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Post by Jack Springs on May 3, 2011 2:10:34 GMT -5
(That's cool! Part of the fun is seeing how we react to each other's attacks! ) The sickle of energy arced through the air. If that hit then it'd surely slow Chase down. Jack was sure that the Absol had a good ten levels on Chase, and a hit like that would stop him in his tracks. " Chase! You need to dodge! Get into the water!" Jack practically screamed! At this point the road and the ocean were right beside each other, with the road on a small shelf that the wave rippled against gently. This was the perfect chance. The Poliwhirl sprinted forward and vaulted off of the metal safety rail as Absol's attack exploded on the concrete where Chase had stood a fraction of a second before. He powered through the water, easily matching the Absol in her drowsiness. Jack glanced back. The starting line had faded into a little dot. They must be about half way. That was not the only trick Mr Forberg had up his fabulous sleeves. Things were only just heating up...
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Post by Soren Forberg on May 3, 2011 10:36:04 GMT -5
The ghost of a smile hovered about Soren's lips as his Aerodactyle banked left so he could see things from a different angle. A few strands of his silver hair slid across his face as he watched the two pokemon running below very carefully. Jack's Poliwhirl had made it to the water and was powering through the waves with speed that surprised even him. He'd easily made up for the time lost to Absol's start and was already overtaking the still drowsy dark-type.
Absol was still stretching herself to the limit, legs reaching as far as they could to make up time. "Absol quickly now, jump up and use Aerial Ace!"
Absol barked and leapt up high into the air, twisting so that she was facing Jack's Poliwhirl, her horn and claws glowing. She turned into a nearly unseeable blur as she dove at chase. Aerial Ace was Soren's favourite move for a reason. It was blindingly fast and very nearly inescapable. If Absol could hit him she could use the rebounding energy to leap back onto the road and overtake him.
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Post by Jack Springs on May 3, 2011 15:54:35 GMT -5
Jack barely had time to blink before the Aerial Ace smashed through the waves. It must have hit. There was no way that Chase could have dodged that.
A few seconds passed. Jack held his breath. Come on. Surface. Please.
The surface burst. Mr Forberg's Absol flew backwards, a beam of water throwing her backwards onto the road. Huh, good work Chase, using a water gun to get some space. But where was he.
Jack craned his neck, trying to see any sign of movement under the surface. Nothing. Absol was already back on her feet and making tracks. The water logged fur was slowing her down, but she could still really move. But Chase- THERE!
Just below the surface a shape moved. It was a lot slower than before, swimming with just one arm while cradling the other against his body. He was weak, but he wasn't out for the count yet.
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Post by Soren Forberg on May 3, 2011 17:33:19 GMT -5
Soren was hard pressed not to grin as Absol slammed into Poliwhirl, both pokemon disappearing under the water. The victory, was short lived however when Absol was thrown skyward by a surprisingly powerful water gun. 'Hn smart move...' With a move that was more like a cat than a canine Absol twisted in the air and managed to land back on the road, already launching into another sprint but her fur was heavily weighed down by the sea water. Soren pressed the heels of his boots gently into Aerodactyl's flanks and the prehistoric dragon swooped down lower so his trainer could get a closer look at the racers.
Jack's Poliwhirl was clearly hurt, holding one arm at an awkward angle as he swam, noticably slower than before. At first it seemed like it was all over but the gym leader noticed his pokemon had not escaped from the small scuffle unscathed. Her wet fur wasn't the only thing slowing her down and he constant wincing and wheezing breath made him suspect that her ribs had been damaged by Poliwhirl's hard hitting attack. Soren stroked his jaw thoughtfully. The finish line was visable now, looming ahead in the distance. He could try to attack and finish the Poliwhirl off - but it was a risky gamble. If Absol failed to hit her target or Jack's Poilwhirl managed to strike back it could knock her out of the game completely. On the other hand he didn't know if he could win outright just letting her run.
He sighed and looked up at Jack still circling above him on his borrowed Fearow. He might've been the master of the speed stat but he knew the value of patience. He'd wait and see what Jack did...hopefully he'd be able to figure out a countermove for whatever the boy had planned - and he hoped Absol would be able to handle it in her condition.
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Post by Jack Springs on May 4, 2011 14:33:56 GMT -5
There was no way that Chase could win if he continued swimming. The damaged arm was dragging badly against the current, and that could only slow him down. He needed to get back on the road, where his legs were the driving force.
"Chase, quickly, get back on the road!" he called down and the Poliwhirl sprung into action, flinging himself out of the water and back to the concrete. His landing was not as graceful as Absol's, stumbling his footing as he connected. Jack gritted his teeth again.
They were only a few meters behind. The gap had to be closed soon, the end was in sight. The idea Jack had brewing would be his last shot at getting the upper hand. His heart was in his mouth. Adrenaline pumped through him.
"CHASE! BODY SLAM!"
He winced as he stretched his arm out, lunging towards the Absol that was just within range. Chase dived forward. This was it.
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Post by Soren Forberg on May 4, 2011 15:00:11 GMT -5
Soren leaned forward ever so slightly as he watched Jack's Poliwhirl leap out of the water and tumble onto the road. It was probably the wisest move the young man could've made really. Poliwhirl was more than capable of running and with Absol fighting her own injuries he might have a shot.
He was not, however, expecting the hail mary move Jack bellowed to his pokemon.
Caught of guard there was very little he could do as the bulky, blue pokemon lunged at the Absol only a meter or so in front of it. With the finish line so close this was a make or break move. Before he could bark out the order to doge Absol's own aggressive nature kicked it. It was more instinctive than anything else, what with a brief lack of command from her trainer. She tried to turn and retaliate, her black face scrunched up in a fierce snarl. Ordinarily the counter move probably would've deflected the blow and knocked out the bold Poliwhirl for his efforts, but with injuries and fatigue hampering her movements Absol couldn't hope to have the strength to stop the attack.
Absol let out a screeching howl of pain as Poliwhirl connected with her lower body, her left hind leg to be more specific. There was a sickening crunch as both pokemon went rolling along the dirt road. Poliwhirl seemed none the worse for wear beyond his arm, but when Absol tried to stand she let out that howl of pain again and kept her left hind leg well above the ground as she tried to hobble forward as best she could towards the finish line.
Soren pressed his lips together in a hard line. The race wasn't technically over but the gym leader knew that he'd lost. He remained silent, watching the scene below with his cold blue eyes. He was done, but he'd let the boy have his vcictory...'after all,' he admitted to himself with the ghost of a smile, 'He deserves it.'
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Post by Jack Springs on May 7, 2011 19:01:20 GMT -5
Jack honestly could not believe that that had worked. The Absol was basically stationary, and Chase was still heading to the finish line. As he limped across the line, Jack was speechless. He'd actually won a challenge.
He knew that his Pokemon were competent, he'd gotten five badges before now, but they hadn't seen any real competitive action for a good year now, and without even a warm up Chase had managed to beat a Roaming bloody Leader!
The Fearow must have somehow known that was it, as it arced sharply and swooped to ground level, depositing Jack firmly back on his feet. He ran over to Chase who had collapsed and was sitting against a low wall. "Great work buddy," Jack grinned, "We won. I'll have you fixed up in no time."
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Post by Soren Forberg on May 7, 2011 22:33:53 GMT -5
Soren's lips twitched in a miniscule smile as he gracefully dismounted his Aerodactyl. The purple dragon perched on a nearby outcropping of rock with a low growl. Fearow, having been relieved of his burden, shuffled over to his master. Sore stroked the bird's neck feathers before returnig him to his pokeball with a soft sigh. He knealt down as Absol hobbled over to him with a remorseful look on her face. She sat before him, head lowered and let out a keening whimper that had nothing to do with her pain. Soren smiled softly and stroked her ivory head, crooning gently. "It's okay my beauty, it was a hard fought race - you can't win them all."
Absol bobbed her head, but still made a noise that sounded suspiciously close to a sniffle. Soren gingerly took the canine pokemon into his arms and turned her on her back, inspecting the injuries. His quick examination revealed several cracked ribs and it was painfully obvious that her leg was broken. He stroked her snowy head fondly as he returned her to her pokeball. "There, there my sweet it'll be alright. You did well - if anything it's my fault."
The gym leader stood, drawing back to his full height of over six foot and walked over to Jack. He dug around in the pocket of his waistcoat for a moment before extending his hand towards Jack, the Fleet badge gleaming in his palm. He smiled ruefully, tucking back a stray lock of silver hair away from his face with his free hand. "Well done Master Springs - you've beaten me in the purest form of my element - I've no other choice but to acknowledge defeat. I can honestly say it is a pleasure to bestow the Fleet Badge to you."
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Post by Jack Springs on May 8, 2011 4:38:10 GMT -5
Chase evaporated into a beam of white that slid gracefully into the Pokeball that Jack held out. Chase was getting pretty strong, maybe it was time to look into a water stone or a king's rock.
Jack turned to see Mr Forberg next to him, arm outstretched. "Well done Master Springs - you've beaten me in the purest form of my element - I've no other choice but to acknowledge defeat. I can honestly say it is a pleasure to bestow the Fleet Badge to you."
Again, Jack was speechless. He reached out and took the badge, staring at it in awe. It was one of five, and now Jack really wanted all of them. "Thank you," he exclaimed, a huge smile breaking out over his face. "And it's an honour to say that I've raced with you. You really are as good as they say!"
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Post by Soren Forberg on May 8, 2011 11:33:17 GMT -5
Again a smirk briefly crossed Soren's face as the young man accepted the badge with an awed expression. "Thank you, and it's an honour to say that I've raced with you. You really are as good as they say."
"Hn I don't know about that," Soren said as he deftly clipped his pokeballs back onto his chain and buttoned up his frock coat. "Now then, your interview. As promised, you've beaten me so you get your badge and your story."
The gym leader leaned against the outcropping of rock where Aerodactyl was currently perched and waited patiently. He pulled out his pocket watch and idly checked the time, a habit of his, and quietly stared at the picture of his daughter he'd slid into the cover. She was about six then, sitting on her father's lap with a goofy grin as she hugged a stuffed Tailow tightly with Soren looking down at her with a loving expression. Remembering that he had company the gym leader cleared his throat and snapped the time piece shut, pocketing it oce again. "Ah, what would you like to start with Master Springs?"
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Post by Jack Springs on May 9, 2011 2:39:02 GMT -5
"As promised, you've beaten me so you get your badge and your story."
Best. Day. Ever.
The battle had really taken it out of Jack, and now the adrenaline had worn off he realised just how hungry he was. "Maybe we could do this over lunch? There's a few restaurants along the coast, I'll buy!" Jack offered.
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Post by Soren Forberg on May 9, 2011 10:59:41 GMT -5
Soren almost laughed at the expression that crossed Jack's face. "Maybe we could do this over lunch? There's a few restaurants along the coast, I'll buy!""Lunch is fine, buying is not neccessary," Soren replied with an aimless wave of his hand. "Back when I was your age we had an old tradition - loser pays for lunch, I still adhere to that."With that Soren whistled sharply and Aerodactyl spread his wings with a low growl, hopping down from his perch. Soren gracefully swung onto the prehistoric pokemon's back and extended a hand down to Jack. "Come on, there's plenty of room for two up here. I know a cafe just down the coast, very small, very private so we won't be inturrupted by ah - more eager challengers like yourself and you can ask all the questions you like."((Once Jack accepts I can start a new thread on this board if you like keep everything nice and together haha))
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Post by Jack Springs on May 11, 2011 15:08:02 GMT -5
Jack tentatively stepped onto the Aerodactyl's hard back. The Fearow was comfy and feathery, but this scaled hide had nowhere to grab onto. If he was alone on here he'd definitely have died of fear. Luckily, Mr Forberg had a big old coat to cling to.
He was right, there was plenty of room. Surprisingly enough, there was a nook either side of it's back that allowed Jack to slot his legs firmly and comfortably. He felt pretty secure. In a second of insanity Jack grinned widely. "Hey, Mr Forberg. On the way there, why don't you and Aerodactyl show me why you're the masters of speed?"
((Shall we do the interview after the big Parade, just so we can concentrate it. Chronologically I think the pair fly to Silverfern after the interview, but we can do a little flashback thread?))
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Post by Soren Forberg on May 11, 2011 15:20:26 GMT -5
((Sure that works fine for me after the League plot we'll just make a new thread and go from there or something like that haha)) Soren glanced over his shoulder and almost laughed as the journalist scrambled onto the dragon's back, grinning widely as he finally found his footing. "Hey, Mr Forberg. On the way there, why don't you and Aerodactyl show me why you're the masters of speed?"Soren didn't even have to reply. Aerodactyle spread his wings and roared, pushing off the ground as he did so. With a few powerful wingbeats they were aloft and streaking through the sky at a breathtaking speed. Soren laughed and leaned into the wind. Masters of speed indeed.
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