First Impressions Are Tough

[Angel]

"So, let me get this straight....you're a country bumpkin who became a witch from some parallel universe alongside her daemon who settled as a cat and has come here to Enera to train to become the next ruler of Arios Prectras in some sort of test?"
Aquilo sighed heavily and shook his head - was this wolf so dense? Honestly canines. He turned to the Houndour by his side once more and said slowly and in annoyance,
"Firstly - we are in no mannerisms possible 'country bumpkins'. Secondly, Gwen is a 'mage' not a 'witch'. Thirdly, I am more than a 'cat', I am a ancient and wise Persian. Furthermore, it's Aureus Pectus - and if you humans and creatures here bothered to learn a certain ancient language you would understand that that means 'Golden Heart'. And finally, we're candidates to become the rulers of Aureus Pectus, and this is a test to prove if we are worhty - not if by the end we WILL become the rulers. Every step and decision Gwen makes will decide the judgement at the end."
Gwen stared down at her two companions on the ground, either side of her. She didn't understand what Atra was saying but by the tone of Aquilo's voice and the words he was using, it seemed that she still wasn't quite understanding. And now it just semed that the two Pokemon were engaged in an argumnet about which was more stupid - canines or felines.

Gwen stared at the two with interest; they had only just met but it seemed that the Earth rumour of cats and dogs hating each other was true. Gwen then clapped her hands together as the mixture and volume of the two Pokemon's voices became to much to bare. They startled and stared up at the girl. Gwen bent down to be eye level with the pair and then said seriously,
"I think I understand that the two of you don't really seem to like each other. But whether you like one another or not deosn't really matter - because we're sticking together as a team no matter what."
Gwen stated her eybrows raised at them both. She hadn't known her Houdnour, Atra, for long so she could accept her behaviour but Aquilo was acting out of order. She stared intensely at him and said,
"Firstly Aki - I've known you since I was born and you shouldn't be behaving so cruelly toward Atra. Plus you're the only connection I have to understanding her and any other Pokemon that join us so I'm dependant on you. SO don't act in such a childish way."
The Persian daemon blushed and looked away; he hadbeen acting childish and had never done something so embarrassing in his life. Gwen smiled and then looked at th Houndour on her right and said,
"I know it all seems complicated at the moment Atra but I'm sure you'll understand soon enough - and hopefully you'll help us."
Atra stared up at the human who had now become her trainer. A happy grin spread across her face. She may find it difficult to get along with the selfish cat but this girl would be easy to get along with. She nodded but then sensed something in the bush....A wild Pokemon maybe.....

[Birdybot]

As the bush became nearer, it was evident that there was definately something withing. A faint yellow glow appeared every now and then about a few of the leaves, and a faint cry was heard accompanying these. There came several smells; a wet smell, like rain. A burnt smell, like burnt fibers rather than burnt food. A sweaty smell, one of the more dominating ones, second only to the most unwanted smell; blood. Blood. The thing behind there was clearly distressed, had been in a struggle and was now injured.

Another cry came, this time a bleat of a Mareep. The yellow glow was stronger, probably electricity from said Mareep. The Mareep herself was in a terrible state. I won't describe it, for this site is PG-13, but Mareep was in a bad way on her leg. Her right foreleg was clamped in an illegal Ursaring trap, the sort which looks like a jaw. Mareep was crying, wailing as her leg flailed about, only getting more hurt.

[Angel]

Atra stopped waking when she sensed something in the bushes, she stared at the spot and raised her hackles as she grolwed lightly under her breath. Gwen and Aquilo stopped and turned around to see what was wrong with Atra. The position her body was in gave the impression that she obviously sensed something nearby and wasn't liking whatever it was. Aquilo shook his head and gave the Houndour a look of distain as he walked to her side and said with a sigh,
"What is it now Atra?"
Atra bared her teeth and replied without taking her eyes off of the rustlnig greenery,
"There's something in that bush....And I'm not liking it...."
Aquilo shook his head and said,
"Stop joking around; we need to get a move on."
Atra snapped at the Persian daemon and looked him deeply in the eyes, anger written all over her face,
"Why would I joke about something like this?! Something in bush has the scent of blood!"

Aqulio stepped back as Atra shouted at him with seriousness indicated in her voice. Gwen looked at how Aquilo reacted and she walked up to the pair of Pokemon and bent down low, she whispered,
“What is it? Aki, what did Atra say?”
Aquilo stared wide eyed and his voice dropped down low in volume, he looked sympathetically at Gwen and said with remorse,
“She can smell.....blood.”
Gwen’s body moved a little with shock and she stared at Atra who nodded. Gwen then stepped in front of the pair of Pokemon, determined to protect them if anything came out of the bushes. She pushed back her cloak so that it all fell across her back and then gently stepped through the bushes and other messy greenery. As she got deeper, followed slowly by Aki and Atra, the vile scent of blood got stronger. She then pushed back another bush to find a Mareep lying on the floor, blood pouring from its leg. Gwen gasped and instinctively bent down to be by its side, she stroked it gently, trying to calm it down – getting shocks from the panic it was in. Gwen looked at the trap and sneered at it – she had seen so many in her life time but they had them in this world as well. Clasping her hands together she muttered a few words and the trap broke it half and then crumbled into ashes on the floor. The trap was off but the blood kept pouring. Gwen nodded at Aquilo who understood and taking Atra with him went to the wounded leg,
“Put pressure on the wound with me Atra.”

Atra was shocked but lifted her right paw as Aquilo raised his left and they pushed down on the blood pouring from the Pokemon’s leg. Gwen nodded and bent low to the Mareep’s ear and whispered,
“I know you’re in pain, and that what my Pokemon are doing is going to sting – but I need you not to struggle whilst I go find something to wrap the wound in.”
Gwen knew that the crearure was likely to resist treatment but there was nothing else they could do. So Gwen rummaged around in nearby bushes and vegetation to wrap the wound in.

[Birdybot]

Mareep's eyes widened in surprise as the trap was released from her leg without any effort at all on Gwen's part. It was like nothing the electic sheep had ever seen before! Almost like... magic. Bah, that was stupid. There was no such thing as magic, right? Mareep wasn't so sure now, however. She didn't believe a word of the nonsense known as magic, and never had; there would be proof, if it existed. However, here was some proof, right in front of her. She was going to ask about it while Gwen was speaking to her, but after she gave her weak nod to show she understood, the witch-girl was gone. Hm.

Mareep screamed as Atra and Aquilo pressed down hard on her leg. The pain was fresh and good, somehow, but still pain. She whimpered, fighting the urge to cry. No. Only babies cried, and she was not a baby. She was a grown-up. She was strong. She could do this. Or at least she thought she could, until;

~Well, lookie here! Look who strayed too far from mummy and got themselves in a pickle!~[/color] sneered a tall Pokémon, hooves stamping against the ground. A Stantler. This deer-like Pokémon came up to about Gwen's shoulders, and he was snigering as he watched Mareep. His head snapped to face Atra. ~Houndour! You're helping her, eh? Not for long! Come on, fight me off! I dare you!~[/color] he challenged, rearing onto his hind legs.[/size]

[Angel]

Aquilo and Atra turned to their left to see and a large deer Pokemon, a Stantler. It was mocking the baby Mareep in front of them and without warning or notice raised its front hooves like a horse ready to trample all three of them. Aquilo's eyes widened, being a normal type and a daemon he couldn't do anything in battle but Atra couldn't really act without Gwen. However, Atra's face had a serious look on it - she suddenly shouted at Aquio without looking him in the eyes,
"Yo Cat!"
She touched his paw and Aquilo automatically took over from her place, pushing both of his own paws onto the Mareep's wound. Staring at Atra in shock he watched as she dodged the hooves that the Stantler had raised by ducking out of the way and onto all fours and then rolling underneath it - grabbing one of its hind legs in her teeth and pulling it away from the Persian and Mareep. Hoping to tempt the Pokemon away. It was obvious it wanted a fight - and a fight Atra was going to give it.

Gwen was nearby looking for something to wrap the Mareep's wound in. She came across some vines and broad leaves. She rubbed some medicine into the green wide tear shaped leaves and then ran back with them and the vines. Running back she saw Aquilo tending to the Mareep and Atra fighting a large Stantler. Bemused, all Gwen could do was stare. After blinking a few times she kne.t down to Aquilo and moved his paws fro the wound - applying pressure herself. She quickly wrapped the leaves around the blood stained leg adn then tied the strong vines around it. Making sure that they would keep applying pressure and allow the leaves to stay next to the wound. She stroked the Mareep's static fur before whispering to Aquilo,
"Aki - take care of her whilst me and Atra take on this guy."
Aquilo nodded and stayed by the Mareep's side, his sense acute in case more Pokemon came to hurt the Mareep. Gwen ran closer to Atra and the Stantler. The Houndour seemed to be struggling by herself without any help from Gwen but she had been doing a good job as there were teeth marks on one its legs. Strong and dteremined, Gwen called out confidently to Atra,
"Atra! Now the real fight starts! Let's start with a jump and an Ember!"
Atra stood herself up quickly adn then jumped as high as she could, she came level to the Stantler's face and released a close cobat ember attack on the Pokemon's face.

[Birdybot]

Stantler watched as the little Pokémon wove between his legs. Pft, he thought he would actual win? Fat chance! Atra was a mere puppy! He was a big, strong Stantler, and could beat a puppy like Atra any day. Why not make that day today, then? However, he was being just a tad obnoxious. As Atra leapt to become level with him, he gasped in surprise, not sure what she was doing. Then he got a face full of fire. This was most painful, and the deer Pokémon let out a loud bellow of pain as he took several steps backwards away from the pain.

Oh, that was unfair! The Normal type was angry now. He pawed the ground, thinking. Well, he knew just what to do to get his own back. A surprise attack deserved a surprise attack in return, right? Stantler pretended he was bothered about the Ember, and then without warning attack. He lunged forwards in the Ghost type move called Astonish.

[Angel]

Atra was taken by surprise. Her ember had hit but had failed to burn her foe, but it had still caused some damager to her opponent. But as he lunged forward unexpectedly he hit her head on and she went skidding backwards, dirt flying into the air. She hit the bark of a tree and pain spread through her back. It was obvious that this Stantler was strong, he caused quite a bit of damage and knew the move Astonish. Luckily, Atra didn't flinch - instead she picked herself off the ground and howled loudly. The howl echoed in the forest like terrain and the Houndour's attack raised. Once the howl was over she glared at the deer Pokemon and waited for Gwen's command. Gwen watched as the Astonish atack hit - luckliy Atra was a dark/fire type so the damage from teh attack was half then what it should be. She looked back at Aquilo who was guarding the Mareep and she nodded to herself; they were safe. She then turned to Atra and teh Stantler and called out,
"Let's use your egg move! Thunder Fang!"
Atra ran toward the Stantler as soon as the command was heard, electricity building up in her jaw and teeth. Yellow static energy pulsed from the Houndour's mouth and she dashed underneath the Pokemon again, clasping one its back hooves in her jaw and sending the Thunder Fang through the Stantler's body.

[Birdybot]

Stantler saw that Atra was coming. He gave a low warning snarl, then lashed out as hard as he could with the leg the Houndour seemed to be going to. However, Atra was not hit thanks to the speed she was going at, and Stantler's leg was clamped in her jaw. He groaned in pain as he felt the teeth and electricity. He needed to get her off before she'd attacked so long he would be Paralyzed!

Thinking as quickly as he could, he thought up a plan. It would work, and there was no time to think up other options. He looked over his shoulder and saw a nice, hard tree. Well, there were lots of them around here. Stantler smiled, and began charging in a Tackle attack- backwards. The hoof which Atra had bit was raised above the ground, pointing forwards. If Atra got off the hoof, she would probably be hit by a normal Tackle. However, if she clung on, she would be rammed into the tree.

[Angel]

Gwen sneered when she saw her choices for Atra were to get slammed by a tree or tackled by the Stantler. Her teeth ground together and then she decided to make the choice that could casue less damage,
"Atra I want you to flip off his leg and then use a Leer attack, just before the Tackle attack hits!"
Atra knew that she would be casued pain either way but by doing this she could easily lower the amount of moves btaken by herself later in the battle, if the Leer attack hits that is. But she let go of the deer's leg and flung herself into the way of the Tackle, attempting to make ey contact with it so that next turn her attacks would deal more damage and end this battle swiftly.

[Birdybot]

Stantler had guessed that Atra would go for the less painful option. It was only sensible of the Houndour that she should do that, after all. The deer was watching closely, and winced as the Leer snuck chinks out of his health stat. He couldn't give up for a simple thing like weakened Defense, though. No-serie. The Normal type only managed to stop crashing into the tree himself just in time, and he turned around on a hoof to face Atra, eyes narrowed.

He was ready to finish this, although it was only just begun. Stantler pawed the ground, acting as though he was not going to do anything this turn. He made a low 'chuh' noise, blinking slowly as he turned a pebble over with a hoof. Then, without warning, he made his move. The sudden attack was without a doubt an Astonish attack; a basic Ghost type move.

[Angel]

The attack came without a warning and Atra ha no time to counter or dodge and was struck with the extremely powerful astonish attack. Luckily, Atra was part ark type so the damage dealt was halved as she went flying backwars, but ti still hurt. She kept all her paws on the ground as she skidded backwards, sending dust into the air eitehr side of her body - but she was still in pain. Breathing deeply whilst staning still Atra saw her heated breath exposed to the cold winter air and she smirked with a slight chuckle. Standing tall once again and not bent down in recoperation she smugly stated looking the Stantler in the eye,
"Your kind may be renowned for bringing joy at Christmas with that jolly old fellow in the red suit, but-"
And at this point she locke a gaze with her trainer, and with the meer stare Gwen knew that Atra would take the lead herself this turn,
"My kind are renowned for not showing mercy."
An with this she drew in a large breath an darted forwar fast adn when she was close enough leapt above the Stantler and released with tremendous force, shooting several hot flames through the cold air from above. True that flames wouldn't last long in cold winter air, but Atra was at a close range an the flames came from above and woul grow hotter as they went down (due to atmospheric purposes). So this ember attack was quite a well thought out one.

OOC:// Just thought I'd mention that Atra's voice is usually red but considering the christmas layout I thought I'd change it to white to make it easier to see

[Birdybot]

Stantler blinked. No mercy? Well, in that case, he'd just have to show her that that could apply to him, too. At first, he thought that her Ember would disappear into the cold air, and so did not bother moving. However, it actually seemed as if the Ember attack was growing warmer, stronger. That wasn't a very good sign at all, no way. The reindeer Pokémon was it before he could dodge, and felt the breath knocked out of him.

Fighting the urge to cry out, Stantler glared at Atra. He could feel that he was growing weak now, and that the battle wouldn't last for much longer. He wanted to make this last, to deter Gwen from Mareep for a little longer. This in mind, he charged at a Atra in a straightforward Tackle attack. He wanted to hit her, to watch as her doggy form flew through the air. He lowered his head; impact with antlers would be more painful for the Houndour.

[Angel]

Gwen watched as Atra jumped and her obvious tactical attack hit from above. She gave a slight sly smile an nodded to herself, her Houndour was a good partner to have. However as she landed the Stantler dashed forwrad without a moment's warning and rammed into Atra, antlers first. Atra was scratched by the branch like bones that extended from the Pokemon's head and she fell backwards, colliding with a tree, her body flat on the ground. Gwen took a step forward and gave a short gasp. Aquilo, who was by the Mareep's side watched as Gwen did so. This wasn't good. Aquilo knew that Gwen had an extremely caring personality but she couldn't go boudning into a Pokemon battle. It was not the way things were done. Then hearing a groan, the Persian daemon looked down to see the Mareep's wound bleeding. Not knowing what to do in a panic he called out to his human,
"Gwen, I don't think this Mareep is going to last much longer without any of your aid."

Gwen looked at the bleeding Mareep and then sneered at the Stantler. Evil dooers didn't do too well once Gwen had found them... Calling out to Atra she cried,
"Atra, I know you can do this! Finish this Pokemon with a Thunder Fang!"
Atra shakily stood herself up and then, with an injured paw that stung a little when pressure was applied. She eyed the Stantler and then bulding up the electricty in her jaw opened it and shot forward, hoping to clasp the same leg it had before with her Thunder Fang and hopefully end this.

[Birdybot]

Stantler watched Atra dash towards him with the last of her energy. She was fairly weak now. All Stantler had to do was dodge the Thunder Fang and deal the final blow. Then he would have defeated this odd trainer. That would be nice. However, having a large force against your antlers shook you a fair amount, and Stantler was currently fairly unsteady on his hooves. His attempt to dodge was useless, and Atra's crackling teeth sank into his flank.

The deer bayed in rage, feeling a shock of electricity course through him to the ground. Atra hung there, causing him great pain as he felt both the bite of jaws and the zapping of electiricity. This Thunder Fang hurt. When it was over, Stantler remained standing, although shakily. He swayed, then managed to steady himself. Oh, no! He was still in the battle! Wait- that was said too soon. Stantler keeled over, crashing to the floor. He fainted with pain and exhaugsion at the same time Mareep did.

Stantler was defeated! Atra gains two levels!

[Angel]

Gwen watched as the deer collapsed, then sighed as she ran over to her Houndour. Atra's paw was lifted above the ground, limp as she sighed with relief. The Houndour looked to see her trainer coming over but she glanced at the Mareep who was now faint an barked softly,
"I'm fine Gwen," and then making a gesture with her head toward the wouned sheep,"she needs your help more than I do."
Gwen didn't understand what her Pokemon was saying but she looked as to where she pointed and saw Aquilo desperately trying to heal the Mareep but failing. Staring into Atra's eyes, Gwen nodded and turned back round to help the bleeding electric type.

Aquilo moved aside and let his magical human partner take control of the situation, staring at the Pokemon with slight worry. Gwen moved the vines and leaves that had come untied away and then cuppe her hans lightly above the wound on her leg, then closing her eyes she began to mutter some words over and over again,
"Volatilis vigoratus..."
A soft blue light formed within Gwen's han and covered the wound, Atra limped over and watched in amazement, her eyes wie. Gwen moved her hands away to reveal the wound. It was no longer bleeding but wasn't completely healed, no wound could be completely healed by magic, but the pain was lessened and it had scabbed over.
"That! That is amazing! How the hell did you do that?!?!"
Gwen stroked the Pokemon, unable to understand her Houndour. Instead, Aquilo answered,
"We told you. Gwen is a young mage, a supernatural force that has been lost on your world."
Atra stared annoyed at the Persian daemon, her front paw hanging. Gwen sighed and turned around,
"You next."
Muttering some more words, Gwen healed Atra's foot as it wasn't too baly damaged just bruised.

Atra moved her paw about in amazement. Then Gwen turned to Aquilo,
"What did that deer Pokemon say about this Mareep creature?"
Aquilo turned to his serious and noble nature once more and replied sincerely,
"The creature apparently distanced itself from its mother."
Gwen thought for a moment then asked worridly,
"Do we know where she may be?"
Aquilo merely shook his head. Gwen nodded and then clasped her hadns together and spread them apart, a Pokeball appearing. Gently tapping the sheep with the Enera device, she hoped to become this Pokemon's new mother - afraid of leaving the creature by itself.