Opening Contest [Z] [Maya] [Zandrophin] [Akane]

"AXEW!" yelled Z as his partner was gripped by the mental energies of Zandrophin's mentus.  The little dragon pokemon struggled hard trying to break free of the psycokinitic grip that mentus had on his body.  Z knew that if he didn't think of something soon, then the battle would be over.  "Axew, can you move?"  Ax Axew," cried Axew, *I can't*  'Damnit,' thought Z, 'I can't let it end like this, but I can't counter this.  Why didn't I see this coming and create a countermeasure?  He even uses this at his last contest against those houndoom.  Why didn't I see it?'

Marcus walked into the booth quietly behind Sofa, who rushed to the front to see the fight going on; his eyes observing intently. As he leaned against the wall, Marcus let out Lex so he could see what a pokemon battle was really like.

So much for not wanting to harm others...All talk and changes what he says under pressure, like always. I hope he doesn't lose his cool and end up seriously hurting that axew. Marcus looked to Eira, still feeling bad for his behavior earlier. It's her village, she can run it like she wants. Doesn't make her right; but it wasn't my place to tell her.

Marcus' face crunched as he looked out at the battle and saw z struggle with what to do. Come on z, think. Just because he can't move doesn't mean he can't do anything. It's not about winning, it's about putting on a show.

Sir...I....I can't hold him anymore. I cannot maintain focus. He's going to break--

When Axew freed himself, Mentus stopped hovering, and began falling.

No! Mentus, hang on!

Mentus hit the stage, his body crumpled and his posture somewhat distorted and twisted.

"Men--" Zandrophin took one step forward, then his head snapped to the side, and he collapsed.

"SQUIRTLE!!!"

A cry of agony was heard at the other end of the stage. Squirt rushed forward, running to his trainer and trying to revive him. He'd never seen anything like this before; he had no idea what to do; he felt...useless. Frantically, he kept attempting to get Zandrophin to wake up. He shook him, struck him, and even splashed water on his face...nothing. The shelled Pokemon began to cry.

"Squir...squirtle...squirt..."

As he wept, Squirt began to glow. He continued crying.

"Squirtle...squ....squor..sqwortortle...WAR!!"

Squirt stopped glowing. He had evolved into Wartortle. He turned around and faced off at Z. He didn't know what happened, but he assumed it was this boy's fault...and he would make him suffer for what he did.

"Wartortle!" he shouted, pointing at Z. He looked the trainer in the face and, using his finger, drew a horizontal line across his neck.

"....Squirt...." the turtle heard a weak and voice from behind him, "Stand down..."

Lex hopped onto the chair next to Eira to get a better view, amazed by the sight he was seeing. There were giant ice spikes everywhere, and there was electricity shooting in between them all around the contest hall. It looked like the bolts were alive, jumping from one spike to the other in an erratic pattern.

Marcus' eyes shot wide open at the events that just occurred. What...just happened? Does he have some sort of mind link with Mentus? Marcus was actually surprised that he felt concern for zandrophin's health. I knew he always had a strong connection, but I didn't think it was this strong...Has Mentus never fainted before? I guess that makes sense, he's incredibly strong for an Abra and he doesn't seem to like to take risks. Still...it's odd that they've never been bested in battle before.

Is his squirtle...what's the deal with pokemon evolving at contests? Is it a thing now? Did I start a trend? I'd better be getting paid royalties for them stealing my bit

Zandrophin managed to get to his feet. He groaned in pain, staggered for a bit, and then straightened up. He moved over to Mentus, Squirt following at his heels. Zandrophin picked Mentus up, cradling him in one arm. He placed his first two fingers on Mentus' forehead and spoke one word:

"Awaken."

Mentus began to shake, then he looked around, and slowly began to levitate out of Zandrophin's arm. He didn't make it far, though. He fell right back into Zandrophin's arm and passed out again.

"Rest now, old friend. You've earned it."

Zandrophin looked at Z and said,

"I concede defeat to you, Sir." He bowed gracefully, as a true showman, and continued "You have bested me in this contest of strength, and you didn't look half bad doing it. Congratulations. I hope you rack up plenty of points."

He extended his hand.

The Red woman watched with a large, aha sort of smile. Something was wrong, or had she misjudged the abra's strength? Her hair stuck itself to her bare shoulder. No. There's residual electrical charge. Perhaps... Both Zandrophin and his abra fainted. Akane's aha smile grew even wider when she realized she had just found Zandrophin's biggest weakness. Their symbiotic relationship was impeccable. She smiled so cruelly, anyone around her would have thunk her mad. She truly did feel sorry, somewhere deep down. She would be sure to send him a little something.

"End the Battle!"

Akane looked over to see Maya standing and asking the battle be finished. Houndoom howled his agreement. Zandrophin did manage to wake up, but he and Mentus would be worn out for awhile. It was heart-wrenching to see the poor abra struggle to get up, only to fall back in his trainer's arms. The red lady was not physically phased, but the little pokemon tugged at her heart strings. Many psychic type pokemon were utilized in slavery.

Zandrophin extended his hand for a shake. The red woman laughed out loud at that. She was most amused by his strength and resolve.