[ti]worldevent[/ti]WORLD EVENT: THUNDERFALL RAID

ZONE A -> ZONE B

You know, she really couldn't tell you what Professor Ash was researching.

All the Pokemon Professors specialized in something. Elm studied breeding, Kukui did moves, Sycamore studied Mega Evolution. She could name multiple professors and their research to you. She could not say the same for Ash. That point stuck with her, like a nettle caught to her skin after walking through a grassy path. Maybe she had just missed it, not reading over her profile or similar? The more Odile thought on it though, the more her stomach churned. What did she know on the Professor?

Nothing, really. She had simply accepted what Ash had spoken about, assuming that, well, she was the Professor! She simply knew more than her! That's why she was even given the title in the first place. You didn't go immediately doubting a doctor about your diagnosis, because they were the doctor. They had studied for years to get to their position. Why wouldn't she trust the Professor, the one that always gave you your starter Pokemon and assisted you on your journey? It was here and now, as Ash spoke about guessing motives and not knowing minds, that Odile could truly realize that... has it been the blind following the blind? Ash wasn't listening to Zapdos. Couldn't. How would she know of anything? Why was Odile even following someone that didn't seem to understand something so basic and intrinsic to Pokemon itself?

Ethos was one hell of a drug huh? No wonder so many people in power got drunk off it.

As fitting for one such as him, the words of Zapdos thundered over all of them, the storm alive as ever. Maybe he was not a king or god, but his disappointment almost felt divine. There wasn't much she could pick apart from his statements. They were intruding on his skies. Attacking him for what? Some stupid metal pole?

The cutscene did little to answer questions, but it did give her something. That emotion.

It was something to say how this, all of this, absorbed her. She barely took notice on the cracks in the platform from Zapdos's attack, to the electricity that hummed in the air, how the ozone felt like it could choke her, all in her brain was these two opposing forces, but why were they even opposed whe—

"Hey! Snap OUT of it!"

A sharp pain made her gasp, Giselle's jeweled tail smacking her knee. The Mareep stood in front, sparks flying from her wool, Aurora silently joining her. "Finally! Come on! This whole place is going to collapse if we don't get off of it! And I am NOT going to let you fall! Stop THINKING and start MOVING!"

She was right. Getting stewed in her thoughts wouldn't do anything to help the situation. What a smart girl. A hand came to rest on Giselle's head, her fierce stance slowly relaxing from... confusion? What the? "You're right. Do you see the big old Meowth? Head over there. I'll be right behind you."

"Oh NO you don't! You're going in front! I am not leaving you here! Do you hear me?! I... I'm not letting you go to the Everworld again! We're not going back there!"

What a sweet girl, underneath the anger.

"If we go back there, it's because we're going to help another Pokemon like I did with you. I just want a word with the Professor. It'll be quick, okay?"

Giselle didn't believe her. Or well, she did, but this couldn't wait? When her own safety was in question? Stupid human. She was too nice for her own damn good. "I'm staying with you then. We're staying with you, right Aurora?"

"Oh, uh..." The Glaceon might have taken a few steps towards the bridge, before pausing. "Of course, of course..."

"Thanks guys." Another pat on the head, before Odile turned to the platform. Ash could hear her, right? Everyone else was calling out to her, so hopefully she wasn't going to get drowned out in the voices and thunder. "Professor, just... what are your researching? Is it the Corruption? If it's not, how do you know if getting the shrine back will even do anything? Even if we take it from Zapdos, will it actually help us at all? Besides it's... it's his! I don't want to doubt you Professor Ash, but... things aren't lining up. I don't think... anyone here has even seen your research? Have you shown anyone it? Just what are you doing? What are you having us do?"

It felt wrong to say all of this. She never talked back to a teacher in school before. Claudia didn't like conflict, and neither did Odile, but just because she didn't like it didn't mean she would not stand up for a change. If she didn't get this out of her system, it would fester inside her and eat her from the inside out. Not unlike the darkness consuming the land.

"Professor Ash, I don't think you're a bad person or anything. I just think... you don't actually know the full story. I think you're operating on incomplete data. And I think you might want to re-evaluate how you see Pokemon, from what you said. They may not be people, but they have thoughts and feelings just like you and me. If you don't understand that... then maybe you shouldn't be a Professor at all."

Odile didn't even realize how much she was shaking, her whole body almost vibrating from it all. Oh she was going to have one hell of an anxiety attack later! But later, not now. "O-Okay, we can go guys we can go..."

"Finally! Get your butt into gear! Move move move!" Giselle could have been a drill sergeant if she really wanted to. As fast as her legs would go, Odile rushed, running along the massive Meowth, shouting apologies to it all the way until she had made it onto a wing. Giselle was already there, the little lamb's horns charged up with electricity, ready to go. "We're not attacking Giselle! Just... try to keep us safe, okay?"

"I will."

Giselle the Mareep - Tank | Aurora the Glaceon - Support

Core Abilities: Escape to Zone B, Disrupt
Freeform Action: 100 DMG + 10 from prompts (question actions / talk to professor)

ZONE D

"I have never claimed to be lord or god. You humans love to put words in my mouth,"

The words were a snarl, deep and powerful as the thunder. They sunk into Verai's bones, rattling his body. Rattling him.

"I sought no quarrel with you. I have flown peacefully in this storm for months. You are the invading force.”

They... were. They had come all the way up here, on this strange platform. At- at her behest.

Verai stepped into the tent, the rain still pouring outside, a dirge, a mourning. "Good evening, Professor," He greeted, kindly as ever, oblivious, trusting. "Here- I heard you were still looking for these. I trust they'll assist with whatever you're working on." He set the pokeballs down gently, gaze hesitating over them a moment. He knew not, then, what he was offering them for. Maybe they would actively help. Maybe they would be broken into scrap. Maybe just dispersed into 1's and 0's, remade entirely.

"If I may be so bold," He started, after a moment. "If all these pokemon are to help find where Giant Shrine has gone... I hope your work goes smoothly."

"To find?" Ash looked up from her work. Amused. Like he had said something terribly funny. Her eyes were cold, as always. Even without seeing them, he could feel it.

Had he simply never noticed?

"More than that, Verai. To retrieve. I hope you'll be part of it, when the time comes."

"Pokemon are our beloved partners, but they are not people. Though we can guess at their motives, we can never truly know their minds."

There was too much, the sound and noise and confusion overwhelming. Bria had said the professors could be trusted. Had she been wrong?

He heard Tuesday , distantly, the grind of steel against steel- and the rush of air as Zapdos moved, readying another attack.

So, he moved with him, bringing his sword up and twisting to catch the brunt of the debris from the ravaged platform- The force and power of the blow sending him perilously over the edge.

It was only by the practice they'd all gotten in the Steppes that Verai remained airborne, muscle memory clinging desperately to the air.

<Purrai?> Kitten's voice was in his ear, the pokemon hunched on his shoulder, little claws pricking through the underlying chain. <Stay awake! You're gonna be okay!>

He didn't feel it- His ribs were cracked, and he could feel the pull with every breath, pain screaming down his back and shoulder from the weight and effort of the wings.

Verai couldn't take another hit from Zapdos- it was out of the question. Everyone else was too far to help, and Kitten couldn't take the whole of the damage- not that he would ever ask her to if she could.

<This way, this way,> She coaxed, moving to his other shoulder, and Verai could only weakly do as she asked, drifting in the featureless air until another snarl broke theough the white-noise of sound.

You.

He bears the anger, not looking at Kazuki or terribly responding. Everything he said was right. What else was there?

What else was there?

The slow-dawning answer was a great resounding nothing. He didn't know Professor Ash's motives- nor that of any of the rest of the cast, honestly. Were the friendly interactions of his past earnest, or just a means to an end? And the Prince- clearly, Verai didn't even know who he was, much less anything else.

So what did he know.

If he tried to do anything now, he would die. Silent as ever, Ya'ath unsheathed themselves, regarding Verai with a detatched, otherworldly look. As if all his silly mortal troubles were incomprehensible. "Help him," Verai rasped, and the swords did not respond. They simply drifted over to Kazuki, winding around him in a gentle, lazy circle, tassles hanging much too close for comfort.

What else- he knew Kitten on his shoulder was heavy, and he curled his arms up to just hold her, a moment, pressing her bulk into the side of his face. <You need to be careful!>

Verai also knew Ash was wrong.

"I know Kitten. I understand her." He said, trusting- hoping- Ash's technology would pick it up. "I know which collars she likes. What food she won't eat. I know how she acts when she has nightmares, and doesn't want me to know."

He paused to breathe, and Kitten's weight was sturdy, steady. "I know all that without her speaking to me. She can- just as clearly as I'm speaking to you right now. I know her mind because she tells me, each and every day." At that, the litten let out a rattling purr, rubbing against him.

<My turn!> Kitten resettled herself on Verai's shoulder, twisting to look at Zapdos' massive form. <HEY! PRINCE GUY!> She howled at he top of her lungs, pausing only when Verai hissed in pain. <Oh, sorry- HEY! We're all trying to help you! And sometimes it doesn't feel like helping! Like when Waffles eats out of the WRONG BOWL! But you're the biggest here! So it's up to YOU! You can calm down and we can all be friends, or...> She paused to think.

<Or you can continue to be a BULLY!>

Satisfied with her helpful and topical speech, Kitten huffed, and bunted Verai again.

Verai [Player] - Tank - 30/500 HP

Link to Roll
Core Ability: Escape
Action: Swapping with Doublade
Battle Log:
- Escaped from battle

Litten - Tank - 360/500 HP

Link to Roll
Core Ability: None
Action: Attacked zapdos for 94 emotional damage
Battle Log:
- Took 10 DMG from Strain/Energy Drain
- Took 30 DMG from Environment

Doublade - Tank - 440/500 HP

Link to Roll
Core Ability: Guard
Action: Swapped with Verai, guarding Steelix
Battle Log:
- Took 0 DMG from Strain/Energy Drain
- Took 60 DMG from Environment
- Damage doubled by Guard

ZONE A 》Zone B

There had been a resounding crack that sounded its way through the air, whether it was thunder or the sound of Zapdos' beak shredding through the foundations of the foot-ball ground sized platform, Lucille couldn't tell. The ringing in her ears refused to cease long enough for her to gather her bearings. The glass moments away from threatening to cave under her feet. Electrical wiring exposed and alarms practically blaring for the remaining trainers and their Pokemon to jump ship before they went down like the Titanic.

<Oi! We've gotta go, right now! I ain't dyin' jus' cause your asses wanna be slow!> Aymr the Cyndaquil hollered, looking worse for wear with all the damage that he had taken during this entire thing, panting and gasping as he moved to push against his trainer's leg, trying to get the tall woman to budge and stop standing around like a melon. <Meowth Bridge, go go go!> Lucille blinked and nodded vigorously, scooping up her Cyndaquil and holding him tucked under her arm like someone holding a puppy. There wasn't time to think about what she was hearing from Zapdos and Professor Ash, she would do that when she was sure she wasn't going to be putting her life at risk. It wasn't like she had the entire picture either way, not everything was as black and white as it seemed.

Whipping her head around, the Kindler located her other Pokemon, Scooping her Dreepy under her other arm and making a break for the feline bridge connecting the platform to Zapdos' wing ❝Hey there long kitty, hope you don't mind us coming through.❞ She offered up as she carried her pokemon across as fast as her no-running shoes having ass could muster. Right now she was really wishing she had just done that blasted tutorial before jumping headfirst into a massive event. Making a mental note to go back and do those tutorial tasks once this World Event was over.

Once Lucille had made it to near the long Meowth's head, she hopped down onto the bristly feathers of Zapdos' wing <Thank you for the assistance, bridge kitty!> Byleth chirped and wiggled under her mother's arm, though not enough to be let loose from Lucille's grasp. The trainer hunkered down from the winds and lightning that crackled through the air. Placing Byleth the Dreepy down and unzipping her jacket just enough for the infant dragon to climb inside with her.

 ❝Do you hear yourself, Professor? You think we can't possibly understand Pokémon? What they think and feel and what motivates them. I might not see eye-to-eye with Aymr all the time and that's ok. We're still family and treat each other as such. We understand each other and work towards bettering ourselves. Byleth too! They might just be creatures for research to you, but to us trainers, they are so much more.❞ Lucille spoke through the earpiece, it wasn't often that she spoke a lot but when she did it was usually when she was most passionate about something. Pokémon was a hyper fixation for her, a passion that she has. Even if it wasn't always at the very forefront of what she was obsessed with, she still loved and adored the little monsters, their games and manga and TV shows. They brought her immense joy.

The trio could see some of the other trainers' aiming for Zapdos' talons which held the Shrine tightly in their grasp. Her gaze wandered to the battered and bruised fire mouse under her arm. Her eyebrows knitting together ❝You gonna be alright, Aymr?❞ <Whaddya mean? I'm as fit as a... fiddle. Jus' gimme a bit to breathe would ya.> Aymr was obviously lying through his teeth, too proud to admit he wasn't gonna last much longer, one more hit and he would be out for the count. He was lucky to survive at all as he was right now. Barely hanging by a thread. He huffed as he wriggled out of his trainers' grasp, struggling to keep himself upright as he clawed his way through feathers that felt like thorns digging into his skin. Gearing himself up for one more rollout, this time aiming for the shrine in Zapdos' grasp.

Aymr the Cyndaquil - Sweeper - 1/200 HP

Link to Roll
Core Ability: Escape - Zone A to Zone B
Action: Fast Attack x3
Battle Log:
- Took 30 DMG from Strain/Energy Drain
- Took 30 DMG from Environment
- 162 Damage dealt to Zapdos' Shrine

Byleth the Dreepy - Tank - 181/500 HP

Link to Roll
Core Ability: Disrupt
Action: None
Battle Log:
- Took 10 DMG from Strain/Energy Drain
- Took 30 Dmg from Environment
- Disrupted 74 Damage for Zone B/C

ZONE B

It was like the world was moving in slow motion; Fletchling watched in a slow dawning horror as Snivy fell, body limp, knocked out with a single hit. Then. Then the Thunder struck her. It was like nothing she had ever felt before, a paralyzing force stronger than she had known in her short life. It took everything she had to angle herself to crash land at the feet of H0LYN3V1L, her trainer, her only hope. If anyone was able to help her, it would be him.

H0LYN3V1L let out a long groan as he pressed every button he could on his screen. “Come on! Where’s the skip button? Blah, blah, blah, no one cares, Ash! You’re just designed in some affirmative action shit. Skip the speech already!”

Fletchling accepted that they were all probably doomed.

Seeing as how there wasn’t actually a skip button, H0LYN3V1L sighed dramatically and finally looked up. “Oh. Well that’s just like Snivy to get knocked out. I mean really, he’s just doing it to be dramatic and make a point.”

<H0LYN3V1L, please, don’t you think that this moment of your first pokemon being knocked out, of a clash between progress and those who suffer at the hands of those determined to take land, truly a moment to reevaluate priorities, that maybe you feel something deep deep, like so deep down inside. A spark of, I don’t know, empathy? Compassion?> Fletchling pleaded as she hobbled in front of her trainer.

H0LYN3V1L stared deep into Fletchling’s eyes. There was a real moment happening, she could see it; a flicker of recognition, of something greater than himself, really true character growth. She held her breath, waiting for an actual inspiring moment of reflection.

“Pfft don’t be stupid, it’s a video game, I’m meant to be the hero and do cool shit. What do I care if some dumb bird is betrayed and loses their shrine? I’m in it for the experience points and hot babes this’ll get me.” H0LYN3V1L rolled his eyes and went back to trying to skip the forced cutscenes. “Come onnnn one of these buttons has to skip it. Or at least bypass the dialogue!”

Fletchling sighed. She really didn’t know what she was expecting there, but clearly she overestimated his ability to exhibit actual emotions like empathy.

Finally the cutscene ended and H0LYN3V1L really took in Fletchling’s condition. “Wow, you really took that hit hard. Not as hard as Snivy,” he said with a disinterested sniff and poked at Snivy’s knocked out form with his foot, “but like, you really should be better than that. We’re the shit sonnets are written about. That’s like, real hero stuff right there. So I’m gonna need you to get it together and actually do what you’re supposed to do. You know? Win and make me look cool?”

<Really? Really! That’s all we get? Aren’t you supposed to like, train us? Our success counts on you!> Fletchling cried, trying to break through H0LYN3V1L’s thick skull.

“Look. I was way too cool and got nerfed with stupid grass types…”

<Hey!> Capsakid cried.

“...because they knew how good I was going to be. And that means that my pokemon are going to be good too. And you have really good stats, I already checked. There’s like, this app, right? And it’s third party, but that’s totally fine. I found it on Reddit.”

<What does any of that mean?>

“It means that you’re gonna get up, kick some weird shrine ass, and I’m gonna be a big hero and like, I dunno, maybe go find that French girl and like, you know…” Capsakid and Fletchling both stared blankly at him. “Get her Insta handle, obviously!” H0LYN3V1L yelled.

“Capsakid, it’s time.”

<Fire, fire, fire, fire!>

“Yeah, that’s right you little arsonist weirdo. Capsakid, use Sunny Day…”

Capsakid lept from H0LYN3V1L’s shoulder, he summoned all the fire inside him, demanded that the sun shine a little brighter, burn a little hotter, grant him the fiery destruction that he longed for, that he was meant to inflict on the world, that he… "and heal Fletchling!”

The scorching light narrowed down to a single sad little sunbeam and hit Fletchling. Capsakid lost his air and would have crashed back down if H0LYN3V1L hadn’t caught him at the last moment.

<Aw, thanks buddy!>

<...But that’s not, I wanted…but fire.>

“Yeah, whatever support class scrub. Now, I was doing some deep Google dives during that last annoying cutscene and it looks like if we really wanna do some damage, we don’t even gotta really attack Zapdos! So, what I’m thinking is that you attack the shrine right at Zapdos’ feet. Make it too hot for him to hold!”

<I was going to burn it all. There was going to be fire and brimstone. A scorched earth.> Capsakid sobbed into H0LYN3V1L’s bare, virtual chest.

“Fletchling, use Ember!”

Reinvigorated with the sun of a little pyro-plant, Fletching dove off of Zapdos’ wing and sent fire at the shrine in the legendary’s claws.

Fletchling - Tank - 64/400 HP

Link to Roll
Core Ability: None
Action: Charge attack
Battle Log:
- Took 10 DMG from Strain
- Took 30 DMG from Environment
- Other +56 healing from Capsakid, +10 damage from talking to Ash and focusing on Shrine

Capsakid - Support - 140/200 HP

Link to Roll
Core Ability: None
Action: Heal
Battle Log:
- Took 30 DMG from Energy Drain
- Took 30 Dmg from Environment
- Other +5 for talking to Ash

ZONE A to D

Rose had no idea what was going on at almost any single moment during these events, and without her more intelligent Pokemon guiding her, she was entirely lost. Sure, Auntie Tuesday was around somewhere, but she couldn't rely on them entirely!

It didn't help that her poor worm had fainted after throwing up a rock at Zapdos. And it certainly didn't help that the Zygarde egg was still stuck to her hands, even as electricity crackled everywhere.

And the platform was going to fall.

"Ahhh!" Rose screamed out, riding atop the back of Moab. "We can't fall! Wormie friend's egg will turn into an omelet!" She shouted, desperate to protect it from perceived danger, despite the fact that she'd probably get hurt much worse.

"Well, then we do what you said. We jump! Call your ship!" Moab responded, suddenly charging straight toward the edge of the platform.

"Ahh! Wait! Wait I can't find the button!" Rose shouted, only for it to be too late. Moab leaped, and the wind came rushing up to meet them. She squirmed, clutching the egg close and squeezing her legs.

Beep Beep

The small saucer suddenly caught them right beneath her, landing with a sudden thud. Apparently Rose had pressed the button somewhere on her person, in one of her many cute little kid pockets. Her shorts had so many. If only it was designed for Pokemon with four legs.

"... I do not fit," Moab responded, pretty much just splayed across the saucer as Rose fought to drop into the seat and get comfortable.

"I'll call you back later!" She shouted over the winds, crackling thunder, and now apparent fire ghosts, recalling her Type: Null.

The steering required the use of her hands... and she didn't have that. So her knees and elbows and feet would have to do. But maybe she could use at least some help. Her Sprigatito was suddenly summoned right on her lap, as thunder crackled overhead.

"Hey, what- Woah!" The as-of-yet-unnamed cat spoke, glancing at everything around them. "Where are we?"

"No time! Drive! Fly! Whatever! Help me turn and steer!" And sure enough, the cat reached up with its paws to help guide the child steering with their knees.

As the threat of falling to death was resolved for now, the words of Ash and Zapdos were finally debated.

Picking up her bare feet, she poked a fairly large button with one of her toes to activate the radio on her tiny little saucer. An old-fashioned radio microphone fell from the panel, which she just began to yell at. "Hello? Teacher lady? Pokemon can talk, silly! I told you that when you gave me my cat! Right?"

"Sprig- Sprigatito-" Her cat spoke into the mic, kicking at it with her back paw. Actually speaking quite intelligent words, but Ash wouldn't be able to hear them.

"Yeah!" Rose replied, completely understanding the Pokemon. "Actually- Hey, what are we supposed to be doing? How are people walking on the bird"

"Sprig, Spree- Tito, Sprigatito! uhh- Spree?"

"Beats me, I don't know how to fly this thing that well either! My hands are full of wormie egg!"

Electricity in the air distorted the radio and suddenly fried the whole little device.

"... Aww man." Rose sighed. "I wanted to ask the old man if he had soap."

"Soap?"

"For my hands! They sticky!"

Sprigatito- Support

Core Abilities: N/A
Freeform Action: N/A

ZONE A > ESCAPING TO ZONE B

Well. They had certainly been thoroughly scolded. If Taylor was honest, she hadn’t been listening to too many of the impassioned speeches from the other players – she was rather overwhelmed by the sheer number of people present and their grand declarations and announcements had, for the most part, sailed right over her head. Even still, the caution from Ash and the diatribe from Zapdos had an uneasy feeling settling over the battlefield – one that she was not immune to, despite her relative obliviousness.

A cutscene dragged them from the battlefield now, and the interlude was a startling one. Okay, so the legendary birds opposed the corruption too, but had not been prepared to share this world with the humans? Was that accurate? Taylor’s head spun – she felt a little like she was still missing the majority of the story, but that did tend to be the case with these sort of games, in her experience.

Was this the only way of proceeding? Was it really the wisest way. Taylor gulped as it very quickly became clear that they weren’t the heroes in this story. She didn’t think they were quite the villains either, but it was evident that to this foe, they very much were.

The catastrophic attack swept across the platform, rocking the entire surface and throwing into question just how secure they were up here. Vixey and Onix went down, and Taylor dashed towards the Vulpix, sheltering the fire-type with her body. She would have done the same for Onix but, well, he was far too large for that.

“If you release the power of the shrine, it will—”

Taylor’s stomach dropped. It would what? Ash’s voice crackled through to their ears now, and it made the woman uneasy to note that there was no response there to the legendary’s ominously aborted warning.

“Wait, he says we don’t understand the consequences of this. What will happen if we release the power of the shrine? This… doesn’t feel right…” She directed the question at both Ash and the furious lightning bird, though she didn’t truthfully expect a response from either. There was too much going on right now for her to expect her question to be picked up on. Uncomfortable with the idea of continuing as an aggressor in this fight, she found herself frowning. It eased her panic a little that she very clearly wasn’t the only questioning their role here. Recalling Vixey and her newly revived Onix, she released Bullseye and Marie. She wouldn’t attack, but she could still be useful here…

Escaping to zone B, the trio found themselves back up on a wing once more. Bracing himself, the mudbray prepared to disrupt the incoming threat, while the Espurr shot off a soothing trill in Orion's Emboar's direction.

Espurr - Support - 140/200 HP

Link to Roll
Core Ability: Escape to Zone B
Action: Heal orioncayge's Emboar
Battle Log:
- Took 30 DMG from Strain/Energy Drain
- Took 30 DMG from Environment
- Healed Orion's Emboar for 55HP

Mudbray - Tank - 360/400 HP

Link to Roll
Core Ability: Counter (disrupt)
Action: Disrupt
Battle Log:
- Took 10 DMG from Strain/Energy Drain
- Took 30 Dmg from Environment
C0D13 95 Disrupt

ZONE B

Electricity surged through Kath's body. Her hand burned, partly from the current and partly from the frostbite. She looked up as the storm threatened to swallow her…
… only to see the hand of Bergamot Gristleborg reaching down to pull her up.
"A-ha! Finally, someone interesting. Are you ready to join the dark side yet?" she called as she swooped overhead. "I notice you're in a pretty precarious position to refuse."
Kath took one more look below at the swirling black mass of lightning, thunder, and death.
"Yeah I'm ready," she called back. "I'll join the dark side for sure."
A few moments later, and Kath Ulu stood next to the maniacal villainess on Zapdos' Left Wing, trying to figure out what the hell to do next.
Nearby she saw Ares and orioncayge attempting to HUG the giant Pokemon.
"What the fuck?!" she asked, for the first of four times. "Fuck, they're gonna fucking die too."
Kath wasted no time. She whipped out her Pokeball - a granite pokeball with black and grey stripes.
"AXIOM207! I choose you!"
In a cybernetic flash, AXIOM207 appeared. He floated upon Zapdos' wing, laptop safely strapped around his spherical torso, his two limbs already typing madly away.
"Kath Ulu what in the High Heavens have you brought me into this time?"
"Shut up, nerd!" Kath shouted at her Geodude. "Heal Ares!"
AXIOM sighed. "Fine," he tapped away, hacking Ares' health from inside the game.
AXIOM207 used HEAL!
From inside Ares' code, his several of his lightning burns were undone.
"I got your back Orion!" Kath shouted, but he was very busy hugging.
"Is that all you need?" Axiom asked, tapping the ENTER key nervously.
"Yeah, fuck off."
AXIOM used ESCAPE!
Kath fished through her Pokeballs.
"Who the fuck else…" she said, before finally settling on a Red and Blue Pokeball with several gold stripes down the side.
The stripes indicated the rank of First Lieutenant.
"PIPER! I choose you!"
A triumphant bugle sounded loud, and in a puff of patriotic smoke, First Lieutenant Piper flew out of her pokeball!
"Captain!" She said, flapping madly. "I see you're in a spot of bother! Where would you like the cavalry to strike?"
"Not sure yet," Kath said. "I think I'm gonna check with the rest of the dark council or whatever."
She turned back to Bergamot Gristleborg , who was talking to Jack the Mudkup.
“I’m going to sacrifice you to bring Kath Ulu’s Treecko back from the dead!”
"What the fuck?!" Kath asked, for the second time.
In a flash, the little blue pokemon gave its own life fore.
JACK used REVIVE!
TREECKO HAS BEEN REVIVED!
"Oh, oh," Treecko clambered from her pokeball. "My head… I…"
Kath hugged her. "Thank goodness," she said without thinking.
Treecko smiled. Her webbed  fingers brushed icicles off Kath's cheeks. "You didn't run away."
Then Treecko paused. Her eyes widened, and she blinked as she took in the situation.
The storm had begun to generate giant stalactites of that crashed into Zapdos' wing, threatening to crush her to oblivion if her luck ran out.
Treecko pushed herself out of the hug. "Did you have me revived just so I would die again?" She asked Kath pointedly.
"No! I-" Kath stammered. "SHE revived you!" Kath turned to Morgana. "Thanks for nothin!"
“Ohohohohoho! I’ll get you, Sarah Lee! And you owe me, Kath Ulu!”
"Yeah I'll revive your most annoying pokemon whenever you need me to!" Kath shouted after her as she was whisked away by her own deviousness.
Treecko already acted on her own, ignoring any potential for Kath to give her orders.
"Looks like you need some healing," Treecko said, targeting orioncayge 's Emboar. She clapsed her hands on Ares, and even though her fingers sizzled as she touched the type's body, she closed her eyes and flowers bloomed.
Treecko used HEAL!
"What the fuck!" Kath shouted, for the third time. She ran up and grabbed Treecko by the shoulders. Petals scattered in the wind as she lifted her up off the ground. "Have you been working for the dark side this whole time?" Kath shook her.
"No-o-o-o," Treecko said as her head swung back and forth. "Unless the dark side just means subversive and unorthodox?!"
Kath stopped shaking her. "It might," she looked back at Zapdos. "It just might…"
"What are you talking about?" Treecko asked as Kath set her back on Zapdos' wing. "What do you have in mind?"
"We await your command, Captain!" Piper said as she was knocked back and forth by violent gusts. "Shall we launch a strafing run?"
"No!" Kath said, her hand out. "No. We aren't attacking."
Over the radio, a crackle of static burst out Professor Ash's voice.
"—all attacks on the shrine and get it out of Zapdos'-"
Kath turned her radio off.
"Sorry, Professor," she said, TECHNICALLY talking to Professor Ash, "I don't think that's the right move."

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFy5pM6qcMw

Kath took a step forward. She was on the DARK SIDE now.
"Zapdos! I'm not here to fight you! You keep killing us! You killed Bulby! Wilbur was also, somehow, killed. But we're not here to kill you!"
Kath gestured to Piper.
"Look! No attacks! We're sitting quails."
First Lieutenant Piper held her chin up with pride, ready for anything.
Treecko tugged on Kath's shirt. She whispered, "Have you gone mad?"
Kath shrugged. "What the fuck," she said for the fourth time.
"Zapdos! Tell us what you want. Look, me and my Pokemon stand side by side. We want the same thing! To rid this land of corruption! To live in harmony! My pokemon are fully unionised, and have very nice homes!"
"Is this a trick?" Treecko asked. She looked up at Kath, and for a rare moment in their tumultuous relationship, didn't look at her with any kind of indignation. "What are you doing?"
"I can tell you what I'm not doing," Kath met her gaze. "I'm not gonna put him in a pokeball."

Geodude - Support - 260/300 HP

Link to Roll
Core Ability: Escape
Action: Heal
Battle Log:
- Took 40 DMG from Strain/Energy Drain
- Took 0 Dmg from Environment
- Other (Healing, Buffs, etc)

Pikpek - Sweeper - 270/300 HP

Core Ability: None
Action: None
Battle Log:
- Took 0 DMG from Strain/Energy Drain
- Took 30 Dmg from Environment

Treecko - Support - 230/300 HP

Link to Roll
Core Ability: None
Action: Heal
Battle Log:
- Took 40 DMG from Strain/Energy Drain
- Took 30 Dmg from Environment
- Other (Healing, Buffs, etc)