#pwt 1

[reforgedknight-blog]

Wow, that tourney sure was intense!  Congratulations to all the winners, the battles were amazing to watch!  I heard that there were actually a lot of new faces this year, I’ll believe it.  That’s really cool!

To the other person who had a mono Steel team: you’re awesome, high five.

[reforgedknight-blog]

PWT: Bedside Manner

While everyone was celebrating or mourning their losses in the tournament, Clovis sat in the Pokemon Center that was closest to the stadium.  He’d been told a few hours after Ka’s admittance that the Lucario’s condition had stabilized, and would heal.  He’d only left to attend the awards ceremony out of obligation, but had left shortly after to come back to Ka’s side.

...Clovis was immensely grateful for Seth’s contact, possibly more than he’d care to admit.  Ka was his closest companion...he wasn’t sure what he’d do if he’d just been left completely alone.  He’d considered contacting Melody, or perhaps even Jeong...hell, even Sabine or maybe Colby.  But...he also hadn’t wanted to worry them if they didn’t already know what was happening.

Occasionally, he wondered: how in the hell had Seth gotten his hands on so many Galettes and Sables?

Ka stirred.  Clovis looked up and automatically moved closer, trying not to think about the burns that those bandages must’ve been hiding.  “You doin’ alright?” he asked quietly.

Ka let out an affirmative growl, complete with a weak nod. “Your mother has given worse beatings.”

“Whatever...” Clovis muttered unhappily.  “I just...what’s wrong with her?” he sighed, frustrated. “How could she...”

“Clovis?”

Clovis looked up with a scowl to see the woman he most hated.  “Ugh, not you,” he muttered under his breath.

Cadice walked in, still clad in the outfit she’d worn to the awards ceremony.  “Ka,” she said with a nod to the now-apprehensive Lucario.  “How are you doing?”

“Quite alright,” Ka scowled.

“I see.”  She closed her eyes and folded her hands in front of her navel.  “I’m sorry about my Infernape’s behavior.  He’ll be dealt with appropriately.”

“Getting rid of your Pokemon again?” Clovis all but spat.

“I don’t want to be in custody of such a volatile Pokemon,” Cadice replied, frowning at her son.  “And watch your tone.”

“Right, because you clearly can’t put in the time and effort to train them properly,” Clovis scoffed.  He felt anxious and nervous, both his chest and his gut forming into tight balls.  This was dangerous territory he was treading, but he didn’t care right now.  He wanted this woman gone.

“Clovis,” Cadice said dangerously, “don’t talk like I know nothing about dedication.”

“Sorry,” Clovis grunted unapologetically.

“...In any case, I thought I should drop this off,” Cadice said slowly, eyeing her son.  She reached into her purse, drawing out several items that seemed like they should not have fit, and placed them on Ka’s bedside table.

“A Blissey egg from my own, several burn heals, and Rawst Berry Paste.  Do you know how to apply them?”

“Yes, mom.”

“Then good.  I’ll be leaving now, I have a party to attend for the victor.  You ought to go, too.  Show your face.  Get some publicity.”

Clovis rolled his eyes.  “Whatever....”

And with that, Cadice took her leave, Clovis and Ka left alone in the room.  Without budging, Clovis sighed heavily.

“I hate her.”

“I know.”

[coutureduelist-archive-blog]

I am honored to have been able to place first, and to have been able to go toe-to-toe with so many strong and amazing trainers.  Every battle was quite stunning.  I’ll have to up my game if I want to stay ahead like this.

I was surprised to see so many new faces, as well.  I hope to see you all at the next Pokemon World Tournament; I look forward to battling you all some day.

[coutureduelist-archive-blog]

PWT: Instinctive Reaction

Alex still felt a tad sour over Cassidy’s comment at him, though damned if he knew why.  He didn’t understand himself a lot of the time.

He currently sat in one of the dressing rooms in the back, seated at a mirror but not anywhere near looking at his own reflection.  He went out of his way to avoid looking at himself in the mirror, unless it was the mornings.  After all, every time he looked, he expected someone else.

But that wasn’t his issue right now.  Right now, his problem was with Cassidy’s words.

“You know you’re not allowed to lose anymore, right?”

The memory of those words put an involuntary snarl on Alex’s lips, worse than the one that had appeared when he’d heard that Cadice would be participating.  Her tone had been absolutely infuriating, as if she’d seriously reprimand him for losing.  His retort to her had also been on instinct, and the way she’d paused made his words leave a nasty taste in his mouth.

He was stoic, not emotionless, and certainly not unobservant.  He knew how to read a mood, at least for the most part.

The more rational part of him knew that he ought to apologize to Cassidy.  If not because she might be actually hurt, then to make himself seem like less of an ass.  However, what he wanted was to make her take those words back.

Not allowed to lose.

An unpleasant memory, previously blocked, managed to worm its way into Alex’s head.  He rubbed his temple, eyes shut as he tried to force it back out.

Ah yes, of course.  That’s why he hated what she’d said so much.  He’d heard it before, in the past.  The pressure to succeed, the pressure to be perfect, the pressure to be everything his parents wanted, and nothing of what he really wished to be.

He thought he’d left that all behind, but at the same time, he’d expected it.

It always looped back to the past.

[reforgedknight-blog]

[text] Are you okay? I saw the battle on TV.

[ Course for the par, unfortunately :/  I’m more worried about my Pokemon. ]

[reforgedknight-blog]

PWT: A Challenger Approaches!

Clovis entered the stage with his most dazzling smile and his most confident walk.  The importance of presentation had been hammered into him long ago, and given that presentation was a large part of what he did nowadays, he wasn’t going to stop now.

Hands in his pockets, he walked towards his place on the stage, taking in the amazing feeling of having a crowd cheer for him.  Sure, being a Circuit Leader was great, but it would never beat having a large, live audience.

He felt nervous, but amazing.

Hyperaware of the weight of his Pokeballs on his belt, he thought of his three Pokemon: Ka, Hauteclere, and Bloccare.  He hoped they were ready, because he was!!  He’d take this challenger down!

At least, that was what he thought, until he heard the introduction theme they had for his opponent.

This music was all too familiar; he’d heard it numerous times during his childhood, and had hoped he wouldn’t have to hear it again.  Certainly not like this.  His hands drew themselves out of his pockets and clenched, his eyes going wide.  He felt cold, as if he were about to face his death.

The announcer boomed over the speakers, and Clovis heard nothing but the name.

Cadice Chevalier.

A woman stepped onto her place on the stage, heels clicking threateningly against the cold, hard ground.  Her presence was nearly overwhelming, unhindered by her sharp looks and perfectly light-blonde hair.  Her dress displayed a threatening grace; she was a femme fatale through and through, her age only adding to the impression that she knew exactly what she was doing.

Clovis spluttered.  “M-mom!?”

Cadice didn’t acknowledge it.  “Ready your Pokemon,” she said to him coldly.

“Mom, what are you doing here!?”

“You didn’t read the roster.”

“W-well, no but I didn’t--”

“You didn’t think.” Cadice scowled, long, pointed nails clicking against a Pokeball as she took it into her hand.  “You never think.”

The knot in Clovis’ stomach got even tighter and his shoulders became even stiffer.  Fuck this woman, every time things got better, they just had to get worse again.

“Let this be a nice, clean battle,” the referee declared from the sidelines.  “Begin!”

Clovis took Bloccare’s Pokeball from his belt, while taking his shades from his shirt collar and flipping them open to slide them on his face.  “Thunder Wave!”

Cadice had let out her Sableye.   “Taunt,” she commanded.

Bloccare and Cadice’s Sableye moved at the same time, Bloccare’s Thunder Wave zapping through the Sableye’s body, and the Sableye’s body glowing with an odd energy as it waggled its tongue at the Klefki through the pain in its muscles.

"Play Rough!” Clovis shouted, and Bloccare rushed forward, pink energy glowing around the angry Klefki.  However, what he met was not Sableye, but Magnezone.

Clovis’ heart and stomach plummeted.  He expected this.

“Play Rough!” he shouted, though his voice lacked conviction.  He heard the murmur echo through the crowd: what was he doing?  As he thought, Cadice ordered a Hidden Power, and Bloccare was badly injured by the flames that erupted from nowhere.

He couldn’t look away; that’d be a break in focus he couldn’t afford.  “Again!” Once more, Bloccare rushed forward, and once more, he was injured by flames, finally taken out.

Clovis recalled his tiny Klefki, cursing Magnet Pull.  “Not gonna hold back, I see,” he muttered, glaring at his mom.  “Okay then, we won’t hold back either.  Ka!”

Ka materialized in a flash of red, one knee on the ground in a battle-ready stance.  Clovis held up his arm, his mega stone glowing within his bracelet.  “Close....Combaaaaat!” he shouted at the top of his lungs.

A light enveloped the Lucario and his form morphed as Cadice crossed her arms impatiently.  Before it was even complete, before Ka had fully assumed his mega form, he charged forwards, paws flashing out in a fury.

Cadice quickly unfolded her arms, startled.  “Hidden Powe--”

It was too late, Ka had put a noticeable dent in the Magnezone and was well behind it, sparkles blasting from his new mega evolution.  He looked up at Cadice, angry and more than a bit hostile.  “Your move, ma’am.”

Cadice scowled.  “That’ll be your last.  Infernape!”  She tossed her third Pokeball into the air, and the flaming ape immediately launched itself at Ka, covered in flames.

Monkey met air as Hauteclere took Ka’s place, expertly pushing the monkey off-balance with her shield.  At Clovis’ command for a King’s Shield, she readied the hefty hunk of metal, only to find that a Sableye was now watching her instead.  It grinned evilly at her, and reached up to pull its cheeks apart, only to find that its earlier paralysis sent a jolt up its arm.

It tried again, this time to blow a burning wisp of fire, but was again stopped by the electricity messing with its muscles.  Before it knew it, there was a large ball of shadowy energy in front of its face, and it was sent careening backwards.

Clovis grinned and pumped his fist.  He’d gotten lucky.

The Sableye shivered in fear, hearing its trainer click her tongue.  “Useless,” Cadice spat.  “Recover.”

Before the Sableye could act, it found a blade erupting from darkness on the ground, slicing into its shoulder.  It screeched, but managed to hold on and heal itself adequately.

“Another Shadow Ball!” Clovis shouted, grateful as the Sableye seemed to jitter yet again, allowing Hauteclere’s attack to connect.

“Useless!” Cadice bellowed, and both her Sableye and her son shrunk back.  “Do it right!”

She didn’t even bother recalling her Sableye, instead saying, “You deserve this,” as Hauteclere snuck in and took it down.

Cadice’s Infernape made yet another appearance as her last Pokemon.  “Fire Blast.”

“King’s Shield!”  Hauteclere brought up her shield once more, the fiery hot flame spewing against the metal.

“Again!” Cadice shouted.  This time, the fire struck hotly, but Clovis grinned.

Hauteclere’s blade sliced through the Infernape’s shoulder, and the fire type reeled back, clutching it.  She went for another strike, to finish the ape off, but this time the Infernape’s flames got to her first.

“Hauteclere!” Clovis gasped, fists clenching as he watched his Aegislash go down in flames.  He quickly recalled her to keep her injuries to a minimum, and clutched Ka’s Pokeball in his hand.

“Okay, Ka.  One last shot.”  He let Ka out again, and the Lucario eyed the Infernape.  This was a bad matchup, though if he were good, if he were really good (but mostly lucky), he could end this, right here.

“Bullet Puuuuuuuunch!!!!!!”

Trainer and Lucario roared as the Mega Evolution’s paw gleamed in the light, putting all of their hope into this one strike.  Ka zipped forward, legs taking him faster than he’d ever gone before, and his paw met the Infernape’s face.

The Infernape did not go down.  Ka gasped as the Infernape grabbed his wrist, seemingly hanging on to consciousness for dear life.

<I won’t....end up...like that Sableye....!>

Ka was unable to pull away as the Infernape covered itself in a scorching hot fire than enveloped them both.

Clovis watched in horror as his best friend and closest companion went up in flames, nearly launching himself onto the field.  “You win, you win!” he screamed over Ka’s howls.  “Mom, stop!!”

Cadice looked down at her son with nothing but disdain, staying silent until the Lucario’s howls barely began to die down and the referee began to threaten with a penalty.  She recalled her Infernape, who, according to the digital boards....still had a sliver of health left.

“Lucario is unable to battle!” the referee announced as Clovis darted onto the battlefield, nothing but a bundle of worry and regret.  “The winner: Cadice Chevalier!”

[coutureduelist-archive-blog]

PWT: The Crowd [Alex & Cassidy]

The constant, rhythmic shaking of her seat had Cassidy irritated.  She’d put up with it for what seemed like ages now, staying silent in the hopes that it would stop, but it didn’t.  It didn’t take long for her to decide she couldn’t take it anymore.

“Alex, do you mind?” she asked him sweetly.

The shaking stopped.  “Apologies,” Alex said evenly, though he was glaring daggers at the stage, arms crossed.  “I’m not very fond of Cadice.”

“No one is, unless they’re a maso,” Cassidy sighed, rolling her eyes.  “Even then, she’s married.  What’s got you so worked up?”

“Do you know who she’s going up against?” Alex asked.

“That Steel guy from the Kalos-Hoenn Champion Circuit, why?” Cassidy asked.

“Good, so you know who he is,” Alex muttered.  “Well, they’re related.”

“...Really?” Cassidy frowned.  “Ugh, that’s got to be horrible.  Who’d want Cadice to be their family?”

“I heard he’s her son.”

Cassidy’s eyebrows raised.  “R-really?  But...she doesn’t talk about having a son.”

Alex finally broke his gaze away from the stage to quirk an eyebrow at Cassidy. The look on his face said all he wanted to.

“Point taken,” Cassidy muttered.  “I hope he slaughters her.  He’s her son, he’ll probably at least give her a run for his money, given that he knows all her tricks.”

“You think he stands a chance?” Alex scoffed.  “I think he’ll get beaten into the ground.  2,000P.”

“That’s so measly.  20,000P.”

“Your loss.”

[desi-oras-adventure-blog]

PWT: The Crowd [Desi & Aya]

Desiderio and Aya took their seats in the stadium as one Clovis Chevalier’s battle called for people to take their seats.  The boy, usually cheery and excited, was unusually tense.  To Aya, the difference was like night and day.

“Desi, are you okay?” she asked worriedly.  “Nervous for your cousin?”

“You know why,” Desi muttered, hands gripping his knees crossed as his body leaned forward.

“.....Because he’s fighting his mom, right...?” Aya frowned.

“I mean....not just that.  You were reading up on all the participants last night, right?” Desi asked, looking at her.

“Yeah?”

“Don’t you remember what you read about Aunt Chevalier?”

“......Yeah.”

“Yeah.”

“But....he’s her son,” Aya frowned.

“And?”

The tone with which Desi said that singular word surprised Aya.  To put it best, it made her feel like she’d just made the most obvious and irrelevant observation in the world.  “And....she’s his mother!”  Her eyebrows furrowed together, confused.

“That doesn’t mean anything to her,” Desi sighed.  “Let’s just say....I’m glad I’m not directly related to her.”

Aya winced.  For Desi, the sweetest boy she’d ever met, to say such a thing....

She turned her head forward.  This battle was going to be a disaster.