Welcome to the Show (Violet, Open)

[Officer Fisch Grayson]

And you know it´s true
I´m just better than you
See the fear that´s in your eyes
I´ll make you realize

Well oh yeah, here we go again
Looks like we're on the floor again
Hell yeah, here we go again
Cause I came here to win

Navy stood in the ring, facing his opponent, some blue-haired young man who'd walked up and asked for a battle. Normally, he didn't take a challenge from punk-kids who didn't need to be taught a lesson, but this was a special case. Actually, the kid had the gall to challenge him, so maybe he did need to be taught something.

Cyan faced his opponent. He knew he was facing the best in the business, but he just wanted to see how he'd stack up. The rules were simple. Last one with a Pokemon standing would win.

Navy sent out Grizz, his Ursaring. Cyan started off with Scar. Scar opened up with a Quick attack, but before it could even land, Grizz countered with a take-down. Scar got in a Thunder, using his speed to evade, but eventually Scar tired out. And then, one well-placed Slash brought the Pikachu down.

Next, Jolt took center-ring. He got some great shots in, a Thunder, Headbutt, Even a double-kick. But Grizz was too strong. He let out an angered roar, then with Hyper Beam, finished him in one blow.

Electabuzz was next up. Cyan was sweating; he'd never been owned like this, but it wasn't over. Body Slam met Take-Down, and Grizz staggered. Then, Buzz hit a well placed Thunder-punch to the jaw. Grizz fell.

"So you got one. I must say I'm impressed. But don't get used to it....Zander. Let's go." Without his master even having to touch the Pokeball, a black Charizard appeared on the field.

"Buzz, Hyper Beam!"
"Blast Burn."

Buzz was out. "I guess that's done. I-- he started sadly, then...Flare popped out of his Pokeball, fired up and ready to go.

"...Seriously? This is insulting...." Zander shot a flamethrower, but Magby countered with his own, the field becoming engulfed in flames. When the smoke cleared, a Magmar was standing where the little Magby once had been. Zander and Navy were unimpressed, but Navy was smirking.

Zander took flight, then nailed Flare in a dive, he countered with Smog, but Metal Claw sealed the deal as the newly evolved baby fell.

Zander returned, and Navy nodded. "You got skill, I give you that. A few more years experience, and you might've stood somewhat of a chance." He meant it as a compliment, but Navy wasn't very good at that, and his words cut deep.

Cyan dropped to a knee as Navy walked away. He'd gone through a bit of a slump lately, and this didn't make it much better...

[Orange]

The only way out
Is letting your guard down and never die
Forgotten
Forgive me my love
I stand here all alone
And I can see the bottom

Alexandra Wolfblood, second in command of the PokeMafia, had gone to the battling rings that day simply to have a day out with her sister. The twins hadn't hung out in quite a while, especially considering the hell that the world was going to at the moment. They both knew that, between the Cannibal and the other dons, their father had his work cut out for him, and that they were to do as they could to help him.

Unforunately for them, Mewtwo had realized their motives, and told them they were to go and have a day off. He had said something along the lines of "my daughters will not be swamped by stress or exhaustion." And so they had gathered up their things, their Pokeballs, and headed out to check on the Poke'rings.

To her surprise, Cyan was battling that day. Orange watched, with Espeon by her side, as he and a trainer named Navy battled. The entire time, Espeon was whining; she and Orange both knew that, despite Cyan's skill, only a miracle would allow him to win.

And then Magby evolved.

Ali's hands moved to her mouth, pressed together as if praying. A part of her did pray, that this was the break Cyan deserved, but, alas, that wasn't what was to happen. Flare fell as well, and Navy uttered one of his biting comments. Orange's eyes flared.

"Jackass," she hissed, moving from the gathered trainers to Cyan, kneeling beside him. "We're here to train Pokemon, not slide insults in every chance you get." She then turned to Cyan, moving her hand so it rested over his. Her eyes softened, "Hey, don't look so glum, Cy. It's all right. I can talk to dad; he'll... He'll get some of his guys to help Flare train up, if you want."

Orange turned to the Pokemon that held the newly evolved Pokemon. "I'm just impressed he wanted to fight."

[Violet]

Well, I know a thing about contrition, because I got enough to spare.
And I'll be granting your permission, 'cause you haven't got a prayer.
Well I said hey, hey! Hallelujah! I'm gonna come on sing the praise,
And let the spirit come on through ya; we got innocence for days!
Well, I think I'm gonna burn in hell; everybody burn the house right down!
And I say, hey, what I wanna say!
Tell me I'm an angel, take this to my grave.
Tell me I'm a bad man, kick me like a stray.
Tell me I'm an angel, take this to my grave...

S-I-N, I S-I-N

Hannah couldn't believe it.

Good lord, Cyan had just gotten his ass kicked. The kid had talent, but he had gotten his ass kicked. Of course, she used the term "kid" lightly... He was just as old as she was, if she remembered correctly. But still...

The woman shuddered. That was not doing well for her own self-image, not at all. Even as Maxine and Horace pressed against her legs to comfort her, she couldn't help but shiver in self-hate. God, if Cyan and her had almost tied, and Cyan had just had his Pokemon's asses handed to them... What did that say about her? What could that say about her?

She decided, then, to follow after her sister, seeing as they were supposed to be hanging out; "taking a day off", as her father had said. A load of bull, if you asked her but... no one had asked her. And she wouldn't have dared talked to or about Mewtwo like that, not even when he wasn't within earshot.

"We're here to train Pokemon, not slide insults in every chance you get. . . ."

"What she said," Hannah murmured, staring disdainfully at where Navy had been standing not a moment before. "Someone needs to show that guy where exactly he stands in this circuit. It sure as hell ain't as high up as he seems to think it is..."

[Cyan]

He gripped Orange's hand, that alone making him feel a little better. But just a little.

He didn't look her in the eye. He couldn't. Not after that...gruesome display. Then Violet joined the group, and he felt even lower. He just stared at the ground.

"I...I shouldn't have done that....shoulda known I wasn't good enough to win...It wouldn't do any good. He knows just how good he is and will take a loss where it's earned. But he'll bask in a win..." He choked back tears, then repeated. "I was stupid..."

Then, four Pokemon left their Pokeballs. None physically injured, really. But the cloud of defeat hovered over all of them.

Scar snuggled against Cyan's side, trying to comfort his master and himself. Buzz stood off in the distance, fuming. Magmar just looked depressed. He'd evolved, but for what? Jolt just lay down and buried his face in his paws, whining. Espy had seen that...

[Orange]

Squeezing Cyan's hand gently, Orange drew it to her lips, so she could kiss it. Then, she pecked Flare on the head, her powers moving to heal his wounds. She made a metal note to "treat" the others after comforting Cyan. (It just so happened Flare was right there.)

 Espeon padded over to her mate, curling up next to him and nuzzling his head softly. She was proud of Jolt, despite the loss they had just experienced. She knew he had fought his hardest. She also knew that Navy was an experienced fighter. But her mistress... Her mistress was better. 

And when you combined the twins...

Orange nodded, already knowing what Espeon was thinking. She squeezed Cyan's hand again, then stood, turning to face her twin sister. "Hey, what do you say Mewtwo's finest show the punk how to win with grace - and style?" Her green eyes sparkled; her hand reached for a Pokéball on her hip. But before she could even touch it, Basty was out of his Pokeball and in front of Orange. 

He roared. 

"And that," she murmured, "is why I love living with Mewtwo. I swear, his psychic abilities are leaking out onto us."