Contents:
October
Obvious exits:
Way around City <WAC> leads to Pokemon Route 6: Celadon City.
East <E> leads to Celadon City: Bellsprout Park.
West <W> leads to Celadon Expressway - Route 16: City Gates.

Heavy snow falls, making it hard to walk through the accumulating drifts, and occasionally even hard to see. All the world seems grey and white. The wind blows the snow about from the east, and it swirls around objects and never falls straight down. In the forest, the whirling curtain of snow accumulates in the forks of the trees and piles up in drifts against their trunks. While at the coast, the cold snow pelts the ocean, whipping it into a black frenzy with foam-white accents.

The snowfall has hindered the vehicular traffic usually so prevalent in the town of Celadon, and most people have dived into there homes and sealed it tight. Indeed, even though the falling snow, it's very peaceful, with only the occasional movement. One particular sign of life comes in the form of a Pewter dwelling girl, Melissa Barlette, as she makes her way down the sidewalk... extremely slowly, as she has the lovely options of either lifting her knees way into the air or pushing her legs through the snow - neither of which the teenager is very good at. She's bundled up very much - in fact, only her eyes and part of her nose are visible, and even her glasses are covered by fogging glasses. The only thing of great interest about her, besides the fact that she's out in such awful weather, is her little mirror pin, situated perfectly on the right side of her chest.

Indeed, it snows, and it snows hard. What is a boy to do, or a girl for that matter? Stay indoors, of course! Unless one such person has a secret agenda of sorts, destined to provide the world on a silver platter before the plan's executive. Or so some would think. But on this particular day, it is not world domination that managed to pull out a young pokemon trainer. A young pokemon trainer who goes by the name of October. <Trainer Boy!> Or, if you're a certain Vulpix going by the name of Chao, Trainer Boy suits just fine. <Don't put the nose yet, we didn't finish with the face!> The little Vulpix cries, trotting around a slowly forming snow man. For indeed, the weird image before those who dare pass near the entrance to Celadon is weird. Between four, conveniently close trees, a young teenager stands before the said snowman. Around his ankles, the little Vulpix happily trots, in his green coat pocket, a little Caterpie with a small black cape peeks at the outside world, and on top of the snowman, a Spearow is situated. Above all of them, a large purple sheet is stretched between the four trees, each corner tied tightly to the vegetation's trunk, stopping the descending snow from interfering with the small group's work. Perhaps, in a previous life, the said sheet worked as a tent, but that is questionable. "Chao, the nose -is- part of the face." October says to the little Vulpix while stuffing a pointy carrot in the middle of the snowman's 'face'.

Melissa the walking pillowcase continues on her trek, struggling through the snow inch by inch. She's wearing too much; it's difficult for her to bend her knees. "Mph! Mph! Mpp... mm... ma... achoo!" She sneezes loudly into her collar, arms stretching to reach her face so as to sneeze into her -gloves- instead... but her coat is too thick. She can't reach that far. With a little sigh, Melissa continues waddling across the sidewalk, squinting to see anything through her foggy glasses. It's not long before she stumbles upon October and his pokemon making their little snowman, and, her eyebrows squinting a bit, her mouth hidden in her coat turning into a light frown, the girl comes to a stop. He seems to be wearing no pin, but that doesn't mean Ms. Barlette can't take a couple seconds to rest her tired, tired legs. And so she watches October. Silently.

<Yes yes, put it there, aah, no, no, not there!> Chao commands as October screws into the face two black buttons... the eyes. <We want this thing to see, not be a freak of nature.> On top of the snowman, the motionless Spearow eyes the little Vulpix with her constant disapproving glare. <I like eyes.> She simply states, moving her gaze to the little Caterpie, the latter shriveling under such a gaze. <Su-su-su-- ooOOooh, --per Cate--eh-rp... ee.> It squeaks and digs deeper into the pocket. "Aero, stop scaring Nara, please." Aero seems to puff a little with annoyance, but her voice remains steady. <She's not dead.> October nods. "That is so." Then the Spearow moves her gaze to Melissa, the rest of the group apparently not yet aware of her presence. <Yet.> The Caterpie shrivels even more. "Aero!" But the rebuke goes over the avian pokemon's back, like a water off a duck's. <Oh, oh, oh oh oh!> Chao suddenly cries, jumping closer to the frozen being that tries to mimic a human's form. <Now a mouth. A mouth! Tell me you have a mouth, Trainer Boy.> October sighs, his gloved hand tugging at his coat, revealing his own shirt collar. "Yeah, yeah, I have a mouth, somewhere." With the second hand the boy begins to dig under the coat, looking for a hidden pocket, perhaps? In the process, a little pin on the said shirt's collar is pushed to the side, Melissa's side, in the shape of a mirror. "I'm sure I put it here, somewhere."

Though it's hard to see behind (not to mention through) her water-condensed glasses, Melissa is scanning the pokemon, mild but existant interest evident on her face - most especially in the Spearow, who seems to be the most majestic of any of the trainer's other creatures. As Aero settles her sights on the girl, the Pewter teen stares right back for a moment, before submissively turning away. Turning to October. Melissa's eyes widen a little as her eyes settle upon the pin. She catches only a flash of it through the snow and through October's searching, but she sees it. And she immediately goes into action. "S... sir!" Her already quiet voice is muffled by her coat. She takes a step forward, then another, before adding another, "E... Excuse me, sir!"

Aha! The mouth is found! Hail to the king, baby. <Woo, hail to the king Vulpix.> Chao announces as he spots his trainer pulling his hand back out from his coat while holding on to a thick piece of dark string. "Chao," October eyes the all too full of himself Vulpix. "Who brought this string? Me or you?" The Vulpix is not intimidated. <Trainer Boy, who's flammable?> But before the trainer has a chance at answering, the Spearow, whose gaze never left the other human, mutters rather coldly, <Company.> A moment later, Melissa's voice is carried through the small group. The Caterpie shrieks and dives into the pocket, disappearing completely, while the Vulpix quickly turns around at the sudden prospect of food. <A hot dog vendor?> But alas, it's just a girl, and October turn around to see her approach. Blinking and placing the dangling cord that is destined to rule as a mouth on the snowman's 'shoulder', the boy nods at her slightly. "Um, hello."

Huff, puff. Huff, puff. Walking is hard enough, but to run through the snow without tripping - that takes a lot more out of ya. Needless to say, by the time Ms. Barlette does reach October, she's all tuckered out by her oh-so-long run. Zipping down part of her jacket to let her mouth breathe fresh air, the teenager leans over slightly, panting loudly and releasing little clouds into the cold air rapidly. Moments of gasping continue, before Melissa can finally lift her head up enough to look October in the eyes. Straightening herself, the girl swallows, grins uneasily, and lowers her head, looking at the boy without having her foggy glasses hindering her view of him. "I... um... I saw, you... uh... you, uh, you still in the Backwards Tournament?" Gosh, she's going to feel so silly if he says no.

October blinks at the young addition to his little group of fun and games, this one suddenly bringing in the idea of business. <Oh, darn gosh it all.> Chao mumbles and lowers his ears upon realizing the girl is no hot dog vendor, nor a Strawberry Shortcake seller. Nor anything else which sells food. <Hey, maybe she's giving food for free, then!> He suddenly perks up at the thought, but is ignored. At the girl's question October nods slowly. "Yes... yes I am. May I inquire as to, well... why are you asking..?" He asks a question of his own somewhat uneasily, the Caterpie in his pocket taking a chance at peeking at the newcomer.

Will Santa's route be extra long this year? Better save! (Saving)

Melissa has only a vague idea of what the Chao is saying, and she gives him a little peer for a moment or two before adjusting her attention back to October. Or, rather, back to his Caterpie, who does get a little smile. She's a sucker for something cute. Especially when it's not loud. "Oh! Uh..." She looks almost surprised at October's question, and, whipping her head up to his head, she uses her gloved hands to scratch her side nervously. "I... uh... I, uh, I made it to round three, and, uh, I, uh, I..." She's very red. Is it from shyness? From the cold? From embarrassment in winning in a contest where the weaker your pokemon, the better you do? "You... um... want to battle?"

Chao begins to jump a mere second after Melissa offers the challange, tails waving. <Oh, oh, me, me! Pick me, pick me! I can battle. I want to battle. Let me battle!> Then he pauses. <Ummm, you'll give me food when I'm done, right?> Aero looks down at Chao, her feathers puffing even more with annoyance. <Kid, shut up.> October ignores both of them, contemplating the proposition. "Uh, sure... I guess..." He says slowly, looking down at his Caterpie, the green bug fervently trying to succeed in the act of Not Being Seen. "Nara, what do you think?" At the sound of October's voice, however, the little creature yelps and tries to dig into the pocket once again. "I think she might be able to, yes..." Is the trainer's conclusion, one that once again comes to show the audience the benefits of Not Being Seen, something the Caterpie failed to do.

Melissa's eyes widen even further behind her glasses as she eyes at the Caterpie, and she looks up at October, back down at Nara, October, Nara, October. "That... um... uh... that's mine?" Final glance at the Caterpie. "She's... Nara?" A smile forms on her face. "She's... so cute." She continues watching the bug for a few moments longer, looking to see her reactions, before speaking. "My pokemon..." She struggles a bit, trying to move her stiff, tightly packed elbows enough to snatch the pokeball off of her belt. She eventually succeeds. "Rrr... rgh! Got it!" Extending her hand to give the boy "his" pokeball, she nods. "... His name is Kickback. He's... uh... he's a Hitmonlee. ... Do you know what a, uh, a Hitmonlee is?"

The whiteness of the whirling snow fades to blanched grey.

Caterpies, Hitmonlees, Pikes... it all comes together somehow, and Nara stops digging into the pocket for a moment as Melissa speaks to her. <Bree-ee-eeee...> Is all it says. Chao, however, is disappointed. <Aw, -man-!> October nods at Melissa as she eyes the little green bug, and gently lifts the creature out of his pocket, Nara stiffening at his touch. Placing the tiny insect on the ground, the boy silently gives Chao the well known signal of Socializing, and the said Vulpix jumps over to Nara and begins the usual pep talk given before battles. Although October does have the sneaky suspiciun half of Chao's speech is constructed of real Bla's and Yadda's. But he shows little interest in that detail now, quickly straightening and taking the offered pokeball away from Melissa. "A Hitmonlee... yes, yes I do. Actually, very well." He grins, memories coming back to him, and he quickly maximizes the objects and drops it to the ground, the familiar red light shooting out.

Melissa gives October a nervous little grin, granting him an apprehensive nod. "... You... um. Good luck." Her grin softens a bit as she turns away, shooting a glance at where she'll be standing for the battle. "Do you... uh... ... do you have a coin? So... um..." She's reddening a little more now, marveling at how hot her face can get when the weather outside is so cold. "... ... so we can, uh, we can..." She swallows audibly, closing her eyes for a moment. Being social is not easy on this girl. "... Decide who goes first?"

Chao finishes his pep talk speech with an enthusiastic, <Woof!> before trotting over to Melissa, the Caterpie trying to follow suit as quickly as possible. The black, tiny cape flaps in the wind, and the little pokemon tries to shout a proud, <Breee, Super Caterpie!> but... alas. It's just too scared at the moment to do such a thing.

Meanwhile, in the human battle lines, October nods at Melissa's stuttering question. "Sure, I guess. Got some change here, somewhere..." Once again, he tugs at his coat and digs beneath it, looking for some sort of flippable coin. Whether he's going to find one is another question, seeing as how 'flippable' is not even a real word. "Found one!" Ok, forget that. Triumphantly, the boy pulls out a small, shiny coin and prepares to flip. "I call... oh... heads!" And the coin is in the air!

October rolls 1 die: <4>
Melissa rolls 1 die: <3>

October's stats changes have been set to 0. He is ready to battle.
Melissa's stats changes have been set to 0. She is ready to battle.

Snow falls heavily in the deepening twilight, making it hard to walk through the accumulating drifts, and hard to see. The wind blows the snow about from the east, and it swirls around objects and never falls straight down.

The coin flies into the air, smashing into snowflakes on its ascent and meeting harsh wind currents, before finally succumbing to gravity, flipping and spinning the way to the ground. Paff! It lands on the top layer of snow, sinks down a fourth of an inch, and stops. Melissa leans over, taking the first look. "... Heads," she confirms, wiping her glasses and adjusting them on her nose - her arms stretch far enough now that she's leaning. "Good... good luck, sir!" And she immediately whirls around, nervously stumbling over to her part of the battlefield. When she arrives, her eyes turn from Caterpie to boy to Caterpie to boy. Then to Vulpix. This is... different.

October recollects his nice little flippable -- ahem -- coin, and turns to the Hitmonlee before him. "So... hello there." He tilts his head to the side. "I guess we'll be a team, for now. I'm, er, October. Kickback, your name, so I've heard. Pleased to meet you?" Another few moments of silence, and finally, when October is content with this the short introduction, or perhaps simply because Melissa reached her spot, he turns to the battle field before him and frowns in some thought. Trying to recall some of the creature's attacks, perhaps? "Kickback..." He begins, watching his little Caterpie twitching at the opponent. "Rolling Kick!"

Blinding snow spills from the sky as the twilight deepens.

Kickback does not verbally reply to October, nor does he give the boy anything more than a stare. A cold stare, a confident stare, a "sit back and watch; I can do this" stare, but a stare nonetheless. Whipping his head (entire body) to the front after October makes his command, the Hitmonlee eyes his opponent for the first time. If he's surprised to have to fight such a tiny pokemon, he doesn't show it. Kicking off of the icy ground, the fighting type sprints across the snow, leaping high into the air far before he reaches the little bug. Spinning, flipping, and making a scene, he extends his foot as he comes close to the ground, his movements making the foot whirl around wildly and in a random motion - and very quickly, at all. This is a Rolling Kick attack, and should it land, poor Nara won't forget it.

It looks like it's only now that Melissa realizes just how... moderately unfair this match it, and it just got more uneven upon the successful Rolling Kick attack. Hoping her pokemon for the battle hasn't become into a Bug Pancake, the girl points one gloved hand towards the fighting type pokemon, calling out a sharp, "C... come on, Caterpie! Nara! Use an attack! Go!" Poor little bug. As if being attacked and scared isn't enough, now she has to do her own attacks?

Will Santa's route be extra long this year? Better save! (Saving)

Situated atop of the snowman, Aero glares at the unfolding scene before her with unflinching, scrutinizing eyes. No word is uttered by the avian pokemon, but just before the battle begun, the Spearow's eyes focused on the Caterpie, and she breathed a low, <Death.>. That was enough for the Caterpie, already much too tensed because of the bird's mere presence in the area, and the bug hit the dirt, yelling bloody murder. Perhaps that is the reason the Rolling Kick hit, perhaps it isn't. But as it is, the poor bug's voice is cut short as the legs hit and the pokemon is pushed deeper under the white layer. <Uuuh, mommy...> The Caterpie mumbles, head slowly peeking from the small hole in the shape of a leg, obviously dazed. <Eeeeeheee, sleeep...> The black cape flaps in the wind, shaking off any patches of snow that decided to cling to it. For Chao, after hearing Melissa's command, that is enough. <Nara, come on, don't just stand there. Attack! The enemy, there, that creature thing, you remember it, right?> The little Caterpie, still a little shaken and not totally herself, glances at the Hitmonlee. <Uuuh?> A rather undignified sound is made. Chao stomps. <It stole our Trainer again. Come on, be Fonzy! Attack it. Tackle it! Don't let the thing take away our Trainer Boy!> The bug, battling the urge to plop down and make Snow Caterpies while staring at the sky and pondering the meaning of life, sluggishly crawls out of her little snowy hole, and begins advancing on the opponent. <Tack... ele!> And so it does, albeit a bit awkwardly.

October, watching his own pokemon sink into the snow, winces at the sight, and frowns at the after shocks. "Aero, she's not going to die." He grumbles, the said pokemon about to say another morbid comment. The Spearow squawks indignantly at that. But then Nara crawls out of the snow, and begins advancing on the fighting type, giving the relieved October a few short moments to try and recall another attack used by his temporary fighter. As the attack misses, he straightens and simply calls, "Mega Kick!"

Kickback turns his head to the side when October mentions how the Caterpie is "not going to die". Had he a mouth, he would undoubtedly be grinning evilly, and were he much of a talker, he'd probably throw in a "<Not yet, at least.>" He's vicious in that respect. Immediately kicking off of the ground when October voices his command, the Hitmonlee moves swiftly and dexteriously. As he approaches the Caterpie, his pace quickens even further. He leaps slightly into the air, and when he lands on the ground, initiates his kick, attempting to... Soccer Kick the Caterpie into next week. Some Mega Kick!

Snow swirls about you in gusts as night falls.

Melissa is actually almost getting sick from this war of the "titans". "That poor little thing," the girl mumbles under her breath, frowning deeply. She attempts to cross her arms across her chest, fails thanks to her tight coat, and is satisfied to simply place her hands on her hips, elbows pointing out to either side, shaking her head. She calls out to the bug, "Go, girl! You're doing fine! Do something!" Her eyes go down to the Vulpix. "... -Can- she do... anything else, Mr. Vulpix?"

Chao watches the lucky Caterpie evade the Mega Kick... if one can call what she just did evading. Staggering rather dangerously through the snow might not be what some would call the fine art of war. <Oh, she can do a many splendor things!> The Vulpix then announces, and as if to prove it, he yells, <String Shot!> The Caterpie, turning around to the source of the voice, the dazed state slowly fading away, tilts her head. <Yeee... eeeh... es! String!> She calls, and directs the attack towards the Hitmonlee, the white string shooting out like there's no tomorrow. For if there's no last week to be kicked into, who can promise anything about the future?

October follows the Caterpie's movements closely, hoping no permanent damage was really done. At Chao's high pitched comments he gives a small grin, mind once again working to recall a Hitmonlee attack. As the bug's attack misses, it hits him! ...Not literally, of course... literally would mean our noble hero would need quick medical attention... but it hit him, nonetheless. "Jump Kick!" At least, let's hope it doesn't plan on hitting him literally.

The Hitmonlee actually uses the boy's command to his advantage: at the call of "Jump Kick", the Hitmonlee immediately leaps right into the sky - deftly avoiding the String Shot attack. His first battle cry! "Hitmoooooon!" The fighting type remains suspended in the air for a moment, his arms outstretched, palms open, enjoying his height, his weightlessness in the dark sky... before coming down to earth, his legs fully extended, attempting to crash right down upon the poor Caterpie.

Melissa can't help but smile softly as her Hitmonlee's next attack fails. That Caterpie's either got a guardian angel or a load of luck... Directing her attention back to the battle, Melissa only has a quick split second to decide her next attack, especially with this pokemon... not the fastest Ponyta in the herd. "... Try... um, ah, um. Try your... try your Tackle attack, Nara! Come on, girl... y... you're doing great!" She's not dead yet, and given what little Melissa knows about Caterpies, that should count for something.

<Yeah!> Chao gives a verbal prod. <Tackle the beast! Show it what you're made of. And I don't mean that goo you've got inside, either!> Across the battlefield, October facepalms. The Caterpie, avoiding the opponent's attack only because she tried shaking her head and was thrown to the side by the force of her movement, looks up from under the pile of snow sprayed by the Hitmonlee. <Tackle... Tackle... ackle!> She then cries, and tries to perform the attack, even though fear is gripping at her tiny heart all too quickly.

October's grin widens a little bit as the Caterpie finally manges to hit, his course of thought forgotten for a moment... but then he recalls the tournament's purpose. "Oh... damn..." He mumbles, the Spearow evidently surprised, but not at all pleased. "Kickback, Rolling Kick!" The trainer calls, ignoring the avian pokemon's grumbles.

Sure, the Caterpie lands a Tackle attack, but the best she does to the Hitmonlee is makes him have to take a step back to keep his balance. Heaven forbid, no. With the Caterpie's attack bringing her so close to the Hitmonlee as she is, Kickback hardly has to run. Jumping into the air, the Hitmonlee starts a helicopter kick, building up momentum as he comes back down to the ground once more, ducking appropriately to attempt something of a sweeping leg kick on the Nara - more specifically, a Rolling Kick.

Melissa's hypothesis that Nara has divine protection is affirmed as the Caterpie somehow - just somehow - manages to avoid taking damage from the Rolling Kick attack, the same type of take that squashed her earlier. "G... good job, Nara! Use that... that..." She pauses for just a second. What's the word for it? Unable to think of the exact name of the attack, the battling pillowcase cries out, "That attack with the white stuff!" Oo, descriptive.

<Yeah, white stuff! Like snow!> Chao calls, stomping the snow beneath his paws for emphasis. As for Nara, what can she do, but obey and charge up for the String Shot attack, her basic instincts kicking in just in time to save her from the previous attack of the Hitmonlee? <Hey, vanilla ice cream is white.> The little Vulpix suddenly says. <And some seashells are white. Ooh, hey, and a String Shot attack is white as well!> Elementary, Watson.

Again, the Caterpie hit. October resists the urge to grin wider, eyeing his own 'comrade' for any sign of weakening. "Mega Kick!" He calls the next attack in determination, the Spearow behind him thinking of a rather alluring scenario. <If the Hitmonlee dies...> The bird bobs her head up and down in content.

Perhaps the String Shot attack catches the fighting type off guard, for he blinks in surprise and holds out his hands, palms extended, as Nara shoots off her String Shot at him. Being covered in the white gunk doesn't seem to slow him down, however - stomping forward, now starting to get a little angry, the Hitmonlee does exact what he did for his first Mega Kick attack, though this one is less well-done. With a little "Lee" of disgust, the Hitmonlee lifts his leg up, making a large, winding circle, before swooping it down with strength and speed, Soccer (or Mega) Kicking the Caterpie. If he misses, we will have an enraged Hitmonlee on our hands.

Will Santa's route be extra long this year? Better save! (Saving)

Night has come, and heavy snow falls. It's difficult to walk through the accumulating drifts, and difficult to see. It's hard to keep a sense of direction in the darkness and the blinding, swirling snow.

Melissa doesn't take the time to contemplate holy intervention this time. Her glasses are fogging by with every passing breath, and she's getting more excited by the promised that her pokemon might almost kind of have a slight chance. "N-N-Nara! T-try that Tackle thing again! Hurry quick now go yes!" She even jumps up a bit, her teeth clenching together as she shifts back and forth from foot to foot. So this is what owning a Caterpie is like. Maybe getting her second favorite pokemon won't be so bad, after all...

By now, the Caterpie has regained all of her senses, as well as the sense of fear. <AIEE!> Proof comes in the shape of the Hitmonlee's attack missing. Chao blinks as the little bug begins digging in the snow, though, instead of attacking. <Hey, don't do that! Tackle! Fight.> He jumps up and down. <Give me a K! Give me an A! Give me a Terpie! What do you get?> Katerpie. <Go, go, go. Woo!> Nara, at the sound of that cheer, stops digging and looks at her own opponent... before tackling, her attack fueled with panic.

October's grin now gone, the boy seems completely surprised at this act of Caterpie vengeance. "That's a surprise, I must say..." He mumbles, voicing his thought, no doubt. But that is soon pushed aside, the boy more than ready to return to the task at hand. "Kickback, Jump Kick!"

His attack missed, and now the Caterpie has the nerve to Tackle him? Stumbling back a couple feet, his face wide with horror, Kickback looks positively furious. The fighting type has already taken to the air by the time October voices his command - he seems to have just gotten lucky to be following the same train of thought. Glaring straight at his insect opponent, the fighting type comes crashing down upon Nara, bringing his diamond hard foot down in an attempt to smush her head and punish her for daring to stand against him.

Melissa simply shakes her head at her little pokemon, the Caterpie that refuses to go out. "Nara..." Melissa mumbles softly, then louder, loud enough for the bug to hear. "Nara! You're doing... doing incredible! More of the white stuff! The... the..." She glances down at the Vulpix now, eyeing him for a moment, before turning back to the bug. "What... uh... ... what did you call it, Mr. Vulpix?"

Chao is amused by the girl at his side, looking up at her. <White stuff, hmm? Snow is white. Moon is white.> He begins to count. <Ice cream's white. Bread is white. Milk is white. Paper is white. Cream is white.> And on the list goes, while on the battle field, the Caterpie attacks the Hitmonlee with the same white strings, but this time more out of panic, in a more mechanical way. The black cape flaps in the wind behind her.

The Spearow watches the events before her, her feathers once again puffing in irritation as the attack misses. <The kid has nerve.> She comments, clawing at the snowman's head with her talons. October, he remains as he was, watching his own little bug pokemon in no little interest. But, alas, the battle must go on. "Rolling Kick!" He commands, moving his gaze to the Hitmonlee.

Ha! The Hitmonlee is quick enough to avoid this blast of String Shot, his aggression perhaps propelled by his anger at the little bug. The little pest, more like it. Jumping left, right, and then right up into the air, the fighting type is quick to avoid the white sticky spray, and, spinning and twirling and whirling with his foot extended, the Hitmonlee executes his move in the same manner as his past attacks - using his aerial momentum as an advantage to deliver a stronger, if not unstable, blow.

Melissa is starting to get used to this. Perhaps the Caterpie is too small? Or maybe she's hiding too well in the snow? Or maybe Kickback is too overconfident? Whatever the case, Melissa is getting used to this drill, and, pointing her gloved hand at the fighting type, announces her command. "Utilize... a Tackle attack!" Oo, wee, big surprise. Then again, it's hard to pull off a shocker when the pokemon you're using has all of two attacks.

<Then there are walls, they're white too, yes.> Chao continues, not really listening to the girl, or anything else for that matter. <I think white paint is white as well, but don't cling to my word on that. Hmmmm, then...> As for Nara, she once again avoids one of the crushing attacks of her opponent, and once again moving for an attack. Her movements are even more mechanic, this time around, her mind stuck in some sort of overdrive, probably because of the panic. This scene brings back all too familiar memories.

This... is not looking good. Depending on how one looks at this. On one side, October seems to be losing the battle, while on the other hand, it is his own pokemon coming with the upper hand. The Spearow... it just eyes the events coldly. October... he just shouts the next command. "Mega Kick!"

The Hitmonlee is absolutely, positively burning up, and the successful Tackle attack, which causes the fighting type to stumble back, doesn't help. He doesn't even wait for October to command him to attack; he sprints off the ground, practically hurling himself at the Caterpie. His eyes are fiery, his movements quick and determined, and his aggression unstoppable. He leaps into the air, sails through the snow, and comes down - hopefully right on top of the Caterpie. That's it: A Mega Kick.

And somehow Kickback misses. Melissa simply shakes her head. Her pokemon is making an absolute fool out of himself, and she can't even protest - that's working to her advantage. As the Hitmonlee misses the Caterpie entirely, blinded by his rage, Melissa immediately points directly at him. "Nara! Quickly, use your, uh, your String Shot, while he's off guard! Hurry hurry hurry go!" Fear is more powerful than anger? Wonder if this is the message of the battle.

<Oh! Foam! That's white as well!> Chao announces happily, only to finally have his train of thought snap, reality crashing back to him. <Oh, hey, look. Hi Nara!> He yips happily, only to watch her ignore him, going on her mechanical, panicked routine of sending a stream of white strings towards the opposing pokemon. <Hey'a, what's the big idea here? Yoohoo?> Did we mention reality crashing back to him? Uhhh, let's forget that. Reality just crashed. <Darn it, that's the last time I help her in a battle.> Then the fire type blinks. <Hey, no, wait...> Oh, it finally clicked, didn't it.

Will Santa's route be extra long this year? Better save! (Saving)

October frowns at the happenings on the snowy battlefield. "Ugh, kick, kick, kick... kick kick kick." He chants to himself, trying to recall what should come next, but failing at coming up with any attack he knows regarding this fighting type. "Come on, come on..." He mumbles, kicking at the snow. But time is scarce, and the boy's concentration abilities are not at their best, seeing this new development, and finally, he simply says, "Kickback, the stage is yours!" Hopefully, these not well chosen words will be clear enough to the temporary Hitmonlee.

Spppft! And the Hitmonlee is covered in more of the white gunk, which matches surprisingly well with the thin coat of snow covering his body. "Hittmon!" he emits at the Caterpie, giving her this horrid, horrid, horrid glare that sends a chill down Melissa's spine. Kicking off of the ground, the Hitmonlee -flies- across the air, smashes foot-to-ground, leans back, and attempts to slide right into the Caterpie, hopefully not stopping short of her. An interesting twist on a Jump Kick attack.

And stop short he does. Melissa leaps immediately on the advantage, jumping up and down like an immature girl and pointing at Kickback, quick, frantic thrusts complete with quick, frantic cries. "Nara, use a Tackle, come on girl, while he's off guard, hit him, hit him with all your might, go, go, good girl, you're doing great, go girl, go girl, go!" Melissa, the cheerleader.

Chao, the cheerleader, waving little pompoms around, wearing a short skirt, having a high, nasal voice... <Woo, go Nara! Slap him to the ground, ground him to the pork!> A nasal voice and a ditzy attitude are already there, though... Nara, not paying any heed to those cheers, simply attacks again with her Tackle, targeting the, what else? Hitmonlee.

October, his right hand now closed into a fist covering his mouth, watches in morbid fascination as the Caterpie attacks again... but the fascination is shattered as the bug misses the attack. The boy blinks. The Spearow doesn't. The boy then snaps into action. The Spearow... doesn't. "Kickback, use your... your..." Amnesia is an amazing thing. Inconvenient, but amazing. "Any other kick." He grumbles, frowning intesnly at the snow below, suddenly shouting, almost too late, or perhaps too late indeed, "Rolling Kick!"

The Hitmonlee recovers immediately from his failed attack, and little Nara is dodged with considerable ease. Now, Kickback is one pokemon who'd take every advantage of this situation, and he does - as the Caterpie stumbles past, the fighting type makes a quick hop into the air and brings his foot swooping around to the ground, concentrating more on his spikey toenails than the kick itself. It's inaccurate - but if it hits, it's going to sting. Rolling Kick, baby.

The Rolling Kick misses Melissa's Caterpie

"Why can't... this..." Melissa shakes her head a bit, turning it to the side and glancing down at the hyper little Vulpix. "She... she needs a name change after this... huh, Mr. Vulpix?" Melissa grins softly, looking back at the bug who avoided yet another Rolling Kick attack. "... Untouchable." Louder, now. "Come on, Nara! U... Use your... your, uh, your String Shot attack! Catch that Hitmonlee in it! Go, girl!"

String Shot? Did someone say String Shot? <White stuff!> The Vulpix announces, and sits down importantly. <Oh, how thee is white... let me count the ways!> Or something like that. As for Nara, a trend is consistent. String Shot is fired yet again, bug's eyes a little glazed, cape flapping behind, tiny speckles of snow dotting it and the darker areas of the bug itself...

Another shot, another hit, another turn. October mumbles something under his breath, the end of the match already playing in his mind's eye. <Don't overdo it, kid.> The Spearow says, sitting atop the snowman's head, thinking of many volumes of an ancient carrion lore. <Nevermore.> The Spearow croaked, his comment wrapped in wonder, as October winces at the prospect of losing score. "Kickback," So he yelled again, mouth opening like a big great door. "Mega Kick, one last time..?" For after that... who knows no more?

Kickback is looking more like a new Metapod than a Hitmonlee right now. The long, sticky strings hang off of his arms and body, and it shows in his hindered movement. Moving a little slower, however, doesn't stop him from carrying out his duties. Though he looks tired, though he looks worn out, though he looks desperate, his Mega Kick comes just as strong as always as he hurls himself at the Caterpie, dives into the air, whirls around in a beautiful flip, and comes crashing down upon the helpless bug.

Night has come, and heavy snow falls. It's difficult to walk through the accumulating drifts, and difficult to see. It's hard to keep a sense of direction in the darkness and the blinding, swirling snow.

Melissa twitches as her Untouchable goes down, though she supposes that was to be expected. "I'm amazed..." she mumbles, shaking her head. "Amazed... she, uh, she lasted this long." The Mega Kick looked positively bone-crunching, and there's almost no way the Caterpie has any spirit left in her after such an attack. "N... Nara? ... Nara, are you okay? ... Can you still... go?" If the Caterpie can keep on fighting after this, she will be nothing less than amazed.

Chao remains sitting, counting thee ways. <Twenty two, white hospital coat. Twenty three, white toothpaste. Twenty four, white teet-- huh?> Upon hearing the sound of the kick hitting home, the little Vulpix blinks and looks at where he last saw Nara. Only to see nothing. <...Aaaah! It ate Nara!> The creep. <Someone call the police! Murder! Suicide!> Chao jumps up, and runs towards the Hitmonlee. <I can smell your sin, roar!> But it as that moment that a dazed Nara pops her head out of the hole made in the snow. <Ma... let me sleep... in?> And then plops right back into the hole, on her black cape, unconscious. Chao freezes, and October makes his way towards the fallen comrade. Using two pokeballs, he calls back the bug and the fighter, and waits for Melissa to approach him before offering her her own pokemon. "Thanks. Um. Yeah." he grins sheepishly. "You must be a great trainer, to have made a Caterpie do all that... I mean..." Another, sillier grin. The Spearow glares. <It didn't die.>

The Hitmonlee appears proud. Not ashamed of having beat up a little Caterpie, not tired after a huge battle against said bug, just proud of himself for winning. He doesn't even realize when he is recalled into his trainer's pokeball, though undoubtedly he'll still wear a boasting look even after he is called out next. Melissa, not known for taking losses very well, doesn't appear sad, or angry, or hurt, or disappointed, or humiliated... She wears a kind of puzzled look on her face, a bit of surprise. And she starts into the snow, approaching October - though she does not take her pokeball back. "... How did... your... ... your Caterpie do that?" She doesn't sound depressed at all. Why, she's almost happy!

October blinks a little in surprise as the girl ignores her offered pokeball, and brings it a little closer to her while answering. "Um, as I said, I don't really know... how." He shuffles. "I guess you're just good... no?" Chao, upon finishing inspecting the hole left in the snow by the almost two dimensional Caterpie, looks up. <Hey, Hey, HEY! Don't forget who did the hard work here, Trainer Boy.> Trainer Boy nods. "Yes, Nara sure did--" Chao is not amused. <AHEM!> Then there's a sigh. "Yes, Chao, you were amazing." <Ooh, you flatter me, stop, really." The boy nods. "If you insist." <Hey!>

Will Santa's route be extra long this year? Better save! (Saving)

Melissa finally accepts her pokeball back, her gloved hands fumbling to slip it back onto her belt. She finally gives up and simply shoves the device into her pocket, before shaking her head once again. "... One... day, we'll meet again." She looks up at October, and, through her foggy glasses, gives him a small, delicate smile. Despite how ridiculous her apparel is, her face is anything but silly. "It's not... everybody who can control Kickback quite... so well." With a small nod, Melissa turns to the side, though she doesn't leave - not quite yet. Maybe she wants to add onto why she wants to meet him again? But she remains silent.

October seems somewhat uneasy at the apparent praise he just received, shifting the weight from one leg to the other. "Um, I didn't really, you know... control him. I hardly know anything about them..." He shrugs a little, even though the girl probably can't see the action. "So... anywa--" But alas, the poor boy is cut off. For it is at that exact moment, the laws of physics decide to kick in. The purple sheet, tied to the four trees above the snowman, it may have sheltered from the cascading snow, but at the same time, the snow was gathering on it instead. And too much snow has weight as well... <AAUGH!> Is the only sound made by the Spearow, signaling that the knots around the trees had failed, and that the bird was covered in two layers of darkness. Thank god for the Spearow's sharp beak, for it is thanks to the little appendage that the pokemon managed to free itself from the sheet's clutches. <Who did that?!> But then again, when it comes to thanking sharp Spearow parts...

Hearing the loud squawk, Melissa surprisingly calmly turns her head to the side - just in time to see the Spearow squeeze her way out of the mound of snow. Her first look is one of surprised, but once the little bird starts to talk, Melissa instantly relaxes. Shaking her head, and turning back to October, Melissa gives him another smile. "I really... should... I have to go. But I'll... see you again soon? Maybe?" She probably just wants to steal whatever prize he's going to win for being first in the tournament. Should the boy not protest, the teenager will sidestep and begin her long walk home, making her way over the even thicker, higher layers of snow forming the earth's cover.