The din of countless Pokémon cries filled the tournament chamber of the colony. Nearly every member of the colony was packed into the chamber, in the stands, between the arenas, or floating through the air. Kanzo and the others were currently huddled close to each other between two of the smaller arenas, waiting for their first battle.
"Ok," said Kaname, "Let's go over what we know from yesterday. We know there's double battles, so we need strategies for those later, too. For now, it's one-on-one. I can't go in with you guys, so I hope my stand-in gets here soon."
"One on ones," said Kanzo, "Are basic rules only. First one who can't continue loses, only there's also ring-outs to worry about. There's judges to make sure the Moves we use are legal, too."
"Which is why I can't- Sorry, I know I shouldn't complain."
"Well," said Lea, "Most moves are legal anyway, right? Can't we basically fight how we always do? We just can't do crazy Ghost moves that link life, or Psychic moves that a non-Psychic type can't resist in any way. Psycho Cut is fine; we saw that yesterday from a Honedge."
"Glad you recognized it," said Kabu. "I need to watch out for Ice Punch or Aerial Ace. All my moves are legal, anyway."
Someone pushed through the crowd. A Hypno.
"Team Kanzo," he said, "You're up. Follow me."
"What," said Kanzo, "But our sixth-"
"Already waiting on you."
The group of friends traded looks before they followed the Hypno to the southwest arena. A Lopunny, Marshtomp, Passimian, Ledian, Bellsprout, Infernape, and a sleeping Obstagoon were waiting beside the ring for them.
"Punk is your sixth," said the Hypno. He motioned to the Obstagoon. "You are Kaname? Take your seat. We must determine the call order."
Kaname stepped away to sit beside the arena on a stone slab meant for one of the competing teams.
The Hypno presented a coin, silver on one face and gold on the other. He stood in the center of the ring.
"Kanzo, Ipo, you are silver and gold, respectively."
Hypno flicked the coin into the air and they watched it fall to the arena floor and end on gold.
"Team Ipo determines first call," announced the Hypno. It gestured sharply to the east side of the arena.
"Our Lopunny against your Pawniard first," said Ipo, the Infernape. He grinned as he followed his team out of the arena, leaving their Lopunny waiting to begin.
Kanzo saw he wasn't the only one to send a concerned glance Lea's way, but it was decided already. He and the others went to sit beside Kaname and their sleeping sixth, Punk.
"Take your places and be ready," said Hypno, walking toward the north side of the arena to watch. At the south side of the arena, the judge, Yun the Kadabra, stood on the tall pillar he'd been sitting on.
"The next qualifier's match," he announced loudly, "Is between Team Kanzo and Team Ipo, Pawniard versus Lopunny!"
Yun raised an arm and paused.
A/N: I may include music from time to time. Stuff I listened to on repeat while writing a scene. Some people like to listen to music while they read, some don't. Feel free to ignore it.
Invader by Dance With The Dead
"Begin!"
Lea extended the blades on her arms and chest and watched her first opponent closely. This Lopunny switched stances quickly, light on her feet, hands up by her face.
Stay focused, Lea. Stay focused. She's not a Fighting type.
The Lopunny opened with Agility, so Lea used Iron Defense and watched closely. Lopunny seemed to dart around the arena with ease, but she saw Lea watching her every move.
The opening strike was a Quick Attack from Lopunny. Lea took the hit and used Fury Cutter to land a light counter before Lopunny was past and out of reach. Lopunny came around again with a second Quick Attack and Lea was forced to block and counter again. The Lopunny darted away and used After You. Lea made a ringing sound by scraping her blades over one another with Swords Dance, then dashed in to use Feint Attack.
Lopunny fell for the hit and stumbled, then used Bounce. She flipped deftly through the air and stomped Lea into the stone arena on landing. Before Lea could do anything in response, Lopunny was away again and Lea could only pick herself up.
Something's wrong.
Lea used Iron Defense again and waited. Lopunny shrugged, and started again. This time, Agility into Double Team into Quick Attack. Lea couldn't find a chance to counter, but the blows didn't hurt much. Lea used Iron Defense again and waited for Lopunny to tire.
An image of Lopunny faked a Quick Attack - when the real one landed a High Jump Kick just under Lea's neck. Lea was thrown back, rolled up onto her head, then landed on her stomach.
"Hmph!" huffed the Lopunny.
She used a Low Sweep to pop Lea up off the ground like a football, carried Lea up overhead on her foot, then used Focus Blast while Lea was defenseless in the air. Lea flew high up as everyone watched, but she righted and swept an Iron Head down at Lopunny. Lopunny dodged and tried another attack when she was hit with the third Fury Cutter.
Lopunny staggered away, in pain, and put a hand over this new cut she'd received. When she attacked Lea again, it was a series of Dizzy Punches. Lea tried to put up a defense, and still didn't feel the blows very much, but it felt like someone had rattled her head like a can of coins.
Lea tried a Metal Claw, but she couldn't land a hit on Lopunny anymore. With another Double Team and High Jump Kick, Lopunny sent Lea tumbling to the ground. Before Lea could pick herself up again, Lopunny used another Bounce to stomp Lea's head into the floor.
Hypno and Yun looked to each other and prepared to call the fight, but Lea started to stand. In a fit of anger, Lopunny growled and took a moment to stop completely, then threw herself at Lea with a Giga Impact. Lea, not even on her feet yet, flew out of the ring and against the wall, not only out of bounds, but out cold as well.
Kabu stood immediately and cracked his scales together.
"How dare they! They want to fight dirty? I'll show them."
"Kabu, we should-" started Kanzo.
"No!" Kabu hopped up into the ring.
"Team Kanzo has chosen a Hakamo-o for its second fighter! Take your marks and be ready!"
"Kaname," said Kanzo, "Would you-"
"Yeah! I got it!" She jumped up from her seat and ran to help Lea.
In the ring, Lopunny rolled her shoulders and took her place, grinning at Kabu and taking her stance again.
"Damn," said Kanzo. He crossed his arms. "Of course a Pokémon training here would know Fighting moves. Lea could handle the rest, but those kicks were brutal."
"She should've entered yesterday instead," said Ribs.
"Do not say so in front of her," said Yan. "She was singled out for her Type, not her unevolved form. Our foes are smart. We should expect that. And we should be smart too."
"Begin!"
Kabu started with Work Up while Lopunny charged at him. When she saw he was prepared to counter, she used Bounce - only for Kabu to follow her with Sky Uppercut. As Lopunny flipped gracefully into the air, Kabu mashed his fist into her cheek and gave a Noble Roar. Before they hit the ground, Kabu made sure to flip over and give her a Dragon Tail for good measure. Lopunny had the wind knocked out of her as she hit the arena on her back, shocked by Kabu's assault.
Kabu used Work Up again and clacked his arm scales together.
"Come on! You wanted to bully Lea! Come bully me! Come on!"
Lopunny flipped to her feet in an instant and - in a flash - slammed Kabu with a Giga Impact. They met, shoulder to shoulder, and Kabu held his ground with a wicked grin. Lopunny stood stunned.
"That all ya got?" said Kabu.
He shifted his shoulder to get himself and Lopunny face to face - and planted a Focus Punch square on Lopunny's nose. Lopunny hit the floor and struggled to stand.
"Have some Kanzo brand Focus Punch, you over-fluffed boxing doll. You tell your leader he made the wrong choice picking on Lea."
Lopunny stood and held her nose, then sniffed hard.
"Tell him yourself," she said, "You'll have time when you lose."
Before Kabu could react, she hit him with Quick Attack, then avoided his Counter with Double Team. Another Quick Attack, then a Jump Kick, and Lopunny seemed back to the same flips, jumps, and speed as ever. But Kabu could see she'd slowed, and he waited, Biding.
Just when Lopunny landed yet another Giga Impact, Kabu thrust his hands forward and caught her charge. They slid across the arena, both on their feet, before Kabu used the last of her momentum to let her fall forward while he stepped past. Unleashing his Bide, Kabu planted a fist in Lopunny's stomach and sent her sailing across the arena onto her back.
She didn't get up.
Kabu cracked his knuckles while the match was called and his next opponent climbed up onto the arena. The opposing Marshtomp climbed into the ring.
"Take your places!" announced Hypno.
I feel this Ice Punch coming in my bones. No other reason they'd send a Water Pokémon to face me.
"Begin!"
Marshtomp charged forward with a glowing fist at the ready - until Kabu smashed the big golden scale on his head down on Marshtomp in a swift Headbutt. Kabu followed up with an upward Dragon Claw, then a quick Tackle to get Marshtomp away from him.
Marshtomp fell back, rolled, and popped to his feet. He raised his fist and ran in again, but slid into a Low Kick this time. With Kabu off balance, Marshtomp followed up with a full-body tackle - Superpower. Kabu rolled over the arena, near the edge, but got up.
"Oh, so you do have guts!" yelled Kabu.
"More than you!"
Marshtomp came in, faked another attack, and tried Ice Punch again. Kabu dodged and used Counter off the Superpower he'd taken. His back-handed strike flattened Marshtomp and left him open. Marshtomp covered himself by planting a fist on the floor for an Earthquake. Kabu was thrown off his feet by stones forced up from the ground.
Marshtomp got to his feet at the same time as Kabu and they traded a Dragon Claw and Brick Break. When neither was moved, they traded again, and again, until Marshtomp stumbled. Kabu moved in to finish the fight - when Marshtomp saw his chance. With a glint in his eye, Marshtomp landed Endeavor, and they both tumbled to the floor.
The audience waited and watched, but it was Kabu who finally stood and was declared the winner. Kabu was on his last legs, but he took his place and waited until the opposing Passimian met him in the ring.
The next match didn't last longer than two exchanges and Kabu was down. Kaname went to retrieve him and Yan stepped up.
"Begin!"
Yan's First Impression didn't take Passimian off-guard, but the foe still couldn't guard or move away in time. The Passimian rolled to alter his momentum and jammed fingers into the arena floor, producing a stone and using Fling. Yan charged forward, blocked the stone with his shell-covered arm, and used Razor Shell. Yan swept his arms in chopping motions and forced Passimian closer to the edge of the arena.
Passimian finally countered with Quick Attack and took to the center of the arena again, waiting for Yan to approach.
"You were lucky to face Kabu when he was tired," said Yan. "I am not tired. Your luck runs out."
"We'll see who needs luck," said Passimian. He put a hand on the ground and prepared to charge, but then slapped down his other hand for an Earthquake instead. Yan was forced to step aside as more stones jutted up from the arena floor.
Passimian took advantage of the dodge and hit Yan with a Giga Impact, trying to force Yan over the edge instead. When it didn't work, Passimian used Thrash and clambered onto Yan while pounding him with fists, feet, and tail. Yan struggled to get Passimian off, trying to grab and then pull the big lemur off his head. When it didn't work, and Passimian's grip was too strong, Yan instead used Liquidation.
Yan slammed his head down on Passimian's chest as the Pokémon's back hit the arena floor. Jets of water sprayed from the back of Yan's neck, giving him the extra force to stun Passimian and finally dislodge him. Yan pulled back a claw and delivered a Rock Smash straight to Passimian's chest and his foe laid still.
"Passimian is unable to continue! The match goes to Golisopod!" announced Yun. "Please select your next fighter, Team Ipo."
A short pause while they collected Passimian, and the enemy team sent their Ledian out. Yan stretched his shoulders a few times waiting for the match to start and kept an eye on his unfamiliar opponent.
"Begin!"
Instantly, the two Pokémon tried to cross the distance between them. Ledian started with a Mach Punch, but Yan's First Impression was faster. Ledian was struck full-force by a Golisopod signature that Passimian had also been prepared for. As Ledian landed on her back, she flipped up and countered with Acrobatics - a flying drop kick to Yan's chest.
Yan stumbled back and tried to counter with Razor Shell, but Ledian dodged and made her own counter with Aerial Ace. Yan was thrown on his back by this smaller foe, then pulled his legs in and used Defense Curl. His foe's second Mach Punch did little when Yan presented his tough shell, and he rolled back to his feet before she could follow up again.
"You're outmatched this time!" said Ledian. "Bug or Fighting type, neither can handle Flying moves!"
"Yes, yes," said Yan, "And you must be partly Flying type. You have pretty wings, and you are very light."
Yan joined his big claws in front of his chest.
"But I am also part Water. You cannot think you've seen all my tricks so soon. We will see who uses type correctly."
"Wha- But you're- Are you simple? What does Water have to do with-"
Yan used Aqua Jet without warning. Water sprayed from his shell and he slid across the stone floor to crash into Ledian before she could react. To her credit, Ledian took it in stride, recovered, and used Mach Punch again. As she connected, Yan back-handed her with Razor Shell.
Ledian flipped through the air, recovered, and zipped at Yan with a great buzzing sound. Yan tried to stop her, but when he missed, Ledian flew under his legs, stopped herself with the arena floor, and hit Yan in the back with Aerial Ace. Yan flew to the ground on his stomach, which gave Ledian plenty of time to copy Lopunny by flipping through the air and using Acrobatics to stomp Yan's head to the floor.
Ledian prepared to finish him off, but Yan used Sand Attack as he got to his feet. With another Liquidation, Yan full-on punched Ledian in the top of her head and she hit the arena floor with a loud smack and didn't move. The match was called and Yan waited for the next opponent.
The opposing team decided on their Bellsprout, who came up to the arena to face Yan - until Yan raised a big claw to make an Emergency Exit.
"I surrender this match," announced Yan. "I do not like to fight small Pokémon, and this one would not face me without confidence. I will show respect this time."
"Respect?! Aww, come on!" came a voice from onlookers.
"What's he mean 'respect?' Doesn't want to get beaten by a Grass type? It was a smart choice!"
"Nah, nah, he's part Bug, he'd have the upper hand, right?"
"But he's tired-"
"Golisopod forfeits the match! Call your next fighter, Team Kanzo."
Yan stepped down from the arena and his friends got a better look at how beat up he was. The shell didn't show signs of injury, but he was clearly beaten already.
"I'm sorry," said Yan, "But I know I will lose, and I didn't want my foe to use me as a chance to prepare for the next fight. Who will we send next? Punk is still asleep, yes?"
"I'm going," said Ribs. "Grass against Grass. Kanzo can take their leader; everyone expects it anyway. Just too bad this furball was useless. We better bring Kaname next time."
Kanzo looked over at Punk on the bench, but he seemed reluctant to insult the Pokémon over it.
"Sure," said Kanzo. "You go ahead. And don't worry about it, Yan. We were told not to expect to win, and their team is every bit as strong as we were warned. Ya did good."
Yan thumped onto the bench, winded, so Ribs climbed up to the arena.
"Team Kanzo has chosen to match type with their Cacturne. Both fighters, take your places."
Ribs stood confidently on her mark, waiting and staring down at the Bellsprout across from her.
"Begin!"
Bellsprout opened with a long range Power Whip, cautious of closing in on Ribs. Ribs dodged the attack and maintained her distance. Bellsprout tried Razor Leaf, throwing spinning blades through the air at Ribs instead of approaching. Ribs took the chance to respond with her Pin Missile, shooting down the Razor Leaf and spraying Bellsprout with needles.
As Ribs continued her Pin Missile, she started walking toward Bellsprout. Bellsprout had her roots up, trying to cover her face as she was showered with the needles, but she noticed Ribs getting closer. Bellsprout spat Acid at Ribs, forcing Ribs to stop and dodge aside. The move was a bait, allowing Bellsprout to finally use a close range attack: Poison Jab.
Does she think I'm stupid? She's part Poison.
Ribs stood her ground and used Spiky Shield, letting the Bellsprout strike and rebound off her thick arms. Ribs used Needle Arm to scoop Bellsprout off the ground, then Poison Sting with the other arm to smack the little Pokémon back down. When she tried another follow-up, Bellsprout dodged oddly, swaying its small, thin body with strange balance to fool Ribs and avoid several attacks.
When Ribs overextended, Bellsprout sprang up and used Wring Out, covering Ribs with extended roots and squeezing tightly. Ribs countered with Payback, practically flexing to fling Bellsprout away and free herself. When she saw Bellsprout struggle to get back up, Ribs used Spikes and covered the enemy's side of the arena in thorns that were easily overlooked among the cracks and debris from the previous matches.
Bellsprout saw it happen and looked over at Ribs.
Will you speak? Or can we keep this fight quiet?
Bellsprout turned its head up to look at the pinpoints of sun filtering down from the ceiling. Feeling taunted, Ribs was about to say something snarky when she realized Bellsprout wasn't just spacing out or considering surrender. She threw up a Spiky Shield just in time to catch a fully charged Solar Beam from Bellsprout. Like the Hyper Beam she'd blocked when she evolved, this attack struck her arms and exploded, hiding her in dust from the arena and smoke.
Bellsprout, and the judges, were forced to wait for the air to clear to see the result of the attack. Ribs, however, didn't need to wait, and had no trouble spotting Bellsprout. Ribs flew from the smoke and landed a solid Sucker Punch, sending the astonished Bellsprout out of the ring.
"Bellsprout is out of bounds! The match goes to Cacturne! Team Ipo, please send your last fighter."
The Infernape, Ipo leaped smoothly through the air and landed on his mark - only to have his feet stabbed by Ribs' Spikes attack from earlier. When he started to move forward because of it, he found that a glare from Hypno had erected a Reflect barrier to keep him on his side of the arena.
"Ready… Begin!"
Ribs started out with Pin Missile from a distance, but Ipo kept light on his feet. The Reflect was gone, which let him leave the side of the arena covered in Spikes, but Ribs didn't make it easy for him to close in. As Ipo ran to dodge Pin Missile, he started a Flame Wheel attack, then turned toward Ribs. The thorns from Ribs' attack struck without effect as Ipo barreled toward her and came out of his Flame Wheel with a fiery drop-kick.
Ribs felt the heat wash over her and she flew onto her back. She quickly rolled away to avoid a follow-up Acrobatics. When Ribs tried a Needle Arm, Ipo simply threw himself at her, wreathed in fire, with Flare Blitz. The two collided and Ribs was bowled over again. She dodged a Mach Punch as she picked herself up, then used Payback to get back in the fight.
Ipo prepared for another assault, but Ribs hit him with a Sucker Punch. When he tried to leap away, Ribs used Feint Attack to fake for his legs and instead crash into him as he landed. Ipo got to his feet and flinched as his heels landed on Ribs' Spikes again. In that instant, Ribs used Foul Play to throw them both to the arena floor amid the Spikes.
Before Ipo could get away, Ribs planted a Leech Seed on him, but he escaped shortly after. When the Leech Seed took root and started to trap him, Ipo quickly spun in place and released Ember to burn it away. Ribs had recovered and kept clear of the Ember, but tried Pin Missile again. She saw Ipo was ready to dodge and counter, but she fired anyway.
Ipo flipped up and over her projectiles and dove at her, ready to unleash his Close Combat attack. Ribs stopped her Pin Missile and braced herself with Counter. Ipo collided with Ribs, but his first punch was redirected and he found himself on the arena floor, on his back. For a moment, Ribs thought she'd defeated him, but Ipo's eyes shot open without warning. From his back, Ipo popped up using his heels and elbows and landed Close Combat before Ribs could react at all.
From a dead stop on the floor to savagely pummeling Ribs in less than two seconds, Ipo didn't relent until he cracked a fist across Ribs' mouth and she went down for good. As the match was called, Ipo was breathing hard, but more than ready to continue. He turned to take his place and used Flamethrower to burn away Ribs' trap before he did so.
Kanzo got up into the ring to retrieve Ribs himself. As he carried her back to the bench, she groaned. She came to and frowned at Kanzo.
"Sorry," she said. "I tried to use what I learned from you and Kabu, but… I'm not ready for this yet."
"You did good," said Kanzo. "None of us are ready for a tournament win, really. But I'm not gonna have us out in the first round of qualifiers. We're better than that, at least, right?"
He gave her a grin, which she returned. He set her on the bench for Kaname to heal and got back in the arena.
"Team Kanzo has chosen their leader as the next Pokémon. Take your places! And… Begin!"
Kanzo opened with Focus Energy, even as Ipo used Flame Wheel to charge him. Kanzo dodged and still held back. Ipo continued the Flame Wheel and struck Kanzo with a flaming headbutt - only for Kanzo to use Vital Throw and slam Ipo down on the arena floor. Ipo looked up in time to see Kanzo's Scary Face, and it caught him off-guard.
Kanzo threw a Dynamic Punch while standing over Ipo, but Ipo rolled aside. Kanzo's fist punched a hole in the floor and he took a drop kick to the side of his head from Ipo's follow-up Acrobatics. Kanzo stumbled, off balance but not down, and responded with a Low Sweep with his left arm. Ipo, only just regaining his feet after his attack, fell face-first as his feet were knocked out from under him.
With another Dynamic Punch, Kanzo connected with Ipo's chest, just below the neck. Ipo flew back, dazed, and only partially caught himself as he landed. Ipo started to respond with an attack, but found he was seeing double. Kanzo took the opportunity to deliver a Focus Punch and push Ipo back toward the edge of the arena.
Ipo held his ground and recovered from the Dynamic Punch. Kanzo crossed his arms over his chest, beating each fist against the opposite shoulder and using Focus Energy again. Instead of attacking, Ipo Leered at Kanzo, who responded by grinning and using Focus Energy for the third time. Kanzo approached slowly, cautiously, watching Ipo for a chance to force the Infernape off the edge.
Ipo Taunted Kanzo into making the first move, a Karate Chop. Ipo dodged aside, just barely, and used Punishment. A perfectly-aimed spear-hand strike landed just under Kanzo's ribs, stunning him and shocking all the muscles in his chest. Kanzo recoiled, squinted through the pain, and tried another Karate Chop while Ipo was open.
Kanzo's hand passed through a Double Team image and Ipo hit him with Aerial Ace from behind. Before Kanzo knew what was happening, he was thrown from the ring - to land on Punk, asleep on the bench. The announcement of Kanzo's loss accompanied the two trying to untangle themselves from one another.
"The heck's your problem?!" shouted Punk. "Get offa me!"
Kanzo found himself on his back on the floor with Punk awake and looking around, confused.
"Oh, snap, what'd I miss?" he said. "Why didn't anyone-"
"Team Kanzo, please produce your last fighter!"
"Oop! That's me, huh?" Punk leaned down and propped up Kanzo, unsteady legs and all. Punk looked him over.
"Ooh, that looks like it hurts. Hang tight, bud, I got this."
Punk climbed into the arena before the rest of the team could process how to respond to him, all speechless.
"Take your marks!"
Punk approached his mark on the arena, hardly visible due to all the damage the arena had sustained. He rolled one of his shoulders and stretched his neck, humming varying notes and volumes. He cleared his throat as he took his mark.
"S'up," he said to Ipo. Ipo didn't respond, only taking a fighting stance and waiting for the judges.
"Fine, didn't wanna talk to you anyway. Jerk."
Ipo looked genuinely confused, then frustrated.
"Begin!" came the announcement.
Ipo dashed to the side and used Double Team again. He saw Punk following his movements well, so he prepared to attack. Punk crossed his arms over his chest and inhaled - loudly, on purpose. Ipo rushed in to use Punishment again and capitalize on Punk having tension in his chest, but Punk was waiting for it.
With an excessively loud scream, Punk used Obstruct right before Ipo intended to attack. The big Obstagoon was so sudden and intimidating that Ipo faltered for an instant. In that instant, Punk used Cross Chop and forced Ipo to the floor. Before Ipo could recover, Punk used Fury Swipes. Ipo tried to dodge away, but the best he could do was keep from getting hit by Punk's fast, sweeping claws.
When Ipo finally got an opening to step back, toward the edge, Punk turned to him and used Hyper Voice. The resulting shockwave blasted Ipo out of the arena and into a wall. Ipo hit the floor in a seated position - knocked out as well.
"Team Ipo has no fighters remaining! Team Kanzo wins!" announced Yun, standing and gesturing.
"Please return to stand-by," said the Hypno, "And await your next match in the second round."
Neither team really had any time to do much beyond gather their beaten and weary members and shuffle back to the waiting area east of their arena. Two pairs of Indeedee and a Chansey were the main treatment colony members, but some Gallade and a few other Psychic Pokémon were volunteering their healing abilities as well.
Kaname was relieved to have help in helping her friends recover, and the group got to sit down and talk about their matches while the first round continued all around them.
