Come At Me, Bro [Zernebog/Ricki]

[Elinda Aspen]

We're pushing through the warped wind Outstripping the cold sky Nevertheless, we still continue to wander Good reaction speed on the trainer's part, Elinda would give him that much. It was a funny thing, watching the other trainers during battles - most people didn't even bother, but as the sand and smoke began to clear and she managed to get a good look at him again she was mildly surprised to see that while he was confused, there was none of the panicked or rushed reactions she was used to seeing. Most trainers, bluntly put, did not react well to having their tactics countered so quickly - generally speaking most tended to hinge their battles on the opening moves, going for the quick, decisive finish when type match ups were in their favor. This guy, though... even as Metagross repulsed the flame attack and raised his arm, the trainer merely responded in kind. The Pokemon, oddly enough, was the one left gaping until the trainer intervened. Obviously very well trained and conditioned to respond to the trainer on a moment's notice, but while there were pros to such strategies, there were cons to it as well - the Pokemon did not react on his own to dodge when Metagross was clearly preparing an attack of his own, and Elinda felt it was probably safe to assume the same would go for his other Pokemon. While cutting off that line of communication wouldn't affect him, it would hypothetically prove to be far more useful against his Pokemon than most - if they were that dependent on him for orders, chances were that depriving them of that would create a much larger opening than usual, and as a result, far more exploitable. For the time being, however, she was merely the observer. So, fully evolved, but still clearly lacking a bit as far as raw experience went - even as Metagross raised his arm to aim at the other Pokemon while the smoke and sand began to recede, the Fire type made zero move to dodge. No instinct, no reflexive dodge... he still had a long way to go, and it was only the trainer's actions that saved the Pokemon from a telekinetic choke as the white haired man called out to his Pokemon, the Charizard immediately diving straight down for the ground. Even as the Pokemon's quick movements managed to break him free of the Psychic attack before Metagross could cement his focus, though, the Steel type was already preparing to push himself off of the ground and into the air in preparation for a counter dodge of his own, right until he saw something he honestly could say he hadn't been expecting - no shockwave, no flames, and no Pokemon suddenly rushing him from just above the ground. Rather, the Charizard was digging into the sand, and quickly making his way underground. Had he the capability, Metagross's giant maw would've curved into a grin at that sight, but instead his eyes could only gain a primal, anticipatory glint to them. The Pokemon had potential, at least - he knew moves that could be very effective if used properly, and the trainer had a good head on his shoulders. All they needed to do was balance that out - focus more on allowing the Pokemon some independence of his own, and to place more emphasis on the Charizard's initiative and cleverness over the trainer's intelligence and ability to plan. No strategy or tactic ever completely survived contact with the opponent, and the sooner they learned that, the better. While the Miracle Eye that Metagross had used earlier still allowed him to track his opponent's progress as the other Pokemon made its way underground and began tunneling towards him, no one of Metagross' attacks would allow him to directly attack the Pokemon. Under normal circumstances, most Pokemon or trainers would counter Dig with one of two options - Earthquake, or to take to the sky, but Charizard's dual typing made that somewhat tricky for most. Given his own rather limited mobility while in flight, however, Elinda had seen to it that he had a concrete counter for more maneuverable Flying types, and it was that move that would prove most useful now. Still not bothering to move even as the Fire type continued to approach him, Metagross simply raised the claw from before to point straight up into the air, and at the apex of the arm's upward motion Metagross' entire form would blaze a bright electric blue as psionic energy blasted forth from the Pokemon to affect the entire surrounding area as Metagross used Gravity, the sand of the beach suddenly compacting and the increased downward force reaching far enough to even buckle his own trainer's legs, bringing Elinda down to one knee under her own weight. With that, the Steel type's arm would fall, impacting with the ground to create a short lived geyser of sand that would completely obscure his form for several seconds as the seismic shockwave visible rippled across the battlefield. Summary: Immediately after Hyperion used Dig, Metagross used Gravity to eliminate the Pokemon's ability to fly and to remove the type immunity, followed by Earthquake in an attempt to intercept the Pokemon before Dig could be completed. Earthquake receives a x2 damage bonus due to Dig, before typing is applied. @ tag

made by duet of gs

[Zernebog Romanov]

Rise Rebel Resist I'm the one of the freaks, the faggots, the geeks, the savages, rouges, rebels, dissident devils, artists, martyrs, infidels... { tags: Elinda, Ricki } { words 617 } { short notes: late but here/font] } Hyperion gritted his teeth as he felt some invisible force push him down, trying to trap him in the sand, probably a set-up for another move. He was well aware that his typing made it extremely difficult for the common dig counters to be used against him, but this one was apparently prepared for that eventuality. Had he been on normal ground, this tactic would definitely have worked because it would take much more effort for his arms to dig through the compressed dirt. However, he was working with sand so his digging had gone much faster than usual even though he wasn’t a specialist like Achilles. Still, there was no way that he would be able to get out of the ground in time to dodge without creating his own opening. Fortunately though, he had one move that can blast him a hole out of the sandy ground. One he had already been building up even before his body started to get heavier, because he was originally hoping for it it be a surprise attack, but this works too. Hyperion didn’t know it, but he unleashed his powerful stream of extremely hot blue flames and blasted himself an exit out of the sand sooner than he had planned, meaning while the metal pokemon’s arm was halfway towards the ground. Said blue flames continued onwards to the Metagross’ right flank, slightly weakened but now accompanied with bits and pieces of molten sand… or molten glass. He was too busy feeling the the pain of the supereffective Earthquake as he pulled himself up wih great effort with both his wings and his arms. Seeing his trainer still on his feet though, he didn’t let himself scream in pain like he would have as he finally set his foot on the ground. Instead, he shot off a large fireball at the Metagross’ feet, making it smaller and more concentrated so that it would jet off towards the steel pokemon faster. If the pokemon tried manipulating it or hitting it with something, the fireball would explode in a burst of flames that would damage everything around it except the user. Hyperion was hoping that it would. It would prove to be a nasty surprise, especially since his wings won’t take him airborne despite stubborn flapping. Most people would have fallen to their knees the very minute that the Metagross unleashed that unseen force that pushed everything downwards. Even its own trainer wasn’t safe from the effect, having fallen to one knee when it made everything heavier. The tremors it made a few moments later made it even harder to keep standing. Unlike most people though, Zernebog remained standing throughout everything that the Metagross did. Granted, his feet were spread out and bent a little so that he had a lower center of gravity to weather the onslaught with, but otherwise he seemed completely fine. Relaxed, even. After all, earthquakes were something he was very used to. However, if only looked closely enough they might be able to see the droplets of sweat forming on his neck and arms. Looking even closer would show that although he looked calm, his muscles were straining themselves just to keep him upright and standing. Zernebog knew that it would be easier for him to kneel on the sand and weather the Earthquake and the powerful force bearing down on every cell in his body, but he had his pride. He wasn’t going to kneel down to one of his opponents even if this was a friendly fight. He won’t dishonor his best friend that way. Not while he could still resist and stand tall despite the constant pain and effort he was experiencing. MADE BY KIROUKO OF GANGNAM-STYLE

SPOILER: Click to show

BATTLE SUMMARY: Hyperion completes Dig and fires off an Inferno to the right of the Metagross, sending molten sand/glass and a torrent of blue fires his way. Inferno burns the target if it hits. Earthquake hits Hyperion, dealing super effective damage due to Gravity in effect. Hyperion then shoots off Flame Burst, which is an Area of Effect attack.

[Elinda Aspen]

We're pushing through the warped wind Outstripping the cold sky Nevertheless, we still continue to wander And that right there was probably why the nutter had been banned from the tournament to begin with. While the issue concerning Snowpoint and the damage he had caused there was a whole other matter entirely, last Elinda had checked, trainers had been required to register their Pokemon's moves with the tournament hosts before the event had actually started. While Gravity was normally a fairly limited move that could be targeted at specific combatants, Metagross was clearly not holding back in this fight - had the move been used in Trainer Tower, Elinda could only imagine the results. From what she knew, Metagross as a species were the heaviest known Pokemon a trainer could obtain, and in a human built structure like that several stories up..... it would've been like dropping a car onto the floor. And that was without taking into account the effects of his other attacks - even this far from the battlefield Elinda could feel the shockwave traveling through the ground, especially with her knee pressed to it like this. Not particularly seeing much use in fighting the technique's effects, especially considering the Pokemon responsible, Elinda would carefully shift her weight around to flop down into a sitting position, taking care to cross her legs in a way that would not injure them or cut off circulation. Again, not much she could really do as she was, so the trainer figured she might as well sit and enjoy the show. Leg coming down and shockwave rippling across the field, Metagross did not relax even as his attack appeared to be successful - even as the Ground technique rapidly spread outward from his position he could see the Charizard rapidly tunneling towards the surface in an effort to escape the increased damage of the attack. Impressive, at least to a degree - the Steel type could not help but wonder how the other Pokemon knew to avoid it given his position underground, but it hardly mattered. Earthquake was a powerful attack, and with his Flying advantage removed it was still a direct, super effective hit. It hurt, and it would simply be the first in a long line of attacks now that the other Pokemon's ability to dodge was heavily impaired. Employing a quick usage of Magnet Rise, Metagross would quickly sidestep the initial blast of flame - while it wouldn't be enough to lift him from the ground with Gravity in effect, the move would lighten his body enough to act as if nothing had changed. The first blast of flame avoided, Metagross would merely continue to move in a wide, circular arc around the edge of the field, Hyperion's Flame Burst would fall prey to Gravity's influence. As the altered environment pulled the projectile down to impact far short of its intended target, showering the surrounding area with flame and cinders as the Steel type merely moved further away and out of range, Metagross would simply continue to crabwalk sideways, keeping his front facing the Fire type, the Pokemon's crimson eyes locked onto his opponent. Fairly sure that the other Pokemon's counter attack was finished, Metagross didn't waste a moment as another wall of invisible force would rush Hyperion as the Iron Leg Pokemon used Psychic again. Summary: Using Magnet Rise to lighten his body enough to counteract Gravity's effect, Metagross dodges Inferno, as well as Flame Burst as the attack's trajectory is altered by the earlier move to fall short of its intended target. Metagross counter attacks with Psychic. Moves used: Magnet Rise (lightened weight but not airborne), dodged, Psychic. Gravity is in effect. @ tag

made by duet of gs