For the Love of Contests [Akane][Z][Eira][Zandrophin]

Eira could merely roll her eyes at her fellow queen's outburst, knowing full well that the red queen was able to fly where she wanted thanks to her Charizard. Her attention landed on Z once more and his clear nervousness. "Well all of us are quite seasoned competitors at this point, so this will certainly be an interesting competition."

She motioned for Grace to follow after her as she turned to go along with Nicole, the large pink Pokemon happily chatting with Scorpio as she went.

*Grace would be happy to evolve if Mama wants it,* Grace told Scorpio with a small clap of her hands.

While this conversation had been going on, Zandrophin found himself retreating within his own mind. The darkness and emptiness of the hall allowed him the physical space to let his thoughts wander. He almost didn't hear Akane's entrance...even with how loud she was.

There's a power in this place, Sir...it's exhilerating.

I agree, old friend...it's very liberating.

When Nicole asked everyone to follow her into the next room, Zandrophin brought himself back from his journey through the mindscape and followed with the others. He was eager to get this contest started, though he didn't show it outwardly.

Scorpio glared at the Red Queen's pokemon, while Z glanced at the monarch warily.  Scorpio didn't like how she was talking down to them as if they were insignificant and unimportant, but there wasn't much he could do, and he knew that his trainer didn't want to provoke an incident with the ruller of Celosia, as she had intimidated him ever since his first contest in Houndoom Hall.  Scorpio simply held his tongue and followed behind Z with Kit walking up to hop on his back and take a nap.

Z looked around the hall and couldn't help but be impressed at the magnificence that the decor conveyed.  He also was a bit wary about going against the Red Queen of Celosia in a contest, as he knew she was a formidable opponent.  Sparky on the other hand wanted a rematch with her houndoom after she had lost their last battle during the closing ceremony of the first contest within Houndoom Hall.  She wanted to show that she had become stronger so she could feel better about that painful (literally, it was sore for a week) loss that she faced when she was still a combuskin.  They both had mega stones now, so it should be different.