video;

[machismost]

[ The warehouse-like structure above contrasts with the more natural, hewn rock flooring; it's a readily recognizable arena for anyone who's been to Brock's gym. A little graininess hints this is a recording of another screen, but the action is still clear enough. Over those stalagmites, the paradoxically rugged and serpentine form of a massive Onix rears up and dives down towards an arms-akimbo Machoke. Just before the point of impact, the Machoke leaps forward and up, landing a Cross-Chop beneath where the crest of rock juts out of the rock beast's head - right between the eyes.

While the Onix recovers from more of an impact than it was expecting with the ground, Machoke moves to use the stalagmites to his advantage for some cover. Here it can be seen despite his earlier cool demeanor, he's definitely been battered and scraped a good deal. Enraged, Onix's next move is to demolish part of the arena on the called order to Rock Slide and while Machoke braces himself, he still takes the hit and seems to fall back amidst the cloud of rising dust. This seems like it's going to be the end of things as Brock calls for a Bind and the rock snake delves into the particulates and the silhouette of it beginning to wind around can be seen.

"C'MON MACHOKE, THIS IS YOUR MOMENT! TOSS 'IM!" Comes the scream from the young man who is apparently the challenger's trainer and boy; but there's a bit of strain to his voice that has nothing to do with a lack of experience in yelling, almost as if not even he's sure his Pokemon's going to pull this off.

The silhouette begins to unwind faster than it can curl, and soon enough the debris is clearing thanks to the slow but momentous passage of a damn Onix being swung around by its tail. It's just a couple of rotations, but it's more than enough to break some more stalagmites and carve a furrow in the floor when Machoke finally lets the Onix go.

There's an eruption of a scream of triumph from the trainer which is, fortunately for everyone's eardrums, cut by a grey finger tapping a pause button. Pan out to a Machoke holding the camera selfie-style next to a television screen. As he touches the tiny Machoke on screen and then points to himself there's a self-satisfied rumble before the red eyes dart to someone off-screen, meaningfully.

The view pans out further as the camera is handed off, allowing the Machoke to pick up a broadcast schedule for various gym matches and indicate the place for 'Brock vs. Eijiro Kirishima'. A gravely yet nonetheless young male's voice finally breaks in, his tone holding wry amusement. ]

Machoke took on Brock's regular team by himself and he'd like to invite you to check out his whole match.

Pretty sure it's also a challenge for anyone who's interested in tryin' to take him on. I get that right, man?

[ The fighting Pokemon of the moment gives a cocky smirk, one little fang protruding. He reaches out towards the camera and beckons with his fingers - possibly a universal sign for bring it on - before the fingers ball into a fist and flexes the muscles of his arm. ]

Comments

Text;

[heir_conditioned]

[Rat battle? That had been impressive. This? Seeing Kirishima up there confident as he always had been and without the use of their quirk... That's inspirational. Then again, all his friends had been, even back home. He's doing some hunting or he would've probably been outed as actually having a singular emotion and replies instead by text.]

Congratulations. That was incredible to watch.

text;

[machismost]

[ It spares him Kirishima's Emotions too since it's his usual MO to meet who he replies to in whatever method they choose. ]

Hey thanks man!!! He's come a long way from throwing down with me outside of 'Mom's house. Might be you and your tea cup some day. How are you guys getting along?

[heir_conditioned]

[Kirishima is a blessing that's all there is to it.]

You're welcome and I hope that's true. He's been working very hard, I just have to catch up to him. Things are going alright, it's been an adjustment but I'm more here to congratulate you.

[There have been hang-ups mostly with him, more than his Pokemon, but he's way too invigorated by seeing Kirishima wipe the floor with this other trainer.]

I hope to see it in person one day. How many of these have you done?

[machismost]

It's gonna be as true as you wanna make it, Todoroki! But I've got faith in you!

Me and my Machoke have been training for almost a year now to make this happen.

[ He does appreciate Shotou is dapping him up - Kirishima is just going to have to gracefully accept his hard work is being acknowledged ]

With this win it's my fifth badge. It's eight badges per region or continent. You gotta have all 16 to get to the big BIG arena!

[video]

[strikesachord]

[Gobo's eyes and grin are both wide as he lifts a fist in the air.]

Woah! That was amazing to watch, congratulations!

[machismost]

Thanks!

[ Kirishima is the one beaming back at him, seated in a chair with Machoke leaning near a television in the background. ]

How're you doin', man? You got that guitar yet?

[strikesachord]

I've been alright! Still haven't gotten my hands on a guitar, though I hope I find one soon. But nah, I've been hanging around the Ruins of Alph for a while, actually-- You seen it? The place is pretty amazing!

[machismost]

Yeah man! I have! I got a Pokemon around there, actually! He's been really helpful just for like... moral support sometimes. Munna, y'know?

[Video]

[floatsaway]

[Wow, what a match! Ochako was already enthralled by the powerful display altogether, but when she realizes it's her friend there in the background fighting and yelling, she immediately begins to match his energy and enthusiasm, gasping and cheering right at the end when that big ol' rocky serpent is tossed around like a ragdoll. She's practically throwing her arms up in the air, Gear dropped into her lap.]

YEAAAHHH!! GO, GO, KIRISHIMA-KUUUUN~! THAT WAS AMAZING!! [Sorry to blow out your eardrums there, dear friend, but Ochako's been getting more and more into these battles and watching the gym challenges more and more. They're exciting.] You were wonderful too, Machoke-kun!! I'll be sure to watch the rest of the match later, but...ah! There you are, Kirishima-kun.

[She's practically vibrating, wiggling her little fists in excitement.] You and the others should come watch my next match, too!! Me and Eri-chan are maybe a few hours away from Azalea, and I'm going to train up a whole lot more to take on the next gym! It, um...m-may not be for a, um...wh-while, but I'll let you know when! I want to train up Red and Ankaa-chan more.

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[machismost]

[ Machoke is the one who is in frame for the moment, huffing and smirking. He sets the camera down on a spot that gives him a good angle for a pose.

Gravity makes the picture tumble down and Kirishima rights the 'gear. ]

Yeah!

[ Here he is. ]

I'd love to come watch you and Eri-chan! Just let me know where and when - I'll fly down for the day!

[ Quieter: ]

How're you getting along with Eri? I know that's gotta be a lot all of the sudden...

video; PRIVATE

[floatsaway]

[Ochako is giggling and snorting to herself at the posing Pokemon, mimicking the poses with her arms and maybe even doing one that she remembers All Might doing at some point as well, when he was still able to get into his muscle form. But oh, there's her favorite rock-hard redhead to congratulate!]

I would love that!! All of you can come, and I'll tell you right before I take on the challenge and wait for you guys! I still have a lot of training to do for it, only a few of my partners are really any good against that type.

[Perhaps two? Three, maybe?? But then suddenly the topic changes and her smile falters for a moment. Just a moment. Ah...hah.]

I-It is a little, um...difficult, but I'm okay, Kirishima-kun, please don't worry. If I win the gym challenge, I'll be in a better spot too, I think. Plus, I'm teaching Eri-chan how to battle, little by little, so her friends can grow stronger and take care of her if for some reason I can't be there, or we get separated.

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[breakyourlife]

[The camera is focused on a Donphan before anything else, raising her trunk in the air and pawing at the ground like a bull about to charge. A moment later Steve leans into the frame in front of her.]

I think that's a yes. Congrats, man. It takes a lot to impress her.

[machismost]

[ Offscreen: ]

WOAH! Machoke, that's an Elite Four winner, there!

[ On screen: Machoke hefts his jaw and huffs through his nostrils before posing with arms akimbo. ]

Where and when, my man?

[breakyourlife]

That's right. And it would have been even easier if I'd brought Ellie here.

[He says this like he beat them easily, which he definitely didn't. He brought three normal types. Bruno was hard, and the others were no walk in the park either.]

Are you coming back to Johto anytime soon? I'm normally in Goldenrod, but I can always catch the train over to Kanto if you aren't. It's not like I'm doing anything else.

Action

[mightdoriya]

[Izuku had gotten his badge just shortly before Kirishima went to challenge Brock the following day, and honestly? He'd asked for permission to sit in the bleachers to watch, both to get to experience someone else's strategy as well as to cheer his friend on. Needless to say it had been a very exciting match all around.

Izuku moves to sit by Kirishima with Mighty in his lap when he hears the video of the match being replayed yet again.]

He should be proud, cause I've never seen one Pokemon take on a whole gym like that! Even I wasn't sure bringing in less than six when I challenged Brock!

[machismost]

[ With Midoriya sitting so close, Kirishima's inclined to be candid, leaning in slightly and lowering his voice. ]

I feel kinda bad... I knew he was strong but I wasn't sure if he'd be able to pull it off. Now I'm like... You don't think it was unsporsmanly to do one on three, do you?

[mightdoriya]

Mm...no, I don't think so. He probably would have said something if he wasn't up for it. And I imagine it's a lot more of an interesting challenge, that way.

[THAT AND...it's probably far from the first time Brock has been stomped by some overzealous trainer with a single Pokemon...he's the first gym leader for a reason, after all.]

[Video]

[strings_theory]

[Well, that's pretty cool. And she's about to respond to this until her arm is getting forced to also show the primeape next to her that is flexing in response with a loud cry.]

Laila, I swear to fuck... [She hisses before tugging the gear back, but making sure to let the primeape keep up her posturing.]

I'm guessin' that Laila here will gladly take on the challenge since she was one of my Elite Four team~

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[machismost]

[ Machoke's face fills the screen with a snort and a growl, eyes wide with a sheen of excitement. Hell yeah, let's do this! From the background: ]

We'd be honored to face up against Laila. When and where's cool with you?

ACTION

[apshot]

[ Aren't they all kind of... Taking turns? Poor Brock. Poor Brock's team. Though Bakugou isn't going to be as brutal as this. How must it feel for one Pokemon to take down a Gym Leader's team?

Now Bakugou has been there watching the entire time. With his arms crossed and expression just as surly as ever. ]

Was it even really that challenging?

[machismost]

[ There's a harsh snort through the nostrils of Machoke, though he only folds his arms this time around. In the past, he may well have been spurred to come at Katsuki for what seems to be an implied criticism.

Kirishima takes a step between the two anyway. ]

What d'you mean?

[apshot]

[ It's not really implied criticism. Bakugou just doesn't see what the big deal is. Machoke took out the whole gym... Yeah, and? ]

He's like twice as strong as any of those fuckers out there.

[ So it should have been expected that he'd win? ]

video

[un_oiseau_rebelle]

Congratulations, and also good luck - Tonbo was insufferable for a good week after he defeated Lieutenant Surge's team.

video

[machismost]

[ There's laughter from off-screen while on screen Machoke itches his nostril with a middle finger. ]

Honestly, man, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who tried this. It almost didn't seem fair with how high level he was goin' in... But then we decided he wouldn't do potions or breaks, so I feel a little better about it.

[un_oiseau_rebelle]

[Shinobu's just going to ignore that, Machoke.]

It helped that Tonbo was immune to almost everything that team could throw at him - he's a Flygon, and their electric moves just rolled right off him.