Growing Shadows - Raid Group 4: vs. Shadow Xatu

[Sneaze]

Dynamax Boss Shadow Xatu
★★★★
Health Gauge: 100%
Shields Up: 0
Status: N/A
Trainer Status: N/A
KO Count: 0

Raid Challengers:

• SpinyShell (Baltoy): 400 HP
• blu3shift (Pawniard): 400 HP
• sixdragons_in_atrenchcoat (Farfetch'd): 400 HP
• CrazyCreeperKid (Stonjourner): 400 HP
• biggggg5 (Axew): 400 HP
• Gemini Spark (Stonjourner): 400 HP
• Zorchic (Mimikyu): 400 HP

Freshly merged, the raiders head down the Psychic route, they are met with a gargantuan Dynamax Shadow Xatu! It is time to do battle, in order to continue forward to face Shadow Arceus!

Dynamax Initiative: Zorchic (Mimikyu)

• Trainers may only list 1 order per round. They are also permitted to use 1 item in lieu of an attack.
• Dynamax Initiative will select a trainer at random. If a trainer has initiative, they may choose to Dynamax their Pokemon for a duration of 3 turns. Dynamaxed Pokemon may only select a Max Attack of a corresponding type from their registered moveset, or Max Guard in place of status moves.
• If a hold item or ability’s effect is activated in the present round as a result of the previous round’s damage calculation or the present round’s orders, please state it clearly in your response.
• If a trainer’s Pokemon is rendered unconscious, they may choose to cheer on their allies; opting to either remove one shield from the raid boss or healing one ally’s Pokemon by 50% of their max health.
• Roleplaying your orders is optional, but $150 may be collected for responses of 150 words, with an additional $25 able to be collected for every additional 25 words up to 500, and Bond can accumulate for any of the trainer’s Pokemon interacted with.
• You have until Saturday, June 12th to place your order.

[Zorchic]

I might change my mind later (*shrug*), but for now: to start things off, Dynamaxing Mimikyu, whose Disguise is intact! Max Phantasm (130 BP) based on Shadow Ball (80 BP)!

[SpinyShell]

Megahorn (120 BP) boosted by Silver Powder.

[sixdragons_in_atrenchcoat]

Hmm. Perhaps we should have made sure we had Dark coverage after all. Wurmple commented, observing the massive bird that swooped low over the battlefield to become their next opponent.

"Arceus-damned luck, that's all. Fury Cutter might be neutral, but that doesn't mean we can't do anything." responded Cy as they stepped up to form a line, each Trainer contemplating the battle ahead. He sent the Pokeball spinning forth, and their rented Farfetch'd landed, twirling its leek and staring down the Xatu. Cy glanced at his Pokedex to check Farfetch'd's available moves. "Looks like our best bet is to start setting up for now," he said. " Farfetch'd, start with a Swords Dance(0BP) to prepare for the fight"

[blu3shift]

Elijah panted, struggling to catch up to the Pawniard (and the rest of his group) that were standing face-to-face with a giant... uh...

XATU, the MYSTIC POKéMON
PSYCHIC/FLYING

Xatu are revered in many cultures as Pokémon that can see both the past
and the future. In the wild, they are often seen staring at the sun
in meditation, staying in one spot over the course of the day.

Well that's just great, he thought as he put his Pokédex back in his pocket. The last thing he needed right now was a giant bird knowing exactly what he was going to do, especially when that bird seemed to give everyone the evil eye. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on who you asked), nobody could predict the Pawniard moving forward with a deliberate Assurance attack, attempting to strike the Xatu with as aggressively as possible.

This didn't faze Elijah. He was already more than aware of the fact that this Pawniard that he was supposed to command just wouldn't listen to him for some reason. What did throw him, however, was when that "dynamax band" that one of the new team members was wearing started glowing... and then that pale imitation of a Pikachu that they were battling with was suddenly also huge, even if the Xatu was still over four times its size.

"...Excuse me?!" Elijah uttered. "That's what that thing does?!" He'd noticed his own band glowing on his wrist during the last battle, but he was too busy trying to corral the Pawniard to try to figure out why it was illuminated. At least he'd be able to seize the opportunity next time it happened.

A wave of embarrassment suddenly washed over Elijah. He was trying to look like he knew what he was doing, but between the disobedient Pawniard and the way that he just audibly admitted that he had no clue how something that all of these trainers seemed like they knew worked, he really wasn't doing any favors for himself. Might as well sweep what I can under the rug, he thought.

"Phew, that Gigafied Notachu looks good!" He called to the other trainer with the most blatantly forced smile and thumbs-up he could possibly give. At least he was trying.

---

using Assurance (60BP), possibly doubled to 120BP because i'm assuming that at least one of these attacks did some damage

[CrazyCreeperKid]

Rock Tomb (60BP)

[biggggg5]

Also gonna go for the Assurance (60bp)

[Gemini Spark]

Whoa, a bird Pokemon! That means good news for our Stonjourners! Maybe we'll get more details out of the Pokedex?

Xatu, the Mystic Pokemon, and the evolved form of Natu. Xatu can see into the past and the future at the same time, the left eye viewing the past and the right eye viewing the future. However, it must stay perched in one place in order to do so. Usually, this Pokemon will seemingly stare into the sun in a form of meditation while doing this, furthering the myth that it is a mystical being from another world. Research has confirmed that while Xatu can see the future, it refuses to try to change it, knowing that the attempt would fulfill it in some way anyway.

I don't know about you, Stonjourner, but I find an evil version of Xatu looking into our past and future kinda creepy...let's do something about that! Use Gravity (0 BP) and see if we can keep it on the ground!

[Sneaze]

Dynamax Boss Shadow Xatu
★★★★
Health Gauge: 58%
Shields Up: 0
Status: N/A
Trainer Status: N/A
Arena: Gravity (4 Rounds)
KO Count: 0

Raid Boss Attack Summary:

Attack 1: Max Shockwave (0 BP)

• All stat changes reset!
• Abilities nullified!

Attack 2: Shadow Down (0 BP)

• Baltoy's Defense sharply fell!
• Pawniard's Defense sharply fell!
• Farfetch'd's Defense sharply fell!
• Mimikyu's Defense sharply fell!

Attack 3: Shadow Blast (80 BP)

• blu3shift (Pawniard): 256 HP

Raid Challengers:

• SpinyShell (Baltoy): 400 HP [Def -2]
• blu3shift (Pawniard): 400 HP [Def -2]
• sixdragons_in_atrenchcoat (Farfetch'd): 400 HP [Def -2]
• CrazyCreeperKid (Stonjourner): 400 HP
• biggggg5 (Axew): 400 HP
• Gemini Spark (Stonjourner): 400 HP
• Zorchic (Mimikyu): 600 HP [Def -2, Dynamaxed (2 Rounds)]

With their foe now before them, the initial volley is launched at the Shadow Xatu, lowering the boss' Defense thanks to a Max Phantasm while some raiders focus on buffs and arena effects. The boss doesn't seem to appreciate all of the stat changes and its opponent's abilities, unleashing a Max Shockwave to clear them all for now. Next up comes a Shadow Down, sharply lowering the defense of many of the raiders before a Shadow Blast puts a bit of damage onto Pawniard.

Dynamax Initiative: Zorchic (Mimikyu)

• Trainers may only list 1 order per round. They are also permitted to use 1 item in lieu of an attack.
• Dynamax Initiative will select a trainer at random. If a trainer has initiative, they may choose to Dynamax their Pokemon for a duration of 3 turns. Dynamaxed Pokemon may only select a Max Attack of a corresponding type from their registered moveset, or Max Guard in place of status moves.
• If a hold item or ability’s effect is activated in the present round as a result of the previous round’s damage calculation or the present round’s orders, please state it clearly in your response.
• If a trainer’s Pokemon is rendered unconscious, they may choose to cheer on their allies; opting to either remove one shield from the raid boss or healing one ally’s Pokemon by 50% of their max health.
• Roleplaying your orders is optional, but $150 may be collected for responses of 150 words, with an additional $25 able to be collected for every additional 25 words up to 500, and Bond can accumulate for any of the trainer’s Pokemon interacted with.
• You have until Friday, June 25th to place your order.

[Zorchic]

Another Max Phantasm (130 BP) based on Shadow Ball (80 BP)!

[SpinyShell]

Originally Posted by SpinyShell

Megahorn (120 BP) boosted by Silver Powder.

[blu3shift]

Okay, so maybe Elijah was wrong about something, based on the way that Epoch stared at him and shook their head. Either that Pokémon wasn't a "Notachu" or it wasn't "gigafied." That or he was wrong about both, which he really didn't want to be.

Sighing, he turned back to the Pawniard. That thing was still rebelling against him for some reason, and he didn't know why. Didn't hurt to ask.

"Come on man, why won't you listen to m—"

Spoiler alert: it did hurt to ask. The Pawniard responded with a Lash Out targeted directly at Elijah, before turning around and fired off another Assurance the Xatu, all while remaining completely silent as always.

This was more than a problem. Not only was Elijah unable to corral the Pawniard that he'd taken for this little "raid" adventure, but he was being attacked for even trying. This practically made him a sitting Ducklett; someone who obviously was not ready for this situation and was having a hard time trying to adapt to it, especially since he hadn't really had any experience with unruly, disobedient Pokémon.

Plus, it gave some credence to his parents' flawed rhetoric, and that was a line that definitely didn't need to be crossed.

Gripping his chest in pain and wincing, Elijah shrunk back a little, futilely trying to hide the emotions of sheer defeat that were creeping up on him.

---

goin at that xatu with another Assurance (60BPx2) again. the lash out in the story doesn't technically happen, it's just for the sake of Plot™

this message was also deleted and reposted at Zorchic's request so that I can benefit from their buff

[sixdragons_in_atrenchcoat]

Brave Bird(120BP)

[CrazyCreeperKid]

Rock Tomb (60BP)

[biggggg5]

Will go for the another Assurance (60BP)

[Gemini Spark]

Okay, Stonjourner, now let's take advantage of your typing by using Rock Tomb (60 BP)!

[Sneaze]

Dynamax Boss Shadow Xatu
★★★★
Health Gauge: 49%
Shields Up: 1
Status: Def -1, Fever!
Trainer Status: N/A
Arena: Gravity (3 Rounds)
Terrain: Psychic (4 Rounds)
KO Count: 0

Raid Boss Attack Summary:

Attack 1: Max Mindstorm (130 BP)

• Zorchic (Mimikyu): 343 HP

Attack 2: Expanding Force (80 BP)

• sixdragons_in_atrenhcoat (Farfetch'd): 268 HP
• CrazyCreeperKid (Stonjourner): 268 HP
• Gemini Spark (Stonjourner): 268 HP
• Zorchic (Mimikyu): 211 HP

Attack 3: Shadow Storm (95 BP)

• SpinyShell (Baltoy): 243 HP
• sixdragons_in_atrenchcoat (Farfetch'd): 111 HP
• biggggg5 (Axew): 243 HP
• Zorchic (Mimikyu): 54 HP

Raid Challengers:

• SpinyShell (Baltoy): 243 HP [Def -2]
• blu3shift (Pawniard): 256 HP [Def -2]
• sixdragons_in_atrenchcoat (Farfetch'd): 111 HP [Def -2]
• CrazyCreeperKid (Stonjourner): 268 HP
• biggggg5 (Axew): 243 HP
• Gemini Spark (Stonjourner): 268 HP
• Zorchic (Mimikyu): 54 HP [Def -2, Dynamaxed (1 Round)]

A quick Max Phantasm pushes down the Shadow Xatu's Defense but promptly causes the boss to raise shields, and for its emotions to rise to a fever pitch! The remaining raider attacks bombard shields, leaving just one up for now. With everyone now on the ground, the boss unleashes a Max Mindstorm into Mimikyu, who unfortunately is unable to use the species' normal Disguise thanks to the Max Shockwave last round. This sets up a Psychic Terrain and deals a fair chunk of damage to boot. Then comes the Expanding Force, a hefty enough hit, though its targets aren't overly bothered. Not so much can be said about the Shadow Storm, which rocks a fair bit of the raid and chunks the still Dynamaxed Mimikyu down to near nothing.

Dynamax Initiative: Zorchic (Mimikyu)

• Trainers may only list 1 order per round. They are also permitted to use 1 item in lieu of an attack.
• Dynamax Initiative will select a trainer at random. If a trainer has initiative, they may choose to Dynamax their Pokemon for a duration of 3 turns. Dynamaxed Pokemon may only select a Max Attack of a corresponding type from their registered moveset, or Max Guard in place of status moves.
• If a hold item or ability’s effect is activated in the present round as a result of the previous round’s damage calculation or the present round’s orders, please state it clearly in your response.
• If a trainer’s Pokemon is rendered unconscious, they may choose to cheer on their allies; opting to either remove one shield from the raid boss or healing one ally’s Pokemon by 50% of their max health.
• Roleplaying your orders is optional, but $150 may be collected for responses of 150 words, with an additional $25 able to be collected for every additional 25 words up to 500, and Bond can accumulate for any of the trainer’s Pokemon interacted with.
• You have until Saturday, July 10th to place your order.

[CrazyCreeperKid]

Rock Tomb (60BP)

[sixdragons_in_atrenchcoat]

Brave Bird(120BP)

[Zorchic]

Way to take some hits, Mimikyu! *Pumps fist* One last Max Phantasm (130 BP) based on Shadow Ball (80 BP)!

[SpinyShell]

Originally Posted by SpinyShell

Megahorn (120 BP) boosted by Silver Powder.

[biggggg5]

Gonna do, you guessed it, another assurance. (60 BPx2)

[blu3shift]

Elijah didn't even try to command the Pawniard this time. Between trying to deal with injuries of his own and asking himself why he was trying to keep up appearances in the first place, he wasn't exactly keen on taking control of the situation at the moment. All he really did was sit back and watch as the renegade Pokémon approached the towering Xatu and unleashed...

...yet another Assurance.

Despite his resignation to not interfere with the Pawniard at all, Elijah's curiosity was piqued. Why would a Pokémon use the same move repetitively like that? It was obvious that Assurance was doing quite a bit of damage, but it didn't take a rocket scientist to know that it was going to tire him out eventually. Furthermore, didn't he pick up some sort of... silvery powder earlier? If Elijah recalled correctly, Silver Powder boosted Bug-type moves, despite its name...

In an instant, everything seemed to click, causing Elijah to hold back a gasp.

That Pawniard doesn't know what he's doing.

---

UH OH it's Assurance (60BPx2) time yet again. yknow at this point i think i should start calling it reassurance

[Gemini Spark]

Stonjourner, let's join the Assurance (60 BP x2) party this time!

[Sneaze]

Dynamax Boss Shadow Xatu
★★★★
Health Gauge: 7%
Shields Up: 0
Status: Def -3, SpDef -1, Fever!
Trainer Status: N/A
Weather: Shadow Sky (4 Rounds)
Arena: Gravity (2 Rounds)
Terrain: Psychic (3 Rounds)
KO Count: 1

Raid Boss Attack Summary:

Attack 1: Max Shadowsquall (90 BP)

• Zorchic (Mimikyu): 54 HP [Disguise Broken]

Attack 2: Heat Wave (95 BP)

• blu3shift (Pawniard): 99 HP
• sixdragons_in_atrenchcoat (Farfetch'd): 7 HP
• CrazyCreeperKid (Stonjourner): 190 HP
• biggggg5 (Axew): 165 HP

Attack 3: Psychic (90 BP)

• SpinyShell (Baltoy): 132 HP

Raid Challengers:

• SpinyShell (Baltoy): 107 HP [Def -2]
• blu3shift (Pawniard): 99 HP [Def -2]
• sixdragons_in_atrenchcoat (Farfetch'd): 0 HP [Must sit out one round to recover]
• CrazyCreeperKid (Stonjourner): 165 HP
• biggggg5 (Axew): 140 HP
• Gemini Spark (Stonjourner): 243 HP
• Zorchic (Mimikyu): 11 HP [Def -2, Diguise Broken]

The raiders look to finish off the boss this round, taking out its shields before piling on damage, but though the boss reels, it does not fall. In retaliation, it sets up a Max Shadowsquall to make a Shadow Sky form above, though this strikes the Mimikyu, breaking its Disguise. Next comes a Heat Wave, but as half of its targets resist the blow, this means very little aside from scaring Farfetch'd a bit. Finally a Psychic comes out, once again striking a resisted target in Baltoy. Mimikyu returns to normal size as the Shadow Sky damages the raiders, knocking out Farfetch'd in the process.

Dynamax Initiative: Expired

• Trainers may only list 1 order per round. They are also permitted to use 1 item in lieu of an attack.
• Dynamax Initiative will select a trainer at random. If a trainer has initiative, they may choose to Dynamax their Pokemon for a duration of 3 turns. Dynamaxed Pokemon may only select a Max Attack of a corresponding type from their registered moveset, or Max Guard in place of status moves.
• If a hold item or ability’s effect is activated in the present round as a result of the previous round’s damage calculation or the present round’s orders, please state it clearly in your response.
• If a trainer’s Pokemon is rendered unconscious, they may choose to cheer on their allies; opting to either remove one shield from the raid boss or healing one ally’s Pokemon by 50% of their max health.
• Roleplaying your orders is optional, but $150 may be collected for responses of 150 words, with an additional $25 able to be collected for every additional 25 words up to 500, and Bond can accumulate for any of the trainer’s Pokemon interacted with.
• You have until Wednesday, September 15th to place your order.