XXX Part 15

!! E4, Bertha's Chamber

'''Ever''': You going to Mega Evolve anybody?

'''Bertha''': I never felt the need to go out of my way to find an appropriate Pokemon, if we're being honest. All the same...I think my ace should prove adequate. Rhyperior! Megahorn!

'''Mix''': <...Uh-oh.>

-and the Rhyperior charges across the field, oneshotting Mix with a well-placed horn swipe-

-Ever winces, and sends out Diesel-

'''Bertha''': A Bug-type? Alright, then. Rhyperior, Rock Wrecker!

'''Rhyperior''': -plows her hands into the ground, lifting up a huge hunk of stone- <HOW'S THIS FOR HARD ROCK, YOU DEDLING GNAT?!>

-and fires it at Diesel-

'''Ever''': Protect!

-Diesel holds up a wall of force, stopping the rocks cold-

'''Bertha''': Hmm. You don't really think you can hold out like that forever, do you? Or that you could pull the same trick you did against Aaron? I've taught Rhyperior how to bank her shots, just like in billiards!

'''Ever''': [--Dating yourself there.--]

'''Bertha''': [--Quiet.--] Rhyperior, Rock Wrecker again! Bury that Kricketune!

-the Rhyperior lifts up another hunk of rock, firing it off to the side. It ricochets, flying behind the rockpile...and out the other end, where it bounces off the other wall, and crashes straight into Rhyperior-

'''Bertha''': What?!

'''Ever''': Well, that's what happens when you shoot at things you can't see.

-Diesel sticks his head out of the rockpile- <Is it over?>

'''Ever''': It's about to be! See, I figured you'd have watched my battle with Aaron, and you'd have been prepared for me to clutter the field with cover! And I had a feeling you'd try something like banking your shot! So, when the rockpile formed, I signaled Diesel from behind it to hide inside it the first chance he got! And with nothing for that second Rock Wrecker to connect with, it just kept going until it hit Rhyperior! Your plan ran deep, Bertha, but mine ran just a little bit deeper!

-...-

'''Diesel''': -chirp-

'''Bertha''': ...What?

'''Ever''': ...Diesel, just use Brick Break.

'''Diesel''': <Rock's never been my style; I happen to prefer classical! So allow me to show you my forte!>

[[center: [[AC: Diesel used Brick Break!]] ]]

[[center: [[AC: Rhyperior fainted!]] ]]

'''Ever''': ...Not to undercut the fact that you're trying, but forte as in the musical notation and forte as in one's personal strength are not actually pronounced the same. Sorry.

'''Diesel''': <...Hmph.>

'''Ever''': Points for effort though! -skritches Diesel behind the antennae-