Pokemon Gijinka: The Fallen God [IC / PG-16 / Complete]

[Sethera 290]

Nikora shifted his stance and patted out some flames that were licking at the edges of his outfit. "This place, much like my home, is filled with many natural advantages for those who can claim them."

Was that a hint? Had he already seen through Easter's half-hatched idea? Except it seemed he was referring to something else instead. As the fairy type jumped back to avoid the Pin Missile volley, his keen ears picked up a faint clicking noise. Coming from the...ceiling? Or at least from that general direction. Moments afterward a downpour began. So that's what he meant, then.

The Godslyayer let out a sigh as the water absorbed into his skin. "While I'm here I cannot be stopped."

Meanwhile, Easter's mind was whirring away at the implications. If it weren't for the clicking noise, he'd have thought the other was using Rain Dance, though he'd never heard of Cacturne being able to use that move. Though I do know of them having the ability Water Absorb...how annoying. Dashing forward, he grimaced. "I beg to differ." He held his hands together at his hips, bringing them up at the end of his run, palms outspread, to release a Moonblast. At the same time, a larger orb, this one green and covered with spikes, appeared around the Cacturne. The two powerful forces collided, but while the pink orb dissipated into nothingness, the green one remained, only to flicker and die out immediately afterward.

Easter would've been disappointed...if that had been his only goal. Instead, his mouth formed into a grin as he aimed a hand up high, sending small pink stars whizzing up into the ceiling in the same general direction as to where he had heard that click. And best of all, Nikora can't stop me. After all, he had started his attack immediately after releasing the Moonblast. The other would be too preoccupied trying to block that to do anything about it. In fact, he might not even be aware of it until it was too late.

The only annoying thing about all of this, he thought, is that this might not even be permanent. That damned dark type might just be able to turn it back on. But it was foolish to ignore the rain too.

Not only did it give his enemy the advantage, but it gave his ally a disadvantage as well. I hope this doesn't turn into a back-and-forth, he thought. Perhaps before, such an idea would've been appealing, but now, he didn't have such free time to waste.

As the Spiky Shield came down from around Nikora, the Cacturne stood there silently. And then, like a stone giant, slowly brought his fist back before bringing it forward in an explosion of power. Drain Punch. And it was at that moment...that Easter grinned again.

As if sensing danger, the fist faltered, but it was too late. A bright pink glowing shield had appeared around the Sylveon, who was far too close to the other to avoid the Drain Punch normally, but this goes both ways. After all, the other was too close to avoid his counterattack. The punch met shield then, creating slight shockwaves from the force of the blow. Easter hopped a few steps backward before turning fully to run and create some distance between them, rolling to the side to avoid the Pin Missile sent after him, though he needn't have bothered, as the attack would've landed harmlessly against the tree to his left whether he had moved to avoid or not. Let's see how you handle a dose of confusion, then. So far, he hadn't really been doing much this fight, testing out the limits of his opponent's strength and getting battered in return. And had it been the Easter of before, he'd have played around for a little longer still. But he had places to be now and gijinka to protect, so he needed to hurry up and end this as soon as possible.

--

It was strange to be fighting in the snow like this. Usually, Keanu could get a sense of where the others were when he was fighting. Nani was like a ghost, hell, she was a ghost, but she always appeared at the right time. Marie's never-give-up attitude meant he could usually catch a glimpse of her attacking out of the corner of his eyes. And Randy...it was kind of hard to miss the tiger when he was usually shouting out about how his "fist overflows with a powerful darkness" and inflicting the bulk of the damage on their foes. But here and now, he couldn't see his allies, and he couldn't hear them either. The snow deadened all sounds, making his ears almost useless.

The only thing I have left...is that, he thought. Psychic power. With that, he might be able to get an idea of where everybody was. Except that he wasn't nearly experienced enough in that to figure it out. But...he could still try, right?

Closing his eyes to concentrate, he faltered slightly, his instincts screaming at him to move. And they'd never been wrong before. The next second proved them right as an ice-cold arm wrapped around his waist in the frigid mockery of an embrace. It might've been romantic--especially considering who it was doing it--if it weren't for the large, sword-shaped claw that was aimed right for his throat.

Keanu opened his mouth in a startled gasp but said nothing more as he felt the edge of the claw tickling his gullet. Gulping, he muttered, "We can talk this out, eh?" But it was clear from the way the claw pressed tighter against his bobbing Adam's apple that there would be no more talking today. "K'den." The next second, his eyes glowed blue as a Psychic power forced the Sandslash's arms away from him, then she was lifted entirely from the air before slamming into the floor, a flicker of fire around her form as what seemed to be a burn inflicted yet more damage to her.

While he was tempted to run from her then, take advantage of his opportunity and escape, the Raichu instead summoned a wave of water that carried him toward the fallen foe. Who had now gotten up, sending out a barrage of ice shards at...the wave? Puzzled, Keanu continued his attack, the water washing over her and buffeting her to the ground once more. Ey, two attacks hitting in a row. That's gotta be a record. Flushed from his success, the Raichu picked up his foot to put some distance between them, when...he found out that he couldn't. Looking down, the electric type blanched. Ice had encased his feet almost to the ankles, and the snow he had been standing on had turned into ice. Ice that was firmly attached to the floor below.

"That why you weren't aiming for me then?" he asked, but his foe didn't reply. Instead, she let out a mad giggle that sent chills down his spine. He was frozen to the ground now and at her mercy. Even Psychic power would have a hard time removing him from the ice. I think it's doable, at least, he thought. But it'll take time. And at that time, I'll probably already be dead. As a testament to that, the Sandslash had already picked herself up from the floor, brushing snow off of her in a leisurely manner before setting her sights on him with a smile. "You uhh...don't have to do this, ya know?" Keanu appealed. But it was as if he had said nothing at all, the ice type continuing to stare at him with that eerie smile. Her one visible eye looked empty, a dark blue pool of nothingness that made Keanu cringe back from her, though he couldn't do much more than that.

Yeah, I'm toast, Keanu thought. Soon I'll look just like a Razz Berry jelly-filled malasada, jelly hole, and everything. He wasn't sure why his thoughts were flying so far from the realm of reality at the moment, but he attributed that partially to his impending demise. "Eh, could use some help here!" he shouted in one last-ditch attempt at living to see another day.

As if reacting to his words, Kalia moved then, bringing up her sword-shaped claw as she began to charge toward the Raichu, the pointed tip angled slightly upward--once more, straight toward his throat.

[yui 573]

"Not bad. You might have promise yet."

"Not really interested in being a promising warrior," Nani responded, trying ultimately in vain to shield her face from the whipping sand with one of her arms. In her other hand, a second bone appeared. If she peered closely enough through the sand, she could see the first bone coming back now. Nani took aim, and... threw the second bone! Just as the first one would have made its return trip through Alarik, the Mimikyu slung her arm forward, and with it, the second bone. This wasn't someone she wanted to stay near, and if she just kept throwing the bones, he'd have to get worn down eventually.

[Skaia 578]

Nine stepped away from the man as he let loose yet another barrage of pin missiles at him and Easter. Nine then only grimaced further as the man fired and energy ball into the air, starting some kind of mechanism that caused the rain to fall in the room. He was getting nasty flashbacks from the last time they had faced off, but things weren't nearly as bad as he was still able to produce the flames on his arms. Even if dampened. Nine knew that if he was going to have a shot at beating this Godslayer that he was still going to need his flames, and so even if it was going to be weakened he just needed to make it that much stronger. Taking in a deep breath, Nine focused his aura yet again getting to its maximum potential. 

As the Sylveon and Cacturne continued their exchange against each other, Nine noticed two things. One, Easter had managed to turn the rain off which was a great boon to the Houndoom. Secondly, there was something off about Nikora after he had landed an attack against Easter's protect. Nine wasn't sure what to make of it, but he didn't have much time to think on it as Nikora let loose a series of Pin Missiles at him. Nine sent a wave of flame up to take on the attack, but curiously the Pin Missiles had fired off to the ground next to him rather than actually at him. Not paying much mind to this, the Houndoom then quelled his flames, charging his hand with darkness as he let loose a pulse of it towards the man. The Godslayer, rather than protect, instead let loose an energy ball which slammed into the Houndoom's dark pulse. As the two attacks collided, Nikora quickly followed up by launching a volley of spikes through his attack as well. While the energy ball had fizzled out, Nine winced as the spikes had connected with him, causing pain to radiate throughout his body. 

Still not one to give up, Nine ignited his arms once again. Letting loose a blast of flame towards the Cacturne, the man reacted as expected. Putting up his spiky shield the intense flames struck harmlessly against them and kept the man safe from any danger. However with having just used his shield, Nine knew this was his time to strike and let loose a dark pulse again at him. Instead of going to counter it like he had before, Nikora curiously put up his arms as if to guard. Seeming to slam his arms though, breaking his guarding stance, Nikora was unable to stop the attack as the pulse collided straight into him. Though they both shared a dark typing, with how far he had boosted his power Nikora was bound to feel some pain from it. 

[Mr. Hyde 204]

Team ThunderWaves 

"Nothing's funny." Another giggle. "I don't know what you're talking about." More giggles. "I've never been more serious in my life."

"Oh you're serious all right!  Seriously annoying!!!!!"  Taiga roared into the hailstorm, getting smacked in the cheek by a shard of Ice she barely saw coming.  It had enough force behind it to knock a few of her teeth loose, as she spat them to the snow below.  They'd grow back soon enough, but it still hurt.  Readjusting her mouth, she looked over to the skirmish between the two Alolans.  The Raichu seemed to be making quick work of the girl now, throwing her around like a ragdoll, and coming down on her with a wave of water.  But wasn't he an electric-type?  It didn't matter to her either way, as long as the threat was taken care of.  "Fufufu...wrap it up will you?  I don't got time to waste dealing with giggling freaks."  That's when Taiga noticed that the Raichu's wave of water had been frozen solid, somehow.  With Keanu in bind, the Gijinka made a mad dash to slash the Raichu's throat.  

"Eh, could use some help here!"

"How pathetic."  Taiga's reaction time was impeccable, bursting forward in a split second.  She managed to slide all the way up the frozen wave, managing to intercept the Sandslash with a swift kick to the ribs.  "Always the one asking for help.  Can't you take care of it yourself with that flashy mind attack?"  Taiga bared her fangs, making short work of the bind on Keanu's feet.  "Fight, would you?  It's sad to see you still tryin' to bargain with this lunatic."  With her instincts detecting another rush of bloodlust, Taiga looked up above to see another barrage of icicles darting down at the two.  "Just great.  Get out of my way."  Taiga delivered the same kick into Keanu that he had smacked their opponent with.  He definitely wasn't fast enough to dodge it.  She was, but in her attempt to save Keanu, an Icicle managed to lodge itself into Taiga's right hand.  "W-whatever!"  Taiga groaned, as she chopped the protruding bits of ice off, leaving the ice in the middle of her hand to stop blood from flowing.  "You bitch!  Look what you did to my second favorite hand!"  She raised it to show the Gijinka, who could only giggle before fading away back into the hail.  

"GET BACK HERE FREAK!"  She roared into the storm, once more.  

[reparoni 161]

Lok
Team ThunderWaves

Lok tumbled a bit on the snow as the Godslayer disappeared back into the hail. He had barely picked himself up when he had to immediately dive back down to the snow to avoid the icicle that was barreling towards him. Picking himself once more, he saw Taiga had immediately jumped to Keanu's aid, an icicle now lodged into her hand. Lok took this moment of being ignored to use Double Team, creating two other clones of him as he watched Kalia fade into the storm once more.

It didn't take long for the giggling to start again, Lok keeping an eye on the storm as his hands lit a ghastly purple flame. He saw one of the icicles fly out of the storm, as he fired off his Hex where he thought she was. His clone was struck right through the chest, disappearing as his attack got lost in the storm. Lok grimaced, turning around to the other side as another icicle crashed towards his other clone. This time, the clone managed to dodge the attack. Unfortunately, the same could be said about his second Hex.

The third time, as he saw the third icicle come out of the storm, he fired his Hex and this time, he managed to land his attack as the giggling was interrupted by what sounded like a wince. However, he didn't have time to celebrate, as he now had an icicle lodged into his shoulder. He let out a roar in pain, clutching onto the icicle. Gritting his teeth, he fired a Thunderbolt into the storm in a fit of rage, in the hopes that maybe he'd be able to hit her.

 

Scarlet
Team SuperPower

The Rock Blast, while a bit painful, wasn't nearly enough to stop her. Her wings fluttered as she crouched down, before diving right back in. The red Tailwind behind her blew the sand as she darted in, stopping in front of Alarik to jump into the air with a twirl, her wings fluttering as the sand cyclones around her and the red hot winds. She slammed down into the Steelix with both of her hands, the attack being blocked by the man's gigantic metal arm. The Steelix swatted her back up into the air with a Heavy Slam, the force of the blow putting a strain on her body, before letting out a Dragonbreath aimed up directly at her.

Scarlet, however, did not hesitate as she dived back down towards the man, her first splitting the flames as she felt the dragonic energy singe her. Her armor glowed red hot - not from the flames nor from the wind, but rather from the energy within her. This time, he didn't have time to block the attack, as she dive bombed the Godslayer with a Superpower right on his head.

The man staggered back a bit from the sudden impact of the attack, the steam around Scarlet's armor losing itself in the storm around them. He seemed surprised that she'd be so reckless; or maybe he was impressed, it was hard to get a read of his face. Scarlet's breathing heavy. "How's that... for promise!?" She shouted, spitting on the ground below.

Edited June 27, 2020 by ? REP ?

[LordCowCow 839]

Group 1: Easter and Nine 

Nikora's mind was a haze as he struggled to get his bearings. Everywhere he looked there seemed to be odd pink stars popping up and distracting him. He was struck by Nine's attack and almost fell backwards. He shook his head and closed his eyes tightly to try and get rid of the distracting lights and shapes. This seemed to help though it also meant he couldn't directly see the other two.

"I can't let this be the end of me. Just a little more...just a little more and it'll all be over." Nikora said. Then he planted his feet again and started to launch out more pin missiles. Some straight forward. Some arcing through the air. He continued to release a steady stream of pins in every direction. Listening closely to try and figure out where the two opponents were and adjusting his aim accordingly.

He could feel his body slowly weakening and he tried to keep still to recover his strength again.

Spoiler

Reminder: Nikora, Cacturne, level 85, Water Absorb. Moves: Energy Ball, Spiky Shield, Drain Punch, Pin Missile, Dark Pulse.

For the next couple "turns" until the confusion fades Nikora will have his eyes closed.

---

Group 3: Brooke, Nani, and Scarlet

Alarik seemed to be starting to understand how Nani's bone attack worked. The first pass still struck him but as it came around again he slammed his arms down and destroyed the attack with the force of his blow alone.

He wasn't able to retaliate immediately as Scarlet made her attack right after. The series of blows ending with a powerful attack right when Alarik was vulnerable. He coughed and a bit of blood came out which he wiped away with a small groan.

"How's that... for promise!?"

Alarik straightened up and nodded. "I shouldn't give advice to my enemies but perhaps its the old man in me coming out. But yes, that's exactly right. If you truly want to get anywhere in the world you have to be willing to put it all on the line!"

His body started to glow then and pieces of his armor seemed to grow thicker and several more spikes jutted out. The glow continued and detached from himself in the form of several floating crystals around him which seemed to be providing him with some kind of energy. "And so let us see which of us have more to give!"

Aiming for the Mimikyu Alarik shot out Rock Blasts which seemed to be more powerful than those he had been using previously.

Spoiler

Reminder: Alarik, Mega-Steelix, level 80, Sand Force. Moves: Sandstorm, Double-Edge, Heavy Slam, Rock Blast, Dragon Breath.

And now Alarik has activated his own "special" Mega Evolution.

---

Group 4: Taiga, Keanu, and Lok

Kalia hissed as she rubbed the spot Taiga had kicked her. It shouldn't have hurt as much it did but that dastardly Dark attack at the start had truly affected her. The lingering pain from the Hex was still there when she heard the Rotom cry out in pain. She smiled at the sound. Glad to be the one to be able to make people sound like that. Unlike....

She shook her head. She couldn't afford to be distracted now. She had a job to do to prevent anyone else from hearing those cries again.

The Thunderbolt could be heard before she saw it. A crackling noise coming straight for her. She stepped to the side  as the energy cut across her arm and she hissed again in pain.

This wouldn't do. She was getting sloppy. Distracted. She was strong but she wasn't a warrior like the Tapu. Her only choice now was to try and end this quickly before they took advantage of her inexperience.

Kalia stepped into their field of view and raised her arms up on either side of her. "You did well to survive this long but now all that will ends now." Her body glowed an icy blue and the snow around her started to glow as well. It suddenly raised up in a pair of pillars of the stuff and packed together before she motioned forward and the pillars came crashing downwards towards Taiga and Lok.

Spoiler

Reminder: Kalia, Alolan Sandslash, level 80, Snow Cloak. Moves: Hail, Crush Claw, Icicle Crash, Ice Shard, Swift

Small hint there but yes Kalia is high leveled but hasn't had a ton of actual combat experience.
Also her "special" is active now. Which is more/less Snowbending. Not the most powerful weapons but combined with everything else it can be dangerous.

 

[Sethera 290]

"I can't let this be the end of me. Just a little more...just a little more and it'll all be over." Nikora said, planting his feet firmly into the ground before blasting a barrage of Pin Missile in an almost 360° area around him.

Tch. I see he's trying to make up for his confusion with this. Crafty, but I would expect no less from a dark type. The thought caused Easter to glance at the other dark type in the room. I wonder if he's hatched up any plans himself. I wouldn't put it past him. Whatever he had planned, Easter would try to coordinate. It wasn't so long ago I'd have tried to fight them both at once, he thought, lip curling in amusement. I suppose I've grown. For all the years he had spent fighting, the many, many years, he had become stronger, and he thought that was growth. It's funny to think that what I really needed, all along, was what? Taking care of a kid? The thought was laughable, and yet there was no denying its truth.

He had been hit by the Pin Missile, but he managed to avoid taking repeated damage from it by ducking behind a tree, where he had paused to collect his thoughts. Now, staring up at the tree, he quickly began to climb. This isn't so different from shimmying up the mast on the S.S. Showdown, he thought. In fact, it's much easier. Upon reaching the top, the Sylveon shot out a Moonblast toward the Cacturne. For a second, it seemed as if it would hit him, and perhaps they'd be done with this fight, but of course, things could never be that easy. Instead, the Godslayer had turned, as if sensing the attack, or perhaps having heard the rumble of sheer power as it careened through the air, almost as if it were a physical thing. An actual ball, and not a burst of energy drawn straight from the moon itself.

With a sound like a thunderclap, the pink orb crashed against an orb of green that formed around the Cacturne, and once more the pink fizzled into nothingness. That Spiky Shield really is a pain. But there were only so many times Nikora could use that move without it eventually failing him, and when that happened, he and Nine would be ready.

But before that, he would have to move. The Cacturne had turned toward him, eyes still closed, before drawing back his hand and then suddenly thrusting it forward, a large green Ball of Energy releasing from his palm and headed straight for Easter. The fairy type jumped, grabbing for one of the vines trailing down from the canopy above him. It lacked the rough texture of a rope, but it was sturdy enough. At that moment, he could see a snake, also hanging from the branches above, angling its head down, jaws opening wide in a hiss. Wasting no time, the Eeveelution let the vine carry him through the air, swinging down straight toward Nikora. Easter felt a sharp piercing sting on his fingers--the snake had bit him, but he didn't let go. While the pain could make others lose their grip--both literally and figuratively, it did the opposite for him. With the added focus that pain gave him, the Sylveon let the momentum of the swing take him to the end of its arc--to Nikora. Legs outstretched, he ended his swing with a heavy kick to the Cacturne's chest, causing the other to fall onto his back. It was only then that he let go.

Shaking his hand idly, he heard the plop of the snake falling to the ground behind him. Releasing another wave of Swift, which hit not only the snake but also Nikora, Easter felt yet more pain from the front as he was hit with a Pin Missile. But not a Drain Punch. Perhaps he has gotten more cautious since last time.

The Cacturne had risen swiftly, but Easter wouldn't let him regain his bearings so easily, especially not since Nine had warned against that particular scenario. Ignoring, or rather thriving in the pain, the Sylveon let himself drop to the ground, balancing on both hands and one leg, the other angled up in a kick that swept the Godslayer's legs out from under him. He rose then, charging up a Moonblast in his left hand, and throwing a fist forward with his right. For a second, it seemed as if he would try to strike with both, but at the last moment, he pulled back his left hand. Yet he kept his right fist flying forward, toward Nikora's face.

And then pain. Such, such pain. A piercing pain that matched the spikes that pierced his fist. Warm blood leaked out from the holes in his hand, landing on the floor with a slow dripping sound.

"I have to thank you for giving me such wonderful sensations," Easter leaned up to whisper near the other's ear, though he kept his face away from the Spiky Shield surrounding the Cacturne. His fist was still buried in spikes, but he didn't move it. Instead, he kept it there, a blissful smile on his face. "Are you having fun?" he asked in a voice positively saturated in sugar. "Because I am. You try so, so hard, you even closed your eyes. What a smart boy. But it's. Just. Not. Enough." He giggled, a sinister shine to his eyes as he stared up at the dark type. He licked his lips. Oh, the fun he could have with this--

A Wooper. No, a Quagsire. An Emboar. A Pupitar. All three faces flashed through his mind.

The Sylveon shook his head, the smile slipping away from his face. Maybe the pain is causing me to lose my grip after all. He was better than this. He couldn't let himself fall back into his old ways. He had to end this quickly. There were lives at stake here. "Well, I suppose that goes both ways." The honeyed lilt had disappeared, his voice back to its usual polite staccato. "I can tell that even this won't be enough to take you down. But it'll expedite the process, at least. And with Nine here too, this won't last long at all."

The shield flickered out, causing the pink-haired gijinka to tense. They say you shouldn't always believe what you see, but the same goes for what you hear as well. He raised his other hand, revealing a fully charged Moonblast. By charging it at the same time as his basic attack, he had fooled Nikora into believing that it had been a Moonblast headed toward him, prompting him to throw up a Spiky Shield to block it. But it had just blocked his basic attack instead. His real attack had been waiting in the wings. But now, it was time for it to take center stage.

This time, there was no green to stop the pink from reaching its target.

--

Keanu let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding at the sight of Taiga bursting out of the storm, sliding up the frozen wave to kick Kalia in the ribs. There's something to be said for her type, he thought. I'm just glad she's on my side. He could've done without the insult, at least. Hell, he could've done without her following complaint too, but beggars couldn't be choosers. He was still alive, and that's what mattered. Even better, she had freed him from the ice trap. "Fight, would you?  It's sad to see you still tryin' to bargain with this lunatic." Keanu opened his mouth to protest that it was either he bargain or get gored, but he didn't have time to say it, or even say thanks before another barrage of icicles rained down on them.

"Just great.  Get out of my way." In the next second, the Raichu was flying backward away from the Sharpedo, the wind knocked out of him in the process. While that had caused him to avoid the icicles, it meant that Taiga hadn't managed to escape the attack, or at least he assumed so by the fact she was shouting. Or she could've just been shouting. He wasn't sure, as he couldn't actually make out what she was saying with the wind whistling in his ears.

There was a silence where Keanu assumed Kalia was fighting against Lok. Or maybe Taiga. Again, he couldn't actually tell what was going on. It didn't help that he was still lying down where he had been kicked. Getting himself up--and barely avoiding an embarrassing slip on the icy floor--the electric type started walking in a random direction. Can't see, can't hear, I'm pretty useless right now, he thought. All he could do was rely on his newly sharpened sixth sense, which was more or less a feeling that this was probably the right way.

Eh, at least I was right, he thought upon hearing a familiar voice. "You did well to survive this long but now all that will ends now." At that moment, he could make out a blue glow even through the hailstorm. A blue glow that was probably Kalia. And then he was looking up at two large pillars of snow that had appeared out of thin air. He couldn't see much beyond that, but something told him that Taiga and Lok were right there as well, which wasn't good. They'd be buried at this rate. Would Surf work? he thought. But what if it freezes again? Then he'd just be a sitting Farfetch'd. No, he had to figure out a different way. Provide a distraction maybe? Yeah, that could work.

The Raichu shot an Electro Ball toward the blue glow, a cry of pain confirming the hit. "We're gonna keep on surviving!" he shouted, running forward. A barrage of Swift stars came his way, but he ignored the pain--or tried to not think about it anyway, skidding to a halt and closing his eyes in concentration. The blue glow surrounding Kalia intensified as she was lifted forcefully from the floor before being slammed back down. At the same time, the snow pillars threatening Taiga and Lok had collapsed.

That was a relief, but now Kalia was focusing on Keanu, which wasn't a relief. Or he would assume she was because a giant snow pillar had appeared in front of him now. "I've learned my lesson!" he said a second before the snow buried him.

There was silence for as the Sandslash waited for signs of motion before stalking forward, Crush Claw at the ready to stab into Keanu's trapped form...except he wasn't there. Just a small doll in the snow. She stared at it for a long moment before jolting in realization, turning around just in time to get bowled over by another Surf attack. The Godslayer tumbled head over heels to lie prone on her back, though she rose to her feet soon enough.

Keanu hopped off the wave to land on the wet floor, though it was quickly turning to ice beneath his feet. The Raichu jumped to a patch of dry ground then. "And the lesson is not to get stuck like before."

Kalia said nothing, glowing blue again as the snow condensed to form yet another large pillar, though this one had patches of ice as well from where the Surf water had frozen after making contact with the cold floor.

Edited July 6, 2020 by Waluigi

[Skaia 578]

While the pressure seemed to be on their side, Nikora seeming to be off balance, the Godslayer didn't feel like giving up just yet. Letting loose a three hundred sixty degree burst of pin missiles, Nine ignited his arms in response. Swinging his arms in a cross formation, letting the flames loose in a sort of wall to defend himself, the fire managed to destroy a few of the pin missiles being launched at him. A few more had gotten past his defenses though, and the Houndoom's legs buckled as he felt a sharp pain in his side and one of his legs. Gritting his teeth but not falling, Nine continued to stand firm against the onslaught of attacks. Igniting his arms again, the Houndoom saw the exchange continue between Easter and Nikora.

As the Sylvevon went to attack Nikora didn't have his spiky shield to put up in defense against it. However, being as rooted and empowered as he was he still had the ability to respond to the attack. Swiftly going from his defensive posture to an offensive one, the Cacturne created a ball of green energy in one hand and brought it up to attack the incoming moonblast. The attack was hastily made, however, and his arm couldn't get into proper position in time. As a result, the two attacks collided with each other and both combatants were sent back from the force of their own attacks. Nikora had come off worse in the trade but Easter would still feel a hefty amount of damage himself. 

Still, no longer rooted in one place his power was beginning to drop, which would give Nine his opportunity to strike. Standing there, arms ablaze, Nine said, "I don't know what you're fighting for, or why you're doing this. But that doesn't really matter to the three of us right now." Letting loose a blast of flame towards Nikora, the man seemed to regain his composure and put up a spiky shield for defense. As always Nine then followed this with a dark pulse which was in turn answered with a pin missile, the two attacks cancelling each other out. "All I know for certain is that I think you're wrong and that I can't stand to let you or any other god slayer have their way. All I'm saying now is that this will all be over soon, and when it is old man, I'll let you see the world we're going to save."

With that, Nine fired out yet another flamethrower towards Nikora. This time, as the Cacturne brought up his spiky shield however, Nine poured in a pulse of dark energy, providing an immediate follow up for when his flames died down. Nikora was slammed by the unexpected attack, and stumbled back though didn't give any leeway as he shot yet another spike into Nine's arm.

[Mr. Hyde 204]

Team Thunder Waves

"You did well to survive this long but now all that will ends now."

"Shut your yap and just bring it on already!!"  Taiga said, widening her stance and throwing her arms to the side in a show of aggression.  "You're just all talk, ain't ya?!  But I'm the real Arceus-Damn deal!!!"  Taiga's mouth clamped shut once she saw that the Gijinka could now use the snow of the arena, and move it to her will.  Two colossal pillars of snow were launched at Taiga and Keanu respectively.  She smiled nervously, thinking if she'd be able to make short work of that snow with just her fangs.  However, she wouldn't get the chance just yet, as she heard a war cry from Keanu.

"We're gonna keep on surviving!"  Keanu managed to slam their opponent into the ground with enough force to ruin their concentration on the snow pillars.  The collapsed to the floor without even having managed to get anywhere close to Taiga.  

"Tch.  Little runt's growing a backbone, now?.  Don't get too cocky!"  As soon as she had said that, she noticed the girl going for another attack.  This time, she was able to pick up the fact that the pillar being thrown at them now had shards of ice packed into it.  Taiga really wasn't in the mood to take any of that head on, who even would?  She shook her head, and bobbed up and down.  Before the pillar was launched, Taiga made a mad dash straight for the Alolan.  She glided across the snow with jets of water trailing behind her feet, almost freezing as she slid along.  She slid straight past the side of the pillar as it passed her, almost hugging onto it tightly with a smile as she avoided the attack in it's entirety.  She could feel the cool breeze hit her face, but she was interrupted of the sensation when tiny stars began to cut at her shoulders and legs.  She winced, but she held onto her anger for the time being.  

As she cleared the pillar, she saw the Alolan Sandslash directly in front of her path.  With a 'fufu', Taiga jumped into the air and prepared a drop kick.  It was less of a drop kick, and more like a ballista bolt being fired into the Gijinka's mid section.  After Taiga had made crushing impact, she let out a geyser of water from her feet, with enough force to pin the Ice Queen to the wall of the room.  However, Taiga was pushed away herself, sliding across the room in the opposite direction.  She hit the wall hard, but the water still proceeded in a torrent.  Her legs quaked as they tried to keep the pressure steady in an attempt to wear down the Sandslash with a torrent of water.  

[reparoni 161]

Lok
Team ThunderWaves

Lok watched as the pillar that was barreling towards him collapsed as Keanu interrupted the attack. "Thank you!" Lok shouted, giving Keanu a thumbs up before turning his attention back towards the Sandslash. He still had his over Double Team clone up, the clone also facing their opponent. Keanu and Taiga were hard at work on taking Kaila down, the Godslayer now being pinned on the wall momentarily by a torrent of water. This was his opening to attack, him and his clone running towards the immobilized target. Lok fired off a Hex at Kaila, lightning crackling in his hands as he prepared to fire off another attack.

 

Scarlet
Team SuperPower

Scarlet watched as Alarik glowed, his armor morphing as spikes jutted out of his armor. It seemed like he also had some sort of transformation ability like she did. Several crystals were now floating around the Steelix as he fired off a Rock Blast towards Nani. Scarlet smashed her fists together. "You think a new coat of paint is going to stop us?" She shouted, dashing in, hoping to catch him off-guard after having attacked Nani.

Alarik turned his head towards Scarlet, bringing his arm up as he grabbed her fist in his palm, giving the Scizor a stoic glare. She tried to break free from the man but it was no use, as he raised her up into the air, before slamming her back down into the ground. While the sand softened the blow, she let out a gasp of pain as she face-planted into the ground. She barely had time to roll out of the way as Alarik brought down his other arm for a Heavy Slam, the force of the attack sending Scarlet tumbling away. As she tried to pick herself up, she was greeted by a Dragon Breath to the chest, sending her staggering back.

Scarlet took a moment to catch her breath as Alarik glared at her, turning towards the others to respond to any actions they had. "...not bad..." She said between heavy breaths, closing her eyes as she Swords Dance'd. "...you're just as strong as I imagine you were." She said with bitter resentment, opening her eyes as she glared at him. She darted back towards Alarik, smashing the Rock Blasts as he fired them towards her. They felt stronger than before, but not strong enough to resist the force of her punches.

As she got to him, she fired off a series of consecutive Bullet Punches, moving around him as he blocked them with his arm. She ducked under the sweeping arm that was blocking the attack, upper cutting into his side cleanly - an attack that would have sent most barreling back, but not Alarik. Instead, the man responded with another Dragon Breath, the draconic flames striking her as she darted back away from him.

[Chaos Sonic 442]

Team Paragon


The Stone Rain...this was something that Randy wasn’t expecting to see. And it seemed a bit different from her Stone Edge attack. But at the same time, it did mean Allie had upped her game which was both good and bad. Not only that, the Earthquake she did was already throwing him off balance.

Randy began to grit his teeth as he fired a Fire Blast to do what he could, but at the same time trying to make sure his footing was perfectly fine with all the tremors. He growled slightly, not liking the way this was going in the slightest.

The Incineroar shook his head a bit, before rushing towards Allie, preparing another Close Combat. “You called that messing around before? If it was...then you’re really holding back!” he smirked. Unfortunately, Allie didn’t say anything at this point...but only delivered a Payback right back at the Incineroar, in which she launched the Fire-Type back quite a bit away. “...okay...walked into that...”

So I have Allie’s attention...sooo what was the next part of this plan? Randy thought, groaning as he got back up...only to notice that Allie was unleashing an Earthquake, which once again made Randy lose his footing and collapse again on the ground. “...okay...that’s a cheap shot!!”

Allie seemed to be focused on the Incineroar, which was what he was hoping for...but at the same time...Randy didn’t have a full fleshed out plan for this. But luckily...the Tyranitar was distracted long enough. Another slam in the form of Denku using Kazo as a hammer, though the latter seemed to be protesting a bit more at this point. Regardless, Denku kept using Kazo as the Iron Headed hammer, and to combat this Allie simply used Stone Edge, her stone club/sword colliding with Kazo every moment.

It was a bit of an astounding display from Randy’s point of view. This brother duo was definitely in perfect sync...at least it seemed that way. Regardless, now Randy had a moment. With a quick movement thanks to Acrobatics, the Incineroar began to deliver another Close Combat. This move was definitely getting the workout, especially against a foe that was weak against the Fighting-Typed moves.

“Last chance...to stop this lolo scheme of yours, Allie!” Randy growled, watching Denku and Kazo hightail it out of the way while the Incineroar pushed forth. “We’ve had this song and dance too many times...when are you going to realize, on their side: you can’t WIN!!”

While Randy was trying to knock the sense into Allie, Denku armed with Kazo yet again, struck now at the distracted Tyranitar’s back, proceeding to do this quite a few times.

[Cheshire Toon 139]

“Not today!” Brooke put herself between Nani and Alarik, arms glowing red, and smashed each chunk of rock that came toward the Mimikyu. They exploded into cough-inducing showers of dust and dirt. “Blegh. Tastes gross,” the Emboar spit in her sleeve. Not far away Scarlet exploded forward to attack the Steelix; she was easily rebuffed at first, and even the barrage of Bullet Punches she threw seemed to do little to slow the man down.

“Try this one on for size!” Blue flames engulfed Brooke and she threw herself into the fray the moment that Scarlet backed off. Alarik caught the weight of her attack with crossed arms, not being pushed back even an inch, but she still saw him grimace under the intense heat. A steel-type was still a steel-type no matter how strong their defense was. It was only for a second, though, and then he pushed her back and struck her with a Heavy Slam that sent her reeling backwards. Brooke grit her teeth and struggled not to wheeze from the blow. “You wanna see how much we have to give? I’ll show you!” As the cloak of flames slowly burnt out, the glowing fighting aura overtook her, veins bulging as her strength was brought to the very limit of what she was capable of. 

Then she struck at him with all her Superpowered might. “GET OUT OF THE WAY!”
 

[LordCowCow 839]

Group 1: Easter and Nine 

"All I know for certain is that I think you're wrong and that I can't stand to let you or any other god slayer have their way. All I'm saying now is that this will all be over soon, and when it is old man, I'll let you see the world we're going to save."

Nine's words seemed to have an affect on Nikora. His fists clenched and his gaze hardened. "No." He said. "That's not how it's going to be. If you want to get through here...YOU BETTER MAKE SURE I CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO STOP YOU!"

He then would surprise them by taking the offensive. He ran in both of their direction, arms outstretched, and moved across the swampy ground without any trouble. As he ran pins fired from his arms straight towards both of them and whichever one he got near first he brought a fist back and then thrust it in their direction.

"This is my final fight one way or another!"

Spoiler

Reminder: Nikora, Cacturne, level 85, Water Absorb. Moves: Energy Ball, Spiky Shield, Drain Punch, Pin Missile, Dark Pulse.

I'd say, as long as you two are in agreement, this could be the last round for this fight. As you can see Nikora is being much more aggressive now.

---

Group 2: Denku, Kazo, and Randy

Kazo and Denku continued to hammer away at Allie's body. Yet the girl still seemed to be stubbornly refusing to go down. It almost seemed as though she was pushing past the point she should have dropped. The girl was swinging her Stone Edge in more powerful arcs than before. Even when the attack was dodged it would hit with such force that it would shatter and she would send the resulting shards towards her target. It seemed that she wasn't even certain anymore which one was her target. She just continued to press on.

"I can win. I will win!" she screamed out. "We'll fight until one side can't fight any more! That's how it works right? That's how its always worked! There's no other way with how this damned world is! So just shut up and fight me like your life depends on it cause I'm not going to be holding back!"

Along with the rocks that were falling here and there a sandstorm began to pick up centered around Allie. Though they could still see her face. Twisted with aggression and pain.

Spoiler

Reminder: Allie, Tyranitar, level 80, Sand Stream. Moves: Stone Edge, Earthquake, Payback, Pursuit, Scary Face.

Probably one or two more good rounds left in her now. What I'm trying to get across here is that she's taken so much damage but she's just pushing on with adrenaline and willpower. As such she will continue attacking without stopping in order to keep said adrenaline going.

---

Group 3: Brooke, Nani, and Scarlet

The Steelix brought up his arms to block Brooke's attack but moved just a bit too slow. One of the Emboar's arms connected with Alarik's but other other pushed passed and landed a blow on his chest. Alarik stumbled backward with a hand on his chest. He took in a deep breath and then winced. The older Gijinka seemed to have some trouble catching his breath after Scarlet and Brooke's strong attacks. The sand surrounding them was even starting to die out.

"This body...still has plenty left to give." He said. "It will keep going until it no longer can. There's more...you can give too. I won't let you walk out of here until...I've seen your very best." He seemed to be struggling to speak but despite this he still stood straight and strong.

The crystals around him flickered but then surged with energy again and Alarik too a decisive step forward. Crouching down and going to ram the closest of the group with a Double-Edge attack.

Spoiler

Reminder: Alarik, Mega-Steelix, level 80, Sand Force. Moves: Sandstorm, Double-Edge, Heavy Slam, Rock Blast, Dragon Breath.

Like I said, Alarik is old. But he's still a tough geezer and he seems to be determined to keep going for some reason. That being said most likely a couple more rounds would be enough to finish this one off.

---

Group 4: Taiga, Keanu, and Lok

Kalia trembled as she seemed to slip as she came off of the wall she had been slammed into. She was holding onto one of her arms, the one that Taiga had Crunched at the start of the fight, and her face was scrunched up in pain. "I don't understand. I'm just doing what I must...I'm saving my region. I deserve to win. I've...trained so much. I was blessed by the Tapu themselves. I should be able to beat anyone!" She practically shrieked the last part. Her face contorting with desperation.

The Hail had faded away and she didn't seem to be in any state to bring it back up again. But it didn't mean she wasn't still dangerous. She began to lift entire piles of snow to lob at the group. In the midst of these projectiles she also sent out Swift stars and shards of ice. Moving in a somewhat shambling walk towards them as she launched various projectiles at them. Trying to get close enough to catch them in her claws.

Spoiler

Reminder: Kalia, Alolan Sandslash, level 80, Snow Cloak. Moves: Hail, Crush Claw, Icicle Crash, Ice Shard, Swift

I believe it's possible this could be the last round. Figure out if you all want to make posts that would really lay a finishing touch to this and figure out how you'd all want to end it. (Or if you intend to post early make sure to leave it open for someone else to finish)

 

[Sethera 290]

Easter hadn't expected such quick reaction times from Nikora, though he supposed he should've expected as much from a Godslayer. He had been blown back into a tree--they really were everywhere here. He rubbed his head as he rose to his feet, taking in what Nine was saying. He didn't think there was anything particularly unusual about the words, but apparently Nikora thought otherwise. His usual unflappable calm had been shaken, voice raised in a shout. Easter raised a brow, impressed despite himself at the effect. "Guess I still have things to learn in the art of taunting," he smirked.

And then the man ran forward, arms outstretched, and of course having no trouble at all with the swampy ground. As he ran pins fired from his arms straight toward both of them. As he approached, Easter prepared himself, but he wasn't able to dodge the attack fast enough, and found himself slamming into yet another tree. "You have quite the arm there," he choked out, shaking his head. "But I'm not quite out yet." And with that, he flipped himself off the tree to land on the ground, spinning around to fire off a Moonblast.

Nikora pulled up a Spiky Shield, but, surprisingly, the large pink orb went sailing past him, as if the Sylveon had missed in his excitement. But instead of annoyance, the fairy type's expression was one of smug satisfaction as he leapt past the Godslayer.

It started out as a creak, and then a groan, as timbers split. Easter's Moonblast had torn a path right through the trunk of the tree behind the Cacturne. As it swayed from side to side, Easter gave it a firm kick--right in Nikora's direction.

But even a falling tree wasn't enough to stop the Godslayer as he sent out a Dark Pulse that vaporized part of the tree, jumping through the hole toward Easter. The Sylveon leapt back in surprise, barely avoiding the Energy Ball that was shot in his direction.

"You've changed," he observed. "You've lost your cool." I'll have to thank Nine for that later. Normally, he would indulge, no, delight in the panic of his opponents, but this was work, not play. He had to get through this and reunite with those who mattered most to him. He sent out a wave of Swift pink stars as he dodged attack after attack. Now that Nikora was keeping him on the defensive, it was hard to get time to charge up his Moonblast, which was annoying, but not debilitating. Allowing a Pin Missile to hit, he ignored the pain to launch out with a kick to the other's solar plexus, throwing the Godslayer backward and into a tree. At least I'm not the only one getting smacked into trees now.

The both of them were breathing heavily as they stared each other down. Judging by the lucidity in the other's eyes, the confusion had worn off. More's the pity. It didn't matter though. With Nine here, the fight would end. It was only a matter of when now.

The two of them began to charge up attacks at the same time--Easter a Moonblast, and Nikora an Energy Ball. Just like before, but this time Nikora was faster, throwing the large green sphere with powerful force. The Sylveon released his own attack, but it did little more than defend him from the blast. Gritting his teeth, he dove through the explosion, ignoring the pain, to launch a surprise attack on the Cacturne.

As the other threw up a spiky arm in surprise, Easter let his momentum carry him forward, twisting his body into a spinning kick instead of a regular side kick, coming at him from an angle that let him bypass the arm. Following it up with a Moonblast-charged punch to the gut, the Sylveon's eyes widened when the Cacturne took the attack instead of blocking it this time, exchanging it for a Drain Punch of his own. It hurt, but that didn't matter. "Now, Nine!" Easter shouted, jumping backward.

--

Aue, those two are lolo strong, Keanu whistled as he watched both Taiga's Waterfall and Lok's Hex hit at almost the same time. Kalia seemed to feel the effects of it too, if the way she trembled while holding her arm was any indication. "I don't understand. I'm just doing what I must...I'm saving my region. I deserve to win. I've...trained so much. I was blessed by the Tapu themselves. I should be able to beat anyone!"

A blessing from the Tapu...no wonder she's so strong. Most Alolans would give their right arm for a chance like that. Keanu wouldn't, but that was only because he needed his arm to help surf. Now, something less important, like his hair, or nose. He'd give that, sure. "Well, I don't know, this is Adarid. The rules are a little different here," he replied, running forward, breathing a sigh of relief when the Hail died down and didn't look to be returning. It would be a lot easier to coordinate with the others now, at least. Except now, Kalia had begun to lift entire piles of snow to lob at the group. In the midst of these projectiles she also sent out Swift stars and shards of ice as she began to shamble toward them.

It was stressful, and slightly terrifying, but Keanu kept running, throwing out an Electro Ball that managed to hit this time. He stopped just out of range of a Crush Claw, but that didn't matter, as now a rain of Icicles were Crashing down on him amidst a flurry of snowballs. Backing up, he sent out a Thunder Wave that didn't seem to do anything at all as the Sandslash kept moving forward, slow but persistent. Why that was, was answered soon afterward as she winced from a flicker of fire around her form. Aue. She's already burned. That's right.

Panicking slightly, Keanu attempted to use Psychic, but lost his focus at the last minute when he was hit by bright yellow Swift stars followed by Shards of Ice that knocked him to the ground. And then Kalia was right there, jabbing a Claw with Crushing force down on him. Rolling to the side, the Raichu just barely avoided the attack, turning up to send out an Electro Ball which caused the Godslayer to freeze for a second as the electricity coursed through her system. Taking that opportunity to roll further away, Keanu hopped to his feet, shivering slightly as he brushed snow off his body.

"Just give up!" he shouted as he shot his arms down, and then up suddenly, a wave of water rising with the motion of his arms. Hopping on the water, he rode it toward the Sandslash, jumping off at the last minute as the tide crashed into her. He wouldn't risk getting too close to her, not after all that he'd experienced this fight. He watched as the Godslayer fell to the ground, before slowly rising to her feet, body trembling in exhaustion. "Come on!" Keanu called out to the others. "I think we might just be able to beat her!" He didn't want to jinx them, but he was hopeful, anyway.

Immediately afterward he was smacked to the ground by a pile of snow. Spitting out snow, he sighed. Of course da kine had to happen right after I got confident. S'what I get for getting cocky, I guess.

[Mr. Hyde 204]

Team ThunderWaves

 "I don't understand. I'm just doing what I must...I'm saving my region. I deserve to win. I've...trained so much. I was blessed by the Tapu themselves. I should be able to beat anyone!"

"God you're annoying..."  Taiga said, panting, but noting her speed had once again rocketed higher.  "Y'all godslayers don't know when to give up!  You aren't the good guys here, you know?"  In an attempt to stop them once again, the slayer began lobbing heaps of snow in there direction.  However, with Taiga's all but doubled speed, there was no way those things were touching her anytime soon.  She managed to dodge them with ease, all the while Keanu was hammering down hard on the Gijinka with an array of Psychic and Electric attacks.  Taiga grinned at the mere fact that the Gijinka was even standing.  Now the ball was in his court.  

"Come on!" Keanu called out to the others. "I think we might just be able to beat her!"

"DUH!"  Taiga shouted, almost mad at the fact that he implied that they wouldn't have beat her with Taiga on the team.  "Now why don't you make yourself useful, and start up another gnarly swell!  Crash into that bitch, and don't stop until I tell ya!"  Taiga barked.  

"You got it, Taiga the Twisted...Terror Torpedo?"

"You're next after her if you get it wrong one more time!  YA HEAR!?"  Her brow twitched in annoyance, as the Raichu began a huge wave once more.  In an attempt to avoid the tsunami, the Sandlash began to jump out of the way.  However, something gripped her from inside the wave.  As she looked into the clear water, she'd see Taiga with a frenzied smile on her face, laughing as bubbles escaped her mouth to meet Keanu's feet.  Taiga dragged the godslayer into the wave, and proceeded to take giant chomps out of the girl.  Although her movements were impaired in the water, she managed to actually get a few decent slashes on Taiga, but she wouldn't let up.  After a number of punches, kicks, and chomps made their mark, Taiga tried to strangle the Gijinka.  One good slash across the stomach would be enough to get Taiga's hands off her neck, causing Taiga to use a pulse of water to knock Kalia out of the surf.  Bleeding rather heavily now, Taiga ran up to the Sandlash with a pair of dark jaws that held the Gijinka in place.  

"COME ON LOK!  TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT!"  

[Skaia 578]

Nine grimaced as Nikora seemed to be deadset on fighting to the end. He didn't know quite what it was that was motivating the man, but it was clear that he wanted to end all of the fighting he had been doing. Nine didn't know much about the old man's life, but he figured it hadn't been a kind one both with how he spoke and how strong he was. Taking a deep breath, Nine muttered, "if that's what you want..." Nine watched as Easter and Nikora had their exchange, and as Easter managed to land yet another hit into the Godslayer, Nine's arm ignited. 

Rushing at the Cacturne, the Houndoom shouted, "Nikora!" As he got close enough, he let loose the blast of flame point blank at the godslayer. However, defiant as he was, Nikora raised his arms to defend against the fire. His shield had formed, blocking the intense blast of flame coming from the Houndoom. Though his shield had managed to prevent any direct damage, it was clear that the heat was still getting through as the Godslayer began to sweat under the intense pressure. "I told you last time that I would defeat you and keep everyone alive. I held true to that. But this time, if all you want is to stop fighting, to reach the end - if that is truly your wish. Then for such a fighter like you. I! Will! Grant it!" Nine's flames flared up even more intensely for a brief moment before finally sputtering out. 

With the opening having presented itself, Nikora put his guard down and went for a drain punch against Nine. The Houndoom let out a gasp as the wind was knocked out of him, the punch having hit him square in the gut and energy seeming to return to Nikora. However, this would be a fleeting victory for the Godslayer. Standing his ground, Nine clenched his as the pain radiated in his gut and started to move its way all the way into his fist. "Get some rest, old man." Nine muttered, before moving forward and letting loose a counter into Nikora. His fist smashed into the Godslayer's gut this time, rippling with force as he launched the Cacturne off his feet and away. 

[reparoni 161]

Lok
Team ThunderWaves

She was starting to wear down, Lok could tell, as the hail started to let up. However, things weren't done yet, as piles of snow and stars were being lobbed at him and the rest of his team. He swung his arm in front of him, watching his Thunderbolt sweep through the snow and breaking the clumps, wincing as the stars hit him. Keanu started fighting Kaila, announcing the same notion that Lok and, he thought, Taiga had came too.

Lok brushed himself off from the attack, noting that the stars had cut him in various places. Nothing too serious, but there was more blood than Lok had expected around him. He saw Taiga riding Keanu's wave, dragging the Godslayer into it. The ghost boy kept an eye on what was going on, waiting once more for his opportunity to attack the Godslayer without frying Taiga. As they fought in the wave, Lok let out a burst of Ominous Wind. He wasn't exactly sure how this worked, but he knew that it sometimes made him stronger.

"COME ON LOK!  TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT!"  

The two jumped out of the wave, and Taiga was now holding the slayer down for him. Lok's instinct was right, as he now had the ghostly winds circling around him. "This ends now!" Lok shouted, ghastly flames circling around him with the purple winds swirling around his arms. With surprising speed and force, Lok shot out a Hex towards the trapped target, the flames swirling into a phantom disk. Kaila struggled to break free as the flames barreled towards her, but to no avail. The shark girl's grasp on her was too much, as the disk practically exploded into a gust of wind as it struck her right in the center of her chest.

Scarlet
Team SuperPower

Scarlet didn't notice the sand thinning out around them. She, instead, was paying close attention to Alarik, who was starting to look worn down. The Steelix's gems glowed as he charged in towards her, faster than she had expected. She could still feel the force of her Swords Dance in her body, and she didn't have time to dodge. So, instead, she took a page from Taiga's book and darted in.

Her armor glowed a red hot crimson as she barreled towards the charging target, pulling her arm back. She slammed her Superpowered fist into the man's arm, following it up with another and another, quickly becoming a flurry of blows. She let out a battle cry, powered both by the adrenaline in her veins and the pain from the Double-Edge, as Alarik stumbled back from the attack, nearly losing his balance from the sheer force of the attack. Scarlet wasn't about to let up, however, diving back in to strike.

Alarik barely had time to balance himself as Scarlet dived back in, a trail of steam behind her, swinging her arm towards him. He barely managed to block the attack with his arm, however, the girl had clamped down on the armor with a Bug Bite. Wincing, Alarik swung his arm to get the girl off of him. Scarlet was sent flying, circling right around Alarik as her wings fluttered, using the momentum of his swing to accelerate. She swung all the way around and slammed the Steelix in the face with a Bullet Punch.

While he was caught by surprise by the sudden punch, he was quick to react, grabbing Scarlet by the leg as she flew across him. Scarlet was caught off-guard, as Alarik slammed her into the ground again, this time bringing his other arm up and getting ready to slam it down on top of her.

[yui 573]

"And so let us see which of us have more to give!"

The jig is up with the bones.

Peering through the sands, Nani - while initially treated to a faceful of rocks that finally did away with the rest of her barrier - caught a glimpse of the other girls closing in on Alarik, doing this move and that move against him. That was the one! That flurry of punches Scarlet used! With the jig up on the bones, something like that would probably be Nani's best bet. Just in the nick of time too, since it seemed like Scarlet was in a bit of a pinch. Nani hurried over, fists aglow in a similar fashion to how Scarlet's had been not long ago. And once she was in swinging range, Nani threw out her hands, aimed at the center of Alarik's mass.

[Chaos Sonic 442]

Team Paragon


"I can win. I will win! We'll fight until one side can't fight any more! That's how it works right? That's how its always worked! There's no other way with how this damned world is! So just shut up and fight me like your life depends on it cause I'm not going to be holding back!"

Fight like my life depends on it...?

This phrase was something that Randy knew all too well, given the fact that he had been fighting like that since he arrived on this region. Now with Denku using Kazo as a digging hammer to avoid the stones, most likely at this moment preparing an underground strike, only the Incineroar was facing the Tyranitar and her twisted smile with this raging sandstorm. Only an exhale escaped his lips.

Then...a smirk appeared...before it evolving into a full blown grin.

BGM

"No holding back? Heh...e pili ana ia i ka manawa. You know that's something I've been hoping for since we started our bouts back at Northshore!" Randy began to laugh, as he tightened the Black Belt around his waist and adjusted his collar, flicking it back up. "Then I'll meet your strongest...WITH MY STRONGEST!!!"

With another roar, Randy rushed towards the Tyranitar, firing off a quick Fire Blast to make a bit of an access to allow him to strike Allie without hitting the sandstorm. Once that happened, he unleashed a Fire Fang and then followed up with a quick succession of Close Combat. The Tyranitar roared in response, only striking back at Randy with a combination of Pursuit and Payback...these two gijinka going to odds with one another.

"Grrrrr...that's more LIKE IT!!" Randy grinned again, his eyes glowing brightly as this was becoming more of an excitement to him rather than his life truly depended on it. But then again... "What you failed to realize Allie...is that I'm ALWAYS fighting like my life depended on it! It's how we Incineroars are!!"

Allie only growled more, her face still twisted with pain and aggression, attempted to swing with a new formed Stone Edge.

Randy noticed it, jumped up and used Acrobatics to swiftly dodge it. "You aren't going to win...not with how you are! What these Godslayers and their boss is promising you, it won't EVER help you. But I'm going to finally knock some sense into you, Allie...and I'm dragging your tail back to your family and friends!!!"

Randy now moved away slightly, before noticing that Kazo and Denku erupted from the ground and delivered a punch right to Allie's jaw. Now the Incineroar looked over at the Pupitar and nodded, while the Gabite was currently holding his head with a groan. Time for that move yet again...

"This hand of mind is pulsing dark!!" Randy's arm became engulfed with the dark energy, preparing his Darkest Lariat.

“Its dark grip is telling us to defeat you!” Denku's hand now too becoming engulfed with dark energy, preparing his Dark Pulse.

Randy roared out again, rushing in with Denku following close behind. "HEAR THE CRY OF THE PARAGON'S SOUL!!! DOUBLE DARKNESS PARAGON STRIKE!!!" The Dark Type combination attack hit it's mark true...but at the same time...would it be truly enough to have Allie down for the count. Randy sincerely doubted it, but he figured that this would definitely do enough damage.

[Cheshire Toon 139]

Scarlet took the brunt of Alarik’s attack as the sand started to die down. The Scizor was tough, though, and swung back with her own Superpowered strikes. Brooke wasn’t really sure who came out with the upperhand; she knew she needed to rejoin the fight, but her body was reeling from the stress of such rapid fire use of Flare Blitz and Superpower. 

Nani on the other hand was still apparently fresh. The Mimikyu propelled herself forward to use her own Superpower on the Steelix (Brooke realized that all three of them had been using the attack often in the last hour. Maybe it was like their signature attack?). It wasn’t her signature attack though. She had one she preferred much, much more, as she had always leaned more towards her Fire heritage as opposed to her Fighting. 

Blue flames once again wreathed her form. In the dying light of the sandstorm she looked like some kind of flaming avenger, casting burning blue light light across the arena. “Lets finish this!” she shouted, then threw herself forward to smash into Alarik with Nani.
 

[LordCowCow 839]

Group 1: Easter and Nine  

"Get some rest, old man."

Nine was close enough to the Godslayer to notice that, as the Houndoom went to Counter, Nikora seemed to relax his body. He had given in at the very last minute. Not even attempting to avoid the attack or attack back. Nikora already made up his mind that this was as far as he could take it.

He went flying through the air and into another tree. Hitting it with a cracking noise as the bark shattered from the force. Nikora slid down and fell to the ground. Letting out a long, weary, breath. He didn't even have the strength to look up at them but he did try and speak. It was difficult to hear but the silence that had fallen made it possible. "Stop him. Before he does something. He'll regret."

Nikora's eyes closed and he slumped forward.

There was silence until a soft whirring sound was heard and the teleporter reactivated once more.

Spoiler

Plus one level for all.

One more round of in-between and then we'll enter the next part. The groups converge. And what happened to the children?

---

Group 2: Denku, Kazo, and Randy

Allie seemed caught off guard by the surge in aggression from Randy particularly. "Stupid cat you don't know what you're messing with." She growled as the attacks landed. She tried to counter the Incineroar before he built up too much momentum but she realized too late he was getting used to her attacks. She cursed loudly as she saw the duo coming in and she tried to intercept with a barrage of Stone Edge...

But they managed to get through anyway. Delivering powerful, direct, hits to her already beaten and bruised body. She slid backwards but kept on her feet.

The girl let out another growl as she breathed heavily. Glaring at the three of them as she stood there. Moments passed and she didn't do anything beyond stand there.

They could see her legs, and arms, trembling and her eyes widened in alarm. "Why...I can't...move." She panted. "MOVE! I'm not DONE yet!" She shouted. But it was to no avail. It seemed she had pushed herself far beyond what was possible. She tried again to move forward but only collapsed down to her knees. She cast the three one last, defiant, look before falling over to the side and hitting the ground.

As she did the teleporter flared to life behind them.

Spoiler

Plus one level for all.

One more round of in-between and then we'll enter the next part. The groups converge. And what happened to the children?

---

Group 3: Brooke, Nani, and Scarlet

Alarik had no time to respond as he was in the middle of trying to strike Scarlet. Thus Nani's blow, directly to his midsection, struck true. He skid across the ground and clutched his stomach. He let out a gasp and they could see blood on the old Gijinka's lips. Still it didn't seem that he was down for the count. Though it seemed that it was painful for him to keep going he still stepped forward and prepared to launch a flurry of Rock Blasts at the two Gijinka in front of him.

He saw Brooke coming for him but believed he had time to get off his attack. Though he realized soon that his reflexes had slowed and he wouldn't make it.

As Brooke's fiery attack came crashing down on him those paying attention would see a small smile cross his lips. And hear him mutter "I hope you're ready for the long haul."

When the smoke cleared they all could see Brooke standing above Alarik. The elder Steelix laying face down on the ground, not moving.

Any doubts as to their victory would be washed away from the now familiar noise of the teleporter activating nearby.

Spoiler

Plus one level for all.

One more round of in-between and then we'll enter the next part. The groups converge. And what happened to the children?

---

Group 4: Taiga, Keanu, and Lok

"No, no, NO!" Kalia shouted as she struggled against the jaws holding her in place. Her strength was still great and it was obvious that Taiga wouldn't be able to hold her for long. However the girl's desperate, wild, struggle wasn't as effective as it could have been were she more calm. And so Lok's attack hit her right on. Causing her to cry out in pain as the ghostly power surged through her body.

"I...I just wanted." Kalia gasped as her struggles slowed. Her eyes started to cloud over. "I was going to save...my home." She said. Her last words before she lost consciousness and slumped forward. Only held up by Taiga's Crunch attack.

The Hail had stopped and now the snow covered room felt unnaturally still. Until they would see a light flare up as the teleporter responded to Kalia's defeat. They would be able to continue on unimpeded.

Spoiler

Plus one level for all.

One more round of in-between and then we'll enter the next part. The groups converge. And what happened to the children?

 

[Sethera 290]

It was over. Nine had delivered the finishing blow with a move Easter hadn't seen him use at all that fight. Counter. A strong move that used the opponent's force against them. Easter himself hadn't gone up against those types of opponents often, though that one time he had fought a Wobbufet in the arena had been interesting...and frustrating. So he could only imagine how badly Nikora, a literal Godslayer, felt after having his own power used against him.

But however brutal that move was, it had been necessary. And besides, I'm not one to talk about brutality, Easter thought with a grimace. He wasn't one to overthink his past, but it was getting harder and harder to ignore. He had thought he had changed...and he had. But was it enough? I can only hope it is. But he had gotten lost in the maze of his thoughts once again. In the meantime, Nikora had slid to the ground, the sudden silence as the fighting stopped enabling Easter to hear his muttered words.

"Stop him. Before he does something. He'll regret."

Easter nodded, "We will. But first..." he turned to look at Nine. "Should we rest up first?" He wanted to reunite with the others as well, but he had learned something of patience since the last time he had met the Houndoom beside him. Sometimes it was better to wait than dive in headfirst. Sinking to the floor, he sat leaning against one of the trees that had given him such a difficult time this battle. It's not so bad as a chair back though.

The fairy type took out another Poffin, biting into his with gusto while offering a second to Nine. "Ooh, Pecha Berry flavor. Yummy," he sighed.

Whether Nine chose to move ahead without him or he stayed to recuperate, Easter would eventually rise from his position, pushing his hands against the soft forest floor as he did so. "Time to go, then," he muttered.

--

They had won. It had taken a lot of effort, along with some impressive moves from Taiga and Lok, but they had finally won. Keanu let out a sigh of relief as he let himself fall back to sit on the cold ground. Kalia hadn't gone quietly, though, that was for sure. Even now, she was still talking.

"I...I just wanted," the woman's eyes began to cloud over, "I was going to save...my home." She slumped over then in Taiga's jaws.

Keanu frowned. "Da kine's...what I wanted too," he muttered, lowering himself, even more, to lie supine on the snow-covered floor. "How is it," he wondered out loud, "that two braddahs can want the same thing, but end up in a scrap too?" He sighed, spreading his arms and legs out to make a snow angel. He wasn't used to the cold, but he had been in this room for so long, he had gone numb to it.

The Raichu yawned. "Just a little nap..." he blinked suddenly mid-yawn. "Oh yeah, here," he passed around Berries like before, then, with another yawn, lay back down on the ground.

Eventually, he would wake up--if not from having been purposefully woken, then just by hearing the sounds of his fighting companions as they began to leave. "Guess I gotta get going, too."

Edited July 13, 2020 by Waluigi

[Skaia 578]

Nine looked at his foe solemnly as the fight came to its close. He had beaten Nikora, both physically and mentally. The man seemed to even have achieved some sort of final peace in his defeat, which Nine was at least glad he could help deliver. And yet that things had come to this in the first place only left Nine with a bittersweet feeling. As the man had made his final request, to stop “him,” the Houndoom nodded. “I will. I promise.” Nine doubted that he was heard by Nikora, but he had renewed his vow to stop the godslayers all the same. After a brief moment of silence Nine eventually stepped away. Letting out a sigh, the Houndoom sat down next to Easter as the two of them had found a moment of respite before going to their next foes. 
 

Taking the poffin from the Sylveon, Nine silently bit into it. After a few moments had passed, the Chaser took out a can of lemonade. Before opening it, he looked to Easter with a smile on his face saying, “sorry. Only got one.” Across his entire journey he had only two cans of lemonade on him, and the last one he drank was before fighting the foe they had just bested. Funny how things worked out. Nine gave a small cheers motion towards Nikora before drinking the beverage. Stowing the can back in his pockets when he was done, Nine stood back up. “Yep. Not much left past here.” With that, he walked to the teleporter.

Edited July 13, 2020 by Skaia

[Cheshire Toon 139]

Brooke stood above the fallen Gijinka with slumped shoulders. The sandstorm was still slowly sputtering to a halt, the arena around them was a mess of craters and scorched marks, but all of them were still on their feet. “The long haul?” she murmured. So the fight still wasn’t over. She was bone-tired. Her body ached all over, muscles she didn’t even know she had pushed to their absolute limit by her superpower, but she had no intention of quitting while Dora and Easter were still out there. She had to find them.

She took her hat off long enough to shake the sand from her hair, then turned to her teammates. “Are you guys ready? Got a feelin’ that whatever’s through that door is gonna make our last couple fights look like a joke. Not sure why but… Call it a merchant’s intuition,” she said. “There’s no turning back now though, so… Ready?”
 

[Mr. Hyde 204]

Team ThunderWaves

Lok's final push had done it, as Taiga held the girl in between her spectral jaws.  A faint smile seemed to trace her face, but it was probably more of relief than of joy.  Not to mention, her legs felt like they were about to buckle any second now, and she'd keel over.  But something started to slip from the Gijinka's mouth.

"I...I just wanted," the woman's eyes began to cloud over, "I was going to save...my home."

Taiga bit her lip in frustration, as the Sandslash passed out in her clutch.  As she was no longer a threat, Taiga placed her down on the ground gently.  

"Da kine's...what I wanted too," Keanu muttered, lowering himself, even more, to lie supine on the snow-covered floor. "How is it that two braddahs can want the same thing, but end up in a scrap too?"

"She wanted to do the right thing...but she went about it in about the worst way possible."  Taiga promptly fell to her butt, catching herself with her hands to get in a more comfortable position.  She blew a piece of hair out of her face, before grinding her teeth together.  "Weird to think that in a different world...I'd probably be in her shoes, huh?"  Taiga smiled, as Keanu handed over some more berries as he had done in their last victory.  "As if I'd lose to you two, though!  Fufufufufu!"  She scarfed down the berries faster than her max speed would let her.  Smacking her stomach, she laid on her back.  With Keanu announcing that he was resting his eyes, it seemed like it was time for a well deserved power nap!  It didn't take much time for her to snooze at all, but her snoring was rather obnoxious.