Tournament Round One

[bravenewmods]

The first day of the tournament dawns bright and sunny, a stark contrast to the mood of the citizens of Union as they exit the gates of the city. Many of them stare at Team Evolution with open suspicion - what exactly were they trying to demonstrate here? Regardless, it appears that the people of Union would hold their own session first. As the 12 trainers take their positions, the crowd is waved back by one of the Guardsmen, holding a pole out to his side as a makeshift barrier.

"Please, for your own safety, stay behind this area, everyone. The tournament will begin shortly."

From the opposite side, the members of Team Evolution politely troop in, pausing at a short distance. As before, Rory stands at the front of the group, accompanied by Crystal and Sakina, each of whom were, if not familiar to the people of Union by now, at least recognizable.

The Guardsman, who apparently has been chosen to act as the judge, speaks once more once the hubbub has died down.

"The Council wishes to thank all who have agreed to take part in this demonstration and all who have come to lend support. To Team Evolution, it is our desire that you come to understand what it means to our city to be a Pokémon trainer, and what it is from which we draw our strength. Though our philosophies may differ, we are nonetheless united in our humanity. We take heart in having made contact with our fellows after so many long years, and we pray that the gods may look upon this meeting with favor."

A pause.

"Now... without further ado, let the battles begin!"

((The first round of the tournament will end in 48 hours, ICly. Please let us know who the winner will be by 2/26 here and we'll post the second round match-ups as soon as we can. The second round of the tournament will begin ICly 2/27.))

Comments

[ember_celica]

Miller hit the ground and went rolling. He grunted softly, and started to rise, but Yang shook her head quickly.

"Pull back, Miller!" she yelled. "No point in getting really hurt!"

Besides, she doubted Feliks would let it come to that. The Eevee ran back; Yang and Hex shared a quick look, before the Misdreavus flew forward. Its sheet like body trailed after it; Hex weaved left and right, before raising both arms -- and then a bright, sudden flash shot out in Danuta's direction!

Hex's favorite move, it happened, was Astonish.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

Children have the potential to become something great, when given the right opportunities.

[naturaldissension]

And of course, it is children who adapt and evolve the most quickly. But I do not think that is what is meant...

Perhaps we should hold back. There is no purpose in bullying children.

[niepokonany]

Danuta pulled back when it was clear the Eevee had had enough--she was relieved when the yellow-haired trainer called him back, unwilling to go overboard with this. On the other side of the field, Feliks cheered, nearly bouncing Jadwiga right off his shoulder.

"Yeah, that's the way we practiced! Looking good out there!"

His victory is short-lived, though. Suddenly, the tables are turned--when she goes in for a strike, Danuta goes straight through her new foe, and that's before she gets hit. The ghostly attack leaves her wavering where she stands, clearly frustrated. What can she do to affect it? In an attempt to buy time to think, she uses Detect, standing carefully on her guard and ready to get out of the way.

[for_realsies]

Panic was, of course, going to get worse as Imogen held up her warp band and called forth her first Pokemon. Center ring, weighing ohmygoditsaT-Rex. Bluescale the shiny Tyrantrum sparkled into appearance and roared with gusto to the crowd. Apparently the big guy loved attention as much as his partner.

Imogen is still trying to look non-threatening, but the whole T-Rex thing sets a tone she can't overcome with a carefree smile. Once Hiroshi's battler is in the field Bluescale will start things off with Stealth Rock.

[blade_psychic]

Kuwabara is stuck somewhere in the middle of the crowd, muttering to himself about not participating or even being able to get a good view, but his Purrloin, Koto, is happily perched on his shoulder, eyes sparkling and licking her lips in anticipation of the oncoming violence.

"...don't even see what the point is, I could fight just as well as any of the pokemon, just because mine aren't- hey, I think I know those two."

[ladyofluminosity]

[Eevee buddies! Annabel lets out a friendly squeak at Lucas' Eevee. Hello friend!

Lux, noticing the younger blond next to her, frowns.]

I don't know, it's hard to say...

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

Maybe. But how will they learn anything if we don't push them?

[stardustreverie]

The Jolteon just stands there for a moment, a confused look on her face while Marisa actually looks worried. She seems to bush off the attack an

"Jolt!" Spark just charges forward, already predicting what Marisa was about to say....but waits for it just in case. Getting close was the key to it all after all.

"Double Kick!"

Spark turned and let loose with a kick at the other Spark. She was just as determined as the other was.

[makeitquick]

[ Melaka signed up for this more to try to gain understanding than anything. She's always fought herself, so the fact that the pokemon were fighting independent of her was really a daunting prospect as far as she was concerned - though Lurks, Sneak, and Slugger all seemed eager to prove themselves as they were lined up in front of her when it came time for her match up...

Still though, dignified. With nothing better to wear which seemed formal enough she just was wearing her Ranger jacket which may pr may not be very out of place here. She has no idea. Still, though tense, her and her team are ready for the match up.

[all_onis_are_true]

Nothing quite like having one's sense of pessimism confirmed.

He stared at his opponent's Pokemon. His first battle ever, and he had to go up against that?! Was this some sort of sick joke? How could he possibly go against something with that high of a level, and a Rock/Dragon type on top of that, and...

Hiroshi suddenly realized. As he was staring up this Pokemon, he remembered what he'd read about this type. Let's see... its current power level, and considering its development, then it should probably...

Okay, maybe I'm outmatched. But I'm not going down without a fight.

He sent out Guertena. And, when his suspicions were confirmed, he uttered a simple command.

"Guertena. Sketch."

Guertena eyed the monster in front of him, and in a whir of movement, began to trace the exact move that was currently responsible for the floating rocks in front of Hiroshi. Hiroshi nodded. He had a sense of what she was going to use next -- but at least he got a nice souvenir out of it.

Heaven or Hell - Round 1 - Let's Rock! (...sorry can't resist)

[bejustorbedead]

[Ky steals a brief glance to the audience as he - enters, it's very easy to pick out his cousin from the crowd - and he still has his eye on team evolution.

If there's tension in him when he and his team entered - he didn't show it. Jacob and Isaac are at his feet, each giving the other an almost warning glare before turning to their opponents. He held an open hand out and smiled]

Win or Lose, Let's make this a good fight.

[With that, Jacob steps forward, positioning himself as the first opponent]

[ember_celica]

Hex turned, quickly, to face Mienfoo. He stuck his tongue out -- he was, if nothing else, a punk -- and then focused. A wave of pink light fired out from his eyes, shooting at Danuta.

"Yeah! Keep going, Hex!" Yang called out. Even if she could see it was bad; this was her last Pokémon.

( no I love it that rocks )

[makeitquick]

Yeah, agreed. I'll do my best to put on a show!

[ Okay so that things a grass type clearly so she'll lead with-- She nudges Lurks, and then Croagunk steps forward with a little frog laugh of mildly awkward tension.

( just to check I doubt any of Jacob's moves set of Anticipation but I might as well check ) ]

[niepokonany]

She tried to dodge the beam, and quite nearly succeeded. As he kept up the attack, though, she took a hit from it. She fell to one knee, head pounding, at a loss. Even Feliks could see that keeping her out there was just going to be needlessly painful and frustrating.

"Okay, let's not get crazy! You did good, so come back and let Jadwiga have a turn, 'kay?"

As Danuta slunk back to his side, he set the Ralts on the ground. Hesitant at first, she drew what strength she could from the crowd's excitement and Feliks's unwavering faith in her, and stepped out onto the field.

[ember_celica]

"Just keep the good work up, Hex!" Yang yelled.

She wasn't much of a tactician with Pokémon. Her specialty was fighting on her own; giving good orders to her team was not where she excelled. This was a fine example. Hex wasn't given any instructions, which meant he turned on the Ralts with a vengeance -- and loosed another bright, startling flash of yellow light.

Yang cheered after the Misdreavus, wordlessly. Hex bobbed up and down, proudly.

[niepokonany]

The light startled her, disoriented her a bit--but a glance back at her trainer, her old friend, steadied her a moment later. Feliks was depending on her, wasn't he? She'd relied on him so much over the years, and she was going to help him this time!

Shrugging off the effect of the flash, she let a psychic attack forth, a purple, rippling wave of energy. Whether or not it hurt seriously, it could hopefully be disorienting...

[ember_celica]

The Misdreavus was hit by the purple, rippling wave -- and more than be damaged, it suddenly was shifting awkwardly to each side. Its eyes moved independently of each other, in a swirly motion. That made Yang tilt her head to the side. "Uh," she said, "Hex? Buddy?"

"Dreavus!"

Then Hex fired another raw of psychic energy from his eyes, at... the wall. Yang turned and stared at it, and the tiny crater made, before looking back at Hex. She pointed at the Ralts.

"Over there, little buddy," she said.

[indy_wannabe]

"Stand firm!"

Elekid takes both kicks to the face and then... grabs for Jolteon's leg?

"Swift! Again!"

Whether or not the grab is successful, Spark the Elekid opens its mouth and shoots a crapton of stars at point blank range.

[niepokonany]

Feliks grinned. She'd never fought without him in there with her, shielding her from blows and gleefully setting coats and tails on fire, but she was doing just fine without him! Look at her, all grown up...

"Great! So, you totally know what to do now!"

She made a little affirmative noise, bringing her hands together and bowing her head as she focused her power. A couple of illusory copies of herself appeared on the battlefield, each one of them dodging and darting about like they were trying to avoid getting hit.

[ember_celica]

"Whoa!" Yang shouted. "Hex, Hex, be caref--"

Hex started firing shots bright light at the illusory copies, even as he darted to and fro. The light flashes stayed; and he flew through some, causing him to shake and thrash. Finally, he flew off towards the wall, and slammed into it, forgetting to turn solid. He bounced backward.

"...ul," Yang finished, dryly.

[comparative_insanity]

For all that he's been a bit of a bundle of nerves leading up to the tournament, Fai looks excited and alert as he watches the people and pokémon mill around him. The three pokémon chosen for the occasion all seem to show varying signs of excitement as well. Woolly is orbiting him at speed, his high-speed batbatbatbatbatbatbat managing to sound rather like maniacal laughter. Mr Sunshine is jumping up and down, rolling around on the ground, barking excitedly. Babycakes is far too dignified for this sort of behavior, but Fai can tell from the way she holds her flower tighter than normal and tries not to smile that she's just as excited as the rest of them.

He does feel a thrill of anxiety when he gets closer to his opponent, though. That intangible, somehow blank presence can only mean one thing; he's a Dark type. But that doesn't matter, he reminds himself, because they aren't supposed to be fighting. So instead he smiles, although judging from the expression on his opponent's face, he doubts that he'll get much of a smile back.

Fai knows he's at a disadvantage, being the first to pick a pokémon to send out, but well, hopefully he'll be able to turn things around soon enough. "Mr Sunshine, if you would be so very kind?" The Houndour snorts at him, as if politeness is an insult to such a great and noble warrior, but he does indeed step forward.

[niepokonany]

It wouldn't be good for Jadwiga to get hit with a ghost-type attack... So they should act quickly, Feliks decided, and remove the threat. "Don't hold back now!"

Nodding, the real copy sent another rippling purple blast of mental energy at Hex.

[ember_celica]

That ended things quickly enough.

The blast of energy struck Hex; the Misdreavus rippled, then fell down at the ground. Yang watched the Ghost-type Pokémon start to stir back up, but she shook her head quickly in his direction, and waved her hands in front of her. "Whoa, whoa, wait, Hex!" she called out. "Don't overdo it. I think they got us."

Hex sighed, but bobbed his head in a nod, and floated backward towards her part of the ring. Yang looked him over, then looked at Feliks.

She grinned, a little sheepish. "Good job."

[faithful_kitsune]

[Ran sits in the back, watching the goings on. She's never really seen people fight each other with Pokemon. How will they do...?]