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

[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.

[indy_wannabe]

Smasher hunches down to weather the smog, looking a bit ill. He quickly counters, however, by leaping into the air and coming down hard at Emilia with great force.

[niepokonany]

He lands on target, crushing her to the ground before she knows what's happening. Coughing up more smoke rather unintentionally, she makes an effort to shake it off. She's a little trapped, so after a moment of fruitless thrashing to try and get free, she does what she can with the little space she has.

She bites him, trying to find any part that's more vulnerable or less painful to bite than the others.

Back on the end of the field, Feliks holds Jadwiga tighter and frowns. This isn't looking good--but Emilia doesn't really look like his advice would do her a ton of good, so he just watches nervously.

[indy_wannabe]

Smasher visibly flinches at the bite.

"C'mon! Beat the crap out of her!" Ezreal yells from the sidelines. Trying to get a grip on itself, Smasher throws a blast of mud right at Emilia's eyes.

[niepokonany]

Oh, that didn't look good. Feliks winced at the sound of Emilia's half-snarl, half-whine-- poor thing, it must have really stung!

But the good thing about being trapped close enough for biting range? It didn't really matter much if she could see. Only dimly aware through the fog of adrenaline that she couldn't last long at this rate, she but down harder.

"Come on, Emilia! Like, hang in there!"