James Davy

Pokémon Hoenn: α and Ω

"Zoro, it's ninja time!" Shiranui sent out his Zorua. "Start with Fake Tears!" Zoro donned a Cubone illusion and put on a crying performance worthy of Poké Star Studios.

Pokémon Hoenn: α and Ω

Shiranui took his place and was ready for battle.

Pokémon Hoenn: α and Ω

Shiranui mused over strategies for the grand final battle. He knew Liam was no slouch at battling having faced him in higher-level competitions and would need to be at his A-game.

Pokémon Hoenn: α and Ω

It was now time for Shiranui's semi-final match and his opponent sent out a Mawile sporting pink bows. "Mawile, the Deceiver Pokémon. Don't be taken in by this Pokémon's cute face—it's very dangerous. Mawile fools the foe into letting down its guard, then chomps down with its massive jaws. The steel jaws are really horns that have been transformed."
"Zoro, it's ninja time!" Shiranui sent his Zorua out and the battle was on.
"Mawile, start with Growl!"
"Zoro, Taunt!" Zoro donned a Gengar illusion and pulled a rude face, making Mawile angry and preventing the deceiver from using Growl.
"Mawile, Fairy Wind!"
"Zoro, Fake Tears!" Zoro switched guises, donning a Cubone illusion and started to turn on the water works. Mawile tried to conjure a Fairy Wind, but Zoro's display flustered both Mawile and its coordinator, costing big points.
"Mawile, Play Rough!"
"Zoro, Incinerate!" Zoro switched guises, this time looking like a Delphox. The disguised Zorua made a series of cries that passed as an incantation, but to Zoro was really gibberish; all the while making arm movements and pointing a black ebony stick at a charging Mawile. A vortex of fire issued from the stick. Mawile tried to dodge the attack, but Zoro followed Mawile's movements and the deceiver was inundated by the flames. Mawile fell on its front knocked out and the judges' podiums all had crosses on them. "Never outfox a ninja!" said Shiranui as he returned Zoro. He made it to the grand final and figured he'd be facing Liam.

Pokémon Hoenn: α and Ω

The first battle of the Battle Rounds was on. "Delcatty, let's dazzle the audience!" Shiranui's opponent sent out a Delcatty and he scanned it with his Pokédex.
"Delcatty, the Prim Pokémon and the evolved form of Skitty. Delcatty prefers to live an unfettered existence in which it can do as it pleases at its own pace. Because this Pokémon eats and sleeps whenever it decides, its daily routines are completely random."
"Zoro, it's ninja time!" Shiranui sent out his Zorua and the battle was on.
"Delcatty, start with Double Slap!"
"Zoro, Attract!" The two Pokémon charged at each other. Zoro did a forward somersault in the air and donned the guise of a Luxray. The disguised Zorua let off a flirtatious cry and Delcatty fell in love and thus was unable to attack, costing points.
"Delcatty, Sing!"
"Zoro, Taunt!" The Zorua switched illusions, this time looking like a Sableye. Zoro turned around and smacked its rear, sending Delcatty into a rage and preventing it from using Sing. Delcatty's coordinator suffered another loss of points.
"Delcatty, Assist!"
"Zoro, Swagger!" Delcatty raised its paw and from the orb that glowed sprouted a Shadow Claw attack. Zoro switched to a Delcatty illusion of his own and strutted around looking more regal than the real Delcatty. This sent Delcatty almost into a berserker rage. One minute was left on the clock and Shiranui barely lost any while his opponent's points were reduced to half.
"Delcatty, Double Slap!"
"Zoro, Dark Pulse!" Delcatty was fuming as it tried to deal with a feeling of love for the Pokémon that kept upstaging it while Zoro took advantage of the opportunity and fired a Dark Pulse. Delcatty was blasted and knocked out. Crosses appeared on the judges' screens, declaring a knockout and Shiranui advanced to the semi-finals.

Pokémon Hoenn: α and Ω

It was now Shiranui's turn and he made his entrance in a cloud of smoke. "Kitsune, it's ninja time!" Shiranui sent out his Ninetales (Zoro in illusion) and the illusionist used Sunny Day to simulate the Drought ability. "Incinerate straight up!" The disguised Zorua launched a searing flame straight up and it formed into a ring. "Ninjutsu Art of Transformation and follow it up with Rain Dance!" The Ninetales jumped through the fiery ring and rain started to fall, extinguishing the ring. In the steam that issued forth, Zoro switched illusions and out of the steam came a Goodra that stood in the midst of the rain. "Use Hidden Power and follow it with Grass Knot!" A salvo of six balls of energy was conjured and fired into the air. Zoro conjured a grass rope and struck them like a whip complete with whip cracks. "Now for the finale! Ninjutsu Art of Transformation!" Zoro jumped into the air and spun around until the illusion changed to an Aegislash in Shield Forme. "Double Team and Swords Dance!" One Aegislash became two and they both showed off various sword fighting techniques. "Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball and follow it up with Aerial Ace!" After simulating the Stance Change ability, one Aegislash conjured a Shadow Ball and the other conjured a Dark Pulse, throwing them into the air. The swords flew at the other's attack and at the apex of their throw, the Aerial Aces hit their target, causing an explosion of smoke. Somersaulting down out of the smoke was Zoro, this time out of Illusion. The Zorua landed on all fours and let out a cry. "Let's hear it for Zoro the Illusionist!" The audience applauded and the judges soon put in their two Pokédollars.

"What an excellent display of moves befitting the illusions!"
"Remarkable!"
"Your Zorua can fool just about anyone with those displays!"

8
8
9

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Total: 25

Pokémon Hoenn: α and Ω

"Thanks," replied Shiranui.

Pokémon Hoenn: α and Ω

She watched in awe, looking to the disc in surprise. She would have to get one, they seem super useful to her. She watched patiently as he demonstrated while her pokemon figited and mumbled. Hearing his last words she smiled. She knew she had a great connection with her pokemon, he asked to come with her after all. Any pokemon that would be better than her deciding from a starter was a true friend to her. "Thank you sir! I'll get right to work on that!"

@manapool1

"Glad to hear it," replied Shiranui, "I'll be competing in the local Pokémon Contest if you're interested in watching. Sayonara." With that, Shiranui and Zoro left for the contest hall.

Shiranui managed to register in time and instead of donning the regular contest costume, he opted for traditional ninja garb. He made a silent entrance to the backstage area and saw Liam and Lance. "Hey guys," he greeted.

Pokémon Hoenn: α and Ω

"One way is to use a TM or HM," answered Shiranui, showing Khuda a disc that had the Brick Break move, "Another way is to train with a lot of patience. Sometimes a Pokémon can learn a move on their own, but a good trainer would help them practice their moves. To teach your Mankey Low Kick, have it aim low and trip the opponent. Zoro, show them what I mean." Zoro then donned the Mankey illusion again and motioned a sweeping kick at Shiranui, gently striking his leg. "Of course, the real Low Kick is done with a much harder kick. The bottom line is you and your Pokémon need to have a close bond."

Pokémon Hoenn: α and Ω

"Catching a Pokémon is quite simple," stated Shiranui, "What you need to do is find the wild Pokémon you want to capture, weaken it in battle and throw a Poké Ball at it. There is a chance the captured Pokémon would break free, but you can improve your odds of a successful capture by using a specialised Poké Ball or inflicting a status condition on your target.

"Your Mankey may have a type advantage at the Rustboro Gym since Rock-type Pokémon are weak against Fighting-type attacks, but you will need to train both it and any Pokémon you catch as well; as a gym leader's Pokémon can be tough to beat. I suggest you teach it Low Kick as it is powerful against heavy foes. Any questions?"