'Ah...' Rowan stared forward in a bit of disbelief, before he forced himself to raise his hand and return his Pokémon to her Pokéball. A quick glance between Mara and Dwebble confirmed it. That strategy... wasn't working. And that trainer was still bad news. They wouldn't win. Even if they threw the Pokéball into the river... that wouldn't actually make them win.
'M-Mara. You won't win.' He stuttered. 'Return Kira to his Pokéball, and let's run.' He continued, directed at both Mara and Yasha. There was no other action possible for them. The bug would easily beat Kira, and then they'd be done for anyway. All that was left was to run as quickly as possible before the other trainer did what he had promised to do.
Should Mara and Yasha comply with Rowan's latest strategy, he'd already be along with them dashing for the horizon. If not... it'd depend, and it'd be developed in the next post, but Rowan wouldn't hesitate to start running if something happened. ________
... At least in the anime, we know for a fact that Pokémon speak with words that humans simply don't understand. Don't know if it's the same in games, or here, so tell me if that simply doesn't work and all the Dwebble would hear would be nonsensical meowing as well. XD
Oh, and yeah. Tell me if Purrloin's hit and fainted, then I can remove all that's, like, impossible for her to say in a fainted state. Hahaha...
'DODGE!' That was all he had time to scream out as Rowan span back to see Dwebble approaching at a frightening speed. Seeing the glowing green from the claws of the bug, Purrloin noted the danger herself. The previous order was overwritten. Now the only order of business was “SURVIVE”.
'... Loin!' Purrloin timed it as to jump a bit sideways from straight over the incoming Dwebble. She had a lightly worried expression, but she figured that the bug PROBABLY couldn't jump as a cat could, and even if it did it might have been too focused on attacking to intercept the target in the air.
ASSUMING Purrloin didn't fail to dodge and bit the dust (in which case the rest of this post is void) Edit: Which it apparently is. I'll do the next reaction in my next post. Purrloin would land and jump a bit away, turning her body to be able to watch her opponent's movements. If she instead took the hit but DIDN'T FAINT, she'd instead stagger back in pain, her ears folding as she felt the pain for a second, before looking the Dwebble with a hurt expression. Regardless (assuming she didn't faint), she'd take on the eyes of someone feeling extreme sadness for the opposing Pokémon, her nature of a Purrloin changing her persona to that of a kind caring girl-Pokémon that wanted to avoid fighting at all costs, her posture suddenly very non-violent and gentle. … Might actually be more effective if she took the attack... but Purrloin's too self-centred to actually take a hit for such a tactic willingly.
'… Purr-purrloin...?' “... Are you sure you aren't making a mistake...?” Purrloin asked, her voice pained and sweet.
'… Loin, purrrloin purr...' “... That girl, she could give you all the love a Pokémon could ever want...” Purrloin said, a distant wisdom present in her voice.
'… Purr, purr, purrrrrloin. Purrloin?' “... But now, instead, you're being used as a tool for a heartless trainer in order to steal her precious Pokémon. Does that feel fair to you?” Purrloin directed the question straight at Dwebble, her eyes narrowing with the potential for despise, putting the moral crossroads directly on the Pokémon.
<Purrloin used Growl! … Kinda!>
Purrloin was somewhat of a fan of Mara's strategy, but she felt that she had a unique position to forward her own attempt, with her own words. That's what a Purrloin's famous ability to assume a persona was good for, wasn't it~? … Of course, none of the humans understood her meowing.
Meanwhile, Rowan was staring wide-eyed at Purrloin, no idea what kind of command to give. Growl actually sounded like her best bet, but she seemed to use that on her own. What was he even there for? Anyways. In battle-tactics, Purrloin had to get close to use her moves, but the bug... appeared to be faster, and it was super-effective and unhurt where she was neither. It actually looked like Mara's strategy was their best bet...!? Rowan looked between Mara, Dwebble and the opposing trainer with worried eyes, waiting for the results...
'Kh...' Rowan made an annoyed and troubled sound at that he and Purrloin hadn't gotten there in time to save Lulu. However, he could make it up to him.
Mara acted first. Rowan blinked a little at her strategy. That... that wasn't something Rowan would have thought of, and neither was it something he'd expect would work. However, IF it was something that could work, it was in his best interest not to attack the Dwebble right now. He was pretty sure the Pokémon and Trainer had a particular connection, but...
'Purrloin! Don't take initiative! Watch the opponent's moves, and do your best to dodge any attack aimed at you, and counter-attack as it pulls back! If the opponent attacks Kira, intercept with a scratch!'
'Rrloin!' Purrloin acknowledged, kind of amused by Mara's tactic, and jumped to place herself so she was in a better position to possibly intercept an attack while not actually being in the actual route towards Kira, herself graceful and ready to analyse an enemy attack to dodge or intercept. Alright, Rowan thought. Now, if Dwebble was actually swayed, Purrloin didn't need to do anything. Rowan turned to Yasha with a smile.
'Don't worry, we got this! All thanks to you and Lulu! Without its shell, Dwebble is just a bu-' BUG. Rowan's expression suddenly paled, his eyes widening in worry upon realizing. Both Purrloin and Kira were weak to BUG. This BUG was super-effective against every single one of the three trainers' Pokémon. This... this BUG...!
This was the second time in a row that Purrloin had to face a BUG. If this journey was to continue, Rowan would have to find a counter other than Purrloin to face BUGs. What Purrloin was weak to, was BUG and Fighting... To counter those...
I need a bird.
With that, Rowan spun around on the spot and focused his eyes intently on point 1A where there could still possibly be a Taillow around him right now. They had gutsy spirits and were brave Pokémon, right? One could possibly have come close by being attracted by the intense battle with intention of watching and maybe dreaming of being part of it, right!?
… Dwebble, huh. It's a rock-type. A beginner's worst nightmare. So commonplace, yet so hard to defeat with basic moves. To think they'd face such an adversary already...
'Rock-type... Normal moves are ineffective. Would be really good if either Purrloin or Kira knew a Dark or a Psychic move right now.' He commented, looking at his Pokédex. He knew Purrloin didn't, and he suspected that neither did Kira.
'RRRLOIN!' His attention was brought back to the fight as he heard Purrloin's attack-shout. He blinked in stunned surprise as he saw Purrloin jumping and slicing the opponent trainer's shoes and pants with her claws, landing with a smug grin.
'That's what “Assist” does!?' Rowan whispered in an agitated voice, staring wide-eyed in surprise at Purrloin's action. Th-that wasn't his intention...! I-if that's so, then he'll REALLY needed to save it for just desperate occasions...! Okay, ”Assist” meant attacking the enemy trainer. Got to remember that.
The birth of a new, unintended secret attack phrase between Rowan and Purrloin.
'... ROIN! … And of course, Purrloin got a boot in the face for her troubles. Rowan twitched from the imagined pain, seeing his Pokémon actually get kicked back. He also got kind of pale with the trainer's threat. H-he can't do that. Okay, if they lose, he'd just grab Purrloin and run. … How's Purrloin?
Purrloin actually handled herself rather well, quickly getting back on her feet in front of Rowan with an even more annoyed look in her eyes, glaring at the trainer.
'... Alright. Purrloin, you're okay, right?' Rowan asked, and got an angry glare in return. Purrloin proceeded to look forward again as Rowan fumbled with his words.
'O-okay, got it! Look, Lulu's in danger! She's got the worst type match-up possible! When the Dwebble uses Rock Blast again, I want you to intercept and scratch the rocks out of the way so they don't hit Lulu!' … In reply to his words, Purrloin directed back at him an extremely tired and annoyed-looking stare.
'... Purr... loin?' ”You want me... to scratch large high-velocity projectile rocks...?”
'Okay, okay! Stupid idea!' Rowan waved his hands in front of him as if to fend off the look. Even if he didn't exactly understand what she said, Rowan did understand her tone and expression.
'Then don't let it use Rock Blast at all! Run close and use your speed to keep close to it at all times, and when it dares show its face, scratch it! That part GOT to be more vulnerable!' Purrloin nodded in satisfaction and turned to dash, but Rowan had something to add.
'But... if the Dwebble does manage to shoot Rock Blast at Lulu... try to take it. You can take a Rock-type blow far better than she can. Please. Rowan felt uncomfortable with his own sentence. He was asking his Pokémon to hurt herself in place for an ally. Purrloin threw an analysing look back at him...
'Purr, purr-purrloin!' ”Okay, but I'm expecting ample reward afterwards!” Purrloin declared, before she dashed off towards the Dwebble, intending on executing Rowan's strategy of keeping close and waiting for the opportunity to scratch Dwebble's face while looking out for Rock Blasts.
'Alright! Let's do this!' Rowan declared, reasonably excited, clutching his fists and looking after Purrloin. He hadn't caught that Purrloin wanted a reward after, but she sounded positive and had ran off!
… Of course, their little talk had taken so long, they were with all likelihood too late to influence any current strategies in play. They'd just have to adapt to the scene as they arrived to it.
Oh, Mara was taking clues from Purrloin and directed attacks at the trainer. Rowan did not know her thoughts, so that's what it felt like. Okay. If they ask, he'll just have to explain. Hahaha...
Um. Hm. Well. What I do next depend a whole lot on how successful Yasha's strategy was. Haha.
Hm. Logic dictates it should be my turn now. Er. Yeah. Alright. I think I can do things. Hm.
Edit: Though, not right now. Got to leave, right now. Just noting because I'm seeing multiple people that might be waiting for me right now. Just in case. Haha.
@Pikmin Eye ... Just going to point out, that's AAAALLLL Purrloin, Rowan's too innocent to realize what Purrloin's doing DESPITE that she's clearly not dashing for the opposing Pokémon...
Of course, to his thinking, it might be a flanking maneuver, but still. XD
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