~battle number/// second gym!

[~/Birdybot\~]

Ah, trickery. Sulteron couldn't help bit grin as she heard of what the gym leader and his Pokemon had done. Good! Things were looking up! Crombee had his antidote, nothing was missing, and would finally get her gym battle. The Espeon 'morph didn't really want to train more, since she'd already done that to the extent that she was pretty confident in her abilities to take down her opponent. She would just heal her Pokemon then spend the night in the town and come back tomorrow. That gave them plenty of time. Nodding, she promised "I'll see you tomorrow!" to the Pokemon and sleeping Crombee.

With that, Sulteron turned and walked for the Pokemon Center. She would probably stock up on a few useful items after healing her Pokemon, then stay at the Pokemon Center- she was pretty certain that they allowed people to stay there. Sliding the glass doors of the Center aside and stepping in, it was strange to see everything so normal, oblivious of what had just happened to their gym leader. She walked casually up to the counter, placing her six Pokeballs on it and looking up at the Nurse Joy. "Can you heal these, please?" she asked politely.

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[{ ~ Ironhide ; ; }]

(( Would you like to fast forward to the next day after this post? =3 ))

The Combee proceeded to search for the Vespiquen, hoping that she was unharmed. Unfortunately, he found her sprawled out on the ground, fainted.
<Vespiquen!>

[/color] the Combee exclaimed, flying to her side. He began gently nudging her, and that somehow managed to rouse her.
<I failed Crombee...> she said as soon as she came to.
<No! You did your best, and that's what counts. That man that knew Crombee was much stronger than any of us. He was arrogant, too,>[/color] the Combee said forcefully and encouragingly.
<I suppose you're right... which means that I need to work on getting stronger... where's Crombee?!>[/color] she exclaimed, getting herself upright and looking around frantically.
<He's alright; he got the antidote from the arrogant guy and he's sleeping against a tree over in that direction,>[/color] the Combee said, trying to calm down the Vespiquen. Without a word, she was gone in Crombee's direction. <My, my... I have a lot of work to do now as well... and where the heck is the other Combee...?>[/color] the Combee said, the meaning of 'the other Combee' unknown at the time.

"Welcome to the Pokemon Center!" Nurse Joy exclaimed cheerfully as Sulteron walked in. "Of course! While we heal your Pokemon, feel free to make yourself comfortable," she said with a smile as a very large Chansey placed Sulteron's Pokeballs on a cart and wheeled them into the back portion of the Pokemon Center. A few minutes later, the Chansey returned, walking to the beat of a tune it was trying to sing, a very happy expression on its face. "Your Pokemon are all healed now, miss! Thanks for coming. We hope to see you again!" she said with another traditional smile.
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[~/Birdybot\~]

ooc// Yes, although I tried to save you the trouble of a difficult post to reply to so did that myself ^_^

ic// Although Nurse Joy's cheerfulness was veering on creepy, Sulteron was grateful for her Pokémon being healed. When she took back her Pokéballs, Fairo emerged from his, the shiny Charmeleon brushing down his scales. ~It's so stuffy in there, you know?~

[/color] he complained to his trainer, who shrugged. "The others don't seem to mind it. Come on, they have rooms here for trainers for free. We should sleep there and challenge Crombee tomorrow." she told the salamander.

After recieving a key from Nurse Joy and getting ready, Sulteron found herself watching a little TV with Fairo. He was nice and warm beside her, and it was good just to watch any old rubbish. She had considered watching the news, but she was finding that out through newspapers and her Pokénav and such. Fairo gave a yawn, and she turned the TV off, leaving the golden scaled Fire type to sleep while she got into bed.

The next morning, Sulteron and her Pokémon ate a quick breakfast before leaving a little time so not to visit Crombee at a time that might be rude, then headed over to the gym for her battle. She smiled, excited and nervous as she walked up to the door and entered. She'd seen how strong the gym leader's Pokémon were yesterday and now she would have to fight them. "Hey, Crombee? It's me, Sulteron! Are you feeling better? I was wondering if you'd like to battle me? You know, for the badge?" she called.[/size][/blockquote]

[{ ~ Ironhide ; ; }]

(( bleh, i really need to be more active here. -headdesk- ))

The Vespiquen had let her motherly instincts take over, and had somehow managed to get Crombee back to his little cottage to let him finish his deep slumber. All night, she stood vigil, keeping watch over Crombee, glad to see that he at least looked better, if anything. Hopefully he would be better by morning... it would mean a huge load of stress would be taken off of her chest, and she wouldn't have to be as worried. Of course, after an incident like this, she would never be too friendly with outsiders again.

Meanwhile, the Combee that Sulteron had encountered and chatted a little with was finding out that a large majority of the other Combee had been defeated brutally in battle and were in need of some medical attention for various burns they'd received from the fire-types that had been used to attack them. Taking it upon himself to help the other Combee, he one by one brought out some Burn Heals and various Potions from Crombee's massive stock of status healers and healing remedies he rarely used. Since the Combee could only take one at a time, it was a process that took quite a few hours, and by the time the last Combee was exhausted, but knew his work wasn't done yet. Just like the Vespiquen, this Combee in particular was worried about Crombee. After all, he was perhaps the Combee that Crombee was closest to. Making his way back to the cottage for the last time, he pushed the door open and buzzed in, forcing himself to stay hovering.
<How is he?>

[/color] he asked. The Vespiquen turned around, seeming to be much more relaxed than she had been earlier that day.
<He's doing much better. He isn't as warm, which means his fever's gone down, and he's been sleeping soundly for a while with no interruptions,>[/color] she responded optimistically.
<You think he'll be able to do a battle tomorrow? That trainer that popped in here today will probably be back soon,>[/color] the Combee said, losing a few inches in the air.
<Even if he isn't, I'm sure he'll do it. You get some rest; he's going to need you to help him fight,>[/color] the Vespiquen said in a crooning voice. The Combee let his eyes droop and floated to the ground, falling asleep then and there, much to the Vespiquen's amusement.

...

Crombee's eyes flew open, staring at the ceiling for a moment. He blinked a few times, trying to remember where he was and what was going on. It was still pretty dark, meaning it was either really late or really early. He glanced over to see his Vespiquen eying him curiously.
<Crombee? How are you feeling?>[/color] the Vespiquen asked quietly. It all came rushing back to Crombee; being poisoned, running in to his old friend, and a challenger showing up.
"I'm feeling fantastic!" Crombee exclaimed, hopping out of bed. Grabbing his glasses, he was about to run out of the cottage, but nearly tripped over a Combee that was sound asleep a little ways inside the door. Or, was sound asleep.
<Take it easy now, Crombee,>[/color] the Vespiquen said, trying to stifle a giggle.
<Wha-? OH! You're awake!>[/color] the Combee exclaimed with joy as it buzzed happily around Crombee.
"Of course I am! I've never felt better! Goodness, I better get a good workout in before that challenger comes back!" Crombee exclaimed as he moved like a ball in a pinball machine in the cottage, getting the proper attire he would wear for a Gym Battle. Before the Combee or Vespiquen could even think of what was going on, he was out the door.
<Well, at least he's back to his normal self again,>[/color] the Combee said with a sort of giggle.
<Yes. What I'm worried about, however, is any side effects...>[/color] the Vespiquen said, trying to follow Crombee. For now, at least, all was well. And, knowing Crombee, he would be good to go for a long while.

...

"Hey, Crombee? It's me, Sulteron! Are you feeling better? I was wondering if you'd like to battle me? You know, for the badge?"
The familiar voice of the challenger rang in Crombee's ears as he was strengthening his leg muscles, hopping from tree to tree with his hands tied behind his back. On cue, his Vespiquen set his hands free, he hopped stealthily a few more trees, and then to the ground, a few feet in front of Sulteron.
"Aha! I've been waiting for you, Sulteron! Ho, ho! I am feeling much better! There's nothing that could down me right now!" he said with a mischievous grin, his glasses sheening. "Follow me, Sulteron, I'll take you to the battle area," Crombee said, jogging away. A familiar Combee stood in his wake, and made a motion that could be compared to a human shaking their head in amusement.
<He sure is feeling better. He's been up since before the sun came up, running around non-stop, tidying things up, training himself. It's all Vespiquen and I can do to keep up with him. By the way, good to see you again,>[/color] the Combee buzzed happily. It was the Combee from the day before- the one that had been friendly with Sulteron. <He's quite looking forward to this battle. It's been a long while since he's had a challenger, other than the local kids that live here who like to do fun battles. I look forward to facing you in a battle; you seem like a really good opponent,>[/color] the Combee said cheerfully, buzzing after the enthusiastic Crombee.

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[~/Birdybot\~]

Sulteron was pleased to see that Crombee was looking much better, as well as regonising the Combee that was speaking to her as the one that had been with Crombee earlier - proof of this was when it said it was looking forward to facing her in battle. She followed the much more active Crombee. To her, this seemed like he was acting quite out of character, but she supposed that he must just be like this when he wasn't affected the slight hindrance that being poisoned caused. From what she had seen of him and his Pokémon so far, he seemed like a pretty tough opponent, and she wondered which of her Pokémon she should use to fight against him first.

She knew he would use a Combee or Vespiquen, so it wasn't too difficult to work out what sort of attacks she would be facing. She considered sending out Festino, but saw the better of it. She'd never used the Leafeon in battle before and he wasn't what you'd call loyal. She felt Fairo was an obvious and good choice, as she hadn't used him that often recently and he was loyal and had a type advantage. She also felt she should save him for last, since gym leaders were supposed to use their strongest Pokémon last and she would have someone strong to fall back on. Until then, however, she felt that Prisul and Zen were good choices to fight first. Fiela, too, if Fairo was defeated. First of all, though, she took out the Dratini's Pokéball and threw it, the Dragon type emerging in a burst of red light.

~Oh? Sulteron, a gym battle?~

[/color] she exclaimed with interest, focusing on Crombee and trying to figure out what to make of him. Looking at the multitude of Combee around, it wasn't hard to guess what he would fight with. She flicked colour-splattered white tail as she prepared herself for this battle, smiling. She was pleased to be able to fight, as she hadn't had a battle in a little while and hoped to evolve sometime soon. She knew that her trainer had a Mega Candy; once she evolved into a Dragonair, she would persuade her to let her evolve again. Battles like this would help her achieve that.

There was little left to do but wait, Fairo folding his arms to watch curiously and critically, analyzing Crombee's battling style further for when it was his turn to fight as Vespiquen was possibly doing opposite, Sulteron and Zen watching and waiting for the gym leader to send out his first Pokémon.[/size][/blockquote]