Adventures in Helnith: Assault on the Town of Ash (RPG)

[Lord Ruby34]

Mina considered this. “Question: if you just want to hit the one patrol, how are we getting the jeep across the road without being noticed by the patrols on it?”

"We'd have to go around the patrols, to the west, past the limits of their hearing." Less replied. "Frankly, I don't know how far sound carries out here, but the detour would probably take less than two minutes at a moderate speed. Or we create that distraction."

[Gnomes2169]

And then to everyone else she added, “And is there anything else we need or want to do? What is our plan? Are we just going to drive through those patrols at top speed and hope we get lucky with Spectral Balls? Set up a distraction? Attack them and try to overpower them? And Mark, are you going to make poor Tarr keep lugging that Stunky around? If you were going to drop it in the trunk or whatever, now is probably the time.” Mina was not looking forward to putting up with the stink for however long it took, but Tarr had been putting up with it for longer at this point…

Mark sighed at the question, having hoped that the stunky would have woken up before Pidgey came back... alas. Didn't seem like that was going to happen. "Tarr, go ahead and drop the stunky back here." He told the flying type, leaning over and patting the back of his seat (which was also just one of the walls of the trunk). Honestly, his biggest concern wasn't the stench, but that the stunky would wake up while they were driving and attack him or Akio, since they were the humans closest to the unconscious pokemon's storage space. "I'll make sure to keep an eye on them while we're moving..."

That was helpful information, but Less still had a major concern. "Is there anyone else Tattersail could treat as a landmark? Less asked, "I'm worried that a competent officer could have their Psychic type familiarize themselves with all the grunts under their command, so they could respond to individual calls for aid."

Mark's trepidation with the wild shadowed pokemon was interrupted by a bit of humor at that idea, and he says, "Hah! ... Oh wait, you're serious. Uh, no, that's not a concern at all. Tattersail can teleport to me because she's psychically linked to me, which is way more than just familiarity. A part of her basically lives in my head, and a part of me lives in hers. It's deep enough that it's actually kinda dangerous, since we share each other's pain and the feedback from 'Sail getting knocked out is... well, it's not as bad as losing a limb," Mark would know, "but it's a lot, and can easily knock a trainer out. I have no idea if it's even possible for a pokemon to bond with multiple people, but even if it is, there is zero chance that an officer or task master is going to risk a feedback loop by linking to a disposable grunt that they're throwing into danger."

Mina considered this. “Question: if you just want to hit the one patrol, how are we getting the jeep across the road without being noticed by the patrols on it?”

"The patrols on the road don't seem to have vehicles." Mark reminded. "We should be able to stay ahead of them like we did in the fire as long as we keep moving... especially if we use the distraction that Less proposed. Don't try to hide our move against the one group and have Buck roar near the three on the road to make them thing they're being attacked at multiple angles. Could lead to those three groups falling back together for safety, giving us more time to handle the shadowed pokemon and then get out." It was risky, of course, but was the best plan a sleepy and slowly crashing Mark could come up with at the moment.

[Lord Ruby34]

The Stunky being dropped in the back of the jeep wasn't thrilling. Less couldn't fault the poor creature for being what it was, but that didn't mean he was particularly pleased by the stench it was letting off. Still, there was nothing for it. Mark's Skarmory was looking positively exhausted.

Less considered Mark's statements about teleportation. It wasn't something that he knew anything about, other than from movies and science fiction stories. Honestly, it was kind of disconcerting to know that there was a chance Mark might faint if his Gardevor did. Still, Less put the thought to the side and focused on what was important. "So teleporting to a person requires more than just familiarity, it requires one of these bonds?" Less asked. "Tattersail couldn't teleport to Mina, then, for example?"

After giving the lad a moment to respond, Less continued to think about the plan. Frankly, he wasn't thrilled with the idea of having Buck make a distraction, even if it had been his plan. Buck was sitting next to the jeep, looking up at his trainer and waiting for a decision. In that moment Less envied the connection Mark had with Tattersail. It would be comforting to be able to talk to his oldest friend, to get his opinion and advice, and help plan. After many long years the two could usually understand each other fairly well, even without Buck being able to talk. But that last little bit of missing connection suddenly stung. He knew Buck understood that this distraction could be risky, and that he was willing to take that risk. The Arcanine had a look in his eyes that seemed determined, steady. . . . Less realized that this discomfort was more his own than Buck's. But that didn't mean that he had to continue with the plan as he had laid it out before. They could make it a little safer.

"Alright." Less said, then turned to Buck. "Buck, I want you to head slightly northeast. Stay out of sight of the patrols. When you get there, let out your most fearsome roar, then turn around and run at top speed back here, before following the scent trail that the Stunky leaves. We're going to go northwest in the jeep, and hit that last patrol or catch the shadow Pokemon. Whichever opportunity presents itself first." Less paused for a moment. He knew his friend had a prideful streak. "Be safe my friend. Don't take any unnecessary risks." Less paused. Ordering Buck into any kind of danger without being there himself seemed fundamentally wrong, but they hadn't come up with any better ideas for a distraction, and he wasn't going to ask any of the others to take a similar risk with their own Pokemon. Asking his friend to do this hurt. But they had a duty to these Pokemon, because they were the ones who were here. Because they were the only ones who could protect them now. That didn't make taking this risk, hopefull small as it was, any easier, but it did make it necessary.

Suddenly, Less felt very old. His head hurt where he hit the steering wheel, his brain was throbbing from a headache that was half the injury and half the fact that he hadn't eaten since this morning, he was tired, and his fingers were throbbing in discomfort from the early stages of his arthritis. Right now, that last one was bothering him more acutely than usual. This would be easier if he was twenty again, back in fighting shape and without the terrible knowledge that bad luck alone could result in failure. "And run like the wind. Cut loose like you did when we were young."

Buck trotted forward in response, and said something low and soft in Pokespeak, before licking Less's face. Less gave his friend a quick pet on his graying snout, and then Buck dashed off northeast, as requested. "On his signal, we go." Less said, his voice soft.

[Gnomes2169]

"If she knew exactly where Mina was, say if Mina was in line of sight, then 'Sail could teleport to her... Otherwise, no. They aren't connected, so she wouldn't be able to go directly to her. Even a normal landmark would only get her within the approximate location, like teleporting to the Reiva pokemon center lobby, or what have you." Mark explained, yawning a bit after he does so, and rubbing at his eyes.

He grabs one of the granola bars that Mina had brought from the Pokemon Center to munch upon, holding his breath as much as he could to avoid the Stunky stink, and lets Less have his moment with the old fire type. He knew this was a risky plan, for all of them, he just hoped that it would work out alright in the end. Best way to ensure that was to actually eat and drink water so that his mind was clear enough to function. No more dirty bean juice. He'd had too much coffee today.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Pinklady:

Naturally, almost as soon as you’re able to nod off, you’re awoken by a rumble and the sounds of combat outside.

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Shadow Pokémon Hunters:

Daisho takes off to keep an eye on Bandra and Buck leaves to cause his distraction.

Spoiler: OoC

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Anything else before we move on?

[essCee]

Pinklady shakes her head and gets back on her feet. She wasn't exactly unused to needing to get up quickly while falling asleep, but that was usually at twilight, not in the middle of night. Pushing those thoughts out of her mind, she called out, "Whirlywhirly! I hope you're ready to fight!"

Fortunately, her companion had had a much less active day, and has no trouble unfurling himself and running ahead towards the sounds of battle, with Pinklady scrambling to follow him.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Pinklady:

There’s enough artificial light you can barely make out what is happening: a few Grunts – two, three? – have sent out a Graveler and a pair of Wispaferyn, the Grunt Pokémon are still standing but the Graveler is quite battered. There’s smoke in the air and loose rubble from the earlier quake. Stef is recalling his Diglett and Crest her Horsea – both have been KO’d and they send out (respectively) a Baltoy and a Wooper.

Diglett: 0/43
Baltoy: 50/50

Horsea: 0/52
Wooper: 55/55

Graveler: 1/89
Wispaferyn A: 130/130
Wispaferyn B: 96/96

----------------

Shadow Pokémon Hunters:

((Gonna give Feathersnow another day or so to chime in.))

[Feathersnow]

Akio fidgets nervously as Daisho leaves, but tries to keep a brave face.
"Ancestors and Legendaries watch over you." He prays under his breath.

[essCee]

Pinklady:

There’s enough artificial light you can barely make out what is happening: a few Grunts – two, three? – have sent out a Graveler and a pair of Wispaferyn, the Grunt Pokémon are still standing but the Graveler is quite battered. There’s smoke in the air and loose rubble from the earlier quake. Stef is recalling his Diglett and Crest her Horsea – both have been KO’d and they send out (respectively) a Baltoy and a Wooper.

Diglett: 0/43
Baltoy: 50/50

Horsea: 0/52
Wooper: 55/55

Graveler: 1/89
Wispaferyn A: 130/130
Wispaferyn B: 96/96

Pinklady didn't recognize the Wispaferyn, but she was sure that the current combatants would finish off the Graveler, so she commands, "Whirlywhirly! Rollout on that Pokémon!" And pointed at Wispaferyn A. As Whirlywhirly launches himself into combat, she pulls out her Pokédex to scan the unfamiliar opponent.

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Shadow Pokémon Hunters:

Several slow moments pass. Crickets chirp. The Grunt groans. On the radar, the group can see the blip up by the coast hop over to Moontear and then vanish. The one near Ternai zags slightly closer. The blip the group is actually targeting doesn’t move.

Then in the distance:

“AROOOOOO!!!”

Most of the forces on the road charge east immediately, though the tail end seem to hesitate before following. Regardless, the group is able to get across the road without being directly spotted.

Once across, it’s clear that the fourth patrol hasn’t taken the bait: their flashlights are still in about the same area they had been, shining around in the brush and tree cover. Neither Buck nor Daisho have returned yet.

----------------

Pinklady:

The Pokédex informs you that the Helnith-native Wispaferyn are Fire/Bug types, being the evolved form of Pupawisp.

Spoiler: Wispaferyn

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This Pokémon flies using its flame glands to produce small amounts of steam. Its wings are completely useless, and are rumored to be vestiges of an ancient age.

The sturdier of the two ((Wispaferyn A)) appears to have Poffin boosts. The Pokédex also informs you that there’s a sizable gap of around ten levels between your current allies’ Pokémon and the Bandra Pokémon.

Though after seeing the next exchange of attacks, you realize you didn’t really need the Pokédex to tell you that.

Whirlywhirly uses Rollout!
Attack missed Wispaferyn A!

Wispaferyn A uses Fire Spin!
It’s super effective!
Whirlywhirly is hit for 24 damage!
Whirlywhirly is trapped by the fiery vortex!

Wispaferyn B uses Silver Wind!
It’s super effective!
Baltoy is hit for 87 damage!
Baltoy faints!

Graveler uses Earthquake!
Whirlywhirly is hit for 53 damage!
Attack missed Wispaferyn A due to Wisp Body!
Attack missed Wispaferyn B due to Wisp Body!
Attack missed Baltoy due to target KO!

The little Ground type’s unconscious form bobs over the shaking earth as though floating on an invisible wave before Stef recalls it.

Wooper is hit for 105 damage!
Wooper faints!

Whirlywhirly takes 5 damage from the fiery vortex!

Stef sends out Anorith!
Crest sends out Biscooti!

Crest’s Pokémon is a light tan, like pale sand, with a body split into segments which each have at least one eye – it looks a little like a sand dollar.

Stef looks upset and Crest looks very nervous.

Whirlywhirly: 8/90

Diglett: 0/43
Baltoy: 0/50
Anorith: 54/54

Horsea: 0/52
Wooper: 0/55
Biscooti: 63/63

Graveler: 1/89
Wispaferyn A: 130/130
Wispaferyn B: 96/96

[essCee]

Pinklady is shocked out of any tiredness she still had as her group's team went down so quickly. That Graveler needs to go down, and she saw Whirlywhirly was faster than it. "Everyone, Whirly's got the Graveler! Whirlywhirly, you just need to finish it off, hit it with Poison Tail!"
She winces knowing that Whirlywhirly might get knocked out as a result... she hadn't actually battled all that often, and she wasn't very used to the damage sustained by combatants yet.

[Lord Ruby34]

"We hit them now." Less whispered. "They're not looking anywhere higher than tree level. Connie, Pidgey, and Jessica should be able to approach unnoticed from above, and use their multi-taget moves to disable them from above without a fight." Less would have included Daisho too, if she wasn't gone scouting.

More than just his desire to disable the group of grunts, Less wasn't willing to leave them potentially in Buck's path of return. If the grunts had to hurt a little to make sure of that, Less wasn't going to lose any sleep over it.

"That distraction won't last long. They should go now." Less whispered again. They had a little time to plan, but the window to avoid fighting the entirety of the Bandra forces was closing fast.

[Gnomes2169]

Mark nodded in agreement, a part of him nervous about sending most of the pokemon they had protecting the jeep out to get a first strike... but there wasn't any visible Bandra in the area. It should be safe. "Jessia, move ahead and use Icy Wind on as many ground types, grass types and bandra grunts as you can." He told the ice type, certain that this group would have at least some of their pokemon out to protect them, but not certain what those pokemon would be. Those targets should be able to put the hurt on any sandshrew or graveler that Bandra seemed so fond of, though, and should also cover the odd twiggin that kept popping up.

Spoiler: Telepathy

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Mark also mentally signalled for Tattersail to stand by, because they might have another group of grunts for her to start teleporting to the center in a few moments. He also made sure to ask, <Have the rangers or any law enforcement arrived yet?> Or hospital employees... some of those grunts had been roughed up by shadowed fire types, after all.

[Lord Ruby34]

Less hmmed in affirmation before telling Connie, "You've been doing very well tonight. I have just a little more to ask of you. Lead the other Pokemon up and past the flashlights, you can probably see better than them. When you're above, let Jessica hit first, then taking anything left standing down with your Swift. We'll be watching. If there's even a hint of something going wrong, we'll be right there to back you up."

Less had the distinctive feeling that he was forgetting something, but his tired mind dismissed it as unimportant. Princess had perched herself on one of the doors, clearly watching the departing Pokemon with jealously.

[Feathersnow]

Akio nods, "okay, if that's the plan." Attacking without his first companion seemed dangerous, but it also seemed necessary...

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Pinklady:

"Everyone, Whirly's got the Graveler! Whirlywhirly, you just need to finish it off, hit it with Poison Tail!"

Crest nods and has her Pokémon target the beefier of the Wispaferyn. Meanwhile Stef’s Anorith protects him as he runs over to Whirlywhirly and applies a Super Potion. As the latter is still surrounded by flames, there are minor burns on his hands afterwards but Whirlywhirly looks much better ((+50 HP, 58 total)).

Whirlywhirly uses Poison Tail!

Whirlywhirly slams into the Graveler, knocking it out on contact and sending it flying back at the Grunts. They manage to dodge it just in time, and one of them recalls it.

Graveler faints!

Wispaferyn A uses Smokescreen!
Accuracy of all allied Pokémon falls!

Wispaferyn B uses Smokescreen!
Accuracy of all allied Pokémon falls!

Biscooti uses Water Spike!
It’s super effective!
Wispaferyn A is hit for 35 damage!

The Pokédex spits out a little data about the attack.

Spoiler: Water Spike

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Type: Water (Physical)
Power: Varies; see text.
Accuracy: 100%
PP: 10 (max 16)

Does more damage the stronger the foe is compared to the user.

If the foe’s Attack is:
X4 the user’s or greater – power 120
X2 to x4 – power 90
X1 to x2 - power 60
Same or below - power 40

Whirlywhirly takes 5 damage from the fiery vortex!

Bandra forces send out Machoke!


Whirlywhirly: 53/90 (Accuracy down 2 levels)

Diglett: 0/43
Baltoy: 0/50
Anorith: 54/54 (Accuracy down 2 levels)

Horsea: 0/52
Wooper: 0/55
Biscooti: 63/63 (Accuracy down 2 levels)

Graveler: 0/89
Wispaferyn A: 95/130
Wispaferyn B: 96/96
Machoke: 103/103

----------------

Shadow Pokémon Hunters:

Connie nodded. Mina also nodded and sent Pidgey off with the other Pokémon, with instructions to use Twister, and to keep using it until she got there if the Grunts didn’t go down right away.

Spoiler: Mark

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<Not yet. The nurse has them all strapped to gurneys, someone from the Ranger Union is supposed to arrive shortly.>

Mark gathers a little more detail from the undercurrents of Tattersail’s telepathy: namely that the words ‘smoke inhalation’ had come up a few times and that Tattersail had gotten the sense from the nurse that while one or two of the Grunts were likely to head to the hospital rather than prison, for most of them that was just the best the nurse could do to restrain them under the circumstances.

The designated Pokémon take off into the night.

Moments later, there’s a fair amount of commotion around the patrol – wind whipping, Grunts shouting, the tiny flashes of Swift stars – and then silence. The flashlights fall to the ground, their beams shining off into the brush unmoving.

Mina listened for a moment before venturing: “I think they—”

And then she’s interrupted as Daisho returns from the east, looking agitated. The Crobat hovers awkwardly in front of her trainer, trying to gesture back the way she came.

From the south, the group can hear Buck Roar again, but it cuts off part way with a yelp:

“AROO--arp!”

“Drat it, and we don’t have the Shadow Pokémon yet!”

[Lord Ruby34]

Less swore internally. Buck was supposed to roar once and run, he wasn't supposed to fight! Images of horror flashed in front of Less's eyes, as he began to turn the jeep. Less didn't deliberate, he just made a decision. "One of you, jump out and get the shadow Pokemon! The rest of us of are going for Buck!" Buck was okay. Less needed Buck to be okay. He couldn't live with himself otherwise.

"CONNIE!" Less yelled as he started to turn the jeep, he wasn't waiting for argument. Not with his friend in danger. "REGROUP!"

[essCee]

"Thank you, Stef!" Pinklady feels a little embarrassed she hadn't thought to use a potion, herself, though maybe it would have been somewhat infeasible to do that and be sure Whirlywhirly could maneuver to take down the Graveler. "Whirlywhirly, we're going to need to make it count if you try to hit them now! Curl up to prepare to go for another Rollout! And try to defend Stef as you do so!" Obviously, it would be terrible for Stef to get stranded so close, and she was sure his Anorith could do something useful that turn.

Even with Whirlywhirly getting healed, Pinklady didn't like the added unreliability of her side all getting blinded by smokescreen. She sends out Croaky... hopefully she can add some reliability.

Spoiler: Battle Options EDIT: All answered in OoC yay

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Using Defense Curl, to be clear, to get that sweet x2 Rollout damage. :)

Just making sure I understand the houserule stuff correctly; Stef's Anorith was doing the Intercept option, which can be done in addition to a regular action (in this case, item use), right?
And that, similarly, what I chose for Whirlywhirly - Defense Curl + Intercept for Stef - is perfectly fine? (And that the Defense Curl and the Intercept both have a half chance to fail? (And and that it'll be even worse intercept chance if multiple attacks go after Stef?))

Ooone more thing, there's nothing preventing Pinklady from sending out another Pokemon right now, correct? Just that doing so carries the risk that enemy multi-hit moves will have 4 instead of 3 victims, level allowing? If it is fine, Pinklady will also be sending out Croaky. (Poliwhirl)

[Gnomes2169]

Mark watched the attack go off, certain that something would go wrong... so when Daisho comes back and Buck's awoo of distress sounds out, the trainer isn't exactly surprised that their plan had a wrinkle, just the direction that had come from.

Less didn't need to justify anything, and Mark wasn't going to try talking the older trainer out of rushing directly into danger. "Got it! I'll make sure Connie and Pidgey are right behind you." Hopping out of the jeep while it was slowly rolling around, Mark called to Mina, "Toss me a spectral ball in case there's more than one!"

As the jeep rolled away, Mark telepathically called Tattersail to his side and sent out Sengar and Marick. He told the steel type to use Iron Defense and the dark type to use Howl as he hurried into the clearing with all the taken down grunts. "Connie, Pidgey, your trainers are turning back to fight Bandra, get to the jeep! Jessia, Sengar, we're looking for shadowed pokemon, you have the best night vision and senses, see if you can find anything. Tarr, Marick, Tattersail, stay alert." The grunts had been waiting around here for a reason... maybe for backup before taking on the shadowed pokemon nest? The tracker hadn't been moving, after all. Maybe they were sleeping nearby?

[Feathersnow]

"Daisho, be ready to Confuse Ray whatever is coming!" Unless it was a normal type, that was probably a safe bet...

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Pinklady:

You send out Croaky!

Croaky looks to you for orders while the rest of the Pokémon do battle.

Whirlywhirly uses Defense Curl!
Whirlywhirly’s Defense rises!

Wispaferyn A uses Smokescreen!
Accuracy of all allied Pokémon falls!

Wispaferyn B uses Smokescreen!
Accuracy of all allied Pokémon falls!

Biscooti uses Water Spike!
Attack missed Wispaferyn A!

Anorith uses Water Gun!
It’s super effective!
Wispaferyn B is hit for 8 damage!

Machoke uses Submission!
It’s not very effective…
Whirlywhirly is hit for 6 damage!
Machoke takes 1 recoil damage!


Whirlywhirly: 47/90 (Accuracy down 4 levels, Defense up 1 level)
Croaky: 75/75 (Accuracy down 2 levels)

Diglett: 0/43
Baltoy: 0/50
Anorith: 54/54 (Accuracy down 4 levels)

Horsea: 0/52
Wooper: 0/55
Biscooti: 63/63 (Accuracy down 4 levels)

Graveler: 0/89
Wispaferyn A: 95/130
Wispaferyn B: 88/96
Machoke: 102/103

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Shadow Pokémon Hunters:

Mina just manages to get a Spectral Ball out and throw it to Mark before the jeep barrels out of range. ((-1 Spectral Ball Mina, 1 remaining. +1 Spectral Ball Mark, 2 total.)) Pidgey and Connie catch up with the jeep in short order and the main group drives south, towards the ruckus Buck had made.

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Mark:

Tattersail appears, and to the uninitiated observer it looks like an entire entourage of Gardevoir have materialized out of thin air. Sengar and Marick buff themselves before you and your Pokémon set out to search, but it ends up being Tattersail who finally finds it when the hyper-aggressive Shadow Pokémon leaps from its hiding spot – a particularly dense bush – to collide with one of her duplicates.

The Pokédex says it’s a Skorupi.




Tarr: 88/88 (Speed up 6 levels)
Fisher: 122/134 (recalled)
Tattersail: 66/98 (Evasion up 6 levels)
Sengar: 109/109 (Attack up 1 level)
Marick: 61/100 (Defense up 2 levels)
Jessia: 62/99 (Evasion up 6 levels, Defense down 2 levels)

Skorupi: 62/62 (Shadowed: 40%)

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Shadow Pokémon Hunters (sans Mark):

You rumble through the brush and trees as fast as the jeep can manage. The road comes into sight in short order, the Bandra flashlights soon thereafter, a little south of it. Most of them are trained on Buck, who is definitely down for the count, but the group can see a half-a-dozen Wispaferyn floating overhead and a couple burly Machoke. The Grunts are milling around, uncertain.

The speed the jeep is going, coupled with the fact the vehicle is driving directly to Bandra with no attempt to stay in cover means the group doesn’t get much of a jump on them, but Daisho is fast enough to hit one of the Machoke with Confuse Ray anyway.


Buck: 0/103
Connie: 105/129 (Special Attack up 6 levels)
Princess: 62/70 (Defense up 6 levels)
Dancer: 0/60
Hero: 0/67
Leo: 69/69 (recalled)

Eto: 83/83 (recalled)
Endo: 0/67
Daisho: 100/100 (Defense down 2 levels)
Ronin: 73/73 (form of Connie, Special Attack up 6 levels)
Akitsu: 56/56 (recalled)

Pidgey: 66/76 (Speed up 6 levels, Defense down 2 levels)
Oodramer: 62/88 (recalled)
Pikachu: 45/59 (recalled)
Natu: 73/73 (recalled)
Houndoom: 96/100 (recalled)
Cosmas: 62/66 (Defense up 6 levels, Special Defense up 6 levels)

Stunky: 0/81 (Shadowed: 38%)

Wispaferyn A: 83/83
Wispaferyn B: 117/117
Wispaferyn C: 83/83
Wispaferyn D: 83/83
Wispaferyn E: 117/117
Wispaferyn F: 83/83
Machoke A: 91/91 (Confused 1 round)
Machoke B: 91/91

[Lord Ruby34]

Less's breathing was coming fast and hard as he rocketed the jeep through the undergrowth. He had already lost Georgia, and Emilia was missing. He couldn't lose Buck too. He just couldn't.

When the Bandra group came into view, Less continued driving, approaching fast before slamming on the brakes and throwing the jeep into park. He came out with Buck's battered Pokeball in hand, and immediately recalled his friend. He would find out what happened later, but for now he was simply going to punish the responsible parties.

With flash of light, Leo materialized.

"Connie, hit them all with Snarl! Princess, Bubblebeam the Pokemon with the most health remaining! Leo, use Faint attack on the most battered Wispaferyn!" Less yelled his orders quickly, his voice tight with fear and anger.

[essCee]

"Croaky, let's power up what we've got! Do a rain dance!" It's unfortunate those Wisp Pokemon are still smokescreening, but at least this would hurt their fire attacks, too... "Whirlywhirly, I know it's hard, but try to hit the stronger one with a Rollout!" It wasn't likely at all to hit multiple times in a row, but Pinklady figured even one shot should be pretty effective... as long as that may take.

(Is the bit about Croaky an indication that I could've given her an attack or is it just flavor? I thought sending em out without it being a switch for a knocked-out 'mon made them wait a turn, so whoops if the former! Can at least be blamed on battle inexperience. )

[Gnomes2169]

That... wasn't a pokemon he'd encountered before, despite the traveling he'd done with his military buddies. So Mark scanned it with the pokedex and... Huh. That was it? He looked over the little scorpion pokemon to see if he could spot a tracker while he sent out Fisher and gave a few commands. "Tar, use peck. Sengar, Howl again and Marick, use Iron Defense. Fisher, use Sing." Maybe there were more shadowed pokemon out here... or maybe this was it and he would have to book it back to help with Bandra. Either way, it couldn't hurt to have his pokemon buffing themselves up, right?

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Pinklady:

Is the bit about Croaky an indication that I could've given her an attack or is it just flavor?

Spoiler: OoC

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The former; it’s not a world-ending thing but for future reference.

Whirlywhirly uses Rollout!
Attack missed Wispaferyn A!

Wispferyn A uses Fire Spin!
Whirlywhirly is hit for 25 damage!

Wispaferyn B uses Will-O-Wisp!
Whirlywhirly is Burned!

Croaky uses Rain Dance!
It begins to rain!

Biscooti uses Water Spike!
Attack missed Wispafern A!

Anorith uses Harden!
Anorith’s Defense rises!

Machoke uses Seismic Toss!
Whirlywhirly is hit for 32 damage!
Whirlywhirly faints!

(Rain: 4 rounds remaining)

Whirlywhirly: 0/90
Croaky: 75/75 (Accuracy down 2 levels)

Diglett: 0/43
Baltoy: 0/50
Anorith: 54/54 (Accuracy down 4 levels, Defense up 1 level)

Horsea: 0/52
Wooper: 0/55
Biscooti: 63/63 (Accuracy down 4 levels)

Graveler: 0/89
Wispaferyn A: 95/130
Wispaferyn B: 88/96
Machoke: 102/103

----------------

Mark:

On closer inspection, the tracker appears to be wrapped around the Skorupi’s tail.

You send out Fisher!

Tarr uses Peck!
It’s super effective!
Skorupi is hit for 36 damage!

Jessia and Tattersail surround the Shadow Pokémon with their duplicates, creating the illusion that escape is blocked off.

Sengar uses Howl!
Sengar’s Attack rises!

Fisher uses Sing!
Skorupi falls Asleep!

Skorupi sleeps!

Marick uses Iron Defense!
Marick’s Defense rises sharply!

Skorupi’s Shadow Gauge falls 2%!


Tarr: 88/88 (Speed up 6 levels)
Fisher: 122/134
Tattersail: 66/98 (Evasion up 6 levels)
Sengar: 109/109 (Attack up 2 levels)
Marick: 61/100 (Defense up 4 levels)
Jessia: 62/99 (Evasion up 6 levels, Defense down 2 levels)

Skorupi: 26/62 (Shadowed: 38%, Asleep 1 round)

----------------

Shadow Pokémon Hunters (sans Mark):

((Waiting on Feathersnow.))

[essCee]

"Oh no! Whirlywhirly!" Pinklady quickly recalls her knocked-out companion. That Machoke was going to be a problem even with rain... it's a bit desperate and might backfire, but, scrambling for options, she sends out the two remaining Pokémon she was familiar with - Leapsy and Bigbug. "Alright! Croaky, let's extinguish that fire even more! Use Water Sport!" Pinklady glances between the stronger Wispaferyn and the Machoke for a moment, then goes with her gut so she doesn't lose out on another opportunity to attack. "Leapsy, put that -" - she points at Wispaferyn A -"- one to sleep! Bigbug, use Gust on the Machoke!"

[Gnomes2169]

... Well. Huh. This really was just going to be easy, wasn't it? For a moment, Mark considered just using one of his normal pokeballs to try and catch this Skorupi, -it didn't exactly exude all that much power and it was asleep at the moment,- but he decided against that and used a spectral ball instead. His friends and allies were fighting, and he didn't want to delay any possible help he could give to them just because he was being frugal. No kill like overkill, apparently... "Marick, one more Iron Defense bud. Sengar, another howl." That should get his team pretty close to fully powered up, so if Fisher needed to use Mist again it wouldn't neuter his own team's effectiveness.

[Feathersnow]

"Daisho! Use Air Cutter on the Machoke and the toughest Wispaferyns. Ronin! Use Snarl on as many of the others as you can hit!"

[Kareeah_Indaga]

Shadow Pokémon Hunters (sans Mark):

Mina watched the radar as they drove; the blip closest to Ternai vanished, briefly, but then reappeared – she supposed it could have been a graphical glitch or technical issue, and in any case they were going the wrong way to do anything about it regardless, but it made her uneasy.

But then the Bandra patrol – patrols – came into sight and she had other things to worry about. She had been holding her Pokémon back for the most part since they didn’t seem to be needed, and she didn’t want any of them to get left behind if they had to drive off in a hurry, but with Mark absent and the attrition in the rest of the group she decided now was a good time to send everybody out.

“Pidgey, wait for Connie and Ronin and then Gust whatever’s still standing and least injured! Oodramer, Pikachu, same, but with Bubblebeam and Thundershock!” For once there weren’t copious numbers of Ground Pokémon on the field! “Houndoom, intercept any Fire moves! Cosmas, Pursuit anything that tries to flee!” Well, okay, everybody but Natu – she still wanted their emergency escape route conscious, especially since Tattersail wasn’t here.

Less sends out Leo!

Mina sends out Oodramer, Pikachu, and Houndoom!

Daisho uses Air Cutter!
It’s super effective!
Machoke A is hit for 53 damage!
It’s super effective!
Machoke B is hit for 56 damage!
It’s super effective!
Wispaferyn B is hit for 44 damage!
It’s super effective!
Wispaferyn E is hit for 48 damage!
It’s super effective!
Wispaferyn A is hit for 46 damage!

Connie uses Snarl!
Critical hit!
Wispaferyn A is hit for 170 damage!
Wispaferyn A faints!
Wispaferyn B is hit for 194 damage!
Wispaferyn B faints!
Wispaferyn C is hit for 170 damage!
Wispaferyn C faints!
Wispaferyn D is hit for 179 damage!
Wispaferyn D faints!
Wispaferyn E is hit for 179 damage!
Wispaferyn E faints!
Wispaferyn F is hit for 196 damage
Wispaferyn F faints!
Critical hit!
It’s not very effective…
Machoke A is hit for 230 damage!
Machoke A faints!
It’s not very effective…
Machoke B is hit for 121 damage!
Machoke B faints!

I guess I didn’t need to send out any more Pokémon after all.

Connie mowed the opposing Pokémon down effortlessly. The Grunts stared in shock at their newly-unconscious Pokémon - at least the faces that had enough illumination to make out their expressions. One turned to bolt, only to be taken down by Mina’s Cosmas. This seemed to jar the rest into calling out replacements, but there was a definite edge of desperation to the commands they called out.

Bandra forces call out Magneton A and B, Sandslash A-D, and Graveler A and B!

Buck: 0/103
Connie: 105/129 (Special Attack up 6 levels)
Princess: 62/70 (Defense up 6 levels)
Dancer: 0/60
Hero: 0/67
Leo: 69/69

Eto: 83/83 (recalled)
Endo: 0/67
Daisho: 100/100 (Defense down 2 levels)
Ronin: 73/73 (form of Connie, Special Attack up 6 levels)
Akitsu: 56/56 (recalled)

Pidgey: 66/76 (Speed up 6 levels, Defense down 2 levels)
Oodramer: 62/88
Pikachu: 45/59
Natu: 73/73 (recalled)
Houndoom: 96/100
Cosmas: 62/66 (Defense up 6 levels, Special Defense up 6 levels)

Stunky: 0/81 (Shadowed: 38%)

Wispaferyn A: 0/83
Wispaferyn B: 0/117
Wispaferyn C: 0/83
Wispaferyn D: 0/83
Wispaferyn E: 0/117
Wispaferyn F: 0/83
Machoke A: 0/91
Machoke B: 0/91
Magneton A: 79/79
Magneton B: 79/79
Sandslash A: 114/114
Sandslash B: 80/80
Sandslash C: 114/114
Sandslash D: 80/80
Graveler A: 70/70
Graveler B: 70/70

----------------

Pinklady:

Wispferyn A uses Silver Wind!
Leapsy is hit for 49 damage!

Leapsy uses Sleep Powder!
Wispaferyn A sleeps!

Wispaferyn B uses Will-O-Wisp!
Attack misses Biscooti!

Croaky uses Water Sport!
Fire’s power was weakened!

Biscooti uses Water Spike!
It’s super effective!
Wispaferyn A is hit for 51 damage!

Bigbug uses Gust!
It’s super effective!
Machoke is hit for 18 damage!

Anorith uses Water Gun!
It’s super effective!
Wispaferyn A is hit for 12 damage!
Wispaferyn A uses held Chahal Berry to restore 26 HP!

Machoke uses Seismic Toss!
Bigbug is hit for 32 damage!


(Rain: 3 rounds remaining.
Water Sport in effect.)

Whirlywhirly: 0/90
Croaky: 75/75 (Accuracy down 2 levels)
Leapsy: 23/72
Bigbug: 40/72

Diglett: 0/43
Baltoy: 0/50
Anorith: 54/54 (Accuracy down 4 levels, Defense up 1 level)

Horsea: 0/52
Wooper: 0/55
Biscooti: 63/63 (Accuracy down 4 levels)

Graveler: 0/89
Wispaferyn A: 58/130 (Asleep 1 round)
Wispaferyn B: 88/96
Machoke: 84/103

“I got it!” Stef somewhat anxiously extracts another Super Potion and moves to apply it to Leapsy. Meanwhile the sleeping Wispaferyn is recalled, to be replaced with a Sandslash. ((Sandslash: 102/102 - and no move for Sandslash this round since that was a switch.))

----------------

Mark:

You use a Spectral Ball! ((-1 Spectral Ball, 1 remaining.))

Shake…shake…shake…DING!

Spoiler: Skorupi

Show

Pokémon: Skorupi (Shadowed 38%)
Type: Poison/Bug
Ability: Battle Armor
Gender: Male
Level: 25
Held Item: None
Stats—
HP: 62
Attack: 37
Def: 57
Sp. Attack: 27
Sp. Def: 40
Speed: 45
Moves:
Bite
Poison Sting
Leer
Pin Missile
Acupressure
Knock Off

((Marick +2 levels of Defense, Sengar +1 level of Attack.))

And the Pokédex is doing its usual do-you-want-to-give-a-nickname spiel…

…when what looks like a flock of flying something slams into Tattersail and all her duplicates.

Desparat uses Crunch!
It’s super effective!
Tattersail is hit for 655 damage!
Tattersail faints!

She goes flying into a tree and slides to the ground. You are momentarily swamped by the mental backlash; you can feel bones breaking, and probably would have heard them too if not for the psychic fallout taking up most of your attention.

But once your vision clears – you still can’t make out much except that her attacker has wings, what with it being dark. The Pokédex has a picture however: dark red, bat-like demon wings, a lizard-like snout and spines on its back like a porcupine or hedgehog.

Spoiler: Desparat

Show

The eternal archenemies of Angerazms, Desparats have long sewn despair in the hearts of humans and Pokémon alike. It feeds off the darkness in human souls.

Tarr: 88/88 (Speed up 6 levels)
Fisher: 122/134
Tattersail: 0/98
Sengar: 109/109 (Attack up 3 levels)
Marick: 61/100 (Defense up 6 levels)
Jessia: 62/99 (Evasion up 6 levels, Defense down 2 levels)

Skorupi: 26/62 (Shadowed: 38%, Asleep 1 round) – caught!

Desparat: 143/143 (Attack up 6 levels, Accuracy up 6 levels, Evasion up 6 levels)

[Lord Ruby34]

"Excellent showing, Connie! Give them another Snarl!" Less ordered, his mood turning upwards. If they could take this group down, Mark and Tattersail could probably take these goons back to the Pokemon center for arrest as well. That might start to be a real inconvenience to Bandra. Still, he was slightly worried about the electric types. Still, most of their Pokemon should be faster than the slow steel types. They might not be able to act before being taken down . . . still he didn't want to risk Connie taking any hits from electric moves. Their advantage was more tenuous than it appeared. "Leo, interecept for Connie. Princess, hit the weakest target still standing with your Bubblebeam!"