Destiny Colosseum

[unrepentantAuthor]

Brisa laughed – actually laughed – and ran up to Owen to accept his kudos.

"Yer advice came in handy, partner," she confided. "I know ya panicked when we bursted, but y'can see what we were goin' fer, yeah?"

She grinned, looking back at her friends. Gods, but she was happy...

"I'm already thinkin' bout a followup match with other Legendaries," she said, voice hushed. "What d'you reckon our chances are 'gainst, say, the Legendary bird trio...?"

 

[Namohysip]

"I, uh, I think all three of them might be a bit much," Owen admitted with a titter. "I don't really know if they're interested in getting involved in any of this anyway... Hey, I heard you guys were hungry. Did you guys want some of the food I didn't get to yet?"

He lifted a small package of stadium food that seemed to be a disgusting amount of sandwiches and fries, among other things. Then again, given Owen's new form... it was probably about half a meal's worth. There was still an uneaten burger the size of Brisa's head.

"We could sit outside and finish these off if you like."

 

[Chibi Pika]

Starr looked like she could have passed out from sheer gratitude. "God, yes," she said, reaching for the burger that barely fit in her hand and ripping the paper wrapping from it.

 

[unrepentantAuthor]

Brisa nodded, with a begrudging skewing of her mouth. "Fair enough, partner. Y'got any better suggestions?"

She chuckled as Starr seized the burger. "Yeah. I'm knackered. Let's sit around with yer li'l feast there and kick back."

Astrid, just behind her, seemed almost off in her own little world. Was this her first time in months on a proper post-battle high? Well, she deserved to savour that. Brisa gently put a paw on the ninetales' shoulder to lead her out pf the Colosseum.

"Hey, I'm damn proud of us," she told her friends.

And her heart sang.

 

[Namohysip]

Owen guided them to a good spot near the colosseum away from crowds but still near enough to hear the audience as the next match was getting prepped.

"I think some of God Squad is still looking for a good fight," Owen said. "Could also consider taking on someone from Poppin' Arms, too. Ho-Oh might be interesting, but you'll... definitely want to three-on-one that one. Uhh, hmm..." He finished putting all of the food in a spread for them to pick from. "Karat used to be available, but, er..."

 

[unrepentantAuthor]

Brisa mused on the suggestions. "You know, I have the weirdest hunch that Celeste would love to get in on a match against Ho-oh, what with bein' a devotee of his world's ho-oh. I hadn't considered Poppin' Arms... But say, I've been lookin' fer an excuse to challenge Potluck. How 'bout him, huh?"

 

[Namohysip]

"Potluck would definitely love a fight," Owen said. "I think it'll distract him from things going on right now. He's an interesting fighter, though. You'll want to be careful." He rubbed his nose, thoughtful. "He only attacks a little before it goes all at once. It's kind of like me, but..." He glanced at Astrid. "A little more explosive. Weird thing is, I think he can keep doing it, so..."

Owen shrugged. "I guess there are a lot of options, now that we've been getting so much stronger." He grabbed a basket of fries and started eating. He wouldn't mind fighting alongside them, too, all things considered... Though, with how large he was, that might require new strategies.

Still, he was content to eat what he could and leave the rest for Starr, Brisa, and Astrid. Figuring that they would want to have some eating time alone together, he left shortly after, remarking something about testing his flying in his new body.

 

[unrepentantAuthor]

Potluck, huh? Could be fun. Could be challenging. Brisa talked it over with her friends as they ate on the steps of Destiny Colosseum, and was pleased to learn that Astrid especially was keen to fight another exploding fighter.

Gods, what a relief that she'd found some way to fight without nearr enough to killing herself... Brisa couldn't bear to keep watching her like that. The chance to be proud of her combat prowess without worrying herself sick was enough to make her tear up.

And then there was Starr, munching away with unadulterated satisfaction. How far they'd come... Strange to think that they'd damn near killed each other way back when, and here they were: side by side, eating to celebrate a victory over a fucking Lugia.

This was it. She wanted this. For as as long as she could have it.

<><><><><>​

 

[Adamhuarts]

The day had finally come for the appointed fight. Cynthian trotted into the arena, kicking up dust as the deafening cheers of the crowd resounded around her.

Cynthian's heart pounded hard in her chest. Could it have been anxiety, excitement, or something more? Whatever it was, the Roserade embraced the rush it gave her and hopped on her feet while spreading a cocktail of fragrances around her.

"It's just you and me, Sword!" Cynthian said. Her heart only pounded louder when she repeated the sentence in her mind.

 

[Namohysip]

Sword was punching the air, giving jabs and uppercuts that left trails of Psychic energy wherever she struck. "You bet it is!" she shouted back. "Don't think you'll be able to get past me that easy!"

"Remember to focus, Sword!" Shield called out.

"It looks like both fighters are ready!" Incineroar called. "And with that... let the battle begin!"

Sword giggled and twisted in the air. "Here we go, here we go!" she cheered, and in a flash of light, an identical Roserade landed on the ground with an excited flourish.

Sword transformed into Cynthian!
Sword gained Snapdragon!

Cynthian: 429

Sword: 6000
Sword has an HP barrier at 4000 HP!

 

[Adamhuarts]

"I wouldn't have it any other way! Hit me with everything you've got, Sword!" Cynthian cheered with a laugh.

She took a deep breath and a mix of auras flared to life around her, leaving a shadowy and purple. It stung her like needles digging into her skin, but she only smiled from it.

"Here I come, Sword!" Cynthian said, lunging at her with glowing green barbed vines.

[+10mag, Stab, Terrain, Loner]
Cynthian used Void Nightshade!
Cynthian used Giga Drain! [+300Frz, +100Con, 15% Drain]
Net changes: +56shd, -78stm, 291Hp (-223+67), +6Mag, +3Eva, +3Spd, Firm Stance

 

[Namohysip]

Cynthian's Giga Drain dealt 589 damage to Sword, healing her for 90 HP!

Sword used Brilliant Edelweiss, gaining 1 Defense and Resistance and the Edelweiss status!
Sword used Bullet Seed on Cynthian, dealing 28 damage! A few of the hits were dodged!
Sword used Umbral Hyacinth into Giga Drain, dealing a CRITICAL 130 damage to Cynthian, healing 13 HP!

"What the heck?!" Sword shouted. "How come you aren't a planty paste on the ground?!"

"Cynthian has more familiarity with her body, Sword!" Shield said. "Use this time to get familiar with your opponent! Don't hold back!"

"Oh, I won't hold back...!" Sword taunted. "C'mon, Cynthian! I'm just gonna keep whittling you down!"

Cynthian: 223

Sword: 5411

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Ow!" Cynthian flinched back from the strike before bracing herself again. Fighting a mirror copy of herself gave her a weird feeling. The way Sword carried herself while looking like that, it made Cynthian giggle with delight.

"You know, I don't mind you copying the way I look," Cynthian said, grinning as a whirlwind of glowing petals beat around her in waves. "Let's keep this party moving!"

[+10, Stab, Terrain, Loner, Freeze]
Cynthian left Firm Stance!
Cynthian used Shining Belladonna! (+500frz, SE)
Cynthian used Giga Drain twice! (15% drain)
Net changes: - 76stm, +67hp, +28Rad.

 

[Namohysip]

Cynthian's Shining Belladonna dealt 1016 damage to Sword!
Cynthian's double Giga Drain dealt a lot of damage to Sword, striking the 4000 HP barrier and healing for 60 HP!

"Aaah!" Sword lost her old form and shook her head. "Grrr... fine. I think I kn-know how you fight!" She seemed to be frozen. She shook it off and furrowed her brow. "Check this out, then! J-just because you have me cold doesn't mean you can stop me n-now!"

Sword seemed to be a bit stronger now that she wasn't in an unfamiliar form. And it seemed that, this time, she was taking things more seriously. "Gonna hit me with those pew pew pew attacks? Well I bet I can do the same thing! Watch THIS!"

Sword slammed her hand into her forehead and it looked like the face of an Octillery. Out came a series of rocky attacks.

Sword used Rock Blast! It hit four times!
Cynthian partially dodged the first two and the other two hit full-on for a total of 123 damage!

Sword's head returned to normal and she pointed at Cynthian next, the light around her twisting and turning...

Sword used Psychic! It dealt 163 damage to Cynthian!

"Good, Sword, good!" Shield cheered. "Keep it up! Don't hold back now!"

"I've got you on the ropes!" Sword taunted.

Cynthian: 64

Sword: 4000
Sword has an HP barrier at 2000!

 

[Adamhuarts]

The flurry of attacks sent Cynthian rolling across the ground until she reached just the edge of the arena. It looked as if she was down for the count at first, but then Cynthian's vines twitched. Not yet. Cynthian struggled back to her feet, panting and wincing from the wounds.

"Whoa, that was awesome, Sword!" Cynthian cheered, followed by a muffled cough. She smiled behind her flowers and walked back towards her opponent. "But you forget one thing..."

A cloud of purple pinkish smoke burst from Cynthian, clouding her silhouette for a brief moment. A faint echoing giggle could be heard behind it. "Only when driven to a corner does one shine brightest!"

Without skipping a beat, Cynthian made her move.

[+10, Stab, Terrain, Loner, Technitian]
Cynthian used Hyacinth+Bullet Seed! (crit, 15% drain)
Cynthian used Brilliant Edelweiss!
Cynthian Entered Firm Stance!
Cynthian Entered Unleashed!
Cynthian used Blacklight Zburst!

Net changes: -170stm, +34hp, +86Rad, +58shd, +Zburst Valor, +1def, +1res, +1 Baneful Bunker, +Edelweiss status.

 

[Namohysip]

Cynthian's Bullet Seed dealt a total of 1054 damage to Sword!
Cynthian's Blacklight Z-Burst dealt 3090 damage to Sword, taking her to the next HP barrier!

Sword hit the final HP barrier! Sword gained an Action, and...

Another screech, and this time Sword fell into the smoke. A similar scene played out, but Shield was on his feet, watching carefully.

"C'mon, Sword... focus this time... remember your combo...!"

"...Uhuhu... huhu... I have you figured out!"

Incineroar nodded. "It looks like Darkwhite is making an appearance again, folks...! Will we be seeing another combination attack?!"

"You bet you will! This time, Darkwhite's back for REAL!"

A speedy demon ran straight toward Cynthian, leaving a trail of Blacklight dust behind her. "Do you wanna know what your main weakness is, Cynthian?! It's something Shield told me... you have great power and offenses, sure!"

Darkwhite used Darkwhite Combo on Cynthian! The first one was blocked by Baneful Bunker, dealing 400 Poison to Darkwhite! The second hit was dodged! The third hit dealt a grazing 57 damage, reduced further by Firm Stance!

"But you aren't defending yourself enough! Ahahaha... yes! I knew it the second I turned into you... Your defenses... are so low! Even as you try to shield yourself... your barriers... they don't ward me off at all! Watch THIS!"

Darkwhite disappeared into the ground, then reappeared just beneath Cynthian for a massive uppercut attack.

Darkwhite used Darkwhite Devastation against Cynthian! Cynthian's Evasive Counter activated, and it dealt a grazing 204 damage! Cynthian was left with 1 HP!

"C'mon, Sword..." Shield whispered. "Focus, focus...!"

Darkwhite used Darkwhite Jab on Cynthian, dealing 1 damage! Cynthian was KOed!

"And THAT'S how it's done!"

Darkwhite used Celebrate!

"No, no!" Shield cried. "Sword, FOCUS!"

"YEAH, YE--oh! Um--right, I, uh--" Sword spun around, having no time to properly defend herself. She waited for the dust to settle...

Cynthian: 0

Darkwhite: 2000

 

[Adamhuarts]

The dust settled, revealing Cynthian lying sprawled on the ground with the last wisps of her blacklight fading off her body. She strained a smile on her face and glanced at Sword.

"You... fought good." Cynthian groaned. A jolt of pain ran up her limbs when she tried to move, so she promptly gave up. "So... fun..."

 

[Namohysip]

"Sword--er, Darkwhite is the winner!" Incineroar announced as the crowd roared again.

Darkwhite pumped her fist a few times in the air before disappearing, reappearing next to Cynthian before grabbing her by the arm and raising it with her, whether she dangled by her hold or not.

"Hah! Yeah, that was fun, alright!" Darkwhite said with a devilish smile. "How was THAT, Shield?!"

He seemed stunned, having stopped midway to the arena. He sighed, smiling. "You still got distracted at the end," he said, and Darkwhite pouted. "...But... it's an improvement."

 

[Adamhuarts]

Cynthian recovered just enough to surprise Darkwhite with a tight hug. She didn't at all seem bothered by the pain all over her body anymore.

"Thanks for having this battle with me!" Cynthian said with a giggle. "Let's do it again some time."

 

[Namohysip]

Darkwhite giggled, nuzzling her back. "You bet," she said, and then gave her a little wink. Shield seemed concerned.

But in all the cheers of the crowd and Incineroar congratulating them both, it looked like the Lucario was finally able to relax, and he smiled.

<><><>​