[ti]closed[/ti][S][C/Kyukon] Creed Clash

The battle hadn't even started, but somehow a tomato had sailed from the audience and hit him square on his left cheek. Ugh, he supposed this was the consequence of losing the Tower Challenge race..? How irritating, but he nonetheless was here anyway, making a mockery out of himself as he faced the potential of humiliating himself further. At this point, how far down could he get? Was the only way back now up, or was there still a deeper grave he could dig for himself?

He wasn't sure if he should be shocked or envious of the two baby Legendary birds by Josh's side. For sure he worked hard for it - the guy was many things, but he was definitely a hard worker. As to how this translated on his face though, it came off as flippant, partially also because he had tomato juice on his cheek he hadn't been able to fully wipe off.

❝I can believe it.❞ he replied, regret snaking into his Hibernal Heart. This wasn't a match he was sure he could win, and he wasn't exactly prioritizing evolving his Pokemon, allowing them to take it at their own pace (it also didn't help that he hadn't brought them to a lot of battles. He supposed this confrontation would change that). ❝Haven't met them yet, but they seem like behaved little birds.❞

And then Josh sent out his two Pokemon - as painfully expected, they were fully evolved. He felt a pit in his stomach, thinking about type match-ups, but would that be alone to overcome power and size? Well, he supposed that was why his trainer skills were being put to the test. The mention of the Everworld only further soured his mood, as Gou was still there as well. In pain? Alone? He had no idea. ❝Your rival? So you're doing it together?❞ he hadn't realized that was possible, but then again, Josh was the type of person that just made things possible. ❝Perhaps a rematch is in order when we get our starter Pokemon back.❞

He took in a deep breath and reached for his Poke Balls before sending two out. With Max Swimmer officially back online thanks to some BYTE grinding, he could let out his Mantyke again without worrying about her just being stuck on the ground. On her left was Rou, the Vulpix, who immediately froze when she saw her double across her. <That's--Kyukon, you-->

The trainer wasn't sure why the Vulpix looked bothered, but he wasn't sure if it was too late to switch. ❝Rou, what's wrong?❞

The Vulpix shook her head before letting out a bit of fire from her mouth, like a sharp breath out. <Nothing. It's just a mirror.>

Locking in:

Josh Devlin

Dreading more than the Creed guild members watching their every move? He supposed that made sense. Arthur wiped the last bits of tomato juice on his cheek, flicking it aside. Well, let's get this over with. If nothing else, this was good practice, and he would deal with the fall out on his own later.

An NPC was officiating below the stage, standing in the middle of the two trainers and their Pokemon. Once the bell rang, Josh didn't even need to give commands - the Alolan Ninetales started off with a distraction and the two smaller Pokemon did watch, momentarily blinded. This made Anta quickly start up a Wide Guard to protect them from the expanding light, but it wasn't able to stop the Pyroar from coming close and knocking her with a precise Headbutt. The Mantyke let out a cry of pain as Rou panicked, debating whether she should try to strike the much larger Pokemon back or slow him down another way. Or should she attack the ghostly mirror, who was unguarded?

Before Arthur could give orders, she turned to the Pyroar, choosing to aid her teammate and use Disable -- her eyes turned blue before she sent out a spherical wave of energy, attempting to strike the Pyroar and locking them out of using Headbutt for a while, which would briefly paralyze them. If successful, it would give Anta either a chance to get away and counterattack, but it also meant that both Pokemon were vulnerable to what the Alolan Ninetales could do next.

Locking in:

Josh Devlin