[ti]closed[/ti][Freeform][C/Aero]Summoning a Storm

Aero wasn't much of a competitive player. However, it didn't mean she had to be creative during battles. The main difference was that it had mixed results in important battles such as the Gym Leaders and Elite Four. This time, she was playing a Pokemon VRMMO that let her creativity loose without any consequences. That's how she got through the raids she participated in and a few Quests and Dungeons. But that was the only reason she accepted Josh Devlin's invitation. She knew she had weaknesses as a Pokemon trainer and she couldn't rely on her skills as a Player and Ironsmith to win a battle. She needed to act more like a real trainer and devise real strategies.

So in this windy, yet open field, Aero smiled as she stepped forward to her side while holding the Poke Ball containing one of her "carefully" chosen teams for this battle. "As long you keep your Kantonian Zapdos in check, I'm fine with no handicaps. I also want to deal with my weak spots and I want to make sure I learn more of my Pokemon's strengths without being reckless again."

She tossed two balls in the air, releasing both her Onix and Frosmoth in the field. "However, I do want to give myself the first move since you have two Legendaries with you and a bit of a spoiler: I have a Legendary on my team just in case. Hope you don't mind."

Aero smirked. While she hadn't battled online players in the mainline games before, she knew Josh Devlin wasn't like any trainer NPC she faced. While his experience wasn't as large as her's, she knew she had to be careful with his strategies, especially when it came to his Zapdos twins. She couldn't rely on her usual tricks such as her Boon of Surging because it felt like cheating and the Arena probably didn't want her to do it anyway. She might as well start off with something Josh wouldn't expect her to do.

"Alright, Crystal! Use Mist around the field!" Her Frosmoth started to flap his wings and gathered the said mist around him. Then as per his trainer's order, he flapped his wings a bit stronger, causing the mist to spread around the field. To Josh, the mist was thick enough to obscure his vision for a while, allowing her to dish out her next move. "Now Rocky, use Screech!"

What Josh didn't was Onix started circling around the Zapdos as he let out a loud-piercing screech to his opponents. It seemed to be a random set of moves Aero blurted out, but she knew the Zapdos's strengths and she was hoping they would take advantage of the Galarian's half-Fighting-type for what she had in mind.

Aero pouted to see her opponent seemingly make a counter against her Frosmoth's Mist with their double Light Screen strategy. And she knew it couldn't stay in place due to the strong winds in the field, so she might as well go with the second part of her plan immediately. "Well, I've admitted. Using those screens to see through the mist is a good idea. But I'm just getting started," she declared with the widest grin she could flash to Josh Devlin. "Crystal, let's change up the mood with Snowscape!"

Her Frosmoth cried as he flapped his wings, causing the clouds to produce snowflakes instead of rain, covering the grassy field with pure white snow. While it wasn't enough to stop the mist from clearing, it was enough for her to see where the Zapdos twins were. "Alright, Rocky. It's all set. Why don't we pierce the snow with your Rock Slide!"

Her Onix roared as he swung his tail, creating several rocks before tossing them towards above the Legendary birds. "It's more of a "slide" than a "pierce". But you get the drill." Despite her confident and humorous tone, she didn't know the difference between physical and special moves applied in UNOVR. Josh managed to get creative by using two Light Screens and she was worried if they were enough to repel Rocky's physical move. But it depended on his next move if he could react to her strategy.

Good news, Aero's gore settings were set for a 13-year-old to play the game without traumatizing her. Bad news, it wasn't enough to see the aftermath of her current strategy. She flinched to watch the poor baby Zapdos being bombarded by her Onix's Rock Slide. Sure, they managed to deal heavy damage to them, but at what price?

Regardless, she needed to regain her composure if she wanted to continue this battle. While she managed to get an advantage, there was also a chance Josh Devlin could turn things around. True to her suspicions, the birds turned their attention to Onix. Thanks to the Galarian Zapdos's Fighting-type, it managed to pierce through Rocky's defenses and even with her new willingness to take a risk and trust in Crystal, she was too late to notice Storm's follow-up attack. She had no choice.

"Rocky, counter with Screech!"

It only took a few seconds for her to realize what she ordered. She could have used Harden to reinforce his defenses. Instead, he took the attack right after he let out a piercing noise at the Kantonian Zapdos in point-blank range.

WARNING! Your Onix is now in critical health!

"D'oh... Sorry, Rocky..." Aero muttered. That was the price she paid for being hasty. But she still has her Frosmoth with her. This time, she needed to be careful. Josh's baby Zapdos may be on critical, but they're still Legendary Pokemon for a good reason. From the current surroundings around her, it was still a good opportunity for her to turn things around or at least save her Onix. "Crystal, it's all on you. Use Aurora Veil!"

Her Frosmoth cried as loud as he could. Then with a bright flash of light, a veil of aurora enveloped the whole sky, creating a sea of green and blue lights as they covered both Pokemon. with its veil.

Good news, Aero knocked out one of Josh's Pokemon, but not in the way she expected. While her Screech attack from Rocky wasn't her plan, it was enough to knock Storm out of battle. But the bad news was the price she paid for her hasty decision. In this case, her Onix screeched in pain after his remaining Zapdos stabbed its beak into one of the cracks they left. This was all too much for Rocky as he was absorbed into Aero's Poke Ball after his HP had gone zero under the arena rules, leaving her with 3 Pokemon for this battle.

"Yeah... I owe that guy some polishing at the Refresh after this." She then took out another ball as she glared at her opponents. "Thanks for that KO, Josh. Now I know I won't go easy on you and I know I have a good reason to bring it out. Let's go, Claws!" Aero tossed the ball, releasing her Type: Null as it roared at their new opponents. "Crystal, make sure you work together with Claws, okay? The same goes for you, Claws." Her Pokemon silently nodded to their trainer. "Good. Claws, use Iron Head on his Rapidash before it can do anything! Crystal, help it out with your Helping Hand!"

Her Ice/Bug-type hummed as he flapped his wings to the beat, causing Claws' body to glow white and its movements grew faster. If it succeeded in attacking before Keleth could act, he headbutted the unicorn Pokemon with its horned iron helmet.

Aero was genuinely surprised at how ferocious her Type: Null was with his Iron Head. Just that one move was enough to knock Josh's Rapidash out of the battle, but not before using the last of its strength to buff up his Zapdos for a devastating Thundershock. She knew that artificial Pokemon were relentless before their helmet was removed to become Silvally, but she didn't expect how aggressive it was. Regardless, both Pokemon survived with her Frosmoth currently on half of his HP while Claws's only got their HP chipped by 1/4 of it.

This time, she watched Josh Devlin switch out his fallen Rapidash to his Pyroar, which was a familiar face to her. Of course, it didn't mean she was happy to see him considering her current lineup right now. She already learned how she needed to sacrifice something to protect another. However, she knew having her Frosmoth stay there for long would be in vain thanks to his double weakness against Fire-types. She might be young, but she's not too reckless to take that risk.

"Sorry, Crystal. But this will be a one-sided battle for you if his Pyroar is here. Return!" Once she recalled her Ice/Bug-type, Aero took out her Gothotelle next. Unfortunately, she couldn't use her immediately, so she needed to rely on her Type: Null during the switch. "Claws, stop one of them with your Crush Claw!"

Her artificial Pokemon rushed to the Zapdos. It wasn't the target she envisioned, but since his Zapdos were the strongest so far, it might be better if it took care of them first. However, she became a bit concerned when its claws started to crush its beak.

"H-Hey, Claws. That's enough." But her Pokemon didn't listen. "Seriously, Claws?! Are you trying to kill them?!" Unfortunately, it's too preoccupied as its claws start to squish its face. "Stop it right now or else, no more baths!"

Those words were finally enough to stop its attempted murder. Aero was relieved at this, but she needed to make sure he wouldn't do this ever again in a future battle or else...

She quickly shivered at that grim thought.

Aero sighed in relief once she saw Josh Devlin recall his Zapdos after a close shave to death. While she technically forced him to withdraw his last Legendary, she felt guilty about how she almost had one of his Pokemon killed. He just whited out from a World Event before the Hearteater raid and she didn't want to open up more scars. In the meantime, his Pyroar quickly let out the loudest Hyper Voice she could endure. Both of her Pokemon endured it, but she knew Aslan wasn't a pushover in battle either. However, she noticed that he couldn't move after using that attack for a few seconds. It wasn't like Hyper Beam's 1-turn cooldown, but it was enough to find an opening to make a counterattack

"Now's your chance. Lollie, slow him down with Hypnosis! Claws, use Double Hit and do so without hurting him too much, please..."

Her Pokemon quickly took off once they got their orders. Her Gothotelle's eyes glow purple as she attempts to lull the Fire-type lion to sleep or a bit of drowsiness. If she succeeded, Claws quickly charged behind Aslan and smacked its namesake at his back with a growl.