14th Grail: [Video]

[dressofheaven]

I don't tend to make a big deal out of this sort of thing, ordinarily. But under the circumstances it seems appropriate.

[Ilya holds up Claire's Rising Badge to the camera, then shows off the other seven badges pinned to her collar. She adds the last one and makes no effort to restrain her victorious smirk.]

That's the eight badges of Johto collected. I hope the elite battles over in Kanto give a bit more of a challenge. I don't suppose anyone can give me an idea of what to expect from them. I'd like to hear any stories you might have.

Oh, but I'm feeling nostalgic. Even if you haven't fought the elite matches yet, even if you only have one or two badges, why don't you tell me about them? It seems like as good a way as any to celebrate, at least until I get my little gathering underway.

Also, Claire, if you're listening. Gyarados still isn't a dragon type.

Comments

[video]

[dressofheaven]

Ice Fang, actually. And Dragon Rush. Typhon's very fond of Dragon Rush, it usually keeps her enemies from being able to hit her back at all.

[video]

[captainash]

That sounds like an attack worth learning. Must have been frustrating for poor Clair, knowing exactly what that move would do yet being unable to stop it.

[video]

[dressofheaven]

She should have gathered some faster Pokemon, then. Though I'll admit, that might be unfair, after all it is very difficult to outrun a Garchomp.

[video]

[captainash]

Ouch, a Garchomp? I almost feel sorry for her. Maybe she should try training one of her own, unless she's keeping it for her Elite team.

[video]

[dressofheaven]

If that team doesn't have a Garchomp, it doesn't deserve to be called an "elite" team.

[video]

[captainash]

Even if it has five fully-trained Gyarados instead?

[video]

[dressofheaven]

That's just asking for someone to come by with a powerful electric type and ruin her day.

... Come to think of it, I don't have any electric types.

[video]

[captainash]

None at all? What about Electric-type attacks? A little Thunder Fang or two would easily ruin a Gyrados' day.

[dressofheaven]

Oh, a few of mine have Electric attacks. Harpy's Thunder Fang is very powerful.

[captainash]

Powerful enough for the Water-type Elite team in... Cerulean, I think? I'm not sure what the Elite teams involve beyond full rosters at max level, actually. Maybe they can punish type weakness abuse?

[dressofheaven]

That's a good question, but Harpy's very fast and strong... she's frail though. If Misty's Pokemon can withstand a couple of my stronger Pokemon's attacks, they'll probably have a good chance of bringing her down.

But that's only one.

[captainash]

That's the great thing about teamwork: if the first one fails, you've got five more coming right up. But it's always nicer when everyone you send out downs at least one opponent, isn't it?

[dressofheaven]

It certainly puts you at a disadvantage if they can't. Of course, the leaders have already all put themselves at a disadvantage by sticking solely to one type.

[captainash]

Yeah. You'd think they'd try basing their teams are specific strategies instead, if they truly wanted to win while still testing us. But I guess there are rules concerning Gym teams that we trainers are not privy to.

[dressofheaven]

I imagine. It's ridiculous, but what can you do? At least it's in our favor.

[captainash]

Good thing we're not held to that sort of standards. I have a favorite type of my own, but I don't think I'd want to use only Normal-types the way Whitney does.

[dressofheaven]

[She scoffs.] I'd like to see someone try to force me into a single type.

[captainash]

Why, because your Garchomp needs the target practice?

[dressofheaven]

And my Rhyperior, my Aerodactyl, my Metagross... most of my team would rebel against the notion of being left out like that, really.

[captainash]

Good. They should rebel at potential unfair rules like that. It would be sad if our Pokémon didn't care enough to fight to stay by our side.

[dressofheaven]

I'd feel sorry for anyone with Pokemon like that, but frankly if the Pokemon care that little, the trainer's done something wrong.

[captainash]

Or the Pokémon itself is an emotionless psychopath, and there's nothing the trainer can do about that.

[A beat.]

...Even then, any well-raised Pokémon would probably fight back, if only because their trainer is useful and convenient.

[dressofheaven]

You know, despite two of my Pokemon being literally made of steel, I've never had any like that.

[Though privately she thinks she could handle even one like that.]

[captainash]

Thank your lucky stars, then. Steel-types can be dangerous if you're not careful; psychopatic Pokémon are dangerous even if you're careful. I'd rather not imagine a combination of the two.

[Except now he is imagining it. Damn it.]

[dressofheaven]

You sound like you're speaking from experience, there.

[And she can't help but be a little curious.]