2nd Match // [video | action] Ecruteak

[fuelthefire]

[VIDEO]
[There's a Combusken on your video feed, today, face pressed close to the device, head tilted curiously to one side, one red eye peering deep into your soul the camera. It looks like someone's just evolved and is making use of his new hand...claw...things! That eye stares unblinking for several moments before the pokemon tilts its head the other way to stare some more with its other eye.

Just as the whole thing might be getting totally unnerving, a growling voice speaks up from off-camera:]

Who's ready for a barbeque!?

[Murder Chicken finally blinks and looks away from the camera - presumably up at the voice - with a delighted exclamation of "Combusken!"

And then immediately proceeds to demonstrate its new Flame Charge move, cloaking itself in a sudden and dramatic ring of fire and singeing the 'Gear - which then shuts off seconds later when it's unceremoniously dropped.]

[ACTION]
[When he's not rambling around the town, Krieg can be found hanging out with Murder Chicken most days on Route 37 or Route 42 near the edges of Ecruteak. The trainer/pokemon sparring matches are way more intense now that MC can scratch and kick. Feel free to interrupt - or to be interrupted. Combusken may be Torchic's awkward weird teenage stage, but despite its new look Murder Chicken is just as friendly as ever, and Krieg doesn't really mind when people say hello.]

Comments

video;

[cardboard_boss]

Nice moves.

[He could speak to Krieg about his Pokémon, right? Jack surely wouldn't fly off the handle this time like he did last time because Snake spoke to Krieg about Pandora. Murder Chicken was impressive.]

You just teach it that?

video;

[fuelthefire]

[It takes a little while before Snake gets a response, because...yeah, Murder Chicken did just learn Flame Charge, and Krieg is blatantly encouraging him to spam the hell out of it.

He notices the 'Gear flashing eventually, though, and retrieves it to see what it wants, and - oh, hey, it's the guy with all the questions! 'Sup, dude?]

Mnahahaha! Just like back home!

[Except there was no Murder Chicken back home, and it was Krieg who was on fire...ah, memories...!]

It learns fast.

[This is one proud Psycho over here, folks.]

[cardboard_boss]

[Yep, it's the other one-eyed dude. Hey, Krieg.]

Back home you light barbeques a lot?

[Should he even ask that question? More like the guy enjoyed setting stuff on fire. A pyromaniac? He was certainly a maniac of some kind, relishing in the joy of violence.]

Pokémon do learn fast. Most of them learn a lot off their trainers.

[fuelthefire]

HahahahaHAH! Back home I'M THE MAIN COURSE!

[Take that how you will, Sir.]

Grows up fast, too.

[Has it really already been over a month??]

[cardboard_boss]

[He will take it how it comes, since Snake is used to Krieg's outburst a little more now.]

Yeah, they do grow up fast. They level up according to how you train them and spend time with them. Do you feed yours berries?

[Because Snake fed his berries.]

[fuelthefire]

Sometimes. It eats what it wants.

[He mostly just lets MC forage on its own, because clearly the pokemon has a better idea than Krieg does about appropriate food. Now that it's taller it's been eating a lot more berries than it used to, because it can now reach them better, but that's really the only difference he can see in its diet.]

Why?

POUNDS FISTS ON DESK ACTION

[atlasrising]

[ Rhys saw that network post. And after his encounter with Krieg the last time, he is going to do everything in his power to avoid this guy. If he has to go and hang out with Handsome Jack for a day, he'll do it. Eat eyeballs from something? Sign him up. Psychos are bad bad news. Rhys should know. He got chased by a bunch of them after he tried to get his old dead boss' face from a group of them (who had been wearing it over their faces, just to add.)

He's around Route 42 on the search for berries, when he hears the Combusken's cries from not too far away. Rhys turns the corner on the pathway, squinting a little to see what's going on, when. Oh god. Nope!

The little chicken thing looks nice and all but the psycho does not.

Rhys is just going to hide behind whatever tree is thick enough to hide his scrawny-ass little body, because he doesn't want to get caught anywhere near this guy. ]

SLAMS HANDS ON TABLE YES GOOD ACTION

[fuelthefire]

[Well, Rhys is in luck! For the moment, anyway. Krieg's currently distracted with his feathery buddy's training. He's been sparring with Murder Chicken since it was just a teeny Torchic. It only evolved recently, and he's still getting used to the little guy's increased speed and strength.

Not that that stops him shouting encouraging instructions as MC scratches and kicks away.]

Nahahahah! HARDER! HARDER!

[He's used to taking a merely defensive stance during these sessions, because he doesn't want to hurt Murder Chicken, but given the pounding he's taking, he may need to change up his training regime soon. Each blow the Combusken lands knocks him backward a bit, conveniently in the direction of Rhys' hiding spot.]

Too soft! FINISH IT OFF!!

[Only a psycho would complain that the beating he's taking isn't good enough.

Murder Chicken does as it's told, though, and breaks through Krieg's guard and delivers a highly impressive Double Kick right to the center of his chest, which sends him stumbling backwards - right past Rhys' tree - and right onto his back.

That's all six feet and six inches of 200+ pound Psycho stretched out more or less at your feet there, Rhys. His bare chest and shoulders are covered in scratches - some of which are still bleeding, and there are a few truly impressive bruises developing in places over his exposed skin.

...And he's laughing. It starts out as a quiet little giggle and quickly develops into a deep, full-body guffaw. He only dials it back a little as he sits up, but stops abruptly when he notices Rhys.

He blinks and aborts his motion to climb back to his feet, remaining seated for the moment and leaning forward to peer at the little beanpole twig-man pressed up against the trunk of a tree not much wider than he is.]

What's the matter? You lost?

[atlasrising]

[ My god. Like, this isn't normal? Fighting your pokemon by yourself is one thing, but to get your ass kicked and be covered in cuts and bruises and burns and then laugh your ass off is another thing. Rhys is absolutely horrified when Krieg ends up being pushed back so far, he's more or less at his feet. This worked...against him, honestly. This whole 'hiding' thing. Not good.

When Rhys is addressed he more or less...almost pees himself, to be honest. ] Hahaa, what? Me? Lost? Pssh. Naw. I know where I'm going, thanks.

[ Away from here! Rhys just points in the closest direction with a nervous kind of smile. ] I'm actually just going to be going, so.

[ Rhys turns and starts to walk away. If Krieg takes one step closer, he is prepared to run his ass back as fast as he can. ]

[fuelthefire]

[Oh, were you trying to leave? Sorry, Rhys, there's a Combusken in your way. He's fluffy and energetic and bouncy and very pleased to meet you! Don't go before you say hi to him, please!!

Meanwhile, Krieg has figured out why the little beanpole twig-man looks familiar, and speaks up from behind him (he's still sitting down, by the way, so don't piss yourself yet, Rhys ♥)]

Coming to visit Shield Lady?

[atlasrising]

[ Well, this sucks. Pinned in by a cute chicken pokemon! He smiles and reaches out to pet it quick before he leaves, but the sound of a booming voice right behind him spooks Rhys so bad, he jumps in place. Almost out of his shoes, actually. He spins around, arms up and everything, and oh yeah there's the psycho and he knows who Rhys is. Cool! ]

U-Uhh, not really? I was, I was just, uh. [ He points behind himself. ] going to get berries. You know. For the team.

[ Have a smile. A very, very strained smile. ]

I should get going! There's some nearby I think, so I should go get them before someone else does. [ He's just going to try and sneeeeak his way around Krieg, and hope he doesn't follow... ]

[fuelthefire]

[Woooooow, this guy is even more jumpy in person! But he hasn't pissed himself or fainted, both of which Krieg kind of vaguely expected, so he does get points for that.

He watches as Rhys tries to...what is he doing, sneaking? Wow, he's bad at that, too. Krieg can see you, Beanpole. That means ur doin' it wrong.

Also:]

Grabbed those already.

[Murder Chicken, meanwhile, is quite upset. He was so close to pets! So close! He gives an indignant little squawk when Rhys turns abruptly and nudges him - gently! - in the knee. Hey! You forgot something, sir!]

There's more over here.

[He gestures with one arm in the direction opposite of the one Rhys is trying to go to indicate where, exactly, he means.

Aaaaaand this is the part where the psycho stands up. He's in no huge hurry to get to his feet, though, so if Rhys wants to run, he can, and he'll have a few seconds' head-start.]

video;

[notvaljean]

Wow.

[Someone is pretty impressed by the Murder Chicken.]

What kind is that?

[And where can he find one of his own?]

video;

[fuelthefire]

[It takes a few moments for Krieg to pick up the 'Gear, and he's laughing his usual manic, slightly unhinged laugh when he does.]

Murder Chicken!

[That's its name. What kind of Pokemon is it?]

Nnnngh…

[There's a thoughtful grumble as he processes a bit more, before the answer is reached:]

Torchic! No, Combusken!

[Good memory there, Tiger.]

video;

[notvaljean]

[You know what, whoever said that brains are the most important thing out there? Now Jean knows the Pokemon's name and what kind it is.]

It's amazing.

[His voice is full of admiration.]

Was it the first one you got?

[Don't get him wrong, Jean loves his Voltorb, but it hasn't learned Self-Destruct yet, and the rampant, unapologetic property damage of Murder Chicken appeals to his teenaged rebellion side.]

video;

[fuelthefire]

[Krieg is more than pleased to accept praise on Murder Chicken's behalf; he knows the little guy is awesome. It's still gratifying to hear other people think so, too.]

First and only! It grew up in a flash.

[Literally. Pokemon evolution is crazy, man.

Also, once Krieg finds out Voltorbs are a thing that exist, he's going to need at least ten.

Speaking of:]

What'd you get?

video;

[notvaljean]

I got this one!

[Jean beckons to something off screen, and suddenly Blitz the Voltorb is shoving his face into the communicator, to get a better look at what's going on.]

He's a Voltorb and he shoots electricity.

[Blitz narrows his eyes at Krieg and starts crackling with menace. What are your intentions with his person, good sir?]

video;

[fuelthefire]

[Oh, man, that thing is super cool! Krieg shoves his face right up to the 'Gear to get a better look...even though proximity to the screen doesn't actually improve visibility. Oh, well.]

Mnahahaha...! Looks strong!

[Calm down, Blitz, all he's expecting from this encounter is to have a nice chat about cute murder monsters, okay?]

video;

[arcanaeum]

...you're not barbecuing the chicken, right?

video;

[fuelthefire]

[Wow, rude. Krieg would never.]

Can't barbeque something that doesn't burn! The chicken is the chef!

[...To be fair, though, he'd totally barbeque other things, so that's really not saying much. :')]

video;

[arcanaeum]

Ah. Good.

[ The chicken is...

He's still way too new to this place for this to make sense. ]

Is he very skilled?

video;

[fuelthefire]

[Minato picked the wrong guy to talk to if he's hoping for anything to make sense.]

A pyrotechnic prodigy!

[Said Krieg, who is in no way biased at all about his little buddy]

It breathes fire, too.

video;

[arcanaeum]

...that's pretty cool.

[ All he has is some lame ghost, floating all ball-and-tongue-like nearby. ]

He did look really tough.

[video]

[charcoalfeather]

[holy miltank]

Uhh... is that really... safe?

[video]

[fuelthefire]

[Sorry, Miss.]

Hahahahaha! Nope!

[Maybe some people practice safety when playing with fire, but Krieg is not and will never be one of them.]