out of the doubt that fills my mind [mod]

[agentblue]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign, top][STYLE=border:5px #CC3333 solid; width:100px; height:100px; margin-left:40px;][/style][STYLE=-o-transform: rotate(270deg); -moz-transform: rotate(270deg); -webkit-transform: rotate(270deg); margin-top:135px; margin-right:-134px; padding-left:100px; font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; color:#FFFFFF;]countess of iron[/style]

[STYLE=border-left:5px #CC3333 solid; width:250px; font-size:10px; text-align:justify; padding:5px; color:#FFFFFF;] “Ferrum! You idiot... where the hell have you run off too... Ferrum! FERRUM, for Terrakion’s sake-” It was far too early in the morning for anyone to be shouting, but then, Endellion defied most of the rules of human society. The knight of the summit stomped about in her knight gear, a look of utter annoyance furrowing her brow. It was too early for her silly little charmander to be running off and disappearing without a trace. Once again, she shouted, this time slamming the shaft of her hammer into the pavement, “FERRUM. DAMNIT.” After a few moment, something charmander-shaped and black as night bumped into her shoes, clinging to their iron sides. “...?” Panting slightly, Endellion glared down at the thing in confusion. “The hell are you?” She asked as she shifted her shoe and hammer slightly, frowning at it. The black creature pouted, backing away from her shoe, huffily declaring, “Char! Charmander!” <Endy! It’s me... it’s Ferrum!> Stooping over, Endellion gently wiped at the face of the charmander with her glove. Slowly, she noted the orange skin of the charmander, and scowled slightly. “... Ferrum. Why the hell are you covered in ashes and soot?” “Char, char!” <There’s this really cool thing inside there!> He said excitedly, pulling at her dress, and pointing towards the frighteningly large concrete building. Endellion’s eyes met the concrete monster and she scowled slightly, “... You want me to go in there with you?” She glanced about, then softly scowled, pointing towards a few of the numerous and obvious guards surrounding it. “... Ferrum.” The soot-covered charmander pouted, tugging on her skirt. He wasn’t about to give up on the idea, it seemed... even if she had just pointed out the frightening looking guards. Sighing, the girl tapped her hammer against the ground again, narrowing her eyes. “Show me how you got in.” The charmander let out a tiny squeal of happiness, and darted off towards the side of the building. Calmly she followed him, holding her weapon in both hands. Eventually the Charmander led her to an odd grate rather far from all the goons outside the electric plant... that was covered in trampled grass and flowers, and a few charmander... footprints. She patted Ferrum’s head, and carefully lifted the grate. Ferrum jumped down into the hole first, and Endellion followed down on a rickety set of iron ladders. She shut the grate with a shrug, wondering how long it’d been since anyone had used or even seen the tunnel she was venturing into... The dark tunnel was lit by the flickering of Ferrum’s tail, but Endellion wasn’t sure where the hell he was leading her... or to... what for that matter. There were probably all sorts of pokemon hiding down here... [/style][STYLE=border-left:5px #CC3333 solid; border-top:5px #CC3333 solid; border-bottom:5px #CC3333 solid; width:260px; font-size:10px; text-align:justify; padding-left:5px; color:#FFFFFF;]word count :: 0452 tagged :: moddlings notes :: Endellion and Ferrum travel into a mysterious tunnel connected to the Electric Plant, that looks like it hasn't been accessed in years...[/style][/style]

[Cori]

WILD MACHOP APPEARED!

[/style]

Machop || Male || No Guard || Fighting || Level 5
Low Kick || Leer

"Chop! Chop! Chop! Chop!" One! Two! Three! Four! A stubby grey foot lashed out at the soot-covered wall along with each cry, landing hit after hit that made the old abandoned tunnel quiver with each successive strike. Layer upon layer of ash and grime shook free from the ceiling and wall with each blow, coating the young Machop's head, shoulders, and feet in black dust as it launched kick after kick against the wall, but the mess didn't matter to the stubborn little Pokemon. What harm was there in making a mess while training? None that he could see. And it wasn't like there were any other Pokemon down here to be bothered by his work out. Sure, a couple others knew about the tunnel, but the majority of the plant's Pokemon preferred to stay up in the main building. So it was kind of like having his own personal training ground down here, a place where he could kick and punch the walls to his heart's content and no one would tell him to stop!

"Chop!" The Machop cried once more, delivering one last powerful kick to the wall, further denting its steel. He'd been at this for a while now, practicing his kicks, but now he was getting bored of that particular work out. The Machop stretched, arcing his back as he shuffled from foot to foot, wondering what he should do next. Maybe some pushups? Run the length of the tunnel and back a couple times? The fighting Pokemon tilted his head, considering his options. That's when he heard it: the sound of footsteps echoing through the tunnel, accompanied by a dim glow farther down. The Machop turned away from the wall, eyeing the flickering light curiously for a moment before giving a shrug and marching off toward the beckoning flame. Maybe whatever it was would train with him!

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[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign, top][STYLE=border:5px #CC3333 solid; width:100px; height:100px; margin-left:40px;][/style][STYLE=-o-transform: rotate(270deg); -moz-transform: rotate(270deg); -webkit-transform: rotate(270deg); margin-top:135px; margin-right:-134px; padding-left:100px; font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; color:#FFFFFF;]countess of iron[/style]

[STYLE=border-left:5px #CC3333 solid; width:250px; font-size:10px; text-align:justify; padding:5px; color:#FFFFFF;] Ferrum stilled slightly, freezing where he stood. The loud banging and rumbling from the tunnel had caught his attention, and he had simply found himself unable to move. “C-c-charmander.” <W-w-what’s that?> He squeaked, his tail light flickering slightly. Endellion narrowed her eyes, peering into the darkness. Her face showed she was unconcerned at the rumbling of the tunnel, and it was cemented by her actions. She pushed Ferrum forward with the brunt of her hammer, boldly walking forward. She stopped when the banging stopped, and crossed her arms slightly. Ferrum hid himself under her dress, his tail peeking out to light a small portion of the tunnel. Endellion closed her eyes, and tapped her hammer’s shaft against the ground. There was a small part of her that dwelled on some past memory as she began to speak. Her voice started as a mere mumble, then raised to a volume more befitting of her nature, “... ferrum, get the hell out from under my skirt... To be a knight is to be brave in the face of the unknown...” “... To our unseen adversary, I boldly welcome you to step into the light. I am Endellion of the Summit! Countess of Iron, the will of a nation, herald of the lord Terrakion, strength of the world!” Her voice echoed in the tunnel, loud and proud, as she tapped her hammer against the floor once more, “I am in search of battle! Training for my young page to partake in! The light that guides my way is Ferrum.” Ferrum stumbled away from his trainer’s legs, pouting that he’d been slightly kicked. Then again, if the knight of iron hadn’t kicked him, he wouldn’t have moved. He’d probably be bawling or begging her not to make him fight whatever... scary beast was coming down the tunnel. The charmander clung to his tail, nervously trying to make out something out of the gloom. Was it... was it a-ah g-ground type? Something so huge that it could squash him in a single stomp? He shuttered, and started shaking slightly. He prayed to the heavens it was something that wouldn’t outright kick his cute little behind... Thankful of the darkness that surrounded them, Endellion rubbed at her left eye, sighing lightly. A memory long past called her name, and she listened quietly as she waited for their opposition to come into the light. “You giving up, then, Endellion?” Endellion’s breath was ragged, and she was trying to rationalize why the hell she’d ever wanted to be a knight. The profession and title wasn’t for the sane, it seemed. She pushed herself off the ground, wincing at the sound her right arm made when she tried to get it off the ground. She’d fractured it, or broken it, and it was more or less useless to her now. She left it hanging, picking up her hammer clumsily with her left arm. With a shout of rage, she ran at the knight across the field, with her hammer raised and her face absolutely terrifying. The other knight knocked her back with a swift blow, and sent her spiraling backwards. This time, she took a bit longer to drag herself off the ground, her eyes cold and quiet. She picked her hammer up, and pointed at him, “Not until I can’t move, old man. Not until I can’t breath! Not until I see you in the same condition!” She made a move to throw herself at him once more, but he threw his own weapon to the ground. She frowned, huffing and puffing in the frozen air of the mountain, straining to breath. A smile played across her mentor’s face as he slowly approached her. “Congratulations, Endellion. You’ve passed my first test.” She hated to think of a past long gone, but, it was hard to keep the anxiety and hope she had for Ferrum’s success out of her mind. The idea of training her own page made her nostalgic, and thankfully, the darkness kept anything from seeing the angry knight ... give a tiny smile. Tapping her hammer against the ground, she nudged Ferrum slightly with an iron boot. “Don’t just stand there like a lump, Ferrum! Introduce yourself!” Ferrum stumbled slightly, sputtering to the darkness, “C-charmander, char-char!” <I-I, uhm. I’m Ferrum of the Summit! I don’t have a title j-just yet since I-I’m just a page, but, I would like to one day be called The Blade of the Sky!> He hoped whatever they were talking to wouldn’t eat him. Or laugh at him. It was his dream after all... [/style][STYLE=border-left:5px #CC3333 solid; border-top:5px #CC3333 solid; border-bottom:5px #CC3333 solid; width:260px; font-size:10px; text-align:justify; padding-left:5px; color:#FFFFFF;]word count :: 0784 tagged :: moddlings Cori~ notes :: -squee- Thanks, Cori. Endellion and Ferrum adress Sir Machop![/style][/style]

[Cori]

WILD MACHOP APPEARED!

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Machop || Male || No Guard || Fighting || Level 5
Low Kick || Leer

Even as the sound of unfamiliar footsteps stilled, the Machop continued his own trek closer to the small pool of light illuminating the tunnel, all the more curious now that he could see the duo responsible clearly now. He paused just outside of the torchlight provided by the pokemon - he recognized the orange-skinned, bipedal lizard as a Charmander now that he was paying closer attention - when the red-haired human spoke up, introducing herself with a confident, echoing voice accompanied by several titles. The Machop tilted his head curiously, trying to make sense of the long string of phrases the woman rattled off after her name. As a youngster that had never left the Electric Plant in his life, he was unfamiliar with such titles, though one name she mentioned was enough to send shivers down the fighting-type's spine. Terrakion. That was the name of one of the legendary musketeers, pokemon he had only heard stories about from the older members of his family. As a fighting-type, he had a deep respect for that group of legendaries, more than any but Arceus itself. If this human girl associated herself with Terrakion, then she had to be a warrior herself, which sent a wave of excitement through the Machop's body. Would she be fighting him, then, with that human weapon - he thought it was called a ham-ore - of hers then? But no, he had to remind himself as she struck the ground with her ham-ore, humans rarely fought without their pokemon partners, and many left the fighting to them completely. Just then, the Charmander stumbled forward, confirming his suspicion; it was the fire-type, not the girl, that was to be his opponent.

He couldn't keep a grin from sliding across his face as he glanced over the Charmander, though at the same time he felt kind of bad that he was going to fight someone so nervous-looking. But a fight was a fight, and he didn't have a lot of experience going against fire types. This could be fun! The Machop cracked his knuckles while the Charmander introduced himself, using the name the human had mentioned once or twice before: Ferrum. It sounded a bit odd to the fighter, but at the same time kind of cool, along with the fancy title he tacked on after it. It made him itch all the more for a good bout to the point where he, too, began shaking, though the tremors wracking his body were of a far different nature than the Charmander's. No, he was shivering in excitement.

Deciding that he'd kept up the suspense long enough, the gray-bodied pokemon stepped into the circle of light, giving his opponent-to-be an enthusiastic smile. "Chop! Machop, ma chop chop!" 'Pleased ta meet'cha, Ferrum of the Summit! I am Machop! I might not have a 'fficial name or a fancy title, but if it's training yer lookin' for, I'm yer guy!' He said by way of introduction, as was only fair after his opponent introduced himself. Then, without breaking his confident grin the Machop shifted into his battle stance, raising both arms in front of him in a guarding position and spreading his legs slightly. "Macho! Chop chop ma!"'Now come on! Since ya asked fer the fight, ya can have the fist move!' He cried, his voice echoing down the corridor as he twitched the fingers on his right hand in the universal gesture for "bring it."

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[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign, top][STYLE=border:5px #CC3333 solid; width:100px; height:100px; margin-left:40px;][/style][STYLE=-o-transform: rotate(270deg); -moz-transform: rotate(270deg); -webkit-transform: rotate(270deg); margin-top:135px; margin-right:-134px; padding-left:100px; font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; color:#FFFFFF;]countess of iron[/style]

[STYLE=border-left:5px #CC3333 solid; width:250px; font-size:10px; text-align:justify; padding:5px; color:#FFFFFF;] Ferrum gave a nervous shutter when the gray-blue creature placed a foot into the light. He eased slightly as the Machop grinned at him, the fighting type’s pleasant home-grown accent calming him. This was not a beast that wished to eat him, nor a ground-type that would bring him down in a single blow. This... this seemed to be a warrior, cut from perhaps the same cloth as other pokemon he had met that were in the company of knights. There was a sense of honor and power, but that strength was a friendly sort, they had high spirits and good humor, and even if you knew you were going up against them-you weren’t too frightened. He too smiled, if it was somewhat nervous and crumbled in at the edges, but Ferrum seemed delighted that it just wasn’t an Onix who was starving for a tasty meal. “Char! C-charmander.” <O-oh! It’s nice to meet you, sir. Thankyou, uhm, yes, I do rather sorely need a bit of combat-training against real-pokemon.> The Charmander still clung to his tail, but bowed slightly to the fighting-type, a sign he was also ready to start the battle. It was a traditional way for a knight to begin a battle, of course, the introduction of oneself, a small bit of conversation, and a hearty bow, and seemed to signal Endellion that the Machop had offered ‘you go first’. She didn’t say anything quite yet, her eyes focused on the fighting-type... She had been expecting there to be many sorts of pokemon within the power-plant, but, a fighting-type she hadn’t quite expected to be dwelling within. With a slanted smirk that showed her cheeriness, she let Kale (the iron hammer) rest upon her shoulder as she imagined the possibilities. Yes, she still wished to enlist another fire-type into her team, as well as a few other pokemon... but, she’d always loved fighting-types. Already, she could see it, feel it in her heart. This Machop, he was like them, she and Ferrum, at his inner-most core. Except, Endellion needed to know more about the Machop before she just up and decided to inquire after it’s joining them. She needed to see it in battle against Ferrum, to figure out it’s style, and perhaps it’s nature and ability. Then she would decide. She slightly distanced herself from the two, drawing a line in the ash-covered earth she stood upon. Ferrum noticed this, through the not-so-subtle glance he threw backwards. Very, very quietly he mumbled, both to himself and as a small utterance of warning to the Machop, “... char.” <Keep away from the line.... away from the line...> It was obvious why, the young woman was toting a large hammer around. She’d probably push them back into the battlefield with the brunt end of it if they accidentally crossed it. “Alright then!” Endellion’s face might have been hidden by the darkness, somewhat of a small smile upon it, “Let’s get this underway, Ferrum. Give a battle-cry and show him what you’ve got!” The little fire-type nodded, slowly letting go of his tail. He nervously opened his maw, a furrowed crinkle in his brow... “CHAR, CHAR~!” <YAHHHHH-> With this shout, from his chest erupted a low and rumbling growl. He then barreled forward, holding up his claws. Ferrum hoped to rake his claws against the Machop in a scratch attack. After all, he didn’t have much else to work with, quite yet, after all... The Machop was probably in the same boat as he... (hopefully.) [/style][STYLE=border-left:5px #CC3333 solid; border-top:5px #CC3333 solid; border-bottom:5px #CC3333 solid; width:260px; font-size:10px; text-align:justify; padding-left:5px; color:#FFFFFF;]word count :: 0605 tagged :: moddlings Cori~ notes :: The battle begins! Ferrum uses Growl & Scratch. If I understand correctly, this Machop’s special ability prevents all moves, from both pokemon, from missing?[/style][/style]

[Cori]

WILD MACHOP APPEARED!

[/style]

Machop || Male || No Guard || Fighting || Level 5
Low Kick || Leer

The Machop tilted his head as the Charmander spoke up once more, still stuttering slightly through the stuffy language he was speaking. The young fighting-type could not understand what was so scary about him that sent the little lizard a-shaking in his bright orange skin, but it was enough to make him feel another pang of guilt. The Machop heaved a mental sigh; at this rate, the fight wouldn't be any fun, but the Charmander did ask for it in the first place. It would be rude not to oblige him. So, even though he was just itching to start the battle, he fixed Ferrum with another grin as the latter finished thanking him for the battle and explaining his circumstances, hoping that it would encourage the fire-type a little. At least the other Pokémon was smiling now, even if it did look a little forced and scared. That had to count for something!

"Ma, machop ma." 'Er, yer welcome.' He responded, a little taken aback by being called "sir." "Chop, choma. Machop." Also, uh, ya shouldn't be so nervous. Fightin' against me's not like fightin' against a predator or nuthin'. Of course, that didn't mean that he was going to go easy on the fire-type, but he didn't say it - that would kind of invalidate his whole "cheer him up" idea. Then the Charmander bowed, still gripping his flame-tipped tail like some kind of lifeline, and the Machop felt a bit guilty at the sight; the older Machokes in his family always said that you should show your opponent proper respect before engaging in battle. Yet here he was, forgetting his manners in his excitement...ah well, it's not like it was too late to fix that! Bringing his two clenched fists together in front of his chest, the Machop gave Ferrum a bow of his own, before sliding back into a more combat-ready stance, his weight carefully balanced on his back leg and his arms held up in a guarding position.

Curiously, he saw that the human - Endellion - mark out a line on the ground not too far away with her ham-ore. He wondered if it was some kind of boundary, like the rings of rocks and other small objects the Machokes set up while the young Machops sparred. Not a moment later, Ferrum confirmed his suspicions with a muttered warning to stay away from the line...and considering the size of the ham-ore in the trainer's hands, he decided to heed the Charmander's suggestion. He might have a tough hide, but that thing looked heavy enough to leave some excruciatingly painful bruises, if not bust apart a few bones. Not that he had much time to consider the weapon, because before he knew it, the human was ready to go and commanding Ferrum to go to battle. First, Ferrum let out a much fiercer battle cry than the Machop thought him capable of, following it up with a rumbling growl that sent a shiver down the fighting-type's spine, feeling his power drop at the sound, not that he paid it much attention.

He was more concerned with the Charmander leaping at his face, claws at the ready. The Machop grimaced, knowing he could not dodge it; it was the price that came with his ability, so all he could do was grit his teetch as the lizards's sharp nails raked across his upheld arms, leaving crimson streaks in their wake as they rent their blue-gray flesh. The Machop hissed at the pain, but didn't flinch - they were taught to expect pain in a fight, not to be surprised by it - and retaliated with a defense-lowering Leer, his eyes gleaming sharply in the firelight. Next, he lashed out at the Charmander's bright orange body with a Low Kick, confident that it would hit its mark. Not only were they in close quarters, but while No Guard meant he couldn't dodge his opponent's attacks, it restricted him the very same way.

ooc: That is how I understand his ability to work as well, but if one of the other staff members knows otherwise, they are free to step in and correct me. ^-^'