#gssjudging2k21

[thegalarianstarshowcase]

Judging: Tobias

@cosmoscourge​​ Tobias! Your judging is here!

“TOBIAS!!! By Zacian I can’t believe- you’re here! You had me all worried that you wouldn’t be showing up at all! Of course you would show up under an alias and in disguise!” Spirit said as Raihan and Leon made their way back to their seats. Piper sat in silence, tears running down her cheeks.

“Please note, luv, I’m not angry with you. Not at all!” Spirit added, “That was...a lot to take in. I’m...I’m just happy you’re here. Really I’m overjoyed that you didn’t miss this!” the joy in Spirit’s voice sounds strained, but its hard to tell if he’s biting back anger at Leon still or if he’s lying over how feels seeing Unima’s former champion here.

“I had my own suspicions during our battle, but obviously I couldn’t confirm anything until the end,” Leon said as he sat down. “Granted it was hard to form a lot of thoughts during that, I felt a little like I was fighting for my life.”

“Spirit I got a question for this before we start scoring.” Raihan said as he sat down,

“Yes? What is it Raihan?”

“Can I score Ursula lower now? After seeing that in Tobias’ appeal?” Raihan asked.

“No! We’re not editing scores most of the way through!” Spirit replied. “Now sit down and do your judging!”

“Alright alright well lets get to it then! Not gonna lie, I had a little trouble keeping up with well...everything. That battle really had me on my toes the entire time! Its been a while since I’ve had that much fun!”

“We’re all glad you had a good time Raihan, but please keep focused.” Spirit said gently.

“Yeah yeah well, I liked a lot of visuals for your appeal. Being in the simulation was pretty cool! And of course being one of the ones battling you was once again, a blast. I’m scoring your aesthetics an 8 out of 10. Your story was...god everyone’s really showed us some traumatic shit tonight, but, you sir have really shown us some traumatic shit. I’m sorry for what you went through. It almost feels wrong to give you a score on it, but at the same time with the ending of the appeal...it was pretty dark man. Like dark where its kind of uncomfortable for what I did catch. So I’m giving your story an 8 out of 10 as well. My overall opinion of your appeal though is still a 10 out of 10! What you shared really took a lot of guts to do so. Not to mention I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it when I got to be in it! Kind of at least...but yeah. This makes my total score for you a 26.”

Finally, now that it is her turn to judge, Piper speaks. Well...she doesn’t speak, she laughs. A loud, booming, overjoyed laugh as she wipes the tears from her cheeks.

“I would find your appeal boring you said? I would cry from boredom you said? My my Mr. Yamekawi...or well should I said Mr. Mendellssohn? You really had me going there!” she grinned. “I am crying but... oh its from beauty, truly! To see how your hate destroyed everything around you, knowing that change is...well a sham. Goodness I think this may have been one of my favorites of the night!” 

“I admit the visuals of your appeal were incredibly impressive. The way it invaded my mind and kept my eyes on it. Not to mention you using it to hide attacks and perform an excellent finishing blow? Wonderfully done! Though it didn’t have quite the impact the other parts of your appeal did through its story and meaning. So for this I’m giving your aesthetics an 8 out of 10.  However the story you told was my personal favorite of the night. I loved viewing the darkness of your mind, and the ending? Who doesn’t love a good, dark ending, hm? For that I’m giving your story a 10 out of 10. My overall opinion of your appeal is also a 10 out of 10! This was just excellent Mr. Mendellssohn. This makes my total for you a 28!”

“I...can’t believe Piper didn’t give a single insult. Not a one.” Leon said.

“I know, I didn’t think that was possible coming from her,” Spirit replied, only for Leon to ignore him entirely. Spirit frowned.

“Fine ignore me. I don’t care.” he said.

“We’ll talk about this later Spirit. Maybe if you apologized I’d be willing to be friendlier-”

“Apologize for what? I didn’t...nevermind. Lets just wrap this shit up.” Spirit huffed.

“Alright well...I admit I do not share the same opinions when it comes to teh visuals of your appeal, Tobias. I really enjoyed our battle, but things got a little....too dark for me. I know this was something very personal for you but... I found it hard to keep engaged for a lot of it. I almost broke myself out of the illusion if I’m being quite honest. So for your aesthetics, I’m giving you a 6 out of 10.”

“You would score someone lower for bearing their soul, huh?” Spirit mumbled. Leon grit his teeth and continued to ignore him.

“However, I will acknowledge it must have taken a lot for you to share this story. Truly, thank you for coming to the Stars Showcase. Thank you for striving to get better even now. For your story I’m giving you 8 out of 10. My overall opinion of your appeal is also a 10 out of 10. The battle was fantastic still, and I wish you well on your journey of recovery, Tobias. This makes my total for you a 24.”

“You know Tobias, I should have realized it was you when you showed up in Light Yagami cosplay. How the hell did I not...I’m not going to harp on that anymore.  I think out of all the judges I liked your visuals the most! The way you build up the destroyed cave to tell your story, what you showed us you went through...the fact your pokemon kind of vored each other. It was both disturbing, and highly intriguing to watch. So for your aesthetics, I’m giving you a 9 out of 10.”

Spirit pauses there. He can’t help but feel that despite Tobias’ story being well...so personal. It was almost a targeted attack. Tobias was getting better while he was...

It took a lot of will for Spirit to keep the frown off his face. “Thank you for sharing something so...personal with us. But I think I have to echo the comfortability sentiment, so I’m giving that a 7 out of 10-”

“Spirit, I don’t think its fair to score the story lower. The visuals yes, but Tobias did just air out a lot of traumatic things to us-” Leon started.

“Its my score, Leon. I’ll do what I want with it! Besides he’s not the first person to air out some terrible trauma for them at this event. You haven’t questioned me at any other point, why start now?” Spirit scoffed. “Besides its not like you might not end up doing something similar. Imagine if I did an appeal and basically confessed I was still in love with you via it. Would you not score it lower based off of that?”

“...still in love with me? Spirit you do realize this isn’t-” Spirit was quick to cut Leon off again.

“Hypothetically jackass! Don’t fucking read too much into...never mind. Forget I even brought that up in the first place. Forget it forget it forget it! Anyway Tobyyy. My overall opinion for your appeal is going to be an 8 out of 10. I enjoyed it, I really did, but also I’m a little miffed you didn’t ask me to battle you. Of course you were probably worried about losing to me, hm~? My total score for you is also a 24.”

“You’ve earned quite the array of bonus as well, Mr. Mendellssohn. You receive a +15 for using gigantimax. A +10 for using six moves on both your pokemon, another +5 for well...making cry with the sheer beauty of your appeal, and finally a wooping +6 for winning your battle, with bonus points given from myself, Raihan, and Leon. This makes for an outstanding total of 36 bonus points! Please turn your attention to the screen for your final score!”

Total: 138 POINTS.

[thegalarianstarshowcase]

Judging: Ursula

 @heartists​​ Ursula! Your judging is here!

“Before anyone says anything I actually just want to get right to the point with this one.” Raihan said flatly. It had gotten to the point with Ursula’s appeal where he was paying more attention to the stream chat than to the actual appeal. Most of whom in the chat were also calling bullshit on this entire thing.

“I don’t buy for a single second this was for more than just clout, honestly.” Raihan continued on. “Like trust me I know what it looks like when someone does something for clout. I named my fucking Torkoal “Soup” because the stream chat chanted it.” 

“Raihan maybe we can be just a little-” Leon started to say.

“Nope. Already made up my mind on the judging I’m doing. Not changing it bro just to be nice.” he said flatly. “So first off, I don’t think this was appeal was visually interesting. The cage was kind of cool but honestly? It was just really fucking boring to look at. Not to mention that the toxic imagery was pretty cliche. Plus I’m not very into having your pokemon beat each other up for the sake of getting the point of the appeal across. Your aesthetics get a 4 out of 10 from me. The story was obviously just for pity points, and we can all see that. We didn’t need to hear you narrate your entire life story over the appeal. In fact I think i would have fucking bought your bullshit better if you didn’t say a word at all. Like the narration just made you sound even more fake. So I’m giving your story a 3 out of 10. My overall opinion for your appeal is another 4 out of 10 because yeah I didn’t fucking like it. I can’t even believe you would come out here with this fake ass shit after your own disaster of a contest.”

“For once me and Raihan completely agree. However I think Raihan is still being too generous. This right here is exactly why I believe this whole contest is a sham. Its clear people cannot change when the clear cut example is standing right in front of us. This whole horrid display shows that you, Ursula, have not changed one bit. Your little narration only meant to garner audience pity, you trying to show us how much you’ve been humbled. When in reality you were just knocked down a few pegs and can’t hope for any other way for your reputation to recover. So for all of this, Ursula. For all of this? You get a 1. That’s it, that’s the only point you get from me.” Piper scoffed.

“Its only because I can admit the cage imagery had to have some thought behind it. And because Spirit directly told me I can’t give a single person a score of zero. As much as I would love to score you absolutely nothing right now.”

“I...I knew Piper could be harsh, but Raihan? Really?” Leon said. “Me and Spirit can’t really be the only ones at the table who believe that someone can change. I know Miss Ursula here doesn’t have a clean past but are you really letting that condemn her score-”

“Actually if I could interject Leon.” Spirit said flatly. His gaze fixed on Ursula with a disappointed stare. Yet there was also something malicious behind it. Something that set Leon on edge.  “I don’t believe that everyone can change. That’s just plain naivety and I’m tired of pretending it isn’t. You may be able to bounce back every time someone ends up not being the person you thought they were. But I don’t like having to do so. Which is why I’m echoing Piper in giving Ursula a 1 for her score. Ursula, I was happy to welcome you to this contest. It was great to see you were embracing the concept of change but this and your outburst in my dressing room? It really proves to me you haven’t changed a bit since the last time I interacted with you.”

Leon frowned. That wasn’t Spirit- Spirit wouldn’t be so harsh. So calculatingly cold. Or...perhaps he would be, and Leon never had reason to see him do so until now.

″I suppose there is no way I could ask you to reconsider your scoring, Spirit?” he asked.

“No.” was Spirit’s curt reply.

“....Fine. Well Ursula, I believe you were genuine! At least where it counts. This was perhaps, after all you are trying to repent for, a bit too flashy to start off with. True redemption takes work, and I feel you have some more time to go before you’re really ready to be here announcing it to the world. Still your imagery and symbolism was well done! So I will reward your aesthetics a 7 out of 10. While I cannot relate to the story you told, I do appreciate that you were willing to tell it. Its still something deeply personal to you, that much is clear. So I’ll give you a 8 out of 10 for that category. And my overall opinion for your appeal is also an 8 out of 10. I do apologize for the other judges harsh comments...I expected it from some but certainly not others.”

“Oh put a fucking sock in it Leon.” Spirit spat

“Oh am I not allowed to say I am absolutely appalled with your behavior right now, Spirit?” Leon questioned. “You’re just- you are not like yourself! Its awful to see how you’ve been treating the contestants since we started judging again. Its like you don’t even believe in your own bloody contest anymore!”

“....Leon this is exactly why Rose could pull the wool over your fucking eyes so well,” Spirit replied. “You’re too trusting. You want to believe everyone can be a good fucking person and its wrong. Not everyone in the world can do that. Not everyone in the world is you. Hell you can be plain fucking awful sometimes yourself, you know that?”

“Spirit-”

“Don’t ‘Spirit’ me, Leon! You know its true.” he growled. “I swear its like you never looked past your own fucking nice and pretty life to realize some people can have it rougher. Some people can be fucking awful people and maybe they deserve to be. Maybe they have a bit of a right to be as cruel as the world made them. But because your life was so fucking perfect, you try and force that ideal on everyone else! Its no wonder you couldn’t see the shit Rose was doing. It’s no wonder you didn’t believe the shit he did to me-!”

Leon slams his hands on the table, a scream in his throat that refuses to come out. Before he simply stands up and walks away from the judge’s table. Spirit doesn’t go after him.

“....Please turn your attention to the board for your score, Ursula.”

Total: 36 POINTS

[thegalarianstarshowcase]

Judging: Leon Delrosa

@invictarre​ Your judging is here!

“Hold on I need a minute-!” Leon has to turn away from the camera to wipe the tears pouring down his cheeks. Spirit raises an eyebrow at Leon,

“Leo, are you...crying for your own doubles performance?” Spirit asked.

“Yes! It was just- seeing him and his Charizard's bond makes me emotional!” Leon sobbed. “It reminds me so much of Me and Charcoal!”

“I’m sure it does since that’s another version of you, ya dingus.” Spirit rolled his eyes, reaching over to hand Leon a tissue. The action forced Piper to lean back in her seat so the Champion could stretch across her. “Now blow yer bloody nose before you snot all over the table.” Leon took the tissue, blowing into it before using his sleeve to wipe his tears.

“....So can I judge this?” Leon asked. “Cause it feels like it be bias. Is it bias if I judge this? Given that’s Leon and I am also Leon-”

“Leon as much as I would love to see you have an existential crisis over this. I rather get this finished so we can continue the showcase and the other you can have his score.” Raihan interjected, “So uhhhhh other Leon? Leon 2? How do I....”

“Just call him Mr. Delrosa, Raihan.” Spirit sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. 

“That seems too formal though. I’m just going to go with Leon 2. Anyway its no mistake obviously we all like seeing your battles and shit. I think the thing you did with the mist was pretty cool to with the whole illusionary thing of you being a kid and Ms. Opal being hot-”

“RAIHAN!” Spirit shouted.

“What? She was when she was younger.” Raihan shrugged, Spirit reaching over and wacking him in the head. “Anyway, that was the thing that stuck out the most about the aesthetics side of your appeal. Everything else was just a little...meh. It wasn’t boring, but it wasn’t spectacular you know? So I’ll give your aesthetics a 7 out of 10. Though I think the story you told was pretty cool, you know all the subtle stuff about Galar’s toxic culture and how you’ve overcome it essentially-”

“Wait you actually picked up on that, Kibana?” Piper asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah Pipes. I’m not stupid.” Raihan rolled his eyes, “ANYWAY before I get interrupted again, my score for your story is an 8 out of 10. With my overall opinion of your appeal being an 8 out of 10. Its what I expected of my rival! And this makes my score for you a 23.” 

“Color me surprised, Raihan has some brains in his head.” Piper sighed. “So Mr. Delrosa, you appeal was rather stand out amongst the drabble I’ve been forced to witness here over the course of the showcase. I will give you that much. I also echo Raihan’s opinion that your visuals didn’t stand out like they could have. However, I believe I can appreciate what you and Ms. Opal did with the fae magic for your illusions much better than Raihan can. So I will reward your aesthetics with an 8 out of 10. However this is where my praises effectively stop.”

Spirit eyed Piper warily, wondering if he may have to silence her again.

“First off your story. We get it your as strong without gigantimaxing as you are with gigantimaxing. Its not exactly something new, or a great achievement. Frankly you’ve not even the first to reach such a feat. Piers has been battling without the phenomenon for years now and you don’t see him seeking out praise for it. Not to mention the fact your story looked as though you had slapped it together at the last minute during the appeal. For both your originality and lack of preparation, I’m giving you a 6 out of 10. This also reflects my overall opinion of your appeal, which I’m giving another 6 out of 10 with how uninspired it left me. This makes your total score from me a 20.”

“Spirit can we please mute her for the rest of this contest? I am tired of her negative attitude!” Leon said.

“Leon, no. I’ll stop her again if she gets too out of line, but I can’t just keep her silent for the entire thing.” Spirit said flatly. “Can you please just give your score. I want to finish sometime in this century.”

“If you wanted that maybe you should have picked a better fourth judge.” Leon said flatly. Spirit scowled at that,

“I didn’t pick her remember? Why the fuck are you being so hostile right now-”

“I apologize, Mr. Delrosa.” Leon said. “I won’t be distracted a moment longer from telling you how wonderful you did! Truly you have inspired me to be a better me! Though I do have to agree that perhaps the aesthetics of your appeal were a little lacking. Sometimes less is more, but in this case, I think the elements of battle and appeal could have been a little better blended. So for your aesthetics, I’ll give you a 7 out of 10! However I think the story you told was brilliant! I’m so proud to see how far you’ve come given...Galar and its League. Watching you and your charizard take down that Gigantimax Alcremie, how in sync you two were. It spoke volumes to me of what you’ve both been through. So your story absolutely deserves a 10 out of 10! My overall opinion for your appeal is also a 10 out of 10! I don’t think I could have done it better myself! This makes my total for you a 27!”

“Stupid fucking ‘unbeatable champion’ ass-” Spirit stopped for a moment, offering Delrosa a pleasant smile. “Sorry, Mr. Delrosa, I am obviously not referring to you. You are very pleasant. More pleasant than certain drama kings next to-”

“Drama king? I’M a DRAMA king?” Leon gasped. “How could you accuse me of-”

Spirit mutes Leon at this point. Eyebrow twitching as he looks ready to strange the chairman. “Watch yourself, Winchester. Anywho! So unlike everyone else I thought your aesthetics were simply to die for!  My only qualm is that you didn’t take the illusion aspect as far as you could have, but still I loved the use of fae magic, and I loved seeing you and Opal battle it out from when you were younger! I gotta say you were a cuter kid than Winchester over here! Overall I reward your aesthetics with a clean 9 out of 10. However, I do agree with Piper’s notion that your story was rather...slapped together I should say. I’m all for winging it, but really it all felt very...cliche. Though there’s so many of us in this timeline that battle without gigantimax anyway that I suppose it wouldn’t be that impactful hm? I’ll give your story a 6 out of 10. My overall opinion for your appeal though is still a 10 out 10 regardless! Excellent job Mr. Delrosa.”

“Their drama aside, you also have some bonuses Mr. Delrosa. It seems Spirit and Leon are like minded in one thing and both have award you 2 bonus points each for winning your battle. You also get that ridiculous making a judge cry bonus for another three points since Chairman Winchester over here sobbed like a baby. This gives you a total of 9 bonus points. Please turn your attention to the screen for your final score.”

Total: 104 POINTS

[thegalarianstarshowcase]

Judging: Feiyun

@cosmoscourge​ Feiyun! Your score is here!

“Feiyun! I think I speak for all of us when I say thank you for telling such an impactful, personal story of yours for this event. I was deeply moved by the display, and I just want to say I’m proud of you for being able to bring this story of change forward, even with how negatively it impacted you. If...I had Melia with me right now, I’d send her to you to help offer some comfort. Hell Leon is sobbing like a baby over here!”

Spirit stops for a moment, before motioning for Raihan to go on with his judging, having realized he kind of stole the dragon gym leader’s thunder. Raihan waves Spirit off, before settling his gaze on Feiyun. His rotom phone floats above his head, having caught the entire performance for his livestreams. A second rotom phone has fixed it’s camera on the judge’s table above the stadium. Raihan stands up and claps his hands, offering Feiyun a toothy grin,

“I absolutely agree with Spirit, Feiyun! Your performance was absolutely captivating. I have to admit the story you told before you started kind of lost my interest for like...a second. Just a second though. I’m draconid as well, and despite not seeming like it, I always jump at the chance to learn more about my people that I didn’t know before! I really found myself uhhhh relating is the right word i think? To despite this...huge negative change in your life you finding more parts of your culture that didn’t...make things easier but still helped. I came from Johto a long time ago and...adjusting to Galar was never easy. I wasn’t forced out though so it wasn’t really the same but finding out more about my people here helped make this place...feel like home. Anyway enough with me ramblin’. I really though the lazer mountains and the effects your moves gave made your performance stand out despite its sad, slow pace so I’m giving your aesthetics an 8 out of 10!, The story you told really resonated with me, but I admit I lost a bit of the beginning bit but you get a 9 out of 10 from me! My overall opinion of your performance though is a solid 10 out of 10! You rock, Feiyun! Seriously this is gonna be a hard opener to top i think. Your total score from me is uhh...” Raihan trails off, looking to Spirit and Leon for assistance.

“27, Raihan. Her total score from you is 27.” Leon chimes for him.

“Right! 27. Good job!”

“Right, well I think I shall go next then, right?” Piper says, leaning back in her chair. Her pen taps absentmindedly against her notebook, as she stares at Feiyun in silence. “Personally, I do not agree with Spirit, but I didn’t exactly join this to watch everyone’s deepest more interpersonal stories anyway. However I will admit, the visual aspect of your performance at least kept me entertained. So I’m awarding your aesthetics an 8 out of 10. I felt that while your story was necessary to tell before your performance, otherwise no one would have got it, it took too long to get to what everyone was really here for, so for your story telling skills I’ll give you a 6 out of 10. Overall my opinion of your performance is that it was as typically deep and moving as it could be for what you were telling, and wasn’t my cup of tea. So I will give you a 7 out of 10 for that. Making my total score for you, 21.”

Piper was sitting directly on Spirit’s right, which gave Spirit full right to slap the steel gym leader in her arm. Piper jumped, grabbing her arm, as those damnable scratches burnt at her neck once again. She growled softly, glaring at Spirit,

“What? I didn’t say I’d hold back my opinions now did I?”

“I completely disagree with Piper in every way shape and form! We’re all here to judge unbiasedly, Piper. Please try and remember that when we continue to do this.” Leon’s voice is strained, a smile on his face but a glare set on the steel type gym leader. There are noticeable tear tracks on his face, as if the Champion had to clean himself up a little before starting his judging. Piper only scoffs as Leon continues,

“Feiyun, I just want to reiterate how much it means to all of us you were willing to share this story. I know this came from a very personal place, and it takes a lot of strength to tell what you told. I thought the picture you pained was just lovely! So for your aesthetics I’m giving you an 8 out of 10! The story you told was so powerful, I find myself feeling it deserves no less than a 10 out of 10! My overall opinion of your performance is a solid 10 out of 10 as well! This makes your total score from me a 28! Congratulations, Feiyun! You’ve really brought this contest off to a strong start!”

“I couldn’t agree more, Leon! I got a bit teary eyed watching everything, and Feiyun I think this is your strongest performance yet. Though I do have...one small issue. The lazar show you put on was amazing, I won’t deny that! But it also...overloaded my senses a bit. It made it more difficult to focus on what you and your pokemon were doing. So for your aesthetics, I’m going to give you a 6 out of 10. The story you told, however, moved at least three of our judges hearts. Of course three of us aren’t made of stone!”

“Watch it Adney.” Piper hissed.

“Ah shut it you wanker.” Spirit shot back before turning his attention back to Feiyun. “For your story, I’m giving you an 8 out of 10! My overall opinion of your performance is a solid 8.5 out 10 with one and a half points docked mostly because of the...sensory issues. Otherwise I thought you did a fantastic job, and thank you so much for signing up for the showcase. This makes your total score from me a 22.5!”

“That’s not all Feiyun! We’ve got some bonus to award you to for that right baller performance! First you get 15 bonus points for Gigantimaxing! Then another 10 bonus points for all six moves being used for both of your altarias!  Finally three bonus points for getting Leon to burst like a fountain! That’s a total of 28 bonus points! Turn to the screen above for your final total score!”

Total: 126.5 POINTS

[thegalarianstarshowcase]

Judging: Piers H.

@faithverse​ Piers H. Your score is here!

″....”

″Piper? Piper are you crying?” Spirit asked, turning his attention from the empty pitch to Piper. Apparently, Piers didn’t stick around to hear his judging, but Spirit was more worried about the tears running down Piper’s cheeks. Piper didn’t seem to have realized it had happened. Piper seems to have realized what was happening and stands up, wiping the tears from her cheeks,

″Piers gets a perfect score from me. That’s all I have to say. I give him a total of 30.” 

Before anyone can protest, or at least ask Piper for her reasoning, the steel gym leader leaves the table. Likely to go take a moment to go and collect herself.

“Well way to steal my thunder, Pipes. But uhh...huh never seen her cry before I think. That was kinda weird. Anyway, so your whole performance definitely isn’t my style man. Not gonna lie I fucking zoned out the second the whole uhhh piano and ballet shit started. However the skeleton shadow bird? That was fucking sick. Sick enough that just based off of that, your aesthetics is getting a 6 out of 10 from me.”

Raihan stopped for a moment to check the stream chat again, to see what everyone else was saying,

“So uhhh I’m not really getting any story from you? Like zero at all about change or whatever. You did make a pretty cool thing for Piper but I just can’t really judge something I wasn’t interested enough to pay attention to. So for the story, I’ll give you a 5 out of 10. Overall my opinion of your performance was it was kind of cool to see you branch out? But also it was pretty boring so I’m giving you a 7 out of 10. This makes your total from me 18.” 

“I can’t believe Piper actually gave someone a perfect score...” Leon says, still sitting a little shell shocked. Raihan elbows him and clears his throat,

“Oh uh...right my scores. Ah...sorry give me a minute.” Leon clears his throat, grabbing his notes to scribble some things down, “So for your aesthetics, I’ll give you a 7 out of 10. I apologize but it really isn’t my taste with what you did, though it was still impressive! Then for your story I’ll give you a 6 out of 10 because I didn’t exactly...understand what you were changing? Or that any change at all had happened? This event isn’t exactly for love declarations after all, Piers. Though good on you I suppose, mate. My over all opinion for your performance is 8 out of 10! This would make my total for you 25!”

“Wow I can’t believe I’m saying this to you of all people, but Piers that was beautiful? Like actually beautiful? I’m kind of fucking pissed about it actually.” Spirit said flatly, staring in shock and awe. How come he didn’t get love declarations like that? 

“The imagery and what you managed to do with the pokemon you used, especially the skeletal bird, was fantastic. I give your aesthetics an 8 out of 10. Using the theme to not talk about a change, but how you would change for someone you loved is also rather clever story telling wise, which gets a 9 out of 10 from me. However, I don’t like you, and I despite how beautiful and brilliant I can admit your performance was? I hated it. I absolutely detested it. So for my overall opinion of your performance, you get a 6 out of 10 from me. Which makes your total from me a 23.”

“Spirit don’t you think its hard to judge the final portion based off how much you like someone?” Leon asked.

“Shut up, Winchester. I never promised to be permanently unbiased. Now Piers if you turn your attention to the screen- oh right fuck he wasn’t here to hear me roast him GOD DAMN IT-”

“You’re forgetting the 3 bonus points for making a judge cry,” Piper says as she returns to the table. “Given he did...get me to cry the bastard.”

“Actually its 5 bonus points for getting you to cry.” Spirit laughed,

“Why am I 5?”

“Because its you Piper.”

“...Fair enough. Pierson’s total score will now be displayed on the screen. Not that he cares about it.”

Total: 97 POINTS

[thegalarianstarshowcase]

Judging: Mothy

@steeloblige​ Your judging is here!

Once Raihan and Leon had assured that Mothy and his pokemon were alright, they had both made their way back to the judge’s table. There was still an air of tenseness, an air of anxiety about both judges. As if both were trying to ignore the Copperajah in the room.

“I have to say that this was a fantastic appeal Mothy.” Leon’s grin is shaky, almost as if he’s trying to cover up the anxiety of what he had just witnessed. Even worse is that he’s doing so poorly. Spirit still hasn’t returned to the judges table either. If he had, Leon would be giving him an earful right now.

He doesn’t want to count how many times Spirit almost got Mothy killed in that appeal. But by Zacian does he have questions for the Champion. Like when did Spirit get a Garchomp, and why did he think it was a good idea to let the psuedo legend run wild like that. Garchomps were already dangerous when restrained but that?

That was untrained slaughter. That Garchomp was strong, but it was hardly ready to be out in a public match like that. He knows it, and Raihan for sure knows it.

Leon feels sick thinking about it. Its clear Raihan is feeling the same. However, Piper still just seems disinterested.

“Right well...while we’re uh...waiting for Spirit to come back. Lets get started on the judging for this shall we? You can watch the playback of your performance later if you’d like, Mothy.” Raihan said. The revelation that Mothy was completely blind during that appeal as well...it made him feel sicker. Did Spirit know?

Did Spirit care?

“From how charged the battle was, two fantastic Champions against one another, and the absolute show of friendship at the end. I think I have to give this appeal a perfect score! Really, Mothy you did a great job, even if you didn’t win the battle. It was really stand out to see what yours and Spirit’s friendship means to you. I’m sure he’s just uh...he’s probably healing up his team and he’ll be right back, I’m sure of it.”

“I admit I’m not sure if we should be judging this before Spirit gets back. But well...since we’ve already begun I suppose I’ll give my score. Now Mothy, while I’m sure everyone else enjoyed that disaster appeal of yours, I didn’t. It was mildly entertaining watching such a well composed steel team give Adney a run for his money. However everything else felt sloppy and harshly put together. Not to mention the lack of music until the very end of the appeal. I understand you were working with a short song, but some kind of padding before felt necessary in my opinion. So I’ve decided to give you 3 points. One for each pokemon of Spirit’s you so shamelessly one shot with that Genesect of yours.”

“So positive as always Piper.” Leon grits his teeth. Frankly he had bigger worries right now than Piper’s attitude and poor attempt at scoring. It was clear this was a rush to try and finish things but...

Leon glanced at the empty spot beside Piper where Spirit was meant to sit. The sooner they finished this judging, the sooner he could go find Spirit and hopefully knock some sense into his head. If he wasn’t already too late.

“I echo Raihan’s enjoyment of this appeal Mothy,” his voice is shaky. “Yours and Spirit’s bond is...truly one that can never be broken. Not to mention the bond you share with your pokemon, trusting them to protect you. Leading them without a single command! The reflection of Mt. Coronet through your moves as well was so well hidden within the appeal itself, I truly commend everything you did. You get another perfect score from me!”

There’s a pause, Spirit has still not returned.

“Let’s...he’ll be back any minute I’m sure.” Leon said. “Just a moment Mothy.”

A minute passes.

Then five.

Then ten.

Then fifteen.

“Let me call him.” Leon says. “I’ll just call him and see whats going on.”

Leon gets out his rotom phone, and Piper catches something peculiar on its case. A photo charm, containing a picture of himself and Spirit. It makes her roll her eyes. Leon dials Spirit’s number, and waits. The phone rings and rings without him ever picking up.

Leon’s starting to get incredibly nervous now. Where is he? What’s going on?

“Okay let me just try-”

A text comes through his phone from Spirit. Leon breaths a small sigh of relief and opens it.

“Well uh...Mothy....you also get a perfect score from Spirit. He just wrote 30 on here, so I’m sorry I can’t really...be more in debt with it but...” he trails off. He glances at Piper and Raihan almost as if pleading with them to do the bonuses for this appeal so he can go. Neither speak up however, forcing Leon to continue speaking.

“Right well...you get a +10 for using all six moves on each pokemon during your appeal. You also get the +3 bonus for making Spirit cry during the appeal, giving you 13 bonus points. Please turn your attention to the screen for your final score.”

Total: 106 Points

[thegalarianstarshowcase]

Judging: Clover

@candiedcricket​ your judging is here!

“I gotta say its pretty impressive you taught your pokemon to play instruments in such a short amount of time!” Spirit said. “Honestly this was a pretty impressive appeal for a first time though ah....its definitely not common to use only two moves during the entire thing.”

“Personally I found myself rather bored during it.” Piper said flatly, Spirit smacking her in the arm.

“I mean I was pretty interested in it. For the most part. I thought that the instrument thing was decent enough. Though I didn’t feel like I was really watching an appeal, I felt more like I was in one of those jazz dive bar kind of things. So I’ll give your aesthetics a 9 out of 10. The story didn’t really bore me, but it didn’t catch my interest too much either. I’ve never been a big fan of those like...lost romance type of deals but that is an experience other people can have. Seems like it’s a pretty shit one to experience. I’ll give your story a 7 out of 10. My overall opinion for your appeal would also be a 7 out of 10. This makes my total for you a 23, Clover. Nice job!”

“Again I feel the point of showcases is to showcase your pokemon and the moves they use. The music was nice, given you didn’t use a recording like other contestants. But there wasn’t much else to it. There wasn’t much else to view for your appeal. I will admit you at least went to the effort of teaching your pokemon to play, but it almost felt like I was just watching you out there. So I will give your aesthetics a 7 out of 10. As for your story, I can see where losing someone you love would affect your life heavily. I can...well I can relate. Still there were more visually appealing ways to bring that story to fruition instead of just singing the song. So I’m giving your story a 7 out of 10 as well. My overall opinion for your appeal is also going to be a 7 out of 10. I didn’t entirely hate it, but I can’t really say I enjoyed it either. This will make my total for you 21.”

“Well I can say that I enjoyed your appeal quite a bit, Clover! You and your pokemon performed wonderfully! I do wish I could have seen more of what you and your pokemon could do still! Sometimes less is more and I do think that this shines through in this case. So for this I will give your aesthetics a 9 out of 10! I can also relate to the...loss of love. In a way. My position as Champion never really let me experience romance, so you could say I lost the...experience.”

Leon chuckles nervously, a cover up almost. Spirit scoffs,

“Oh I’m sure you know all about the loss of a romantic relationship, Leon.” he spat. “Good job.”

Leon frowned. He wouldn’t rise to the bait, not again. “I give your story a 10 out 10. Thank you for telling us about your experience, Clover. My overall opinion for your appeal is also going to be a 9 out of 10 as again I wished to see you and your pokemon doing just a little more! This makes my total for you a 28!”

“Well Clover, as I said at the beginning I think you did wonderfully! This definitely seems like a skill that you should continue to hone! If I were you I would continue to join up with other contests and see how this career works for you! I do however have to mark you down for the little use of moves. Still I do find what you did with the instruments and having your pokemon be your band visually interesting! So I will score your aesthetics a 7 out of 10.”

“Now with your story...I think out of all the judges I can relate the most to it. I very, very deeply loved someone who I never...got the chance to be with. He rejected me, and broke my heart pretty badly. But its been something that’s stuck with me for so, so long that-”

“I didn’t want to.” Leon said.

“....Excuse me?” Spirit asked, before Leon shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

“Nevermind. Continue.” he muttered bitterly.

“...Right. Well, anyway Clover I’m giving your story a 10 out of 10 because of how I found myself relating to it! My overall opinion for your appeal is also going to be a 9 out of 10! This makes my total score for you 26! Excellent job, Clover! Please turn your attention to the screen for your full score!”

Total: 98 POINTS

[thegalarianstarshowcase]

Judging: Lilith (For Reals This Time)

@rosengard3n​​ your re-judging is here!

″Okay but like damn a whole ass mew? I know that kind of fucked up the performance last time but if it was going to make things this good the last time, ya should have just kept going!” Raihan said. He wasn’t trying to be condescending but boy did he sound it.

″Raihan! You do realize people were likely supposed to not know that she had Mew right? Do you even comprehend how big of a deal that was?” Spirit raised an eyebrow,

“No Spirit I totallyyyyy didn’t get that part.” Raihan drawls on sarcastically. “Can you even judge this performance since you and Leon spent half of it arguing with eachother? Hm?” Spirit didn’t respond to that, making Raihan smirk.

“That’s what I thought. Anyway Lilith! Lets get this underway huh? First off I thought it was pretty cool to see all the battles that you had in the past against these uhhh....whoever they were? It kept my attention pretty well. Using moves to make other fake or acted out moves is pretty clever in my opinion. So for you’re aesthetics I’ll give you a 10 out of 10!  I’m not sure if I entirely understood the story you told to us I guess? It had something to do with battling a bunch of cool lookin people, and legendaries! So since I enjoyed that so much, I’ll give your story an 8 out of 10! Overall I really enjoyed your appeal, and wish I could have seen it in full the first time. Granted I don’t think you’d have had the cool Giratina shit at the end right? You get another 10 out of 10 for my overall opinion! This makes my total for you 28!”

“Of course you would find this entertaining, Raihan. I can’t say that I share your opinions, however. I suppose the mew was rather interesting to see, but otherwise this felt very basic. I mean going up again cults? Evil doers? It sounds like every other protagonist story I’ve ever heard. Honestly when it comes to me and Spirit I can’t see how we’d find this-”

Spirit snapped his fingers, and suddenly Piper stopped talking. In fact it seemed as though she couldn’t speak at all now, something sealing her jaw shut.

“Write your score down Piper. I am so tired of hearing your fucking mouth right now.” he said flatly. Piper scowled, before picking up her notepad and doing as she was told and handing it over to Spirit.

“Aesthetics {7/10}, Story Told {6/10}, Overall Opinion {7/10} Total: 20″ Spirit reads off the notepad before smiling at Lilith.

“Sorry sweetie, trying to keep her mouth under control!” he said.

“Thank you Spirit! About time you did something about her mouth.” Leon laughed.

Spirit was about to respond but Leon kept on before Spirit could come at him for that comment. “Anyway Lilith, I absolutely loved your appeal!! I love the fact you practically did a battle appeal, without actually doing a battle appeal. It was very clever, and let you explore more in terms of your aesthetics, and perfectly tailor your story to what you needed! So for this I decided that I’m giving you a perfect score!”

“Alright its my turn now!” Spirit said, “I really enjoyed what you did for the scenery and everything for your appeal but admittedly I started to get a little overwhelmed trying to keep up with everything. Plus the fake moves made it a little difficult to calculate for your bonuses so I felt like I couldn’t pay proper attention to your appeal. So while I thought they looked good, I’m giving your aesthetics 6 out of 10. The story you told though was still good! I wish I could say I relate to the stopping violent cults aespect but...” he trailed off. “Either way I’m giving your story a 10 out of 10! My overall opinion of your appeal is an 8 out of 10 as well! This makes my total from you a 24!”

“We also have a bonus to award you Lilith! You get +10 bonus points for dynamaxing your mew! Now please turn your attention to the screen for your full score!” 

Total: 112 POINTS