May the Games Begin... [Eira, Marcus, Z, Zandrophin][CLOSED]

"Go ahead," said Z, "it's strong and not fragile so you probably won't damage it unless you actually try.  Don't try though or I'll get mad."
Z took off his cloak and handed it to Eira.  He kept an eye on her ti make sure she didn't try anything bad with his cloak.  It was resilient, but it was also a family heirloom and he wanted it to be treated with respect.  The cloak was thick enough to be able to keep Z warm in a cold environment easily.

"Alright then," said Z as he put his cloak  back on, "I can do that.  By the way, our pokemon seem to be getting along quite well.  They might be making friends with each other."
Z was quite amused at how the two pokemon were getting along.  Usually Axew preferred to stay at Z's side or on his shoulder, as opposed to playing with other pokemon.  Though most of the other pokemon that they men were bigger than Axew was and he stayed on Z's shoulder so he didn't have to look up at them all the time.

“My, a battle I asked for, and a battle I received. You took my advice for a longer routine, and more of a chance to gather bonus points. For that, I want you to know you have a nice score to lift you to high places on this board.”

“I also love it when my audience members are engaged personally, such as when introducing yourself to them. Now you’re not just that guy on the stage, you’re Marcus Glyser and Sofa, now much closer to us then you already were.” Akane raised her voice for this next part.

“The fact you used Sofa’s previous ability of oblivious/own tempo to not let the houndoom interfere with his focus, is quite impressive. The attacks used, very impressive as they were in the first round, with the added strength of an evolution, made all the more awe-inspiring. But, as I’m sure you know, you had one move that really shined through the others.” She looked Marcus in the eye, he knew which combination she was referring to.

“The use of your aerial ace through the flamethrower to create flaming wind? As the quote “Fire Queen” how could I not love that? That was beyond glorious and I’ve already hired a painter who was present to paint me that image.” She laughed, all the while totally serious.

“Now about my friend’s houndoom. Wow. He will be feeling that all through his week-long pampering.” She felt bad but she couldn’t help but smile. “The ending was not so flashy, but your strategic use of sucker punch, coupled with vigoroth’s new power, resulted in a cushy score for you.”

Akane did her royal curtsy and bow to him. For both he and Eira rightfully deserved such a high honor for their performances.

“I look forward to seeing your names engraved in this hall. Even if neither of you win.”

The spectators and Akane applauded. She planned to engrave all of their names anyway, but she could not be ready enough for the final two contestants.

“Let’s do this,” Z said to Axew, “they want a show, so let’s show them what we can do.”
“Axew!”
Z pulled out an mp3 player and speakers that would broadcast the music to the crowd.
“Kick it.”

Z and Axew walked to the center of the stage as the intro built up. Soon the music picked up with an electric guitar playing and Z threw off his cloak again, this time having it land off stage.
Yume miteta, yume
Hate naki tooku
Kawaita hibi no sorairo te no naka
Z ran forward with Axew. The Houndoom shot blasts of fire at them, but Axew jumped to the side. Z opted for a more flashy dodge. He backflipped out of the way of the first torrent of fire and sprung out of a handstand to spin in the air over another flamethrower, landing as the fire stopped.
Tou kankaku oto no naka de shikousakugo
Jikan kankaku no nai kuukan
Axew then charged up energy in its claws, causing them to glow with energy, before slamming two dragon claws into the stage and tearing up chunks of earth. Axew then charged energy in it’s tail, giving it a silvery metallic look, and slammed the rocks with it’s tail, as if it was using them like balls and its tail was the bat.
Z had positioned himself between Axew and Houndoom and gracefully and agilely dodged the flying rocks and torrents of flame sent his way. the rocks pelted the Houndoom, with it dodging a few and being hit by the others.
Toushindai oto wo tatete
Boku no kao, tsukutte yuku
kirei ni, katahou dake.
Z flipped back to Axew as the music continued, doing a final spinning backflip as the lyrics started up again, landing with his arms up like a professional gymnast as the crowd went wild.
Kono te ni ochita
Kusari kake no ringo
Kagami ni utsuru, bokura no uragawa made.
Z and Axew turned to face the Houndoom. The Houndoom roared and shot flamethrower after flametrower at the pair. Z moved behind Axew as the small pokemon charged up energy in its claws for another dragon claw attack. Axew then swung its claws, the dragon attack tearing through the flamethrowers, forcing the streams of fire to part in front of it.
Tou kankaku oto no naka de shikousakugo
Jikan kankaku no nai kuukan
Toushindai oto wo tatete
Boku no kao, tsukutte yuku
kirei ni, ima mo...
The Houndoom charged up another flamethrower and released it at the duo. Axew responded by charging up a Dragon Claw. Z raised his leg as if to kick out and Axew hopped up, angling so its feet were on Z’s foot, allowing him to use Z’s kick as a springboard, sending him into the fire, the Dragon Claw, parting the flames until it reached Houndoom’s open mouth, causing a bright explosion of clashing energies. when the smoke cleared, Axew was standing on a burnt Houndoom with spiral eyes in a triumphant pose with two claws on one hand in a V for Victory hand sign.
Too kankaku hito no naka de shikousakugo
Jikan kankaku no nai kuukan
Toushindai tsume wo tatete
Boku no kao, kezutte yuku
kirei ni, katahou dake.
Z and Axew then bowed and walked off stage, grabbing Z’s cloak on the way and turning off the mp3 player and pocketing it and the speakers.
Too kankaku
Toushindai

Zandrophin had to separate himself from the group, especially from Marcus, and especially after that scene he made. Mentus and he were sitting facing each other, meditating. Zandrophin broke the meditation; he needed to talk to Mentus.

Mentus, why did I do that? Why did I let my emotions break my composure?

Sir...do not worry about it. You were experiencing a lot of emotions simultaneously, more than what you were used to. It's only natural that it showed outwardly.

Why shouldn't I worry about it? What if I took it too far?

Sir, you didn't take it too far...at least....not this time.

Zandrophin looked up at Mentus, a confident and hopeful look on his face.

So....he bought it?

What is that phrase you humans use, Sir? ....Ah! He fell for it: hook, line, and sinker.

A wicked grin grew across Zandrophin's face.

Y'know something, Mentus...no matter the phrase, no matter how stupid it sounds...when you say it...you can always make it sound terrifying.

Zandrophin heard distant music emanating from the contest hall. If he'd been keeping track of the applause, which he always did, he knew that Z was performing.

We're up next, old friend. Let's give them a great performance.

Mentus returned to his perch, and the pair walked towards the stadium.

Akane had to gather her thoughts before she spoke. She wasn’t sure where to begin, but she knew all her years of diplomacy as a leader would guide her. Too bad though, eh Silas? She duck her hand inside her dress's hidden pocket and ran her fingers over his pokeball’s button. We were known for being the fiercest kingdom out there. But with no one to wage war against, what ever shall we do? Akane looked over at the frost woman who looked nervous after their performances. She soon snapped back into reality when her guard nudged her. She shot him a dirty look he had come to know as Don’t do that but thank you. I only say don’t do that because I have to remain dominant here. The guard knew and only smiled.

“People of Celosia and not, what can we say about that?” Her face was akin to disgust. Her audience members obviously disagreed but dared not run with the queen on this one.

“I mean, that houndoom isn’t getting up for a week!” She laughed which unsettled the audience members. “It took me moment to collect my thoughts because I should have seen such an interesting performance coming from you two. But wow.” She finished up her laughs.

“I had no idea we had a gymnast here. You really milked the human to pokemon coordination in this round and it worked in your favor once more. The music was also an interesting touch.” She stopped to continue playing through his act in her head. “The dragon claw, always a personal favorite? Well my good sir, you contrasted the black and purple streams with the white and orange flames and it was pure-beauty and pokemon moves at their finest right there.”

She turned to the spectators in a am I right? manner with a goofy smile and her hands out. Regaining her posture, she continued.

“But my personal favorite had to be the little guy using his powerful iron tail to swing at the rocks in that oh so classic game. What was it again? Baseball.” She smiled. “Congratulations trainer, you have earned my respect.”

Akane assumed her royal bow position of a curtsy and bow, while the spectating civilians roared at her approval. She made sure to let the guards know to make room for his name in the engraving of the pillars.