The waiting room is dimly lit, and the only objects in the musty quarters that bring me slight ease are my teammates. "Guys, i'm about to go on." I have a lump in my throat, and i stammer just a tad. "I'm a little nervous to be honest. I don't want to let you guys down."
Gerard gives me a smile and shakes his head. "You'll do fine, i know it! Just get out there and do your best." My other partner, LS, nods in agreement, and squeezes my hand to help simmer down my nerves. "Just focus on what matters, don't get distracted by the petty things." Her smile, alongside Gerard's give me comfort, and i manage to crack a grin while saying, "Yeah, ya'll are right. Maxim and i are equally matched, i can steal a win!"
I go in for a team cheer, but suddenly the speaker blares. A dusty voice, bored and unamused, echoes through the room, calling "Glacier Knight to Arena 2G please. Your match will begin in 2 Minutes." I suddenly tense up, but i feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn and see my comrades, slowly pushing me forward. "You got this Ghetto Knight, beat that kid." Lady Salamence whispers teasingly, and Gerard chuckles. With a determined nod, i leave the room, entering the dark catacombs of the Arena complex.
As soon as the sun shines into my face, i am blinded, and a roar of voices erupt from all angles. i am blasted with sights and sounds, and i stagger into the center of the arena. I see two characters, my opponent Maxim, and my Referee, EM. The latter i notice has blood shot eyes, red as a patrat. He notices my staring, and gives an odd giggle and whispers, "Don't tell! but i'm hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh ;)". He winks, then happily skips to his referee post. I then turn to my opponent. Maxim's face is stoic and determined, but i can catch a slight case of nerves emitting from him. Or is it just my nerves making myself believe so? i stop hyping myself up and firmly shake his hand. He is shocked at the notion, but nods in comply and says good luck. we turn away and head to our corners.
Our Pokemon Release. I must be psyching myself out, because his pokemon seem much more intimidating than others of the same species. But when i see pumped Richter, relaxed Twila, and giddy Reginald, my confidence rises. I have known these pokemon for years and years. i have faith in their abilities. I inhale deeply, then begin the ever so complicated task of commanding my army.
Twila,
Confuse Ray Arghonaut~Light Screen
If Machamp is successfully taunted a1, then Psychic Arghonaut a2
Richter,
Encore Volcarona~Wide Guard
If Machamp is successfully taunted a1, then Stone Egde Volcarona a2
Reginald,
Imprison Volcarona (Safeguard/Protect/Substitute)~Muddy Water (Arghonaut/Stratagem/Volcarona)
I suck in a deep breath, but i am confident. as the battle begins i explain my logic and reason out loud.
"So, here's how i see things. Richter needs to keep wide guard, for at least a2. Now, he can't Wide Guard if Argo is taunting him. solution? stop argo from taunting. the only way to do so though is quite risky, and complicated. However, it will work, just as long as he hits himself in confusion. Confused? don't be, i'll explain. Xatu will use confuse ray on arghonaut, which means there's a 50/50 chance argo will hurt himself. But, Volcarona is using safeguard. Well, not anymore. see, i found a loophole. Reginald will use imprison to seal Safeguard (as well as protect and substitute). Since Volcarona is unable to use safeguard, she will go for sunny day. HOWEVER Richter will be using encore on volcarona a1. Her first substitution says if targeted by encore, then use heat wave. This creates complications with Volcarona's Substitutions. Maxim said however if the subs conflict, the first substitution gets priority. therefore, Volcarona will Heat Wave instead of using sunny day. this leaves Arghonaut open to being confused. Twila will use confuse ray, and since she is faster than arghonaut, he has a 50/50 chance of hitting himself in confusion. If my plans works perfectly, he will hit himself, and machamp can protect his team from the oncoming heat waves, while Reginald can hit the enemies hard and Twila can set-up. However, if Maxim is lucky and Arghonaut's taunt works, then i will be set back. Not too far though, i think."
Yes, this is risky, but very well thought. I breath in and out very carefully and see the battle unravel. what will happen? Will i be successful? or will i fail? The first round is crucial, and will decide who will be the victor in this soon to be long and strenuous battle. I put some
Battle Music of my own on, and the fight begins!
GL Maxim!