Pokemon: Aschen Adventures (IC)

[Bad Situation]

Nathan winced at the information. He had hoped to stay out of the forest entirely but with his current options it just wasn't feasible. Although the trip to Sandberg would likely be easier on his team, challening the gym itself was simply not an option with his current lineup. Ender was too risky to send out in a ground-type gym which let Simon to face the leader's team on his own. With a heavy sigh he shut off the terminal and returned to the Pokemon center. As he walked he mentally checked off the items he would likely have to buy for the forest trail. Antidotes, potions, and food. And of course Pokeballs.

His pocket was heavier than usual these days but he wondered if the 7000 or so pokedollars he had on him would be enough to support all of his expenditures and then some.

Ender and Simon were full rested. They were certainly healthy enough for battle anyway. Hopefully there would be trainers at the center for him to fight.

[BluesEclipse]

Nodding, Gavin says, "Of course, I certainly wouldn't ask you to aid me without proper compensation. I'm willing to offer 600 Poke per week in pay... and in addition, I do make it my business to seek out rare stones and fossils, so it's certainly not inconceivable that I might find something else of value to you."

[Saint Anti]

The meeting with Nathan had been awkward, to say the least. While they still had a friendship, it was strained and distant now. "Perhaps, it was for the best.". The decision didn't come easy, but Sven had just arrived at this town. He was not ready to move on just yet. It was a mining town and that meant a few things. Machinery, cave dwellers, a place to train Pokemon, and work.

Working in the mine was rather easy. Just sit back and draw the machinery, architecture, common cave dwellers, diagrams of mineral concentration, and whatever else came to mind as Metang slaved away at the rocks, learning Strength and Rock Smash in the process. Maybe these drawings could come in handy if I ever need to build similar machines..." thought Sven.

The air quality is bad and it isn't very pleasant in here, but it's easy work and the wild Pokemon are easy to deal with.

It wasn't a well paying job, but 8000 credits were 8000 credits. System seemed to enjoy the exercise, at least at first. Sven was still having trouble getting a read on his Metang's emotions. Occasionally System would take a break from mining to beat up some stray Pokemon that wandered to close to itself or Sven, but for some reason an exception was made for a Roggenrola. The Roggenrola had been observing Sven and the Metang at a distance for days, and it never seemed too eager to fight. It was also the first wild Pokemon Sven saw when he entered the mine.

Maybe it was the gleam on its rocky shell that made it stand out. Maybe it was because it reminded Sven about himself, So Sven caught it. It wasn't a very tough fight, and there wasn't much more to it than that.

Note to self, take note of prices for common and uncommon Pokemon and see if catching heaps of common low level Pokemon is in any way profitable.*

The Joltik however came as a surprise. Sven had been working at the mine for a week and he hadn't seen anything other than common rock and ground types, and the usual heaps of Zubats. An electric and bug type was a unique combination, and its Electroweb could be useful when fighting fast Pokemon which would run circles around System and Sven's new Roggenrola.

Although Sven would never mention this to anyone, it was also kind of cute.

"System" Sven called out.

System stopped working for a moment and it's eyes shifted over to Sven.

"Lets go capture a Joltik" Sven continued.

System turned towards the darkness where the Joltik darted, and floated on ahead.

Sven followed.

[Gorgondantess]

Adela:
You toss a few more stones in, and wait. There's some rippling, and bubbles... but nothing quite yet.
You step a bit closer to the water, peering inside, when it explodes.
Thankfully, with your finely tuned reflexes from years of training you manage to leap away from the mess of flailing grey tentacles as a massive tentacruel, at least ten feet in diameter, surfaces, and lunges onto land, crawling towards you! It seems to be a degenerate member of the breed, pallid, with murky green orbs instead of the normal red. And it's big.
As you stumble away, the tentacruel pursues you, moving at quite a good pace for a normally waterbound creature.

Gavin:
The boy shakes his head. "600 poke? I can make more than that in a single battle. I wouldn't mind helping you out a bit- I'm heading to Sandberg anyways- but money isn't much of an incentive for me right now."

At the Moira Pokemon Center:

TJ:
"Heartshome, eh? My uncle lives there! Bastard'd sell you his children, if they were worth anything!" He laughs unreservedly, slapping you on the back. You notice that a group of the boys are all standing around you, looking at you hungrily.
"Picked up with this lot back in Axelo. Figured they could use someone with a good head on their shoulders."
He looks at the gathered boys, narrowing his eyes. "Well, what the hell are you lot standing around for? I saw 'em first."
They all look down, disappointed, when a few of them notice a newcomer to the pokemon center- that boy who got slapped from Heartshome. A handful break off to rush at him, and Jack sighs, shaking his head and sizing you up. "Eh, you look harmless. Have at him."
Those who remain all rush at you at once, as Jack strides over to the newcomer. "Sorry, kid!" He laughs again, throwing you to the wolves.
All the boys all start holding out their pokeballs, battering you with their noise.
"So what kind of pokemon do you have?"
"Do you have any badges?"
"Wanna battle?"
"I've got a pinsir, I bet you've never fought one of those before!"
"Nobody cares about your pinsir, my heracross could beat it any day!"
The two with their respective bug pokemon start arguing, leaving only three left- an older, freckled boy holding out a bandolier of six pokeballs, and two identical boys, each holding one pokeball. It would be safe to assume that these trainers are a tag team- some decide to specialize in double battles, usually twins like these. Fighting against these groups can be difficult for one who does not double battle often, and they usually have an edge against virtually all other trainers. It's not done too often, though, as both 6 pokemon and all badges have to be shared between the two- essentially, they function as one trainer. If they were to ever split up, they'd have to divide their pokemon between the two and go after all their badges all over again.

Nathan:
Some trainers at the pokemon center? There's a whole pack of them.
In the time that you've been away, the center has been flooded with a gang of young boys- you could hear the ruckus outside on the street! You even notice that wimpy kid from Heartshome, who is currently surrounded by a few of the boys, all holding pokeballs. As soon as you enter, though, a few of those around the boy, as well as others across the room all charge towards you. They all wait for one, a taller, older boy, to speak. "Evening, trainer. Ignore these lot and they'll go away, but if you want to battle..." He looks over the assembled boys, "...You have some choices."

[Bad Situation]

Nathan patently ignored the outspoken trainer and instead turned his attention toward the familiar face. Tony was it? He distinctly remembered that his name began with a 'T' but nothing in particular stood out. Quite honestly Nathan was surprised that the kid was still training, perhaps his words of 'encouragement' had actually paid off in the end. Small wonders.

With a softly muttered, "Excuse me," Nathan pushed past the crowd to reach T. The tag-team looked as if they wanted a battle and Nathan knew from experience that they were a pain in the ass to beat. They certainly weren't impossible but they definitely had certain advantages that a novice trainer likely wouldn't know how to counter. So with that in mind, Nathan stopped a ways from the rabble and cleared his throat.

"How about a two on two?"

Cold calculating eyes scanned over the audience for any sign of recognition.

[Ajadea]

"Gyaaah!" Little girl or not, at the moment, Adela was quite glad no one had heard her shriek like that. Why was it that all the water-types seemed to fancy her a snack, and one that was worth getting on land for at that?! First Bane had tried to murder Vichi, and then he had decided to eat her fingers, and now this... thing in a cave. She resolved to pick up a Grass or Electric type as soon as she could. She needed something that could deal with the sea monsters.

And its tentacles, of course, had to look exactly like the color of a possibly extinct Pokemon. Just so it could lure trainers in for snacking. Perhaps she should get some net balls and become a Water-type specialist. It didn't look like she'd be having much trouble finding more Water pokemon, if the rate at which she was running into them was any indicator.

She kept moving backwards as fast as she could. Without even looking, she grabbed Screech's ball and sent the Pidgeotto out. "Screech, use Whirlwind!" Desperate times, desperate measures, and if this wasn't one of those desperate times, nothing was.

Spoiler

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Trainer action: Send out Screech! Shift: Away from the Tentacruel and towards the tunnels up 7 spaces.
Screech uses Whirlwind: Accuracy - (1d20)[14] HIT, assuming no monstrous evasions to go with that monstrous size.
Then shifts back 10 spaces towards Adela.

[Gorgondantess]

Adela:
The Tentacruel lashes out a tentacle at Screech... but it barely brushes her chest, just knocking off a few stray feathers before the beast is blown away by the powerful winds summoned by Screech, back into the waters from whence it came. It roars in frustration, then dives down, its prey lost for now.
That was a close call- a second off, and that thing could've gotten a hold on Screech. Then Adela would probably be down a pidgeotto, all told.

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THAT IS SO UNFAIR. I WILL GET YOU FOR THIS, YOU HEAR ME? I'LL GET YOU, AND YOUR LITTLE RIOLU, TOO!
I was thinking about having Adela have dropped her lantern by the water, but that would feel like cheating, and be unsatisfying. No, when I bring you down, it'll be all by the book...

[OrchestraHc]

T.J. notices the boy from earlier walking in before he's surrounded and mobbed. The two bug trainer's go off to argue, and he's left with a choice. Someone with double his pokemon or two trainers way better suited to their fighting style.

At... Nathaniel! At Nathaniel's suggestion, he get's a rather excited "Y-Yes!" Nathaniel was a serious customer back in Heartshome. T.J. wonders if he's gotten stronger. Strike that. T.J. know's he's gotten stronger, but he wonders if Nathaniel will notice how much stronger, he's become. He's more than aware he didn't exactly wow anyone back in the Pokemon Center with his apologizing and stammering. "I-I mean, how are you, N-Nathaniel? Catch a-any new Pokemon?"

[Ajadea]

"Return, Screech. You were amazing there," Adela says, smiling weakly. Her heart was pounding still and the adrenaline was still definitely there. The crash was going to be brutal, but she was alive to crash and that was what counted really. She watches as the red light engulfs the pidgeotto and returns it into the Pokeball before leaving the cave system.

It was only after she had returned into the open air that she turned on her Pokedex and began to read. Yeah. Tentacruel really weren't supposed to look like that. A consequence of being in a dark cave for so long, perhaps?

On one hand, she really didn't need another homicidal maniac on her team, much less one that was ten feet across and looked like something out of a nightmare. On the other, homicidal tendencies, if well-controlled, well-directed, and kept in moderation, weren't a terrible thing to have when you needed something murdered right now. Really, the main issue she had was that that thing could eat Bane in one gulp.

Adela decides, in the end, to begin returning to civilization. From there... well, she'd pretty much do what she always did and just wing it. Perhaps she might be able to buy some specialty balls to capture that monster. A green tentacruel might be an interesting novelty, and could sell quite well indeed to people who were interested in that sort of thing. And failing that, it could probably battle decently.

But most of all, she kind of wanted to sleep in a real bed again. There was only so long one could sleep on rocks without waking up sore.

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You're the one who didn't make the Pidgeotto run away earlier. .

[BluesEclipse]

Nodding, Gavin says, "Very well, I can understand your decision. I believe that I will join you in heading to Sandberg, however - my luck has been... rather mixed when travelling on my own. My Larvitar was found when it attempted to chew my leg off, and the Aerodactyl chased me halfway through the Axelo Mines, after having thrown my Munchlax off of a cliff. Still, I suppose I came out ahead in those situations, regardless... but having a travelling companion might be helpful." If nothing else, Gavin thinks, it will provide a convenient decoy while I escape. "At any rate," Gavin continues, "if we're to travel together, we should properly introduce ourselves, don't you think? I'm Gavin Walker, researcher and geologist." Gavin smirks as he introduces himself, waiting for the younger trainer to follow suit.

[Gorgondantess]

Adela:
You end up in the Axelo pokemon center a bit before sunset, and give your pokemon- as well as your own exhausted body- a well deserved break. It's just been one too many near death experiences, these past few weeks.
The next morning, you look for some specialty pokeballs. The pokemon center here has normal pokeballs, great balls, and ultra balls. The nurse shrugs at your inquiries for other types of pokeballs.
"It's a small town, hun. The League doesn't really want to bother sending out that kind of stuff if noone's gonna buy it. Most get their heavy balls from the apricorn smith just outside of town."
She describes the location, and you realize you've passed the building a few times before, on your way to the mountains, and you thank the lady and make your way over there.
You find the rickety shack nestled by a trail going up the mountains. Behind it is a barbed wire fence, several apricorn trees within- black, yellow and pink, predominantly.
On the door is a small sign in nearly illegible lettering- probably why you didn't notice it before.
"Custom Pokeballs
Apricorn Juice
Inquire Within"
Without is a young man, fast asleep and snoring on the patio. He looks no older than 20, slightly pockmarked and with long, greasy brown hair hanging behind him. A spilled cup sits beside him. You can smell the alcohol from where you stand.

Gavin:
The guy seems a little surprised by your presumption. Nevertheless, he shakes your hand. "Uh, Brandon. Brandon Helmann."
He heads to the lockers at the gym, collecting a lime green motorcycle helmet. "Sorry, but... you don't happen to have a bike, do you?"
He shakes his head. "Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind a travelling companion myself, and, uh, I know of a rental place around here, but unless you've got some sort of vehicle yourself I don't think that it would be entirely practical."
He shrugs amiably.

Nathan & TJ:
The twins seem pleased, while the other boys all head off to do their own thing. The tall boy, Jack, makes his way over to you all. "Alright then, looks like it's settled. Makes thing easier for everyone, I guess." With that, he turns over to the other tall one who was helping the nurse, hollering. "Yo Ray! These ones are going to go to the gym." The other nods, and gives the thumbs up. Jack turns back to you. "You guys mind if I watch?"

On your way over to the gym, the twins introduce themselves as Barry and Mark, though naturally you quickly lose track of which is which. They have an unnerving tendency to talk both at once, which they do so the whole way.
"Most tag battlers tend to use the same kind of pokemon-"
"Both bug types, or both electric, or similar families-"
"We used to do the same thing-"
"Raymond taught us how to do better-"
"Diversify-"
"Complimentary types-"
And so on. Meanwhile, Jack strolls along behind with long, confident strides. He speaks up when you arrive at the gym.
"Alright then, let's set some ground rules. First of all, one pokemon each, or two? Also, is there going to be any prize money?"
One of the twins (Barry, you think) fishes around in his pocket, pulling out some money.
"We've got... 1000 poke."
Jack takes out his own money, slapping a few bills into his hand. "Double that. How about it, trainers? 1000 each into the pot?"

[OrchestraHc]

"I-I'm willing to go in if N-Nathaniel is." It wouldn't be right to accept the bet without asking his partner. Speaking of which, "Umm... Nathaniel, c-can we talk off to the side for a m-moment?"

[Bad Situation]

Having spaced out for several seconds while the twins were likely explaining their lifestories, Nathan suddenly snaps back to attention at the mention of his name. [COLOR="RoyalBlue"]"Right, of course."[/COLOR] He leads T.J. to a less populated corner of the gym and picks two pokeballs from his belt. "We will discuss prize money after I have words with my 'friend' here."

After they're a good distance away from the others Nathan pops the first question, "Alright, let's talk strategy. But first, tell me about your team."

"I still have my Magnemite and he's the strongest member of my team by far. I also have a Drilbur that I have been training recently. He's still rather young but I have faith he can get the job done if it comes down to it. I figure we can test the waters by sending out our weaker Pokemon first, or we can try to hit them hard and fast from the opening move. It really depends on the terms of the match though. If it's simply going to be a 2v2 with no substitutions, you'll want to put your best foot forward. However, I suspect we'll be using two Pokemon each so we may want to prepare for that occasion."

[OrchestraHc]

"r-Right." T.J. says with a nod. "Me and Dancho, my slowpoke, are still together of course, a-and he's gotten stronger too. I also still have the uh-Ursaring from the pokemon center, he's been doing well too, and definitely my first choice for hitting hard. I also have a m-Murkrow now. It's probably my weakest though. w-We could use her for the test the waters plan." He looks down at his feet as h formulates some semblance of a plan. "I-I think Dancho and your m-Magnemite would be the best type c-combination, though. I have water and psychic attacks, which covers m-most of Magnemite's weaknesses." Ground, fire, fighting. "And... d-Does your Magnemite still know Gust?" He remembers from the Pokemon Center Incident. That would cover two of Dancho's weaknesses, Grass and Bug. Kid's got a decent head for strategy. After that, his only real worries are Electric and Dark type attacks.

[Bad Situation]

Nathan quirks his brow at the strange question. "Still know gust? Why would Ender forget the move in the first place?" Good lord, the kid was stuttering a lot, but it would probably take more than a few harsh words to stop that nonsense so he decided to stay quiet on that front. "Don't even bother sending out your Murkrow if you're not completely confident in its abilities at this point. I'd suggest you use your Slowpoke and Ursaring."

After thinking a moment, Nathan follows up with, "I have a plan. Send out your Murkrow and we can pretend as if we're discussing its potential in a fight. I'll nod and then you return it. When it comes time to battle you'll send out your Ursaring instead and save your Slowpoke for swapping out."

[BluesEclipse]

"You have a point, there. I prefer to travel by foot most often, simply because it allows me to find things others may overlook..." Gavin answers, after a moment's thought. "I suppose we part ways here, then, Brandon... though if you do reconsider my offer of employment, feel free to contact me. If not, I do wish you luck in your own endeavors... and I might suggest trying to obtain another Pokemon prior to the Sandberg gym. A Ludicolo, perhaps... water and grass would likely be the most effective typing combination there, at any rate." Shrugging, he turns to leave, saying, "Perhaps if we cross paths again, we'll have a rematch... perhaps." Walking out of the Gym, Gavin thinks, I probably should get some more supplies, before continuing on... though perhaps I'll see if I can find any useful Pokemon around here as well.

Spoiler

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Yeah, Gavin's not going to get a bike. I'll be spending 2-3 days in Moira town and the surrounding environs, seeing what Pokemon I might be able to find and picking up more supplies before moving on. Grass, Fire, and Fighting types would be at the top of my list to seek out, to help cover some of the weaknesses in the current party.

[Ajadea]

Adela wrinkles her nose and does her best to ignore the stink of alcohol and the drunkard passed out on the patio. She attempts to open the door to the shack. If it is locked, she orders Vichi not to break it down and knocks on the the door instead.

[OrchestraHc]

"a-Alright." T.J. releases Bruja from the pokeball. "You m-might want to nod approvingly, t-to sell it."

[Bad Situation]

Nathan noddded approvingly at the dark bird. Hopefully the move would bait the other two trainers into sending out a Pokemon suited for battling flying types. it couldn't hurt at the very least. After a few moments of examination, Nathan pocketed the Pokeball containing Ender and enlarged Simon's pokeball. "Let us go discuss the terms of battle then."

"Unless you have anything else you would like to discuss."

[OrchestraHc]

"r-Right." He hoped the plan wasn't too obvious as he returned his Murkrow to its ball. He'll follow the older trainer's lead.

[Gorgondantess]

ATTENTION TRAINERS!
The semi-annual Moira Town Bug Catching Competition is now OPEN!

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Every TV in every pokemon center blares the same commercial: the Moira Bug Catching Competition. Over a week, trainers enter a specially prepared biome full of virtually every bug type pokemon in the world, as well as several grass type pokemon, of all levels of power. It's not for the faint of heart, though- most of the time, at least one person dies in the process. Swarms of beedrill are hardly the worst thing that can be found in there- in a particularly notorious example the pack of scizor several years ago that took no less than 5 trainers lives. These things are rather common in the competition- special groups of powerful pokemon that should honestly be evaded by most.
Those entering the bug catching competition can gain recognition, prizes, and of course pokemon. Each trainer is followed by a magnemite-cam, and each is broadcasted all over the world. Usually only select trainers are actually televised, though any one can be seen online at a time.
Grand prizes are as follows: greatest variety of pokemon caught, most powerful pokemon caught, and rarest pokemon caught (there's always a certain pokemon that's unique within the biome- this year it's Armaldo), as well as 3 trainers elected by a panel of judges for the best adventure within the biome, usually awarded to particularly tenacious trainers.
Beyond that, anyone who catches a pokemon gets a prize, though it's usually just a token pokeball with the Bug Catching Competition insignia. Prizes above that vary from pokemon to pokemon, and usually involve evolutionary stones, TMs, and other valuable items.
Requirements for entry:
Must possess at least 2 pokemon and be a registered pokedex-carrying trainer
Must possess at least 3 pokeballs
5,000 poke entry fee.

Adela:
As you knock, there's no answer but the drunk stirring, yawning, and finally waking up. He mumbles a bit, scratches himself, and then starts when he notices your presence. He leaps up, brushes himself off and approaches you. It's remarkable the alacrity with which he's able to make himself into a somewhat presentable human being.
"Hey... 'm Vince. Make pokeballs."
He's obviously still half asleep. He offers his hand for a shake, which you notice is a mess of grease and grime. He notices your noticing, wipes his hands off on his grease-stained jeans, and offers a hand again.
"Sorry if the sign's a little misleading. Hard not to doze off in this summer air. You're a trainer, right? That's a cute riolu you've got there."
He reaches down to pat Vichi on the head, which predictably does not end well.
"Anyways... why don't I open up the shop and we'll see what I can do for you. Just, uh, sight tight for a few seconds."
While his voice isn't slurred, you can tell by the way he walks- or, rather, stumbles- that this man still probably shouldn't be operating heavy machinery. He heads inside his shack, closing the door behind him, and seconds later you can hear the metal door to his garage opening. Heading over to it, you find an eclectic workshop, for lack of a better word. Pokeball parts and otherwise half finished pokeballs and apricorns are strewn all over the place- some simple, some incredibly complex, some seeming to be nothing more than an apricorn with a hinge. Various crafting tools are stationed about, from woodworking materials to welding equipment to hand tools to computers to stuff you just don't recognize.
A scruffy looking espeon pads over to you, gives you a sniff, then decides you're not worth its time and goes to sleep in a corner.
Vince takes out a jug and a couple of cups from a noisy fridge, handing you a glass and pouring the both of you some apricorn juice. It's strong, and sour, and with a sniff you can tell that it would more appropriately be labeled apricorn wine. He downs his glass in one gulp.
"Welcome to my shop! You want the usual- heavy balls, love balls, maybe an overclocked ultra ball- or are you looking for something a little more exotic?"

Gavin:
Brandon nods, shaking your hand. "Anytime. Actually, I was thinking about sticking around town a bit longer- figure I'll try my hand at the Bug Catching Competition. If I can find any pokemon worth using it'll probably help me a lot with Sandberg."

Gavin knows that Moira town, being on the edge of the largest forest in Aschen, is an ideal place to find grass types. Indeed, it would be easiest to list grass types not found in the surrounding forest.
Fighting types would be a little more difficult. A few mankey might be able to be found in the forest, as well as machop off the beaten path on the route, though staying near Moira you have a relatively low chance of finding any of these pokemon. It'd be best to simply hope for the best on the way to Sandberg.
Fire types are even more finicky. The caves deep in the mountains certainly have vulpix and heatmor and numel and the like, and the outskirts of the plains beyond the forest is a natural home to ponyta, but both would take him well out of his way. Again, his best bet would be to hope for a growlithe on the route to Sandberg, though it'd be a poor bet.
One option would be to enter the bug catching competition here in Moira- a bug type would be equally useful to round out his roster, and a heracross or a volcarona would certainly be a worthy addition to the team.
His best bet, though, would likely be to kill two spearow with one stone and go for a shroomish. It's a grass type, easy to raise, and when it evolves it becomes the hard-hitting grass/fighting breloom.

TJ & Nathan: Need sleep now. Coming soon.

[BluesEclipse]

"Ah, yes... I do recall hearing about that. It might prove helpful... I understand they'll have an Armaldo up for grabs, this year. I'll have to consider it... perhaps, then, we'll see each other there?" Turning to leave, he continues, "Regardless of whether we meet there or not, I do wish you luck. And keep my advice in mind if you do attempt the contest here - a good grass type could easily tip the scales in your favor in Sandberg, especially with your already potent team."

Making his way to the Pokemon Center, Gavin makes his way to a quiet corner and pulls out his Pokedex, quickly pulling up the phone app and bringing up Markus's information. Tapping the button for speed-dial, he waits for the call to come through, thinking, I'm due to report in, anyway - and he might have a request or two for me relating to this contest. At the least, he might have something a bit more useful than the standard Net Ball for me to work with...

[Ajadea]

Adela pulls Vichi back before he can cause any major damage to the drunken shopkeeper. Or rather, any MORE lasting damage, gods only knew how munch of his brain had already rotted away. When the garage door opens, she drags Vichi over and places herself between Vichi and the Espeon. She did not at the moment like psychics. At all. She tries her best to ignore the alcohol stench and the racket from the refrigerator.

"Need something to catch an oversized underground Tentacruel. What's good for that?" she asks. She regards the shopkeeper again and wonders if he would even notice if she just walked away with some whatever-they-were balls. All the same, she holds Vichi back when he reaches for an unfinished one - first, it would be useless, second, she didn't really want to piss a guy with an Espeon off.

[Gorgondantess]

Nathan & TJ:
Jack heads over to the two of you, seeing you're done discussing strategy.
"So then, it's decided. 1,000 poke into the pot each, and 2 pokemon per person. Sound good?"
Assuming so, they all head to the gym proper, where battles can take place. Mark and Barry take their places and, being the challengers, send out their pokemon first.
"Butterfree!"
"Sableye!"

Adela:
The Espeon honestly doesn't look like much of a fighter: it looks like it'd much rather nap than battle.
And while he's obviously at least somewhat inebriated, Vince seems to be reasonably in control of his mental faculties. "Hmmm... giant tentacruel, you say? How big are we talking, 100 kilos or so?"
Without waiting for an answer he starts casting about for materials, grabbing a screwdriver, and an unfinished black pokeball.
"I think... what I could do is take a black apricorn base, but with the features of a net ball. Should be a little better than your average ultra ball, at least for this thing. I think I could let one go for, say... 1600 poke?"
He tinkers with it for a second, then puts it down. "Of course, I don't think you've come here for something quite so mundane."
He reaches into a drawer and pulls out a quick ball, as well as a thin, spidery metal device.
"Now, what we have here is a quick ball... and a stun device. What this does is, if the pokemon in question breaks out of the ball, it hits them with a pretty powerful electric charge. You attach it to a quick ball, and have the perfect opening for any wild pokemon you might encounter. Now, you might be thinking, hasn't Pokemon League legislation made stun balls illegal? They say it's inhumane, they say it's unsportsmanlike. Well, see, what I have here is simply a device attached to a quick ball, so it's technically legal... I think. And the-"
As he says this last part, tinkering with his materials, the device lets out a loud crack. He practically jumps halfway across the room.
"SONOFAB*TCH!"
He sucks on his finger, composing himself a moment. You think his hair might be standing on end a bit.
"Anyways... what do you think?"

[Ajadea]

"Well, I didn't exactly have a chance to weigh the thing," Adela comments. She looks at the device. It looked like a wire spider. And apparently hurt like all hell. If it would do that in the air, what would it do in the water? It... it probably wasn't illegal. Technically. "How much would that zappy thing be? Could I take it off after the capture?"

[OrchestraHc]

T.J. can't help but think Bruja would actually be pretty useful here, but he and Nathaniel already had a plan in place. He could run it by him later. "Big Dipper! Go!" he yells, releasing the mighty Ursaring.

[Bad Situation]

At the sight of the Butterfree Nathan cursed. Bug pokemon were notorious for their adverse battle conditions and innocuous pokemon like Butterfree were sometimes the worst offenders. Simon needed some experience in but if he wanted to ensure the end of potential annoyance he would have to bring out the big guns.

"Ender."

Nathan returned the ball he had been toying with in his hand, and retrieved Ender's pokeball instead. Just his luck though, the Murkrow actually would have been useful for this fight.

[Gorgondantess]

Gavin:
As you call up Marcus, you're answered not by him but by a woman. She's dressed smartly in business attire, and despite the severe look on her face looks rather young.
"Ah, Mr. Walker. Good. I was just about to call you. As Mr. Job has been promoted, he naturally has no time to dally about in the Petrology department. So I've taken his place."
Just hearing that was enough to know enough about this woman. The upper management in any branch of Rocket inc. was usually comprised of two types- first, those like Marcus, who got where they are today through a mixture of luck, connections, and natural talent. And then her. Her type had to claw their way up to where they are now- stepping on fingers and toes, maybe even slitting a few throats along the way. They earn their status through blood, sweat, and boneheaded tenacity, and won't let anyone take that away.
That's business.
Joining up with this branch, you thought it'd be relatively low-key, and under Marcus it was. Besides, the Petrology department is a dead end- always has been, after Genesect was made. Somebody probably decided to "promote" her to this position in order to get her out of the way- maybe she was making too much noise, or just doing too well, or pissed off the wrong people. But she's here now, and you have the feeling she's not just going to sit on it.
"My name is Maria Summers. I hope you find this arrangement satisfactory?"
She takes off her glasses, and somehow manages to look down at you even though you're holding your pokedex below you.
"Now. I pride myself in understanding simple concepts such as cause and effect... and when large sums of company funds, among other things, are transferred to one Gavin Walker the same day Mr. Job receives a promotion due to the discovery of a miraculous compound... well, I'm nobody's fool, Mr. Walker.
I'll be blunt. Just how instrumental were you in the development of Omni?"

Nathan & TJ:
"Sableye, fake out!"
Before the glow of the pokeball has even left Ender, the sableye leaps into the air and slaps the hapless magnemite. Ender loses his stability and slams into the ground with a loud crack, taking even more damage.

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Critical hit! Ender takes 12 damage, and is flinched.

"Butterfree, sleep powder!"
The butterfree sails over Big Dipper, blue dust pouring off of its wings. The ursaring teeters, totters, and collapses in a heap.
And with Ender still figuring things out and Big Dipper fast asleep, the Butterfree is free to move, winging over to Ender this time.
"Stun spore!"
Yellow powder, this time, and the already disoriented Ender's movements become sluggish.
With Ender so afflicted, the Sableye gets a chance to move before him.
"Sableye, night shade!"

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Ender takes 18 damage.

Ender, paralyzed, is unable to move.
Big Dipper remains fast asleep.
"Butterfree, confusion!"

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The Butterfree deals 5 damage to Ender

"Sableye, Astonish!"

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Sableye deals 6 damage to Ender

And with that, the poor, abused Magnemite gives up the fight.
Big Dipper remains fast asleep.

Jack snickers in the background, apparently quite amused by this turnout.

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I think that's enough for one post...

Adela:
The guy thinks a moment.
"Hmmm... well, I'd strongly advise you take it off after catching the thing. That is, unless you want it to be electrocuted any time you send it out.
Hmmm... lessee... For the quick ball, the stun b- uh, device, installation and removal at a future date... Mmm, 2100 poke." He smiles almost haplessly. It looks like he's expecting you to turn him down.

[BluesEclipse]

Gavin blinks for a moment as the woman's face appears instead of Markus's, and before the woman starts speaking, he thinks, Looks like Markus got a new secretary... As the woman introduces herself, however, his thoughts shift, considering the change in the chain of command. And Markus and I got along rather well... a shame, really. I suppose it's not unexpected, however.

As she asks about Gavin's role in developing Omni, Gavin merely smirks, and responds, "A pleasure to meet you, Maria. And congratulations would be in order on your promotion, I suppose. As for Omni... Suffice it to say that I had an incidental role in the project... it came about rather unexpectedly, while I was beginning the preliminary work for my expedition here in Aschen. Though I trust you've already familiarized yourself with my file, so I won't bore you with the details of my objective here in Aschen."

His expression shifts to one of neutrality as he continues, "Regardless, my main reason for calling in is to give a report on my progress. I'm currently in Moira Town, still looking for other capable individuals to act as a support team for when I head into the desert. I've yet to find anyone who's been willing to join the expedition, but I intend to check out the Bug-Catching Contest held here to see if any trainers stand out as potential recruits. After that, my next destination will be Sandberg - even if I fail to find anyone here in Moira, I'd expect to find someone there."

[OrchestraHc]

T.J.'s mouth holds agape for a moment. "Wow!" he says in astonishment before shaking his head. He can be impressed afterwards. "Sorry..." he says to his tag partner. "Big Dipper! Wake up, please! Faint Attack the Butterfree!" They were behind already, there was no way they could take four pokemon if Dipper didn't do something.

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Sleep check: (1d20)[2]

Faint Attack: Cannot miss
Damage: (1d10+10)[20]