bravenewworld | The Elite Four Strikes

"What kind of attack is that even supposed to be?!" Waver cried, voice cracking in the middle of the exclaimation in his own fright and uncertainty. He had never seen a move like that before, and on instinct he climbs on top of some nearby debris so he could better analyze their opponent.

In the meanwhile, Cass was becoming more agitated with how this rescue effort was going. Completely done with these scythe-weilding assailants, she gives chase with her Pursuit to head the nearest one off before any more innocents could be harmed.

It's a good thing that Waver is analyzing, because now that they're on the defensive, Raine doesn't have time to do that, let alone even talk after a quick nod to Ahri. It's a hard run, and she barely stumbles in range of the area in time, thanks to adrenaline and the low key assistance of the gods' powers still in their favor.

With faint moments remaining she casts a light screen, this time to cover anyone in the way of that incoming flame.

Her Castform, meanwhile, has to move her position with all the other attackers getting in the way, as she tries to set up another good opportunity for a weather ball shot.

Boar tried to dodge out of the way of the fire, though it hit his tassels. He still stood, but that hurt. Still, as the Pidove pulled the cape above the attacker's head, Boar lashed out with Sacred Sword, furious and in pain. Boldred joined Wunjo, grabbing what cape the tiny bird couldn't grasp and tangling the man up as best he can.

As much as Martin wanted to slice through the stranger, protecting the people came first and he used his Misty Terrain to hopefully prevent any burns while his Frosslass got out of the way and his Growlithe took a defensive stance over some children.

[The black flames hurt a lot, the Dark and Fire typing being quite potent. The Misty Terrain, however, does its work and the figure is almost immediately assailed by attacks on all sides that send him flying into the abbey's walls where he hits with a loud crack.

Waver's analysis reveals his typing: Dark and Fire, of course, and level 80. He has high offensive output with both special and physical attack, but his defenses are not particularly robust. His ability to meld his two typings into a single attack seem to be his specialty. He's pretty hurt, but he still has some fight left in him, as evidenced by him standing once more and slamming the butt of his scythe on the ground.

And, from above, streaking like a comet descends a Talonflame wreathed in flame that crashes down on Ahri and her team like a meteor, while the ground beneath Waver, Sophia, and Raine cracks open as an Exadrill emerges with a mighty Earthquake.]

The chaos surrounding the area was overwhelming to say the least and trying to do all that needed to be done was nearly impossible. As such, with the assailant being assaulted by some of the others Ahri decided to take her team and help the citizens escape from this danger zone.

Or at least that had been her plan before her vision got clouded by the sudden blinding pain. Karthy had always been rather adept at avoiding things ~~especially chores~~ so he had dodged and flown out of the way of the impact... Not alerting Kid and Ahri however. The Talonflame sent both Ahri and Kid flying to opposite sides of the crash and ragdolling hard away from the point of impact.

A pained yelp escaped the Ninetails but her determination had her trying to pull herself up already, eyes filled with fire and the blue flame orbs appearing around her body. Kid on the other hand was as sturdy as they come and while shaken he stood quickly and growled. That hurt...You'll regret that! the Umbreon barked angrily before rushing to the Talonflame.

After floating surprised looking apologetic for not warning them, Karthy shook it off and flew right back in, readying a Payback to unleash.

"Cass-- get out of there!" Waver called, seeing now that his Absol would have no effect on their current enemies and cursing his judgement for not finding his loyal Seismitoad in this chaos. None of his team would be effective against that combination, and even with his team high leveled he could see that they were going to be overpowered before this was all over.

-- but there was no more time to think, not with the Excadrill appears and launches the attack. Acting quickly, Waver fired off his only Flame Burst spell at the partial Steel-type before Teleporting himself and anyone around him out of immediate harm's way.

It's fortunate for Sophia that her typing is Grass. Both she and Elhaz get knocked down by the force of the Earthquake, but between natural resistance and the Gods' blessings, she is far less hurt than she might otherwise have been.

That's not to say that the attack doesn't hurt, however, and she slides back, scrambling to right herself, even as Elhaz objects mightily. Interposing himself between the strange pokémon and his chosen human, he starts up a Growl, vines uncoiling from his back in a threatening manner. How dare you attack them here! That Sophia is teleported away along with Waver is a convenience, though she's left wincing as she lands on her backside in a neighbouring street.

There's someone else who's not best pleased however. As Wunjo releases the cape and swoops up to perch on the abbey roof, Ymir turns back to the human they've tossed about, lacking both the patience or time for this stranger's games. You threaten his charge! That is beyond unacceptable to the honedge, who unleashes a vicious Fury Cutter -- not on the intruder, but upon his weapon. He is determined to break your scythe, no matter what attacks you throw his way!

Martin, separated from the other humans in the melee, swore when he saw the other humans teleport. Please tell me that was intentional! He couldn't handle this if they had vanished and couldn't return. Still, he began to usher the refugees towards safety, waiting for a chance to slice at something.

Sunflash bounded over to the Excadrill, blasting him with Flare Blitz while Tansy, usually not one for violence, sent a full-power Hydro Pump at the human. Take him out, and hopefully his Pokémon will be easier to handle.

Just before the Excadrill attacks, Raine takes in her own analysis of the situation, though it's clear enough that most of them are in over their heads, level wise and typing wise. Certainly most of her team was at a disadvantage, though they were also still mostly trying to herd people into the shrines for safety.

That earthquake attack sends Raine tumbling over once again, though it manages to put her into Waver's range for that brief teleporting rescue.

We're okay! We need to draw them away from here!

Still in the middle of the fray, Yutis the Castform, realizing that it's attacks were doing little damage in it's current form, shifts over to it's rain form, with the intent to forecast a small, concentrated rainy day in the immediate fighting area. The castform hopes none of the citizens are close enough to get caught up in it, but emergency tactics were needed.

[The flame attacks slam into the Excadrill, causing it to stagger under the force. And then, the rainfall begins, as a Hydropump flies toward the Trainer.]

Wait whaaaaaauuuuugh!

[The Hydro Pump, empowered by the rain, slams into him and launches him into a wall, leaving his scythe behind with a new small dent thanks to the Fury Cutter. He hits hard and drops to the ground, lying still, for now. Both the Excadrill and the Talonflame cease their attacks immediately and rush toward him, leaving the team time to get their bearings and counterattack, if they so desire]

Seeing them retreat to the figure's side gave the team time to reconverge with the others. "Kid, Karthy, regroup witht he others. We'll settle this together but we need to get everyone out." And with that, the trio stopped their dash and went back out to move in with the others. Kid taking the initiative to help move any other civilians out of the combat zone while Karthy remained by Ahri's side right as she got to the other group.

"Disarming him was great, what's our next move?" It was clear she was ready to do whatever needed to be done to make sure no one else got hurt.

Wunjo drops off the side of the building, hopping down onto the ground next to the damp fallen figure. Cautiously taps his arm with his beak. When there's no immediate response, his head tilts to the left, to the right, then he hops up onto his chest. And sits there.

Yup. He's not going anywhere. He's got diiiiis.

Ymir pays no attention to the bird. Instead, he turns and stares down the evolved higher level pokemon. There's a gleam along his metal edge. I do not advise approaching further, he warns them. You're still in Tansy's line of fire, after all. Your partner is defeated. Stand down and accept defeat.

..Is he still alive? Emerging from the side street that Waver moved them to, Sophia looks very worried right up until Wunjo peeps a confirmation. That's a relief. There's been enough death - and it's important that Union not forget itself: they aren't Ever Grande. ..We'll need to find a way to bind him until the Swords of the Savior can take him into custody.

Coming up from behind, two vines extend to pick up the dropped dented scythe; Elhaz keeps up the growling all the while. He doesn't trust the stranger's pokémon, and he even flexes his vines a bit, testing to see if maybe he can add to the earlier damage to the weapon.

Don't do anything dumb; he'll need to be questioned too.

Waver sighed and steadied himself on his feet as they landed. The new details about the enemy trainer weren't lost on him and-- though tired from the repeated jumps and taking multiple passengers with him each way-- secured his Skitty in his arms and gave further orders to his pokemon.

"Cass, Bucephalus. Keep getting people out of here-- and find Orpheus if you can."

His voice was just as tired as he looked, but there was a glimmer of irritated determination in his eyes.

Cover me. I have an idea.

And that was the only warning he gave before he Teleported over to the fallen figure. Untying the Skitty from it's leash, he quietly picked his way across the rubble.

"Excuse me," he said, fighting to keep his voice firm in spite of his own nervousness. "I don't know what your intentions are, but please surrender yourself."

Waver held up the rope in his hands as he spoke, brows furrowed in his seriousness even as his heart threatened to jump out of his chest. Though there was an obvious strength and type disparity between the two of them, Waver's intentions should be clear.

"Authorities look more favorably on a cooperative opponent...and I can try to get you out of here if you do."

If worst came to worst, Waver would just teleport away again.

That was barely enough warning, after emerging from the side street only to see Waver suddenly materialize again in front of the fallen foe, let alone right in range of those still highly dangerous Pokemon. It was true that they were Union, and held to different ideals--but the experience in Glacier alone proved just how far some people would go to uphold their own. With that in mind, Raine quickly strengthens the defensive barrier around them all, just in case, with another reflect.

Don't let your guard down! Are the people all clear?

Still holding up the weather conditions, her Castform is prepared to act at the first sign of trouble, as well as her returning Pikachu, who had used agility to get close enough to Waver, but to keep out of the line of sight of the attackers.

Martin was quick to step up with Waver, sword drawn and his scarier team members (Boar, Tansy, and Boldred) nearby. The calm would give the evacuees a chance to get out of danger and Martin trusted his other two with them.

"Speaking a former Sword, he is right." Though I don't think they'll show him mercy at all, and if he fights us or tries to escape I'm not inclined to show mercy either, he adds silently so only his allies can hear. He was raised with a sense of how valuable life was but this man and his allies were responsible for the loss of many, many lives. "You are outnumbered by people desperate to protect their homes and lives. Surrender is your best option."

As Martin speaks, Tansy tosses up Wide Guard again, just in case. The more protection everyone had, the better.

[The Pokemon make no moves to attack, standing down as their leader is surrounded. He looks at Waver with a sardonic expression]

Sorry, not trusting a Union welp. I had my orders and I know where this goes.

[He removes a pill capsule from his sleeve and attempts to swallow it!]

I'm not even from Union-- I'm from Sanctuary!

[But the protest meant nothing-- he was still wearing his Ranger's jacket in spite of his accent-- and he knew he needed to move quickly.

Making a dive for the man, Waver bodily threw himself (and his Skitty) on top of the man in order to try to wrestle the pill from his hand and stop him. Baccus the Skitty, now well and fed up with everything entirely, did the first thing that came to mind.

He leapt for the man's face, claw's extended and prepared to scratch the jerkface until he couldn't even think about anything else but his own pain and rage.]

There's no time for Sophia to disagree regarding mercy, not when the captured stranger is prepared to take his own life! There's a sqwark of protest as Wunjo the Pidove finds himself partially flattened beneath Skitty-and-skinny-Mageling double team, and he scrambles up the captured human, smacking his wings arond in an effort to bat away that tablet and beat faces. It isn't highly effective but it sure is annoying.

Both bulbasaur and honedge stare in shock that a human would go to such lengths, and there's a dismayed cry from Sophia. "No..! Why would you..! You cannot abandon them like this!" Them being the two loyal Pokémon he'd called to his aid.

It seemed like the battle was over, done. At least the one they had been facing just moments ago. Not really caring wether the assailant lived or died, she let her flames dwindle down and let out a small sigh as she turned away and hugged Kid and Karthy close. "Thank you..." she whispered lightly, much to the duo's surprise but they nuzzled against her nonetheless.

After the embrace, Ahri stood up and gave the scene a once over before going to continue assisting in the retreat. Getting the last bits of citizens into the safe area and leaving the convincing and apprehending of the bastard to the rest. Don't give him a chance to hurt anyone else... was all she voiced mentally before going to help the evacuees.

"Is your price of failure so high that it transcends the bonds you've made with your companions? Are you so hardened that the only way you know how to respond is with death and destruction?"

She's not an idealist, more disgusted than outright angry by his actions. It was just like facing down the extremists in Glacier. That seemingly rock solid motivation with no room for any other possibilities. If Sanctuary hadn't been freed, she might have even understood, down the line. A scary thought.

Waver, don't be a hero! Stay clear!

Her Pikachu sneaks in close during the scuffle, with an attempt to nuzzle the strange man, and his Pokemon if they make any signs of retaliation.

[The efforts of the party are not in vain and the man, bereft of strength as he is, is wrestled away from his pill.]

Victory or death. That is the price we agreed to, human or Pokemon. They know as well as I do. Saving me is no good, I won't tell you anything and eventually she will come for me and finish it. I was trying to take the painless way out, but you deny me that. Union is a cruel place.

"We are cruel...?"

There is such genuine sorrow for this man after she hears his words. Sophia has no desire to see him dead, in spite of his actions here, or perhaps because of them. There is a genuinely sad noise from the pidove on his head, underscoring her words. "We would never make such demands of people...Your city and its people truly have no faith in others, do you." They really would do anything to avoid the consequences of their own actions.

Then words he has uttered click together and slowly she sinks to her knees, until her eyes are level with their captive. Though her eyes are wet with unshed tears, her voice is steady and direct. "...If you were to release your bond mates and send them away from here, would Alina spare them? Or would they too be 'cleaned up'?"

Edited 2016-02-01 11:44 (UTC)

The words lit a fire in Waver's heart, and his eyes flashed with a sudden intensity at the sheer irrationality of what the man was suggesting.

"You say it's 'cruel,'" he spat, "but what makes you think you deserve anything less after what your people did today? Peoples homes and livelihoods have been destroyed because of this senslessness

"What makes you think that you actually deserve to die after tonight?"

Perhaps it was cruel, but death felt like a cheap escape. Even if they learned nothing, safeguarding this man's life might be worth something in the future.

And, if not, living with the weight of these actions was a greater punishment than anything Death could offer.

Raine frowned. She really hadn't wanted to pile on with what the others had already said, but the lack of logic in the man's words was almost too frustrating to not say anything. Not after the Glacier experience. Not after growing up in an occupied city. Not after watching helpless people suffer, unasked for, while someone else's whims were pushed upon them unasked for.

"You're the one who came here trying to inflict death and suffering upon people who had done nothing to you, and yet you try to condemn us for not allowing you the supposed easy way out in return? To escape any responsibility at all, including harm to your fellow companions? Pathetic."

The Elite Four Strikes

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject