You arrive near the gate when the sun is already high in the sky. There seems to be a lot of movement in the quarters, with guards making haste from the courtyard to the barbican warding the path leading to the top of the mountain. Suddendly, one of them spots you and runs to you quickly. "Hail, trainers. We were waiting for you. Please, this way". You follow uncertain the man up to the stone building close to the gate and wait as he knocks the door repeteadly. "The trainers are here, sir!", he tells with excited voice at the person on the other side of the door. Shortly after, what looks to be some kind of officer or commander opens the door and greets you warmly. "Welcome, trainers. The Champion is over there".
Near a rough wooden table, Lance was discussing over a map near a woman with blue hair and a fluent black cloak, but both turn their attention on you as soon as you enter the quarters. "You've come at the right time, trainers", says the champion with a smile. "We're planning our operation on the summit of Stormrage Mountain - ah, allow me to introduce you to Clair. She will lead this expedition". Once mentioned, you now recognize her as the Gym Leader of Blackthorn town.
"Nice to meet you, trainers", greets you the woman. "But we don't have time for presentations. The hour has come to reach the top of the mountain and put an end to this crisis".
"Well said, Clair", agrees Lance. "You must leave as soon as possible. How many guards do you need to bring with you?"
"None", replies the gym leader. "We can't afford to weaken our already scarce presence here. These two trainers and I will be more than enough".
"Very well, then", concluded the champion. "Good luck, guys".
Clair nods and then turns her eyes on you. "Let's go!"

The path slowly rises in circles, following the shape of the mountain. Strangely, the weather is really calm, more than it ever has been since your arrival at Stormrage Mountain. It does not take more than an hour before you reach the summit. "There we are", says Clair, looking around. "This is the highest echelon of the mountain". This rather large plateau is surrounded by several sharp peaks, but all in all it looks pretty barren. You wonder if what you're looking for is actually here or not. Even the gym leaders appears to be quite surprised.
"That's strange", comments Clair perplexed. "Maybe the legendary birds were the only cause for the altered weather?"
"Unlikely", tells one of you. "From what Lance said, while the mountain is calmer now, the surrounding regions are still affected by violent storms"
"You're right", agrees her. "I guess that, although inactive at the moment for some reason, the cause for the wild weather must lie somewhere around here".
"Superbly correct, milady".
The sudden, deep and cold voice cause you and Clair to turn around. A blonde man with an odd red eyeglass is slowly walking towards you, dressed in an ancient regal robe. You find his face familiar, but you can't recognize him. The same can't be said for Clair. "Ghetsis!"



"Welcome, vanguards of the New Dawn", greets them the sage. "That's how you're called, isn't it?"
"You had been missing for ten years!", replies Clair astonished. "Why are you here?".
"The wheels of fate already started to spin again", explains Ghetsis, with an ample gesture of the arm. "The time for the Great Renewal is approaching. It is all part of the plan".
"You're completely mad", comments the gym leader. "What are you babbling about?"
"It is not necessary for you to know anymore. I am only a pawn, like Mewtwo", answers the man. "Whatever happens here matters little"
"Mewtwo?", repeats Clair. "Is he involved? That's impossible! This entire story is preposterous!".
"If you can't believe my words, how will you understand what your eyes are going to see?", asks Ghetsis, taking a strange wand from his robe and raising it above his head. The clouds above the mountain start to rumble menacingly. Then, two giant shades become slowly visible through the mist until they break through the cloudscape.



Clair stares in fear at the sight of the two majestic birds, and so you do. "The might of elements... the means to cleanse this world for the Great Renewal", says Ghetsis in an estatic attitude. "All lies in my hands now... the wheels of fate are spinning before your very eyes!".
"Ghetsis, stop this!", shouts Clair, running towards him with a Poké Ball in her hand. But the sage points the wand towards her and summons a red lightning bolt, which strikes the ground beneath her and knocks her back, beyond the precipice.
"Clair!", you cry, terrified.
"Your fate runs short, trainers", comments Ghetsis with a malicious laugh. "But don't worry, the end of your brethen is just as nigh. Farewell!". And out from nowhere, he disappears in a lustering burst of red light, leaving you alone to face the two mythical creatures!

Flamestrike

Brandon ran to check on Clair while Vance faced down the legendary Pokemon, sending out his Kitsunoh and Empoleon. Seeing that Clair was OK, just knocked unconscious, he turned towards Ho-Oh and Lugia. "Shellstrike, Mindstrike, let's go!" Two Pokeballs flashed and Brandon's trusted Carracosta and Gallade arrived on the field, ready to fight. "Shellstrike, start by nailing Ho-Oh with an Aqua Jet to get its attention quickly, then crush it with a Stone Edge! Mindstrike, set up some Trick Room to give us the speed advantage, then put up a Light Screen! Empoleon won't have too much trouble taking these special attacks, so leave him out!" Turning to Vance, he said, "Get Nox to strike Lugia quickly before it can attack, and try to keep aggro on it with some strong strikes! Pengwin should help Shellstrike pound on Ho-Oh!"

Summary:
Shellstrike: Aqua Jet (Ho-oh) -> Stone Edge (Ho-oh)
Mindstrike: Trick Room -> Light Screen (Carracosta/Gallade/Kitsunoh)

TravelLog

While Brandon went to help the fallen Clair, Vance summoned his companions to his side.

This won't be easy, but together we can do this. I want each of you to fight like never before! Nox, open with a Shadow Sneak on Lugia to get its attention, then launch a Shadow Strike on it to keep it focused on you. Pengwin, the sun is going to be annoying for your water attacks, but Ho-Oh will take some punishment regardless. Open with a Hydro Pump and follow up with a Scald.

Kitsunoh:
Shadow Sneak (Lugia)~ShadowStrike (Lugia)

Empoleon:
Hydro Pump (Ho-Oh)~Scald (Ho-Oh)

Shellstrike and Nox immediately dash forward to strike Ho-Oh and Lugia respectively. The Psychic bird summons in return a magic globe and throws it up in the air, where it morphs into a fire ball which scorches the Kitsunoh. The fiery phoenix, instead, strike the Carracosta with a massive thunderbolt. Pengwin aims a powerful torrent of water at Ho-Oh, while Mindstrike uses his mental powers to alter the surrounding reality.

Now incredibly fast, Shellstrike charges Ho-Oh and tears him apart with his sharpened appendages. The Empoleon spouts some scalding water towards him, although the heated sunlight greatly reduce the effect of his attack. The Gallade doesn't go on the offense yet, and prefers to conjure a barrier which should dampen the force of special assault - such as Ho-Oh's mighty bolt of lightning, which strikes again the Carracosta but with significantly less power. Nox sneaks over Lugia and slashes him with shadowy claws, but the Psychic bird takes into the air and dives on Mindstrike, severely wounding him.

Meanwhile, the intensity of the sun rays suddendly faded away.

HP 96/Energy 88
HP 78/Energy 93 (Light Screen for (8) more actions)
HP 71/Energy 92 (Light Screen for (8) more actions)
HP 80/Energy 84 (Light Screen for (8) more actions)
HP 524
HP 585
Calculations:


Threat List against Lugia


Threat List against Ho-Oh

Flamestrike

"Sorry Mindstrike, wasn't what I had in mind but we didn't have much of a choice. Double Team to give Kitsunoh a chance to get aggro back, then set up a Reflect! Leave out Empoleon again! Shellstrike, Rock Slide them both, then Stone Edge Ho-Oh again!"

Summary:
Mindstrike: Double Team -> Reflect (Gallade/Carracosta/Kitsunoh)
Shellstrike: Rock Slide -> Stone Edge (Ho-Oh)

TravelLog

Not a horrible start. But let's ramp things up.

Kitsunoh:
ShadowStrike (Lugia)~Thunder Fang (Lugia)

Empoleon:
Hydro Pump (Ho-Oh)~Scald (Ho-Oh)

Shellstrike starts throwing rocks all over the place, relentlessly, while Pengwin blasts Ho-Oh with a torrent of water. Mindstrike makes an evasive maneuver to get out of the enemies' attention. However, the two legendary birds start a mystical dance, flying in a circle faster and faster until the air surrounding the place takes form in a vicious storm which squeezes all the team. Still, Nox leaps over Lugia and ravages him with claws imbued in darkness.

The Carracosta charges straight away towards the phoenix, but he barely misses the intended target. The Empoleon is more accurate, but not as lethal. In an attempt to complete the screen surrounding his allies, the Gallade uses his psychic powers to protect the team agains physical abuse as well. However, this causes him to draw Lugia's attention, who starts glowing in a threatening white light. Ho-Oh zaps once again the fossil turtle with a mighty bolt of lightning, while the Kitsunoh jumps over the Psychic bird and plows through his wings with electrified teeth. But Lugia is not phazed at all, and dives violently on Mindstrike.

Above your heads, black clouds gather in the sky until it starts raining intensely. You wonder how these once proud legends could be driven in such a rage. Maybe it has something to do with the rod Ghetsis was wielding before disappearing, but the only sure thing now is that Lugia and Ho-Oh won't probably come to their senses pacifically. You need to bring them down before it's too late.


HP 82/Energy 76
HP 71/Energy 83 (Light Screen for (6) more actions, Reflect for (8) more actions)
HP 53/Energy 81 (Light Screen for (6) more actions, Reflect for (8) more actions)
HP 46/Energy 71 (Light Screen for (6) more actions, Reflect for (8) more actions)
HP 458
HP 540
Calculations:


Threat List against Lugia


Threat List against Ho-Oh

Flamestrike

Brandon frowned. It was a lot more difficult to keep Mindstrike from being attacked by Lugia than he had hoped it would be. But now he had everything set up he needed; he could concentrate on getting Mindstrike safe. "Mindstrike, Double Team again to hopefully throw off Lugia, then chill and hope that Kitsunoh does enough damage to finally get Lugia off of you! Shellstrike, just keep pounding on Ho-Oh! Rock Slide then Stone Edge!"

Summary:
Mindstrike: Double Team -> chill
Shellstrike: Rock Slide -> Stone Edge (Ho-Oh)

TravelLog

We definitely need to get that aggro away from Gallade. Hopefully a full-on assault with do the trick. And thanks to rain, Empoleon should get a nice power boost.

Kitsunoh:
ShadowStrike (Lugia)~ShadowStrike (Lugia)
IF Lugia is untargetable, chill.

Empoleon:
Hydro Pump (Ho-Oh)~Scald (Ho-Oh)

Strengthened by the rain, Pengwin erupts a massive torrent of water towards Ho-Oh. Shellstrike throws some heavy stones, but only Lugia gets struck, albeit really hard. Mindstrike keeps moving evasively, hopeful of finally lose the foes' attention. And in fact, the fiery phoenix now turns on the Empoleon, aiming a deadly black orb of electricity at him. The nasty overloaded charge paralyzes him, as well. Nox bounces over Lugia and slashes him with his darkness imbued claws, but he must endure the aftermath, as the Psychic bird shrouds himself in a white light and dives over him with his wings open wide.

Crippled but still hanging in, Pengwin pays the blow back with a jet of heated water, which hurts Ho-Oh significantly. Even more does the Carracosta, with his violent charge. The Gallade carefully opts for a momentary rest. Still, the phoenix causes a massive earthquake all over the place, hurting the majority of the team. The Kitsunoh however jumped just in time to avoid being hurt, and lands over the other opponent ravaging viciously. Lugia however makes sure the ghost cat finds a nasty ground explosion when he meets the soil.

Above you, the clouds fade again, leaving the sky clear for now.
HP 43/Energy 64 (Paralyzed (20%))
HP 54/Energy 69 (Light Screen for (4) more actions, Reflect for (6) more actions)
HP 52/Energy 70 (Light Screen for (4) more actions, Reflect for (6) more actions)
HP 39/Energy 77 (Light Screen for (4) more actions, Reflect for (6) more actions)
HP 375
HP 484
Calculations:


Threat List against Lugia


Threat List against Ho-Oh

TravelLog

Ouch. Things would definitely be better if Empoleon had taken quite so much punishment last round. The important thing to do now is to have Kitsunoh keep up the pressure on Lugia, while Empoleon heals up by Resting. Maybe Gallade could send a Heal Pulse over my way (either to Empoleon, or Kitsunoh if a Pain Split is desired next round), while Carracosta does its best to draw threat back from Ho-Oh. Additionally, it might be wise to renew Trick Room A2 if possible.

Empoleon:
Rest~Sleep Talk [Mud-Sport, Whirlpool (Ho-Oh), Scald (Ho-Oh), Hydro Pump (Ho-Oh)]
IF you are paralyzed A1 and can't use Rest, try it again on A2.

Kitsunoh:
Pain Split (Gallade)~ShadowStrike (Lugia)
IF Lugia is untargetable, chill.

Flamestrike

"These two are a lot tougher than either Moltres or Tyranitar," Brandon muttered, "but that's to be expected. Mindstrike, we need some healing. Heal Pulse Kitsunoh, then Heal Pulse Shellstrike! Shellstrike, let's hope your aim with Rock Slide is a bit better this time, then follow up with another Stone Edge!"

Summary:
Mindstrike: Heal Pulse (Kitsunoh) -> Heal Pulse (Carracosta)
Shellstrike: Rock Slide -> Stone Edge (Ho-Oh)

Pengwin falls asleep, gradually restoring his health. Shellstrike throws another barrage of boulders, and this time he catches both birds. Mindstrike mends some of the team mate Kitsunoh's wounds with a soothing beam. Ho-Oh doesn't pay attention to either of the two, and cripples the Carracosta with a mighty thunderbolt which paralyzes him. Meanwhile, Nox siphons some of his renewed lifeforce through the Gallade, healing him as well. Lugia blasts him with a deadly black orb of crackling electricity, but the ghastly fox's innate agility saves him from the clutches of paralysis.

Shellstrike shrugs off the paralysis, and retaliates with a vicious deep impact. The Empoleon sleeps, but he manages to perform an attack even while asleep. The scalding water dampens the fiery phoenix all over. Mindstrike takes care of the Carracosta as well with his mending skills. Ho-Oh tries to take him down a notch, but the second thunderbolt is less accurate than the first and misses the target. Nox leaps over Lugia and plows in him with shadowy force, but the Psychic bird erupts a massive blast of mind energy which knocks the ghost fox back.

HP 65/Energy 41 (Rest for (1) more action)
HP 55/Energy 47 (Light Screen for (2) more actions, Reflect for (4) more actions)
HP 61/Energy 59 (Light Screen for (2) more actions, Reflect for (4) more actions, Paralysis (15%))
HP 56/Energy 47 (Light Screen for (2) more actions, Reflect for (4) more actions)
HP 294
HP 451
Calculations:


Threat List against Lugia


Threat List against Ho-Oh

Flamestrike

"Things are getting rough, but we can do it, just hang in there! Mindstrike, set up Trick Room again, then take the chance to chill! Shellstrike, Rock Slide, then chill as well! If you can't hit Lugia when you go for Rock Slide, go for Stone Edge on Ho-oh instead!"

Summary:
Mindstrike: Trick Room -> chill
Shellstrike: Rock Slide -> chill
If Lugia can't be hit action 1 replace action with Stone Edge (Ho-oh)

TravelLog

We can still do this, it's just going to require a bit more preparation and skill than before. After this round, our priority should be replacing Light Screen and healing our mons up a bit before resuming the offensive.

Kitsunoh:
Chill~ShadowStrike (Lugia)
If Lugia is untargetable A2, chill .

Empoleon:
Sleep Talk [Mud Sport, Hydro Pump (Ho-Oh), Scald (Ho-Oh), Whirlpool (Ho-Oh)]~chill