lightningfang | Victory Road IC Inbox

[ She never likes the first hit. But it does mean that Pup's close enough for a counter-attack, and one that's been boosted slightly at that! At Jinx's command, Blanca unleashes Magical Leaf, point blank. ... And tries not to think about where the leaves came from. ]

[Their lack of training is painfully blatant as soon as the attack lands. The leaves do far more damage than Razor would have ever imagined, knocking the Rockruff over and absolutely battering her.

Razor cries out Pup's name, and starts to run for her, but stops short when she raises her head and barks at him rather fiercely. They're both still for a moment, sharing defiant looks.

Ultimately, though, it seems Pup decides she wins out, because she gathers herself to her paws and throws another Tackle at Petilil. It isn't quite as focused as it would be as directed by a trainer, but she's trying, and that's the entire point.]

[ Admittedly, at the severity of it Jinx flinches- she had hoped that Pup would have gotten through to him while they were apart, and- oh God, Blanca's probably stronger and has that type advantage. It's a good thing they're not having a real battle...

Blanca looks concerned for a moment. A conflict between trainer and pokémon? Had he no faith in her? But when Pup stands again and launches for another attack, she gains the little plant doll's respect. To keep trying when outmatched is to be admired. To stand against the storm, even moreso. ... Even if... the storm. Is leaves. From a tiny plant doll.

Jinx bites her lip- before she gives another call- Absorb. ]

[Though it isn't nearly as strong as the previous attack, the energy sapped from Pup is by no means negligible. She makes a sound part way between a whimper and a growl, clearly still set on proving herself.

Riolu is off away from the immediate area of battle, side-eyeing Razor as the boy seems to go through an exhausting array of emotions. Clearly Pup can't hope to win, going on like this, but... Razor is starting to realize how little he actually knows of her moveset.

Doesn't she have a move like the one that rabbit used...?]

Mud -- slap?

[Pup loses some of her ferocity, tilting her head like the confused puppy she is. She doesn't know that move. Wait, what was it?]

Um... Mud... Attack? Ground... [This is physically painful to both say and watch.] Augh. Dirt? Sand?

[Close enough! He said both words, albeit very far apart, so Pup uses Sand-Attack! At the very least, she can try to outlast Petilil by not getting hit so much.]

[ Jinx legitimately hates that she's part of this. It- it's necessary, and at least with her she can be assured that nothing will go too far. Even if she hadn't started turning her life around she wouldn't have been comfortable with this.

If she keeps going, Pup runs the risk of getting hurt. If she doesn't, Pup can't prove herself. Either way, Razor may get more protective- and what if he resents her for going along with this anyways? It's like being stuck between a rock and a hard place, and also someone's carelessly throwing things off a cliff above you.

What to do- wait. ]

Blanca, Stun Spore.

[ If it lands, it adds just one more aspect to this battle of wills- and hopefully in Pup's favor. ]

[With the likelihood of a hit so low, Pup is able to dodge the stun, but it seems to not matter much, in the end. As worried as Razor is for Pup, it isn't just about her anymore. Jinx looks like she's on the verge of... something emotional, and he can't stand seeing her like that.

Despite Pup looking eager to land another attack, she stops dead when Razor gives a half spoken, half barked command.]

Enough.

[While she's obeying, he brings over his bag and offers her some of the berries they've picked. Though she doesn't seem the happiest about it, she decides to eat. Meanwhile, Razor looks to Jinx and Blanca with upturned eyes.]

I am... sorry.

[ Jinx hugs Blanca the moment that Razor calls everything off. ... This is only going to get worse. ]

Razor... you have to support her in her fights, but you can't fight them for her. She wants to grow strong, but she can't do it without you.

I know it's hard at first, believe me. But they're all more capable than we thought they were.

[ Despite her distress earlier, her voice is steady and clear. This can't happen again. ]

I can help you with this, but you have to help her how she wants to be helped.

[After the small snack, Pup is looking better, and Riolu is back at her side, so at least there's that. Razor, on the other hand, seems more unsure than ever, though he finds himself looking up at Jinx for guidance.]

Want to help. Want her to be strong. [With a deep breath like a sigh, he looks down again, and pats both of his pups' heads.] I... am the weak one. Must train harder.

[ Blanca floats over to Pup's side once Jinx releases her. She's truly sorry, she hadn't realized the circumstances- but the rockruff did great with all odds against her.

Quietly, Jinx crouches beside him, idly petting the closest of the pups. ]

We can have them train together. You can learn about their capabilities alongside them, support them. The Gear- it can tell you. There's a way to get it to read what it says out loud, so you'll know.

I- I'm sorry this happened. I didn't realize... ... I never wanted to hurt Pup. But I also know she wants to do this.

But Razor? It takes a lot of strength to be able to say you did wrong, and want to change. So don't forget that, okay?

[Pup licks Blanca's face as happily as before, no hard feelings! In fact, her tail is wagging in excitement from how strong Blanca really is! She may be little, but she's tough!

Razor is still unsure, but tries to take Jinx at her word. The Riolu blinks up at Jinx happily through the pets, and pats Razor's arm in turn.]

Okay. Sorry... Made you worry.

[ She doesn't mention that she had assumed that he'd gotten through his block about battles while they were separated- that maybe he had seen her starting to train her pokémon more and had adjusted. He doesn't need to feel worse. If anything, she's mad at herself for not paying more attention. This could have been avoided.

At least Blanca and Pup are still getting along. Pup will grow! And then they'll be able to do even more, together! ]

You did! But we know better now. ... I know Pup's been wanting to actually battle for a while now- that's why I kept going, because I wanted to take her seriously. But neither of you are allowed to put me in that situation again- play's not supposed to hurt like that. Got it?

[ Later, she's going to activate text to speech for him, at the very least. ]

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