Victory Road Inbox

[notvaljean]

Hi, this is Jean... [loud crackling in the background, the sound of sighing] ... and Blitz. We're busy right now and can't answer, so leave a message and we'll get back to you.

Comments

[schachmeister]

Keep some distance between you two and keep growling.

[In Armin's mind, if he just focusses on lowering Polo's attack first, Magellan will be able to stand up better to his attacks later. It doesn't matter so much anymore if he gets hit when he is tired and less capable of dodging if each of those attacks only do a bit of damage. Right now Magellan is still fresh and attentive. It's the best combination for dodging.]

[notvaljean]

[Jean isn't falling for this twice. He has an inkling of what Armin is trying to do, and switches tactics. Polo's claws aren't doing that much damage, and while a fire attack against another fire type won't do much, it'll be good to get the kitten used to listening.]

Polo, use Ember.

[Now they're talking! Polo immediately starts arching his back and hacking, looking frankly not intimidating in the slightest, before he spits a ball of fire in Magellan's direction.]

[schachmeister]

[Magellan rolls out of the way of Polo's fireball and it hits the snow behind him harmlessly, creating a small puddle. Fire tricks are something they've only recently learned and for a moment Magellan seems to expect either Jean or Armin to berate Polo like they do every time they try them indoors, until he remembers that no! Jean had ordered Polo to! That means it is all cool now!

Not even waiting for Armin to give the command, Magellan spits some fire of his own at Polo, look ridiculously pleased with himself.]

[notvaljean]

[The fireball hits Polo in the chest, and he rolls onto his back with an indignant squeak. Blitz buzzes loudly from the sidelines, cheering them both on, and Jean grins. Turns out he's not the only trainer whose Pokemon sometimes don't do as they're told.]

Come on, Polo, shake it off! Get him back with some growling!

[Polo flails his way to his feet and spins, ready to face his opponent again.]

[schachmeister]

[Well, Armin is not entirely surprised to find that Magellan doesn't have the patience to listen to all his command. But then, that is exactly why they are doing this! He wants Magellan to learn in an environment where it won't hurt him too much if he messes up. Then, when they actually go and fight wild pokemon or other trainers, he'll know what is expected of him.]

Magellan, you have to listen to what I say.

[The litten's ears droop for a moment as he chances a look back at Armin. He is sorry. He got all excited and forgot they are having an actual real pokemon battle! Like uncle Blitz has with like every wild pokemon around here.

Due to his inattention, Polo's growl easily hits him, and he shakes his head to get it out of his ears.]

That's okay, lets just try again. Try going for a scratch!

[Magellan stops shaking his head, crouching low for a moment, before he pounces, claws out.]

[notvaljean]

[Uncle Blitz will battle a man, a woman, a baby, he don't care! But little littens need to learn how to listen, until they're giant bara-cats and can defend themselves.]

[Jean does a little fist-pump in the air when Polo's growl hits; even in friendly matches, he's competitive. It's just in his nature.]

Dodge!

[Polo jigs to the right, but he's too late. He gets hit broadside with an attacking Magellan, and goes rolling with more indignant squeaks.]

[schachmeister]

[Uncle Blitz will fight ten babies! Those babies were asking for it.

Magellan purrs throatily when his attack connects, swiping one paw across Polo's side, before rolling on top of him to chew on one of his ears in very non-standard battle attack.]

Magellan, no.

[Armin sighs, looking at Jean.]

Do you want to separate them and give them a moment to calm down before trying again?

[This was inevitable. They wrestle so often, of course any battle between them would eventually turn into a wrestling match. But they cannot afford that in a proper fight.]

[notvaljean]

Yeah, we probably should.

[Except Jean is not sticking his hand into that swarming mass of pointy kitten, not when they're now biting and kicking at each other.]

Maybe let them get some of their energy out and then try again?

[schachmeister]

[It doesn't really seem worth risking their fingers. They'll have to stop eventually.

Armin gives a small nod at that. Too bad everything is covered in snow though. No place to get comfortable and sit down for a bit.]

They are so young, we can't really expect them to get it right in one match.

[notvaljean]

[No place to sit down? Says you! Jean beckons Blitz over, and the Electrode rolls closer and then, wonder of wonders, allows Jean to sit on him while they watch the kittens play.]

I'd say they did pretty well for a first attempt.

[Jean would offer Armin a place to sit, but this is a pretty recent development with Blitz, and he doesn't want both of them getting shocked off.]

[Polo seems to have realized that the match has ended, or at least been called off, and looks up at Jean, his mouth rounding into a curious miaow. This just leaves him open to attacks from his brother.]

[schachmeister]

[Yeah, no, Armin is fine with not trying to sit on Blitz. He doesn't trust Blitz with his butt, and anyway, Blitz isn't a very big electrode at all. There wouldn't be any room for him. Where could he sit? Jean's lap like a child? No, thank you.]

I agree.

[Magellan either doesn't seem to have noticed the match is on hold right now, or simply doesn't care, pouncing on his brother and driving him into a heap of snow with a ferocious meow.]

Maybe we should let them watch some other battles too. So learn from that.

[notvaljean]

[Jean could probably scoot over enough for both of them to fit one cheek on Blitz, but that would probably inspire an electrical temper tantrum, and neither of them want that. It's for the best that Armin just stays standing.]

It probably couldn't hurt.

[Battles? Letting the littens watch battles? Do they need someone to fight? Blitz makes excited sparking sounds under Jean's ass, and he reaches between his legs to pat the Electrode's face.]

You're too strong, big guy. It'd be better for them to see someone closer to their level.

[And a Pokemon who will quit when asked, instead of getting all competitive and powering forward until someone is knocked out.]

How about Holly and Blume? They'd take it easy on each other and help the little guys get a sense of what a real battle is like.

[schachmeister]

[Armin prefers to keep chances of getting shocked by Blitz to a minimum, especially when it comes to certain tender, vulnerable parts of his physique.

Basically, he doesn't want Blitz to miss his butt and shock him on the dick. He doesn't believe this is an unreasonable opinion to hold.]

That sounds good to me. And there isn't really any sort of type advantage between them either, just like with these guys.

[Sure, learning to target advantages like that is part of learning how to battle, but it is best to start them off slow and simple.]

[notvaljean]

[Blitz has surprisingly good aim when he's shocking, and has so far avoided shocking Jean's dick. Jean can understand the fear though, and finds it perfectly reasonable.]

All right, let's get the ladies out.

[Ignoring the kittens for now--the noise and excitement of new Pokemon coming out will get their attention--Jean finds Blume's ball and tosses it out. A flash of light, and his Ivysaur is standing before him, looking chilly and rather put out.]

[schachmeister]

[Armin frees Holly from her ball as well, the gloom materialising right next to Blume. As she does, a faint foul odour hits the air, though there is enough of a breeze to dissipate it and keep it from becoming overpowering. It's been that way ever since Holly evolved, and though the smell is not pleasant, Armin doesn't really mind it too much. It's just part of her natural defences, and honestly, whenever she is at ease it's gone completely.

Kneeling down, he rubs his hand along the rounded flower on top of Holly's head. Might not be like petting a cute kitten, but you know what, screw it, Armin thinks Holly is still as cute and sweet as when she was a chipper little oddish.]

If you two don't mind, would you be willing to have a little battle? Just to show Polo and Magellan how it is done.

[Magellan's ears perk at the sound of his name and he lifts his head, peering at Armin and Jean. Oh look, aunt Holly and Blume are here now too. What's going on, you guys? Weren't they battling?]

[notvaljean]

[Polo takes advantage of Magellan's distraction to wriggle free, and he sashays up to Blume, butting her chin with his round little forehead and purring squeakily. Blume makes a soft chortling sound and lowers her head to nudge at the kitten, glancing over at Holly with an indulgent look in her eyes. Babies: what can you do?]

[She hears what Armin tells Holly, and she looks to Jean for confirmation. When Jean nods, she makes the chortling noise again and gently pushes Polo over onto his side, laying a paw on him for a moment. Stay. Then she trundles away, taking up a spot a few meters away, ready for battle.]

All right, looks like she's on board.

[Jean knows full well this is going to be a very gentle, playful battle, but that's okay. It's for illustrative purposes more than anything else.]

Polo, come here.

[Polo hops up onto Jean's lap and sits there with his tail curled around his front feet, watching his aunties intently.]

You and Holly can go first, Armin.

[schachmeister]

[Holly really doesn't like battling her best friend as a rule, but if it is for the betterment of some adorable babies, she can be genial and make an exception. Though it is good Jean and Armin are expecting a gentle battle, because while she has no problems with laying the smack-down on wild pokemon (especially rude ones!) or in trainer battles, she shan't be pulling her best against Blume.

Not that Blume can't handle it, of course.

She leans into Armin's hand for a moment more, before she moves over to take her spot across of Blume. It is a moment more while Armin scoops up Magellan --to stop him from getting involved if nothing else-- before yes, they are ready to begin.]

All right. Holly, use Sweet scent.

[Oh, yes, Holly likes that move. Especially since she evolved. It's nice to smell nice for a change. A soft, sweet smell of blossoms starts billowing from the big flower on top of her head, making all who smell it just a bit more languid and less likely to dodge.]

[notvaljean]

[Blume lifts her head when Holly attacks, sniffing the air. She knows this attack! She can do it too, so it doesn't affect her very strongly--it's not very effective--but she likes it. She smiles at Holly, a little bit more dopey that usual, and sways back and forth on her feet. Blume knows Holly can take whatever she can dish out--they've worked together to take down rude wild Pokemon in the past--but she'd rather not hit hard.]

Blume, use Growth.

[Oh yes, that's a good one that won't hurt her friend! Blume uses Growth on herself, making the flowers on her back sway back and forth a little.]

[Polo watches intently from Jean's arms, and Blitz makes some soft sounds that are probably coaching for the Litten.]

[schachmeister]

Use Stun Spore.

[Honestly, most of Holly's arsenal of attacks won't really be effective against Blume. But, even if they aren't very effective, Holly has a great number of status effect inducing attacks --it's why Armin wanted to catch an Oddish in the first place!-- and getting to show that to the littens is pretty good too.

Holly shakes the great round flower own top of her head, thick spores drifting to the air towards Blume.

Armin, meanwhile, hefts Magellan a bit higher up in his arms.]

See what Holly is doing? Those are non-damaging attacks, like your growl. I know they probably don't look like the most interesting attacks to you [Magellan is a kitten; pouncing and scratching is the best thing in the world in his eyes.] but these sort of attacks can be vital in winning a battle. If this attack is successful, Blume won't be able to move properly anymore, making her much easier to target. You shouldn't always be in a rush to go for a damaging attack. Sometimes it is best to build up to those.

[Magellan cocks his head, his ears twitching. He's listening.]

[notvaljean]

[The Stun Spore hits Blume, and while it doesn't really affect her that much, she's been listening to Armin, and decides to play along. She shudders and then noticeably freezes. Jean has also been listening and explains a little more to Polo.]

See? She can't move now, so Holly will be able to attack her. You've got to watch out for those kinds of attacks.

[Blitz makes a grumbling noise underneath Jean.]

It's not my favorite style of fighting, but sometimes it's important. Now watch, Holly is going to get a free hit on Blume.

[schachmeister]

[Jean might not like this style of fighting very much, but Armin loves it. Sure, it isn't so necessary in a battle where you are vastly outclassing the other and can defeat them with one blow, but in the more evenly matched battles, especially those without the benefit of type advantages, Armin really favours this sort of style of slow and deliberate attrition. It might not be flashy, but slow and consistent still wins the battle most of the time.]

Holly, use the usual.

[Holly gives a faint nod, before she spews a quantity of acid at Blume. She is careful though. She's not nearly spitting as much acid as she normally does.

This is also another teaching moment.]

Sometimes direct attacks can have other side effects as well. Acid brings down Blume's health, but it also has a small chance of lowering her defence as a bonus. Sometimes, in battle, it's better to pick a less damaging attack with a good side effect over a more damaging attack with no side effects.

[notvaljean]

[Blume, who wasn't all that stunned in the first place, shakes off her paralysis and looks at Jean. The acid doesn't exactly feel good, and while this might be a friendly battle, she'd rather not get her ass handed to her either!]

Use Vine Whip.

[Not Razor Leaf? Oh well, that wouldn't hurt Holly all that bad anyway. Vines extend from Blume's back and slap at Holly, although without the force she could use in a real battle.]

[schachmeister]

Holly, use Giga Drain.

[That attack, though it shouldn't be too effective on Blume, should replenish some of her health.

In any case though, it seems like the kittens are calming down again, watching the battle with curious eyes. It might be time to let them try things out again. Holly and Blume won't allow them to push this battle any more serious anyway.]

[notvaljean]

[Blitz complains from underneath Jean--you call this a battle? this isn't a battle, he can do better when he's half-asleep than this--but Jean ignores him. He watches the Giga Drain hit Blume for a little bit of her health, and when Blume looks at him plaintively, he nods at her.]

Okay, ladies, that should do it. Thank you.

[Blume grunts as her body language relaxes and she trundles up to Holly. Good show, friend, that was a fine teaching battle for the kittens!]

[Jean puts Polo down.]

See? You need to listen. Are you ready to try again?

[Polo drops down into a pouncing posture and wiggles his butt. He was born ready!]

[schachmeister]

[When Jean calls it quits, Holly immediately relaxes as well, patting her friend on the head when she trundles up to her. Hello friend. She hopes her attacks weren't too damaging. In any case, right now, she's more than happy to sit back, ignoring Blitz's kibitzing, and see how the kittens manage this round.

Magellan wriggles himself free of Armin's arms, dropping to his four paws, trying to look very Impressive and Ready To Battle. He can do this. He'll be the very most serious at doing this and nobody can say otherwise. Raising his head, he directs a plaintive mrow at Armin, as if to ask why they haven't started already again.]