Well, not sure about the other judges in the other brackets, but I went with no music. This may or may not have caused a dash of awkwardness at a few places.
-----
The love between Asber and Metronome is overpowering. No amount of destruction, bloodshed and amusement will ever satisfy the nebulous desire of those who live for the chance to roll moves like Eruption or Spacial Rend until cities whole are swallowed, leaving only the debris and the feeble lawsuits of the survivors.
And that is why not only once but twice did the draw of Metronome bring upwards of fifteen trainers within less than entire days. Alright, even math managed that, but whatever.
Of the total of thirty that were part of the game, ten awaited backstage, eager to lunge for victory -- be it with luck, be it with skill. The Magma Storm Bracket's appeals were about to take place.
The judges were the first on the scene. Metallica Fanboy took a high seat at the back of the stage, with Byrus and RespectTheBlade sitting on the benches to the side of that one.
Janitors and firemen alike carefully took position as the primary judge briefly read the rules. Soon enough, the first contestant showed up.
Derpy and Snap
As Derpy sauntered into the stage, the center of it started to open up, revealing a pool. The audience expected to see a water-dwelling Pokémon... And got a land crocodile instead.
Snap gazed at the pool. She hesitated a bit, disliking the idea of getting wet at all, let alone the possibility of the water being cold; nonetheless, after a while, she managed to dip in rather coyly. Upon getting in, she attempted to keep her eyes and snout above the water, like a water-based crocodile, although her clumsy swimming -- only made functional at all by Metronome's helping -- made that somewhat difficult to achieve.
After this, she crawled out of the pool as slowly as she had gotten in, her short limbs not exactly suited to the task of climbing up the ledge. The Sandile felt a strong urge to get rid of all the water on her, but expected that it was probably necessary to the appeal.
She tilted her snout upwards, gaping mouth throwing open as she released a flurry of tiny shards of ice. A slightly awkward angle, but she managed to get the sparkly frost all over herself by moving into it.
Finally, all of a sudden, her body went aflame as she leapt forward harshly, towards the tip of the stage. The heat of the fiery cloak easily did away with the soaking water and the ice; by the time it was over, there were drops of water on the ground and a couple on Snap, but otherwise, every aquatic (or icy) trace had been discreetly evaporated.
The audience gave Derpy and Snap a round of applause, but it was rather mild -- they were definitely still waiting on the more exciting, explosive appeals.
Metallica Fanboy: 6.8
Not much more than a stint of playing around with a few unusual effects, although the moveset did lend itself that way. I can't help but feel there were more creative possibilities, but, have a rather acceptable score.
Byrus: 6.0
I don't think Sandile is the best choice for an aquatic appeal... Still, it was decent enough, it just didn't really wow me. I don't think ice shard is powerful enough to create much of a display with heat crash, so it sorta felt like a waste of a good move.
RespectTheBlade: 7.2
The appeal sort of half-worked, I guess. The swimming was Ok at best, but it had a nice effect at the end.
Sunflower and Euclid
The next contestant started out with a rather curious move: dragging some sort of object into the stage. It was more easily identified after it was set down -- a tiny model city, with a few skyscrapers standing out.
A quadruped of blue scales and black fur was sent out behind the model. He checked it out with a tentative bite first, then he started growling furiously, sharp rows of teeth mercilessly barren, gums almost flapping. But, strangely, no drool -- not just yet.
Euclid straightened his throat out, as the Metronome magic sent something rushing up through it. Then, as he stepped into the model city -- knocking over and trampling a few houses in the process -- he stretched his head forward, causally dripping yellow, viscous liquid over several spots. Wherever a drop landed, it violently corroded the surrounding area. The corrosions provided tiny amounts of smoke, but never enough at one time to form a significant screen.
Finding his way into one of the sides of the city with nibs and bumps, the Deino proceeded to the next part of the appeal. Taking a stance of readiness, he unleashed a mighty roar, undescored by a harsh, cringe-inducing screech. Awe and discomfort mixed up in all who listened to the fierce cacophony.
After this, a mighty surge of power was unleashed from the Dark- and Dragon-type's upward-facing mouth. Wind swirled around a round vacuum, fast enough for a visible effect -- and also a very noisy one. Rather unceremoniously, he threw his head down, unleashing the Aeroblast against the center of the city.
The windy swipe easily tore the few remaining skyscrapers in half; even after that, the powerful core of the attack sucked the model into itself, bending it and crushing it. Rushing strikes of air furthermore smashed through the tiny civilization.
By the time it was over, the model had been reduced to sawdust.
There was spirited cheer as the spectators were only left to imagine what would it be like if an actual city met the same fate sometime.
Metallica Fanboy: 9.0
That was amazing! Even a legendary signature move won't go over well if it's not at least used with some kind of showmanship around it; however, this appeal took Aeroblast and did something really awesome with it. Easily deserving of one of the best grades this round, if not the best.
Byrus: 8.5
Deino certainly makes for an excellent Minizilla. The moves used flowed together nicely, and you made great use of your options here.
RespectTheBlade: 9.1
A very interesting and attractive performance. The complete and utter destruction with Aeroblast was amazing. That Deino will make a fine (if not terrifying) Hydreigon someday.
bulbasaur and Marley
The lights suddenly faded as the cleaning staff got rid of the debris from the last appeal, giving way to new props -- a desk, a typewriter, some sort of microphone.
bulbasaur emerged from offstage, taking a chair behind the desk. Appearing bored and nonchalant, he took out a piece of paper, propping it on the typewriter.
"Items one comma five comma seven approved fullwise stop suggestion contained item six doubleplus ridiculous verging crimethink cancel stop unproceed constructionwise antegetting plusfull estimates machinery overheads stop end message," he monotonously hummed, typing noises underscoring the soulless music.
After the end of the message, the trainer proceeded to remove a fountain pen and leatherback journal from his pockets. He wrote something down, but did not vocalize it, preventing the audience from knowing what it was.
Suddenly, two red eye-shaped lights revealed themselves next to the desk, casting a scanning glare around bulbasaur. He dropped the objects he was holding, frantically looking around himself.
Fist raised, the trainer proceeded to proclaim "Down with Big Brother!" and stash his belongings into a drawer at the desk.
The unspotted being proceeded to approach one of the stage lights, glowing with a dark aura that gave away its strange, smokelike figure. The dispaly seemed to frighten bulbasaur, as he shrunk and cowered; without hesitation, the apparition somehow took grasp of the victim, violently wringing his torso against his legs.
The trainer collapsed as the hold over him finally gave way. A positively evil laughter then echoed around the stage.
Metallica Fanboy: 7.9
I'm not sure if this was supposed to reference something specific, but regardless, I like it. Mysterious, really capturing that air of conspiracy. The lack of something a little more solid felt a tad jarring, but, otherwise, worth a good score.
Byrus: 8.5
The moves used here went together really well with the story. I especially liked the creative use of foresight, I would have thought that would be one of the more difficult moves to use in an appeal.
RespectTheBlade: 7.2
I once again do not get the reference, but it was an OK appeal. Good use of moves and props.
Crazy Linoone and Faraday
The lights suddenly went completely out as the next appeal was set up. There were last-minute arrangements to be made, and so, it just remained dark and quiet for a while. Relatively quiet, that is -- the children were anything but quiet under that circumstance.
At one point, however, something finally emerged from the stage entrance. It emitted distinct glows from each side -- blue from the left, bright coral from the right. This localized shining allowed for the audience to actually see a few things; namely, the Pokémon entering, and its immediate surroundings.
Positioning himself at the center and realizing that there was no music playing, Faraday started to move around a bit. Quickly, he realized that he would end up spilling whatever was it that his wingtips were covered in if he moved around wrong, and adjusted his motions accordingly -- although they often had to be a little less flashy for that to be arranged.
This became even harder to manage as the Murkrow began to pace himself faster. When he took off, he couldn't help but a let a couple of drops, well, drop, leaving a few bright spots on the ground. Airborne, he had to practice a bit to get a hang of how to not spill everything in this new environment, but nonetheless, managed to keep the acrobatics going -- and he most certainly didn't manage to flash the judges a "GIVE CRAZY LINOONE A TEN".
About three minutes and a half in, the crow Pokémon stopped at the air and gave the audience a gaze. Eagerly but not entirely surely, he swooped, sparks flying intensely from his body as he dashed and zigzagged above the seats. Many of the vieweres were very much startled, but a fair deal enjoyed it.
As Faraday approached the back wall of the contest hall, he felt a twinge of uncertainity, but trusted that it had to be done as commanded. With a soaring loop, he changed the direction of his flight -- not without spilling a lot of glowing chemicals everywhere, though. Surprisingly, no actual person was hit, but the behinds of the chairs and the floor sure were. As the light of the Volt Tackle was fast to fizzle, he was only dimly visible at this point, as little glow remained on his wingtips (though a bit did get caught up in his crest).
He moved back towards the stage, this time with a straight swoop. He aimed for the head referee's face, and showed no signs of slowing down as he approached. With a cackle, he came dangerously close to crashing... And only avoided it by summoning a portal of sorts just in time, disappearing in front of Metallica Fanboy's eyes.
The head judge wondered if anybody accidentally saw his baseball club amidst the madness.
Metallica Fanboy: 6.5
I don't usually ref Faint Attack that way, but I've made a concession last time, so, why not again. Not to mention that I'd have a vested interested in it working that way this time. Anyways. The whole thing with the glowstick stuff felt a tad half-baked for a number of reasons, and overall, I didn't find this a really good appeal.
Byrus: 7.8
Shame this one didn't work out quite as planned, but it was still a pretty show. The wild and dangerous nature of the first two moves really lent themselves well to the risky finishing maneuver.
RespectTheBlade: 8.9
A fun appeal to watch, but the splattering of chemicals wasn't that fun. Still made good use of the moves you were given, and it was an ok light show.
Chiropter and Psychopomp
To the relief of all, the lights were once more set to a normal level. Chiropter and his sendout -- an almost equally tall, vaguely humanshape creature of a single red eye and dark grey, thinly striped body -- took the stage.
The trainer, kneeling slightly in order to match his Pokémon's height, appeared to be speaking, but none could hear it. Hand placed about the critter's neck, he was casting an honest look and seemed to be having an important conversation. However, Psychopomp didn't quite seem to get it, casting a doubtful gaze and rubbing his disimbodied hand against the back of his "head".
Sighing, Chiropter held the Dusclops' light grey hand, placing it over his chest -- around the heart. The thick fingers could be seen clamping the trainer's jacket a bit tightly as the Ghost-type detected something unfamiliar. A steady beat, a certain warmth...
A little overcast, the cyclops Pokémon pointed at a rough equivalent of a chest area in himself, expressing doubtfulness. Chiropter seemed a bit uncomfortable, but nonetheless, he took a few experimental knocks against his critter's carapace. Loud thuds echoed from these attempts; it was audible that there was nothing but hollowness underneath.
The phantom's, well, spirits were crushed with the realization, as seen with a defeatist stance and mopey gaze... Which swiftly gave way to knuckles closed tight and eyes narrowed, filled with determination. One hand floated towards his chest, delivering an echoing punch. After the blow, he tightly gripped the struck area, ripping it open to reveal eerie, dark blue-purple light.
The audience gasped aloud, and the trainer seemed every bit as shocked. Hands frantically stretched in an apologetic stance, he seemed to be trying to explain something, but his words were wasted on the relentless Psychopomp. Unfettered, he stuck one of his hands into his master's chest, releasing a bursting noise as his clutch tightented behind the jacket. Chiropter's expression and body went limp as the Dusclops retrieved a heart from his master, hefting it triumphantly for all viewers to behold.
Taking care not to let his all-absorbing body consume the trophy organ, the beckon Pokémon placed the newgained heart into the hole in his carapace. He then retrieved the removed piece of it, stitching back in with some strange liquid -- ironically leaving a vaguely heart-shaped contour in the process.
After a stint of highly uncharacteristic stomping and whooping, the phantom turned to his fallen trainer, holding up his hand to the cardiac mark, reversing the display from the beggining of the appeal. Soon enough, however, he noticed that Chiropter was out cold and not likely to wake up anytime near -- perhaps those pumpy little things are necessary for human vitality? Whoopsie.
Also taking note of the increasingly horrified spectators, Psychopomp proceeded to clumsily rush for the back wall -- his lack of speed completely showing -- and then phasing through it. As he did so, however, his heart remained behind. After leaving the room, he popped just an eye back in, taking note of the solid object's inability to travel across walls. A mix of disappointment, sorrow and sheer rage was visible in the Dusclops' single eye just before he left.
Medical staff rushed into the stage then, only for Chiropter to knock right awake and gesture for them to calm down.
Metallica Fanboy: 8.3
That appeal was excellent. Beautifully dramatic, highly expressive and quite creative. My only protest is that it's also incredibly gory, which audiences wouldn't really appreciate. Nonetheless, the sheer artistry warrants a good mark there. Also, thanks to this appeal, I can't stop being freaked out by the Dusclops I'm trying to train in Emerald.
Byrus: 9.5
I really enjoyed this one - very creative and darkly funny. Your Dusclops is a great actor for a Pokémon with so little facial features!
RespectTheBlade: 8.7
a bit gruesome, but a creative and interesting appeal. You are okay, right? If so, congrats. A great appeal.
Meursault and Bass
The stint with light was only to be brief. The lights went out once more, leaving only a few dim lamps around the seats for a modicum of visibility.
Soon enough, a sparkly noise -- something like an effect somebody would unecessarily add to a glow in a television programme or movie -- sliced through the nigh-darkness. Much as the spectators scattered their sights around, however, they couldn't really see anything different.
Their attentions were all turned back to the stage, however, when flames sprouted, circling around a now highly visible body of rotund shape and bushy indigo fur.
Noticing the looks all over him, Bass couldn't help but grin as he stared at the fire, aiming to time his most important move without fail. With a large gulp, he let the Metronome magic work -- and it didn't have much trouble, considering the amount of indigestible junk lying around in his stomach -- producing an unsanitary, semisolid goop.
With all the might of his badly abused windpipe, the Munchlax blasted the toxic sludge through the blaze. Containing highly volatile toxins, the nasty mess was lit up, although the audience would not see it clearly before it crashed into the Barrier at the edge of the stage.
The big eater Pokémon bowed as the viewers were treated to the splattered, burning grime. Quickly enough, the fire brigade had to be cued in, so as to contain all the flames.
Metallica Fanboy: 7.0
A few neat effects with fire can always be appreciated, and the moveset didn't seem to lend to itself to anything more complicated. I feel like there could be better, but, this appeal did well enough, I suppose.
Byrus: 7.2
Well, that was explosive. Needless destruction is always nice, and the flashy chaos made for a good show, though the barrier didn't really seem to add much.
RespectTheBlade: 6.6
erm... well, the flames were cool. The splattering against a barrier and smelly toxins weren't as cool, though.
I Liek Squirtles and Luke Skywalker
The audience was briefly disappointed as the few lights still operating gave way to darkness. This was quelled, however, when a single spotlight threw on. Under the localized light, a strange, roughly humanshape Pokémon of turquoise colour and oversized head was sent out.
Colourful-digited hands raised to the sky, Luke Skywalker opened his act emitting a bright as a backdrop of the Milky Way crept down behind him. The spotlight somewhat upstaged his mystical glow, but it was visible nonetheless.
After gathering the power of the cosmos, the Elgyem pointed down, exerting much Rock-type power. Bits of rockbed far beneath the hall suddenly sprouted up, crashing through everything in the way -- including the stage's floorboards -- each one giving off an indigo spectre.
The floating stones circled around the alien Pokémon at his command, moving around him in varying orbits. His sparkle lit the rocks in away that looked similar to sunlight on a planet's surface. Then, the whole system started to rise while the backdrop was slowly rolled back up.
Luke gave the crowd an eerie goodbye wave before being recalled. The spotlight went out then, stopping the audience from seeing the AncientPower stones drop back through the stage.
Metallica Fanboy: 7.6
You really managed to capture a theme there. You didn't do a lot with it, but what you did sufficed for a solid appeal.
Byrus: 7.0
Not too much to say about this one. The first two moves flowed together nicely, though the finish seemed a bit lacking.
RespectTheBlade: 8.4
Very nice use of Cosmic Power, plus it fits in with the theme of your Pokemon. A great appeal.
Mawile and John
The lights were a little brighter, but still dim, as the next performers took the stage. The trainer remained away from audience sight, revealing only a small mammal in blue-gray clothing, akin to combat gear, over his brown fur. He stood on his long, striped tail.
A medium-sized doll was placed to the left of the stage. It was clearly meant to represent the undead, although it blurred the line between a few kinds of them -- a wight, perhaps?
"It's time for me to live up to my family name and face FULL LIFE CONSEQUENCES." A voice suddenly boomed all around the stage. John appeared to have said it, although it was also unmistakeably coming out from loudspeakers around the hall -- perhaps the critter had a hidden microphone on him?
In the meantime during which the audience tried to make sense of the speech, the Sentret leapt off his tail and started to sprint on his teeny tiny legs -- not very efficient, but he could do it.
"Zombie ghost! LEAVE THIS PLACE!"
Extensions of Metronome Energy rose from John's claws as he lunged for the doll's neck, choking it tightly.
After a few seconds of grapple, however, the Sentret, displaying some degree of hurry, backflipped off his prey -- clever use of tail involved -- as the claw extensions receeded. "I have to kill fast and strangling is TOO SLOW."
With Rock-type force, John removed some chunks from the back wall of the stage, manipulating them remotely. With a few motions of his hand, he had the updrafts converge into the monster's head, easily lopping its head off.
Victorious, the Sentret hurled the carcass of his defeated enemy offstage with a telekinetic force. He moved to the center of the stage and cast his gaze upon the audience.
"I must kill the next boss and live up to FULL LIFE CONSEQUENCES!"
Metallica Fanboy: 7.5
Working with references always carries the risk of people not getting them. Me, I'm familiar with the source, but pretty much in name only (well, that, coupled with a little visit to TV Tropes Wiki in the spirit of research). But the sheer over-the-top factor that it lends the performance does confer a more universal flavor of humor to it.
Byrus: 7.4
I gotta admit, the thought of a Sentret in combat gear trying to strangle a zombie doll is pretty amusing. I guess the main problem here is that not everyone will get the reference, and the moves used didn't really gel together that well. Still, it was a funny re-enactment of the world's greatest fanfic.
RespectTheBlade: 7.4
I, uh… Don’t get the reference. However, it was a solid appeal. Very cool use of combat and linking moves to destroy the prop, and making it seem like your pokemon was talking was also cool.
Superbird and Quabbel
Once more, the hall became a notch above pitch-dark, the audience knowing the rather predictable frustration over constant changes in lighting. Blue spotlights cast an artistically colorful illumination upon the pool which opened up once more at the center of the stage.
Camouflaging well against the light blue tiles of the pool, Quabbel was hardly, if at all, visible. The crowd expected to see what Pokémon would be going in there -- instead, all they got was a somewhat difficult to hear sound, clearly coming from under water (and as such disturbed by this passage), but somehow still pleasant to the ears.
For about three quarters of a minute, the song went on.
By that mark, the contestant suddenly sprouted from seemingly nonwhere, splashing water everywhere as he made his presence known just above the surface of the water. The blue spotlights made little other than blue visible, but just fine, the Pokémon's light blue, delicate skin and dazzling (although soaked) tunic fitted that bill.
The Frillish continued to sing. Much more audible now, the viewers could take note of the distinct beauty of the music... Although it was underscored by a note of ill omen. In spite of that, however, when it stopped, the floating critter merely took a respectful bow before the judges.
Metallica Fanboy: 7.0
A bit messy, in my opinion. While the actually using Splash for something was a neat touch, you didn't seem to really account for the fact that you were starting underwater, as that interferes both with the tunic and the song. Maybe you could have worked something up from Fake Tears?
Byrus: 6.2
A solid enough appeal, but it seemed a bit generic. Frillish is a good choice for a beautiful or mysterious appeal, but this one just didn't seem to go anywhere, and the move repetition made the ending a bit of a let-down.
RespectTheBlade: 8.6
A wonderful use of a rare and beautiful move. Plus, I’m impressed you found a way to make Splash useful. An amazing appeal.
Mai and Taxxon
As before, the last few lights operating stopped, giving way only to a spotlight on-stage -- a bit less bright this time, though. Some bizarre, bright white object was dragged in; close inspection revealed it to be an oversized dinner plate.
From nonwhere visible, some strange apparition came into view. His green skin seemed stretched to its limits, covered in black, red or golden adornments -- evoking Giratina, as any legend-savvy spectators could tell. Overall, he looked frail and tired -- even the yellow feather on top of his "head" looked wilted. In spite of this semblance of weakness, however, there was also an underscore of primal rage.
Climbing atop the plate, he cast a menacing, overpowering gaze over the audience and judges, accompained with several growls resemblant of a viciously rumbling stomach. It was clear that Taxxon was hungry, and it seemed eager to eat the first thing he laid eyes upon (although, for some reason, the plate and floorboards were being spared).
Now directing his glare at one specific, unfortunate sap, he began sauntering his way towards the seats. Just as he reached the edge, however, something materialized from Metronome energy -- an orange-read, crusty pincer, about as large as the Gulpin, who stared at it greedily.
An immaterial tongue ran over his lips before he stretched his uncanny mouth open -- nearly blowing all of his decor away -- swallowing the Crabhammer in one savage gulp. He gave a satisfied burp before being recalled.
Metallica Fanboy: 7.1
The idea of using the Crabhammer as food was quite creative, but I feel that it didn't execute too well -- it felt somewhat tacked on. Bonus points for the uguutina reference, but, not much more than that.
Byrus: 8.2
Nice use of crabhammer there. Taxxon is one fine actor too. Well, I hope he was only acting, 'cause I don't like the thought of anyone getting devoured by a hungry green blob.
RespectTheBlade: 7.5
Hmm… The performance was one of the most unique I’ve seen here. It worked out alright, for what it was.
-----
Sunflower: 26.6
Chiropter: 26.5
bulbasaur: 23.6
Crazy Linoone: 23.2
I Liek Squirtles: 23.0
-------------------------------------------------
Mai: 22.8
Mawile: 22.3
Superbird: 21.8
Meursault: 20.8
Derpy: 20.0
-----
Close combat right off the bat! A few points more or less could have changed plenty. There are few givens when it comes to Metronome, I suppose.
Congratulations, Sunflower, Chiropter, bulbasaur, Crazy Linoone and I Liek Squirtles! Whether it was by good fortune or pure skill, you have advanced to the next round.
As for Mai, Mawile, Superbird, Meursault and Derpy: as I always say, better luck next time. Literally.
No word yet on whether we go for the second round now, or wait on the other brackets; at the moment, we wait, if only because no decision has been made yet. Either way, I'll start rolling shit up at the earliest note.
