[11] Lucas755 vs Kratos Aurion

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.)

Kratos Aurion's Active Squad

Norway the Female Raticate
Ability: Guts
Item: Razor Fang

Yggdrasill the Male Dragonair
Ability: Shed Skin
Item: Lucky Egg

Thorn the Male Nidoking
Ability: Poison Point
Item: Wide Lens

Aldonza the Female Jynx
Ability: Oblivious
Item: Wise Glasses

Folie à Deux the Male Girafarig
Ability: Early Bird
Item: Shell Bell

Yakuza the Male Honchkrow
Ability: Super Luck
Item: Prism Scale

Regal Bryant the Male Lucario
Ability: Inner Focus
Item: Expert Belt

Richter Abend the Male Weavile
Ability: Pressure
Item: Muscle Band

Rasvelg the Male Osgrave
Ability: Torrent
Item: Leppa Berry

Indomitable the Female Rasqueon
Ability: Anger Point
Item: Leftovers

Lucas₇₅₅'s Active Squad

Ivysaur the Female Ivysaur
Ability: Overgrow
Item: Miracle Seed

Kirlia the Male Kirlia
Ability: Synchronize
Item: Choice Specs

Dugtrio the Male Dugtrio
Ability: Sand Veil
Item: Soft Sand

Heracross the Male Heracross
Ability: Guts
Item: Flame Orb

Flareon the Male Flareon
Ability: Flash Fire
Item: Charcoal

Tirtouga the Female Tirtouga
Ability: Solid Rock
Item: Lucky Egg

Cottonee the Female Cottonee
Ability: Prankster
Item: Life Orb

Lillipup the Female Lillipup
Ability: Vital Spirit
Item: Expert Belt

Ferroseed the Male Ferroseed
Ability: Iron Barbs
Item: Rocky Helmet



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.

We have our contestants. Kratos Aurion will be using Yakuza the Honchcrow, decked out in a sleeveless suit to accomodate his wings, a monocle resting over his right eye, and a seething purple aura. Lucas755's choice is Kirlia, looking his finest in tux and top hat (and rad specs).

Kratos Aurion commands first, and as a result the battle will open to "Seal of Woven Years" by Kamelot, with the following effect: Both pokémon gain slow start in addition to all other abilities.

And a monocle. >(

Still feeling kind of gross atm so let's be quick about this. Taunt, then double dark pulse. If Kirlia protects against the taunt or would otherwise be unaffected by it then set up a 10% substitute instead.

Taunt/Substitute 10% ~ Dark Pulse ~ Dark Pulse

And a monocle!

First, Protect to avoid the Taunt, but put as little energy into it as you can, since they're going to change moves anyway. After that, Thunderbolt away the substitute and hit them with a Thunder Wave.

Protect ~ Thunderbolt ~ Thunder Wave

The curtain has yet to rise on the second round of TCoD's ASB league championship, and the crowd filling the seats in front of it doesn't really know what to expect. The promotional material has billed the event as a "musical battle," and though many of the Pokémon Musical's usual patrons have been turned away by the promise of such pedestrian entertainment, the event has attracted more than one curious individual wondering just what all the fuss could be about.

When at last the curtain rises and the music begins to boom from the speakers, it is to reveal a scene not uncommon to the Pokémon Musical stage: a starry night-sky backdrop and, in front of it, a pair of pokémon in costume, although their getup is perhaps more higher-class than the usual odds and ends trainers stick on their pokémon. Kirlia is quite natty in a clean-pressed tux. He tips his top hat to the crowd, earning a scattering of applause. Across the stage from him, Yakuza glares through his monocle and sneers. His hat's staying exactly where it is, thank you very much. Although also looking quite fine in a suit, the honchkrow projects an entirely different aura than his opponent--one so malicious that it's actually visible, a seething deep purple haze oozing from his feathers.

More or less business as usual so far, but ultimately the pokémon aren't here to dance, but to do battle, and as the music hits its stride with booming drums and guitar, the pokémon spring into action.


Kratos Aurion (O)

Yakuza (M) <Super Luck>
Health: 100%
Energy: 100%
- Think you're pretty classy, huh?

Lucas755 (O)

Kirlia (M) <Synchronize>
Health: 100%
Energy: 100%
- Disdaining his opponent.

Well, perhaps "spring" isn't the right word. The music has made the pokémon strangely sluggish and reluctant to attack, much to the audience's audible disappointment. At last Kirlia raises a desultory hand and releases a sheet of energy into the air between himself and Yakuza, designed to protect him from all attack. Of course, as soon as Yakuza knows that's what Kirlia's planning, he drops any intention of attacking his opponent. Instead, he simply steps sideways, leaving behind his eerie coat of dark flame. The shadowy murkrow remains distinct even without Yakuza at its center, standing silently on its own two feet. More darkness starts to leak from Yakuza's feathers as he waits for Kirlia to retaliate, moving no more than he has to as the strange weight of "Seal of Woven Years" continues to keep him bound.

Kirlia waves his protect away with a careless hand, then flings an arm out in Yakuza's direction, a sizzling bolt of lightning traveling down its length and leaping towards its target. Before it can strike, though, Yakuza's substitute rouses itself, darting between its master and danger. The powerful electric attack strikes it full on, and it explodes in a shower of shadowy feathers, which curl in on themselves and crumble to dust in a matter of moments. Yakuza growls and spreads his wings wide, bringing them back together with a loud clap that also expels a racing wave of dark energy. It slams into Kirlia and topples him to the stage, his choice specs skittering away across the floorboards.

Kirlia is a bit slow to pull himself up, but urgency lends some speed to his actions as he scrambles after his fallen glasses. He manages to retrieve them and jam them back on his face even as Yakuza blasts out another dark pulse. This time Kirlia is more prepared and manages to weather the biting dark-type attack with toppling over, but it's a near thing. Nevertheless, he is perfectly composed as he flicks a ragged bolt of electricity in Yakuza's direction. Though much weaker than the earlier thunderbolt, it is dangerous in its own way; Yakuza shudders, his eyes rolling, as the thunder wave shoots through his body, throwing his muscles into disarray.

Kratos Aurion (O)

Yakuza (M) <Super Luck>
Health: 90%
Energy: 87%
- Struggling to keep his cool. Paralyzed (severe).

Lucas755 (O)

Kirlia (M) <Synchronize>
Health: 71%
Energy: 88%
- A bit ripped up, but still deadly calm.

Final Notes
- Lucas755 attacks first next round. The song will be "Over and Over" by Dave Clark Five. When a pokemon hits with the same attack more than once in a round, that attack gains 20 base power for only that round.

Start with Confuse Ray, then use Thunderbolt twice.

Confuse Ray ~ Thunderbolt ~ Thunderbolt

Close your eyes immediately (as soon as the new song starts up) and keep them closed for the duration of the first action. Now, if embargo is something you can attempt with your eyes closed, do so; if not, torment him. On the second action, do whichever you didn't do before (you can open your eyes if you need to). Finish with another dark pulse. If Kirlia has not been successfully tormented by the last action and you don't think you can manage a dark pulse, try to roost instead. If on any action you can't carry out any of the other applicable commands, attempt to chill.

Close eyes and Embargo/Close eyes and Torment/Close eyes and chill ~ Torment/Embargo/Chill ~ Dark Pulse/Roost/Chill

Kratos Aurion (O)

Yakuza (M) <Super Luck> @ Prism Scale
Health: 90%
Energy: 87%
Commands: Close eyes and Embargo/Close eyes and Torment/Close eyes and chill ~ Torment/Embargo/Chill ~ Dark Pulse/Roost/Chill
- Struggling to keep his cool. Paralyzed (severe).

Lucas755 (O)

Kirlia (M) <Synchronize> @ Choice Specs
Health: 71%
Energy: 88%
Commands: Confuse Ray ~ Thunderbolt ~ Thunderbolt
- A bit ripped up, but still deadly calm.

The lethargy imposed by the opening song vanishes as a new, more peppy one begins to play. Kirlia is quick to shake off the last of his sluggishness, conjuring a swirling globe of rainbow light in one palm. Yakuza, on the other hand, is still hampered by his paralysis and a little less quick to act than his opponent. Despite himself, he finds his eyes drawn to the luminous orb of energy in Kirlia's hand. Streamers of color undulate and entwine in its core, ever-shifting and entrancing. Yakuza only just manages to regain control of himself before he is lost in watching it and quickly shuts his eyes to block out the attack. Though still feeling a bit disoriented, he's able to muster a deep scorn for his opponent's tactics--just powering on and on with the same attack? That's the refuge of a coward and a fool, someone who is bound to lose. Yakuza dares Kirlia to do better, and despite himself, the psychic type can't help but feel that perhaps the honchkrow's words have a grain of truth in them.

Not that it matters right now, as he has no intention of trying another confuse ray on a close-eyed opponent. Kirlia opens up with another thunderbolt, the mighty arc of electricity only strengthened by the focus granted him by his choice specs. Yakuza gurgles and convulses as the attack strikes him, his eyes popping open. Once he's able to think straight again, he decides that one thing is clear--those choice specs have to go. His dark aura burns brighter as he jerkily spreads his wings, chanting in a guttural voice the words of an ancient and powerful spell before which all technology is powerless. Kirlia glances around nervously as the air surrounding him blossoms with writhing, whirling symbols. They vanish almost immediately, and it takes Kirlia a moment to realize what's changed--suddenly, his choice specs feel like nothing more than ordinary glasses, the preternatural focus they granted having fled. Kirlia is momentarily dazed by the world of possibilities that suddenly present themselves to him, but it takes a little while for the true danger of the embargo to become clear.

Suddenly, Kirlia is able to fully comprehend the meaning of Yakuza's earlier words. Thunderbolt no longer seems like the only possible attack for him to use. Is it really going to be productive for him to try the same thing over and over again? Won't Yakuza see through that immediately? Kirlia hates to think of what the foul crow might do with such an opening, not realizing, of course, that all his angsting has done nothing more than create just such an opportunity. Paralysis might have slowed Yakuza's responses, but he doesn't have to be quick to catch his opponent in a quandary. He brings his wings together with a sharp clap, blowing more of his burning dark aura into his opponent.

Kratos Aurion (O)

Yakuza (M) <Super Luck> @ Prism Scale
Health: 68%
Energy: 76%
Used: Torment (eyes closed) ~ Embargo ~ Dark Pulse
- Pleased by his opponent's dismay. Paralyzed (severe).

Lucas755 (O)

Kirlia (M) <Synchronize> @ Choice Specs
Health: 54%
Energy: 79%
Used: Confuse Ray ~ Thunderbolt ~ Nothing
- Starting to get rattled. Tormented (3 more actions). Under the effects of an embargo.

Final Notes
- Yakuza was not able to close his eyes fast enough to avoid all of the confuse ray, but his confusion was mild enough that it wore off by the end of the round without doing anything.
- Kratos Aurion attacks first next round. The song will be Ride the Sky's "Black Cloud", causing haze to come into play for the round.

Hmm... meh. Was hoping I'd be facing something I could abuse superpower against, but whatever. Nothing we can't roll with.

Dark pulse all the way. If you're tormented, use shadow ball any time you can't use dark pulse. If he tries to put you to sleep or confuse you again then keep your eyes closed as long as possible (I imagine you'll need to open them to aim shadow ball, at the very least, but we'll see), and if you actually fall asleep or are fully confused/paralyzed then just chill. Also chill on the last action if you were able to hit him on the previous two actions and he didn't have a light screen up for either one, since that would bring him at least sort of close to the cap.

Dark Pulse/Shadow Ball/Chill ~ Dark Pulse/Shadow Ball/Chill ~ Dark Pulse/Shadow Ball/Chill

Since Haze is up, I guess we're free to use Swagger. After that, use Toxic and Thunderbolt.

Swagger ~ Toxic ~ Thunderbolt

Kratos Aurion (O)

Yakuza (M) <Super Luck> @ Prism Scale
Health: 68%
Energy: 76%
Used: Torment (eyes closed) ~ Embargo ~ Dark Pulse
- Pleased by his opponent's dismay. Paralyzed (severe).

Lucas755 (O)

Kirlia (M) <Synchronize> @ Choice Specs
Health: 54%
Energy: 79%
Used: Confuse Ray ~ Thunderbolt ~ Nothing
- Starting to get rattled. Tormented (3 more actions). Under the effects of an embargo.

The music changes again, plunging into a much bleaker, more ominous number. It's so forboding, in fact, that the very air itself responds, a cloud of dark haze bubbling up from nothing and taking hold of the entire stage. Kirlia and Yakuza are lost in chilly darkness, though at least they don't have any of their stats sapped by the oppressive cloud.

Kirlia takes this opportunity to yell insults at his opponent who, being unable to see him, has some difficulty responding. The Kirlia's voice echoes weirdly in the haze; Yakuza can't see a foot in front of his beak, and his opponent's voice seems to be coming from every direction at once. The honchkrow tries to focus on preparing his own attack, but Kirlia's jeering voice just won't leave him alone. Yakuza becomes ever more anxious and disoriented until, at a loss for what to do, he fires a dark pulse in what he seems to recall is the direction Kirlia was in before the haze descended. And, luckily for him, the attack finds its mark. Kirlia's mean-spirited swaggering cuts out with a yelp as the caustic wave of energy slices into him.

At least now Kirlia can be as sure of Yakuza's location as the honchkrow is of his. The psychic type lets out a small burp as chemical reactions churn in his stomach, transforming normal stomach acid into a deadly-poisonous concoction. Kirlia walks forward until he can see Yakuza huddled on the floor, still a victim of his paralyzed muscles, then, with a horrible retching noise, vomits the toxic slime all over his opponent.

Yakuza lets out a horrible screech as the toxic splashes over him, sullying feathers and splattering all over his suit. His best suit! His best suit! The honchkrow's dark aura leaps and writhes, stretching ever higher as it feeds off Yakuza's horrified fury. The honchkrow is incoherent with rage, struggling to his feet and rushing at Kirlia, wings half-spread, murder in his eyes. Unfortunately, his coordination leaves something to be desired, and he slips in a foul puddle of toxic and goes down messily, croaking and struggling even as the poison works its way deeper into his body, threatening future pain.

Kirlia lets out a mental sigh of relief--for a moment there, he was honestly scared of his opponent. Now that Yakuza's just flailing around on the floor, though, the psychic is feeling much more in control. He falls back on an old favorite--thunderbolt. Yakuza's struggling stops as the powerful lightning bolt overwhelms him with pain. At least it cleared his head a bit, the honchkrow reflects once he's able to think straight again. He carefully rights himself, steps away from the worst of the toxins, and stares down his opponent through the last fading dregs of the haze. Then he concentrate all his hatred into a mighty dark pulse and sends it sailing at Kirlia. The psychic groans and falls to his knees, his vision going temporarily black. Yakuza may not be looking well, still shuddering with paralysis and now covered in bile, but his attacks certainly pack a bite--and Kirlia doesn't think he can endure many more of them.

Kratos Aurion (O)

Yakuza (M) <Super Luck> @ Prism Scale
Health: 48%
Energy: 69%
Used: Dark Pulse ~ Confused ~ Dark Pulse
- Drenched in noxious poison. Confused (moderate). Paralyzed (moderate). Severely poisoned (2% next round).

Lucas755 (O)

Kirlia (M) <Synchronize> @ Choice Specs
Health: 20%
Energy: 71%
Used: Confuse Ray ~ Thunderbolt ~ Nothing
- In dire straits. Under the effects of an embargo.

Final Notes
- I completely forgot to make note of the song's effect last round (don't hesitate to remind me if you notice that). Obviously, it caused haze to take effect for the round.
- Lucas755 attacks first next round. The song will be Rush's "Freewill", which will remove any restrictions placed on pokémon by their held items.

Well, I guess this song is completely useless now.

Start with Taunt, then use Protect and Endure. If, on the second and third actions, you're not going to be attacked with a damaging move (because of confusion or paralyzation), switch them to Thunderbolt. Finally, if they protect/detect against your Taunt, just switch to Light Screen and push everything back one action.

Taunt/Light Screen ~ Protect/Thunderbolt//Taunt ~ Endure/Thunderbolt//Protect

Do your best to go for a night slash; with any luck (and there probably won't be any of that considering how lucky we've been these last two rounds) you'll finish Kirlia off right there. Peck while he's protecting and then go in for another dark pulse while he endures; maybe it'll fail since it's following a protect. If at any point you're too confused/paralyzed to move, do your best to stay still and save energy just in case.

Night Slash/Nothing ~ Peck/Nothing ~ Dark Pulse/Nothing

(And, uh. You didn't forget the song effect, Negrek? It's been there since before I attacked last round.)

Kratos Aurion (O)

Yakuza (M) <Super Luck> @ Prism Scale
Health: 48%
Energy: 69%
Used: Dark Pulse ~ Confused ~ Dark Pulse
- Drenched in noxious poison. Confused (moderate). Paralyzed (moderate). Severely poisoned (2% next round).

Lucas755 (O)

Kirlia (M) <Synchronize> @ Choice Specs
Health: 20%
Energy: 71%
Used: Confuse Ray ~ Thunderbolt ~ Nothing
- In dire straits. Under the effects of an embargo.

The ominous music is replaced by a more light and carefree song, dissipating the unnatural haze at last. Both pokémon feel some relief that its chilly tendrils are gone, though Yakuza was at home enough in its dark heart. The lifting of the depressing cloud can only slightly improve Kirlia's mood, however; he is loath to provoke his opponent, but those are his orders. If he's going to make such a gamble, though, he's going to throw his all into it, and so he does, dredging up the most heinous insults he can think of. He mocks Yakuza's parentage, his intelligence, and his strength; he sneers at the honchkrow's ruined suit and his confused daze. His final conclusion is that the honchkrow is feeble and half-addled, not fit to do battle and certainly not fit to lead a murder of his brethren.

Yakuza is rattled and confused enough that the psychic type's words cut him deeply. His pride, already so badly injured by the ignominy of being paralyzed and forced to wallow around in poisonous vomit, can't stand this latest insult. The honchkrow has no thought but of vengeance as he forces his muscles into obedience and leaps into the air, swooping down on Kirlia and raking at him with dark-crackling talons.

It's all Kirlia can do to remain standing, blood dripping from the long rents left across his face by Yakuza's claws, but stand he does, and musters his energy to conjure up a bubble of pure force to defend himself against his opponent's attacks. This time Yakuza has nothing more to offer than a sharp peck, but the attack is delivered with such viciousness that it clashes audibly against the surface of the protect, striking silver sparks and making quite clear to Kirlia the danger he's in.

He can't hide behind his protect shield forever, though. Kirlia is forced to drop his defense and face his opponent square on. An orange glow surrounds his body as he grimly bends his will to endure whatever his opponent throws at him. Yakuza flies at him once more with a night slash, opening more black-edged wounds in Kirlia's torso. The psychic weathers the attack, if only just; he lingers at the edge of unconsciousness, staying upright through an effort of will. Yakuza, miserable though he feels, senses victory nigh. He cackles unpleasantly at his opponent's sorry state, relishing the thought of finishing the arrogant kirlia off.

Kratos Aurion (O)

Yakuza (M) <Super Luck> @ Prism Scale
Health: 46%
Energy: 62%
Used: Night Slash ~ Peck ~ Night Slash
- Eager to deal the finishing blow. Confused (very mild). Paralyzed (moderate). Severely poisoned (3% next round).

Lucas755 (O)

Kirlia (M) <Synchronize> @ Choice Specs
Health: 1%
Energy: 54%
Used: Taunt ~ Protect ~ Endure
- Doing his best to endure. Under the effects of an embargo.

Final Notes
- Ah, okay, I did get it in in this one. I just didn't save the song effect in my local copy, that's all.
- Kratos Aurion attacks first next round. The song will be Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Carol of the Bells", which will cause heal bell to be in effect for the duration of the round, healing all major status effects and immediately removing any new ones that are set over the course of the round.

At long, long last, a song with an effect that's actually relevant! What do you know. \o/

Faint attack. Just keep battering away at him even if he tries protecting or enduring again. If he tries to avoid you with shadow sneak and faint attack isn't able to follow him/hit him anyway, preempt him with sucker punch. If your confusion kicks in, chill, or failing that attempt to trip and fall on top of him I guess; even if that doesn't finish him off in and of itself it will amuse me greatly.

Faint Attack/Sucker Punch/Chill x3

Kratos Aurion (O)

Yakuza (M) <Super Luck> @ Prism Scale
Health: 46%
Energy: 62%
Used: Night Slash ~ Peck ~ Night Slash
- Eager to deal the finishing blow. Confused (very mild). Paralyzed (moderate). Severely poisoned (3% next round).

Lucas755 (O)

Kirlia (M) <Synchronize> @ Choice Specs
Health: 1%
Energy: 54%
Used: Taunt ~ Protect ~ Endure
- Doing his best to endure. Under the effects of an embargo.

The music changes to a wintry theme, remixed with a generous helping of bass. Most importantly for Yakuza, though, it retains plenty of its namesake: bells. Healing bells, to be specific, that as they ring out from the loudspeakers drive the cramps and the stinging toxins right out of his body. The honchkrow spreads his wings and gives them a gentle shake, finally feeling back to normal--well, almost. He's still a little muzzy in the head.

Kirlia, on the other hand, is about as far from top condition as can be. The psychic type struggles to concentrate on his attack despite his heavy injuries. Yakuza sees him preparing to engage in some trickery or other, though, and smirks to himself. Not this time! With full control over his muscles, Yakuza is once more faster than Kirlia. He vanishes in a puff of feathers, popping back into existence just behind his opponent. A vicious kick of his claws and Kirlia falls facefirst to the stage, easily knocked out by the honchkrow's faint attack.

Kratos Aurion (O)

Yakuza (M) <Super Luck> @ Prism Scale
Health: 46%
Energy: 59%
Used: Faint Attack
Victorious!

Lucas755 (X)

Kirlia (M) <Synchronize> @ Choice Specs
Health: 0%
Energy: 54%
Used: Nothing
Knocked Out!

Yakuza preens unabashedly as the crowd cheers for him, not even glancing at his trainer as Kratos Aurion walks out to join him on the stage. Obviously, this victory is all his, and he's going to milk it for all it's worth. There is further applause for Lucas755 as he takes to the stage to recall his fainted pokémon, exchange a handshake with Kratos Aurion, and, of course, claim his prize.

Good match, guys. Kratos Aurion moves on to round three and gets $20; Lucas755 gets $10. I get $15. Yakuza gets two EXP, and Kirlia gets one.

Good game, Lucas! That kirlia, man, always a pain to try and work around. :P

I would laugh in the face of being paralyzed in a tournament battle but that's just asking to get superhaxxed in round three sooo