type aspect of Berli's make-up, Archer is 100% correct in his assumption. Shrieking, Berli collapses to the ground, completely unable to withstand the force of Alekhine's attack.

Armstrong sighs, returning Berli to his pokeball and clipping it back on his belt.]]

I must congratulate you on your victory, Colonel Archer. I am sorry about that little spat between my two Pokemon there.

[Alekhine seems quite pleased with himself for all of about five seconds before... teleporting away. Archer doesn't seem to mind that his Pokémon has up and disappeared - he can still contact Alekhine if he needs to - the Pokémon can read his mind, after all.]

Thank you, but I have been here for quite some time. Alekhine is one of my strongest Pokémon.

[The modesty is false, of course, but he's used to putting on a show.]

Ah, about that... I take it you've never had them battle together before? How do you normally train your Pokémon, Armstrong?

[Archer prefers to train his together to foster teamwork. It's also more like commanding an army, and let's face it, he fucking loves commanding armies.]

I use a mixture of personal and mixed training, Colonel! I like to train right alongside my Pokemon!

[[....DAZZLE]]

I find it makes the training session far more rewarding, to sweat alongside your Pokemon! To feel their pain, and their achievements! We have formed an excellent bond!

[[....as for those other two...]]

I'm afraid Stein and Berli are harshly opposing personalities. But I suppose they make life exciting for me!

[[...which is one way of putting it...]]

[Well that's certainly... one way of saying it...]

I can see you have; having fewer Pokémon would certainly help with that, I'm sure.

[A pause while Archer considers; training alongside one's Pokémon probably would help a lot too. Not that he'd ever do it, of course.]

It's certainly a unique training method, but as long as it works for you. I do suggest attempting to train both Stein and Berli at the same time, however. This battle was merely a practice - if you're required to double battle anyone in all seriousness, an error like that will cost you gravely.

[Archer is reprimanding, of course, but his tone isn't harsh. There was a reason why the soldiers actually did like him, after all! ~~And it wasn't his warmongering ways, that's for sure.~~]

I don't see this as something that you can't overcome. If anyone can get two Pokémon who loathe each other to work seamlessly together, I'm certain it's you.

[That bit of flattery there is admittedly part of the Ego-Stroke Game, but Armstrong is one of those rare people Archer actually does admire. Not because of his muscles, but because of how he handles things. ...Archer just likes the people he worked with, okay.]

[[Armstrong bows his head respectfully as Archer speaks; he knows he has a point.]]

You are completely correct, Colonel. I will be sure to discipline both of them; I have no problem with a bit of healthy competition but these two take it too far, all the time!

[[....and that bit of flattery is very appreciated, ok]]

I am touched that you would say such a thing! Now I surely must endeavour to ensure that my two Pokemon work peacefully together! I would not be able to bear it if I let you down, Colonel!

[[....HE HAS A REALLY GOOD OPINION OF YOU, ARCHER....]]

[You're the only one, Armstrong...]

Excellent. I look forward to a rematch with you in the future. Hopefully the two of them will be working together.

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