ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

*The severity and biting harshness of Finley's words sting me. Dammit, I know that I fucked up, I'm not pleased with myself either, but do you really have to rub it in? Everything about what she says makes me want to curl up and sulk in a corner, but that last sentence invites too much vitriol for me not to snap back.*

PJ: "I get it! You think I don't? You think I don't realize that I fucked up, that I... everything we're working for could've crumbled and fallen because I was a dipshit who wanted to see some blood? I know that! I know what's at stake! But like, I was thrown in there and everyone wanted to see a fight and my opponent was pep talking me and I didn't wanna let anyone down so I just sorta started and then... I couldn't help it at that point, I was too deep into it to snap out! I'm not trying to ruin everything, I don't want anyone to die, and I'd hate myself if I was even partly responsible, but it's not like I can stop myself once the adrenaline's rushing through me. Fuck!"

*My breathing's heavy, this time due to frustration rather than injuries. I didn't even have a reason to end with that swear, I just felt like I needed to let it out.*

   (What part about this does she not understand? How dense is she?)   

Finley listens to PJ, trying to be rational. Be calm. Be calm...

No. No. This is not okay!

"Then why the hell did you sign up to begin with?! YOU WENT IN KNOWING YOU HAD A PROBLEM! ONE THAT COULD SPREAD AND CAUSE TONS OF DAMAGE! SO YOU ENTERED ANYWAY?! Why?! You knew something was wrong! You knew Bella may have had something going on! But you still entered and didn't even bat an eye at her entering! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!!"

PJ: "Well I didn't know if Bella had VA and I didn't think things would go this far south! Maybe I didn't have the proper foresight, maybe I was too fucking blind to see that this was a stupid fucking idea, but you're not helping this either if you're just gonna fucking YELL AT ME ABOUT THINGS I ALREADY FUCKING KNOW! I wanna try fixing this too, you jackass!"

   (Fuck it, I'm wasting my time and breath on her.)   

PJ: "You know what? Fuck this, this is bullshit, you're bullshit, we're not getting anything fucking done, we have no idea what the fuck we're doing, I dunno why either of us thinks this talk is a good idea because it's just making us both super fucking angry we both know what happens when I get angry and I really think I might make good on last week's promise and blast you outright if we keep this shit up. Nothing personal, but I'm gonna fuck off now. Goodbye."

*That was it. I storm off, flying as fast as I can just about anywhere. No idea where I'm going, all I know is that wherever it is it's away from her. I can feel the raw anger boil within me. My muscles are tensed. Just thinking about what she said makes me want to break something.*

   (Of course she'd snap at me like that, she has no idea what I'm dealing with and she's too stupid to try to empathize. Fuck her.)   

*Eventually, I find myself... lost. No idea where I am or where I came from, it's just like what happened back in Silversand. Only this time, instead of running off into a forest, I'm in some other alley with no relation to the one I was just in. I sit down on the ground and try to cool off for a moment. Nobody else is here. Nobody else should be here. I doubt anyone'll find me very quickly. I want to yell. I just want to scream something out for the world to hear because I fucked up and I can't seem to stop fucking up. However, before I can let any of this out, I'm caught off-guard by a familiar voice.*

Belladonna: "Paddy? Is something the matter? You look rather irritated."

Finley simply stares at the alley in front of her. Letting what just happened really sink in.

What did she just do?

Since day one. No, minute one, she's known him. They've been through so much together.

And she just more or less told him to piss off. She didn't need to have this chat with him. Everything was under control with her and Marlon. It was already fixed. Nothing she did mattered...

With nothing better to do, she just sits down against the wall.

And sobs.

(I lagged back but was totally there and not AFK sleeping while they conversed here. I didn't want to intrude in a conversation between two very close pals (as they were the ones who came before me) but at this point could anyone be friends with him? Considering the fact that Fin just started crying and PJ flew off.....DAMN IT. I ran up to Fin and sat next to her, trying to console her.)

Fin.....I'm so sorry.....I didn't know what to do...you two were such close friends and I didn't want to say anything that'd split you even further apart, nor did I think he'd blow up again like that.....

(I try to remain strong, wiping a few tears off of her face with the flat of my arm.)

edited 10th Aug '17 5:35:51 AM by Team42Larson

*Voxno-V had been around Finley, PJ, and Marlon as well, just kinda uh...writing down stuff I guess since, y'know, writing for the announcers and all took all my time so I put Vox on autopilot way back when* There is not much I can say, except that frankly I too am in the dark.

*meanwhile, Birch is trying to maintain his professionalism while a wave of skepticism hits him* QU-QUITE THE UNPRECEDENTED TURNAROUND, FOLKS!! Was that a Z-Move?! *he asks Elm, who replies, also semi-audibly to the crowd* Not one I've ever seen! Can we get the refs in on this? Pink Death's strategy sure...paid off... *Elm has no way of relating this to her experiences*

Since when does a Torracat get a dark aura? I thought only certain martial artists could manipulate auras! *to which Birch whispers back, still semi-audible to the crowd* Could this be the you-know-what that's responsible for the whole damn city being under martial law? *adding* Frankly I hope it is, simply because these security procedures are driving me nuts! They're killing sales! *while Elm agrees* Yeah, at least it'll seem worth it.

*meanwhile, the referees are discussing amongst themselves, more than one of them are of a mind to summon security to at least give Sushi some kind of pat-down search for Z-Crystals, less focused on the VA*

It looks like we're having a brief intermission, folks! While the refs decide how to handle these developments, let's give it up for Swoop Up Your Dreams!!

edited 10th Aug '17 11:35:30 AM by sarysa

(The Fraxure who checked the remedies comes out briefly but just at the right time to notice Sushi in her dark aura. Unsure of what he saw, he sprints back to the Haxorus at the desk.)

We may need security here. One of the competitors may have used a Z-Move just then.

edited 10th Aug '17 7:09:42 AM by Team42Larson

"Wait... someone... Cheated?"

(The arena security staff, composed of a Druddigon, Dragonite, and Zwelious, meet Sushi. The Druddigon speaks first.)

Excuse me, miss, we saw some suspicious activity on your part out there.

(The Dragonite then follows.)

You suddenly glowed in a dark aura.

(The first head of the two-headed Zwelious speaks lastly.)

You may have a Z-Crystal on you, and we must search you. If we find anything of that nature you are disqualified immediately. Are you aware of that?

Hearing the announcers, the fighters suddenly stop to listen, Sushi on her way back to her area and Lisa on her way out. Lisa's crew also stops, but they continue ignoring Andy.

As Sushi is approached by the arena staff, there's only one thing on her mind.

"........ What the fuck is a Z-Crystal?"

Z-Crystals allow the user to attack with moves much stronger than anyone else can, and that's why we need to search you.

(The Dragonite motions to his coworkers to begin their search.)

This won't take long, we just need to search in your fur.

So that's what she was talking about.... Pff, does she really think I need to resort to such extreme tactics just to beat her?

"Well, I'm not sure how comfortable I am with this, but alright. I've got nothing to hide "

*Birch finally opts to finish the intermission* Let's give a hand to Swoop Up Your Dreams, a Silversand band who has provided tireless entertainment for our esteemed patrons since this morning!

*cue applause, no more stalling* The final results of the previous match are yet to be determined, so in the meantime, it's time for our next match-up! *cue more applause*

Our first contender hails from "a cottage near some ruins"...I believe we have ruins around the center of this island, don't we Elm? *while Elm replies* That we do, Birch. Many believe those ruins to be one of the last remnants of human civilization, though frankly there's nothing to back that up. *to which Birch bounces back* One can always dream, Elm...anyway, let's welcome our ascetic Blaziken contender...FIREBIRD!!!

*while Elm points out* While his opponent hails from...you guessed it, "Parts Unknown". It's literally written down like that... *Birch opts to jump in on the snark-fest* Must be a club we're not invited to, eh? I'm from Blissparce, by the way, and it's a nice, not-so-mysteeeerious place. *and Elm opens up* While I'm from Gleamscape! We have tough fighters too, ya know...

*a bit of awkward silence ensues, and then* Anyway, give a warm Hoard welcome for...La Cuchilla!

It had been Bash' intention to simply wait around patiently for his fight, letting his body rest from his rather intensive training with Maxine, and yet... instinctively, he couldn't allow it. He had to keep on his toes; if he let his guard down for just a second, it was all over. That was exactly what Max taught him, right? And he didn't even have the benefit of having such sturdy muscles as her. He couldn't take hits as well, and he knew it. His whole life, he'd been dodging things. Dodging, blocking, parrying. All the way back to Ninjasks of the ruins where he used to play as a Torchic...

He was knocked out of his self-reflection by a blinding light as the door into the colosseum swung open. He freakin' did it again, he did. Got distracted. How was he supposed to fight if he was thinking too much about not getting distracted? That, in itself, was pretty Arcsdamn distracting, as it turned out.

Even as he strode into the arena, doing his best to distract himself even further by tensing up his muscles and striding forward with seriousness... no, that'd give him away. That was Max's way of presentation. He was more casual. He had a reputation to deliver, here. So he slumped slightly and strode forward, holding the lapels on his shirt, looking back and forth to admire the crowd with what was, quite frankly, a fake grin.

Shit! Again with the distractions! Too many distractions...

He slapped himself on the sides of his beak again to draw his attention to the arena, where he got his first glance at his opponent for the first round.

It was the helmeted, faceless Bisharp. She herself bounded forward, taking large strides, but never seeming to slump or falter, and keeping her blades firmly behind her back.

Bash couldn't help but smirk a little bit, cracking his knuckles. What the hell was he doing, worrying so much? She was a Dark/Steel-Type, he's Fire/Fighting... he's practically won already. Some 'strong, silent type' act wasn't going to change that.

It wasn't long before the Bisharp was right up in his face, however. She stood still like a chess piece, awaiting its next move.

It was clearly taking this seriously, if nothing else. No, no, respect should be afforded to someone who presented themselves so well.

"Bashamo... Bashamo," Bash complimented her in a slightly backhanded fashion, even bowing while making eye contact. ...Where he thought the eyes were, anyway.

"..."

"Bashamo? Bah... shamo," was all he could say in response to her silence.

(The Druddigon kneels down before Sushi and runs his hands through her fur. He completes his short, but thorough search, conferring with his coworkers. He turns back to Sushi with a smile.)

Huh...you're good to go, but how did you do that?

(The Zwelious' other head speaks.)

We are both dark types, of course we can be edgy!

Ah, right.

(The triad resume their normal duties, letting Sushi be.)

"I should have gone for a Spanish luchador name...." Sushi says to herself, listening to the announcers as she's patted down.

When the Duddrigon asks her how she did it, she's about to respond, but then lets the Zwelious answer for her.

Shrugging, she continues heading back to her seat. That song is still stuck in her head.

Yet another lopsided match-up here, folks... *Birch takes note of the way the Bisharp carries herself* ...then again, there is just something about that Bisharp that I can't put my finger on. Elm?

Indeed there is, Birch. While Firebird does carry himself not unlike the lower tiers of the professional circuit, La Cuchilla carries herself like a top-tier professional! That level of calm and poise is reserved only for those who have seen quite a bit in their lifetime...

Indeed it does. *while both are somewhat concerned about the Bisharp's presence in an amateur tournament, they shrug it off quietly...not their problem* The contenders have sized each other up. The stage is clear. Get ready, get set...IT'S TIME FOR A POKÉÉÉÉÉÉ-BAAAAAAATTLEEEEEEEEE!!!

At the very moment the fight was announced to begin by the rather loudmouthed and yet slightly tired-sounding announcers- distractions! No more distractions!

Bash hopped back, anticipating that his very disadvantaged opponent would attempt the same tactic, probably getting defensive. Instead, oddly enough, she stood firmly in place. Now that was strange... was it because she, being a Steel-type and all, was so cumbersome that she could barely move? Accepting defeat? Perhaps... no, getting cocky. Clearly, she was preparing for something. Though it didn't explain why the hell she still had her hands behind her back.

At this point, the Blaziken decided the best method of defence against such a disadvantaged opponent... was attack. Constant fiery, fighty pressure to get her on the defensive, make her slip and slide all over the place with her cumbersome...ness.

In an attempt to confuse her, he rapidly alternated between spurts of flame from his wrists and from his ankles, in the split second before he delivered a Fire Punch directly to her midsection. Which she simply sidestepped.

Not faltering for a second, he threw another flame punch to her face. The Bisharp once again sidestepped and countered with a Payback Axe-Kick, swinging her steel heel overhead and bringing it down straight on Bash' own head, giving him a scratch and sending him sliding away.

Bash checked the scratch with his claw, feeling a slight tingling sensation, and noticed a little bit of blood from where her sharpened heels dug into his face. He recovered just in time to notice her using a Pursuit attack; a running forward somersault, intending to send her feet into his skull once more.

The Blaziken recovered just in time to execute a sideways roll, and took the chance to send a big, lunging Blaze Kick her way. But she once again simply sidestepped the attack and once again countered with a Payback one-two of a swiping kick to the heel - making a slightly sickening *crunch* sound - and a forceful, back-facing kick to the the chest, knocking Bash to the floor. And she still kept her hands behind her back. She wasn't even attempting to use her blades.

Bash hopped right back up to his feet, though forced to stop and twinge in the pain as he cracked his ankles back into place. He was doing it again, getting carried away with big, high-risk attacks. He'd need to try something safer...

"I ruined everything..." Finley looks to Marlon. "The one time I try to tell someone they were wrong and I was a senseless bitch. I can't do this anymore..."

She couldn't get mad at people anymore. This is always what happens.

Listen, Fin, nobody's perfect. People can do things that make you want to chew them out, and sometimes they don't want to listen, or act like they don't care, but deep inside they truly do care about the things you say. Just because you made a mistake this time doesn't mean that we can just lie down and accept it. We will figure out a way to help them.

(I continue.)

You know what else though? You're like a sister to me, and to everyone else too. You're always there for all of us, no matter what obstacles we face. And don't stop thinking like that.

COMPLETE AND UTTER DENIAL! Punch - Dodge - Kick - Dodge — Firebird's goose is cooked if he doesn't land a hit soon! *while Elm points out* Indeed, Birch. La Cuchilla is clearly in a class of her own, not just in this battle, but perhaps for the entire tournament! I can just imagine folks pouring over to Mickey's to change their bets as we speak.

Attempting to psyche her out again, Bash tried the 'rapid-fire fire spurts' technique before doing an overcommitted Blazing roundhouse - but this time, he intended to miss. Anticipating that his opponent would duck to avoid it and counter with a Low Sweep; hence why he cancelled his kick halfway through and instead backflipped out of her range, following up with a Flame-Charged pair of knees.

"BAAAAASHA-SHAMO!" he couldn't help but yell as he actually struck her straight in the face and knocked her down, sending sparks screeching against the floor.

Bash dusted his claws off, sending 'victory spurts' from his wrists and ankles, as he enjoyed doing, and pulled on his lapels to taunt her.

The Bisharp slammed her hands into the floor, making her rebound back onto her feet. But Bash acted fast; noticing her faceplate had been dented somewhat, he wasted no time sending a quick Fire Punch hook to her midsection; strategically aiming between her steel chest-rings, of course. She only recoiled a little bit, even after he deliberately pushed his fist in as hard as possible, and began to rapidly hammer her faceplate with his free fist, knocking her head back and forth like a speedbag, skewing and distorting that faceplate a great deal.

"BAAASHASHASHASHASHASHASHASHASHASHAAA!!"

Finally, believing her to be stunned, he pulled back to deliver a mighty Blaze Kick with the intention of knocking off her faceplate entirely; but instead, she reacted fast enough to grab his flaming ankle and hold it under-arm, revealing to Bash that she had just been holding back this whole time and actually could use her arms.

His eyes widened in alarm, but before he could react she gripped said leg tight and forcibly snapped it in another display of Payback, before following up with Assurance; grabbing his other leg by the ankle - itself damaged from an earlier blow - and tossing it upwards, sending him spinning to the floor, landing face-up.

The Bisharp took this moment to re-adjust her battered faceplate and wave off her flaming arm.

edited 10th Aug '17 11:49:07 AM by PresidentStalkeyes

This is...this is just too hard to watch. *Birch can't help but react to the bone break and the referees not stepping in. He actually stops using his own Hyper Voice*

*only audible to Elm and a few around them* (You take this one, Elm. I need a break...a, um, bio break...) *while Elm, who's more willing to "play ball", downplays what's going on to the audience* Right when it seemed Firebird found that opening, it turned out to be a ruse. La Cuchilla has been in control of this entire match, from start to...no signal from the refs, folks, this fight is not over.

*meanwhile, the referees are sweating bullets here...they know something's wrong, but the moment they look in the direction of the announcers, they see the Pawniards standing "guard" on either side of them, giving the refs subtle signals that translate as roughly "let it go, or else"*

"Ah, shit..."

[Making my way upstairs, I breathe a little easier knowing the guard's leaving a good enough space in the door for us to get through, and that the guard himself is pretty tiny.]

"We can just step around him," [I say to Mila, feeling somewhat confident.] "We c'n brush up against him a little, too, he won't feel anything."

"Alright, then. But if things go south, we run. As much as I hope they won't, I get the feeling that things just... aren't turning up roses recently."

Mila tries to flatten herself as much as possible and slip past the Pawniard at the door. Once inside, she waits for Eliot to enter as well before continuing. It seems like the place has been turned over, and she can hear some discussion coming from further inside.