Glory's Long Road: Episode #04 "Downfall"

The sun hung low in the tundra sky, having just arisen from under the 
horizon. Dry, bitterly cold air remained still as Erik made his way to the 
Wabush City gym, the Oxide Gym. Sandopan trailed behind, barely keeping up 
with Erik. Just on the outskirts of the city, a large building stood, 
covered with a rippled metal siding. Rays of light bounced off the steel, 
creating a glaring reflection. A great set of iron doors opened with a groan 
as Erik pushed them apart. Inside the building was a large open pit, almost 
10 metres across. Crushed and shattered rock fill the pit, glinting with the 
iron ore in the stone. "Who goes there?" From the far end immersed in 
shadows, heavy voice bellowed out.

"A trainer, wishing for a gym battle." A lone man appeared from the 
darkness. Drab overalls and a scratched yellow hardhat were all the man 
wore. "So I see." He took a pokeball off his overalls belt. "I, Niko, accept 
your challenge. Two-on-Two, no time limit." With a throw, Niko sent out a 
small Koiru. Sandopan, readily got prepared to do battle. However, Erik 
outstretched his hand, keeping Sandopan back. From his belt, Erik removed a 
pokeball, and released Lupus into the depths of the pit. The ice wolf 
circled the floating magnet, not sure what to make of it. "Thundershock." 
Having received first orders, Koiru discharged a thin bolt of electric 
energy. Although temporarily, Lupus winced in pain from the sudden shock. 
Responding to the attack, Lupus answered back with an Ice Beam. Dodging as 
best it can, Koiru evaded most of the beam, allowing its right side magnet 
to be encased in ice. Weighed down by the ice, the Koiru dropped down to the 
ground, landing awkwardly on its side.

"Crunch attack." Tilting her head to the side, Lupus powerfully clamped down 
on the hapless Koiru. A few shakes of the head, and it was thrown aside into 
the rocks with a resounding thud. Niko quickly recalled the downed Koiru. 
"Impressive." He sent out his second pokemon. A red insectoid appears in 
front of Lupus. Before she can react, the red pokemon slammed the broad side 
of its pincer-hand into Lupus, rendering her unconscious.

Erik recalled the injured wolf, and gave the word Sandopan was waiting for. 
"Go." With that, Sandopan charged forward, leaping down into the pit. It 
landed in front of the armoured insect, taking a scraping slash against the 
metal. "Hassamu, Agility." A quick flap of wiry wings drew Hassamu back a 
bit, before disappearing in a burst of speed. Puffs of dust and hard clacks 
arose as the bug blazed around the confines of the pit. Sandopan stayed put, 
tracking the Hassamu's movements by the sounds.

"Metal Claw." Reappearing in front of the hedgehog, Hassamu struck forward, 
pincer held open. Only centimetres separated Sandopan and the clamping claw 
as he hopped back. Hassamu moved forward, slashing with its right claw, only 
to be blocked by Sandopan. Using its other claw, Hassamu slashed again. 
Sandopan attempted to block with his right claw, but the injury sustained 
from the previous day hindered his ability. The block remained for a moment, 
before dropping. Hassamu's left claw, having been released, shot to the 
side. Seizing a strike, the steel pokemon snapped its left claw back, 
hitting Sandopan in the face. Helplessly, Sandopan partly spun around from 
the blow, and received a last hit in the back of the head. Limply, the 
hedgehog fell onto the rocky ground, as did a little piece of Erik.


End Episode #04

Pokemon Report
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Translations
Koiru = Magnemite
Hassamu = Scizor