[11] Moo vs Byrus

1 vs 1
DQ Time: 3 Days
Damage Cap: 35%
Banned Moves: OHKO's, attacks that require terrain resources (e.g. water, rocks, or plants), weather attacks
Terrain: Nimbasa City Music Hall

As the TCoD League championship moves on from Castelia City, the next stop is Unova's recreation hotspot, Nimbasa City. There are all kinds of attractions to choose from: the ferris wheel, the sports domes, and even the battle subway, perhaps a natural choice for a pokémon tournament. But let's be serious--these all pale into comparison to the real reason you'd want to visit Nimbasa City. After all, you haven't really lived until you've stuck a moustache on your Arceus and then chuckled to yourself as you watched the creator of the pokémon world prancing and rolling across the stage next to a patrat wearing cowboy boots.

Yes, the league is taking to the stage and setting its next round of battle to music. The battle takes place on one of the four Music Hall stages (Stardom, Forest Stroll, A Sweet Soiree, or Exciting Nimbasa), selected at random. The different backdrops have no effect on the battle. In addition, trainers may dress their pokémon up in any way that they wish, although costumes will also have no effect on the battle (even if they include things like weapons or props that would ordinarily be useful in a fight). However, they can also choose the music that will play during each round, and different tunes will have different effects on the pokémon battling.

Battles for this round will begin with the posting of each player's active squad as usual. After that, however, each player PM's their choice of pokémon, a description of that pokémon's costume, and their selection of songs and their effects to the referee. Each player chooses five songs and comes up with effects for them (appropriate effects are described below); these will be played in order, one during each round of battle, and the player who is ordering first in that round is always the one who will have his or her song playing during that round. Once the pokémon and songs have been received from both players, the referee will randomize which player gives commands first, then posts what pokémon each player will be using and the song (and the effects it will have on the battle) that will play for the first round--the first song on the list for the player who orders first in the first round. From that point forward, commands proceed as normal, with the referee posting the next song and its effects at the end of each round. If neither pokémon has been knocked out at the end of ten rounds, the winner will be determined by totaling each pokémon's health and energy, the same way it was during the previous round.

Any sort of music can be specified as the song for a given round, but please don't pick something offensive. Don't make me regret not restricting you to songs without lyrics, that is. A song can have a variety of effects on the battlefield, whether raising the power of some kinds of attacks for that round to healing status ailments. However, they must affect both pokémon equally--you can't have only your pokémon get an attack boost, for example. However, it's fine if you specify an effect that, due to the nature of your pokémon, will not affect the opponent the same as your pokémon; for example, if you specify that both pokémon will become severely poisoned but send out a steel-type, then your pokémon will not be poisoned even though your opponent's might. Effects that would ordinarily last multiple rounds (like trick room, weather attacks, or status conditions), if caused by a song, will last only for that round, and you can ask for weather effects even though pokémon won't be able to create them with their attacks. Effects always come into play at the beginning of the round, before either pokémon has the opportunity to act; thus, if a song will cause both pokémon to be burned, they will start out the round burned, and the burn can't be prevented by any of their attacks (i.e. you can't block a first-action burn with a safeguard).

Songs are restricted to causing damage/energy swings of no more than 3% (e.g. "All fire attacks cause 3% more damage after all effects" or "All fire attacks cost 3% less energy after all effects) and causing stat boosts/reductions of no more than two levels. They may also have only one effect: they cause hail to come into play or they increase fire-type attack damage by 3% or they cause both pokémon to fall asleep or they cause both pokémon to become paralyzed, etc., not any combination thereof. They also may not prevent the pokémon from acting in a round, e.g. "neither pokémon can use damaging attacks this round" or "neither pokémon can act this round", ban one or more attacks for the round, or alter the pokémon's movepools.

If you don't want to go to the trouble to figure out a set of songs for yourself and/or don't want your pokémon to fight in costume, then just let your referee know when you choose which pokémon to send out. They will come up with a list of randomly-selected pokémon-related songs with associated effects and then PM them back to you, so that you retain the advantage of knowing what will happen on each one of "your" song rounds. (Or, if the referee doesn't want to do that either, they can PM me and I'll provide the music for that player instead.)

Moo's Active Squad

Mal the Male Elekid
Ability: Static
Item: Electirizer

Chelsie the Male Togepi
Ability: Serene Grace
Item: Eviolite

Blood on Fire the Male Chimchar
Ability: Blaze

Lacey the Female Skorupi
Ability: Sniper
Item: Lucky Egg

Anthony the Unknown Metang
Ability: Clear Body
Item: Lucky Egg

Katara the Male Poliwag
Ability: Water Absorb
Item: Water Stone

Travis the Male Tauros
Ability: Anger Point
Item: Prism Scale

Lil' Sebastian the Male Girafarig
Ability: Early Bird
Item: Leftovers

Tye the Male Cleffa
Ability: Magic Guard
Item: Soothe Bell

Sock the Male Dratini
Ability: Shed Skin
Item: Eviolite

Byrus's Active Squad

Yami the Female Houndoom
Ability: Flash Fire
Item: Electirizer

Ruiag the Male Stunky
Ability: Stench
Item: Black Sludge

Shardik the Male Teddiursa
Ability: Quick Feet
Item: Reaper Cloth

Imreas the Male Skorupi
Ability: Sniper
Item: Lucky Egg

Gastro the Male Gulpin
Ability: Liquid Ooze
Item: Black Sludge

Lobh the Female Grimer
Ability: Sticky Hold
Item: Black Sludge

Byrum the Female Venipede
Ability: Swarm
Item: Lucky Egg

Mollser the Male Koffing
Ability: Levitate
Item: Electirizer

Prospero the Male Abra
Ability: Synchronize
Item: Magmarizer

Gamzee the Male Mime Jr.
Ability: Filter
Item: Razor Claw


Both players should PM their pokémon, dress-up, and music choices to the referee. Once this has been done, the turn order and song for the first round will be posted and commands can be made as normal.

The choices are in! Moo will be using Sock the dratini, dressed up as a sock, and Byrus will be using Gamzee the Mime Jr., dressed in a black T-shirt with a purple Capricorn symbol on it and white and gray face paint and wielding a pair of juggling clubs.

Moo will command first, making our opening number "Lollipop" by MIKA, which will cause both pokémon to gain the "oblivious" ability in addition to all others.

Alright... Well, that mime just barely outspeeds you unfortunately, but I'm not terribly worried about status since you have shed skin. I assume he'll go for a fake out on the first action, so protect if he does; do the same if he tries to hypnotize you. Otherwise, check your Hidden Power, then spam Skull Bash. If you're taunted, keep bashing, and close your eyes if he tries to hypnotize you (also if he dances or there are any flashing lights), and hide your head so you definitely don't see whatever he's doing. Annnd if he sets up a reflect/barrier or charms you, switch to Thunderbolt. Also if you're tormented, alternate between skull bash and thunderbolt.

Protect / Hidden Power / Skull Bash ~ Protect / Thunderbolt / Skull Bash x2

Hrmm, I like the look of that Eviolite, so drop your razor claw and steal it from him. Then, encore hidden power. I'm sure you'll enjoy the colourful orbs, even if they do hurt. Finish with a psychic, but let him make his move first.

(Drop item first) Thief ~ Encore ~ Psychic

EDIT- Bluh, probably would have helped to read the attack description of thief properly. If it's not to late to change it, I'll have him discard the stolen item instead.

The seats fill swiftly as the die-hard fans who have followed the TCoD ASB tournament from Castelia City file into the auditorium. Swelling their numbers are those who have just now decided to join the tournament tour, the merely curious, and a few unfortunate tourists who think this is supposed to be just another Pokémon Musical. As the audience ettles in front of the stage, tensions run high on the other side of the curtain. Moo and Byrus wait for their chance to take to the stage--an opportunity they can have only if theirs is the pokémon that wins the match.

Sock is as nervous as his trainer, coiled by Moo's legs in the dark. His full-body sock costume itches, and he rubs his snout against the floorboards in an attempt to scratch. He starts when the music starts to play, and at a nod from his trainer slithers forward to take his place on the stage. He can't make out his opponent in the gloom, and before his eyes have a chance to adjust, the lights come up and the curtain starts to rise. Sock is panicked for a moment, by the bright light and loud sound, but his battle training is swift to kick in; he blink tears out of his eyes and focuses on his opponent.

The mime jr. looks a bit dazed under the lights, wearing a black T-shirt a little too big for him and idly spinning a pair of juggling clubs in his hands. If it weren't for the goofy blue hat on his head, Sock might not be able to tell his species; his face is obscured by a thick layer of clown makeup. The mime jr. catches the dratini staring and gives a vacant grin, though the expression painted on his face doesn't change.

He's certainly an odd-looking one, but Sock doesn't dwell on it much. The music is playing, a perky, upbeat tune, and the orders are flying. Sock smacks his tail against the floor in time with the song's beat and listens for his commands, gearing up for his tournament debut.


Moo (O)

Sock (M) <Shed Skin> @ Eviolite
Health: 100%
Energy: 100%
Commands: Protect / Hidden Power / Skull Bash ~ Protect / Thunderbolt / Skull Bash x2
- Puzzled by his opponent.

Byrus (O)

Gamzee (M) <Filter> @ Razor Claw
Health: 100%
Energy: 100%
Commands: Thief ~ Encore ~ Psychic
- hOnK :o)

Gamzee isn't sure what to make of his opponent either. It looks like some kind of big sock, except there are holes cut in the top end and he can see the eyes of something staring out. Motherfucking miracles. What he's really fixated on, though, is the hunk of pink stone held in the crease that forms the creature's mouth. He decides he simply has to have it, and runs over to Sock--moving much faster than the dratini would have expected--and smacks him on the snout with a black-edged club.

Sock is so shocked that he drops his eviolite. Gamzee likewise drops the club, which transforms back into a razor claw before it clatters to the stage, and snatches up the fallen evoilite. He stares at it in fascination, entranced by the way it glows under the lights.

Sock is not amused. He searches deep inside himself for the source of all his power and brings it to the surface. Gamzee is distracted from his inspection of the eviolite as rainbow orbs of energy blossom in the air around Sock, swirling in orbit for a moment before changing to a slate gray color and rocketing at the mime jr.

The attack does sting a little, although the eviolite absorbs a fair amount of it. Gamzee is sure of one thing, though--it's motherfucking wicked miraculous, and he wants to see more of that. The mime jr. applauds his opponent furiously, shouting for more of the pretty rainbow lights.

Sock is surprised and a bit gratified; he's never had his attacks praised by his opponent before. Ignoring his trainer's wishes, he summons up another hidden power, earning renewed adoration from Gamzee as there is another brief rainbow whirl.

After the second hidden power strikes, though, Gamzee reluctantly decides he'd best be getting his harshwhimsy on. He can't be letting his bro Byrus down by just sitting around and up and watching the colors all battle. For a moment he concentrates, unleashing a powerful wave of psychic energy on Sock. The dratini's head snaps back as though he were struck a physical blow, and he's left shaking his head and wondering what on earth happened.

He looks suspiciously at Gamzee, but the mime jr. is still wearing that blank grin of his, tossing his remaining club and as innocent-looking as can be. Sock summons up another hidden power and is gratified to see the mime's face break into a genuine smile, but doubt nibbles at him even as he does so--is Gamzee up to something?

Moo (O)

Sock (M) <Shed Skin>
Health: 88%
Energy: 91%
Used: Hidden Power x3
- A bit put out. Hidden power encored (1 more action).

Byrus (O)

Gamzee (M) <Filter> @ Eviolite
Health: 97%
Energy: 89%
Used: Thief ~ Encore ~ Psychic
- Wicked chill up in here.

Final Notes
- Sock's hidden power is rock-typed.
- Sorry, didn't see the change to thief until too late, Byrus.
- Byrus attacks first next round. The music will be "Aliens" by Atomship. This song brings to mind a certain race of telepathic aliens. It reduces the energy cost of psychic moves by 3%.

... Did HP seriously do 1%?

No, it should have done 2%. Fixing.

Ugh, no, I was right the first time.

Pow 70 -> base 7% - 1% anti-STAB - 1% evo - 2% stat - 2% eviolite = 1% damage

Okay, that actually went better than planned, so let's try and keep it up.

Let him finish his encore first, then make a small substitute. Follow up with two psychics. If he protects, detects or uses bide on the second action, switch to future sight. If he has a light screen in place by the third, switch to psyshock, and magic coat away any status moves if your sub is gone.

Substitute (10%) ~ Psychic/Future sight ~ Psychic/Psyshock/Magic coat

Okay. The way I'm reading it, he's gonna wait till you finish your hidden power before setting up his sub. So crawl up to him and see if you can angle it so that you hit the eviolite off of him. Either way, just Hidden Power right up close because 1% is really annoying.

If you got the eviolite off him, uh, pick it up yourself and Dragon Pulse that sub away, then (still close-range), toss a Zap Cannon in his face. If you didn't get the eviolite off him, just lock yourself into an Outrage because. Well. Annoying, innit.

Hidden Power ~ Dragon Pulse / Outrage ~ Zap Cannon / Outrage

Moo (O)

Sock (M) <Shed Skin>
Health: 88%
Energy: 91%
Commands: Hidden Power ~ Dragon Pulse / Outrage ~ Zap Cannon / Outrage
- A bit put out. Hidden power encored (1 more action).

Byrus (O)

Gamzee (M) <Filter> @ Eviolite
Health: 97%
Energy: 89%
Commands: Substitute (10%) ~ Psychic/Future sight ~ Psychic/Psyshock/Magic coat
- Wicked chill up in here.

As the first song comes to a close and a new one starts, Gamzee becomes preoccupied. Quite the switch from the perky tune playing last round, this song is much darker, more sinister, and oddly familiar. Gamzee stops juggling his club and listens with an uncharacteristic amount of attentiveness.

Sock is not similarly transfixed, and he takes his opponent's inattention as an opportunity to creep closer to him. So he's not going to pay any attention to the hidden power he wanted Sock to launch? Well, let's see if he can ignore this! Sock conjures another whirl of energy bubbles and angles them as much as she can to strike the eviolite in Gamzee's hand. The power of the attack does snap Gamzee out of his trance, but he keeps a firm hold on the item, and as before, the hidden power doesn't seem to bother him much.

Gamzee smiles unpleasantly at Sock. Nice try, bro. NICE MOTHERFUCKIN TRY. He concentrates briefly, and a moment later a doll roughly his size pops out of thin air and falls to the stage between them. Sock shudders as she looks it over. It looks roughly like a mime jr., or at least a clown, anyway, but is matte black and has a rather broad and sharp-toothed smile the dratini doesn't like the look of.

But the dratini's unease swiftly turns to anger. So first Gamzee gets all enthused about his hidden power, but then the mime jr. doesn't even pay attention to Sock's performance, and now he's taunting the dratini with this creepy doll thing? Sock is a dragon after all, the descendant of some of the most noble and powerful pokémon around. He's not the kind of guy you want to make angry. It's time to teach this clown a lesson.

Sock hisses and puffs up his body as much as he can, tapping into unbridled draconic rage as periwinkle flames erupt from his scales. These burn away Sock's costume, but the dratini doesn't notice or care; neither does he notice how, in the blink of an eye, Gamzee's substitute appears before him, blocking his path to the mime jr. Sock destroys the construct with a single blow from his tail, dragonfire disintegrating what remains in a cloud of foul-smelling smoke.

A moment later Sock is flying through the air, propelled by Gamzee's psychic powers. The dragon hits the stage hard and skids, but he's back up in a second, still blazing away, and rushes back at his opponent. Gamzee isn't fast enough to deflect the attack before Sock slams into him, knocking him backwards and setting his shirt to smouldering. Another vicious psychic attack sends Sock flying, and this time, the sharp collision with the stage is enough to break off the dragon's fury. The flames crawling over Sock's scales sputter and die, and the dratini twists and curls awkwardly as he rights himself, dazed and tired by the exertion of summoning an outrage.

Moo (O)

Sock (M) <Shed Skin>
Health: 60%
Energy: 76%
Used: Hidden Power ~ Outrage x2
- Trying to collect his thoughts. Confused (severe).

Byrus (O)

Gamzee (M) <Filter> @ Eviolite
Health: 72%
Energy: 76%
Used: Substitute (10%) ~ Psychic x2
- WELCOME TO THE DARK CARNIVAL, BROTHER.

Final Notes
- Pathos attacks first next round. The song will be Antony and the Johnsons' "For Today I am a Boy". The pokémon will swap genders for the round.

DQ warning for Pathos. Twenty-four hours.

Pathos is disqualified. Byrus wins $20 and admittance to the third round, while I get $10. Both pokémon get 1 EXP.

Aw, shame it ended this way. Still, good match while it lasted Pathos, maybe we could have a rematch sometime. Also, those reffings were awesomely funny Negrek. :o)