To Defy the End Chapter 2: Maxim, Geodude6, and SubwayJ Amid the Shadows Amid the Trees

Eternal Drifter · Feb 5, 2014

To Defy the End

Chapter 2: Shadows Amid the Trees

In the caverns beneath Mt. Coronet, the Natu telepathically told the trainers to follow the footsteps of Walker to gain enough power to see the story to the end, and understand what the trainer saw. Walker was seen near Sandgem Town, but what he was doing there is unknown. The answer may lie in the forest between the town and the nearby lake...

Geodude6

Nate (M)
Nature: Impish
Type: Dark/Fighting
Abilities: Prankster, Defeatist, Stall

Stats:
HP: 90
Atk: Rank 1
Def: Rank 4+
SpA: Rank0-
SpD: Rank 4
Spe: 55
Size Class: 3
Weight Class: 4
Base Rank Total: 20

Moves:
Amnesia
Bulk Up
Calm Mind
Dragon Dance
Growl
Headbutt
Leer
Meditate
Mega Punch
Nasty Plot
Pound
Quiver Dance
Rage
Sing
Slam
Snore
Stomp
Strength
Swords Dance
Tackle
Tickle

Beat Up
Detect
Double Kick
Faint Attack
Fake Tears
Foresight
Karate Chop
Low Kick
Rock Smash
Seismic Toss
Sucker Punch
Taunt
Thief

Heal Pulse
Light Screen
Reflect
Safeguard
Wish

Abnormality [Blaziken] (F)
Nature: Quiet (+1 SpA, -15% Spe, 10% Eva)
Type:

: Fire STAB, immune to burn status. Brighten Command.

: Fighting STAB; ignore weight restrictions on Circle Throw, Seismic Toss, Sky Drop, Storm THrow, Submission, and Vital Throw.

Abilities:
Blaze: When this Pokemon's HP is lower than 33%, the base damage of any fire attack is increased by two (2).
Speed Boost: (H unlocked) Pokemon with this ability increase their speed as the battle progresses, boosting it one (1) stage at the end of each round at the cost of 2% of their energy. This overrides the normal drop in stats that occurs at the end of each round (stats other than Speed are still affected).

Stats:
HP: 100
Atk: Rank 5 (6 Rare Candy)
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 5+
SpD: Rank 3
Spe: 69-
Size Class: 3
Weight Class: 4
Base Rank Total: 21

Nature: Quiet (+1 SpA, -15% Spe, 10% Eva)
Type:

Abilities: Blaze, Speed Boost (H unlocked)
Item: Blazikenite (Allows Blaziken to Mega-Evolve into Mega Blaziken. Doubles the Speed stage increase to two (2) stages at the end of each round.)

Stats:
Atk: Rank 7
Def: Rank 3
SpA: Rank 6+
SpD: Rank 3
Spe: 87-
Size Class: 3
Weight Class: 4
Base Rank Total: 25

EC: 9/9
MC: 0
AC: 5/5

Attacks:
Hi Jump Kick
Fire Punch
Scratch
Growl
Focus Energy
Ember
Peck
Double Kick
Sand-Attack
Fire Spin
Bulk Up
Quick Attack
Blaze Kick
Flamethrower
Slash
Mirror Move
Brave Bird
Sky Uppercut
Flare Blitz

Agility
Baton Pass
Counter
Endure
Featherdance
Night Slash
Reversal

Focus Punch
Hone Claws
Roar
Toxic
Hidden Power [Ice]
Sunny Day
Hyper Beam
Protect
Frustration
Solarbeam
Earthquake
Return
Dig
Double Team
Fire Blast
Rock Tomb
Aerial Ace
Rest
Overheat
Focus Blast
Incinerate
Will-O-Wisp
Shadow Claw
Stone Edge
Bulldoze
Swords Dance
Rock Slide
Substitute

Blast Burn
Bounce
Dual Chop
DynamicPunch
Fire Pledge
Heat Wave
Helping Hand
Knock Off
Mega Punch
Mega Kick
Sleep Talk
Superpower
Thunderpunch
Vacuum Wave

SubwayJ

Auric (♂)
Type:

Having recently returned from the spirit world with his friend Sterling, Auric always feels very alone, in an unfamiliar territory.

Before he was banished to the world of ghosts, Auric had lived in a far away region which even he could not remember the name of. There, he used to serve a right and just king who was the one to give Auric, Sterling, when she was just a Cupra. Things would not always stay so happy however, as the darkness would come to take over. Auric and Sterling tried to fight, but the rest of the kingdom had abandoned them. They did not back down from the enemy, even when all hope was lost! Because of their actions, Auric and Sterling were sent to the spirit world by the darkness where they spent many ageless years searching for the exit to the shadows.

One can try to befriend this duo, but it may be difficult. Neither of the pair are very trusting of anyone, and are very secluded from society. However gaining trust won't be the most difficult part of gaining Auric's friendship. Finding him is no easy task, as he is often, despite his fear of the darkness, still fading in and out of the shadows...
Nature: Adamant (+Attack, -Special Attack)
Abilities:

Technician: (Passive)
Skill Link: (Passive)
Stats:
HP: 100
Attack: Rank 5 (+)
Defence: Rank 2
Special Attack: Rank 0 (-)
Special Defence: Rank 2
Speed: 55
Size Class: 3
Weight Class: 4

Moves:

Amnesia
Bulk Up
Calm Mind
Dragon Dance
Growl
Headbutt
Leer
Meditate
Mega Punch
Nasty Plot
Pound
Quiver Dance
Rage
Sing
Slam
Snore
Stomp
Strength
Struggle
Swords Dance
Tackle
Tickle

Detect
Double Kick
Foresight
Karate Chop
Low Kick
Rock Smash
Seismic Toss

DoubleSlap
Follow Me
Foresight
Protect
Quick Attack
Retaliate
Work Up

Aerial Ace
Cut
Fury Attack
Fury Cutter
Fury Swipes
Sharpen

Sacred Sword
Secret Sword

False Swipe
Slash

Sterling the Aurumoth (♀)
Type:

Sterling is quite easily put the strongest pokemon on Subway's team. She is very proud and loyal to Subway and will always act with nobility. Sterling has always been encouraging to the newer members of the team despite her elitest stature, meaning she is looked up to by many, even the other FE's of the team.

Nature: Sassy (+Special Defence, -Speed)

Type:

Abilities:
Weak Armor: (Toggle)
No Guard: (Passive)
Illusion: (Passive)

Stats:
110/120/99/117/60/94

HP: 110
Attack: Rank 5
Defence: Rank 4
Special Attack: Rank 5
Special Defence: Rank 3
Speed: 81
Base Rank Total: 23
Size Class: 4
Weight Class: 5

Evolution Counters: 9/9
Ability Counters: 5/5
Move Counters: 0

Moves:
Ally Switch
AncientPower
Attract
Blizzard
Bug Bite
Bug Buzz
Close Combat
Confide
Confusion
Counter
Cut
Dazzling Gleam
Disable
Double Team
Dragon Dance
Dream Eater
Echoed Voice
Electroweb
Facade
Feint
Fell Stinger
Final Gambit
Flash
Fling
Focus Blast
Frustration
Giga Impact
Hail
Heal Pulse
Healing Wish
Helping Hand
Hidden Power (Ground 6)
Hydro Pump
Hyper Beam
Ice Beam
Icy Wind
Infestation
Light Screen
Magic Coat
Magic Room
Megahorn
Ominous Wind
Overheat
Protect
Psych Up
Psychic
Psyshock
Quiver Dance
Rain Dance
Recycle
Reflect
Rest
Retaliate
Return
Roleplay
Round
Safeguard
Shadow Ball
Silver Wind
Skill Swap
SolarBeam
Steel Wing
String Shot
Struggle Bug
Substitute
Sunny Day
Surf
Swagger
Tackle
Tail Glow
Telekinesis
Thunder
Thunderbolt
Toxic
Trick
Will-O-Wisp
Wing Attack
Wish
Wonder Room
X-Scissor
Zen Headbutt

Total Moves: 81

Maxim

Trainer: Terra (F)
Nature: Careful (Special Defense increased by 1, Special Attack lowered by 1)

Bio: Terra is a youthful trainer from the Unova region and an acclaimed actor for Pokestar Studios. She made her fame by defeating Ghetsis's second plan to take over Unova, and by making several well received movies. She currently has a contract with Pokestar Studios that allows her to do plenty of training as well as act on her schedule, but she has a hard time getting the paparazzi away from her. Through her acting career, she's gained a knowledge of many tricks and special effects that she sometimes uses elsewhere.
Her most famous method of battle is her relentless use of seismic moves, especially Earthquake. If she can't hit you with Earthquake, she'll simply use Gravity to make sure she can. That said, she isn't unaware of other tactics to bring down opponents. Those who underestimate her usually find themselves buried by her attacks.

Type:
Poison/Psychic

Abilities:
Magician/Infiltrator/Intimidate

Stats:

HP: 90
Atk: 3
Def: 3
SpA: 0 (-)
SpD: 3 (+)
Spe: 55
Size Class: 3
Weight Class: 4

Attacks:

Basic:
Amnesia
Bulk Up
Calm Mind
Dragon Dance
Growl
Headbutt
Leer
Meditate
Mega Punch
Nasty Plot
Pound
Quiver Dance
Rage
Sing
Slam
Snore
Stomp
Strength
Struggle
Swords Dance
Tackle
Tickle

Typing:
Confusion
Kinesis
Psywave
Telekinesis
Zen Headbutt
Block
Poison Gas
Poison Sting
Sludge
Toxic Spikes

Sword:
Aerial Ace
Cut
Fury Attack
Fury Cutter
Fury Swipes
Sharpen
Cross Poison
Poison Jab
Psycho Cut

Togekiss [Serenity] (F)
Nature: Bold (Defense increased by *, Attack decreased by *)

Type:
Fairy/Flying

Abilities:
Hustle/Serene Grace/Super Luck (H)

Stats:

HP: 100
Atk: Rank 1 (-)
Def: Rank 4 (+)
SpA: Rank 5
SpD: Rank 4
Spe: 80
Size Class: 3
Weight Class: 3
Base Rank Total: 20

EC: 9/9
MC: 0
DC: 5/5

Attacks (44):
Sky Attack
Extremespeed
Aura Sphere
Air Slash
Magical Leaf
Growl
Charm
Metronome
Sweet Kiss
Baton Pass
After You
Yawn
Encore
Ancientpower
Follow Me
Bestow
Wish
Safeguard

Nasty Plot
Extrasensory
Substitute
Mirror Move
Foresight
Morning Sun

Body Slam
Counter
Heat Wave
Heal Bell
Endure
Tailwind
Tri Attack
Magic Coat

Roost
Psyshock
Protect
Reflect
Light Screen
Hyper Beam
Flamethrower
Fire Blast
Shadow Ball
Shock Wave
Thunder Wave
Grass Knot
Defog

Sandgem Town

It is approaching noon in Sandgem as the trainers of the Smogon region enter the town. The sun is nearly at its high point in the sky, and the population of the town is going to and fro with their various tasks. One could poke around the town a lot, but the trainers sent from Smogon have a mission today: to trace the path of the missing trainer Walker.

How do these trainers enter the town? What do they do?

Maxim · Feb 6, 2014

"So, we're finally here. Geez you'd think there'd be a closer airport to here."

"Stop complaining, I think this is a nice brisk walk!"

"What are you talking about, you're a sword that got carried all the way here! Ugh, anyways this is the last town Walker was seen, I think pulling out our Pokemon would be a wise idea."

"Sounds good, who did you bring?"

"Oh, I decided to bring Maxim's old Togekiss, Serenity, along for this trip. He wound up trading it to me a while back after it was reclassified as a Fairy/Flying type. It messed up his plans for his Normal type gym quite badly."

"Wasn't it always...never mind. I thought Maxim was the Dragon type gym leader though?"

"What? No he's always been in the Normal gym, what are you smoking? Anyways, come on out Serenity! Oh, and take this Scope Lens with you!"

w/Scope Lens

"At any rate, now that all three of us are here, I suggest we start asking the townsfolk here whether they've seen Walker around. Perhaps they've at least seen him about somewhere."

"I don't think finding him will be that easy..."

Try asking around to determine where Walker was last seen, while sending out Togekiss on the off chance we get attacked.

Geodude6 · Feb 6, 2014

"Ah, Sandgem. I hear the beaches are amazing."

"We're not on vacation Nate, we came here for a reason."

"Yeah okay, whatever."

"Do we have the photo?"

"Agh, crap! I knew I forgot something!"
Rummages through his bag, finding a wadded-up piece of paper. Stops to flatten out the paper on a nearby wall; revealing that the paper is a photo of Walker.
"Never mind, I do have it."

Nate: Walk around showing people Walker's photo, asking people if they have seen this man. Sending out Blaziken in an attempt to deter attackers.

Blaziken: Mega Evolve.

Gemini Taurus · Feb 8, 2014

"Our acquaintances seem to be eager to look for our missing comrade Walker... Perhaps as they do this, we can see if we can better ourselves before we get a lead."

<"What do you mean better ourselves?!? We had YEARS of training in the spirit world. I mastered every technique I possibly could!!! Am I suddenly not good enough?!?">

"Calm down, you are beyond strong. I actually wish to search around the shops in Sandgem Town, and see if there's anything we might be able to barter for."

<"Ahh, I understand. Maybe something to help us on our way to find Walker?">

"Yes, that will be the goal. As for currency, we have none, but I would be willing to part with my sword, and I'm sure you can muster up something."

<"Sounds good. Now lets head into town. It seems our friends are already headed for town.">

"Yes... Friends... Perhaps these will be our first ones in a long while..."

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Auric: Send out Sterling and look through shops for anything that my prove useful, or anything pertaining to Walker.
Sterling: Accompany Auric and keep an eye out for any shady characters, ready for battle if need be.

Eternal Drifter · Feb 13, 2014

(Sorry about the delay... I've been getting distracted a lot recently. No energy costs for this round.)

Sandgem Town

The duos wander the town, speaking with the locals in search of Walker.

Terra gets several odd looks at her sword as she asks around, with mutters of "Smogon Adventerers" coming from people behind her back. Despite the many looks of disapproval, she does find someone who might have seen something...

"I heard a rumor about a missing person in the area recently. I'm not really interested in finding him unless it gets me closer to Mesprit; someone just managed to turn up while I was looking for more information about the cave in the middle of the lake."

Nate, however, quickly learns that despite his attempts to show the rare photo of Walker to people, he's simply not going to get much information out of most people; Abnormality's mere presence causes most people to just clam up when she comes into view.

There is one exception, however...

"Careful, young man! We don't want a fire in that forest. Oh, this man? ... I thought I saw someone looking like him as I was on patrol a week ago. I think I saw a Natu lead him down a little trail that hadn't been there earlier. I tried to follow, but some powerful wild Pokémon attacked me. Myself! Not my Pokémon, but me!"

Auric gets several odd stares as he goes through town. It could be confusion at the sword he wields. It could be awe at a Pokémon rarely seen in the region. But there is one odd piece of advice that one boy who comes up to examine Sterling gives Auric...

"You're looking for him? Get some swim trunks! The Pokémon are crazy where he went!"

In the shop, though, Auric finds that some medicines are avaliable for sale...

"Hello there young man! What are you interested in from our collection today?"

Potion: Heals a Pokémon 20 HP.
CC Cost: 5

Super Potion: Heals a Pokémon 40 HP.
CC Cost: 8

Ether: Heals a Pokémon 20 EN.
CC Cost: 5

Elixir: Heals 20 EN on three (3) Selected Pokémon (A Pokémon cannot be selected more than once).
CC Cost: 10

Revive: Restores a fainted Pokémon to 50 HP and 30 EN.
CC Cost: 10

You don't have enough hands to purchase any Pokéballs right now... maybe if you brought the rest of the group here?

If Auric wants anything, he's likely going to have to pay through the nose for it...

What does everyone do?

Maxim:

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Geodude6 · Feb 14, 2014

"Can you show us this trail, or at least where it was?"

Maxim · Feb 19, 2014

"Oh come on! I've been asking what feels like the whole town and all I get are either cryptic remarks or requests for an autograph."

("Hey, that second one can't be all bad! Regardless, I think Nate has found something.")

"Oh yeah...(Do you know anything about that cave on the lake?)"

("Yes I do actually, supposedly that's where Mesprit is hiding, Lake Verity if I recall correctly. That Pokemon Ranger next to Nate said something about a forest, so I bet you anything Walker's taking a trip to the lake.")

("What would Mesprit have to do with this?")

("I couldn't tell you. Still, it is our best bet, so let's see if this Ranger is willing to cooperate.")

See if the Ranger is willing to take us to the path:
If so, then follow her to the path.
If not, then go to the Route outside of Sandgem Town in the direction of Lake Verity.

Gemini Taurus · Feb 21, 2014

"Bah, none of these items particularly interest me."

<"Especially at these prices...">

"Regardless, let's go see what our allies have gotten up to, I feel like they've likely found more useful than we have."

<"As you wish.">

----------------------------

Find Nate and Terra and see what they're up to-

Eternal Drifter · Feb 23, 2014

Sandgem Town

"All right, I'll show you, but be careful out there; I don't want to drag you guys to the Center."

With the group gathering around her, she leads the way west, out of town.

Everyone walked to Route 201! (-2 Energy)

Route 201

The route is mostly bare of trainers, but there is some tall grass on large portions of the route. Cutting through the grass would be quicker, but there's the possibility of wild Pokémon lurking within the grass. Going around the grass would take more energy, but that would be guarenteed to be free of Pokémon.

Amid the trees to the north, just a short distance west past the tall grass, is a barely seen path that, to your knowledge, wasn't there a few weeks ago.

What does everyone do?

Maxim:

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Geodude6 · Feb 24, 2014

Go around the grass.

Not taking any chances.

Maxim · Feb 28, 2014

"Ah thanks! This will help out a lot. Now then, to go through or around the gra---Nate's already gone."

("He sure is a fast one, I'll give him that.")

"Aye...let's just head around the grass, I don't want to split up lest we run into a battle."

Go Around the Grass to the Path that wasn't there until recently.

Gemini Taurus · Feb 28, 2014

<"Ooh, tall mysterious grass... BURN IT BURN IT BURN IT!">

"I highly doubt the ranger would be happy about that."

<"Burn her too?">

"We don't have to resort to that ~~yet~~. Just follow me and our companions around the grass"

----------------------------

Follow in Terra and Nate's footsteps around the grass to the path

Maxim · Mar 3, 2014

Paging Eternal Drifter

Eternal Drifter · Mar 6, 2014

(Sorry for the delay; RL had some things that I couldn't ignore.)

Route 201

Seeing a path around the grass, the six adventurers walk it, giving a wide berth to where the wild Pokémon wait.

The party walked around the grass! (-4 Energy)

A Starly darts into the air above the grass before landing back down in it. While the group could likely handle any Pokémon in the area, it would waste needless energy and risk someone getting hurt.

"Don't start any fires!" the ranger shouts. "And don't make me drag you to the center!"

With that, she turns back towards Sandgem, leaving the group alone...

... or so it seems before the faint sound of swords and claws reaches the air a moment before Terra catches a glimpse of a Persian on the trail up ahead, ducking into a nearby bush.

Past where the Classy Cat Pokémon took shelter in a very obvious bush, a red shape is moving about, a faint clicking noise coming from it for a few moments.

...While the group could investigate, they could also head to Twinleaf Town, or head to the nearby Lake if they so choose.

What do they do?

Maxim:

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Maxim · Mar 10, 2014

"Well, that worked out quite peachy! Now then, on to the Lake!"

"Don't you think you ought to investigate that thing that just went by."

"I don't think it's too important, besides I don't want to get involved in any fights, and I bet the Lake is where Walker was headed."

Head towards the Lake.

Geodude6 · Mar 12, 2014

Head towards the Lake.

Geodude6 · Mar 18, 2014

Paging user SubwayJ

Gemini Taurus · Mar 18, 2014

"It seems we have lost our friends."

<"They've headed to the lake I believe sir">

"Okay, lets pay closer attention next time so we don't lose them."

<"How about YOU pay better attention...">

----------------------------

Head to the lake

Eternal Drifter · Mar 19, 2014

Route 201:
Deciding that the trail of Walker started at the Lake, Terra leads the way to the lake, Auric almost being left behind as the others move forward.

Everyone walked to Lake Verity! (-2 Energy)

Lake Verity: East Coastline

The lake sparkles brightly as the sun sines down on it, giving a sense of peace in the area. There is more tall grass next to the shore, but there are open spots where there is no grass, but sand.

Out in the distance, in the middle of the lake, is a small island, a single tree on a large rock, the shore of the island giving way to the rock and an entrance to the cave on the island.

Turning from the water, there is another, more well-tred path to the east, giving a glimpse of a bush with a Persian's tail before it connects with the path to the south and splits to the north as well.

What does the group do?

Maxim:

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Maxim, Geodude6, SubwayJ

Maxim · Mar 19, 2014

"Uh...where do we go now?"

"Obviously we should go down the eastern path, as we have no way to cross the water as of yet."

"Of course we could! Togekiss could fly me there, Blaziken could use his impressive jumping abilities to jump himself and Nate to the island, and Auric...I guess he could have Aurumoth float him over?"

Geodude6 · Mar 20, 2014

"I am a girl, you whelp."

"Also, unfortunately I don't think Togekiss is strong enough to carry people on her back. Although maybe Aurumoth could float us humans over the water telekinetically, and Togekiss and Blaziken could be withdrawn into their Poké Balls?"

Maxim · Mar 23, 2014

"Ah right, I guess it was more of a cornball theory anyways."

("Okay seriously how does that Blazkien think I know what gender she is?")

("It's not that hard to tell Terra.")

("Yeah it is! They look exactly the same! How anybody keeps their Pokemon gender's straight I'll never know.")

("Whatever you say...whatever you say.")

"Well at any rate, let's just head down the path. I think having Aurumoth trying to levitate us over would be nice, but I think it would expend too much energy."

Head down the Path.

Geodude6 · Mar 23, 2014

(Not in the mood for flavor right now, I might edit some in later)

Head down the path.

Gemini Taurus · Mar 24, 2014

"We won't get left behind this time."

<"You're not very good at this 'making friends' thing, maybe you should keep up with the acquaintances you already have?">

"Shush, I know what I'm doing."

<"Maybe you could offer an idea soon, as you seem to be a bit more of a nuisance to our friends than anything.">

"Fine, but keep in mind, my ideas aren't the friendliest most of the time..."
----------------------------

Head down the path

Eternal Drifter · Mar 28, 2014

Lake Verity: East Coastline

Deciding that they don't have any way to get to the island in the lake without taking a dip, the group decides to head down the trail to the east.

Everyone walked east! (-2 Energy)

Forest Junction

Why is this path here? It wasn't here when Galactic was performing their plan, but yet, it looks well worn despite its young age.

Trees line the path to the junction, but every few feet there is a large stone slab, each larger than a human, on either side of the path, just far enough away that they aren't seen until travellers pass by. After passing six of the slabs, the junction is reached, and a bush with the tail of a Persian is glaring at the trainers from just off the path. It doesn't exactly look pleased with the group, glaring at each of the trainers in turn before glaring at Terra in particular...

The path gives way to two more paths, one heading south and one heading north. The first, the south, leads back towards route 201, showing Twinleaf Town in the distance. To the north, however, the path leads in the direction of a greyish building that wasn't seen from Route 201. Between it and the group, partway down the path, is a red shape, sitting immobile in the middle of the path.

What does the group do?

Maxim:

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Maxim, Geodude6, SubwayJ

To Defy the End Chapter 2: Maxim, Geodude6, and SubwayJ Amid the Shadows Amid the Trees

Eternal Drifter

Maxim

Geodude6

Look at my shiny CT!

Gemini Taurus

Eternal Drifter

Geodude6

Look at my shiny CT!

Maxim

Gemini Taurus

Eternal Drifter

Geodude6

Look at my shiny CT!

Maxim

Gemini Taurus

Maxim

Eternal Drifter

Maxim

Geodude6

Look at my shiny CT!

Geodude6

Look at my shiny CT!

Gemini Taurus

Eternal Drifter

Maxim

Geodude6

Look at my shiny CT!

Maxim

Geodude6

Look at my shiny CT!

Gemini Taurus

Eternal Drifter