New Country, Same Song and Dance [Mod]

[Shikaru]

Zigzagoon | Normal-Type | Level 4 | Male | Quick Feet
Tackle | Growl

Being tripped over was not something the normal-type enjoyed. The human was much bigger than he was, and her foot dug into his side a bit. Not only that, but it seemed her pokemon was accusing him of being at fault! The Torchic growled at him, causing the Zigzagoon to turn his attention on the fire-type. He initiated a growl of his own, this one more menacing and clearly a start to a battle.

Zigzagoon used GROWL

[Jessica Cruze]

’Damn it Jess… you’ve stepped in it this time…’ she thought, pulling herself up from the ground. The brunette hadn’t meant to trigger a battle by tripping over one of the normally playful zigzagoon. In fact, she had come out here to watch them in the first place. At least now she was going to see them up close and in action. Diablo seemed to think it was the wild pokemon’s fault for being in the way in the first place… She had no way to tell him otherwise…
And the pokemon had returned his growl with a tad more ferocity, practically calling for a battle himself.

Yeah, she really stepped in it this time.

Jessica brushed herself off, and eyed the two combatants. They were so… tense. She pulled out her pokedex to scan the small fluffy pokemon. ” Zigzagoon, the Tiny Raccoon Pokémon. Zigzagoon is extremely curious and so ends up walking in a zigzag path between things that interest it.” Great. So she pissed off a pokemon that’s not even known for having a temperament. That’s wonderful, really. Still, Diablo could use the experience from a real battle so it couldn’t really hurt to have him go a round with the little rodent.

”Diablo, growl again and use flame burst!” She called, keeping an eye on the zigzagoon. It seemed angered, but not more powerful than her torchic. She had full confidence that the little guy could handle him, even if it was her own fault for getting them into this mess.

[Shikaru]

Zigzagoon | Normal-Type | Level 4 | Male | Quick Feet
Tackle | Growl

When the growl was returned by the Torchic, Zigzagoon took this as a means to say the battle had indeed started. He was still young, and thus had few means of attack. Charging forward, he hopped about in a zigzag pattern. It was something he just did naturally, but it also helped him. The pattern both confused opponents about where he would attack, and it also sometimes helped him avoid attacks. This time, the latter had worked, the small burst of flame coming from the fire-type just missing as the wild pokemon hopped out of the way. When he was close enough, he tried to Tackle the Torchic.

Zigzagoon was hit by GROWL
Zigzagoon used TACKLE
Zigzagoon dodged FLAME BURST

[Jessica Cruze]

Jessica was surprised that the flame burst had missed. Not that it was guaranteed not to fail, but simply the manner that the pokemon used to dodge it. His serpentine style of dodging was rather effective she had to admit. In fact, even Diablo was a little overwhelmed with this pokemon’s fighting style. He simply couldn’t hit a target that was constantly changing direction. Jessica could see this too, and almost found it amusing. After all the little pokemon’s name really seemed to fit in this cause. However, she couldn’t really laugh about it. Diablo was really having his tail feathers handed to him! Though she should probably reserve judgment until after the first round. The fire-type was most certainly resilient. She knew that from training him… he never tired, and never seemed to give up.

That’s what makes him brilliant, in Jessica’s eyes.

Hell, there are times that his is more motivated to train than she is.

The tackle hit him square on, and sent the little bird tumbling back. Instantly Diablo pulled himself up and turned about to face his opponent, trying to track its erratic movements. Luckily, that’s what his partner is for. ”Diablo, lure him in with growl and use rock slide!” She called, smiling slightly. No wonder people were nuts about this whole battling thing. Even if this was an unintentional battle, it still had the adrenaline rush and excitement. Maybe that’s why certain trainers are only in it for the battles… because if it wasn’t this, the adrenaline junkies would be jumping out of airplanes without parachutes or something along those lines.

[Shikaru]

Zigzagoon | Normal-Type | Level 4 | Male | Quick Feet
Tackle | Growl

It seemed the second attack was going to same for the Zigzagoon. His opponent was using Growl again, and so he once again ran forward in his zigzag pattern in an attempt to confuse the Torchic and dodge any attack. He just hadn't been expecting the rocks to fall down, they were almost impossible to avoid as they covered a lot of area. He managed to slip out from under them however, and continued his own attack.

Zigzagoon was hit by GROWL
Zigzagoon was hit by ROCK SLIDE
Zigzagoon used TACKLE

[Jessica Cruze]

Jessica had to move to take cover from the falling rocks as a result of the move rock slide. Just because she got out of the way doesn’t mean that the speedy zigzagoon did. Jessica had been just outside of the range of the attack, in contrast it had been aimed at the little pokemon. She almost thought she would have to unbury it herself when the furry pokemon squirmed out of the pile with a ferocious growl aimed at Diablo. Seems the attack didn’t manage to knock any sense in it. Not that she had really expected it to… but she was rather hoping so.
Though she was enjoying the battle secretly, she didn’t like watching pokemon get hurt for no reason.

Diablo braced himself for another attack. His trainer watched the pokemon charge again and couldn’t help but wonder if the zigzagoon only had two attacks. If that was the case than this battle could be over rather quickly. That is, if the furball didn’t change its attack pattern all that often. Though for all she knows the pokemon may have a highly destructive move that it hasn’t used yet. Highly unlikely though… if this was the case… No, she wouldn’t! She’s seen trainers get a complete layout about the pokemon their facing. What level they are, move set, abilities… sometimes down to their very natures is parroted to the trainers by the pokedex. Jessica couldn’t understand why someone looking for adventure would do that. It takes all of the mystery out of the journey! Everywhere you go everything would be nice and labeled and practically sanitized.
How dull! Jess would rather be surprised by the enemy she faced fairly than the one she beat by ‘cheating’ as she would call it. Though that knowing the label thing wouldn’t be too outrageous…

The zigzagoon moved in for an attack, and Jess came up with a plan. ”Let it get in close, then dodge and use flame burst, Diablo.” She called out. They managed to fool it the first time. Maybe if they kept switching up their tactic they would win this battle.

[Shikaru]

Zigzagoon | Normal-Type | Level 4 | Male | Quick Feet
Tackle | Growl

There was a moment of hesitation from the Zigzagoon. Why wasn't his opponent attacking? Every other time the Torchic had attacked right away, but now he was waiting. Confused, but not giving up, the normal-type ran forward again. Still expecting an attack while he was running, the Zigzagoon was not expecting the attempt to dodge. In the confusion, he was hit by the flame burst attack. The young pokemon was beginning to look tired, but he was still determined.

Zigzagoon used TACKLE
Zigzagoon was hit by FLAME BURST

[Jessica Cruze]

Jessica noticed that the zigzagoon seemed to hesitate in attacking Diablo in the last pass. Was it because she had him wait on the attack? That made the most sense to her… Still, the pokemon didn’t change its tactic and charged right in, making himself vulnerable to Diablo’s flame burst. Jess watch a look of surprise pass over the zigzagoon’s face as Diablo performed the attack. Apparently it didn’t think that the little torchic could out-maneuver him.
Jessica was more than a little pleased to be able to prove him wrong.

Diablo got a much needed confidence boost from seeing an attack land that had failed previously. The little fire type was beginning to think that he was outmatched by the normal type pokemon. This thankfully was a little premature, and he puffed himself up, trying to make himself as big as he thought he was. His opponent was beginning to look a bit tired, which Jess saw as an advantage. After all, he wouldn’t be as speedy as he was at the beginning of the match. And it seemed like he only knew two moves, which made predicting what the little furry pokemon was going to do rather easy.
She’d pack up to head back home and run her parent’s mart if she couldn’t keep track of two moves.

”Diablo,” Jessica called as the zigzagoon readied itself for another pass. ”Cut its path off with scratch and use last resort!” This should be interesting. She’s never really had a chance to see last resort in action… mostly due to its inability to be used (apparently) until all other moves have been used at least once. Hopefully it would actually hit so that she’d have some idea in the future of how to use it.

[Shikaru]

Zigzagoon | Normal-Type | Level 4 | Male | Quick Feet
Tackle | Growl

Now blind in his determination to win, the Zigzagoon charged forward without a second thought. Focused solely on hitting his opponent, he was easily caught by Diablo's scratch attack. Shaking himself off, he started up his attack again, but was hit hard by last resort. It was a massively powerful attack, that sent the normal-type tumbling backwards. When he landed, he struggled in his attempts to get up. He was weak, barely able to stand let alone fight.

Zigzagoon was hit by SCRATCH
Zigzagoon was hit by LAST RESORT
Zigzagoon is weakened!

[Jessica Cruze]

Jessica blinked slightly at the result of last resort. She hadn’t expected it to have that much kick. Not at his current level at the very least. However the feeling was bittersweet. On the one hand she was ecstatic about the results. It seemed that she made a good choice in picking her little fire-type friend. However on the other was the results of that choice. The zigzagoon could barely stand, let alone continue the fight… and she was completely without some form of berry medicine. The little thing wouldn’t willingly let her near it if she tried to use a potion, and it may try to attack her for her trouble. On that note she could attempt a capture, but she had no need for a normal type on her team, and it would be a waste of a ball to simply capture it to heal and release him.
Though it never made sense to her why a pokeball couldn’t be reused after a pokemon was released.

Ah, well, it’s apparently just one of life’s little quirks that she’s not really meant or to understand or question.

Diablo held his position while waiting for Jessica’s orders. The little normal type seemed to be struggling to continue the fight, but Diablo didn’t think he could keep it up. The last attack had nearly crippled him and he just couldn’t see the zigzagoon recovering enough to be an effective opponent. Or at the very least a partially challenging one. Jess on that point seemed to agree, calling off her pokemon. She didn’t like leaving the little thing wounded to fight off any trainer with less morals than herself, but the future pokemon breeder didn’t see much choice in the matter. After all, she couldn’t use him and just didn’t have the funding to patch up every enemy she came across.
Not if she ever wanted to achieve her goal.

[Shikaru]

Zigzagoon | Normal-Type | Level 4 | Male | Quick Feet
Tackle | Growl

The normal-type could only watch as Jessica walked away, leaving him weakened. He did his best to try to move off of the path, struggling as he crawled slowly towards the bushes.

Diablo gains 1 level
Diablo is now level 6!

*Electrike* | Electric-Type | Level 5 | Female | Static
Tackle | Thunder Wave

As the trainer made her way down the path, something seemed to be following her. Now and then she and Diablo cold catch glimpses of bright blue, but it was unclear just what this pokemon was. After a few minutes, it finally revealed itself. Cautiously, the electric-type with the shining blue fur made her way out of the treeline and started to follow Jessica directly. She happily trotted along with her short legs just behind the trainer. The canine seemed to have taken a liking to the pair.

Wild Electrike Appeared!

[Jessica Cruze]

Jess did feel rather terrible about leaving that pokemon battered and crawling into the bushes, but she didn’t think she had much choice in the matter. The pokemon and Diablo had insisted upon fighting so all she could manage was to keep Diablo from killing the zigzagoon. She had heard of trainers that practically rejoice in that sort of behavior and it made no sense to her. If pokemon were to be partners, then shouldn’t all pokemon be treated with some form of respect?
That made the most sense to her.

But then again the world rarely makes sense to her. Even with the latest drama aside though, today seemed to be a good day. Diablo got some much needed training in, and they got a new addition to their tiny team. Still, Jessica was on edge. Even though the pokemon around here were lower levels, they still posed a slight threat to Diablo and herself. Though with the pidgey on her team she supposed they were in a better position than they started in.
Not that it really mattered. Every so often she swore she could see a flash of blue in the bushes near them, but before she could pull her pokedex out to examine the creature it would disappear. She felt like she was being toyed with, and even Diablo was beginning to get a little edgy. It’s actually the little fire type that ended up spotting the electric dog with the unusual coat. He had spun around to try to spot their apparent stalker only to come beak to snout with the happy pokemon. The suddenness of the meeting startled the little fire chick, causing him to land on his tail feathers and cry out in surprise.

Jess could only laugh at the sight, and smiled at the little blue pokemon. It certainly seemed friendly, at least enough to simply come trotting up to the two of them as if there were nothing to fear. With a smile she knelt down in front of the canine, looking at with the near curiosity of a child. What was it doing here? Why was it following them? What an odd coloration for… whatever it is, or is that really normal? Still, even with these questions flowing through her mind, Jess kept her voice calm and reached out slowly to the little pokemon. ”Hello there. What are you doing out here?”

[Shikaru]

*Electrike* | Electric-Type | Level 5 | Female | Static
Tackle | Thunder Wave

When she reached her hand out to the electric-type, she hopped back and let out a quick bark. Her tongue was hanging out of her mouth as she panted for a moment, before closing her mouth and crouching down low. She did her best to look alert and serious, though it was clear the young pokemon was in the mood to play. Wiggling her hind end in an attempt to shake the short, straight, tail she had, the Electrike looked rather silly.

[Jessica Cruze]

Jess couldn’t help but laugh at the playful little pokemon. It attempted to look downright ferocious, but there was just something about the blue pokemon that didn’t strike fear into the heart of her. Or Diablo for that matter, who hopped over curiously glancing the canine over. Wild pokemon normally don’t just wander up to a trainer to play… at least that’s been his experience. Jess’s too, only exemplified by the pidgey they had encountered. The little thing would have flown off if Jess had come anywhere near it.

Maybe she should look into this whole psychic pokemon thing. Then she could know what on earth Diablo said to convince the little bird to join up with them.

Still, the canine seemed to have impeccable timing. Its arrival took young Jessica’s mind off of the fact that they had just beaten a pokemon within an inch of its life. Alright, so that was a slight exaggeration, but it certainly felt like it to the beginner trainer. She’s have to learn to stomach these emotions if she planned to get anywhere in this world.
Or at the very least, learn to stop getting side-tracked by these tangents.

Diablo had moved a bit closer to the pokemon, keeping his curious and playful demeanor. He chirped a greeting to the oddly colored pokemon, trying to get its attention off his trainer and where it obviously should be. On him. Defending his trainer from the zigzagoon hadn’t been detrimental to his mood in the slightest. If anything, it seemed to make him a bit bolder and more outgoing. He couldn’t understand why his trainer had appeared so solemn. After all, they had succeeded. That was a reason to celebrate!

[Shikaru]

*Electrike* | Electric-Type | Level 5 | Female | Static
Tackle | Thunder Wave

Still crouched with her tail wagging, the alert canine waited for Diablo to approach. Once within range, Electrike dashed forward to Tackle and try to pin the fire-type. She liked playing games, and to her that's what battling was. Just one really fun game. Another bark, this time a happy one, escaped the pokemon's mouth. This Torchic looked like he would be fun to play with.

Electrike used TACKLE