Flame One: Training

[flame_one]

[Out of the wooded section of the island a certain admin is walking into the CMA looking a little disheveled. His jacket and pants has some dirt marks upon them and a few stray leaves were still clutching to his clothes from his adventures in the woods. He looks kind of miserable clutching a oval shaped egg in his arms, while scanning the area for

Comments

[oceansbane]

[...Tabitha, you are not the only one looking less than fabulous today, as your leader hasn't exactly been having the best go of it, either. Unfortunately, the version of your leader that you're going to run into probably isn't one you're going to be thrilled about seeing.

He's a bit scratched up - there are some odd scratchmarks across his forehead, as though someone was a bit rough with their nails there and broke skin, but they're healing well, and he doesn't seem to be paying much mind to them; if anything, he's rather listless today, not paying much mind to anything outside of what he's doing.

You aren't alone in wanting to do some training today. Let's put it that way

[flame_one]

[Yeah, he has been really meaning to catch up with his leader... Though the other one, he could live without catching up with this one.

When Mightyena spots Maxie he perks up a bit, but a good whiff of the guy is enough for him to realize it's not the right one. Still he stops in his tracks and waits for his master to show up, looking back towards him a moment before returning his attention to Maxie.

Tabitha isn't too far behind him, having better speed since he decided to keep his own Camerupt in its Pokeball. Tabitha stops too when he spots the man before him. Though it becomes pretty clear it's not the one he is familiar with when he notices the treatment he's getting from Mightyena.]

...Maxie..? [He can't see the scratches to well, but something seems a little weird about his face even from a distance.]

[oceansbane]

Tabitha...yes, of course.

[...just don't tell him that. He may look generally strung-out as hell, but his appearance is a bit of a sensitive topic; telling him there's something weird about his face from a distance is going to get you a quick ticket to Maxie's shitlist.

However, for now he seems more or less fine; now that he's verified who's approaching him, he seems content to refocus his attention on Camerupt, though Tabitha's...companions haven't exactly escaped his attention.]

I assume the Pokemon with you are all yours?

[...please don't tell him you still have a Zubat. In the name of all things sacred. Please.]

[flame_one]

[It's not like he really needed to verify who the man was, but it had been a while since he had seen ether one of them really. And he tried not to sound too disappointed it wasn't his own he ran into. As for his face, he doesn't really want to know what happened for now.]

Yeah... I was out in the woods training them. [Though they look don't look to roughed up at the moment seeing as he used potions on them recently. It looks more as if Tabitha did rigorous training then they did.

And yes. He still has his wonderful little Zubat. Not that he isn't training the little bugger.]

[oceansbane]

[Maxie seems to consider that in silence for a moment, his hand falling still against Camerupt's head; the pause goes on long enough that Camerupt eventually nudges him lightly, though it's hard to tell whether he's getting Maxie's attention or...looking for another berry somewhere. Either way, the gesture earns him a soft, sharp rebuking noise from Maxie, but nothing else in terms of consequences.]

What else do you have, if anything?

[flame_one]

[The other members of his team were kind of obvious anyway, so he is sure Maxie won't be surprised to hear them.]

A Camerupt and Numel...Why? [The why comes out before he could think better of it.]

[oceansbane]

[...for his health, Tabitha, clearly.]

Tell me something, Tabitha - were you to have run into a member of Team Aqua, what would you have done? Say you had run into, I don't know...Archie, instead of myself.

[He ruffles Camerupt's fur affectionately as he speaks; clearly, all is forgiven from only moments before.]

I'm not saying that it can't be done, with what you have. Camerupt here has faced Archie's Walrein before and did rather well, actually. But do you think, with the team you have, you would be able to battle my rival and win?

[flame_one]

Well I'm not really supposed to challenge Archie... but if I ran into Team Aqua I'd just fight them off with my team. I have a type issue with two, but they can still beat that loser team and if I need them Mightyena and Zubat here can do the job.

[Mightyena makes a noise as if he is in agreement with what Tabitha says. Zubat however just seems preoccupied. As much confidence as he has in his voice, Maxie does have a point. Which is why he was training his Zubat and hoping this egg he found would be a decent Pokemon. He had Mightyena search it out so maybe his Pokemon would come through for him.]

Of course, I'm looking to get a full team right now since this island is full of brat trainers and Team Aqua is snooping around.

[oceansbane]

[Maxie takes all of that in quietly, though his gaze has returned to Tabitha's face; though he understands what's being said, he's clearly displeased with it.]

You're not listening very well - I didn't ask you whether you're supposed to challenge Archie or not. And I believe that your leader's rival might respect any wishes you have not to battle him...but I'm not asking about your leader's rival, am I? No, I believe I specified mine.

[He leaves Camerupt's side then, approaching Tabitha, his pace slow and deliberate.]

I don't think you realize exactly what the situation looks like for you right now. Did you know one of my admins arrived on this island recently? My most trusted and loyal one, actually, I'm very fond of him; he's special to me. And I know he would never lie to me.

He informed me that my rival tried to kill him.

[He stops while still a good distance away; he isn't about to invade space.]

So while what you've told me is a nice sentiment, why don't we try that again? If you were to come across my rival, knowing what

[flame_one]

[And like a boy in school getting lectured and scolded Tabitha's faces falls a bit. That confidence isn't quite there anymore, but he isn't so submissive that it was completely destroyed.

When Maxie moves closer Mightyena stiffens a little. He doesn't quite trust the man, but he doesn't do anything else.]

Eh... Man, I don't know. I don't think he could be that tough that I couldn't take him on. But if you know something I don't are you going to tell me? I mean, if he is as bad as you say then I will need to train harder.

[Not happy.]

[oceansbane]

I would suggest that you not disrespect my rival in such a way, for one thing. As I said, it's not that it can't be done - but it's very unlikely for someone like you to last more than a couple of rounds. And there's no guarantee that he'll stop when he's done with your Pokemon, either. We have a truce right now, but you aren't my admin, are you? My word won't necessarily protect you.

[He pauses, tipping his head slightly as he thinks; after a moment, he recalls Camerupt, selecting another of those Pokeballs from his belt.]

Battle with me.

One Pokemon each; just a bit of friendly competition. I want to see what your style looks like. All right?

[flame_one]

[While he is a bit huffy about the insult to his abilities, Tabitha just looks genuinely surprised by why Maxie is saying. Is Maxie actually looking out for him and being kind of civil? Even his battle challenge doesn't sound creepy or threat-like.]

Yeah, okay. Just a friendly match then? [He isn't so sure what this guy is planning, but since Maxie was judging his Camerupt's strength he might as well show him it. He tosses the ball up and out pops his Camerupt.]

[oceansbane]

[Maxie, on the other hand, is still holding that Pokeball of his; he doesn't move to release it, simply watching Tabitha's Camerupt in silence for a long moment.

When nothing happens, he shifts his gaze back up to Tabitha's face.]

Well?

[flame_one]

[What the hell man]

...Well what? Aren't you going to send yours out?

[oceansbane]

[Maxie just laughs a bit at that, shaking his head.]

...one.

[He doesn't seem too interested in verifying exactly what he's counting over there; it doesn't really seem to matter much, anyway, as his next move is to release the mechanism on that Pokeball he's been holding. Houndoom. Clearly Maxie has no qualms battling against type.]

Fire Spin.

[It's a weak move and he knows it, particularly against Camerupt due to type; at the same time, it has its uses.

You may be noticing a bit of difficulty attacking through that vortex of flame, there. So sorry about that.]

[flame_one]

[Tabitha doesn't like that laugh. Not one bit. He doesn't really remember the move Fire Spin, having never really used it himself.]

Rock slide

[With what little damage that fire move is doing, it should be pretty easy to strike back. Or so he thought, but his poor Camerupt is simply trapped.]

...Wait.. Why isn't he attacking?