On the hunt for foes

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Deimos, having been in the nearby area at the time had figured it was about time for him to begin working on his little 'Challenge' that the Burmy had set for him. He hadn't particularly thought much of the challenge, seeing that it was just a case of defeating three opponents while present there, something that wasn't particularly unreasonable considering his physical strength and prior battle experience in the area.

Deimos found himself cautiously moving through the mist towards the higher section of the Hill, aiming to find more Foes that he would have an advantage against... There was no point to put himself in an extremely risky situation after all, he couldn't complete the challenge if dead. The Absol had his eyes closed as he walked, mind deep in concentration. Deimos intended to utilize his sensory power heavily here as it provided him an advantage in the fights that he was predicting.

As soon as Deimos felt his paw slamming into the Charmander's body, he smirked and began mentally planning out his next move. He understood that he still couldn't take too much more punishment, but with his increased strength from the Swagger move, he understood he didn't need to land as many blows to bring the Charmander down. Slashing at the Charmander's body with his claws, Deimos near simultaneously triggered a Stone Edge to surge upwards slightly off to the side, hoping to catch it's possible role to evade.

"I'm sorry about this... But I have a mission to accomplish, and you've made yourself a target" The Absol growled aggressively without going into detail... Hopefully he could keep the Charmander on the run.

Hidon's eyes widened as Deimos stood over him and smirked. He knew that he was in trouble...but there was very little he could do about it. His eyes widened when the Absol's paw was raised once more, swiping his claws down at his body. Hidon tried to roll away, but was too slow. The claws slashed across his body, causing him to cry out in pain. But that wasn't even the last of it. a moment later, the Absol's paw slammed back against the ground, causing another surge of stone to launch up from the earth. This time, however, Hidon was able to do something about it. The Charmander flinched, trying to desperately fight against the pain as he tried to curl up and roll backwards, over his head, and away from the Absol. He needed to get more space right now. If he could keep his distance, he would be able to better evade his attacks. Most importantly, he'd be more able to see these Stone Edges coming.

Once Hidon landed back on his feet, he stumbled. He wasn't used to that kind of movement and it took him a moment to regain proper footing. But as soon as he did, the first thing he planned to do was launch an Ember attack at Deimos, wherever he would be. His Ember attack, consisting of a barrage of tiny fireballs, was aimed as directly at the Absol's chest as he could manage. Although, his aim was likely to be a bit off considering that he had just tumbled tail-over-head to get back to his feet.

Seeing that the Charmander was able to evade the Stone Edge, Deimos growled somewhat, taking a moment to breath and calm himself. He couldn't let what he had done earlier while in confusion eat away at his ability to fight. He was close to finishing his challenge and he wasn't going to just give up on it, despite the pain he was physically in from his own injuries.

Seeing the Charmander unleash a volley of small fireballs towards him, Deimos acted fast. Understanding that his best chance of winning existed up close and personal, Deimos rushed forwards. Utilizing the sudden burst of speed granted by his Quick Attack, Deimos flanked around to the side and attempted to slam his body into the Charmander... Even if he missed, He'd just keep moving forwards to give himself more room to maneuver.

Hidon groaned, breathing heavily as he instinctively reached up to clutch at where the Absol had slashed at him while he'd been helpless. Thank goodness he'd been able to get away from that Stone Edge. That probably would have finished him off there and then. But at that point, he realized that something was wrong. He could feel something warm and wet dripping down his claw, which caused him to divert his attention downward. His eyes widened when he realized that there was a small amount of red liquid slowly falling to the ground below. The Absol's claws had been close enough and sharp enough to draw blood, it seemed. He winced slightly at the sight, taken aback by the sight of blood. He had never had something actually break his tough skin before. The sight was somewhat shocking. It wasn't anything serious, but still....

But a moment later, he returned his gaze back to the fight at hand, his fireballs having just finished crossing the distance. The next moment, he realized that Deimos was not standing where he had been before. Rather, the Absol was rushing at him at a blinding speed! He yelped in surprise and attempted to stumble away, but only able to avoid enough of the blow to be struck by a mere glancing shot. Still, the pain inflicted was strengthened by the Absol's bolstered attack stat and it caused him to stumble. "Ngh...!" he grunted. But he caught himself quickly and regained his stance.

His breathing was labored and he had a small but open wound on his stomach. He needed to end this quickly so that he could go find some way to fix this. And so, he decided to put everything he had into one more, powerful shot. He clenched his fists and crouched slightly, readying himself for what was to come. He looked straight ahead, eyeing the spot where the Absol's Quick Attack had ended...and he began to run. He dashed as quickly as he could, a familiar, bluish draconic aura beginning to form around his body. After a few more short moments, the aura began to shift, taking its place around his arm. He would then pull his fist back if he was able to draw nearer Deimos, and then thrust it forward. he aimed to strike the Absol across his left cheek with the power of his strongest attack: his Dragon Rush punch!

Deimos skidded to a stop a slight distance away, providing enough room for another running attack. He swiftly turned, the now irritated incisions on his side stinging somewhat. He glared towards the Charmander, quickly understanding that the blasted Pokemon still wasn't down... He had to deal with it quickly. Spotting the blue aura form and shift around the Charmander, Deimos growled slightly... It was finally bringing out that attack.

He recognized it as the same move his Stone Edge had beaten in his prior fight against it. The shift to it's fist however was a curious one... He'd not seen it before. Figuring that since it was still a move his STAB priority attack would still work. He lowered his head and growled somewhat. Digging his claws back into the earth at first, it turned into a deeper, louder growl.

"It's about time that you fall unconscious... I have a mission to complete. I will not let you mess this up, won't fail on my promise" Deimos snarled out loud, revealing that he had more than just his own pride resting on this... If he couldn't complete this mission, how was be to join the Windrose? How would he be able to fulfil his fallen brother's wish?

Lunging forward at high speed, Deimos charged at the Charmander slightly off centre. Lowering his head and tilting it at an angle that his razor sharp horn was aiming, he was treating it like a knight would his lance in a joust.

Hidon rushed at the Absol, raising his fist and preparing to throw it at a moment's notice. He knew that Deimos was not going to let him attack. He was going to do something to intercept him. He had quickly recalled their previous battle, in which the Absol's Stone Edge had countered and defeated him the last time he had tried this attack. This time, he'd be ready for that. The moment he saw the earth beginning to shift before him, he would take a leap, intending to jump on top of the stone pillar and leap from it, using momentum and gravity to add power to his attack and truly make it a finishing blow! The very thought of this little idea working caused him to smirk. He could picture it now; his fist planted firmly in the Absol's face as he drove him to the ground.

But then, Deimos did something that surprised him. He had been watching the Dark-type Pokémon's paws, cautious of them being driven into him again. after all, with the exception of that Stone Edge before, those were what inflicted the most damage against him so far. And he needed to make sure that he wasn't struck with them and stopped yet again. And of course, that's what he usually used in order to attack with Stone Edge as well, so it was a win-win situation in his mind. But instead of this, it was the Dark-type Pokémon's horn that came rushing at him instead once he had begun to let his Dragon Rush punch fly. The Absol had charged at him, off-center. Hidon had been so prepared when Deimos began to declare his victory...or so he thought. But as it turned out, Deimos had one more devastating surprise waiting.

A moment later, Hidon's eyes widened as the Absol's horn drove itself into the pit of his stomach. "URGHK!" the Charmander cried out in pain, feeling the wind get knocked cleanly out of his lungs. Simultaneously, his body was stopped dead in its tracks and the draconic aura surrounding his right arm faded almost instantly. His body was driven back, getting thrown by Deimos' horn. He crashed hard onto his back, lying supine on the ground not too far from where the Absol would probably stop. His limbs were sprawled out, jaw pointing almost straight upward, the top of the back of his head touching the ground. The small amount of blood dripping from his claw wounds began to ooze down toward the ground beneath him, forming extremely tiny puddles of crimson. One of his eyes were still open, the other clenched tight, and his mouth was agape, gasping in pain and trying to regain his composure.

One thing was for sure, though. While he was still conscious...he was definitely not going to be getting up anytime soon. That Sucker Punch had scored a perfect hit.

Deimos at first kept moving forwards after his off centre charge, feeling more and more of his energy leave him. He couldn't deny that this battle had been both painful and exhausting. The Absol slowed to a stop slightly past where Hidon had landed from the attack.

Slowly turning towards it, the Absol wanted to conserve what strength he had left for now. Once he was faxing the correct direction, Deimos walked forwards, taking each step carefully to avoid agitating his injuries further. Sitting down next to the Charmander, he looked down at it, his eyes piercing, as if looking straight through.

"Listen well" The Absol growled at first as he slightly re-adjusted his positioning so that it was more comfortable. "I have a mission to complete... One that you made yourself a target within. I can't allow you to ruin this, not only out of want to complete it, but in honour of a fallen loved one... I made a promise to him, a promise to see what he couldd never see. I would rather perish, than be stopped from fulfilling it by one such as yourself. Do not get in my way again" The Absol spoke, his tone back to the typical calm and composed, however hints of anger were detectable in certain parts.

Painfully rising from his position, he advanced towards the... Erased Seviper and carefully took aim with his horn. Despite the awkward positioning and angles, he managed to pry out it's two fangs. He needed them as proof of his victory and it wouldn't be needing them anymore.

Letting off a faint sigh of relief, he made his final move, heading away and vanishing into the sea of white before him... Time to hand in a report after healing up.

Hidon continued laying there, gasping and groaning in pain from the results of the rough battle that he'd just gone through. He remained immobile, even as Deimos took his time approaching. Finally, the Absol finished approaching and had sat down beside him. This drew the Charmander's attention. He looked up at the Dark-type Pokémon, wondering what was going to happen next. Was he going to finish him off now or something? After all, the Absol had just gotten done taking out those Seviper. Was he going to be next? The piercing gaze that Deimos used to glare at him caused him to flinch again, somewhat fearfully. This guy did look deathly serious. He wasn't really going to do this...was he?

When Deimos moved slightly, he flinched again, half expecting the horn to come down on him. But as it turned out, the Absol was merely readjusting his seat. And then, the Disaster Pokémon began to talk. And he had no choice but to sit there and listen. A mission? A target? What was this guy even talking about at this point!? Of course, the anger that managed to seep into his words now and again shook him slightly. Now, for some reason...he found himself somewhat afraid of Deimos and what the Absol was capable of. But at least this time, he seemed content to merely leave him there with his slight wounds.

He watched Deimos stand back up and move away. The Charmander let out an inaudible sigh of relief. Still, he couldn't help but wonder. If he "got in his way again," as he had put it, then would he be willing to actually finish him off for good next time? He definitely couldn't deny the possibility. Before he could get a chance to rise and ask, however, the Absol was already gone, disappearing into the thick white mist.

"Urgh...." Hidon groaned a few minutes later, rolling over onto his stomach and pushing himself back onto his knees. A few more drops of red liquid fell to the ground. He already knew that there was no way he was staying here now. He was too exhausted and was actually bleeding as it was. And so, he took his time, pushing himself back onto his feet again. "Rgh..." he groaned, shaking himself. He needed to leave...and he needed to do it now, before a feral Pokémon came by to finish him off. He gathered what little strength he had left and began taking slow, pained steps. Stopping only to pick up a few intriguing finds along the way, such as a strange cloth he couldn't identify, a band, an orb, an Apple and some kind of bottle. And with those now tucked into his bag, he continued on his way, tail flame dangerously low to reflect his condition.

Thankfully, no more Pokémon were drawn to this sign of weakness as he escaped the hill. But he still had a very long way to go in order to return to Grassveil....