route_1065 | You Get To Burning!

Current Mood: excited
Current Location: Violet City
Current Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9vpcYN_g3g

You Get To Burning!

Who: Kamina, Kirstin, Bridget, Open
Where: Battling Field near the Violet City Pokémon Center
When: Sometime around noon
Summary: When they last parted ways, Bridget was the pupil... and he still is, but how far has he progressed towards becoming a man of his own making? I mean it's a reunion thread.
Rating: M for MANLINESS! Cause any thread with Kamina gets that... or maybe just PG/PG-13 for his mouth

A cool breeze drifted through the air in Violet City and while the harried, newly assembled Dai Gurren Dan was taking a well-deserved rest after the long trek from Cherrygrove City. However their leader remembered a particular promise he had to keep. The last message he'd sent had laid out one of the vacant practice battle fields behind the Pokémon Center.

So there stood Kamina at one end of the field waiting, his cape drifting lazily in the wind while the afternoon sun reflected off his glasses. Gurren was standing there as well, trying his best to mimic his trainer, even down to the smaller-sized pair of glasses he was wearing -not that anyone really knew how or where the Quilava got them.

Arms folded over his chest, the leader of the Dai Gurren Dan was certainly an imposing sight, like a champion waiting for a challenger. The truth wasn't too far through, this would be the test to see if the boy had learned to stand on his own and afterward, it would be a celebration of friends being reunited. That and he was certain that as soon as Kirstin caught up, she'd be happy to see Bridget as well.

[OOC: Bonus points for anyone that can tell me what the subject and cut text reference.]

[OOC: New comers can just jump in whenever and we can change tag orders on the fly. Don't be shy if you're in town, you might just get a front seat for a cool battle!]

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From the other end of the field Bridget arrives. Kamina probably doesn't recognize him at first. He's wearing a blue outfit resembling a scout uniform (this (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/Tat_Claire_Kokoro/FL_Picnicker.png)) with shorts. It's not the most masculine outfit, he still looks like a girl even when he's not wearing a a dress but it's the first time he has worn something that isn't a dress and that's manly enough for Bridget right now. He had the outfit on him for sometime but never wore it until now. He was saving it for today.

At first Kamina stood there, confident smirk plastered on his face, practically proclaiming to the whole world that he would take it on without a second thought. When the other figure walks over, he raises an eyebrow behind his glasses, while he looked like he was just waiting for an opponent, he really did have some particular business he wanted to see taken care of.

It probably didn't help that by some odd bit of fate, he couldn't get a look at the other person's face. "Oi kid! Clear the hell outta here! I got some business I gotta take care of and I ain't got time to curb-stomp a random punk!"

"This is supposed to be a meeting between men!" What wasn't added was his thought that echoed to himself about not wanting to be disappointed about that intent.

"I know it's a meeting between men. That's why I'm here." Bridget replies cheerfully, masking that he's shaking a little. He's taken on dangerous people before, unafraid but this battle is wholly different. He's about to battle his mentor. The outcome of it will say a lot about his progress in his journey to become a man.

He frowns for a moment, worrying that he will loose and disappoint Kamina but he pushes the expression away and balls his fist, encouraging composure. Kamina wouldn't want to see Bridget unconfident either, he knows that.

Believe in your pokemon and they'll believe in you. I'll just have to remember that and do my best.

He blinked a moment. The voice was familiar, but some part of him was in stark disbelief that somehow the kid had made significant stride in his journey. Getting a better look, that smirk of his turned to a grin as recognition kicked in. As much as he wanted to make a big deal of the kind of progress that the simple change in attire and the way he'd conducted himself right here represented; he wouldn't celebrate too soon.

"Heh, I'm glad to see what ya said wasn't just all talk!" Kamina chuckled, giving his neck a good crack before continuing, "We'll be doin' this as a duel; Gurren versus Roger Two, got it?"

On cue, Gurren darted forward to the center of the arena, his little glasses reflecting in the sunlight and looking almost like a miniature version of his trainer. Dropping to all fours, he flared up; sending bursts of crimson racing across his back.

"Make the first move when yer ready."

This is it. . .

Bridget reached for Roger II's pokeball hanging from his belt. He remembered the first time he sent Roger II to battle, they had several battles since then. All to be stronger. Strong enough to prove themselves to Kamina, and enough for his ambition.

Roger II leaped out of his ball, landing in front of Gurren.

"Roger II! Furry Swipes!" He shouts before he can second guess himself.

This was good. The rush of battle swept up his feelings and even the air around him suddenly felt charged; like the heat simmering before a backdraft turned a small fire into a raging inferno. But watching, he grinned; the boy wasn't hesitating as much.

Admittedly, fight training had become a daily thing for Gurren -especially en route to Violet and without being issued a command, the Volcano Pokémon jumped back in face of the onslaught, two of his opponent's swipes managing to strike home before he was out of arm's reach.

"Light 'em up Gurren! Flame Wheel!"

Heeding Kamina's order, the Quilava tucked into a forward somersault, the flames on his back flaring to a searing degree as he rolled toward the little bear Pokémon.

"Dodge it, Roger II!" Just as Kamina's pokemon barely dodge, the little bear type's left leg was hit before he could back out safely.

"Don't get discouraged! We hit him a few times already!"

Not looking back at his trainer, staring ahead at his opponent Roger II nodded.

(OOC: D: I am good at fight scenes. . .just not pokemon battles. . yet. I'm sorry for not being so good at this.)

Gurren screeched to a halt almost the instant the bear dodged; Kamina's usual fervor for battle was infectious and the Quilava had no intent of holding back in the least. This was what made their relationship so odd at times because when things like this happened, Kamina was supposed to keep a clear head and call shots tactically... an area he had little real skill in.

"Don't let him get away! CHASE HIM DOWN WITH SWIFT!"

The Volcano Pokémon perched up on his back legs, a pair of glowing citrine spheres materializing to each side of him. His eyes locked on Roger II, Gurren's little arms reached out and seized a sphere each, the glowing masses turning into a pair of stars. Leaping through the air as well as something with such under-developed jumping legs could, the Quilava reeled back a moment before hurling the stars at full force at his foe.

[OOC: Don't worry about it. Just have fun.]

Jango was hardly the brightest of men. So not only had he not figured out in the last several weeks of traveling with Bridget that she wasn't the little girl the ghost had possessed her and led him to think; it STILL took the course of several minutes after hearing it, to link all the pieces together. By the time he did miraculously figure it out, he shoved it into another corner of his brain where it could be effectively denied forever. He then sat down cross-legged on the ground with Billie Jean in his lap to watch the battle. It was very exciting and a little bit confusing, but mostly Jango was much too timid to speak up in the middle of it and draw attention to himself when it could be lethal.

Still, he was beginning to think that maybe Cobra Commander was right about one thing and that Jango should catch more pokemon to train. Just not ghosts. Maybe something cooler.

If he had not been experienced in battle already Bridget would have gaped in awe at Quilava's attack. It was REALLY powerful and certainly beautiful. He admired it for what it was but kept his concentration. Roger II didn't have to be given the order to know he would have to run away.

"Don't let him intimidate you! Go around him and use scratch! He's open!"

Kirsten smiled up at the battle. It wasn't her sort of thing, of course, but it looked like they were having a lot of fun doing it. (As for the crossdressing, for the record, all she wondered was why there were so many girls in pants here but only one boy in a dress.)

"Isn't this exciting?", she asked the other spectator.

Jango nodded his head fervently, startled out of the stupor he'd fallen into. "Oh yes, very," he agreed. "I've never actually just sat and watched a battle before." Up until now he'd constantly been ordered to fight even when he didn't want to. It was a lot like being under Kuro's command again, or the marines.

Shamefully, Kamina was rather absorbed in the battle to notice the arrival of his other compatriots. Still, with how furious the pace things had already escalated to, it was probably at least understandable that his attention is otherwise occupied.

There was a sharp hiss when Gurren was scratched, the attack simultaneously hurting and enraging him. While this might have been just a test for his trainer, the Quilava was taking this potential loss rather personally. His little paws balled into fists as the crimson on his back roared for him.

"Oi! Gurren!"

Meanwhile, the blue-haired trainer's gaze was like steel, eliciting a pause as the trainer and pokémon's eyes briefly met -an unspoken understanding between men registering. The momentarily stern look on Kamina's face seemed to bring the small fire-type back to his senses as he waited for more feedback from his trainer.

"Give him a smoke screen!"

Command issued, Gurren accepted as he formed a small ball of fire from one paw, immediately slamming it into the ground and loosing a massive, dark cloud of smoke over the arena.

"Roger II!" Bridget gasped. His head swimming, trying to think of how to make this disadvantage work for them.

He heard the little Teddiursa making soft, scared "ursa" noises and imagined that he was looking around furiously, trying to find a tunnel of light- or something outside the smoke. Any opening to clear vision.

Kamina stood there, while he didn't want Gurren taking this too seriously, he was also counting on his partner not to get arrogant. The sheer power differential between the two Pokémon was quite readily apparent despite the Quilava's lack of serious defensive ability.

A breeze drifted through the area, scattering the dark cloud to the point where it made it just difficult, rather than impossible to see. Unfortunately for the Teddiursa, he might be feeling a little warmer. Looming over the bear from behind was the Volcano Pokémon, Leering down with his flames roaring at full heat. From the other perspective, he probably looked like some kind of demonic ferret.

"Sugoi..." Jango shuddered, just watching them. "They're so strong!" he exclaimed in amazement, reminded slightly of the superpowers fighting at Marineford. It was hard not to feel perpetually outclassed, but he began thinking that if nothing else, maybe he could try harder and impress Hina whenever she found him again.

The perpetual heart-eyes flowed with excitement behind the heart-shaped sunglasses.

Squinting his eyes, Bridget could see the familiar red flames, the color dulled by the smoke.

"Ro-"

But his Teddiursa, catching onto the heat permeating from behind him jumped back, away from Gurren. The pokemon closed his eyes, trying to see in this smoke would distract him. He decided to concentrate on his sense of touch.

Part of him wanted to applaud Gurren for trying to be intimidating, it seemed that Bridget's partner was also picking up on his ability to stand his ground in the face of a dire situation. So far, Kamina would easily attest that the boy and his pokémon were easily meeting his expectations.

"Alright Gurren! Let's wrap this one up so we can all eat! Light him up!"

The Quilava seemed a little annoyed. In truth, he'd been waiting to show off his new move, but it sounded like his trainer wanted to save it for the gym leader. Obligingly respecting the tactical input, he instead rushed the bear at full-speed, tucking into a somersault again and lighting himself ablaze just a moment before he figured he would hit.

At the mention of food Bridget's stomach growled. He held his stomach sheepishly, agreeing with Kamina that they should end this soon.

However, he wasn't going to let Kamina finish it how he wanted him to- or rather how Gurren wanted to end it. The pokemon seemed more ruthless than his trainer. It was hard to believe that he was once the peaceful Cyndaquil he had met. He wondered if Roger II's personality would change when he would eventually evolve.

"You can tell where he's at, right? Dodge it!"

Roger II was already planning this before Bridget ordered him to. He leapt and ran.

However, he was not fast enough.

Kirsten cringed at the battle. They seemed to be having a lot of fun, but it did look difficult. She hugged Daisy's Poke Ball.

"I think Mr. Kamina is going to win," she said, "but Bridget is trying really hard, isn't he?"

In Gurren's defense, it wasn't so much having become any more ruthless -outside of battle, the Quilava was amicable as he ever was. The catch at the moment was that whether it was just a trait unique to him or perhaps all fire-types had it, the higher his temperature output was, the more excited he got and combined with the all-or-nothing personality trait he'd been picking up from his trainer... well, it wasn't the best combination. It actually made him even more hot-headed than Kamina and that was really saying something.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Dai Gurren Dan was observing the situation with some growing mixed feelings. From a battle standpoint, Bridget and Roger II were showing exceptional ability to evade -as near as some misses were, the bear had yet to actually take the full-brunt of Gurren's offensive. It was probably the only reason the battle was still going. And yet, Kamina was mostly bothered by the boy not taking any chances to try launching a counter-attack during any of these evasive maneuvers.

Even if he'd prove to be wrong, a man needed to learn to trust his gut and instincts; to kick logic and reason to the curb and make the impossible possible! But then, it took him ages to drill that message into Simon's head and even then, the boy needed some reminding.

Well, if this next round of commands from each of them didn't end the match, he'd probably call it for now. The whole idea of a meal at this point was getting quite tempting and he'd gotten what he wanted out of this match. Plus they'd all need to figure out who needed to do what in town.

"Gurren! Follow through! TWIN SHOOTING STAR BOOMERANG!"

Again, the pokémon's loyalty to his trainer managed to overcome his personal ego -this time. Instead of launching into the attack he wanted, the glowing stars of the Swift attack formed again, the Quilava seizing the projectiles dramatically reeling back as it hopped to the side and letting the attack fly.

It wasn't like last time where Roger II could dodge it. His eyes were wide, sensing there wasn't an opening.

Bridget saw this too, fists clenched. He didn't want to throw the match- but he didn't want Roger II to get hurt. His mind raced. Quickly. Quickly. He couldn't weigh this. He would have to shout now.

"Roger II! Brace it and move forward! Go!" And he hoped that his pokemon wouldn't hate him for it. He hoped that the Teddiursa would understand that he did it for both of them.

But most of all he believed in Roger II.

Roger II did as he was told and rushed to Gurren, projectiles hitting him and all. When he we right in front of his opponent Bridget shouted: "Furry Swipes!"

"UUUURSAAAAaaaaa" Roger II rapidly clawed at Gurren's face, howling as he did to tolerate the pain that came from the Swift attack he had just barreled through.

He hit Gurren multiple times before jumping aback. The bear pokemon stared at the Quilava, wobbling and breathing hard. He wanted to close his eyes so badly. . .

. . ."Ur. . .saaaa . . " He swayed like a basket ball spinning around the rim of a hoop and fell. Completely exhausted.

Kamina stood there watching that last move, feeling a measure of surprise when instead of trying to defend, his opponent tried to push an offensive through Gurren's offense. His expression turned to a smirk as he realized that was exactly the sort of thing he'd been hoping for.

In the meantime, the Quilava was hunched over. His opponent's desperation attack had worn him down- though he was clearly still in fighting shape. Watching as his opponent finally admitted defeat, Gurren perched up on his back legs again, thrusting his tiny fist to the sky in imitation of his trainer, little flames flaring on his back in a less-than-successful attempt to mimic the cape as well.

The air was still for just a moment before Kamina applauded and shouted, "HA! YOU GUYS DID GREAT!" He walked forward, Gurren hastily zipping up his trainer's leg and perching across his shoulders where he received a congratulatory head-scritching. Stopping before the knocked out Teddiursa, he waited for the trainer to approach to retrieve his partner with his arms crossed again.

"Ya did well kid." He chuckled a little with that offer of congratulations, "Still got plenty of room to grow, but ya showed me that ya weren't just sittin' around on yer ass this whole damn time. So I better not catch ya slackin' from here on out!" He turned to the rest of the Dai Gurren Dan that had gathered to see the battle, flaring his cape out dramatically.

"Now come on guys, let's eat! I'm fuckin' hungry."

Watching Roger II collapse, Bridget sighed. He had pushed his pokemon too far, and he lost.

He showed Kamina that he was weak again, like his first battle with the Tentacool. He ran to Roger II and scooped him in his arms, petting the moonshaped mark on his forehead.

He didn't expect Kamina to praise him. It stunned him. He watched Kamina's red cape blow in the wind, in disbelief of his words. Maybe Kamina did have a point but it would take awhile for Bridget to accept his praise. He still didn't feel his best was enough.

"Ur--sss" He half smiled to Roger II.

"You tried really hard for me. Thank you." He hugged him gently and stood up.

"Ah! Kamina I'll catch up with you guys. I have to drop Roger II off at the Pokemon Center."

Later when he rejoined the group he decided that on the way back he would go to the Pokemart and buy his Teddiursa a pot of honey.

"Ah Bridget-j--" Jango cut himself off remembering Bridget was not actually a young girl. This threw everything into confusion. EVERYTHING. But being Jango, the hypnotist decided to ignore it and shove it into some far corner of his brain where he would probably never deal with it. "You were really amazing!" It seemed weird now to gush about how good the Gir-- GUY was. "You know. All things considered." He leaned over to offer to help carry the teddiursa in case Bridget wanted the help. Jango wasn't a lot of things; brave, strong, smart; but when it came to his friends or protecting women, he was very loyal. Even if Bridget wasn't a woman, or even an adult. But that was something to ignore for now.

Kamina naturally wasn't the sort to just walk off without his crew, no matter how hungry he was. He chuckled at the exchange between Jango and Bridget -well, more the one-way complimenting. Still, the praise was quite deserved on the boy's part; while Gurren was lacking defensively, the little volcano's offensive output and speed made him a truly devastating opponent.

And with the small bear's tenacity combined with Bridget's drive, it made for a battle worthy of being a challenge between men. Even if the boy still had some room to grow still, it was a vast improvement over how he was when they first met.

"OF COURSE HE'S AMAZING!" Kamina bellowed, "He's on his way to becoming a man and men don't half-ass shit!"

Bridget was surprised by Jango's compliments, averting his eyes. ". . .thank you." He was touched but unsure if he deserved such praise. "Um, I didn't win Mister Jango."

Maybe the hypnotist didn't catch that. He didn't seem the brightest at times.

"Hmm?" He looked up, seeing Jango leaned forward, arms outstretched towards Roger II. He stood there, a deer in headlights before giggling. Jango wasn't the brightest. But he had other strengths.

Bridget handed Roger II to Jango although he wanted to cradle his pokemon himself he noticed that Jango really wanted to be useful.

". . 'all things considered?' What were you going to say, Mis- I mean- Jango?"

"I know," Jango tilted his head to the side slightly, trying to get a better understanding of the kid. "I meant given that you didn't win, you were still really amazing! I've never seen someone fight so hard for their owner," he pet Roger II soothingly.

He perked up at Kamina's roar and just laughed slightly, giving the man a darting grin in return.

He waited for the other two to get slightly ahead before closing the distance, coming up behind the two with his cape flapping in the wind. As he did so, he aimed a rather light smack to the back of Bridget's head. Certainly not enough to injure, despite the difference in both statutes and build between the mentor and his pupil, but the 'hit' would easily be enough to mess up his hair and maybe force his head to nod forward a little.

"That's where yer lookin' at it all wrong, kid!" Kamina seems oddly serious as he explains himself, "The point of this battle wasn't for ya to beat me." He gives a gesture to Jango, "A man's gotta listen to the people around him -a man won't waste time bull-shitting another man." It was fairly obvious that he agreed with much of the dance master's opinion.

He seems to be settling into this whole mentor role rather well as he continues, "The whole point of this was seein' how ya held yerself! Ya remember Cherrygrove Beach? The way that thing in the water pushed ya around was pathetic!" After a moment's pause, he grins -a visible note of pride in it, "But the way even when Gurren was comin' down on ya full force -how ya didn't back off, ya ran with yer gut and ya stood yer ground! That was what I was lookin' for! Those are the kinda traits a man has!"

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You Get To Burning!

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XD poor Jango.

sob I'm late for no good reason

Me too! /late party \o/

Don't worry about it guys, glad you could make it.

Seems there's a backlogging party up in here.

I mostly figure they'll just comment whenever they want during the battle

/does so

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Sorry, Kamina's last battle action is gonna be kinda long.

No worries :3

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