All Hallows Eve [Eira, Maya, Astina, Nicole, Z, Maleko]

Nicole gave a smile as Pandora’s illusion began to fall and the Pokemon stood up perfectly fine, a small canine smile on her face. “Oh, Pandora is just fine.” She said before turning to the audience and giving a bow, Pandora, in her handmade dress and a tiny pointed hat, also gave a bow. “People of Celosia, my name is Nicole, and this-here she gestured towards Astina- is my partner Astina, we hope to give you a great performance.” She said loud enough for it to echo around the hall.

She then looked over at Astina and gave her a wide smile. “Shall we take over the stage then?” She asked with Pandora now by her side wagging her tail expectantly

Nicole nodded and looked down at Pandora with a smirk. “Pandora, cover this place in the darkness of night. Dark Pulse!” She commanded. Pandora nodded and gave a loud call, dark waves of energy beginning to shoot through the air making it a murky, almost suffocating, black and dark purple. “I once was in a contest with someone who asked the question “What happens when what was once light grows dark”* and that is a good question. Shall we show you what the answer is?” Nicole called out into the darkness.

As she did so, Pandora continued to make the Pulse, waiting for when her Pokemon partner would jump in.

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*Quoted from Zandrophin

Nicole felt a shiver go through her at the swirling mixture around her; a feeling of excitement running through her as she called out the next attack she thought would work wonders. “Pandora, Counter, make multiple energy balls, break the darkness and form a face to fear” She called into the darkness. Immediately in response, a bright light came from her side and then multiple spheres seemed to fly outwards into the Confuse Ray mixed with Shadow Pulse. Slowly, but precisely, the energy balls began to carve triangle eyes, a triangle nose, and a jagged mouth that looked to be slightly opened as though in a terrified scream, and rippled with the mixture as though it was moving on its own.

This caused another shiver to course through Nicole as she waited for her partner to put forth her next contribution to the forming nightmare in front of her.

Nicole gave a small amazed laugh at what her partner had come up with. The girl had thought of the perfect way to make a showy end. And, even though the face was now starting to fade, as well as the Dark Pulse, due to Pandora growing slightly tired because of the amount of energy she had to use for all her Counters, she couldn't help but feel slightly accomplished with the performance her and Astina had put together. Turning to the girl, she gave her a wide smile and a nod of approval. "Shall we give our final bows?" She asked as the air began to grow lighted once more, as the Dark Pulse continued to fade. She already was in a position that she could easily fall into a bow from.

Akane watched in suspense, just like the rest of the crow. Astina was a new face, but Nicole had almost won her last contest. And it was time for her to show her stuff yet again. This time however, she used Nero-no. Nero looks off. Something’s different. The red lady’s keen eyes could smell something, but she was required to add points for the fire type. After the Perish song, smooth and beautiful, but backed by screeching, the song was an instant classic for the contest. These two have got this contest in the bag.

At the end of their performance, Akane was perfectly pleased to announce their score. ”Congratulations Nicole and Astina. You both were excellent save for one moment.” Her piercing, intimidating glare fired like arrows straight into Astina’s eyes. ”I did have to deduct points from that slip-up and disconnection between the two trainers. It wasn’t severe as you are not seasoned partners, but you should be more trusting in other’s pokemon.”

Inhaling sharply, Akane continued, ”In response, Nicole your confidence quickly shifted into the next move-not focusing on the unimportant. Your combinations, Astina and Nicole, could not have been more perfect and theme-fitting. I am pleased to present you with a whopping eighty-nine points. Now everyone, please welcome our final contestants, Mariko and Prasha!”

Mariko nodded back to Prasha as he left waiting for her cue to come in. It wouldn’t be hard to miss, especially with what they had been discussing while the others were performing. As soon as Mariko heard Prasha begin to speak, she made her way onto the stage, timing it perfectly with the call for the Metal Burst. Luka, the Pokemon she was going to be using in conjunction to Prasha’s Steel, followed after her, flying swiftly towards where the metal was being sent into the air. “Luka, now, Overheat!” Mariko called out, watching as Luka started gathering flames around him, sending them off afterwards, straight towards the metal. Once it hit the metal, the flames started to turn it red due to the heat.

Mariko gave a small nod at the fact that her and Prasha’s plan seemed to be going well so far. Now it was her turn to call out the next attack. “Luka, Me First!” Luka’s attention zoomed in on Steel, his eyes narrowing as he gathered the attack from the other. Mariko only hoped that Prasha would be able to call out the attack in enough time for their final act to work out properly, especially since her calling out this attack now meant that Luka would have to wait until the other Pokemon had a full grasp of the attack he was going to be asked to use. Thankfully though, since she and Prasha had planned it out well in advance, Luka would remember the fact that he was to be copying Steel and using Flash Cannon. It was a stretch on the attack she had called out, but it was one that she had faith Luka could pull off.