Josh Devlin
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Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
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Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 13, 2024 11:24:01 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 60F Time> 01:24'56 Interval> + 00:03'37 Position> 3rd
By the time Josh reached the bottom floor of the First Descent, he couldn't even see Mirage, even though his buzzing was clearly audible. The only other indicator that he was even there was a UI message that made him snort.
Information> Mirage's Agility limit reached.
As much of a pain as the Ninjask was, he sure was proud of his speed, wasn't he?
The flock was utterly confused by what they could not see, letting the invisibly fast insect extend his claw and SLASH across one. The attack was over in a split second; in one frame, his avian target's chest was a bright while. In the next, a huge, red cut sprayed blood across its underside. Yikes! If he was going to keep Mirage around, he might need to turn his blood and gore settings down a tad. He couldn't even look at that!
Ninjask used SLASH. PROMPT 61: [Tower] dgJHadkS1-501-50
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Josh Devlin
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Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
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Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 13, 2024 11:50:11 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 61F Time> 01:25'24 Interval> + 00:03'10 Position> 3rd
The entire Second Descent appeared to be a giant water slide, its slippery moss making it a challenge for Josh to hold onto anything. "Sorry, Thunder and Storm, but I gotta bring you back into your Poké Balls," the Bolter apologized. "This water's gonna sweep you away, and you're so small that I don't know if I could recall you both reliably if we get separated." Withdrawing the two Zapdos chicks and sending them back to Pokémon storage, Josh replaced them with Pokémon meant to cover as many types as possible. Accessing box storage would be a real challenge while in motion.
Once he was ready, Josh sat down and pushed himself over the precipice, picking up a great deal of speed. "Wheeeee-haaaaa!" he whooped, like he was riding on a Pokémon putting on amazing speed. Looking at the top of his UI, Josh noticed the Pidgeotto behind him would peck at his armor if he didn't send out a Pokémon with a fighting-type move to defend against it. Luckily for him, Nitro had exactly one. "Alright, you're on! Use BULK UP!"
Putting on the brakes to stay behind Josh, the grass-type flexed his leg muscles, growing large enough to shield his trainer from harm. Nitro was enjoying himself just as much as Josh was, enjoying feeding on the mineral-rich water.
Gogoat used BULK UP. PROMPT 62: [Tower] IDm_jhXT1-501-50
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Josh Devlin
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Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
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Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 13, 2024 12:05:04 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 62F Time> 01:26'30 Interval> + 00:01'41 Position> 3rd
This Second Descent was by far Josh's favorite of the seven floors of the Tower of Worms so far. He was not only right at home in a high-speed environment, but the next prompt appeared instantly, without having to wait for any sort of cutscene. He could go as fast as he wanted, presumably through the entire descent.
With only water-vulnerable Pokémon that were Alolan, Josh shuddered as he withdrew Izoni. The Naganadel still could not communicate with his trainer, and was just as prone to sting him as she was the enemy. On top of that, it took her two rounds to start fighting, having to MARK her foe first. What choice did he have? He would be voluntarily inflicting pain upon Sarulf by putting the Rockruff in the water slide.
Rather than flying and stinging one of the Pidgeotto, the Ultra Beast instead balanced on her rear sting like a top, whirling toward the sliding bird in a spiked FURY ATTACK. The fallen Pokémon went flying into Josh, knocking him off his rear and onto his chest, now sliding head-first down the chute. It was a struggle just to get Izoni back into her Ball before she attacked Josh directly...!
Naganadel used POISON JAB. PROMPT 63: [Tower] 52|KAasQ1-501-50
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Josh Devlin
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Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
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Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 13, 2024 13:38:57 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 63F Time> 01:27'02 Interval> + 00:01'18 Position> 3rd
From what little Josh had flown on Pazuzu, the birds were fast enough in the air. Why, then, were they sliding down the tree alongside Josh and his Pokémon, and beaks first at that? Did they really need the extra speed the slide provided to beak bomb the poor kid? As much as he wished he could hurl a Poké Ball in front of him, there was only one Pokémon he had that could get in the air fast enough, and that Pokémon, Mirage, wouldn't even entertain letting Josh sit in the saddle already harnessed to him.
Even so, it was his best shot to defend himself in the unexpected environment.
The moment Josh clicked open the bug-type's Poké Ball, a shrill drone filled the air around him, the birds' high-speed assailant moving invisibly fast. Mirage zipped on top of a Pidgeotto sliding behind Josh, slicing into its down with not one, but two X-SCISSOR attacks whose cuts formed an eight-pointed star. The masked insect was an assassin that had no need for stealth. His form of stealth was incomprehensible speed.
Ninjask used X-SCISSOR (twice, forming an eight pointed star). PROMPT 64: [Tower] _3eKFpIt1-501-50
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Josh Devlin
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Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
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Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 13, 2024 13:47:16 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 64F Time> 01:28'02 Interval> + 00:00'34 Position> 2nd
With Mirage zooming around the slide faster than the eye could see, the flock didn't stand a chance... as long as he didn't suffer a single scratch. The bug-type species was all in on speed as a weapon, often unable to withstand a single attack in return. With the Ninjask autonomous and self-sustaining, at least until he suffered a flying-type blow from one of the flock, Josh could kick back and enjoy the slide as much as he could.
The boy scout shifted his weight to one side, trying to turn his body around so he could slide down the chute feet-first instead. This proved to be far easier thought than done, the lad overshooting and spinning laterally around the wide chute... catching a glimpse of a Pidgeotto about to ram him! It despawned in the blink of an eye, his insectile friend slicing over the bird's wing with a third X-SCISSOR... and the only way Josh knew who protected him was the distinct sound of the Ninjask's wings.
Ninjask used X-SCISSOR. PROMPT 65: [Tower] 35nPNqVZ1-501-50
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Josh Devlin
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Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
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Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 13, 2024 13:58:30 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 65F Time> 01:27'40 Interval> + 00:00'46 Position> 2nd
By the time Josh approached the water slide's top speed, he had become used to his Pokémon's shrill buzzing, Mirage making sure the Pidgeotto didn't strike him from behind... until one suddenly did. "Ow...!" the trainer winced, the bird clipping his shoulder just as he finally got turned around. "Mirage, you fall asleep at the wheel?"
"Kid, do you think I have psychic-type attacks?" the hovering insect replied, only making himself visible to speak with his trainer.
"You have AGILITY, don't you? That would work! You should be able to use that!"
"There's no point... but if you say so. Do you not pay attention to your UI messages?'
After an awkward exchange, Mirage disappeared into another burst of AGILITY... that had no visible effect other than a UI message:
Information> Limit reached.
Ninjask used AGILITY. PROMPT 66: [Tower] M9eDHUPQ1-501-50
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Josh Devlin
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Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
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Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 13, 2024 14:04:15 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 66F Time> 01:28'35 Interval> + 00:00'48 Position> 2nd
Despite the back-and-forth that made Josh feel insignificant, he could tell that Mirage was slowly warming up to him. Emphasis on slowly. He reluctantly withdrew the Pokémon, having to awkwardly go into his Box again to retrieve Crash the Boltund... and doing so was even more challenging thanks to their slippery environment.
After fumbling in the menus for almost twice as long as he would on solid ground, Josh at last had the electric dog's capsule in hand. Clicking it open in his hand, the Boltund appeared next to him, also sliding rapidly. "No electric attacks, okay? CRUNCH it when it tries to pass!" he ordered, the big canine opening his jaws wide as they rounded a corner. Leaning out of a passing Pidgeotto's way, his Pokémon clamped down on the wild's wing and hurled it to a lower section of the slide.
Boltund used CRUNCH. PROMPT 67: [Tower] D24jJVpj1-501-50
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Josh Devlin
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Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
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Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 13, 2024 14:12:29 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 67F Time> 01:29'27 Interval> + 00:02'09 Position> 2nd
By the time Josh could get himself fully righted, he had caught up to Yosei the Bagon. Surprising, given the speed bent the small dragon-type had to offer. "Oh hey, Yosei!" Josh weakly waved as he saw the end of the slide around a few more meandering turns. "You're just in time! Think your DRAGON BREATH will torch that Pidgeotto just in front of us?"
"You bet it will!" the energetic Bagon replied almost too quickly, as though he knew what Josh was going to say. "Been doing that to blast 'em all the way down the slide!"
"No wonder the surf's been so rough..." the tired boy sighed as the dragon-type opened fire upon the unsuspecting bird in front of them. Though they briefly lost sight due to the steam the dragonfire created upon contact with the flowing water, it still counted!
Bagon used DRAGON BREATH. PROMPT 68: [Tower] ZWYjxqgR1-501-50
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Josh Devlin
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Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
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Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 13, 2024 14:38:26 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 68F Time> 01:29'27 Interval> + 00:02'15 Position> 2nd
With the strength of the water current growing, Josh knew he could simply let the slide guide him the rest of the way to the bottom, trusting that his Pokémon would handle the rest. "You okay, Boss?" the small dragon-type asked, LEERING at a nearly Pidgeotto with a death stare that left it inclined to give both of them a wide berth.
"I'm just... tired..." the Bolter yawned. "I worked 11 hours at my day job today."
"Get some sleep," the Bagon replied. "The tower will be here in the morning. No sense drowning yourself in that water below and waking up at a Shrine."
Bagon used LEER. PROMPT 69: [Tower] Pzkq4etx1-501-50
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Josh Devlin
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Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
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Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 15, 2024 13:26:14 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 69F Time> 01:37'40 Interval> + 00:02'08 Position> 2nd
The standings seemed completely unchanged overnight, Josh breathing a huge sigh of relief as he logged in again after his weekend shift. He had never been so relieved to work a normal shift after working different hours every day for two weeks straight. He was more energetic than the last several nights, and was ready to descend to the root of the Tower of Worms.
Having to go back into his box to retrieve a Pokémon with a Fairy-type move, Josh accidentally brought Ripley the Arrokuda into his party when a sudden turn yanked him to one side. Once he had a straight part of the slide, he brought out Crash instead of Ripley, the Boltund whining. "Woo one of those Pidgeotto!" Josh called for the use of his CHARM. With a Yamper-like whimper, one of the birds became distracted enough to miss its turn, tumbling off the course and despawning.
Crash used CHARM. PROMPT 70: [Tower] ci_0yXAs1-501-50
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Josh Devlin
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Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
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Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 15, 2024 13:50:47 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 70F Time> 01:38'08 Interval> + 00:01'35 Position> 2nd
At last, the final drop was before them. Seeing they would be airborne, Josh readied Pazuzu's Poké Ball. While he highly doubted they would be able to fly, they would in theory be able to glide to the bottom of the massive waterfall that was coming up. "When we get to the end of the slide, use WHIRLWIND!" he ordered as he clicked open the Poké Ball.
With a screech, the flying-type dove alongside Josh, preparing the flying-type attack. Unfortunately for him, a wild Pidgeotto came screaming toward him from behind at great speed, ramming into him and sending him past the WHIRLWIND. Screaming as he fell, he cried for Pazuzu to save him, but it was far too late. Gravity sped his descent toward the large pool at the bottom of the slide, the child and his Pidgeotto each making a big splash.
That hurt, but not nearly as much as falling from hundreds of feet!
Pidgeotto used WHIRLWIND. PROMPT 71: [Tower] O0|V5kXa1-501-50
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Josh Devlin
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Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
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Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 16, 2024 9:43:26 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 71F Time> 01:38'54 Interval> + 00:01'01 Position> 2nd
The tree-tower showed mercy upon Josh. The next section of the trunk appeared to be waterlogged, and the only trapping move he had access to was impossible to use underwater. "Long as I don't run into this again, we should be fine," Josh said to himself, drawing his HEAT BLADE and stabbing it into the tree wall to give himself something hold onto. Swords were useful than more than just combat!
Josh recalled all his Pokémon except the Pidgeotto, hurling Ares' Poké Ball above the flying-type. "Ares, FIRE SPIN!" Josh ordered, watching one of the wilds divebomb toward them. The Charmeleon landed in the saddle Josh normally sat in. With one hand on the reins and the other on his burning tail, he twirled it in the direction of an oncoming Pidgeotto, catching it in the fiery vortex.
Charmeleon used FIRE SPIN. PROMPT 72: [Tower] KDo6rZKQ1-501-50
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Josh Devlin
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Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
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Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 16, 2024 9:48:35 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 72F Time> 01:39'30 Interval> + 00:00'29 Position> 2nd
Now things were going to get tricky. Realizing that the Third Descent was going to take him underwater, Josh was going to have to get creative in the near-black conditions. For one, he would have an oxygen meter to look out for, what with having swapped his Swimmer class out for Ironsmith. He would almost certainly lose time from having to surface for air periodically... no to mention dealing with diving Pidgeotto every time he had to come up to refresh the meter.
He also needed Pokémon that were passable swimmers. Luckily for him, cat Pokémon fit that nicely. Reaching for Luna's Poké Ball, Josh withdrew the Charmeleon and Pidgeotto for his loyal Liepard, choosing to tread water instead of weighing the cat down. As one of the Pidgeotto plummeted toward the big cat, talons ready to rend her flesh, the lithe female FAKED OUT her foe, causing it to plummet into the murky water. Score!
Liepard used FAKE OUT. PROMPT 73: [Tower] Oe5bJgnm1-501-50
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Josh Devlin
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Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
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Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 16, 2024 9:53:20 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 73F Time> 01:39'53 Interval> + 00:00'02 Position> 2nd
Josh hadn't made any progress down the tree yet; every time he prepared to dive underwater, another Pidgeotto looked ready to snatch him out of the water, forcing him to briefly submerge before he would be carried off in its talons. He really was reliant on riding a Pokémon and never let his feel touch the ground, just like Alkaid said, wasn't he?
Without access to his typical fire-breathing "dragon" Pokémon, Josh had little choice but to fight fire with fire. Withdrawing Pazuzu again, he hurled the Pidgeotto's Poké Ball skyward, his saddled bird deflecting away his diving brethren with TWISTER after TWISTER. Taking advantage of the reprieve, Josh let his legs rise to the surface, doing his best to float atop the buoyant liquid.
Pidgeotto used TWISTER. PROMPT 74: [Tower] LqtW71s31-501-50
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Josh Devlin
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Beginning Trainer
Player Character
Posts: 1,057
Trainer Class:
Player Name: Josh Devlin
OOC Username: RaikouRider
Arena Points: 28
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Post by Josh Devlin on Sept 16, 2024 10:00:09 GMT 9
Information> Tower of Worms 74F Time> 01:40'19 Interval> + 00:00'28 Position> 2nd
Had Alicia Westfield been alerted to Josh's rate of descent? It sure seemed like it; just as he was about to make the pass and take the lead for the first time in the race, she was in motion again. That didn't matter to him; she could outdo him all he wanted. It was all about finishing ahead of Kyukon and proving he could hold his own against other members of The Creed.
At last catching a break, Josh retrieved the sword he had used to help in treading water. With the tower looking for a Water-type move, he sent out his Dewgong and mounted up. Without the Swimmer class, he could not see well underwater, nor could he command his Pokémon well while underwater. He had to rely on the speed of his partner's AQUA JET to get through the tree's murky tunnels while his air lasted. The moment the Dewgong and rider surfaced for air, a waiting Pidgeotto sliced across both of them with its rending talons. Ouch!
Dewgong used AQUA JET. PROMPT 75: [Tower] 0vEcx7jb1-501-50
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