[BATTLE] NERVA VS LAMARCK

[ADMINISTRATION]

ROUND 1
NERVA VS. LAMARCK
BATTLE COMMENCE

[lamarck]

[cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,10,true][atrb=style, width:450px,bTable] We're on the frontline Everybody, with your fists raised high Let me hear your battle cry tonight Stand beside, or step aside

[atrb=valign,top] Lamarck was used to fighting in a pack. Sometimes he lead the group, sometimes he followed, occasionally he lagged behind, but he always fought alongside fellow Nox, alongside other rebels. Now, he was alone. It was an eerie feeling. There were no rustles of fabric, no glimpses from his peripheral of flailing limbs or the familiar red surges of light that heralded the summoning or the defeat of other Pokemon. Even the winds had died down, leaving the usually-breezy area silent, the leaves of the trees not even rustling. Wild Pokemon had fled as soon as the area had begun, so the usual calls of Pidgey and Nidoran were absent as well. He was a fighter and a survivor- always had been- but the eerie silence felt like foreshadowing. Lamarck didn’t believe in prayer, so he could do nothing but fervently hope that today would not be the day he fell on the battlefield. Well, that and keep his guard up, keep his Pokemon close, keep a plan at hand. The man across from him had three inches and thirty pounds on him, but Lamarck had a pistol in his hand. The gun was an equalizer, and not only in the physical sense- with it in his grasp, he felt his hand stop shaking, felt his legs return from the jelly-like numbness that had overtaken them. He didn’t want to kill, didn’t want to shoot this man, but he kept the gun trained carefully because if his Pokemon lost… A bullet to the leg would let him take a prisoner. That would be acceptable. And if he had to, if he really had to… Between Lamarck and his opponent stood a sturdy looking sandslash, engaged in a whirlwind combat with Zanzibar. Lamarck’s ‘slash curled into a ball as its opponent tackled it, aiming his sharp back spikes at the enemy’s exposed flesh. It’s foe responded by snagging a handful of quills in a Crush Claw, tearing a few away, leaving a bleeding gash exposed where the quills had been. With a roar, Sandslash reared up, slamming his remaining quills into those exposed paws in a vicious Slash, then spun around. A Swift attack was aimed straight for the enemy’s face, hurling him backwards. The two re-approached each other slowly, circling, each looking for an opening. It was the other Sandslash who saw one first, leaping in with another Crush Claw that flung Zanzibar several feet away, where he landed roughly on his back, quills sticking into the dirt. Lamarck’s eyes were glued to the other battle, however. Jacek, the only other remaining Pokemon from his Rocket days, was engaged in a grappling match with his enemy’s Electabuzz. The two spun in circles, both trying to exert physical force rather than special abilities to subdue the other. Jacek was strong, but the Electabuzz was stronger, and the Pokemon was slowly being forced to the ground. The tables turned in a flash. Zanzibar yanked his quills free of the muddy earth and spun, rolling and then lunging at the Electabuzz. He sank a Super Fang into the creature’s back, causing it to let out a loud wail. Freed from its grip, Jacek leapt back, then spat a Lava Plume at the Sandslash’s face. It wasn’t very effective, but even ground types aren’t immune to a faceful of fire. The sandslash curled up in a ball to evade the attack, and with a grunt of effort, Jacek grabbed him by the tail, hurling him into the water a little ways away. A rapid movement caught Lamarck’s eyes, and he looked back at the other trainer just in time to see him draw his own gun- and aim at Zanzibar. Adrenaline struck hard, and Lamarck nearly aimed too high as he yanked his arms, his aim, towards the other man. Rather than aiming for a leg, he shot him dead-center in the chest, dropping him to the ground. Zanzibar and Jacek were working together now, working as one to corral and defeat the Electabuzz, but Lamarck couldn’t quite shake that spike of worry, that spike of… Motion behind him, slopping waves, and he spun, gun still in hand but perhaps a little shaky. He'd been so caught up in the battle he almost hadn't heard it- he'd been so used to having someone to watch his six, that he'd completely neglected to keep an eye out. With a grimace, he peered off into the distance. He couldn’t see anything yet, but something, someone, was emerging- either from the waterfall, or from the land mass beside it. He swung his free hand out of his pocket, fingers extending to throw out two of his Pokemon. Danna appeared by his side, hovering gracefully, while Gallespie dropped into the water, quickly adjusting to the fast flowing currents. With only seconds before the source of the sound drew into view, he hesitated, curling his hand in. Should he call out more reinforcements, call out backup? Galt and Rakasha’s pokeballs were clutched in the curve of his fingers. He would call on them if need be.

[atrb=width,160][atrb=valign,top] TAGS: Nerva NOTES: TEAM: Jacek, Zanzibar, Gallespie, Danna, Galt, Rakasha CREDITS: Made by Lucius/Hippiecut of PRE

[/size][/url] & BTN[/size][/url]
[/div][/td]

[/tr][/tr][/table]

[nerva]

[atrb=border,0,true;]
[cs=2] YOU CAN'T BE CAUGHT RED HANDED
[atrb=valign, top] Nerva would rather not be wasting his time here. But the question of the attack arose, and that boy just had to bring up the precious idea of defending it in “Lily’s honor.” It was, after all, her homeland. Transparent as the boy was, as the boy knew he’d been, the mechanics, the placement of those in the room with them … Well, there was nothing to do about it now. What that precious child of his did not seem to realize was that he was not ready to handle the family books. Not yet, probably not ever. The man had no intentions of losing his life. Not for Hoenn. Not for Lily. Not for her son. Nevertheless, now his name was on the line, his honor tied to Evergrande. He held strong to Volkhova as she scaled the waterfall, Innokenti’s arms tight from nervousness around his neck. Below the surface, Vodka clung to the Milotic as well, given orders to detach once they reached the top. And, oh, when they reached the top. He saw the boy first (who could miss purple hair). More noticeable, however, was the gun and the heap of flesh in a Lux uniform some distance off. He tapped Volkhova with the hand opposing the man, and the Milotic steered him to the other side of the body of water, beaching. The Eelektross remained behind in the water, unseen, eyeing the Seaking but waiting for orders. There was no change to the man's expression, no noticeable tell. Beside him, Volkhova tipped the rest of her tail out of the water; safe. Nerva spared a glance to his surroundings, but only a glance. He wasn't certain he would be able to afford more than that. ”Such civility.” It was a dry remark, the man’s eyes moving from the dead man to the gun. There was no obvious dripping sarcasm, no acid on the tongue, and yet there didn't have to be; the intended meaning was clear. Nerva reached up, clasping the Kirlia’s ‘hands’ with a gentle albeit firm grip. His wedding ring caught the light as he picked up the almost childlike pokemon, gently setting him down beside him. Innokenti watched this new being, the Gardevoir beside him. Like, but not. With the free hand that was not held, the Kirlia reached out to hold onto Nerva’s pantleg, clinging to him and watching. It was not an innocent gesture. The creature was always, always ready to teleport away if need be. Volkhova gave a croon, an almost unworldly sound that almost seemed to be in response to the man. In a second, a bright ‘shield’ appeared around the Milotic, the Kirlia, and- and something below the water, something not quite in sight, not quite identifiable. A Safeguard. ”Surely that isn’t necessary.” The man said, motioning casually to the gun as the visual effect faded, or at least appeared to. Except that it was, and Nerva knew that perhaps even more than the boy before him did. IF YOU'RE NOT RED HANDED	[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign, top][atrb=style, width:450px, bTable;] [STYLE=border-bottom: 3px solid #670806;width: 90px; padding: 7px;margin-bottom: -7px;font-size: 10px;]TAGS: lamarck WORDS: --- TEAM: Volkhova, Icariine, Novgorod, Vodka, Innokenti, Dacre NOTES: --- CREDIT: razzle of btn

[/style]

[lamarck]

[cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,10,true][atrb=style, width:450px,bTable] Don't back down Better stand tall when they're calling you out don't bend don't break baby

[atrb=valign,top] The lack of a pack, of a battle partner, left Lamarck in a tricky position. He was facing off against Pokemon whose size far exceeded that of his own, and he’d no doubt their skills were at least a match for his. Their trainer held himself with the air of one experienced in battle, of someone with confidence. Then again, Lamarck held that same inner spark. He didn’t stand ramrod straight, but they was a deliberateness to his movements, and he held his head high even as the rest of his body was sunk into his usual half-slouch. He hadn’t come this far to back down. “That’s up to you,” he responded coolly, not lowering the gun. It wasn’t aimed directly at the man, but near enough that he could quickly get a shot off if needed. He was tempted to do so himself, or at least, call them back selectively. Jacek and Zanzibar were at a distinct disadvantage, surrounded both by water and water Pokemon. The two stood quietly, awaiting his orders. For her part, Gallespie disappeared out of sight, hiding behind the waterfall. He’d no doubt she was preparing for battle, however. She never let him down. ~Danna?~ He queried. The familiar touch of his Gardevoir enveloped his mind, as the Pokemon waited. He had little to say, though. He just wanted to ensure they were ready, should they have to fight. Ready if she had to relay orders for him. He couldn’t afford to be distracted, but his potential foe’s outfit… He wasn’t dressed like Lamarck, who was in his ragtag best, unwilling to lose any good clothes to battle. No, he was dressed in what appeared to be neatly pressed pants, and a button down shirt. He looked calm, sober, and officious, and it made Lamarck think of Malthus. But he couldn’t go leaping to assumptions. Not every Lux was a monster, even if they served under them.

[atrb=width,160][atrb=valign,top] TAGS: Nerva NOTES: TEAM: Jacek, Zanzibar, Gallespie, Danna, Galt, Rakasha CREDITS: Made by Lucius/Hippiecut of PRE

[/size][/url] & BTN[/size][/url]
[/div][/td]

[/tr][/tr][/table]

[nerva]

[atrb=border,0,true;]
[cs=2] YOU CAN'T BE CAUGHT RED HANDED
[atrb=valign, top] Nerva watched this young man hold himself, watched him try to play at a game he didn’t fully understand. He considered, for a moment, allowing the boy to think he was winning, as he so often did with the other child he was more familiar with. Yes, actually, it was too easy to find that this being reminded him so much of Lily’s son. The man did not chuckle, did not even scoff, but his lips curled into what might be mistaken for a smile. ”Quite a bit of power to give a potential enemy, is it not?” He watched the Nox, studied him for the result, the inevitable interaction with the slight. It was truth, however. Nerva doubted this child could hide his true self any better than Tane could, much as he might like to tell himself otherwise. He was too young, too unaware. He needed to learn. Volkhova shifted, coils rolling along the strange land, watching the enemies with grace and caution alike. Below the water, away from sight, Vodka watched the Seaking dart away into the falls, but he remained. Orders had always been strict, failure had always been … The child already seemed unsure. So he repeated words from earlier that day. ”Are you certain you should be playing at war, boy?” Again, there was no snarl that might be expected, no twisting of the expressions. The words spoke for themselves, even as they didn’t curl off the tongue as they might the average ruffian. There is emphasis, but it isn't hot and sparking, but cool and controlled. But Nerva was wary; child or no, he did indeed hold a gun. It would be a mistake to constantly trust that Nox ‘rebels’ weren’t properly armed. And so, Nerva remained still, the picture of civility. Innokenti watched on, those eyes not appearing dissimilar from the glass of a prized doll’s. IF YOU'RE NOT RED HANDED	[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign, top][atrb=style, width:450px, bTable;] [STYLE=border-bottom: 3px solid #670806;width: 90px; padding: 7px;margin-bottom: -7px;font-size: 10px;]TAGS: lamarck WORDS: --- TEAM: Volkhova, Icariine, Novgorod, Vodka, Innokenti, Dacre NOTES: Is Lamarck a beautiful thing, TikTik? CREDIT: razzle of btn

[/style]

[lamarck]

[cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,10,true][atrb=style, width:450px,bTable] [/style][style=float: right; font-size: 8pt; letter-spacing: 2px; font-family:arial; color:#666666; height:10px; margin-top: -75px; margin-right: 10px; text-transform:lowercase;]cause I know the biggest crime is just to throw up your hands say, this has nothing to do with me I just want to live as comfortably as I can

[atrb=valign,top] Lamarck stood motionless, gun still poised in the air, as the well-dressed man spoke at him. The words washed over him, set his head turning, but he didn’t respond immediately. There was a pause- not a hesitation, not a vacillation, merely a brief silence. He ran a hand back through his hair, leaving the choppy strands more rustled than they’d been even after the previous battle, and licked his dry lips. There was nothing to say. None of what had been said truly addressed him. It was no slip of the tongue to think of this as being spoken at. The words were thrown like weapons, and maybe they weren’t as sharp and shiny as an openly-worn Katana, but they held the same purpose. Lamarck had never been one for psychological tactics, or rather, he’d be raised in an environment so saturated with them that sorting them out and discarding them was second nature. He merely watched the man with a calm expression. As his Pokemon began to shift their positions, restless and uneasy, he finally broke the silence. “There’s no benefit to an indefinite stalemate.” That would lay things open to chance, most likely the chance of someone from one of their respective sides happening upon them. But either way, it’d wear them both down, keep them away from the main battle; it would bring plenty of negatives without anything to balance them. “What are your terms?” Alongside Lamarck, a second conversation began, this one less born on tension and more on a blunt command. Danna swept her eyes across her opponents, settling on the Kirlia clinging to Nerva’s pant leg. ~Inform your team they are not to continue using attacks.~ That Safeguard, that attempt to get a leg up in case this did become a battle, hadn’t gone unnoticed. The Psychic type hadn’t infringed on any taboos by communicating with a fellow psychic type, but her continued presence in the forefront of his mind after the initial contact was unusual. Typically it was polite to withdraw and allow the other party to re-iniate. Danna was watching her team face far larger Pokemon, watching Lamarck have an uncomfortable conversation with a man currently being held at gunpoint. That sort of situation didn’t call for good manners

[atrb=width,160][atrb=valign,top] TAGS: Nerva NOTES: Not only a pretty thing, but a wretched, unlucky pretty thing. TEAM: Jacek, Zanzibar, Gallespie, Danna, Galt, Rakasha CREDITS: Made by Lucius/Hippiecut of PRE

[/size][/url] & BTN[/size][/url]
[/div][/td]

[/tr][/tr][/table]

[nerva]

[atrb=border,0,true;]
[cs=2] YOU CAN'T BE CAUGHT RED HANDED
[atrb=valign, top] There was little outward response, though the (practiced?) caution he saw in his opponent spoke volumes. Nerva watched the boy, but though he stood upright he did not stand tense. The façade had taken time, and there was no reason to not use it when it could serve as his best ally. There was perhaps no doubt to the perceptive eye, however. He was watching every movement of Lamarck and his pokemon, every twinge, every sign. If Nerva wanted to, he could slip under the skin with words alone. But that would take time, and this particular Lux was a busy man. Oh, look; the child could use big words, too. How adorable. Amusement slithered through Nerva, but the boy’s words held true enough. Which was unusual, really. It was often that he found men who thought they could weave words, give reasonable arguments. Not so often that men spoke truths, whether they were aware of it or not. He considered valuing it as intelligence, but … Especially in one so young … Yes, the similarities were clear, and interest was spurred, but … Unfortunate timing, he supposed. He motioned, once again, towards the gun. ”That would be a good start.” His tone was flat, calm, and if anything there might have been a tinge of admonishment. After all, Nerva wasn’t armed. Or was he? It was a shame. There was so much … potential. But Nerva's mind wasn't the only one folding over and racing. It tastes like pain, when the Other reaches in. The warning is taken, but there’s nothing Innokenti can do but celebrate the whole of it, the pain and the touch and the contact. The Kirlia is clipped, unable to reach, and he almost panics, because what if she pulls away immediately, what if she doesn’t know … But she doesn’t, so maybe she knows or maybe it is mere luck. The psychic-type had begun to wonder if how he felt was how the two-legs felt, all trapped alone within themselves and unable to reach, if that was what made them do all of the Bad Things. There isn’t time, though, because he knows that she might pull away any second, and that the way he is all jumbles and no sense would just as likely push her away. But, oh, the contact- the contact- the contact- he almost wants to beg her to never let go, but he doesn’t. He hurries, because at any moment Master might know, he always knew. If she left, he wouldn't be able to reach, wouldn't be able to warn, but she's still visiting so he can just push back. ~Get-away-get-away-get-away-get-safe!~ And part of him wants her to deny him, but he knows that won’t do, knows that it’d be best if they just disappear but not because of- and knows that if Master knew, if Master knew of the contact he’d- No, he wouldn’t, Innokenti was only still-there because he had been clipped. There had been others who hadn't, before, and now they were- or did that just confirm, did that just … The Kirlia's grip tightened on the elder man's pant leg, as if he actually thought he would find comfort there. IF YOU'RE NOT RED HANDED	[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign, top][atrb=style, width:450px, bTable;] [STYLE=border-bottom: 3px solid #670806;width: 90px; padding: 7px;margin-bottom: -7px;font-size: 10px;]TAGS: lamarck WORDS: --- TEAM: Volkhova, Icariine, Novgorod, Vodka, Innokenti, Dacre NOTES: Just remember, you asked for it. CREDIT: razzle of btn

[/style]

[lamarck]

[cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,10,true][atrb=style, width:450px,bTable] [/style][style=float: right; font-size: 8pt; letter-spacing: 2px; font-family:arial; color:#666666; height:10px; margin-top: -75px; margin-right: 10px; text-transform:lowercase;]you can look but you can't touch I don't think I like you much

[atrb=valign,top] Lamarck hadn’t expected much from this man, hadn’t expected much from that too-smooth voice and those calculating eyes. The two were verbally circling each other, but while Lamarck was looking for a loophole, he suspected his opponent was looking for a weak spot. The man moved with the manner of the civilized, the refined, but Lamarck heard danger in that flat tone, suspected that straight-line of a mouth was hiding the jagged peaks of shark’s teeth. “Lay yours on the ground first,” he responded. His own pistol was a salvage, taken from an estate sale years before the war began, but while Nox was generally ill-equipped, Lux was not. There were undoubtedly a few shiny pistols, at the least, on this charmer’s person. The soft sensation of something bubbling up in his mind hit suddenly, and he brought up his other hand to steady the gun. Danna had laid an arm on his elbow, and the shorter Pokemon’s mind had begun to edge into his. ~?~ ~The Kirlia says we should run. He seems frightened.~ Whether it was a tactic or a genuine plea, Lamarck wasn’t sure, but he trusted Danna to handle it regardless. He adjusted his grip on the gun and took a slow step forward, instinctively falling into a crouch and turning himself sideways. A smaller target was harder to hit, after all. A lesson, a remnant from his Rocket days. From the corner of his eye, he saw Jacek and Zanzibar tense. They’d been with him since those days, knew when a fight was imminent. But as quickly as they’d begun to stir, they halted again, freezing in place. Danna hadn’t moved an inch since the stand-off had begun, but mentally, she was crawling farther and farther into her opponents’ space. She slipped her mind more thoroughly into the Kirlia’s, politely staying within the boundaries he set for visitors, but getting a firmer grip. It wouldn’t do to be dislodged before she got to the bottom of this. She had little to say, but her presence projected comfort, projected calming, projected curiosity. It was a blur of thoughts-feelings-pictures, but then, the warning she’d been given had been unorganized as well. ~Talk to me~ There was her teacher voice, her no-nonsense voice, the voice of a Pokemon who’d raised three children and knew how to command attention, how to insinuate one’s self into a tricky situation.

[atrb=width,160][atrb=valign,top] TAGS: Nerva NOTES: I REGRET NOTHING TEAM: Jacek, Zanzibar, Gallespie, Danna, Galt, Rakasha CREDITS: Made by Lucius/Hippiecut of PRE

[/size][/url] & BTN[/size][/url]
[/div][/td]

[/tr][/tr][/table]

[nerva]

[atrb=border,0,true;]
[cs=2] YOU CAN'T BE CAUGHT RED HANDED
[atrb=valign, top] … Well. Despite himself, Nerva scoffed. “You want to make demands of me?” He might have tried to cast a net with his tongue, convince the boy that there was no such weapon on his person, but even if that were true he could see that it would do no good to attempt. Ah, such are youth in wartime, it now seemed. It would be simple enough, though he shifted his weight as he watched the man approach. Pride would serve him nothing, so Nerva backed up, keeping the distance. No matter. If the boy shot at him, he would not survive. It would be simple enough; perhaps a Hydro Pump low enough to the water to catch. Vodka would understand what to do. Innokenti would be able to keep the Milotic sturdy enough from the backlash with a Heal Pulse, if he knew what was good for him. But not yet, not right away. Getting shot at would be … inconvenient, to say the least. Not to mention entirely unnecessary. Something about the way he and the Gardevoir interacted … He’d seen the Pokemon shift when the boy did, but that might not have been the psychic-type’s doing. He couldn’t quite tell. Nerva would not back down. Although … It would be unfortunate if the boy died. Such a waste. The Kirlia wants to talk with words, so very badly, but when he starts to try all he can push out is another, ~NO-get-away-get-away-get-~ That won’t do, she won’t understand, even he realizes this now and- He tries to let the comfort stay, but every time he starts to talk all of the feelings from the memory come back and fumble his words and maybe that’s the point of them and maybe- and so instead he starts to bring up images, smells, memories where he cannot find words. He presses back, with- Air choked with shit and piss and death- but not that kind of death, no. Blond curls, beauty no longer, grime pushing up from under cracked fingernails, dirt in the teeth- pain and stench all around. Despair- helplessness- breaking- stagnancy- No hope no hope NO hope, none. So-very-cold … CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED, ALL SEEMING STONE. Trapped. No-good-NO-good-no-hope-no- If he could have reached out- he might have warned earlier but he couldn’t anymore- he couldn’t- sorrysorrysorry- Get AWAY get AWAY get SAFE get AWAY. And for a moment, just a moment, there was a whisper, a- Pleasedon’tleavepleasedon’tleaveplease- The Kirlia bit back, stifled, and much as it pained him tried to push-out-push-away. And he heard his Master’s words, falling heavy. “How very naive.” There were key differences. But the similarities were undeniable. IF YOU'RE NOT RED HANDED	[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign, top][atrb=style, width:450px, bTable;] [STYLE=border-bottom: 3px solid #670806;width: 90px; padding: 7px;margin-bottom: -7px;font-size: 10px;]TAGS: lamarck WORDS: --- TEAM: Volkhova, Icariine, Novgorod, Vodka, Innokenti, Dacre NOTES: AND SO IT HAS COME TO THI- CREDIT: razzle of btn

[/style]

[lamarck]

[cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,10,true][atrb=style, width:450px,bTable] [/style][style=float: right; font-size: 8pt; letter-spacing: 2px; font-family:arial; color:#666666; height:10px; margin-top: -45px; margin-right: 10px; text-transform:lowercase;]wrap my soul in bandages I'm tired of this war

[atrb=valign,top] There are some who describe psychic powers as being like a wave of understanding, but it’s a poor comparison. The one-directional, overwhelming, rhythmic crashing of waves bear little resemblance to the delicate workings of a mind with extra-sensory abilities. A more apt description would be a tide pool. The shallow waters stand still with only the barest of movements twitching across it, spreading in all directions, feeding a thriving ecosystem of perceptions. Stepping into Innokenti’s mind had felt entirely normal, had been something Danna did without a second thought, but it slowly began to dawn on her that something wasn’t right. Two tidepools meeting typically involves a rare burst of motion as the water is sucked from one to the other to equalize pressure. It involves the meshing, the clashing of two ecosystems, the exchange of organisms, perhaps a conflict between them. But Innokenti’s mind did not resist or adapt, didn’t bring new knowledge or sensations. It felt as bare as any human’s, as any non-psychic’s. Clipped. She’d heard of it but never witnessed it. His mind had been clipped, just as surely as McMagby’s in One Flew Over the Chatot’s nest. All the connections that should have been present in his mind, the mutual meld that should have occurred, it was absent, completely absent. Those parts of his brain were silent, stifled. In a flash, she was gone from Lamarck’s side. She could feel a shift in him, sense strands of purple hair flying despite the lack of wind, sense as his aura changed and his mouth shifted into a confused frown, but something had to be done. And the Kirlia was speaking to her, or trying to, but it was coming out a panicked jumble- the words, the images, the smells were horrifying but the worst were those last words- because much as the Kirlia wanted them to leave, he was also afraid to be alone again- she reappeared inches away from him, reappeared and reached for him. Behind her, Lamarck was opening his mouth to reply, but she didn't have time to listen and he wasn't addressing her anyway. She reached for the Kirlia and there was a second flash of pale green light; three bodies disappeared from the clearing near the waterfall. Lamarck was left behind, left flanked by his Pokemon, left facing a half-circle of fighters whose trainer was gone. They shifted uneasily, and Lamarck felt something rise in the pit of his stomach. He lowered the gun.

[atrb=width,160][atrb=valign,top] TAGS: Nerva NOTES: and go 'round and 'round and 'round in the circle game TEAM: Jacek, Zanzibar, Gallespie, Danna, Galt, Rakasha CREDITS: Made by Lucius/Hippiecut of PRE

[/size][/url] & BTN[/size][/url]
[/div][/td]

[/tr][/tr][/table]

[nerva]

[atrb=border,0,true;]
[cs=2] YOU CAN'T BE CAUGHT RED HANDED
[atrb=valign, top] Two flashes of green, and then ... It had been so sudden, really. The Gardevoir was gone. Innokenti was gone. Nerva was gone, too, attached. But that wasn’t right, could never be right, because Master wouldn’t leave her behind! She was his treasure, always had been, always better than the rest. He wouldn’t abandon her, put her down, because she would always be better, most beautiful, more prized than the others. But he was gone. Volkhova couldn’t take it, and panic rushed through and set her serpentine body rolling in almost a thrash but not quite. The Milotic raised her head in an unearthly croon, glared death down at the opposing trainer, because she’d identified him and she knew it was his fault. If he hadn’t been there Nerva wouldn’t have gone and left her, she just knew it! The Milotic raised her head, and began to charge a Dragon Pulse, but her aim was wild, her focus crazed. She needed Master back. IF YOU'RE NOT RED HANDED	[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign, top][atrb=style, width:450px, bTable;] [STYLE=border-bottom: 3px solid #670806;width: 90px; padding: 7px;margin-bottom: -7px;font-size: 10px;]TAGS: lamarck WORDS: --- TEAM: Volkhova, Icariine, Novgorod, Vodka, Innokenti, Dacre NOTES: AVADA KEDAVRA CREDIT: razzle of btn

[/style]

[tsun]

VICTOR: LAMARCK

+ 500 to Nox

[lamarck]

[cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,10,true][atrb=style, width:450px,bTable] [/style][style=float: right; font-size: 8pt; letter-spacing: 2px; font-family:arial; color:#666666; height:10px; margin-top: -75px; margin-right: 10px; text-transform:lowercase;]I'll tell you stories of a better time and a place that we once knew

[atrb=valign,top] The bright pulse of energy lances through the air, too quickly to be dodged. One could argue that Lamarck was lucky, for in its haste, the Milotic missed him entirely. The bright energy flew past Lamarck, missing him by several inches as it struck Jacek and Zanzibar. Already worn from their earlier battle, the two were knocked from their feet, and flung violently to the ground. It was a credit to Lamarck's training, and to his Pokemons' loyalty, that none retaliated. There was an immediate shift to glance in his direction for orders, which Lamarck was trying to come up with. He flung both Rakasha and Galt's pokeballs, then called back Zanzibar and Jacek under the cover of the new Pokemon. The odds were against him. Though all he could see now was a Milotic, the Pokemon was more than large enough to be intimidating, particularly when all he had was Gallespie lurking in the depths, and Galt and Rakasha. Both were tiny, miniscule compared to the Milotic. Unfortunately, there wasn't much he could do but try to fight, try to calm it. Trusting that Gallespie was guarding the waterfall lest any other Lux try to scale it, Lamarck turned his mind to finding a way to defeat or calm the Milotic. A quick gesture in Galt's direction cued the Pokemon in on the plan, of which he had the first part. A soft, dark low surrounded Galt, before seeping out and dispersing around their opponents. A Heal Block had been set in place. "Let's just stay calm," Lamarck urges, holding his hands up. Rakasha and Galt both look ready to fight, but he'd prefer it not come to that. He's not even sure what happened.

[atrb=width,160][atrb=valign,top] TAGS: Nerva NOTES: TEAM: Jacek, Zanzibar, Gallespie, Danna, Galt, Rakasha CREDITS: Made by Lucius/Hippiecut of PRE

[/size][/url] & BTN[/size][/url]
[/div][/td]

[/tr][/tr][/table]

[nerva]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width:250px;] WHEN YOU HAVE TO KILL A MAN IT COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE

[cs=2] It was dizzying, in no way because he was unused to teleporting so much as because the man who predicted everything had not foreseen this. And why should he have? There was no reason for the Gardevoir to go for them in that way, or at least, not as he had thought previously. Now, though, the pieces were coming together. He stood upright, trying to take a glance around to this strange place the enemy had taken them to. The Gardevoir had not aimed to take him, he suspected, because she had not reached for him. There could only be one explanation for this specific event. “You’ve been chatty, Innokenti. ” The Kirlia froze, pressed his face against him, clung to his leg. He resisted the urge to shake him off. ”I’m disappointed.” He ignored the small cry that followed. Were Danna to try to make contact with the Kirlia again, Innokenti would know better now. She would get no response. A lesson that would be reinforced later. The Gardevoir might not have wanted to bring Nerva with her, but she’d just made it easier for him. The ability to isolate and eliminate the threat was ideal. But then he was left to wonder just how much she’d communicated with her trainer. For she had communicated with her trainer, he recognized this now. There were no snarls, no abhorrent twitches to his expression. To all looking from the outside, all the man offered the Gardevoir was a smoothed on smile, a relaxed demeanor. It was easier what with not having a gun pointed at him, after all. Make no mistake, however; inside, there was nothing but fire. ”Tell me. Just how much do you know?” Because if Innokenti had spoken of her, and the psychic type might have passed it on, he would need to move fast. Fingers worked their way around a pokeball. If he could, he would return to retrieve those left behind. An Eelektross could be trained again, but a Milotic was rare enough to be considered a waste if simply abandoned. It had not been the first time she’d attacked a person, one could tell that easily enough. There had been no hesitation, none at all, when she'd fired the previous attack. That much had been trained out of her. Volkhova just reared her head again in response to the Claydol’s spell, gave an angry croon, but she did not attack, not yet. Instead, the alien sound carried through the air, filled it as she used yet another Safeguard. She didn’t like being outnumbered; that wasn’t playing fair! She wasn’t scared, though, because when the light reflected for a moment deep on the water between she was reminded that she wasn’t entirely alone. That meant Master was coming back for sure. Volkhova’s twenty-foot long body still writhed, though, as she watched the trainer. She wondered ... would Master come back faster if she made this one dead? Or would he be disappointed in her, and just take longer?

Coded by AMB Tanz

[lamarck]

[cs=2][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,10,true][atrb=style, width:450px,bTable] [/style][style=float: right; font-size: 8pt; letter-spacing: 2px; font-family:arial; color:#666666; height:10px; margin-top: -85px; margin-right: 10px; text-transform:lowercase;]The problem here is with a human being- not a monster, not an animal. The human being does things that even the monster does not do, because the human is more sophisticated.

[atrb=valign,top] The words Nerva spoke aloud left her cautious, left her a little afraid. Danna staunchly ignored them, put those emotions aside, and tried to reach back into Innokenti’s mind. The silence she’d felt there, the vast regions that should have been working and connecting and seeking but instead lay dormant… ~Let me help you,~ she whispered in his mind, trying to reach for the blocked areas, seeking to find a way to free them. But it’d be no easy task, no quick task, and without his cooperation there wasn’t a Glalie’s chance in Cinnabar of it working…. Her own mind, untouched by whatever horrors had been visited on Innokenti to so subdue his, buzzed away. She was hyperalert, vigilant and aware of the slightest sounds and sensations. The very vibrations of the air resonated within her, though considering the circumstances, one could hardly blame her for being on edge. The issue with hyper-vigilance is that it draws your attention to all things, rather than allowing you to identify and focus on the true threats. So it was that Nerva’s motion, that his reach for another Pokeball, went unheeded as Danna lost herself both in the attempt at Innokenti’s mind, and in her immersion in all that was going on around them. With the trainer gone and seemingly only one foe, albeit a large one, Lamarck felt perhaps he had a fair shot at managing to take the Milotic down. He turned to Rakasha and Galt, issuing orders rapid fire. Rakasha leapt forward, aiming a razor shell upwards at the enormous Pokemon, while Galt rose slowly into the air, aiming a focused Extrasensory. The rainbow beam of light swept towards the Milotic rapidly, and Lamarck took a few steps back, just in case.

[atrb=width,160][atrb=valign,top] TAGS: Nerva NOTES: TEAM: Jacek, Zanzibar, Gallespie, Danna, Galt, Rakasha CREDITS: Made by Lucius/Hippiecut of PRE

[/size][/url] & BTN[/size][/url]
[/div][/td]

[/tr][/tr][/table]