#and it’s the shadow quad I find the shadow monsters super special to me and to have that is super upsetting I literally cried over it

[melodiousmonsters]

Ooh new monster making me not want to msm anymore : )

[sceptilemasterr]

Defenders of the Flame (TE Rewrite) Act 3, Scene 3 - "That Distance Between Us"

Title: Defenders of the Flame (A CIU Screenplay)

Main Pairings: Shreya x F!MC, Beckett x F!Atlas

Other Pairings: N/A

Genre: Full Rewrite (The Elementalists, Book 1)

Rating: PG-13 for violence, blood, swearing, alcohol, and sexuality

Summary: Fiora struggles with feelings of inadequacy after a Defenders training session.

Previous Scene: Back in Session

Masterlist: Link

EXT. PCSA SECONDARY QUAD - TRAINING GROUND - NIGHT

Late one night, the Defenders of the Flame have all assembled on Penderghast’s secondary quad, which they have reserved for the night. Lucia and Arvan watch over the new inductees as they practice their Combat Forms... or, in Fiora’s case, still practice Stoicheal Gather.

FIORA (to herself): I... no... this is... wait...

Fiora concentrates, but to no avail as she fails to materialize anything more than a few small wisps of energy. Meanwhile, the others continue working on their own tasks.

ARVAN: Everyone, focus! Hold tight to your foundation!

Several successive thunderclaps are heard as Shreya and the third-year inductees all pull off a perfect Stoicheal Gather. Shreya stands charged with energy, her skin glowing a bright orange.

LUCIA: Well done! Now for the Form itself... just like we’ve practiced!

From his stance with his arms crossed in front of him, Zannagan uncrosses his arms and sweeps them over his head and out to his sides... but aside from a momentary flare of fire around his body, nothing happens. A second later, he shudders and stretches his arms out above his head, launching a gigantic fireball into the sky!

LUCIA: Okay, Zannagan, try again--

Before she can say anything more, Shreya performs a similar maneuver. This time, however, the stoicheal energy illuminating her skin starts to glow brighter, brighter... just as she uncrosses her arms, it illuminates until it lights up the entire room, blinding everyone. And then:

FIORA (shocked): What the hell?!

LUCIA (ecstatic): You did it, Shreya!

ARVAN: Nice job!

A massive dragon, its scales the color of Shreya’s hair, floats in the skies above the training ground, flapping its wings to stay afloat. The dragon looks down at the others curiously, then starts to panic. Arvan makes a few quick hand gestures, then speaks, his voice amplified.

ARVAN: Shreya! Well done! Now, just like we practiced: focus and revert to your human self!

For a few seconds, nothing happens.

FIORA (terrified): She... she’s not stuck like that, is she?

LUCIA: Nah. Give her a second--

The dragon abruptly turns into a puff of smoke, then vanishes. Everyone starts coughing from the cloud of smoke now surrounding them.

FIORA (coughing): Ack! ...Shreya?

The smoke clears, and then:

SHREYA: Fiora! Holy Source, did you see that?! I did it! I pulled off a Combat Form! I--

Shreya lifts Fiora and spins her around, and Fiora kisses her, cutting off her words. After a moment (and an irritated cough from Arvan), Shreya seems to remember where she is, and abruptly sets Fiora down and takes a step back.

SHREYA: Mon dieu! That power... I had no idea Combat Form was that... that...

LUCIA: ...Intense? Yeah. It’s a rush.

ZANNAGAN: Nice job!

RHIIA: Impressive. Was it hard to come back to normal?

SHREYA: Not particularly. I kept my foundation point in mind at all times, and when I heard Arvan’s voice, I just thought about turning back to human. And it worked!

MICHAE: That was super cool! Do all Attuned turn into dragons like that, or does it depend on the person?

ARVAN: Combat Form varies by Attunement. Fire-Atts all get huge dragons. Air-Atts get gryphons the size of buildings, Water-Atts get giant sea serpents... etc.

MICHAE: Whoa. You might’ve mentioned the “dragon” part of Combat Form before now!

ARVAN (shrugs): Some things are more fun to find out for yourself. Besides, I love seeing new inductees’ reaction to it once they pull it off!

RHIIA: Shreya, that was amazing. You’ll have to teach us how to do it next!

SHREYA: I’d be happy to!

As Shreya rejoins the other inductees, Fiora looks in her direction wistfully. A hint of jealousy darkens her expression for a brief moment, then she stares down at her hands and slumps to her knees. The others continue practicing...

* * *

Some time later, practice is winding down to a close. The other inductees are all out of breath; none of them save Shreya have managed to perform a Combat Form. Arvan and Lucia exchange a glance, then start walking back toward the main quad.

LUCIA: Nicely done. Especially you, Shreya! Let’s call it a night for now. We’ll meet again next week, same time and place, okay?

ARVAN: Don’t forget to keep practicing your Gathers in the meantime! Just avoid working on Combat Form unsupervised. The last thing anyone wants is a feral dragon flying around Penderghast.

He laughs and continues walking. The third-years all retrieve their belongings and follow Arvan and Lucia; soon, Shreya and Fiora are alone on the secondary quad. Shreya approaches Fiora and takes a seat on the grass next to her.

SHREYA: ...Everything okay?

FIORA: Yes... no. Maybe. I don’t know.

SHREYA: What’s wrong? If it’s about the kiss, I do apologize; I’d quite honestly forgotten we were in public. I never meant to embarrass you--

FIORA: It’s not that! It’s just... (sighs) I’m really happy for you, Shreya. So glad you’re doing great with the Combat Form. Seriously! It was a little shocking seeing you turn into a dragon out of nowhere, but also... really cool.

SHREYA: Ah. I think I understand. It’s because you’re struggling with this, while I’ve already managed to achieve a Combat Form today?

FIORA: It’s not just that, Shreya. Forget Combat Form. I still can’t even pull off Stoicheal Gather.

She demonstrates that fact by getting into her stance. After a minute or so of trying, a single, pathetic wisp of fire stoichi flows lazily around her head, before falling to the floor and fizzling out uselessly. Fiora opens her eyes and shakes her head, gesturing around her.

FIORA: See? I don’t get it. I’m supposed to be this fancy, special Light-Att or whatever... and I can’t even manage that.

Shreya snaps her fingers as a sudden realization occurs to her.

SHREYA: Aha! So that’s what this has all been about. I’ve noticed that distance between us lately. Then... it’s not to do with me?

FIORA (shocked): What? No, of course not! Shreya, kissing you and getting to be your girlfriend was the best birthday gift I’ve ever gotten! You’re honestly about the only good thing in my life right now.

SHREYA: Don’t let Atlas hear you say that.

Fiora laughs weakly.

FIORA: Shreya...

Her voice trails off, and the two of them look at each other in silence. Shreya takes Fiora’s hand and squeezes it tightly. After a brief moment, Fiora takes a deep breath and tells her:

FIORA: It’s the foundation point. I don't have one! All this time, I’ve just been going along with whoever was around: my friends back at Hartfeld, then here with the Pend Pals, then Atlas... and now I feel like I’m doing the same thing with you. Without someone to follow, I have no idea who I am!

Shreya smiles gently and pecks Fiora on the cheek.

SHREYA: I’d be lying if I told you I hadn’t noticed that tendency of yours. But to be quite honest, I think you’re underestimating yourself. Fiora, you are your own person. You simply need to see yourself the way I see you.

FIORA: You’re right. I know you are. It’s... easier said than done, though.

SHREYA: That’s perfectly alright. We’ll figure this problem out together. Okay?

FIORA: ...Okay.

SHREYA: Besides, you know the next step for the Defenders after Combat Form will be training for Light-Attunement. And that is certainly something where you will need to help me!

Fiora laughs and hugs Shreya tightly.

FIORA: I never even thought of that! You’re right... I’ll figure this out, and then I’ll help you with that one when it comes!

SHREYA: Exactly. Shreya and Fiora. We’re a team!

They exchange a heartfelt kiss under the moonlight... when suddenly:

ATLAS (coughs): Um. Hi...

FIORA: Oh! Atlas! We were just--uh--

SHREYA: ...Busy.

ATLAS: I can see that! But maybe don’t stay out this late without telling us? Especially with Raife’s shadow monsters liable to attack at any moment?

FIORA: Right. Sorry...

ATLAS: No worries. Just don’t forget: Dr. Swan’s still missing, and we have no idea what Raife’s been up to since he escaped the Between when the breach happened. We can’t be too careful.

SHREYA (blushing): Of course. Right.

ATLAS: ...If it’s any consolation, Fiora, Beckett’s having trouble with his Combat Form too.

FIORA: What--wait--how much of that conversation were you listening to?

ATLAS (shrugs): Enough of it. For the record, Shreya is not the “only” good part of your life right now. Just saying.

Atlas strides past them, toward the main campus. Fiora and Shreya exchange an awkward glance, then follow her back to Fletchly Hall...

_______________________

Notes: And at long last, we see a Combat Form! People who manipulate fire and can also turn into dragons... where have Choices fans seen THAT concept before?

Worldbuilding: It didn't get mentioned directly, but people going feral while in Combat Forms is, in this universe, where legends of dragons, gryphons, sea monsters, etc. came from among the Tuneless. Back in the day, feral Combat Forms were much more common.

_______________________

Next: The Approaching Storm

CIU Tag List: @brightpinkpeppercorn @endlesshero1122 @bbaba-yagaa @acidsugar0 @shaylan211 @griselda1121 @acanthisorbis @marmolady @choicesbabie

DotF/Elementalists Tag List:

[nooph]

USUM: 50 win team #1

since this is my inaugural post of this kind, i’ll briefly cover what it is. right now, generation 8 of pokemon is underway with sword and shield being the most recent releases. i, however, am stuck in the past. one of my favorite games in the franchise is ultra sun, and that’s entirely due to the battle tree. “it is the equivalent to the battle maison from gen 6, the battle subway from gen 5, and the battle towers from other previous generations.”

specifically, the highlight of ultra sun for me is the super double battles. it’s 2v2 pokemon battles where everyone’s equalized to level 50. i find it to be a perfect “loading screen” kind of game—if you play a game with a lot of loading screens, it’s a perfect time to crack open the 3DS and decide on how to go through with your turn. it’s a personal challenge of mine to get 50 win streaks in this gamemode, as after you beat 49 trainers in a row, blue shows up to be the 50th challenger. with all the exposition out of the way, allow me to introduce you to the latest squad i piloted to victory.

the team

Blackpink (Tapu Lele) @ Choice Scarf EVs: 252 SpA / 6 SpD / 252 Spe Ability: Psychic Surge Shiny: Yes Timid Nature - Psychic - Moonblast - Shadow Ball - Taunt

Autumn (Metagross) @ Metagrossite EVs: 252 Atk / 6 SpD / 252 Spe Ability: Clear Body Shiny: Yes Jolly Nature - Iron Head - Ice Punch - Stomping Tantrum - Thunder Punch

Hulkamania (Landorus) (M) @ Life Orb EVs: 252 SpA / 6 SpD / 252 Spe Ability: Sheer Force Timid Nature - Earth Power - Focus Blast - Sludge Bomb - Rock Polish

Igor (Tyranitar) (M) @ Assault Vest EVs: 252 HP / 252 Atk / 6 Spe Ability: Sand Stream Adamant Nature - Rock Slide - Crunch - Ice Punch - Fire Punch

the game plan

this team isn’t at all hard to use, except for maybe tyranitar due to his low speed. the tapu lele + mega metagross lead is absolutely brutal and can nuke most neutral targets. i scarfed lele since in my previous attempts to run mega metagross, i actually lost games to really trivial pokemon because they outsped metagross, even if by only a few points. a few culprits are salazzle, lycanroc or aerodactyl due to rock slide flinch hacks, and electrode (although electrode is more annoying than dangerous). about 60% of the time, these two shred whatever opposition the AI puts up. lele’s psychic surge is super nice to have, too, as it nullifies priority moves. that means pokemon like mega kangaskhan are limited in their options since they don’t have access to fake out or—more importantly—sucker punch.

if one of these two, usually lele, faints, the backline is consistent at mopping up whatever mess remains. if lele faints, i’m usually more inclined to bring in tyranitar since the rest of the team is immune to sandstorm damage. the only thing i won’t switch him into is a physical fighting-type attacker since he’s so tanky on the special side. the special defense increase from assault vest and sandstorm is no joke. this glorious monster has swallowed 4x super effective focus blasts like they were nothing.

mega metagross and landorus are incredibly straightforward. all mega metagross has to do is click on a super-effective coverage move or neutral STAB iron head. the only things to be cautious about are flame body, static, and effect spore since all of its moves make contact. if landorus sits on the opponent’s team completely unthreatened, sometimes i rock polish to ensure victory. i suppose i could’ve replaced it with hidden power grass for gastrodon and swampert, but i usually double target those pests to ensure they die regardless.

strengths

very simple to use

outrageous power

solid coverage

weaknesses

the leads, especially metagross, are crippled by status

bulky waters/rain teams—tyranitar can come in to change the weather, but it’s an incredibly risky play since if the opponent has drizzle, they 100% carry rain dance to reset rain.

earthquake if tyranitar and metagross are on the field at the same time

trick room/bronzong—because my team is so fast and frail, it gets crushed by trick room. normally, i’m able to double target a typical trick room setter, but not bronzong. not only does it quad resist lele’s psychic, but it doesn’t get OHKO’d by shadow ball. it can also have levitate and i have no way of knowing unless i try to hit it with metagross’s stomping tantrum. i really hate bronzong. two of steel’s weaknesses are fire and ground, but for some reason, gamefreak decided to give bronzong abilities that make it neutral to fire and immune to ground. OHKOing it is impossible with my leads, so bronzong is the only reason i have taunt on my scarfed lele. even if my team manages to pick off bronzong’s teammates, it has such an annoying movepool. once it trick rooms, it sets up rain and then tries putting your team to sleep with hypnosis. my highest ever win streak was somewhere in the 110′s (using this same tapu lele + mega metagross core), but it was ended by a mental herb bronzong. i could only sit and watch as it shrugged off my taunt and set trick room, enabling its slow teammates to destroy my team.

conclusion

this team made it easy to get to the tantalizing 50 win streak. as sort of a personal rule, if a pokemon makes it to 50 wins, i can’t use it on future teams. that’ll force me to get creative and get those wins with as many different pokemon as possible. i’m excited to try and think of other combinations to defeat the residents of the battle tree.