June Catch-All

[loopsiedaisy]

Who: Siffrin + Shoka, Technus, Akechi; Flowey, Lusamine; A.B.A
What: Heavy quests, light quests, maybe more things...
Where: Southern forest; coast/ocean, town and coast
When: Throughout June.
Warnings: Siffrin's usual warnings, violence/injuries/general Pokemon battling, possibly hallucinations

Comments

[loopsiedaisy]

[Siffrin's ear rotates around to hear what Flowey is about to say, curious despite themself, even though they're half convinced that Flowey is about to yell, "Psych!" But whatever it is will have to wait (or possibly never be revisited, depending on how this goes).]

[Siffrin's fur bristles out, and they dig their claws into the deck of the raft - which is for the best, because half a second later the Dondozo's waves hit, and if they weren't hanging on they'd have been flung right back out into the water they just got pulled out of. They don't like that Lusamine's in the way, but it's not long before she proves why she did it; Siffrin flinches as the spray blasts toward the raft, expecting all three of them to get swept off, but it splatters uselessly against Lusamine's Protect.]

[They can hear the muffled yelling now, too. So that's the brains of the operation, huh?]

[Siffrin bounces around Lusamine, starting off with a Charge, and then unleashing it with a Thunder Shock. And quipping loudly back at the duo of fish:] What, shocked that we were expecting you?

[You know. The three of them definitely weren't startled by the Dondozo bursting out of the water, absolutely not. At least they all seem to be reacting pretty fast!]

[Unfortunately, while Siffrin was aiming at the Tatsugiri, the Dondozo claps its mouth shut in time to protect it. It does take the Thunder Shock directly to the face, but even though it's super effective, the thing is bulky and then some - it's clearly hurt, but for now it only seems angrier.]

[friendlyflower]

[Ugggghhhh, they're just as bad as Smiley Trashbag with those puns. Just when he was starting to come around on them, Flowey has another reason to hate them!!!]

So the little shrimp is calling the shots? Then all we have to do is fry it!

[Easier said than done, of couse-- Dondozo is protecting its 'boss' with its life. With few other options at the moment, Flowey prepares for an area of effect attack against the behemoth.

Once he's powered up enough with Growth, he unleashes a Mega Drain (something about the battle going down the drain? He shoots down the thought before he lets it get any further). The green glow drains energy out of Dondozo, visibly drying it out. Between that and the Leech Seed, he can feel his HP crawling back up. He's back in the fight-- for now.

Tatsugiri's small voice cuts through Dondozo's groan of pain: Moron! You can't get cooked by these three small fries! Get under the waves and Rest it off, then finish them!

The giant red eye drifts closed. Flowey might not know the effect of the move 'Rest' exactly, but he does know it's annoying as heck when a boss tries to heal in a game; it must be something like that. His mind races. Then, an idea: everyone has trouble sleeping when there's an itch in their throat, right?

Acting on instinct, he shoots one of his signature 'friendliness pellets'. It just manages to fly into Dondozo's mouth before it fully closes. There's an audible gulp, and the Dondozo's eye comically snaps open as it looks inward.

What do you mean, 'not tired'?! the Tatsugiri yells. Idiot! Moron!

... Flowey has to admit, the Tatsugiri is starting to sound a lot like him. Whatever! His first-ever Worry Seed has worked! He hopes he can pull that off again sometime.]

Lusamine, now's your chance! I'm counting on you! [Did he really say that out loud? Maybe she won't notice.]

[ibalsamina]

[Though Lusamine abhors violence, both Dondozo and Tatsugiri are trying her patience, and she's decided that the battle has gone on long enough now. Flowey's calling to her (which she does notice, because of course she does) is all it takes for animal instinct to finally overwhelm her.

With another loud, threatening hiss, she rushes forward without thinking—until she's suddenly off the raft entirely, flinging herself onto the top of Dondozo's nose to bury her fangs and claws into its dark blue flesh.

The Bite clearly takes Dondozo and Tatsugiri both off guard; the former flinches, shrinking back with a bellow of pain (and with Lusamine still latched onto its snout). The bellowing leaves its mouth open and Tatsugiri—for a moment—entirely exposed and vulnerable.]

[loopsiedaisy]

[Is Siffrin also thinking something about the Tatsugiri kind of sounding like Flowey? Noooo, definitely not... but if they were, they instantly lose that train of thought once Lusamine just goes, with exceptional ferocity. (Something something it's always the polite and formal ones...?)]

[Their surprise nearly - but not quite - makes them miss their chance, but fortunately they still react fast enough to Quick Attack directly into the Dondozo's mouth, bouncing off the Tatsugiri. (It yells angrily, apparently so furious it doesn't even have words.) From there they Charge again and Spark, in quick succession.]

[Nobody liked that! The Dondozo bellows again, letting out an involuntary Noble Roar. The Tatsugiri screeches, Water Pulse them out, you idiot!]

[Which the Dondozo does. Siffrin is absolutely launched, sailing across the air and getting dunked into the drink. They resurface spluttering, then spark up once more, trying to set up an Electroweb in the water around the Dondozo.]

[Hopefully all that fuss has bought Flowey some time to keep using Growth!]

[friendlyflower]

Siffrin--!

[Now as big and strong as he'll ever be from Growth, Flowey scowls and manages to land a massive Mega Drain before the Dondozo disappears beneath the waves. He almost breathes a sigh of relief--

And then it surfaces from its Dive with enough force to shatter the raft like a twig. The waves send the rest of them crashing back towards shore. He clings to Lusamine the best he can to avoid drowning.

When the tempest passes, they're in shallow water, the shoreline in sight. The skies are clear. Dondozo is nowhere to be seen.]

Siffrin? Lusamine? You okay?

[ibalsamina]

[After Siffrin's Spark hits its mark, Dondozo roars and thrashes, finally throwing Lusamine from its snout. Try as she might to control her fall, she still hits the raft heavily with a yelp, but at least she narrowly avoids tumbling into the water, and the adrenaline still coursing through her veins puppets her right back upright. Hackles still raised and fangs still bared and shining, she seems ready to literally leap back into the fray—

But then Siffrin goes flying a moment later, lost briefly under the waves, Flowey makes his own move, and before Lusamine can do anything further to aid either of them, Dondozo resurfaces from its Dive, effortlessly sweeping them all away. Lusamine has to fight just to stay conscious as the water sends her hurtling toward who-knows-where, but she does vaguely register Flowey clinging to her and automatically clings to him as best she can in turn.

He's still with her when she resurfaces, paddling madly to keep both their heads above water. When she glances briefly around, she catches a glimpse of the shoreline—and no sign of Dondozo.

An indignant, frustrated snarl escapes her before she can think to govern herself.]

That insolent, wretched—!

[Flowey's question redirects her attention.]

Ah—yes. Yes, I'm here... I'm all right. [Even though her entire body aches... And she hasn't seen Siffrin yet either. She calls out,] Mx. Siffrin?

[loopsiedaisy]

[Siffrin is... nowhere to be seen? At least for a little bit...]

[This is because they have encountered a Misfortune. When the Dondozo dove (straight through their partially-formed Electroweb, tearing it apart in the process), they were close by in the water and got sucked down again. Which: they could deal with! Probably! But they also ended up right in front of the Dondozo's face, and the giant fish, already low on health and furious, reflexively Flailed. It sent them spinning with its massive tail, a close and heavy enough hit that if they weren't underwater, it probably would have just pulverized them.]

[Fortunately for Siffrin's prospects of, you know, not drowning, by the time the massive waves generated by the Dive calm, they've ended up near one splintered board from the remnants of the group's raft. The Shinx blearily stares at it, debating if it's worth the effort, or if they should just give up on paddling weakly and let themself sink.]

[...hang on, though, where are the other two?]

[Siffrin drags themself onto the board, with what feels like maybe two and a half working paws. ...ow. Ow ow ow. Make that two and a half working paws and they're pretty sure they broke some ribs. Despite their intentions, getting draped over the flotsam is about all they can manage! They curl in on themself, hissing through their teeth.]

[It's a few minutes before their ears twitch and they hear Flowey and Lusamine's voices. Immediately they feel relieved, and also, it's. It matters more to them than they'd like to admit, hearing someone calling for them...]

[It takes them another few seconds, and some coughing, to raise their voice enough to be heard.] I'm - I'm over here!

[Can they propel this board with only two paws? ...nnnoooo they are absolutely just spinning it in circles. Welp.]

[friendlyflower]

[If that idiot Siffrin died, he's going to kill them. Then-- wow, he never thought he'd be relieved to hear that annoying little voice.] They're over that way!

[Once they've paddled close enough, Flowey greets Siffrin with a smirk.] Golly! You look like crap! Don't go toward the light, buddy, you'd probably get lost! [Is this a show of affection? Unclear. He hops on the wooden board and paddles the little bit he can using his roots.]

[ibalsamina]

[Once she catches sight of Siffrin, Lusamine cries out,] Mx. Siffrin!

[They look... downright pitiful. By the time she's paddled over to them, Lusamine is out of breath, but she still manages to fuss over them.]

Oh, you poor thing! Be still now... [She makes her way to Siffrin's makeshift raft and grabs hold of it with her front claws, apparently with the intention of stopping their spinning and steering it herself... Alas, though her own legs aren't injured like Siffrin's clearly are, they are exhausted and through with cooperating with her for the time being. The adrenaline is gone, and for now, she only has enough strength left to cling to the board, resting for a moment with her upper body on it and the rest of her floating limp in the water. Thus, they all—humiliatingly—spin together a couple of times before her added weight manages to stop them.] Flowey, don't be rude... [There is a pause before she continues with some weak humor,] But please do keep away from any bright lights you might see, Mx. Siffrin... And stay with us instead.

[She attempts a reassuring grin. It ends up looking more tired than anything. A heavy sigh, then.]

It seems those brutes have made their escape... And you're badly hurt. [To say nothing of Flowey's injuries and her own weariness.] We have no choice—but to return to shore...

[loopsiedaisy]

[Siffrin ducks their head down, hiding their nose behind their paws. It's kind of embarrassing to be fussed over, but also it's making their chest ache, a little bit. Or maybe that's just the ribs, haha!]

[They consider their response for a moment, then cave and lift their head to just stick their tongue out at Flowey. (Is this also slightly more affectionate, or at least playful, in an uneasy sort of way? Who knows! Maybe!)] Got it, got it! I'll make sure to stay on this tide of the tunnel.

[Even though Lusamine told them to stay still, Siffrin shuffles just a tad backwards, so that there's enough room for her to (very precariously) also drape fully onto the board. Then the Shinx deflates, resting very gingerly on their stomach. They feel kind of guilty, but even they can admit they're not going to be much use paddling right now...]

They were in a rush to get away from us, [Siffrin suggests hesitantly, about the two fish Pokemon.] Maybe we got them enough they won't be back?

[Or maybe they'll run into another rescue team while already weakened. It's out of their hands now, either way!]

[Speaking of being weakened - fortunately for the trio, this much closer to shore, one of the senior teams on standby is able to spot them. There's a Dewott and a Lombre slowly starting to tow a rescue raft.]