[15] Keldeo vs Sangfroidish (ref: Eta Carinae)

1 vs 1
DQ: 5 days
Damage Cap: 35%
Banned/Restricted Moves: OHKOs, Pain Split, moves that KO the user; direct recovery is restricted to 1 use in the match, and Chills are restricted to 5 uses
Arena: Santalune City

Like an emerald in the rough, this town in the center-south of Kalos glows verdant with lush grass and forest green roofs mottled with rustic pavement and ancient stone walls. The battle begins in the circular fountain plaza at the very center of the city, from which most else can be seen, including the majestic Trainer's School right across, the great Bug-Type Gym in the distance, and the tables of several small cafés and restaurants in the fountain area, although most seem dwarfed by comparison to the notable establishment atop a hill nearby.

For this round of the tournament, each trainer's Pokémon will be wearing a specified hat from the Santalune Boutique. Each hat grants its wearer the ability to use certain moves (usually three), and often adds an Ability to the wearer's current Abilities as well. After five rounds, the currently worn hats will be replaced by another set of two hats, again chosen at random. The hats' descriptions and effects are as follows:

• Bamboo Sprig Hat: A round cap that closely resembles Pangoro, bringing about an aloof sense of menace for the hat seeker that's not to be messed with. Grants the moves Sky Uppercut, Crunch, and Parting Shot, along with the Scrappy ability.
• Boater: A nifty straw hat that keeps the head cool in sunshine and protected in the storm, perfect for weathering a long voyage. Grants the moves Rain Dance, Hurricane, and Tailwind, along with the Swift Swim ability.
• Camo Cap: A beanie that blends right into the wilderness with its military-grade motif, complete with grenades and reinforcements, enabling its wearer to move in and out of cover -- or maybe their opponent just doesn't want to be seen with someone who actually wears camo. Grants the moves Egg Bomb, Night Slash, and Attack Order, along with the Sniper ability.
• Exotic Cap: A repurposed casquette with bold patterns, for those who aim to make an unusual fashion statement and also don't mind looking like they have a toadstool for a head. Grants the moves Hex, Venom Drench, and Infestation, along with the ability Effect Spore.
• Fedora: A distinctive kind of hat that has been through many associations in pop culture, and we're pretending for our own sake that the most recent one is Indiana Jones. Grants the moves Rock Slide, Bulldoze, and Power Whip, along with the ability Sand Rush.
• Felt Hat: A porkpie hat famously worn by a trainer that Professor Sycamore placed all of his faith in. Grants the moves Spiky Shield, Mystical Fire, and Water Shuriken.
• Knit Cap: A woolly, tight-fitting beanie with which one can not only keep warm, but thrive in the cold. Grants the moves Blaze Kick, Frost Breath, and Hail, along with the ability Ice Body.
• Logo Cap: A snapback with a readily recognizable sigil that's associated with the Kalos Pokémon League. Grants the moves Gyro Ball, Dragon Tail, Flame Charge, and Clamp.
• Sports Cap: A polyester cap for athletic types who want to sprint and make sparks fly when the sun is out. Grants the moves Quick Attack, Acrobatics, and Electro Ball, along with the ability Unburden.

Keldeo's active squad
Assigned hat: Felt Hat

Shay the male Cranidos <Mold Breaker> @ Dawn Stone
River the female Ralts <Synchronize> @ Rocky Helmet
Vesper the female Crobat <Inner Focus> @ Black Sludge
Toby the male Pangoro <Iron Fist> @ Expert Belt
Anne the female Wooper <Water Absorb> @ Weakness Policy
Robin the female Haxorus <Mold Breaker> @ Shell Bell
Rhyme the female Emolga <Static> @ Life Orb
Kiel the male Pawniard <Defiant> @ Muscle Band
Aisha the female Shuppet <Insomnia> @ Sachet
Airplane Baguette the male Castform <Forecast> @ Wise Glasses


Sangfroidish's active squad
Assigned hat: Sports Cap

Sakuya the female Sneasel <Inner Focus> @ Razor Claw
Kalameet the male Noibat <Telepathy> @ Yache Berry
Hindenburg the male Drifblim <Unburden>
Artorias the male Honedge <No Guard> @ Dusk Stone
Queen Anne the female Krokorok <Intimidate> @ Lucky Egg
Rucks the male Lillipup <Vital Spirit> @ Eviolite
Kloe the female Fletchling <Big Pecks>
Kitaniji the male Ekans <Shed Skin> @ Lucky Egg
Zia the female Ralts <Trace>
Remilia the female Zubat <Inner Focus>

Up next:
1.Sangfroidish sends out
2.Keldeo sends out and issues commands
3.Sangfroidish issues commands

Trust me to get the Unburden hat in the match where I was planning to use Hindenburg anyway >:V

Ah, whatever. I still go with Hindy!

Airplane Baguette, it's your time to shine! haha get it You can refer to him as Baguette for ease of reffing.

So. Give us a Hail, then Weather Ball twice. Close your eyes to avoid possible Confuse Rays/Hypnosises unless you absolutely have to look at him to aim your attacks.

If you're Disabled or otherwise can't use the move you would use, switch to Ice Beam, with your eyes open to aim; do the same if Weather Ball is spited. If he changes the weather, or for whatever reason it isn't hailing, make it Hail again, unless you can't use Hail in that scenario or it wouldn't work, in which case you should just Ice Beam until you're able to use Hail, if applicable. If he tries to out-wait you when it's not hailing, try not to let him, I guess; you're, what, 90 points slower? You can do that. And if he protects, detects, or isn't hittable (do whatever you'd normally do if there's a sub, sweep an Ice Beam around if there are clones, Weather Ball if he Flies)... Well, we're all out of conditionals, so Weather Ball I guess. As always, Hail if it's not currently hailing, even if he's unhittable.

Hail / Ice Beam / Weather Ball ~ Weather Ball / Ice Beam / Hail ~ Weather Ball / Ice Beam / Hail

Okay Hindy, looks like our first job is to Disable that Hail. Then Rain Dance and hit it with a Thunder.

Disable ~ Rain Dance ~ Thunder

1 vs 1
DQ: 5 days
Damage Cap: 35%
Banned/Restricted Moves: OHKOs, Pain Split, moves that KO the user; direct recovery is restricted to 1 use in the match, and Chills are restricted to 5 uses
Arena: Santalune City

Like an emerald in the rough, this town in the center-south of Kalos glows verdant with lush grass and forest green roofs mottled with rustic pavement and ancient stone walls. The battle begins in the circular fountain plaza at the very center of the city, from which most else can be seen, including the majestic Trainer's School right across, the great Bug-Type Gym in the distance, and the tables of several small cafés and restaurants in the fountain area, although most seem dwarfed by comparison to the notable establishment atop a hill nearby.

For this round of the tournament, each trainer's Pokémon will be wearing a specified hat from the Santalune Boutique. Each hat grants its wearer the ability to use certain moves (usually three), and often adds an Ability to the wearer's current Abilities as well. After five rounds, the currently worn hats will be replaced by another set of two hats, again chosen at random. The hats' descriptions and effects are as follows:

Bamboo Sprig Hat: A round cap that closely resembles Pangoro, bringing about an aloof sense of menace for the hat seeker that's not to be messed with. Grants the moves Sky Uppercut, Crunch, and Parting Shot, along with the Scrappy ability.

Boater: A nifty straw hat that keeps the head cool in sunshine and protected in the storm, perfect for weathering a long voyage. Grants the moves Rain Dance, Hurricane, and Tailwind, along with the Swift Swim ability.

Camo Cap: A beanie that blends right into the wilderness with its military-grade motif, complete with grenades and reinforcements, enabling its wearer to move in and out of cover -- or maybe their opponent just doesn't want to be seen with someone who actually wears camo. Grants the moves Egg Bomb, Night Slash, and Attack Order, along with the Sniper ability.

Exotic Cap: A repurposed casquette with bold patterns, for those who aim to make an unusual fashion statement and also don't mind looking like they have a toadstool for a head. Grants the moves Hex, Venom Drench, and Infestation, along with the ability Effect Spore.

Fedora: A distinctive kind of hat that has been through many associations in pop culture, and we're pretending for our own sake that the most recent one is Indiana Jones. Grants the moves Rock Slide, Bulldoze, and Power Whip, along with the ability Sand Rush.

Felt Hat: A porkpie hat famously worn by a trainer that Professor Sycamore placed all of his faith in. Grants the moves Spiky Shield, Mystical Fire, and Water Shuriken.

Knit Cap: A woolly, tight-fitting beanie with which one can not only keep warm, but thrive in the cold. Grants the moves Blaze Kick, Frost Breath, and Hail, along with the ability Ice Body.

Logo Cap: A snapback with a readily recognizable sigil that's associated with the Kalos Pokémon League. Grants the moves Gyro Ball, Dragon Tail, Flame Charge, and Clamp.

Sports Cap: A polyester cap for athletic types who want to sprint and make sparks fly when the sun is out. Grants the moves Quick Attack, Acrobatics, and Electro Ball, along with the ability Unburden.

Click to expand...

Round 1

Keldeo O


Health: 100%
Energy: 100%
(Airplane Baguette) Castform [M] <Forecast> @Wise Glasses, Felt Hat
Commands: Hail/Ice Beam/Weather Ball ~ Weather Ball/Ice Beam/Hail x2
Status: Rigid under the crowd’s gaze.

Sangfroidish O


Health: 100%
Energy: 100%
(Hindenburg) Drifblim [M] <Unburden x2> @Sports Cap
Commands: Disable ~ Rain Dance ~ Thunder
Status: Letting himself drift back and forth with the wind.

It was a beautiful day in Santalune City. A few clouds hung high in the sky, but otherwise the sun’s rays graced every blade of grass and petal in the town. The atmosphere of those around was just as joyful. While generally Santalune was a fairly laid back area, today nearly everybody was out and about to witness the tournament battles that were taking place. Compounded with the visitors from afar that had made the pilgrimage to follow the tourney, the City was jam-packed. Ropes cordoned the centre plaza of the city, hundreds of spectators jockeying for position to watch the spectacle.

The match that was about to begin was between Sangfroidish and Keldeo, toting along fan bases of their own. On Keldeo’s side of the arena was a mass of people wearing almost exclusively red, yellow, and blue. A group of six burly men, who may or may not have been inebriated, stood shirtless, a different letter of the battler’s name painted on each of their bellies. Everyone cheered as Keldeo released her Pokemon, a tiny, grey creature that levitated at head height, looking the tiniest bit nervous. The other side of the arena had no dominant colours, but just as excited of fans. Sangfroidish’s fan base was larger, the battler having been active for longer. Some of the oldest members of the crowd even held up posters depicting a certain fickle feline to show their support. A roar came up as their beloved trainer released his larger Pokemon, a purple balloon that stared ominously at Baguette. Between the two audiences stood Viola, the local gym leader, a bright smile ever present on her face. The referee, standing just within the ropes, blew his whistle three times. The battle had become.

Hindenburg the Drifblim could have whisked ahead of Baguette to start the battle, yet the buoyant ghost stayed still, his tiny red eyes beating into Baguette, waiting for him to move. The Castform happily obliged, ready to ruin the beautiful weather the battlers had been graced with. Baguette began to emit a chilling blue aura, a glacial coating. Baguette’s eyes were shut tight in concentration, and as he began to vibrate slightly, a magnificent blue beam shot skyward, disappearing into the celeste abyss. As the beam dissipated, the clouds that had tumbled lazily along the horizon began to grow in size at an alarming rate, as if being inflated. They began to concentrate around the arena as well, now turned a foreboding black. As the sky became completely overcast, the first hailstones began to descend from above. Soon, the smattering was a downpour, the air thick with falling ice. The fans around the arena groaned, those with proper foresight pulling out rain slickers, others doomed to suffer. Hindenburg remained stoic as the stones bounced off of his exterior.

Baguette quickly adapted to the situation. The hail that struck his skin did not bounce off. Rather, it stuck to him, forming a larger and larger mass that pulled him slightly towards the ground. Once the ice around him formed a complete cocoon, he gave a few brisk spins to glamorize. When he slowed to a stop, his form was elegant, fitting in the wintery conditions. His head housed a soft-serve style swirl, his bottom half resembling a cumulus cloud with a nasty point at the base. Hindenburg continued to remain motionless, seemingly unimpressed by the display. His complete lack of action meant that when he finally did make a move, he caught Baguette completely off guard. The Castform was busy admiring his new appearance when the Drifblim suddenly launched an attack on his consciousness. Baguette scrambled to push him out, but Hindenberg was relentless. The cerebral attack was not launched to inflict pain, instead Hindenberg did his best to rattle the Castform, taking any thoughts that came his way and muddled them. As Hindenberg backed out, Baguette groggily blinked over and over. He had been completely disoriented. He wasn’t going to be changing the weather again anytime soon.

How fortunate he was that Hindenberg was willing to do it for him! Slightly hindered by the biting hailstones, the Drifblim began to spin through the air, appearing to be taken for a ride by some imaginary gust, his four arms trailing behind him, his eyes and mouth a blur. As he spun and dreamed of a wetter world, the shower began to subside. The onlookers noticed, a small cheer going up as a brighter sky seemed inevitable. Alas, the clouds did not disperse. Instead, where hail once was massive rain drops came hurtling towards the ground. The crowd let out a universal, exasperated sigh, already tired of the temperature fluctuations. Baguette underwent his own change in tandem with the atmosphere. His bottom flattened out, the swirl around his head morphing slightly so it resembled the model raindrop.

Baguette frowned a bit. He knew that he could change the weather back. Or at least, he had been able to. Only a minute ago he could have brought back the ice, re-embraced his grace, but now he felt… lost. He gave one last rack of his brain to try and find that routine he was missing, but he couldn’t place it for the life of him. Still reeling a bit, he defaulted to his second option. Before his encased face, a small orb of icy energy appeared, strikingly similar to the aura that had wrapped around Baguette only an action earlier. This sphere grew larger and larger before it was the size of Baguette’s head, sans rain drop. At that point, a beam shot through the rain towards Hindenburg, ice crystals firing off in random directions. The beam struck Hindenberg right on the mouth, thrusting him backwards. As the beam died, Baguette saw that he had done more than damage the Drifblim. Hindenberg’s eyes had narrowed in anger, the frosty strike leaving a fair bit of residue on his face. Ice crawled up his entire front, completely covering his mouth, reaching near his eyes and down onto two of his arms. The main annoyance came from how the ice had formed. Its asymmetry put Hindenberg off balance, and from that point on the Drifblim had to concentrate a bit harder to stay afloat.

Conveniently, Hindenberg’s next move didn’t require a whole lot of movement. Lifting his two back arms to the sky, he uttered a long, loud, cry, similar to a stretch of rubber. For a few seconds, no one moved. Then, in an instant, the entire battlefield was illuminated as a gigantic bolt of lightning charged down from the heavens, landing a direct hit on Baguette. The crowd flinched away from the impressive strike while Baguette tried to recover. Static sparks continued to course through his tiny form, causing him to twitch involuntarily for a few seconds afterwards. He took some solace in the fact that he seemed to have retained all mobility, though that didn’t make up wholly for the agony he had suffered through. Though, paying Hindenberg back just might. He conjured another ball of frigid energy before his face and released another beam that slammed into Hindenberg’s front. This one did not add any lingering ice to the Drifblim’s face, and felt slightly weaker than the first. Still, both Pokemon ended the first round already ready for a break.

End of Round 1

Keldeo O


Health: 77%
Energy: 85%
(Airplane Baguette) Castform [M] <Forecast> @Wise Glasses, Felt Hat
Status: Worried that his coating may be cracked. Hail Disabled (3 more actions).

Sangfroidish O


Health: 65%
Energy: 83%
(Hindenburg) Drifblim [M] <Unburden x2> @Sports Cap
Status: Already aching beneath his icy prison. Frozen (severe, ice covering most of face and front two arms).

Arena Notes:
-It is raining (7 more actions).

Ref Notes:
-Your commands were a little bit hard to follow, Keldeo, so let me know if I misinterpreted them.
-The first Ice Beam and Thunder were both critical hits.
-The first Ice Beam also partially froze Hindenberg.
-Hindenberg took exactly 35% damage this round, so he did not go over the Cap
-Sangfroidish commands next.

oh ouch.
Okay, first of all Fly into the air a little to hopefully avoid some of his attacks, then tuck away 20% energy with Stockpile. Finally, hit him with a Thunder if it's still raining, a Shadow Ball if it's not, and use Focus Energy if he's protecting or can't be hit.
If your frozenness stops you from flying, shift your actions forward.

Fly/Stockpile (20%) ~ Stockpile (20%)/Thunder/Shadow Ball ~ Thunder/Shadow Ball/Focus Energy

Ah, sorry about that! Hopefully these will be easier to follow.

For all of this round, wait for Hindenburg to move before you act. If Hindenburg uses Stockpile on the first action, Guard Swap then Thunder twice. If he manages to fly up, go with Thunder, then Guard Swap, then Thunder.

If he flew up but doesn't use Stockpile on the second action, he didn't use Stockpile or Fly on the first action, or you can't Guard Swap with him at any time, make a 10% Substitute instead.

Guard Swap / Thunder / Substitute (10) ~ Thunder / Guard Swap / Substitute (10) ~ Thunder

1 vs 1
DQ: 5 days
Damage Cap: 35%
Banned/Restricted Moves: OHKOs, Pain Split, moves that KO the user; direct recovery is restricted to 1 use in the match, and Chills are restricted to 5 uses
Arena: Santalune City

Like an emerald in the rough, this town in the center-south of Kalos glows verdant with lush grass and forest green roofs mottled with rustic pavement and ancient stone walls. The battle begins in the circular fountain plaza at the very center of the city, from which most else can be seen, including the majestic Trainer's School right across, the great Bug-Type Gym in the distance, and the tables of several small cafés and restaurants in the fountain area, although most seem dwarfed by comparison to the notable establishment atop a hill nearby.

For this round of the tournament, each trainer's Pokémon will be wearing a specified hat from the Santalune Boutique. Each hat grants its wearer the ability to use certain moves (usually three), and often adds an Ability to the wearer's current Abilities as well. After five rounds, the currently worn hats will be replaced by another set of two hats, again chosen at random. The hats' descriptions and effects are as follows:

Bamboo Sprig Hat: A round cap that closely resembles Pangoro, bringing about an aloof sense of menace for the hat seeker that's not to be messed with. Grants the moves Sky Uppercut, Crunch, and Parting Shot, along with the Scrappy ability.

Boater: A nifty straw hat that keeps the head cool in sunshine and protected in the storm, perfect for weathering a long voyage. Grants the moves Rain Dance, Hurricane, and Tailwind, along with the Swift Swim ability.

Camo Cap: A beanie that blends right into the wilderness with its military-grade motif, complete with grenades and reinforcements, enabling its wearer to move in and out of cover -- or maybe their opponent just doesn't want to be seen with someone who actually wears camo. Grants the moves Egg Bomb, Night Slash, and Attack Order, along with the Sniper ability.

Exotic Cap: A repurposed casquette with bold patterns, for those who aim to make an unusual fashion statement and also don't mind looking like they have a toadstool for a head. Grants the moves Hex, Venom Drench, and Infestation, along with the ability Effect Spore.

Fedora: A distinctive kind of hat that has been through many associations in pop culture, and we're pretending for our own sake that the most recent one is Indiana Jones. Grants the moves Rock Slide, Bulldoze, and Power Whip, along with the ability Sand Rush.

Felt Hat: A porkpie hat famously worn by a trainer that Professor Sycamore placed all of his faith in. Grants the moves Spiky Shield, Mystical Fire, and Water Shuriken.

Knit Cap: A woolly, tight-fitting beanie with which one can not only keep warm, but thrive in the cold. Grants the moves Blaze Kick, Frost Breath, and Hail, along with the ability Ice Body.

Logo Cap: A snapback with a readily recognizable sigil that's associated with the Kalos Pokémon League. Grants the moves Gyro Ball, Dragon Tail, Flame Charge, and Clamp.

Sports Cap: A polyester cap for athletic types who want to sprint and make sparks fly when the sun is out. Grants the moves Quick Attack, Acrobatics, and Electro Ball, along with the ability Unburden.

Click to expand...

Round 2

Keldeo O


Health: 77%
Energy: 85%
(Airplane Baguette) Castform [M] <Forecast> @Wise Glasses, Felt Hat
Commands: Guard Swap/Thunder/Substitute (10%) ~ Thunder/Guard Swap/Substitute (10%) ~ Thunder
Status: Worried that his coating may be cracked. Rainy Forme, Hail Disabled (3 more actions).

Sangfroidish O


Health: 65%
Energy: 83%
(Hindenburg) Drifblim [M] <Unburden x2> @Sports Cap
Commands: Fly/Stockpile (20%) ~ Stockpile (20%)/Thunder/Shadow Ball ~ Thunder/Shadow Ball/Focus Energy
Status: Already aching beneath his icy prison. Frozen (severe, ice covering most of face and front two arms).

Hindenburg, though still wobbling slightly, beat his back arms furiously and began to rise higher and higher towards the clouds, still drenching the battlefield. Water was starting to collect in the small crevices dotting his frozen façade, gradually adding more and more to his weight and instability. As he left the crowds behind, the wind picked up, and he had to work even harder to remain within the confines of the arena in the blistery conditions. Still, he held fast, feeling a bit of relief to see Baguette as a speck below. The Castform was not at all worried. Tilting upwards to face Hindenburg, Baguette shrieked his warbling cry, a plea to the heavens. Again, a moment of silence followed, the anticipation of crowd building like the moisture upon their heads. Then, with a resounding crack, a bolt of lightning descended from the cumulonimbus ceiling. Hindenburg, though high above the ground, could do nothing to block attacks from the towering clouds. The bolt surged through his elastic form, treating him like a circuit board. The pain was immense, but a few shards of ice broke off from Hindenburg’s front, cascading to the cobblestone below.

Hindenburg was already starting to feel faint from battling against the gale, and now his trainer was asking him to relinquish some energy to be used later. He gritted his figurative teeth at the commands. Sucking energy out of his own form, he utilized the complex gas transfer system within his bulbous figure to store a mass of vitality, a pulsating orb of pure power resting inside his body. The oscillating sphere displaced a large amount of buoyant vapors, sending them towards his rubbery skin. The gases weaseled their way into his violet coating, inflating it more and effectively giving him another layer of protection. Still, he was starting to sink slowly, pushed down by the incessant drizzle and coaxed by his own building exhaustion.

Yet, this added layer of protection was incredibly short lived. Seeing Hindenburg start to descend by the slimmest of margins, Baguette took his chance. Not actually able to see Hindenburg perform a move, he was taking an educated guess as to when to act. He hit the nail right on the head. He burst into the Drifblim’s mind (a gloomy and mysterious landscape), and quickly formed a telepathic connection between Hindenburg’s brain and his own. Baguette sensed Hindenburg’s new found confidence resulting from the gaseous barrier, and quickly snatched it away. No self-assurance for him! As he did this, he played around with Hindenburg’s wiring a bit before he could stop Baguette. The Castform was just able to trigger Hindenburg’s gas valves before he was mentally thrust aside. A faint hiss could be heard as fluids spurted out of Hindenburg, dispersing in the miserable air. The Drifblim, though still carrying his energy ball, was again defenseless. Baguette, on the other hand, was feeling arrogant after the brain-bridge, ready to take on the world.

The world had quite a serving for Baguette next. Eager to start turning the battle around, Hindenburg bellowed again, a sound that reverberated through the entire plaza, even from the imposing height. Another electric dagger plunged from the clouds, zapping the Castform ceremoniously. Still, this blast hurt a fair bit less than the last, though Baguette would have much preferred zero electricity in this instance. Baguette responded with the same attack. Another scream at the heavens followed by another jagged beam that made Hindenburg appear as a lightbulb for an instant. More pieces of ice were dislodged; the Drifblim’s front was starting to clear. Around the arena, law enforcement officers were nervously pacing and consulting, each of them worried for the safety of the patrons in such a storm. Alas, with each potentially fatal bolt of electricity, the accompanying cheer from the crowd matched the thunderclap in volume. The police decided that, for now, interfering would not be helpful.

End of Round 2

Keldeo O


Health: 62%
Energy: 66%
(Airplane Baguette) Castform [M] <Forecast> @Wise Glasses, Felt Hat
Status: Happy with the carnage being wreaked. Rainy Forme, Defense +2, Special Defense +2.

Sangfroidish O


Health: 30% [CAPPED]
Energy: 49%
(Hindenburg) Drifblim [M] <Unburden x2> @Sports Cap
Status: Dejected. Frozen (moderate, ice lightly covering most of face and front two arms), Flying, Stockpiled 20% energy.

Arena Notes:
-It is raining (4 more actions).

Ref Notes:
-I had no issue with Hindenburg flying. He’s a ghost, he has ooky-spooky power to help him up.
-Still, he had to expend a little extra energy to get up in his condition, and he is using energy every turn he stays aloft so high.
-Stockpile’s description in the db is quite vague. That means… interesting prose.
-I have a 20% Stockpile increasing Defense and Special Defense by 2 stages each.
-Adding a Guard Swap into that made the writing even better!
-Guard Swap still hit the flying Hindenburg because it’s a mental move.
-Hindenburg hit the Damage Cap on the third action.
-The passage of time combined with two powerful Thunders caused the severity of Hindenburg’s freezing to decrease
-Hail was no longer disabled after the third action.
-I totally forgot last round, not that it mattered, but 3 rounds until hat change.
-Keldeo commands next.

All right Baguette, you've done well so far. For this round, close your eyes as soon as possible, and keep them closed to avoid Hypnosis and Confuse Ray, unless you absolutely need to open them to aim something. Once you've done that, Hex it up. If you can't do that, use Weather Ball. If you can't do either, or he's unhittable besides Substitute and Double Team, Chill. Also Chill on the last action if you've Hexed him twice successfully.

Hex / Weather Ball / Chill x3

Okay, so being in the sky is doing us no favours. Let's Fly down and bonk him on the face; try to hit him with your nice hard frozen bits for some extra force, and see if maybe you can smash them free in the process. Then we need to Swallow that energy if we're going to hang around much longer. Finally, take advantage of the rain with another Thunder.

Fly ~ Swallow ~ Thunder

1 vs 1
DQ: 5 days
Damage Cap: 35%
Banned/Restricted Moves: OHKOs, Pain Split, moves that KO the user; direct recovery is restricted to 1 use in the match, and Chills are restricted to 5 uses
Arena: Santalune City

Like an emerald in the rough, this town in the center-south of Kalos glows verdant with lush grass and forest green roofs mottled with rustic pavement and ancient stone walls. The battle begins in the circular fountain plaza at the very center of the city, from which most else can be seen, including the majestic Trainer's School right across, the great Bug-Type Gym in the distance, and the tables of several small cafés and restaurants in the fountain area, although most seem dwarfed by comparison to the notable establishment atop a hill nearby.

For this round of the tournament, each trainer's Pokémon will be wearing a specified hat from the Santalune Boutique. Each hat grants its wearer the ability to use certain moves (usually three), and often adds an Ability to the wearer's current Abilities as well. After five rounds, the currently worn hats will be replaced by another set of two hats, again chosen at random. The hats' descriptions and effects are as follows:

Bamboo Sprig Hat: A round cap that closely resembles Pangoro, bringing about an aloof sense of menace for the hat seeker that's not to be messed with. Grants the moves Sky Uppercut, Crunch, and Parting Shot, along with the Scrappy ability.

Boater: A nifty straw hat that keeps the head cool in sunshine and protected in the storm, perfect for weathering a long voyage. Grants the moves Rain Dance, Hurricane, and Tailwind, along with the Swift Swim ability.

Camo Cap: A beanie that blends right into the wilderness with its military-grade motif, complete with grenades and reinforcements, enabling its wearer to move in and out of cover -- or maybe their opponent just doesn't want to be seen with someone who actually wears camo. Grants the moves Egg Bomb, Night Slash, and Attack Order, along with the Sniper ability.

Exotic Cap: A repurposed casquette with bold patterns, for those who aim to make an unusual fashion statement and also don't mind looking like they have a toadstool for a head. Grants the moves Hex, Venom Drench, and Infestation, along with the ability Effect Spore.

Fedora: A distinctive kind of hat that has been through many associations in pop culture, and we're pretending for our own sake that the most recent one is Indiana Jones. Grants the moves Rock Slide, Bulldoze, and Power Whip, along with the ability Sand Rush.

Felt Hat: A porkpie hat famously worn by a trainer that Professor Sycamore placed all of his faith in. Grants the moves Spiky Shield, Mystical Fire, and Water Shuriken.

Knit Cap: A woolly, tight-fitting beanie with which one can not only keep warm, but thrive in the cold. Grants the moves Blaze Kick, Frost Breath, and Hail, along with the ability Ice Body.

Logo Cap: A snapback with a readily recognizable sigil that's associated with the Kalos Pokémon League. Grants the moves Gyro Ball, Dragon Tail, Flame Charge, and Clamp.

Sports Cap: A polyester cap for athletic types who want to sprint and make sparks fly when the sun is out. Grants the moves Quick Attack, Acrobatics, and Electro Ball, along with the ability Unburden.

Click to expand...

Round 3

Keldeo O


Health: 62%
Energy: 66%
(Airplane Baguette) Castform [M] <Forecast> @Wise Glasses, Felt Hat
Commands: Hex/Weather Ball/Chill x3
Status: Happy with the carnage being wreaked. Rainy Forme, Defense +2, Special Defense +2.

Sangfroidish O


Health: 30%
Energy: 49%
(Hindenburg) Drifblim [M] <Unburden x2> @Sports Cap
Commands: Fly ~ Swallow ~ Thunder
Status: Dejected. Frozen (moderate, ice lightly covering most of face and front two arms), Flying, Stockpiled 20% energy.

Hindenburg eyed the foreboding clouds; hiding up here wasn’t doing a lot of good. It looked like it was about time for him to return to the terrestrial plane. Succumbing to gravity, he let his icy mask angle towards the ground, and tucked his arms as best he could against his sides. Now aerodynamic, he spiralled to the earth, managing to keep Baguette in his sights. Like a purple missile he dropped, a bull’s eye upon Baguette’s raindrop head piece. The Castform looked to the heavens too late, his vision obscured by a purple blanket as he was rammed into by the encroaching Hindenburg. The Drifblim had timed the hit just perfectly, letting the hard, icy casing on his visage strike Baguette, pushing the Castform down with him. Baguette winced from the blow and tried to maintain a steady altitude as Hindenburg’s weight continued to drag them to the cobblestone. Finally, Hindeburg dislodged, shaking a few more shards of ice from his skin.

Baguette was a bit shaken up, but a quick look at his opponent revitalized him a bit. Hindenburg was clearly lagging a bit. His rubbery outer layer was starting to wear in some places, the lightning bolts called down had given him some charred patches. As it stood, Baguette still had the upper hand, and he wasn’t going to take his metaphorical foot off of the gas. Shaking a few frost particles off of his shell, he cackled, grabbing Hindenburg’s attention. From there, Baguette began to recite a sinister chant, containing words of some arcane language that none could comprehend. The incantation started to pick up speed as Baguette bobbed up and down in the air, unblinking and staring at his opponent. From the earth came a few plum tendrils, ethereal and wispy. These tendrils quickly wrapped themselves around Hindenburg, and before the Drifblim could try and escape, they began to slip through the tiny crevices in his body, infiltrating his gas cavity and his mind. As well, some shadow arms chose to merely wrap Hindenburg, squeezing him and producing an unidentifiable sulfurous gas. Hindenburg felt his vision blur as he lost all of his internal vapors at the same time as the pain centres in his brain were flicked to their highest setting. Looking drunk in the air, he managed a few glances at Baguette, who looked almost bored. He had to do something.

Of course, he had his trump card. Barely able to stay off of the ground, Hindenburg had an epiphany. Almost forgotten about was the pulsating pure energy sphere inside his main chamber. That would help him get back on even terms. Reabsorbing some air to refill his body, he took a massive gulp and downed the ball of energy, the power vitality dispersing in his gullet and spreading out through his body. He felt his head clear, his arms loosen up slightly, and the nicks and scratches all over his body start to seal at a remarkable rate. After the few euphoric seconds, Hindenburg was by no means totally healed, but he at least had his confidence back. This pride was short lived as more malicious claws sprang from the earth and shook the Drifblim about again. Baguette had kept his curse much quieter this time, providing a nice element of surprise.

Hindenburg was feeling a break coming on, but his trainer was relentless. He supposed he would get a break after the battle was done. Without looking he could hear the continued mess in the storms above, tumultuous as they were indecisive. The thunder was booming, and Hindenburg quite liked the sound of it. So much so that after a particularly deafening bam from above, he let loose his own ear-splitting disturbance. The birds in the surrounding trees were getting no rest at all. Neither was Baguette, who was struck by a massive bolt that singed the patch of dirt below him. The Castform twitched as electric surges continued to hop around under his skin, taking visits with his internal organs. Nonetheless, Baguette was happy with what he had done, so he decided now was a good time to take a breather. Hindenburg, his internal gas-exchange working so hard, was somewhat jealous.

End of Round 3

Keldeo O


Health: 33%
Energy: 64%
(Airplane Baguette) Castform [M] <Forecast> @Wise Glasses, Felt Hat
Status: Not quite as confident as before. Rainy Forme, 4 Chills remaining, Defense +2, Special Defense +2.

Sangfroidish O


Health: 45% [CAPPED]
Energy: 39%
(Hindenburg) Drifblim [M] <Unburden x2> @Sports Cap
Status: Eagerly awaiting facial liberation. Frozen (light, ice covering bottom of face), Can no longer Direct Heal.

Arena Notes:
-It is raining (1 more action)

Ref Notes:
-Fly was a critical hit.
-I was hesitant about Hindenburg being able to control his descent enough to get the ice patch to hit Baguette, but it was a critical hit so I ran with it.
-Guard Swap is described as being all about preparedness and endurance, so the consumption of Hindenburg’s Stockpile did not take away from Baguette’s stats.
-Hindenburg hit the Damage Cap on the second action.
-As Thunder was used before Baguette moved, and Hindenburg was not instructed to interrupt, Baguette’s Chill recovered the maximum amount of energy.
-Hindenburg’s freezing bettered at the end of the round.
-2 Rounds until hat change.
-Sangfroidish commands next.

That went better than expected!
Okay, time to go all out. Use one last Thunder on the first action, then use Acrobatics twice. If he protects, use Calm Mind, and if he floats up out of reach go after him with a single-action Fly.

Thunder/Calm Mind/Fly ~ Acrobatics/Calm Mind/Fly ~ Acrobatics/Calm Mind/Fly

Alas, Baguette, I have little faith in your ability to survive both a Thunder and an Acrobatics, so we'll just be healing up this round.

Rest ~ Chill ~ Chill

1 vs 1
DQ: 5 days
Damage Cap: 35%
Banned/Restricted Moves: OHKOs, Pain Split, moves that KO the user; direct recovery is restricted to 1 use in the match, and Chills are restricted to 5 uses
Arena: Santalune City

Like an emerald in the rough, this town in the center-south of Kalos glows verdant with lush grass and forest green roofs mottled with rustic pavement and ancient stone walls. The battle begins in the circular fountain plaza at the very center of the city, from which most else can be seen, including the majestic Trainer's School right across, the great Bug-Type Gym in the distance, and the tables of several small cafés and restaurants in the fountain area, although most seem dwarfed by comparison to the notable establishment atop a hill nearby.

For this round of the tournament, each trainer's Pokémon will be wearing a specified hat from the Santalune Boutique. Each hat grants its wearer the ability to use certain moves (usually three), and often adds an Ability to the wearer's current Abilities as well. After five rounds, the currently worn hats will be replaced by another set of two hats, again chosen at random. The hats' descriptions and effects are as follows:

Bamboo Sprig Hat: A round cap that closely resembles Pangoro, bringing about an aloof sense of menace for the hat seeker that's not to be messed with. Grants the moves Sky Uppercut, Crunch, and Parting Shot, along with the Scrappy ability.

Boater: A nifty straw hat that keeps the head cool in sunshine and protected in the storm, perfect for weathering a long voyage. Grants the moves Rain Dance, Hurricane, and Tailwind, along with the Swift Swim ability.

Camo Cap: A beanie that blends right into the wilderness with its military-grade motif, complete with grenades and reinforcements, enabling its wearer to move in and out of cover -- or maybe their opponent just doesn't want to be seen with someone who actually wears camo. Grants the moves Egg Bomb, Night Slash, and Attack Order, along with the Sniper ability.

Exotic Cap: A repurposed casquette with bold patterns, for those who aim to make an unusual fashion statement and also don't mind looking like they have a toadstool for a head. Grants the moves Hex, Venom Drench, and Infestation, along with the ability Effect Spore.

Fedora: A distinctive kind of hat that has been through many associations in pop culture, and we're pretending for our own sake that the most recent one is Indiana Jones. Grants the moves Rock Slide, Bulldoze, and Power Whip, along with the ability Sand Rush.

Felt Hat: A porkpie hat famously worn by a trainer that Professor Sycamore placed all of his faith in. Grants the moves Spiky Shield, Mystical Fire, and Water Shuriken.

Knit Cap: A woolly, tight-fitting beanie with which one can not only keep warm, but thrive in the cold. Grants the moves Blaze Kick, Frost Breath, and Hail, along with the ability Ice Body.

Logo Cap: A snapback with a readily recognizable sigil that's associated with the Kalos Pokémon League. Grants the moves Gyro Ball, Dragon Tail, Flame Charge, and Clamp.

Sports Cap: A polyester cap for athletic types who want to sprint and make sparks fly when the sun is out. Grants the moves Quick Attack, Acrobatics, and Electro Ball, along with the ability Unburden.

Click to expand...

Round 4

Keldeo O


Health: 33%
Energy: 64%
(Airplane Baguette) Castform [M] <Forecast> @Wise Glasses, Felt Hat
Commands: Rest ~ Chill x2
Status: Not quite as confident as before. Rainy Forme, 4 Chills remaining, Defense +2, Special Defense +2.

Sangfroidish O


Health: 45%
Energy: 37%
(Hindenburg) Drifblim [M] <Unburden x2> @Sports Cap
Commands: Thunder/Calm Mind/Fly ~ Acrobatics/Calm Mind/Fly x2
Status: Eagerly awaiting facial liberation. Frozen (light, ice covering bottom of face), Can no longer Direct Heal.

Hindenburg, sharp as he was, realized that the rain was starting to subside. Peering upwards, he saw a few gaps in the clouds developing. Unfazed, he knew he had to milk the weather for all it was worth. Sucking the last charges out of the lightening clouds, he called down a last electric crash, a brilliant white rod connecting the skies to the tip of Baguette’s raindrop. Baguette gasped as a result, his few muscles burning, the electric assault taking quite a toll. Drenched in agony, Baguette panicked slightly as he felt his torso tighten up, the muscles finally giving way. Though he rarely utilized his physical prowess, instantly he felt the effects sink in as he fell downwards. Gritting his teeth, he steadied himself, bending but not breaking to the will of gravity.

Still a bit shocked (physically and mentally), Baguette was relieved that he was now allowed to take a rest break. He shut his eyes, and blue light seemed to ooze from his pores, wrapping his form. In seconds, he had descended into a deep slumber, no attacks now strong enough to interrupt his artificial sleep. The audience watched in awe as the cracks and dents imprinted on his glassy form seemed to melt away into the aether. Baguette’s transformation was far from over, however. As he entered the land of dream, the last few drops of rain hit the earth. The crowd gave a hesitant cheer, knowing the last time the weather had changed it had not been for the better. This time their vocalization was justified; the clouds began to disperse. In their wake, the sun shone again, and Santalune became beautiful again. In response, Baguette’s stained coating liquefied, a last smattering of water hitting the ground as the melted armor disappeared completely. Left was Baguette in his regular form, his nifty red hat now uncovered.

With nothing to stand in his way, Hindenburg was prepared to give it his all. Sadly, he was still being weighed down by his frosty face paint, and there was nothing he could do about it but wait it out. Bobbing towards his stationary opponent, he began to execute a well-rehearsed gymnastic routine, containing a lot more paragliding than many other Pokemon may have used. Still, he missed a few moves, his balance thrown off, albeit slightly. Throughout the number he delivered sweeping blows across Baguette’s stoic face. After a particularly wobbly flip he missed one whap entirely, the momentum of his arms sending him spinning uncontrollably. Still, he managed to stay fairly in control, and the result was a new collection of bruises on Baguette’s form to replace the ones he was trying to heal. Lost in sleep, he worried about nothing, merely working to be ready to battle again.

Hindenburg was determined to get it right this time, knowing that practice makes perfect. This time as he went into the section of his performance with the more complicated manoeuvres, he applied some prior knowledge. Taking into account his lack of balance, he compensated and got the blow he had missed to his Baguette square upon the face. Happier than a few moments earlier, Hindenburg moved backwards and tilted his face towards the newly reappeared sun, aching for the ice to disappear. He knew he was so close. His opponent took a few more seconds to recompose himself. Then, in a flash, his sleep was broken. His eyes flicked open, ready to get the party started for a second time, though still quite tired even after his power nap. He was enthused to feel his muscles acting just as they were supposed to again. He was going to have to operate at full capacity to win this.

End of Round 4

Keldeo O


Health: 80% [CAPPED]
Energy: 43%
(Airplane Baguette) Castform [M] <Forecast> @Wise Glasses, Felt Hat
Status: Not as healthy as he would have hoped. 2 Chills remaining, Can no longer Direct Heal, Defense +2, Special Defense +2.

Sangfroidish O


Health: 45%
Energy: 17%
(Hindenburg) Drifblim [M] <Unburden x2> @Sports Cap
Status: Dog-tired. Frozen (light, ice covering bottom of face), Can no longer Direct Heal.

Arena Notes:
-N/A

Ref Notes:
-Hindenburg started the round with 2% less energy, after I saw that Swallow does in fact cost energy
-Thunder paralyzed, but the condition was quickly healed by Rest
-I didn’t consider the hats as held items for the sake of Acrobatics
-I took a smidgeon of damage off of the first Acrobatics due to the imbalance caused by Hindenburg’s freezing
-However, that meant he could adjust, so Hindenburg took no such penalty the second time he used the move
-With Rest inducing such a deep sleep, Chills couldn’t be interrupted
-Baguette hit the Damage Cap on the third action
-1 round until hats switch!
-Keldeo commands next

Hohohoho. It's all going according to plan! Baguette, start with a Future Sight, then Shadow Ball twice. If you are unable to use Shadow Ball, or you don't think you can hit him with it, switch to Ice Beam; sweep the latter if there are clones. If he is completely unhittable, bar Substitute, or you can't use either Shadow Ball or Ice Beam, Chill out.

Future Sight ~ Shadow Ball / Ice Beam / Chill x2

Damnit, I knew that Rest was coming. :P

We're kinda hosed here, Hindy old friend. It's time to resort to desperate, utterly futile survival tactics. Minimise twice, then Chill.

Minimise ~ Minimise ~ Chill

1 vs 1
DQ: 5 days
Damage Cap: 35%
Banned/Restricted Moves: OHKOs, Pain Split, moves that KO the user; direct recovery is restricted to 1 use in the match, and Chills are restricted to 5 uses
Arena: Santalune City

Like an emerald in the rough, this town in the center-south of Kalos glows verdant with lush grass and forest green roofs mottled with rustic pavement and ancient stone walls. The battle begins in the circular fountain plaza at the very center of the city, from which most else can be seen, including the majestic Trainer's School right across, the great Bug-Type Gym in the distance, and the tables of several small cafés and restaurants in the fountain area, although most seem dwarfed by comparison to the notable establishment atop a hill nearby.

For this round of the tournament, each trainer's Pokémon will be wearing a specified hat from the Santalune Boutique. Each hat grants its wearer the ability to use certain moves (usually three), and often adds an Ability to the wearer's current Abilities as well. After five rounds, the currently worn hats will be replaced by another set of two hats, again chosen at random. The hats' descriptions and effects are as follows:

Bamboo Sprig Hat: A round cap that closely resembles Pangoro, bringing about an aloof sense of menace for the hat seeker that's not to be messed with. Grants the moves Sky Uppercut, Crunch, and Parting Shot, along with the Scrappy ability.

Boater: A nifty straw hat that keeps the head cool in sunshine and protected in the storm, perfect for weathering a long voyage. Grants the moves Rain Dance, Hurricane, and Tailwind, along with the Swift Swim ability.

Camo Cap: A beanie that blends right into the wilderness with its military-grade motif, complete with grenades and reinforcements, enabling its wearer to move in and out of cover -- or maybe their opponent just doesn't want to be seen with someone who actually wears camo. Grants the moves Egg Bomb, Night Slash, and Attack Order, along with the Sniper ability.

Exotic Cap: A repurposed casquette with bold patterns, for those who aim to make an unusual fashion statement and also don't mind looking like they have a toadstool for a head. Grants the moves Hex, Venom Drench, and Infestation, along with the ability Effect Spore.

Fedora: A distinctive kind of hat that has been through many associations in pop culture, and we're pretending for our own sake that the most recent one is Indiana Jones. Grants the moves Rock Slide, Bulldoze, and Power Whip, along with the ability Sand Rush.

Felt Hat: A porkpie hat famously worn by a trainer that Professor Sycamore placed all of his faith in. Grants the moves Spiky Shield, Mystical Fire, and Water Shuriken.

Knit Cap: A woolly, tight-fitting beanie with which one can not only keep warm, but thrive in the cold. Grants the moves Blaze Kick, Frost Breath, and Hail, along with the ability Ice Body.

Logo Cap: A snapback with a readily recognizable sigil that's associated with the Kalos Pokémon League. Grants the moves Gyro Ball, Dragon Tail, Flame Charge, and Clamp.

Sports Cap: A polyester cap for athletic types who want to sprint and make sparks fly when the sun is out. Grants the moves Quick Attack, Acrobatics, and Electro Ball, along with the ability Unburden.

Click to expand...

Round 5

Keldeo O


Health: 80%
Energy: 43%
(Airplane Baguette) Castform [M] <Forecast> @Wise Glasses, Felt Hat
Commands: Future Sight ~ Shadow Ball/Ice Beam/Chill x2
Status: Not as healthy as he would have hoped. 2 Chills remaining, Can no longer Direct Heal, Defense +2, Special Defense +2.

Sangfroidish O


Health: 45%
Energy: 17%
(Hindenburg) Drifblim [M] <Unburden x2> @Sports Cap
Commands: Minimise x2 ~ Chill
Status: Dog-tired. Frozen (light, ice covering bottom of face), Can no longer Direct Heal.

Hindenburg was starting to feel as if his back was against the wall. He was used to being exhausted in battles, but not when his opponent looked to still be in such good spirits. Still, he had the faithful fans in the crowd continuing to pull for him. He knew he couldn’t let them down. Suddenly, a hissing noise began to resonate in the plaza. Looking towards Hindenburg, all could see his normally taut skin starting to loosen, losing its buoyancy and beginning to droop. If one peered closely enough, nearly transparent vapors were flooding out of Hindenburg, lightening him. However, shrinking was not something that was taking place very effectively. While much of Hindenburg’s body began to decrease in size, the chunk of ice still embedded into his face was unaffected. Therefore, following the completion of his attack, the Drifblim was quite a sight to behold. He had curled up his arms around his sagging body, which now rested in the area like a rubbery sac. Still, a good chunk of his face was attached to the ice, leaving a fair portion of his skin stretched away from the dwindled mass, still fully extended over the ice patch. The sight was almost gruesome.

Baguette was a bit unnerved, but he quickly regained his composure. Ducking into the confines of his mind, he began to probe much faster than the flow of time would regularly allow. Soon, scenes began to appear in his head, hazy and unclear. They almost appeared like memories, though in reality they were glimpses towards events that had not yet occurred. Finally, Baguette was able to hone in a clear one, a fragment that was undeniably related to the battle. Not letting it go, Baguette released a blast of psychic energy that went…nowhere. Hindenburg, in a perpetual state of panic, was nonetheless confused by Baguette’s lack of action. The Castform returned to his corporeal state and merely looked around, not looking to be attacking any more this action. Hindenburg was happy to see it, but his fury was starting to bubble over. He pushed even more gases out of his system, causing him to feel faint, and yet the ice patch that had so cursed him refused to shrink with him. It was like a gigantic zit, forever calling attention to itself. He practically pleaded with the sun, hoping for some solar magic.

Baguette was certainly not complaining. He began to form a sloshing ball of violet energy, wisps of pure ghost-essence wafting off as he fought to control the mass. Soon, the sphere before him was larger than he, flickering and undulating in the air. Just looking at it gave some of the audience members chills. Aiming at the large, floating, piece of ice, Baguette let his attack loose. The orb hurtled through the air towards Sangfroidish’s side of the field, Where Hindenburg desperately tried to haul his icy cargo out of the way. He was unsuccessful. The ball careened into him, throwing him backwards like an elastic band, helpless in his unstructured state to control his trajectory. The blast pushed him almost past the ropes around the battleground. He shook his deflated head, which was quickly developing one hell of a migraine, and with glee realized that the Shadow Ball had dislodged the ice chunk. He was free! Below, he could see the last remnants of the frost shattered upon the cobblestone, cooking in the rays.

Hindenburg finally was given a few seconds to rest. He had never thought less of complaining in his life. Focusing only on staying aloft, he began to let himself drift carelessly in the breeze again, lounging on air. That was what he needed. Sadly, Baguette was not in the mood for a break. He wanted to battle and battle hard. Now it was going to be a bit more difficult with his opponent all of a sudden the size of a golf ball. Still, he readied another globe of malevolent energy, the echoes of some cackling spirit starting to ring in Baguette’s ears. Gritting his teeth, he made the ball trump him in size again, and launched it at his shrunken opponent. Again, his aim was true. Hindenburg tried to whizz out of the way, but the ball still struck him and enveloped him in the energy. When it passed, the crowd could see Hindenburg start to get closer and closer to the ground, his flying ability starting to disappear as he edged closer and closer to unconsciousness.

When the referee blew the whistle to end the round, rather than simply back away and let the Pokemon converse with their trainers, he quickly jogged forward, rummaging in his back. Plucking the fashion statement off of Baguette’s head, he decided on a rugged looking adventurer hat, brown and wide brimmed. Slotting it over the Castform’s head, he turned towards Hindenburg, scratching his head. Searching the most obscure pockets of his knapsack, he finally located the pocket filled with hats generally reserved for Weedles and Wurmples and the like. Going with the first he found, the head of a Pangoro came to cover Hindenburg’s tuft, replacing the baseball cap the referee removed. Now, with new outfits to sport, the Pokemon could prepare for the next round.

End of Round 5

Keldeo O


Health: 80%
Energy: 26%
(Airplane Baguette) Castform [M] <Forecast> @Wise Glasses, Fedora
Status: Keeping a close eye on Mini-Hindenburg. 2 Chills remaining, Can no longer Direct Heal, Defense +2, Special Defense +2.

Sangfroidish O


Health: 17%
Energy: 23%
(Hindenburg) Drifblim [M] <Unburden x2> @Bamboo Sprig Hat
Status: Slightly intimidated by the giants surrounding him. Evasiveness +4, Can no longer Direct Heal, 4 Chills remaining.

Arena Notes:
-N/A

Ref Notes:
-Future Sight will hit at the end of the next action
-Minimise didn’t work properly due to the freezing. I reffed it as one point of evasion each, rather than two. This reverted back to two each once the freezing finished
-On that note, I ref evasion boosts as taking 10% off of the accuracy of moves used for each point of evasion gained
-Still on that note, Hindenburg’s first Minimise will wear off in two actions, the second will wear off in three
-The first Shadow Ball was a critical hit
-Baguette received the Fedora
-Hindenburg received the Bamboo Sprig Hat
-Sangfroidish commands next

Yup, we're done here. Even if we weren't on the dregs of our health and energy, we just can't compete with that level of euphoria.

Okay, we do have one last desperate hope, and that's getting rid of his energy! Try to put him to sleep with Hypnosis and then use Dream Eater to steal it from him. We're going to need it to hit first time, because if it misses he can just Shock Wave and we're out of here, so we better hope the RNG gods aren't going to be as fickle as they were this round. If he's protecting, just Chill.

Hypnosis/Chill ~ Dream Eater (energy)/Hypnosis/Chill ~ Dream Eater (energy)/Hypnosis/Chill

Close your eyes as soon as possible to avoid that Hypnosis, then give him a Clear Smog to make sure Future Sight hits. If that doesn't finish him, use Shock Wave until he faints, keeping your eyes closed. If you're asleep for some reason, Chill, or do nothing if you're all out of Chills.

Clear Smog / Chill ~ Shock Wave / Chill x2

1 vs 1
DQ: 5 days
Damage Cap: 35%
Banned/Restricted Moves: OHKOs, Pain Split, moves that KO the user; direct recovery is restricted to 1 use in the match, and Chills are restricted to 5 uses
Arena: Santalune City

Like an emerald in the rough, this town in the center-south of Kalos glows verdant with lush grass and forest green roofs mottled with rustic pavement and ancient stone walls. The battle begins in the circular fountain plaza at the very center of the city, from which most else can be seen, including the majestic Trainer's School right across, the great Bug-Type Gym in the distance, and the tables of several small cafés and restaurants in the fountain area, although most seem dwarfed by comparison to the notable establishment atop a hill nearby.

For this round of the tournament, each trainer's Pokémon will be wearing a specified hat from the Santalune Boutique. Each hat grants its wearer the ability to use certain moves (usually three), and often adds an Ability to the wearer's current Abilities as well. After five rounds, the currently worn hats will be replaced by another set of two hats, again chosen at random. The hats' descriptions and effects are as follows:

Bamboo Sprig Hat: A round cap that closely resembles Pangoro, bringing about an aloof sense of menace for the hat seeker that's not to be messed with. Grants the moves Sky Uppercut, Crunch, and Parting Shot, along with the Scrappy ability.

Boater: A nifty straw hat that keeps the head cool in sunshine and protected in the storm, perfect for weathering a long voyage. Grants the moves Rain Dance, Hurricane, and Tailwind, along with the Swift Swim ability.

Camo Cap: A beanie that blends right into the wilderness with its military-grade motif, complete with grenades and reinforcements, enabling its wearer to move in and out of cover -- or maybe their opponent just doesn't want to be seen with someone who actually wears camo. Grants the moves Egg Bomb, Night Slash, and Attack Order, along with the Sniper ability.

Exotic Cap: A repurposed casquette with bold patterns, for those who aim to make an unusual fashion statement and also don't mind looking like they have a toadstool for a head. Grants the moves Hex, Venom Drench, and Infestation, along with the ability Effect Spore.

Fedora: A distinctive kind of hat that has been through many associations in pop culture, and we're pretending for our own sake that the most recent one is Indiana Jones. Grants the moves Rock Slide, Bulldoze, and Power Whip, along with the ability Sand Rush.

Felt Hat: A porkpie hat famously worn by a trainer that Professor Sycamore placed all of his faith in. Grants the moves Spiky Shield, Mystical Fire, and Water Shuriken.

Knit Cap: A woolly, tight-fitting beanie with which one can not only keep warm, but thrive in the cold. Grants the moves Blaze Kick, Frost Breath, and Hail, along with the ability Ice Body.

Logo Cap: A snapback with a readily recognizable sigil that's associated with the Kalos Pokémon League. Grants the moves Gyro Ball, Dragon Tail, Flame Charge, and Clamp.

Sports Cap: A polyester cap for athletic types who want to sprint and make sparks fly when the sun is out. Grants the moves Quick Attack, Acrobatics, and Electro Ball, along with the ability Unburden.

Click to expand...

Round 6

Keldeo O


Health: 80%
Energy: 26%
(Airplane Baguette) Castform [M] <Forecast> @Wise Glasses, Fedora
Commands: Clear Smog/Chill ~ Shock Wave/Chill x2
Status: Keeping a close eye on Mini-Hindenburg. 2 Chills remaining, Can no longer Direct Heal, Defense +2, Special Defense +2.

Sangfroidish O


Health: 17%
Energy: 23%
(Hindenburg) Drifblim [M] <Unburden> @Bamboo Sprig Hat
Commands: Hypnosis/Chill ~ Dream Eater/Hypnosis/Chill x2
Status: Slightly intimidated by the giants surrounding him. Evasiveness +4, Can no longer Direct Heal, 4 Chills remaining.

Baguette advanced from his consultation with Keldeo and immediately shut his eyes. Hindenburg had yet to even evaluate the strategy his trainer had set for him before Baguette blocked him out. The Drifblim began to sweat some charcoal vapor, he was tense. If he couldn’t see Baguette, there wasn’t much he could do. Still, he trained his gaze on the Castform and brought his eyes to a glow, the colour change minute and hardly visible. He kept the gaze trained on Baguette as long as he could, hoping that maybe the Castform would open up for even a second. The crowd waited with baited breath, but eventually Hindenburg had to blink, and the concentration was lost. His eyes became dull again. His plan had failed.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the distraught Hindenburg, Baguette had begun to exude a puffy, white smoke. The smog wafted slowly towards the tiny Drifblim. As it touched his skin it stung slightly, but he was hardly burning. No, the pain was not what he had to worry about. Normally he would have no issue blocking out a gas from entering his system, but this time Baguette’s smoke broke through his valves, and began to funnel into his body, sending small pangs of pain the entire way. Hindenburg, frightened beyond belief, sent his gas exchange system into overdrive, but he could do nothing to stop the steady flow. He could feel his body expanding with every passing second. As the last tendrils of smoke were either absorbed or whisked away in the wind, Hindenburg was back to full size. Towering over the blind Baguette, he had never been more afraid.

Baguette couldn’t open his eyes, but he didn’t need to. He knew exactly what he would see; he had seen it before. In his dabble with fortune-telling during the last round, he had pictured this exact moment, a Drifblim trembling in front of a Castform with eyes closed. Thus, it was the end. Hindenburg, ready to try another hypnotic routine, was caught completely off-guard. Finding a tear in the fabric of time, a gigantic orb of psychic energy materialized out of nowhere, hurtling towards Hindenburg. The immense blast drove the Drifblim into the ground, where he bounced once, then fell down against the cobblestone. All was quiet for a few seconds before Keldeo’s side of the arena erupted in cheers. Their battler had won!

Amongst the supportive roars from one side and the polite applause from Sangfroidish’s corner, Hindenburg was recalled. Keldeo rushed forward and embraced Baguette, promising a week of R&R as well, eventually returning the Castform to his Pokeball. The hats were returned to the referee, who stuffed them back into his gigantic sac. After that, the two battlers shook hands, earning equal cheers from both sides of the plaza. The referee shook each of their hands as well, before dishing out the appropriate prizes. Finally, Sangfroidish and Eta Carinae moved to the side, leaving Keldeo to take one last minute with the crowd, soaking in the well-deserved applause.

End of Round 6

Keldeo O


Health: 80%
Energy: 23%
(Airplane Baguette) Castform [M] <Forecast> @Wise Glasses, Fedora
Status: Victorious!

Sangfroidish O


Health: 0%
Energy: 21%
(Hindenburg) Drifblim [M] <Unburden> @Bamboo Sprig Hat
Status: KO’d!

Arena Notes:
-N/A

Ref Notes:
-Even though Hindenburg is significantly faster, I think it’s conceivable that Baguette would be able to simply shut his eyes before Hindenburg attacked

That’s all, folks! Keldeo is victorious and wins $20 and a Rare Candy, Sangfroidish gets $10, and I get $18. Baguette receives 2 EXP points, while Hindenburg receives 1 EXP point. Good luck in the next round, Keldeo, and better luck next time, Sangfroidish. Congratulations everybody!