A Torchic

(Author's Note: In battle scenes, I will list the attack roll numbers at the end, so as not to clutter the action too much. I will note in 'real-time' when critical successes/failures happen, however, as well as when wounds are inflicted. The battle system is fairly simple for those unfamiliar - each attack pokémon roll the die that corresponds to the move they are using, and the trainer rolls one of their stat die also - usually tactics. The highest number of the 2 is used for the roll, and if it exceeds the opposing pokémon's toughness value, a wound is inflicted - three wounds and a pokémon faints, unless they have upgraded their number of 'wound boxes' (HP). Type advantages add +2 to dice rolls, type disadvantages do the opposite. If a die lands on its max number at any point, it 'explodes', and grants a second roll that is then added to the overall score. Critical successes- rolls that score 6+ above the opposing pokémon's toughness score - and critical failures - rolling snake eyes - can have a range of differing effects - in order to cause more than one wound at a time with a crit, however, a 'mastery' must be spent - masteries are tokens the pokémon have which are refreshed every session).

(Yes/No (Even) - Is Marill at a type advantage against Georgia's chosen pokémon? - Yes.)

With the pokéball containing her chosen Marill in-hand, Summer hesitantly entered the battling ring they had been assigned. Georgia confidently stepped between the ropes herself, and fixed Summer with a cocky smirk before the two girls simultaneously sent out their pokémon. Georgia scowled as she saw the situation she was in - the brunette had selected the fire pokémon Torchic, which would be at a considerable disadvantage against Summer's water-type Marill. Not prepared to give up without a fight, however, Georgia seemed to focus her attention to the battlefield as the two got ready to fight alongside their chosen partners.

(Georgia's stats - Heart [1d4], Fitness [1d6], Research [1d6], Tactics [1d8], Toughness [3]. Torchic's ability - Blaze. Torchic's moves - Flame Charge [1d8], Slash [1d4], Peck [1d4-1], Ember [1d8]. Torchic's Toughness - 4. Torchic's Mastery - 1.)

(Initiative - Contested Tactics Roll - Summer rolls 3, Georgia rolls 5 - Georgia moves first.)

Georgia wasted no time calling for a Slash from Torchic, and the fire pokémon surged forward with surprising alacrity, looking to use its sharp talons to inflict damage on Marill. Summer was quick to respond, however, and was able to command the aquatic mouse effectively to avoid the move.

"Marill, Rain Dance!" Summer cried, looking to create an even more unfavourable situation for Georgia's Torchic. Marill begun the dance, but Summer's heart sank as no rain fell - she supposed she had underestimated the power needed to summon a localised rainstorm in an indoor battle arena, or perhaps just overestimated her Marill's capabilities. Water pokémon were not a type she had had much experience in commanding; she should have picked something more familiar to her, but had hedged her bets on water's overall strength when it came to both offensive and defensive matchups, as well as Marill's additional fairy type potentially proving useful. Georgia, seizing the opportunity that Marill's failed Rain Dance had given her, quickly called out to her Torchic, and the chick pokémon was able to land a free hit on Marill with a Peck. (Critical fail on Rain Dance roll, Marill takes one wound. Unbelievable that Summer's first proper roll is snake eyes).

"Can't even command your pokémon properly?" Georgia taunted. "You're even worse than I thought." Summer scowled; the other girl's confidence had grown considerably despite still being at a type disadvantage. "Torchic, go for another Slash!" The fire-type got in close once again; Summer tried to have Marill dodge again, but Georgia and Torchic were wise to her strategy this time around, and predicted the move, able to catch the blue pokémon in the side. Marill rolled out of harm's way, but the damage it had taken was obvious at this point - Torchic's claws were no joke. (Marill takes one wound - one remaining for KO.)

Summer gritted her teeth, knowing this was running away from her. The Rain Dance strategy hadn't worked - she needed to finish this quick. As Torchic came in for another Slash, she saw her chance. "Marill, Bubble Beam!" she called, and the water pokémon obeyed, intercepting Torchic's path with a stream of bubbles that knocked it backwards, dealing damage and, crucially, creating some distance between the two combatants. (Torchic takes one wound).

"Good job, buddy," Summer told her partner, feeling guilty for letting Marill get hurt unnecessarily earlier for the Rain Dance call. She had always felt empathetic to pokémon's suffering - it was a big part of why she had little time for competitive battling, despite her parents' ambitions.

"You got lucky," snapped Georgia, and ordered her Torchic to run at the ring ropes, hoping to bounce off them and use the momentum to get back in close for another Slash or Peck. Summer saw the strategy coming, however, and was once again able to command a dodge, before calling for another Bubble Beam from Marill, the super-effective move connecting squarely with Torchic and knocking it momentarily off its feet. (Torchic takes one wound - one remaining for KO).

As the chick pokémon got to its feet, however, Summer's chest tightened; Torchic's body was glowing with a faint red light. She'd seen enough fire-types in battle to recognise what this meant - Torchic's Blaze ability had activated, providing a boost to fire-type attacks. As an aspiring Pokémon Ranger, Summer found the evolutionary defense mechanism to threatening situations fascinating, but as someone who risked sexual humiliation at Georgia's hands if she didn't win this battle, it was far from ideal. She went to call for the finishing blow, but Georgia was quicker, and Torchic's body was suddenly surrounded by fire. The Flame Charge move allowed her adversary's pokémon to close the distance between it and Marill at a speed Summer could barely process, and her heart sank as Torchic's body rammed into the aquatic mouse's belly, sending it crumpling backwards in a heap - the battle was over, and she'd lost.

"Hell yes!" cheered Georgia, clearly not a gracious winner. "Your ass is mine, loser!"

"You tried your best, Marill," Summer sighed, trying her best to shut out Georgia's words as she raised her pokéball to retrieve her fallen partner. But before she could press the button in the center of the ball, the unthinkable happened - Marill clambered to its feet, determination in its eyes.

"Wh-what?!" Georgia spluttered. "How the fuck-?!"

Summer was at a loss for how this was happening, too, but suddenly realised the answer - like Torchic had Blaze, Marill had its own special ability - its Thick Fat had added an extra layer of defense against fire-type moves, which it already resisted with its water typing. This had miraculously allowed it to remain conscious from the blow, even in its already-wounded state.

While Georgia continued to stare in disbelief, Summer seized her chance. "Marill, one last Bubble Beam!" she commanded, and the jet of bubbles connected with Torchic before its trainer could react, the fire-type falling to the ground, truly knocked out. (Torchic takes one wound - KO - Summer wins!)

"Yes!" cheered Summer, adrenaline surging through her body - even for someone as averse to battling as she was, the thrill of clutching victory from the jaws of defeat was not lost on her, especially with such high stakes riding on the match. And she was so proud of Marill, a pokémon that didn't even belong to her but had nevertheless given its all in her service. "You were amazing, buddy!" she cried, running over to the water pokémon and gripping it in a tight hug before spinning around on the spot, emotions completely taking over.

It was a few moments before she remembered Georgia's presence - the brunette had retrieved her fainted Torchic to its pokéball, and was silently scowling at her. Summer supposed she should offer some conciliatory words, but, given the kinds of things Georgia had been saying to her, and her general attitude during the time she'd known her, she wasn't sure there was much point. Plus, the cloud was obviously hanging over both of them as to what happened next. Summer gulped. The battle may have been won, but the lesson was far from over.

(Battle roll results:

Torchic uses Slash [1d4 & 1d8], rolls 3 & 2 - failure.

Marill uses Rain Dance [2d4], rolls 1 & 1 - critical failure. Marill takes 1 wound.

Torchic uses Slash [1d4 & 1d8], rolls 1 & 6 - success. Marill takes 1 wound.

Marill uses Bubble Beam [1d6+2 & 1d4+2], rolls 3+2 & 3+2 - success. Torchic takes 1 wound.

Torchic uses Slash [1d4 & 1d8], rolls 3 & 3 - failure.

Marill uses Bubble Beam [1d6+2 & 1d4+2], rolls 5+2 & 3+2 - success. Torchic takes 1 wound.

[Torchic's Blaze activates, +1 to fire attack rolls]

Torchic uses Flame Charge [2d8-2] (-2 for resistance, -1 for Marill's Thick Fat, +1 for Blaze), rolls 2-2 & 3-2 - failure.

Marill uses Bubble Beam [1d6+2 & 1d4+2], rolls 5+2 & 4+2 - success. Torchic takes 1 wound.

Torchic is knocked out - Summer wins!)