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

Remember, Sir, this is a live animal…not a wooden dummy.

What it is does not matter. We will face it, and we will perform our best. Just stick to the plan.

The pair stepped onto the stage. With their regular decorum, Zandrophin and Mentus bowed to the Red Lady before getting ready. They squared off against the Houndoom, and then did something unexpected; the pair sat down and began to meditate. The Houndoom appeared rather confused, but then decided to rush straight at them.

Zandrophin looked at his judge and over to his fellow competitors, and sent this message:

I’d avert your eyes, if I were you.

He looked back at the Red Lady, and continued:

Especially you, Highness. I definitely wouldn't want you to miss this.

Mentus realized something and asked,

What about the audience, Sir?

They’ll be fine. We got them involved in the performance once, why not do it again?

Understood. We’ve got him, Sir.

“Go.”

With this one word, with the Houndoom just a few feet away, Zandrophin shielded his eyes as a bright light suddenly engulfed the entire stadium. Zandrophin hoped the others had listened to his warning…or they’d regret it.

The Houndoom was in a rather amusing situation, since he’d been looking right at Mentus when he attacked. The creature was so disoriented that it couldn’t tell which of the six Abras in front of it was real. It used Flamethrower twice, attacking only the apparitions.

“Don’t worry about that flamethrower, Mentus,” Zandrophin said, “If you get burned, so will your opponent.”

Synchronize will see to that, Sir.

More and more flames spouted from the disoriented creature’s mouth, all still missing. Mentus began to toy with the danger, waiting until just the last moment to teleport out of the way.

Frustrate it a bit more, Mentus…

Mentus did so without any hesitation. He began to teleport wildly around the Houndoom, further confusing the creature as to its target’s location. Mentus pulled its tail, grabbed its horns, and even figure-eighted through its legs. To add even more confusion, Mentus would use Psychic to pick up, put down, or turn the Houndoom around in circles, causing further disorientation.

The audience, who’s temporary vision loss was beginning to subside due to their distance from the epicenter of the flash, began to chuckle at this display. In truth, it was quite comical to watch the little psychic Pokémon dodge and taunt this dangerous beast. The Houndoom was beginning to get more of its vision back, but Mentus was still able to continue to dodge its series of Flamethrower attacks. It got to the point where Mentus would move from one end of the stage to the other, forcing the Houndoom to chase after it. Zandrophin did not mind this strategy, to fight without fighting…if the Houndoom fainted due to exhaustion, he’d still technically be victorious. Then a thought crossed his mind:

“You’re not even trying, runt! Don’t run, FIGHT! Do you want to be a useless piece of trash like that monster? You’re in control…assert your dominance!”

Zandrophin knew where this thought would lead, and he refused to follow that path. He knew it would upset many people, including his judge, if he were to go through with it. He selected the alternative.

Time to alter our strategy a bit. Mentus, teach.

Sir?

Time for a lesson.

Are you sure, Sir?

“Alright, Mentus,” Zandrophin said aloud, “this isn’t a comedy routine…we’re here to battle. Let’s take this fight into our own hands!”

As you say, Sir.

Mentus began to glow, with a white light surrounding him. The same white light began to surround the Houndoom. This was the pair’s honed version of Calm Mind, used to relax opponents and to restrain their aggression, mixed in with a bit of the power of Psychic, to further the mind-altering. On the weak-willed Houndoom, it worked like a charm. Zandrophin couldn’t help but crack a smile. He looked at the Houndoom and shouted:

“Halt!”

The Houndoom stopped running at them instantly. It just stood there, stock-still.

“Sit!”

The Houndoom sat on the stage, panting eagerly.

“Flamethrower!”

The Houndoom arched its neck back and sprayed its Flamethrower attack into the air. Mentus spiraled around the jet of flame, followed it all the way up to the top, then spiraled all the way back down to land perched atop the Houndoom’s nose.

Zandrophin walked up to the Houndoom and scratched its head. Mentus slid up his trainer’s arm and returned to his place.

Mentus, if you would be so kind as to thank our guest?

Mentus looked at the Houndoom.

You’ve made my Master very happy. Thank you.

The Houndoom barked in reply. No translation needed.

Zandrophin gestured to his judge, his fellow competitors, and his audience, saying,

“Your Highness…trainers/coordinators….ladies and gentlemen, what you have just witnessed here is a main point in our philosophy: If at all possible…fight without fighting. Control the mind, and breaking the body will not be necessary. A long time ago, Mentus and I perfected a way to spread the effects of Calm Mind to our surroundings. What Mentus has done here is combine the effects of Calm Mind with the suggestive influence of Psychic. Do not misunderstand, we did not force this Houndoom to obey us; we simply calmed it down and it listened to us, with a little bit of reasoning.”

“I’m sure you’re all wondering why we never directly attacked our opponent,” he continued, “’Isn’t that the point of a Pokémon battle?’ There is some truth in this statement. I do not wish to speak about my history of battles; just know that the move set Mentus and I perform with was not our battling move set, and we are glad we changed it. Growing up in Saffron City, I had access to many TMs, and many were applicable to Mentus. Take a second to imagine the possibilities.” [see link down at the bottom, if you’re curious]

There was a general uneasiness amongst the crowd.

Many of them just imagined what that would look like, Sir.

Good. Let’s conclude this little speech.

“As many of you imagined, the possibilities are quite brutal. Believe me, no one knows this better than we do."

Mentus, help me send another message.

Certainly, Sir.

Zandrophin’s eyes locked onto the Red Lady, whom he knew full well was his jury, judge, and executioner.

I have no other offensive moves other than Psychic, Highness. I heard that you loathe Pokémon cruelty…just imagine for a second what my attacking this almost-defenseless beast would look like: First, I would break its will, then its mind, and finally, its body. I have no issue with manipulation, be my target man or Pokémon, but I will never force a harmless Pokémon into harming itself.

Mentus hovered next to Zandrophin, looking quite stern, as well.

Take away all of our points, disqualify us from the contest…do whatever you will; we are resolute in this and we have no fear.

Zandrophin returned his attention to the crowd.

“This battle is over. I apologize if this was a bit lackluster, especially compared to our last performance, but I couldn’t trust myself to maintain control if I began to attack my opponent. I will never harm a Pokémon unless defending myself, and only as a last resort.”

After a long pause, Zandrophin concluded,

“I am a man of shows….not showdowns. We thank you for your attention.”

Another message was sent to Celosia’s ruler:

If you wish to discuss this privately, Highness…Mentus can relay messages to me silently, so you do not risk losing face…something I hear many political leaders hate.

The pair bowed to their judge and audience and did not move; they kept their gaze locked on the Red Lady.

They may not be happy with that ending.

Being booed is better than being attacked, Sir.

I’m worried about what she’ll say…we didn’t exactly follow protocol.

We rarely ever do, Sir. Let come whatever will; I am not afraid.

Nor I, old friend. We shall await our judgment.

---

Here's the link for the TM list....be afraid:
bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Abra_%28Pok%C3%A9mon%29/Generation_III_learnset#By_TM.2FHM

Z watched the performance, 'that was an amazing performance,' he thought, 'once again, he made a performance that was both amazing and disturbing in the way he taunted his foe before bending it to his will.' Z wondered what the final scores would be and who would emerge as the victor of this little contest.  He hoped it would be himself.

Closing his eyes to think faster and clearer, the competition was now far from his mind. Marcus, now embracing his thoughts, tried to fill in the holes of this repressed memory.

Marcus' mother on her death bed, gently holding his face as she smiled softly. Too far forward. I already know that one. This is was weeks later. I need that day... "Why hello there little boy." No. Too far back. What happened right after that? A blurry still image of the tall man running away and his mother's back as she was kneeling in front of him, her Wobbuffet on the other side of her. She's holding her side, blood is coming out. Marcus tightened his eyes in concentration as well as frustration. There's more. There has to be more. Please tell me there's more...

Nothing. Marcus let out a low sigh as he opened his eyes. Okay...it's okay. It just takes time. It'll.....it'll come with time. An image of the tall man stayed burned within his mind. Why is he just a silhouette? I need something, anything to go on... Marcus closed his eyes again. All I can see is his eyes.....

No points for showmanship, Sir...but it appears there are points in honesty.

It would appear so...

At least she took our message seriously, Sir.

That's all we can ask for. At least we didn't have to go to the other plan...I didn't much care for that plan.

Zandrophin was admittedly surprised at what happened next. Lady Akane stepped down from her platform and walked onto the stage.

She's brave to come without an escort, Sir.

She's in command here, old friend. If we even considered pulled something like we always did back home, we probably wouldn't make it out alive.

Lady Akane locked eyes with Zandrophin.

A ruler like me doesn’t lose face in her kingdom because of other people. She loses face when her people lose faith in her rule. You haven’t even scratched my reputation. Everyone is different, and that’s what makes the world wonderful.

Zandrophin couldn't help but smirk at this.

You're confident, that's good. I was worried about this kingdom when I first arrived. It seems to be in good hands. I wouldn't go as far to call the world wonderful...but it is interesting.

Lady Akane spoke to Mentus aloud:

“Mentus? Please take a note for Zandrophin.”

I am not afraid of you. I respect your power and as I’m sure you respect mine.

A slightly bowed head and another smirk accompanied Zandrophin's response:

It is far better to be respected than feared, Highness. People are more willing to help those they respect.

Zandrophin bowed to Lady Akane. As she turned to return to her post, she had one more message:

Games are only games.

Zandrophin sent her this reply:

...And games are meant to be won by people like us. I thank you for warnings and your gracious evaluation.

Mentus returned to his perch. After Lady Akane returned to her post, the pair bowed again and left the stage to rejoin the other competitors.

Eira watched the interaction Zandrophin had with Akane with worry, wondering if the red queen was threatening him in some way. She wondered if she should take note of how Akane treated her people and her guests so she too could act appropriately when she returned to Silvertree. When Marcus stopped Zandrophin, Eira bit her lip in worry, her thoughts on if a fight broke out between the two after their earlier interaction between rounds.

Staring long at zandrophin's face, eyes short and squinting, Marcus tried his best to read him, "And that's all?" Just hold composure. Just hold composure. No need to...GET. OUT. OF. MY. HEAD! Marcus screamed at the static he felt he was sure was Mentus' rifling around in his thoughts. Prolonged exposure to such varying emotions was pushing Marcus close to the edge.

"Okay...I think you should know that your father single-handedly destroyed the most important thing in my life." Sofa turned to Marcus at this, frowning. "Right in front of me. And I had to watch her die." Marcus tightened his grip slightly, "Slowly and painfully. At 9 years old. Know that..." Marcus let go of zandrophin and walked off calmly to the exit of the stadium, not waiting announcement of the winner of the contest. Sofa went running after him.