Josh Devlin
•
Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
|
Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 9, 2024 17:30:49 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 30F Time> 50'13"05 Interval> + 02'38"38 Position> 2nd
As long as the quick prompts came up, Josh was happy. Whether it was one his active Pokémon could fulfill or ones that had quick animation times, he would make up time. As the platform rose to the precipice of the third stratum, he saw he needed a fourth-generation Pokémon.
Withdrawing Blitz in place of Raiden, the boy sent out the Shinx, which was quick to playfully pounce on him. "That's right -- I need to put you in a class and get you some experience so you can be a Luxray! I'm sorry I've been putting this off so long," he apologized before sending the young feline into battle. "Can you fry one with a THUNDERSHOCK, please?" With a nod and a cute meow, the blue cub raised his glowing tail and discharged a weak bolt that was still more than capable of clipping a tiny bird's wings.
Shinx used THUNDERSHOCK. PROMPT 31: [Tower] jabtFM4c1-501-50
|
|
|
Josh Devlin
•
Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
|
Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 9, 2024 17:38:42 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 31F Time> 50'38"31 Interval> + 02'36"61 Position> 2nd
It seemed that Josh's big push had woken Alicia Westfield up, the race leader suddenly back in the Tower of Worms and making it hard to make up time. The Fourth Ascent was so dark, illuminated only by the dim light of glowing moss and whatever Pokémon Josh sent out. He would have to wait until the end of the Ascent to be able to cuddle with his Zapdos chicks again.
With his current configuration, Josh only had one status move available to him on all of his Pokémon. He felt bad for relying on Raiden so much, the Zebstrika already tired from having used a Z-Move earlier... not to mention how much of a workhorse he was ferrying the boy around UNOVR. Even so, he didn't seem to mind. Still seated near the corner, he commanded Raiden to clip one of the birds' wings with THUNDER WAVE. Unable to remain airborne due to PARALYSIS, it despawned after taking what Josh saw to be quite a bit of fall damage.
Zebstrika used THUNDER WAVE. PROMPT 32: [Tower] y94PB3nd1-501-50
|
|
|
Josh Devlin
•
Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
|
Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 10, 2024 7:40:52 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 32F Time> 58'51"33 Interval> + 07'55"40 Position> 3rd
"Waaaaah..." Josh stretched, opening his eyes to the flock of Pidgey circling him in the section of the tower illuminated only by glowing moss. Shaking his head, his eyes shifted to his UI, seeing that he was almost eight minutes behind... and in last place in the race. Had he really nodded off that long?
This was supposed to be over in a little over an hour. Now it would be a miracle if he finished in under two hours. And with an Absol on the line, he had to get back to the grind, and fast. Thankfully for him, Raiden was already eying another of the flock, having never been recalled to his Poké Ball. Getting to his feet, he pointed toward the flying-types and ordered the horse to knock one out of the sky. With a QUICK ATTACK, the horse sprung upward, electrified hooves kicking one small bird to the ground.
Zebstrika used QUICK ATTACK. PROMPT 33: [Tower] 66oCT4mw1-501-50
|
|
|
Josh Devlin
•
Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
|
Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 10, 2024 7:48:16 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 33F Time> 59'00"58 Interval> + 07'31"28 Position> 3rd
It felt good to rise through floors again. As the platform ascended, the birds only reflecting the light of the glowing moss, it became increasingly challenging to see. Thankfully, Raiden provided just enough ancillary light to see. Seeing a water-type move was needed. Josh remembered that as long as he was equipped in a class, he was considered a Pokémon. Thus, he himself could use attacks to advance up the Fourth Ascent.
Joining his two hands together at their fingertips, he made the motion of a large wave with both his arms, an AQUALAO mini-tsunami engulfing a low-lying Pidgey and bringing it down. Josh smiled when he heard the "ding" heralding the attack's success, Josh making his way up to the next floor a third of the way up the tower.
Josh used AQUALAO. (Player attack - Water tome) PROMPT 34: [Tower] gD5k9JdH1-501-50
|
|
|
Josh Devlin
•
Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
|
Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 10, 2024 7:55:29 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 34F Time> 59'12"01 Interval> + 07'02"60 Position> 3rd
While the platform was rising, Josh received a pair of direct messages from Altair and Alkaid . "Sorry, can't answer those now," he said to himself, changing his message settings to DO NOT DISTURB. He needed to focus; he was way behind right at the hour mark.
Every attack prompt he could fulfill with his own attacks saved a lot of time, for his low and mid-tier Player attacks had quick animations. A shower of sparks burst from Josh's fingers as he pointed a casting of ZIO toward a low-flying Pidgey. If the one-hit-wonder birds didn't despawn so quickly after being struck, Josh and his Pokémon would have enough poultry to feed them for weeks!
Josh used ZIO (Player attack - Electric move). PROMPT 35: [Tower] ZyzXJtTu1-501-50
|
|
|
Josh Devlin
•
Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
|
Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 10, 2024 8:02:40 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 35F Time> 59'24"18 Interval> + 06'33"45 Position> 3rd
Keep them coming! Josh was happy to not have to go into his box or even switch Pokémon for several prompts in a row, the platform only being stuck for long enough for him to react to the new attack type and fire it with Raiden or use one of his Player powers. He did have to mind his own magical reserves, learning after one casting that the lowest tier of spell would work.
"THUNDER WAVE, Raiden!" were Josh's minimalistic, but clear, orders. The horse cantered to Josh's side before turning around to zap one of the flying, feathered Pokémon with a stunning bolt. Were it not for quick despawns, he couldn't imagine how much time he would lose piling the fallen Pidgey on top of one another to remain as mobile as possible.
Zebstrika used THUNDER WAVE. PROMPT 36: [Tower] LHIdV4fs1-501-50
|
|
|
Josh Devlin
•
Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
|
Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 10, 2024 8:10:28 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 36F Time> 59'43"91 Interval> + 06'04"61 Position> 3rd
There was light at the end of the tunnel; natural light began to filter back into the hollowed tree, letting Josh at last withdraw Raiden and not have to rely on a Pokémon for proper lighting. A single-stage Pokémon? Did he have any of those that weren't Invasive Species? He had Apollo, but the Celesteela would have maneuverability problems. On top of that, they were not in Ostellia, meaning the steel-type could turn on him quite easily.
Raising his hand to his chin, he was in the tank for a while, trying to think of a Pokémon. Then it came to him. He had Goroh, one of the first ride Pokémon he had ever trained. Swapping Raiden out for the Cyclizar, Josh smiled when he heard the green lizard's mooing cry. "RAPID SPIN, Goroh!" Dropping onto his wheels, the Pokémon circled the hollow tree's interior before screeching toward a Pidgey, shredding its feathers with his air sacs spinning fast enough to create a whirlwind. The squeal from them colliding with the ground post-jump made Josh flinch as though he were about to be involved in a vehicle accident.
Cyclizar used RAPID SPIN. PROMPT 37: [Tower] sly5Qj_f1-501-50
|
|
|
Josh Devlin
•
Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
|
Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 10, 2024 8:21:33 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 37F Time> 01:00'04 Interval> + 00:05'37 Position> 3rd
Goroh returned to Josh's side, Josh taking a seat on the Cyclizar's back. As he grabbed the dragon-type's steering bones, the stopwatch ticked over the hour mark, dropping the decimals an only displaying whole seconds. While the rapidly-flashing numbers would be less of a distraction, the weight of how far behind he was began to set in.
With a Rock move being asked for, Josh's first thought was Xira, his Yanmega... but he removed her from the Sweeper Class in preparation for removing the Pokémon from his party altogether. He hadn't said anything to the Yanmega, but he was growing increasingly uncomfortable flying on the buzzing insect. The vibrations were numbing at full speed, making his entire body feel like jelly. Not even Mirage did that the first and only time Josh flew on the Ninjask.
His only other option was Terry, the Archen he had dug up from beneath Mistra. Swapping out for his only Rock-type Pokémon, he ordered the young, living fossil to use ROCK THROW. With a squark and a laborious-looking takeoff, the ancient Pokémon was airborne. Hurling a small piece of earth toward the flock, it bonked one right on the wing joint, causing it to spiral to the floor.
Archen used ROCK THROW. PROMPT 38: [Tower] 4pdHRGUR1-501-50
|
|
|
Josh Devlin
•
Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
|
Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 10, 2024 8:29:51 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 38F Time> 01:00'38 Interval> + 00:05'09 Position> 3rd
As the rising petrified floor locked in place, bouncing Goroh on his biological rubbers, Josh noticed the prompt didn't change at all. Score! That would save him another few seconds from not having to set up his next Pokémon. "Again, Terry!" Josh ordered, the young Archen repeating his ROCK THROW attack.
While the second Rock-type didn't hit a wing joint, it did land squarely on the Pidgey's back, the wild doing a barrel roll to dislodge it. The only feedback Josh got that the attack even landed was the familiar "ding" and the floor rising, more light pouring in. It was enough light to see that the next wood color was a bright purple. From his time working for McInnes Forestry as a call center employee, he knew of trees with some truly exotic bark colors. Would he see all of them during the race?
Archen used ROCK THROW. PROMPT 39: [Tower] rEoMDI8_1-501-50
|
|
|
Josh Devlin
•
Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
|
Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 10, 2024 8:46:43 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 39F Time> 01:01'03 Interval> + 00:04'31 Position> 3rd
Josh smiled when he saw that his Cyclizar would be up next, given that the normal-type was his only trustworthy single-stage Pokémon. He had been scared to use Izoni and Apollo outside Ostellia after seeing what Nymris had done to Shalin Nariya in the Asper Cup race. How did she withstand that buzzing anyway? Was Beta Tester really that powerful? He was too squeamish to find out; vibrations like that were sure to mess up his insides if he tried, or so he thought.
Once the platform locked into place, Goroh stood on his legs and leaped toward the flock. Now airborne, he spun his wheels fast enough to create a whirlwind around them. the RAPID SPIN flung one of the birds' tiny bodies to the ground, despawning before any gruesome sound effect could play.
Cyclizar used RAPID SPIN. PROMPT 40: [Tower] itu9|SHu1-501-50
|
|
|
Josh Devlin
•
Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
|
Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 10, 2024 8:59:41 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 40F Time> 01:01'35 Interval> + 00:03'49 Position> 3rd
Now on the precipice of the Fifth Ascent, there was plenty of light for ordinary Pokémon to see. What a trip that was! He lost a few seconds to Goroh's rough landing, his wheels still spinning fast enough to screech upon touchdown and yank the speed racer forward. Were it not for the dragon-type's impeccable balance, the two could have easily tumbled over.
The final floor of the Fourth Ascent was looking for a Hoenn Pokémon, and did he ever have one that fit his personality. Clicking the Poké Ball containing Mirage, his newly-evolved Ninjask, the bug-type's wings immediately roared like a go-kart's engine. The proud and perhaps cruel Pokémon zipped across the flock in a split second, cleaving one of them in two with an electrified SLASH attack. No command, either; the speedster seemed just as autonomous as his trainer!
Ninjask used SLASH (Never Normal - ELECTRIC). PROMPT 41: [Tower] 6xqd8Wj81-501-50
|
|
|
Josh Devlin
•
Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
|
Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 10, 2024 12:07:37 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 41F Time> 01:02'00 Interval> + 00:03'16 Position> 2nd
Josh breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed that Kyukon had logged out upon reaching the first floor of the Fifth Ascent. As breathtaking as it was looking at the purple bark inside this level, the boy had to make as much progress as he could tonight. With an eleven-hour shift later in the week, he needed to catch up while he had energy. He doubted he would have any will to play a full-sim game after helping out on the much busier first shift.
Goroh lifted his body off his wheels and stood on his four paws, giving Josh a much-needed rest after they had pulled donuts during the cutscene that panned around the Ascent whose peak marked the halfway point of the tower. He also started keeping better track of which Pokémon he had used to answer which prompts, enabling him to move the cursor to his Gogoat faster. Swapping Mirage out for Nitro, the Gogoat bounding toward a tree and knocking a roosting Pidgey out of it. Not the conventional way to use HORN LEECH, but it worked!
Gogoat used HORN LEECH. PROMPT 42: [Tower] rX8vIzuG1-501-50
|
|
|
Josh Devlin
•
Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
|
Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 10, 2024 12:20:07 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 42F Time> 01:02'36 Interval> + 00:02'49 Position> 2nd
Midway through the petrified floor's ascent, Josh grinned when he saw what he had to do next. A priority move -- his favorite! It was time to do some more donuts with Goroh! The Cyclizar seemed excited as well. As much as he loved running and driving across UNOVR on his own, ferrying Josh on his back brought more joy to him than even that. "Let's mop some more of them up! QUICK ATTACK, Goroh!" the boy cried over the screeching flock.
The Cyclizar stood tall and revved up his wheels before letting his body fall onto them, arching Josh far back in his seat from the sudden acceleration. Crashing through a branch and a lone Pidgey roosting upon it, Josh's well-placed speedy strike caused the small bird to fall, the wild despawning right as it touched the ground.
All these birds really did have one hit point, didn't they...?
Cyclizar used QUICK ATTACK. PROMPT 43: [Tower] e5LuTqCZ1-501-50
|
|
|
Josh Devlin
•
Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
|
Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 11, 2024 10:40:05 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 43F Time> 01:09'50 Interval> + 00:06'52 Position> 3rd
Josh looked at his UI upon re-entering the tower and gasped. How did the boy scout get this far behind all of a sudden? And why was it so light inside? Kicking back on Goroh and letting the Cyclizar drive, he saw that they were almost at the top of the tree. Weren't they only halfway to the top floor, though? Unless...
He didn't have time to ponder it now. Reaching for Keleth's Poké Ball, the Ponyta being the only psychic-type he had, the Bolter commanded the horse to tear another of the Pidgey from the skies. Firing a PSYBEAM from his horn, the hooved Pokémon left one of the birds above too dizzy to fly. It despawned as soon as it hit the ground, the boy and his ride within sight of the tree's highest turret!
Ponyta used PSYBEAM. PROMPT 44: [Tower] SaxTodwm1-501-50
|
|
|
Josh Devlin
•
Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
|
Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 11, 2024 10:47:35 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 44F Time> 01:10'17 Interval> + 00:06'24 Position> 3rd
The farther Josh rose in the tree, the brighter it got. Before long, he would be able to see the sun... assuming it wasn't too low in the sky already. Keleth sounded a victory cry as Josh withdrew him, sending the Galarian horse back to the box in favor of his main equine, Raiden the Zebstrika.
if he hadn't locked in his Pokémon to go to the Broken Sundial already, he would have given Saber a class slot and more attention. Signing up had locked him out of the shop, making him unable to make those changes to his party until after the event was over. As bad as he felt, he didn't have a choice but to overwork the electric-type; Raiden was the only Pokémon on his entire team with a status-inflicting move. "Raiden, THUNDER WAVE one more of them!" The equine let loose with a white arc of electricity from his short horn, numbing one of the Pidgey and making it difficult for it to fly.
Zebstrika used THUNDER WAVE. PROMPT 45: [Tower] AAl3A4DP1-501-50
|
|
|