[BATTLE] BALENDIN VS ODYSSIA

[lou]

ROUND 1
BALENDIN VS. ODYSSIA
BATTLE COMMENCE

[balendin]

[Continued from Here]

Shots rang out as Balendin discharged his trusty Beretta 92. He had drawn and fired the second the head of his opponent had peaked out into the sunlight. Unfortunately, despite his skills as a marksman, he had probably missed since his opponent had immediately drew back into the shadows and booked a hasty retreat farther into the cave.

Normally the Lux founder might have given his foe a chance to surrender, but in this situation he was not willing to give such mercy. The iron helmeted foe was not one he was completely unfamiliar with. There had been many dead bodies discovered throughout Kanto over the last couple of years. With war and Nox hiding amongst the populace this was not an uncommon occurrence, but Balendin had noticed a certain string of similar deaths. The corpses showed signs of specific interrogation techniques being used on them. After investigating these crimes more in depth, he was eventually able to discover facts about the murderer. One such fact was they wore a sort of metal suit. In recent months, he had an even greater breakthrough. He had obtained some brief camera footage and a very short piece of recorded audio. His current opponent seemed to match the description perfectly. Capturing this mysterious murderer would be ideal, but for Balendin, distributing Lux justice would be just as good. He would not hold back and he would end this murderer's wretched life.

As his opponent ran, Balendin drew out a pokeball releasing a Rhydon. The drill pokemon would fulfill his needs nicely. Balendin did not know what kind of trap or traps may be waiting within that tunnel, but even the best trap would be hard pressed to resist or damage a raging Rhydon.

"Rhydon, go forward and Bulldoze the area ahead. Smash anything that gets in your way. If you come across an armored figure, attack it with everything you have."

The drill pokemon obeyed plunging ahead while stomping the ground as it went. It would no doubt set off any mechanical traps that may be set and any ambushes would get a rude surprise.

Giving the Rhydon a bit of a head start, Balendin then plunged forward motioning for his Alakazam to follow. He would suffer no one to stand in his way. Absolutely no one.

[fatedagain]

Behind her, a tremor followed, catching up to her ground and shaking her off-balance. She wasn't going to outrun the Pokemon on her trails and it wasn't really because of the armor either. Her speed and movement were unhindered by the special suit; she simply wasn't acrobatic enough to make an escape. But Odyssia had the field advantage. She just needed to live long enough to make good use of it.

Besides, she wasn't going to run forever.

Estimating that she had arrived at the right place, Odyssia pulled the breaks and loosened her wrist, activating the motion sensor device that would unlock the Pokeball compartment at her forearm. Through the limited night vision in her helmet, she was able to discern the Pokeballs apart and take out what she needed.

There was a flash of light - Odyssia have yet to manage to find a manufacturer that could take out that damn giveaway light - and a new shadow with a broad width stood before her. The Bastiodon was ready to use Iron Head to match the Rhydon's Bulldoze, if the Pokemon would come. Odyssia hoped it wouldn't come to that. She saw little point for making Pokemon fight. What value was there to send your pets to fight for your name and glory?

She would want to talk with Balendin. It would be his last conversation, after all. But first she had to make him see reason. She had no doubt he would set the entire cave crumbling above them if he was left with no other choice.

"Do not be so 'asty, Balendin! You vouldn't vant another Village Bridge. Your carelezness 'as been zee cause vhy you let such tragedies 'appen. Of course, you 'ad your little friends clean your mess up and 'ave Alyzza eat ze dirt instead. Zat poor little girl."

Odyssia pressed a switch and the entire cave lit up, revealing their surroundings: a spacious area built with a falsework around the walls and scaffolding that had been recently used. A still, half-frozen lake, forty feet in diameter, lied at the center.

"We should talk more. I know you're very inquisitive and you tend to get very violent ven you zon't get your answers. Do you remember a young man named Paul? Redhead, pretty blue eyes as vivid as ze morning sky. I liked him." She clicked her tongue with pity at her last words. "It'z a shame I didn't get to keep 'is eyes."

[balendin]

The Rhydon continued forward on its path of destruction even after it became aware that something big was blocking its path. Its trainer had ordered it to smash anything that got in its way and that was exactly what it meant to do. Its new trainer had saved it from the mean humans and helped make it strong. What was smashing through a few obstacles in debt to that?

Rhydon hit his opponent head on, the two attacks colliding together. Suddenly the armored drill pokemon was being bounced back. Few could stop a charging Rhydon, but that was exactly what this mystery pokemon had done. The nasty Iron Head attack was no joke, but Rhydon could only hope that its Bulldoze had been felt by its opponent just as much.

Balendin moved deeper into the caves, his way lit by a flare in his left hand. Suddenly he heard a crash in front of him. Rhydon had hit some sort of barrier it seemed. Coming into view, Balendin saw his Rhydon pulling itself up from the ground getting ready to charge forward again. A Bastiodon blocked his path.

"Rhydon, stand down for now."

Motioning for Alakazam, the Psi pokemon jumped into action. Heightening its mental focus, the Alakazam unleashed his power in the form of a bright, yellow growing ball speeding towards the Bastiodon. Hopefully a Focus Blast would move that stubborn shield pokemon out of the way.

Suddenly a voice pierced the air; a voice with an almost ridiculous french accent. The voice was babbling on about Village Bridge and somehow blaming Balendin for supposed tragedies there. At village bridge there had been a less then perfect result, but ultimately Lux had accomplished its goal. The goal had been to halt the Nox military invasion of Unova. After Village Bridge, Nox had not attempted any major military maneuvers again. Balendin had successfully evacuated most non-combatants from the area and managed to hold back the Nox forces long enough for them to be safely moved to Opelucid City.

Balendin dropped his flare as the area lit up suddenly. His opponent once again began chattering. Maybe Nox had adopted a new strategy of trying to talk their enemies to death. Balendin leveled his gun at his opponent.

"What possibly could be worth chattering about in the middle of a battlefield?"

[fatedagain]

Odyssia stood her ground, arms crossed and undaunted. Faith on her Pokemon did not keep her calm. Certainty did.

Metatron was pushed from his place for several inches. The ground beneath him groaned with grinding teeth as four scars for each of Metatron's limbs were clawed on it. There was no speed to evade but there was no intention to dodge either. The Bastiodon stared with focus from behind its helm, peering next at a glowing ball of light.

The chi attack made contact without fail and seemed to have done no damage as Metatron stubbornly remained in position. His mind spun but his iron body remained to be more than able. However, his inaction seem to speak otherwise. His shield-head dropped lower to the ground. Odyssia didn't spare him a second glance and if she so did, it wouldn't have been seen either way.

"All purpose and no meaning," she commented instead of answering. "How are you suppozed to learn from your meestakes? Your allies 'ave thinned out spectacularly. You vill run out of janitors to clean up your mess."

Metatron's shield began to glow, first as a thin layer of silver and then it sparkled with intensity brighter than the Focus Blast. Metatron's eyes were lost in the light as the luminance reached the ceiling and floor in one brilliant stretch.

The Bastiodon fired back a beam stronger than the force it had received. His metal skin shone and returned the Alakazam's attack with a Metal Burst.

Odyssia had been blinded for a second. Night vision did not go well with bright flashes.

"Lux's future. Vat do you think of it? Honestly." Her tone was encouraging while a devious smirk formed at her hidden features. "Purpose drives people like 'ow an oil powers a car. Vat meaning iz quality. If you keep pushing onward vith purpose alone, you vill spontaneously combust, hurting innocent bystanders along. You vouldn't like zat, yes?"

|| Excuse the delay. Hopefully we can finish by the weekend. I have no time at all next week.

[balendin]

A flash of light and Alakazam was knocked off its feet. It lay on the ground unmoving. Had the psi pokemon been knocked out? Suddenly it stirred and shakily rose to its feet. He was holding on by only a thread from the nasty blast.

"Alakazam, Go. Bring the flame."

That was all Balendin needed to say for his Alakazam to know what to do. The two had fought together for a very long time. Alakazam disappeared. The mustached pokemon had Teleported his way back to the beach and would heal himself up with the use of multiple Recovers. He would also make sure that the Lux forces were aware that bringing along flamethrowers or fire pokemon in their push into the caves would be to their benefit.

Time was on Balendin's side in a way. The longer he kept Nox at bay, the more time the Lux forces had to land and establish a secured forward position. It could actually be to his benefit to engage in idle chit chat with this annoying Nox before he brought justice upon her head.

"Talk, talk, talk. Is that all you can do? Certainly if you wanted to engage in conversation there are far better ways to do it then on a battlefield. If you turned yourself in, we could have plenty of time to chat."

Balendin paused for a moment before continuing. He was not much of a conversationalists.

"What can we say about the future of Lux? Maybe Lux will fulfill their purpose or maybe they will fail miserably. Either way, Nox will be driven from this world."

[OOC: I am sorry for taking so long Fated. Maybe the staff will be lenient and wait for you since your going away or whatever. It would not be any fun if we did not get to finish our battle.]

[fatedagain]

She strained her ears for any suspicious sounds, making sure none of her movements betray the facade of her laxness. There was only so much an armor could hide. Where did the Alakazam go? She did a quick sweep behind her, her body moved sideways so she didn't have her back turn to the enemy.

Instead of catching a sound, she caught Balendin talking next. Her warning bells started to ring. She wanted Balendin to talk but it was a little too convenient to start talking right after his Alakazam vanished. Did his Pokemon call for back-up? Ahh, reinforcements. Odyssia didn't have the position to have that luxury. Not even camaraderie had been established. Not yet.

"You don't 'ave to be a pessimist." She turned around to her left, her back being turned to Balendin as she secretly slid open the compartment and rolled a Pokeball to her hand. Her Bastiodon's size was enough to help her cover for it as he faced Balendin again. "As ze vice president, you 'ave to look forward to success. Ze real question is, 'ow long vill Lux lasts? NOX iz merely a name. Ven ze are gone, new self-titling groups vill rise. Perhaps ve already 'ave a couple around already."

[/b]

"Ze battlefield is always vith us. Ze're is always time for chatter...unless you are already dead!" Odyssia hurled the Pokeball. "Bullet Punch!"

A Pokemon clad in an armor like his trainer burst forth from the light. Its armor was scarlet as blood instead of black as the night. Behind it were buzzing wings propelling the Pokemon forward in mid-air. It raised a crab-like claw that was angled for a punch as it turned silvery and blurry from speed.

"Stay optimistic, Balendin! I vouldn't vant it any ozer way ven I CRUSH your putrid dreams!"

|| That's fine. Thanks for your concern. I haven't been on top of things recently.

[/div][/center]

[balendin]

As his opponent turned her back on him, Balendin whispered something very quietly. Even if his opponent had not been blabbering on, she still would have not been able to make out what he was saying. If she had been facing this way she might have seen the small yellow creature crawl out of his pocket and climb up on his shoulder. By the time she turned around and launched off the pokeball the web pulsing with electricity was already flying towards her. If he could secure her in an Electroweb, then maybe he could nip this fight in the bud and take her prisoner.

As the web was in mid flight a Scizor appeared in its path. The Scizor shot forward unleashing a devastating Bullet Punch. The two attacks collided essentially cancelling each other out. It seemed that her chattering had really been an attempt to catch him off guard so she could try to eliminate him. Fortunately, Balendin was not that easy to catch off guard.

"Rhydon. Hammer arm."

The Rhydon surged forward glad to be in the fight once more. He came at the Bastiodon this time not aiming at its face shield but instead seeking to bring his powerful fist down on its back.

[fatedagain]

She moved without a pause, having expected - anticipated - the trick be countered. The web of such petty Pokemon wasn't about to stop her Scizor, who had little to no interest with the Joltik either. Adam turned his golden eyes at Balendin.

"No," Odyssia said viciously, brandishing a blade underneath her right forearm. "He's mine!"

A wind poured like a turbulent breeze from Adam as he made a 360 degrees turn for the Rhydon with Tailwind in motion. Metatron held his ground to Endure the attack to let Adam take the Rhydon from behind with Metal Claw.

Odyssia swung the blade diagonally from bottom to top, combined with all the grace and skill her privileged schooling educated her with and the delicious raw emotions pumping her blood vessels. Excitement, pure excitement for their little waltz. She did not think of dying, did not consider death. Let him shoot her, let him try killing her! With open arms, she welcomed it because she was ready, itching to display her arsenal until depleted. A challenge, one may say.

What else could there be to it? Contempt? Vengeance? Of course not. This was war, politics. Just another game; Balendin being another piece in the chess board to take down. Maybe a bishop and she a lowly pawn. Might as well enjoy it. Not everyone could be fortunate to find an opportunity such as a war to fight for.

|| Thank you for waiting. We're almost done so I think I'll manage now.

[balendin]

Rhydon's Hammer Arm slammed into the back of the shield pokemon with a devastating smash. Unfortunately, it was unable to regain its composure fast enough to react to the Metal Claw coming at it from behind. The claw struck the poor Rhydon on the back sending it to the ground. Wither it was out for the count or still on its last leg, Balendin did not wait and see. He returned it to its pokeball and replaced it.

In a flash of light, a growling Arcanine entered the battlefield. The ferocious Arcanine did not hesitate in its attacks. He was one of Balendin's older pokemon and had plenty of combat experience under his belt. Immediately it let loose a Flamethrower attack towards the Scizor. Ideally the stream of flames would blast through the Scizor taking the Bastiodon in the attack as well.

The armored trainer came at him with a blade. Balendin returned his gun to his hidden holster behind his red overcoat and his hands went down to the katana at his belt. He loosened the the katana from its sheath with the thumb of his left hand and his right hand drew out the blade. In one fluid motion the blade was drawn out of the sheath and turned into a slash. Most people these days tended to think that training in any sort of swordplay was a waste of time, but Balendin found such archaic forms of combat to be exhilarating. There was something to be said to meeting your opponent face to face, steel on steel in the heat of battle. He had traveled far and wide to find masters of such arts to train him.

His katana caught his opponents blade in midair. As the two blades struck, his Joltik who had so far managed to stay on his shoulder, let loose a beam of blue and purple light at their enemy. The Signal Beam would be unlikely to miss with their opponent in point blank range.

[fatedagain]

Odyssia seemed to read his thoughts. She didn't have to if she could. The fact Balendin bothered to draw out a sword than the gun he had was enough.

"It seems we 'ave something in common." She pressed on the blade, extremely pleased to have Balendin joining her game. His bullets wouldn't have been a match for her. That was what an iron armor normally did.

The Tailwind wafting from the Scizor along with the quick return of the Rhydon warned Odyssia's Pokemon. Adam glided out of the way in ease, circling to strike the Arcanine with a Bullet Punch while Metatron barely moved out of the Flamethrower. Aware of its grave injuries, Metatron limped away from combat while Adam kept the Arcanine busy.

Odyssia hadn't been paying attention to the little bug on Balendin's shoulder. With an indignant yell, the Signal Beam blinded her, causing her to stagger back, her blade disengaging with Balendin's. She felt the Flamethrower's embers lick her back but the Arcanine's fire was no match to the ones burning in Odyssia's eyes.

"Annoying bug!" This was supposed to be a battle between humans, between idealists, between two opposing forces. It was supposed to be their strength alone to clash. She did not desire the intervention of a four-legged spider.

Odyssia moved to press a button on her belt. Balendin brought this to himself. If he was going to play dirty, she would have to entertain it and return the favor.

On the sides of the wall, the scaffolding trembled and collapsed, iron rods and wooden planks raining down on them. Odyssia would survive blows on her head, as would her steel Pokemon. But would Balendin and his Arcanine would?

|| I don't mind if we continue this at all. Either way, it had/has been enjoyable roleplaying with you. Congratulations to both of us!

[lou]

VICTOR: ODYSSIA

+ 500 to Nox