Deviation Actions
Description
“Ho ho! More of you guild brats come to duel?” Xavier chuckled, before grinning wolfishly. “It matters not, I’ll best you all! Methinks you come from the Trackers Guild?” “Uhhh…” Gary replied, backing away nervously, “I-I’m not really in any G-Guilds…” Xavier laughed at that. “T’is obvious now, fellow! You’re too craven for the Trackers. Although…” he leered at Gary’s hat, “Your headgear could indeed be a product of the Scholars. A fine piece of raiment, indeed. And the energy around it is visible! Quite interesting indeed.”
Gary panicked a bit at that. His hat was sparking up, showing how nervous he was. “I ju-just came to ask you to l-leave!” He shouted, before muttering under his breath, “Ugh, I hope this plan works...” Gary hoped Xavier didn’t hear him. The comment was not totally unnoticed, however. “Twas an insult upon thine lips just now, no? Then duel we shall! Come, bring your best! Should I lose, leave I must, but upon victory your gear becomes mine!” Xavier brandished his wand, ready to fight.
In hopes of a quick knockout, Gary fired off a Thunderbolt, striking the ground nearby Xavier. “Ah, more to it than meets the eye, I see!” The bandit grinned again. “Now I must have it!” Gary prepared to fire again, but the Braxien waggled his finger. “No no, we shan’t have that. Twould be unfair!” He waved his wand, and a wall of magic surrounded the two combatants. “My Magic Room renders objects such as that useless! Natural talents only, to keep the duel fair, no?”
Well, there goes the quick victory, Gary thought. Now he’d just have to wait for Horace to… Wait! There was the signal. The Magic Room was blocking Horace’s Grass Whistle, so putting Xavier to sleep was out of the question. Gary would have to stall for time until Horace could knock out the bandit.
“W-wait! I-if I could just get my f-friend’s medicine back, I’ll leave you alone. Th-the medicine is i-important.” He stammered, watching the trees behind Xavier. Xavier pondered it. “Hmmm, you mean, this?” He held up a small pouch, looking at it carefully. “If it’s important, it could fetch a handsome reward.” He grinned, looking back at Gary. “Now why would you implore me to give up such a fine prize, knowing I’d refuse by nature? Unless… you didn’t come alone.” He turned to see Horace flying through the air, launching an Acrobatics to try to hit Xavier from behind.
“Ho, how dishonorable! To strike whilst my back is turned” The bandit waved his wand, and a jet of flame shot out towards Horace. He quickly changed trajectory, landing next to Gary. “Rats, he’s smarter than he looks.” Xavier feigned indignation. “Oh, how base! To insult my intelligence as well as my skills! You will find no easy prey in me!”
The rest of the battle was over quickly. Horace and Gary fled, realizing they couldn’t beat him now. They had to return to Tabira, having failed their mission. Upon returning, the saw Ray again, who’s face quickly dropped when they told them they came back empty handed. Then he smiled again.
“Hey don’t worry about it! At least you guys are OK! You just need practice, that’s all. I’m sure you could get him next time, now that you know his moves! Hey, why don’t you come with me to the Tracker’s Guild? They’re having a training session today, maybe you guys could learn a thing or two.”
Horace shrugged. “Well, if it’ll help us beat that thug, then sure. I guess it couldn’t hurt.” Ray lit up again. “Sweet! Here, follow me!” He dashed off, leaving Team Harvester to follow as best they could.
When they arrived, there was a quick talk about the rules from Marble, who would oversee the training. “Listen up, newbies. I want to see you give this your all, but be safe too. I won’t tolerate you guys goofing off or trying to really hurt each other. And if you get stuck on the obstacle course, don’t be afraid to call it quits. Remember, your safety comes before completing the mission. Got it?” The trainees nodded. “Then get to work!”
Horace and Gary jumped into the line for the obstacle course first, to get warmed up for later. Once it was their turn, they got ready to go. Horace was confident that he could get done quickly, and just hoped Gary would keep up, until Marble approached them with a rope. “Alright, to promote teamwork, we’re gonna tie you two together, got it?” Horace gulped. Well, there goes the easy completion, he thought. However, the course wasn’t too tough, so they got through it OK.
As they finished up, a burst of flame came from the sparring ring. “Hey, let’s go check that out.” Horace nudged Gary, who sighed and followed him to the ring. Two figures, cloaked in flames, charging into each other. Looking for a spot to sit and watch, they noticed some open seats next to a Minccino and Riolu. Making their way over to them, Horace asked, “Hey, who’s winning? Looks like a pretty hot fight.” He laughed a little, seeing that the one was still on fire and chasing the other.
The Riolu answered. “Looks like Ash is winning, she’s got Chip on the run.” Horace looked back, but by now the two were dodging each other, so it was impossible to tell who was who.
“So, uh, which one’s Ash and which one’s Chip?” Horace asked, a little sheepishly. The Riolu looked back towards him. “Chip’s the Rattata, Ash is the Litten.” Horace nodded before going into player mode. “Thanks. And may I say, that ribbon on your tail looks lovely.” He winked.
She just rolled her eyes before turning to Gary. “So, haven’t seen you guys before. Who are you two exactly?” Gary looked a bit flustered, so Horace jumped in to cover for his friend. “Ah, how rude of me! I haven’t even introduced myself!” He cleared his throat before continuing. “I am Horace, a passionate and might I add” with a wink to the ladies, “single musician from Mosswood. I’ve come to join the Tabiran Guilds! This here is Gary, my partner. He hails from Fernfrond Village, coming to impress the Scholars with amazing intellect.” Gary blushed a bit, thinking to himself, I’m not that special. “Together, we are Team Harvester!” Horace finished dramatically, leaving their company a little stunned. The Riolu reacted first.
“Well, I’m Riley, from Team Courage. Chip is my partner.” The Minccino added in, “I’m Team Obsidian’s Augustus. I’m on Ash’s team. Nice to meet you both.” He politely reached for Gary’s paw, who blushed and shook. “Uh, hi…”
A loud explosion from the ring interrupted the formalities as the group turned towards the source of the sound. "Uhh, did that Litten just explode?" Horace asked, a little shocked. Gary was concerned too. "I-is she alright?" The Minccino nodded. "She's fine. She used Overheat. Which is strange, she usually saves it as a last resort, or if she gets really mad. Chip's taunting may have really gotten to her."
“I’M GOING TO KILL YOU, YOU LITTLE BRAT!” The Litten screamed, charging forward from the smoke, cloaked in flames. Chip barely dodged aside. However, Marble quickly stepped in, grabbed Ash, and stopped the match. After a short match, the two opponents walked back over to their teammates, and Ash curled up in a ball, which Augustus explained was her using Rest to recover energy.
Chip turned to Horace, and asked her partner, “Who are these two?” Horace stepped forward and reintroduced Team Harvester. Riley groaned out loud this time, prompting Chip to ask, “Do you always introduce yourselves like this?” Horace winked at her. “Of course not, we like to change it up a bit.” Chip nodded as though she didn’t believe it. “So, how long is the obstacle course line now?”
“Um, it’s st-still really l-long.” Chip groaned. “Oh, come on! Well, I guess we’ll just have to spar with someone else.” Horace stepped forward, offering to spar, but Gary piped up, “Actually, Horace, um, I wanted… to do the training dummies a bit.” Horace sighed. So close, yet so far. Ah well, next time Horace, you’ll see them again. “Alright, to the dummies!”
The two found a dummy, and started planning their training. “You wanna go first, buddy? See if you can practice Thunderbolt without the hat?” Gary shook his head. “I… um… I want to try f-fighting together a bit. C-combination moves and such. Y-you know, practice teamwork…?” Horace had to agree. “Well, maybe we can work on some strategies for taking down that bandit?” Gary looked a bit frightened. “W-wait, you were s-serious about that? I-I thought we were going to ask s-someone else to help.” Horace shook his head, a hard look in his eyes. “Anyone who’s low enough to steal medicine from sick people deserves a beating. He made it personal last time. I want to be the one to beat him.” Suddenly, he had an idea. “Hey Gary, give me your hat for a sec.” “M-my hat? Why? Y-you can’t use Thunderbolt.” Horace laughed. “No, I have an idea. Something that might be able to beat Xavier.” Reluctantly, Gary gave up the hat. “Now, when I hit the dummy, use Headbutt to get closer, then try a Thunderbolt.” Then, Horace threw the hat like a frisbee. And suddenly, was gone. Before Gary could even wonder where he had gone, he heard a CRAAAAAAAACK! And saw the dummy nearly split in two as Horace landed a kick from behind. “Now, Gary!” Gary charged towards the still spinning hat, focusing his energy midair, and launched a small spark towards the hat, which became a bolt of lightning heading for the dummy. Horace jumped back to watch the result and avoid injury.
The dummy never stood a chance. Bowed and bent, ruined tatters and a smoking stick were all that remained of the training apparatus. “Gary was shocked almost as bad as the dummy. “Wh-what just happened?” Horace grinned. “We found the way to beat Xavier. Now come on, I’ll explain on the way.” He said, grabbing Gary’s paw. “W-wait! We’re going n-now?!”
“Ohoho! Gluttons for punishment, I see! At least you have learned from where you erred, choosing to face me openly in the field of combat instead of the shades of treachery. Horace stepped forward, Gary’s hat in hand. “Xavier! We want to strike a deal with you!” “They wish to bargain, not to fight? Hmm… Very well! Make your offer!” Horace raised the hat. “We offer you this. You want the hat, we want the medicine. We’re willing to trade.” Xavier contemplated the trade. “Hmm, that item will be worth more than this remedy. Very well! But no tricks! If you try to attack me I will know it!”
Horace nodded. “Here, to show you nothing’s up, I’ll throw it to you. No risk, right? Catch!” The hat sailed through the air, Xavier’s attention completely focused on it, a thieving gleam in his eye. If this doesn’t work, I’ve lost my hat. Gary thought a little sadly.
And then it happened.
One moment, Horace was standing next to Gary, the next he had disappeared. Xavier’s head snapped towards where the Treecko used to be, narrowing in suspicion. Suddenly, something slammed into his back. A foot to be precise. Gary darted forward, sending a spark towards the hat, which became a crackling ball of electricity as it slammed into the Braxien and knocked him off his feet, smoke rising from his barely conscious form.
“H-how could I have been bested? By brats such as these, no less? Oh, the world is cruel!” He moaned. Horace chuckled. “It’s an easy combination. Acrobatics is a move that does double damage if you abandon a move tool. My ability, Unburden, boosts my speed in the same conditions. I combined those when I threw you the hat to knock you off balance, and had Gary charge it with Thunderbolt. However, instead of releasing the electricity through the hat, he stored it up so it hit you like a rampaging Tauros. Now, you’ve been beaten. Hand over the medicine, and anything else you stole, then leave and don’t come back.”
Xavier huffed. “My code of honor binds me to obey. However, know that this quarrel is not ended. Fear sleep, for in it you shall see my vengeance!” He cried, hopping to his feet, tossing them the medicine pouch, and dashing off into the trees.
Ray was delighted to have the medicine back, and promised that he’d tell them how it was working when he got back from Mosswood. “Thanks to you guys, the roads are now safe to travel. I owe you one, again.” Horace laughed. “Someday, we’ll have to cash in those favors you know.” The three laughed, before Ray dashed off for the road, promising to say hello to Horace’s father.
“Ok Gary, I hear that the Scholars are looking for some help. Wanna go?” Gary’s face lit up. “Y-yeah! What are we waiting for?” He began running off, before turning around, blushing. “Um, which way are the Scholars again?”
Rewards: 3 Trackers Rep
I'm not totally satisfied with the drawing, but then again, I never really am, since they're never that good. XP
This was a fun one, but a long one. 5 pages worth of stuff(4 and a half, if you want to get technical). I've been looking forward to fighting Xavier for a long time, and his dialogue was fun to write. Oh yeah! Cameos too! Two of my favorite teams cameo'd in this part, and dialogue is heavily borrowed from
's segment, though it's probably not exact since I couldn't access it for part of the time I was writing it. Oh well, it still should have come out ok. owns Team Courage, Riley and Chip, as well as almost everything that happens during the fight between Chip and Ash(aside from the thoughts of Gary and Horace, since this was from their perspective).
owns Team Obsidian, Ash and Augustus.Next up, the Scholars missions! These ones will definitely be shorter, so I'll soon be moving on to the intermission stuff, then Chapter 2! Finally! Stay tuned, and don't forget to send some questions for the LD Q+A if you're interested in that. If you came here just for ToT, you can probably ignore that bit XD.
And, as always,
owns Xavier, Marble, Tabira, the Guilds, etc. I own Ray, Horace and Gary.