Flame One: Training

[flame_one]

[Out of the wooded section of the island a certain admin is walking into the CMA looking a little disheveled. His jacket and pants has some dirt marks upon them and a few stray leaves were still clutching to his clothes from his adventures in the woods. He looks kind of miserable clutching a oval shaped egg in his arms, while scanning the area for

Comments

[oceansbane]

[Maxie takes all of that in quietly, though his gaze has returned to Tabitha's face; though he understands what's being said, he's clearly displeased with it.]

You're not listening very well - I didn't ask you whether you're supposed to challenge Archie or not. And I believe that your leader's rival might respect any wishes you have not to battle him...but I'm not asking about your leader's rival, am I? No, I believe I specified mine.

[He leaves Camerupt's side then, approaching Tabitha, his pace slow and deliberate.]

I don't think you realize exactly what the situation looks like for you right now. Did you know one of my admins arrived on this island recently? My most trusted and loyal one, actually, I'm very fond of him; he's special to me. And I know he would never lie to me.

He informed me that my rival tried to kill him.

[He stops while still a good distance away; he isn't about to invade space.]

So while what you've told me is a nice sentiment, why don't we try that again? If you were to come across my rival, knowing what he's done to admins belonging to Team Magma in the past, are you confident that you would be able to fight him and win?

[flame_one]

[And like a boy in school getting lectured and scolded Tabitha's faces falls a bit. That confidence isn't quite there anymore, but he isn't so submissive that it was completely destroyed.

When Maxie moves closer Mightyena stiffens a little. He doesn't quite trust the man, but he doesn't do anything else.]

Eh... Man, I don't know. I don't think he could be that tough that I couldn't take him on. But if you know something I don't are you going to tell me? I mean, if he is as bad as you say then I will need to train harder.

[Not happy.]

[oceansbane]

I would suggest that you not disrespect my rival in such a way, for one thing. As I said, it's not that it can't be done - but it's very unlikely for someone like you to last more than a couple of rounds. And there's no guarantee that he'll stop when he's done with your Pokemon, either. We have a truce right now, but you aren't my admin, are you? My word won't necessarily protect you.

[He pauses, tipping his head slightly as he thinks; after a moment, he recalls Camerupt, selecting another of those Pokeballs from his belt.]

Battle with me.

One Pokemon each; just a bit of friendly competition. I want to see what your style looks like. All right?

[flame_one]

[While he is a bit huffy about the insult to his abilities, Tabitha just looks genuinely surprised by why Maxie is saying. Is Maxie actually looking out for him and being kind of civil? Even his battle challenge doesn't sound creepy or threat-like.]

Yeah, okay. Just a friendly match then? [He isn't so sure what this guy is planning, but since Maxie was judging his Camerupt's strength he might as well show him it. He tosses the ball up and out pops his Camerupt.]

[oceansbane]

[Maxie, on the other hand, is still holding that Pokeball of his; he doesn't move to release it, simply watching Tabitha's Camerupt in silence for a long moment.

When nothing happens, he shifts his gaze back up to Tabitha's face.]

Well?

[flame_one]

[What the hell man]

...Well what? Aren't you going to send yours out?

[oceansbane]

[Maxie just laughs a bit at that, shaking his head.]

...one.

[He doesn't seem too interested in verifying exactly what he's counting over there; it doesn't really seem to matter much, anyway, as his next move is to release the mechanism on that Pokeball he's been holding. Houndoom. Clearly Maxie has no qualms battling against type.]

Fire Spin.

[It's a weak move and he knows it, particularly against Camerupt due to type; at the same time, it has its uses.

You may be noticing a bit of difficulty attacking through that vortex of flame, there. So sorry about that.]

[flame_one]

[Tabitha doesn't like that laugh. Not one bit. He doesn't really remember the move Fire Spin, having never really used it himself.]

Rock slide

[With what little damage that fire move is doing, it should be pretty easy to strike back. Or so he thought, but his poor Camerupt is simply trapped.]

...Wait.. Why isn't he attacking?

[oceansbane]

[That? That gets you another laugh for your effort.]

Two.

[Maxie knows he'll have a while; he can afford to be flashy to make his point. Following an abrupt gesture to Houndoom, the effects of Sunny Day begin to become apparent on the field.]

Such a basic move, too. You really need to hone your craft.

Just to let you know, you won't be attacking for a while. Which is a shame when your Pokemon is all that's standing between you and your opponent, isn't it?

[As though to prove his point, Houndoom hasn't been remaining on Maxie's side of their makeshift field; he's begun circling, restless. Predatory. Drawing closer to Tabitha.]

You see, in my world, battling isn't about rules or niceties. Such things are really only good for League battles, really. Tournaments and the like.

Battling resolves things. And if this were an actual fight, I would have nothing to resolve with your Pokemon. I would, however, have something to resolve with you.

[The subtle beginnings of a Flamethrower are starting to make themselves very known, flickers of fire showing up around Houndoom's jaw as it approaches, intensified by the sunlight.

Maxie's definitely noticed; his next word is a reproach, though it's immediately followed by a command.]

Houndoom. SolarBeam.

[And that, fortunately, is aimed at Camerupt rather than directly at Tabitha - doubly fortunate, perhaps, given the speed of it, Sunny Day negating any need to charge it. It's a powerful attack, and he's aware that the damage will at the very least be neutral; he has no way of knowing exactly how strong Tabitha's Camerupt is, of course, so he'll see how that goes.]

[flame_one]

[He really isn't enjoying that laughing, man. Makes him feel like a loser.]

Who in hell ever actually uses that move anyway? [Being a bit defensive, but his Camerupt never had the option of learning it so naturally he didn't know of its existence.]

Thanks for the tip buddy. It's nice to know when you are screwed.

[He might not seem like he is getting anything from this, but really it's a big wake up call on how he needs to tackle battling. Mightyena has drawn his attention away from Maxie to give Houndoom it in case the Pokemon decided to more than just intimidate. This never happened where he was from, his master being in direct threat of attack. It was putting him on edge.

By the time Maxie has called out his command, Tabitha is pretty sure this was a bad idea until the beam is actually aim at his Pokemon instead. It could have been him though. It really could have. Camerupt takes the full hit and lets out a roar of pain. He seems to have taken on enough damage to nearly wipe him out, but he still holding on. It's pointless though. Tabitha realizes this and pulls out his Pokeball to return him.]

Alright, you made your point. But what exactly am I supposed to do about it? I don't have any Pokemon on steroids from your world or nothing.

[oceansbane]

[Maxie offers Tabitha a vague, dismissive gesture - go ahead and recall Camerupt if you want, he'll accept the forfeit and won't stop you from surrendering. His gaze, however, remains on Camerupt, and will stay there until he's recalled; his expression had shifted some at the realization that the Pokémon was still standing, despite the fact that he was obviously taking quite a bit of damage. Almost approving, really.]

Is that your strongest, then?

[flame_one]

[Tabitha is quite miserable at the moment. It seems pretty apparent that he will probably die if faced with that Archie and worse he won't be able to defend Maxie from him.]

Yeah... it's between him and Mightyena. He can take hits better, but Mightyena is faster and can avoid them more.

[oceansbane]

[As the last embers from that Fire Spin fade away, Maxie's Houndoom seems more than content with the result of the battle; it returns to Maxie's side, waiting until Maxie seems to notice and get the hint - he slips his fingers into his pocket, retrieving another of those berries and allowing Houndoom to take it from his hand.]

And you have a Numel as well, you said - I find it interesting that you should take so well to that line, given how much patience they require to raise. Perhaps I'm impressed with that; they're amazing creatures, if raised properly.

However.

[And once Houndoom is done with that berry, Maxie will just be recalling him back to his Pokéball before beginning to approach Tabitha himself, his manner brisk and almost businesslike, in sharp contrast with the slow intimidation from before. He ensures that he stops a decent distance away, however; he doesn't want to make Mightyena upset over there, does he.]

You're going to be battling against type advantage often if you're going to be facing Team Aqua; get used to it. I came to enjoy it after a while. There's something rewarding about it...and what you can't win with strength, win with strategy. If it gives you any sort of leverage over your adversary, do it, no matter how nonsensical it looks to anyone watching. What matters is that you figure out what the hell you're doing, and you get it done.

Understood?

[flame_one]

[Mightyena has been rather tense throughout this whole ordeal. He really distrusts this particular Maxie and he is greatly concerned for the safety of his master. So no, making him upset right now might not be a good idea.

Tabitha is watching the man before him and considering what he has to say, but he doesn't look to happy.]

Yes...Sir.

[Words of wisdom and all that, but how he was actually going to go about beating up someone from Maxie's world Tabitha wasn't so sure. Though he now understood better how dirty they would fight. He really needed to train his Pokemon much harder.]

[oceansbane]

...good boy.

However, in the meantime, take this.

[And with that, Maxie will be taking another Pokéball from his belt, tossing it lightly in Tabitha's direction. Please tell him you can catch that.]

Should you run across any members of Team Aqua, Houndoom should protect you. After all, he's in your care and you're wearing my insignia; at the very least, he should hate Team Aqua more than he'll distrust you. Get to know him, if you like. He's yours until you can show me you can take care of yourself.

[flame_one]

[Well normally, maybe he would, but he was bit lost in the world of suck and still holding onto that delicate egg of his. But while he wasn't, Mightyena was at least on the ball and caught the thing in his mouth. Hope you don't mind, at least he isn't the slobbery type. Tabitha takes the ball from his Pokemon's mouth while keeping the egg steady in his other arm.

He looks up at Maxie with a raised eyebrow, but his mood seems to have improved, if only a little.]

Whoa, really? Your going to give me one of your Pokemon? [Hey, he isn't complaining, but man was he surprised by that. He doesn't know what to do with this random act of pity kindness.]

....Thanks.