Tournament Round Two

[bravenewmods]

Despite the uncertainty with which the people of Union considered Team Evolution, the battles had lifted them out of their morose air. Once the fighting began in earnest, it was difficult not to get caught up in the excitement - the crowd even managed a spirited cheer here and there as the competitors executed daring techniques or showcased particular moves they had honed. The members of Team Evolution watched quietly, occasionally taking notes and clapping politely for the victors as the battles of the first round concluded.

Those who had won their respective matches were allowed a night's respite before the second round. The next day dawns just as pleasant as the previous - though a bit windier. There were only three matches this time and so the crowd draws a little closer to observe. As the six trainers take their places, the Guardsman once again holds back those who are a bit overly eager.

"The rules remain the same! The winners of this round will move on to battle Team Evolution in a friendly exhibition match. Prior to that, the members of Team Evolution will briefly showcase their battling technique for us as well."

His eyes drift over to where Rory, Crystal, and Sakina stand - Rory nods in confirmation with a genial smile.

"Trainers ready? Second round - begin!"

((The second round of the tournament will end in 48 hours, ICly. Please let us know who the winner will be by 2/28 here and we'll post the winners as soon as we can. The final post of the tournament will come 3/1.))

Comments

General Spectators

[bravenewmods]

[outtahere]

Coming to watch the tournament yesterday had been something of a whim on Banzu's part. There were plenty of more productive things he could have done, certainly, but frankly he'd needed to step away from making his shotgun for a bit - it was even more complicated than he'd first thought and he'd needed to come back to it with a fresh mind. He'd ended up being glad that he'd come though. Not for seeing the battles per se, but rather a minor thing that had happened in one of them: the use of the move "Sketch", copying Stealth Rock to use later. That event had bounced around in his head over the night and he'd awoken with the thought that a Pokémon with that move could be incredibly useful to have around. But the only Pokémon he knew about with that move was with the boy who had lost that battle, so Banzu had come again today in the hope that the boy would return to watch the remaining battles. He could always put out a general message later if that didn't happen, but he'd rather go straight for the source if possible.

Sure enough he eventually saw exactly the person he wanted to see and made his way over, trying to remember what the judge had said his name was as he went.

"Hey! Hey... Hiroshi!"

>An older teenager or young man, age likely in the 16 to 20 range, is approaching Hiroshi, dressed in all-black clothing appropriate in style for someone who works in the industrial district. A Klink and a Carbink are floating along behind him.

[all_onis_are_true]

[Hiroshi is slowly recovering a bit from his defeat yesterday, but he still watches the second round with a strong feeling of failure. Takuro, of course, had been supporting, but it was hard for him to shake the feeling he could have done better. It didn't help his father had definitely had an attitude that made it clear he felt this should be a sign for him to stop his Pokemon studies. Why was his father so adamant against this any --

Er, did someone just call his name?]

Ah... hello? May I help you?

[The boy is with the Axew who he fought with yesterday. The Axew cocks his head slightly, looking at Banzu.]

[outtahere]

Should be able to. The first Pokémon that battled for you yesterday, did Sketch permanently teach it Stealth Rock?

[Not wasting any time here.]

[all_onis_are_true]

[No kidding, geez. You can't even introduce yourself?]

It did, yes. That's one of Smeargle's specialties. Why do you ask?

[ember_celica]

[Yang sits in the stands, now. She's been knocked out, but she said she would cheer Feliks on, which she plans to do -- and she wants to see the rest fight. Besides, she wants a look at Team Evolution up close. If she can't do that by winning the tournament, maybe she can in the audience. She perches her chin on her hand, looking down at the field.]

[She's taking a drink from a large mug in hand. It's not a beer, at least.]

[...yet.]

[crimson_pinnacle]

[Red is also sitting, has been since round one. Also being very excited about the entire tournament he doesn't quite notice the person sitting next to him was just down there battling it out yesterday. He's ready to see everything they've got down there and part of him is writhing in agony that Judy isn't by his side. Without looking, he leans just a bit in Yang's direction, a slight movement of his head indicating the arena.]

It's getting intense, wouldn't you say? I can feel all the tension in the air.

[ember_celica]

Yeah, for sure. Seems like it's a little crazy, you know!

[She spots the two Team Evolution women -- and moving off, it seems. She raises an eyebrow, and then she looks back at Red. She flashes a quick grin at him.]

Who do you think is gonna win?

[crimson_pinnacle]

Crazy is always good-- You can't predict it that way.

[Red does notice the Team Evolution members moving off as well, but what will happen in the end with that group, will happen regardless. He focuses on the battle again. That is till he catches the motion in the corner of his eye, and smiles, glancing and pausing a moment.]

You're Yang... [And Yang wants an assessment, he turns back to the battle and tilts his head.]

Well, I didn't expect Feliks to win yesterday, and so far it's looking a bit more like that today, too. Ezreal is beast. [He focuses on Feliks, muttering under his breath for him to show Red that something that brought a win yesterday.]

[bnw_void_npcs]

As Sakina watched the proceedings, her face had become slightly flush. Those around her might start to feel unease - even edginess. Her gaze is on the battle, and it is intense and unwavering.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

Dr. Verdine, standing beside the much taller woman, idly watched the battles, a polite look on her face. Feeling a strange wave pass over her, she turned toward the brunette beside her, expression quickly dropping. She made a few small gestures with her hands to the teammates around her, mostly unnoticeable.

She spoke low, and it was very possible that her voice was lost in the noise of the crowd. "Are you all right? Do you need to step away?"

[bnw_void_npcs]

Sakina's eyes are smoldering, she grunts but says nothing.

[bnw_sheepy_npcs]

She looked toward one of the men at her side, and as he began to move, Dr. Verdine drew her bag closer. "You seem tired. I think we'll be returning to our room, now."

[tagteams]

[BIRD SQUAD IS HERE. Or well, they've been here watching the tournament to make sure Team Evolution doesn't do anything that could threaten or harm the competition or the audience. That's pretty much what Quinn has decided herself to do, watching from the audience as a few birds fly above her to get a better view of the fight: A Rufflet, a Fletchinder, and a Starly.

Of course, these birds are making sure that nothing weird happens in the audience as well, but Quinn and her avian comrades are always open to small chat (even if she isn't the one to mingle with crowds too much).]

[kaidont]

[Well, Kaido's mostly interested in seeing the Team Evolution trainers in action, but he also promised Ezreal he'd come watch... so here he is, watching.
But thanks to his commitment to being an asshole to his friends, he also brought snacks]

[at_too_low]

[Well, now that they're here, he might as well enjoy it. Stealing a few of your snacks, sorry Kaido]

[kaidont]

[Yeah no, no need to apologise, he absently holds them in your direction, his eyes not leaving the arena]

[at_too_low]

[Wow, you sure are serious about this]

Kaido, we won't see anything from team Evolution until the final round. Are you looking for your friend?

Melaka vs. Levi

[bravenewmods]

[makeitquick]

[ Well, awkward for her to be fighting her Superior. Still, she's actually a little eager to see how her trio can match up to it. So ... she smirks and is out here with Slugger and Sneak and Lurks. Lurks will be first, because he has some of the better opening gambits. But still... ]

It's an honor to be here, boss.

Ezreal vs. Feliks

[bravenewmods]

[niepokonany]

When he first signed up for the tournament, it had been on a whim. The idea of the whole city's eyes on him and his Pokémon had been tempting, and he'd wanted to put on a good show, but it had really just been for fun.

Now, though, he was starting to think a little differently. Not that he was taking it too seriously or anything--he was, in fact, damn near allergic to the concept of seriousness most of the time--but the thrill of that first victory went to his head a little, and besides... If they won just one more time, he'd get the chance to show that smug, creepy guy what he and his Pokémon friends could do real up close and personal.

Dressed to the nines again, he showed off a little for the crowd before the start of the battle was announced, then turned to Ezreal with a smile. His team was the same as before, with one notable change: his Ralts, Jadwiga, was a Kirlia now, and a little harder to carry than she had been yesterday.

"Let's make it good," he called across the field, before giving a nod of encouragement to Emilia. Denied the chance to fight yesterday, the Houndour bounded forward, tail wagging a little in anticipation of a good challenge.

[indy_wannabe]

"May the best man win!" Ezreal shouted back.

He was flanked by Spark, his Elekid, Jungler, his Liepard, and Smasher, his trusty Boldore.

"You're up Smasher! Crush them to pieces!"

Smasher obliged, leaping forward and shaking the ground a bit with the weight of its body.

[niepokonany]

The ground shook, and it reminded Emilia powerfully of how it had shaken not long after she came to the human city with Feliks. She had been unable to do anything then, and she hated the reminder of it now.

But now--now, at least, her purpose was clear, even if it didn't look like an easy fight. She leaned back on her haunches, teeth bared, then lashed out with a cloud of thick, choking smog.

Imogen vs. Reimu

[bravenewmods]