LordCowCow

Match ends 11/29 10 PM CST

Match ends 11/29 10 PM CST

"Do not move, Blossom and Bianca, this elevator had already did something like this before and it was not really pleasant." "Oh my god." Bianca said, looking at Blossom in concern. "You really are crazy. What are you going to do with...those things." She gestured at the fans. Blossom shrunk back. "Please don't fight." She muttered. It was then that the elevator started moving again. And once it hit the next floor it opened up. Bianca grabbed Blossom's hand and pulled her off into the floor. "Let's get out of here." She said, shooting Erica a glare. Erica heard behind her a noise. Sounding like a chuckle. And felt a hand brush the back of her neck. Though were she to look she would find no one there. "If you got somethin' to say about me, say it to my face. 'Less o' course, you're scared o' me." The gaggle of girls let out gasps and crowded together. Looking rather fearful at the young man. This attracted the attention of some of the others in the area and they began to mutter among themselves about "What an ass, threatening those girls like that." "Sheesh, who let someone like that in here." "Maybe someone should get the principal?" The door opened and several people walked in. A quartet of men surrounding a tall, muscular, female with some rather feline traits. "Oi! What's all this then?" She said, gesturing around. "Some first year kittens eh?" She strolled across the floor like she owned the place and, when she got up to Kansuke, she gestured for him to step aside. "Grab your grub and move along little man, I'm hungry." "I am sorry. I was trying to commune with the spirits of this place." Xa'tok could see the principal's eyebrows raise from behind his sunglasses. A few moments later he nodded slowly. "I see, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. I knew this might happen when I accepted your entrance. You'd be Xa'tok then?" He raised a hand before the young man could respond. He reached back and, a sensor beeping, a stool came up out of the ground and the man grabbed it. He placed it in front of himself and sat down. Leaning forward he continued to talk. "I'm not sure how much you know about this place. But there is supposedly a spirit of sorts in the center of the planet. It had been there since...before I came here, at least, but not much is known about its origin. Any attempts to contact always ends with the initiator sick in bed for weeks without even so much as catching a glimpse of them. I'd ask you avoid a similar fate. I can't let a student come to harm after all!" The man stroked his beard. "Is there something you needed from them? If there's something you require I'm sure I can help. After all I want to make sure all students of all kinds are happy here." Kelsey wasn't entirely happy about the other two coming along with her. She felt stupid, and helpless, as they made their way to their destination. Her arm hurt and was awkwardly sticking out, drawing a couple glances on the way, and by the time they got there she felt like a complete freak. She was relieved to find that only Stella was going in with her. When the girl mentioned helping her out with it she hesitated. Kelsey glanced around, making sure no one was around, then smiled at Stella. "Sure, suppose I can let you tinker around. You're the only one I'd let touch me, after all." --- Outside, Vivian would find many shops around. Too many for any sane person to expect to list all at once. And even some that perhaps one wouldn't think about existing until that very moment! As she looked around she would notice people smiling at her, and a few shaking their heads in amusement, at her curiosity and camera. The one who seemed most amused was a bird. A bird with a fork-like beak. Though amusement didn't fit right. More like curiosity. Or was it hunger? Either way Vivian would feel she knew the bird. Not personally. But like a friend of a friend. Or less a friend but more an acquaintance that she didn't realize how close she was too. Eventually the boy came out of the bunker. His clothes and face covered in soot and a bit of a dazed look on his face. He coughed and a bit of smoke came out of his mouth. Then he looked over at Sammi. "Um...hi. I, well, he told me where to find the security guard." He blushed, though it was barely visible through the soot. "It's actually, uh, just outside the campus when coming in...C-can you come with, maybe?" The security station was a perfectly square building. It was grey, steel, and imposing. With spikes sticking along the roof and a large parabolic antennae sticking off the top. Rotating slowly and beeping. At the front and back was a narrow, wide, window. As they approached, the boy holding back, they heard something coming from inside. Looking into the window they would see a uniformed girl standing in the middle of a room filled with monitors and screens and various dials. She was bouncing a ball with her head, and knees, back and forth when they looked. When she saw the pair she seemed distracted and the ball smacked her in the face before bouncing off and hitting various things in the room. Sirens started going off and the girl scrambled to shut them off. Once done she sighed and opened up a panel at the side of the window and stepped outside. "Well helllooooo there, I'm Lois, suppose I'm the guard here or something. What's up?" The boy hesitated then muttered something. The girl tilted her head. "Come again?" "Um. My friend. No. Uh. A guy. A student. Classmate. You took something. Um. A bottle? I. Bring it back...um, sorry." Lois turned to Sammi. "Translation?"

"Um... home's Blackthorn City, in Johto." Naomi didn't know much about that place. The name sounded like something in a book. It brought to mind magic and castles and dragons. Naomi spoke up with the first thought that came to mind. "S'Rondo a Dragon?" "It's in the Hoenn Region. It rains a lot, and the houses are up in the trees. You get a lot of chances to have run-ins with wild pokemon there, too, and all the climbing up and down is good exercise." Meanwhile Kanon was from somewhere that sounded downright awful. If you were up in a tree and went to bed wouldn't you just fall to the ground? "S'that why you don't sleep much?" Naomi asked. She wasn't sure about the question. The beaten path. The desert looked pretty beaten up to her. Thinking about it, wasn't it really warm here? Her clothes were meant to help her stay warm but this was getting a bit much. Squirming she started to take her jacket off. She just let it fall and Princess, moving her head, caught the article of clothing on one of the spikes along their head. Naomi got it in her mind that she should probably try and battle some other trainers. She was supposed to get stronger right? That's what her Pokemon wanted. Unfortunately most of the trainers on the route they passed, when they looked at the Rhyhorn she rode, completely denied the battle. Until an athlete, with a Timburr, decided to give it a try. Naomi rolled off the side of Princess and barely managed to avoid landing face first. Then she sent Princess in. With the jacket still hanging off of her. "Come on come on, shake it off!" The thug called out. Fletchinder tried to swerve back and forth but Cherry seemed to be holding on still. Even as the Murkrow came in from the side and attacked. Which caused the Fletchinder to hit the ground again. "Ahhhh, oh I got it. Quick Attack the other bird, forget that bunny on top of ya!" The Fletchinder gave a chirp and, struggling, turned towards the Murkrow and took off at high speed, with Cherry having to hold on to try and keep up, to slam into Ivan's Murkrow. The thug noticed Belle's trouble with her Pokemon and seemed to be startled. "Uhhh, someone...gonna stop that Rattata from eating that girl or nah?"

Strength: Being in character Weakness: Boxing yourself in too much/not branching out 32

Cowboy hat

Something felt wrong. Was that really it? "well, you'll see for yourself." Jun's words had caused Gabby to expect Hiraku to pull off something incredible that would show how much of a gap there was still to the top. But he had lost! Was the duel team not as strong as they had been made out to be? If that was the case it was even worse that she had gotten in despite having lost her match wasn't it? The ending of the duel left a sour taste in her mouth. When she looked over at Jun she couldn't hide her concerns immediately. It shone on her face for a moment before she snapped out of it. "Ah, perhaps I missed it. What was it that you wanted me to see? This does not bode well for your land if this is the show the people of your land can put on." She was trying hard to sound less concerned and more haughty. After all, she was meant to be a princess of darkness, a duelist that had great powers, she couldn't let herself show shaken confidence. "Though I suppose this means that my ascent to the top shall be even swifter." Then she said something that she was certain to regret sooner rather than later. "When I duel next you will see powers like never before!"

Shorter than most

Team Mac, Cave Part Two "Get up; you're heavy!" Mac rolled off the side. "That's pretty rude you know. I'm not heavy you're just too skinny." She grumbled as she got back to her feet. Though her minor concerns were nothing in the face of what Kazo just experienced. A crater was formed in the ground as Zekrom's attack went off. Even though they weren't the targets both Ari and Mac felt some of the shockwave of the impact. Zekrom stretched his arms out and squeezed his shoulder blades. "Ah, I missed, too bad. Still a bit stiff from all that time as a statue I guess." He then punched his fists together and smiled. "Just means I got to work out the kinks." Raising his arms he launched a large blue bolt of electricity towards Kazo. As soon as he did he moved. Having been mostly stationary during the fight Mac was surprised to see him move so swiftly towards her and Ari. The two young Gijinka were near each other as both of Zekrom's fists became enveloped in a swirling ball of electricity. Once he neared them he thrust his arms forward to strike them both with one hand. Mac leapt to the side to avoid the strike, feeling the heat of the lightning on her face, and hurled herself at Zekrom in retaliation. She struck him in the stomach but the Legend seemed unfazed. Bringing an elbow down on her head for her troubles. She didn't fall down completely but her knees buckled and she fell onto her knees in front of the Legend. Hoping Ari would be fine she pushed back up to her feet to swing her leg at Zekrom's own. Team Karaoke, Graveyard of Lost Souls "You're probably the strongest of us right now, so cover for us. But, keep yourself safe too." Gwen's head was swimming. She only barely registered what Nine had said. "Alright." She said, her voice coming out distorted. She just had to attack Raphael, right? She could do that. Her focus wasn't so far gone to prevent from something as simple as that. "If we all run towards the light, at least one of us should make it... I think. He can't deal with all of us..." As the group moved, above them, Raphael's cackle could be heard. "Wishful thinking, little lamb, but you're not going anywhere. None of you are." He started to move lower as Nine, Lok, and Kayla started to sprint towards the light, whatever it was. Gwen was also moving forward, albeit at a slower pace. The hands that grasped at her were met with a Mystical Fire attack. Raphael landed behind Nine and grabbed the young man by the back of the neck, reaching through the spectral barrier around him. He gripped down tightly and flung his arm sideways. Throwing Nine into a nearby gravestone. He then went towards Kayla and extended his arm. The spirits around him flowed through the arm and wrapped around Kayla. She let out a surprised squeak and shot a beam out at it which allowed her to slip away momentarily. However Raphael then struck her in the back with a Shadow Ball. He started towards Lok when a barrage of leaves struck the specters surrounding him. He craned his neck bad and saw Gwen floating towards him with hate in her eyes. A wide grin broke out on his face, one that almost seemed to split his mouth open wider than it should be, and his claws extended. "Impatient, impatient, but okay, you next." Team Showdown, Temple of Time and Space "Very tough..." "Your attacks can't break my armor." He said confidently as his body emitted the same ghostly aura as before, strengthening himself farther. "Tch, armor doesn't stop me...But..." Isole hesitated. If she attacked surely he would go for her. And she was still injured from the previous attacks she took. She doubted she could handle another from someone with such high attack power. The solution came in the form of a cocky shark girl. "Here's the big one!" She saw the Carracosta turn towards Taiga only to take a punch to the face from Scarlet. Dragging his attention back to the Scizor as he swiped down at her with a mighty Dragon Claw. In that moment Taiga launched her attack. Isole fired off her Thunderbolt and the attacks met just before hitting the Carracosta. Taiga's attack, which usually would be physically offensive, was charged with Isole's own and skipped past the Carracosta's defenses to blast him up and out of the ring entirely. Crashing into the far wall he slid down to the ground, unconscious. A few seconds past and then the king's clapping could be heard. A slow clap that grew louder as the Tyrantrum rose up from his throne and stepped towards the group. "I admit it. I'm impressed." The Tyrantrum smiled at the three and then a savage look flashed in their eyes. They crouched down and jumped into the air and landed in the ring with a loud thud. "After something like that how could I resist joining in? Come on now, you three, I'm sure you have more gas left in the tank. Your final opponent is me!" BGM With a mighty roar the king stood to their full, eight foot, height. Spreading their arms wide they said. "Let's see what you've got!"

who told you you were allowed to bump this?

whoa i forgot how far down this one was uh here's something for your trouble of looking at this post

Sundress

Match ends 11/26 9 PM CST

Match ends 11/26 9 PM CST

And we're down to the top 4! Which I'll post...well, in a few minutes probably. Since only two threads needed. Final Four, not randomized yet.

"Wait, does this place only make bread? Or are you just... inordinately passionate about it?" A light blush appeared on Jorge's face, matching his hair, and he shook his head. "N-no, sorry, we have more than bread. I just...well, I'm pretty confident in my baking, is all." He hesitated. "I shouldn't try and push that on you though. Dad always sai-." He stopped talking suddenly and when he continued he acted like he hasn't said anything at all. "So, what d'ya want? You speak it I make it...oh, that didn't rhyme like I thought it would. But you get the picture, right?" As they talked it seemed a few more students, mostly first years, came in. Kansuke noticed a couple of the females glancing over at him and then whispering among themselves, looking annoyed. "I am one of the girls you said was in a gang back in the library. I recall your name as you said it before leaving the place. It was during the flight through the asteroid rain, before the attack of the pirates." Bianca seemed even more confused than before. "Right, gang, on the ship, gotcha." She turned away from Erica and towards Blossom. The other girl nodded a bit and Bianca moved to stand next to her. "I am sorry if you couldn't recognize me in my Asarian outfit. It is what I wear when I am not training or battling on my mech. Also, it is rude to whisper such things about people without confirmation of truth." "Well, that was....very interesting." Bianca said, speaking slowly and smiling more than normal. "I'll keep that in mind then. After we get off the elevator. At the next stop. Which...isn't where you're going, right?" As the elevator made its way down it suddenly seemed to stop. And, like before, the lights started to flicker. "What's that?" Blossom said, looking about in a panic. "Probably just someone forgot some maintenance or something. I'm sure it'll be back running soon." Bianca seemed rather annoyed by this. Erica meanwhile would hear noises right behind her and near her ear. It sounded like whispers but she couldn't make out what was being said.

Keres wasn't entirely happy about splitting the group up. Though if she had to leave anyone behind this wasn't the worst option. She had planned to walk along but, given that Kloqah was able to carry more than one, and everyone else was mounted up, she felt it silly to refuse. Even if it felt uncomfortable having to hold onto Reinaan's scaled body to keep from falling off. Their journey into the grass went slowly. They had to make sure to keep on track of the blood splatter. Thankfully it seemed to be moving in a more or less straight path so the only real concern was that the trail would end in the middle of the grass without any more clue as to where it went from there. Keres, thinking about what would be at the other end of this, suddenly jerked as Kloqah's hind leg buckled. The mage was almost tossed off the side but, clinging to Reinaan tight, she was able to keep from falling. As it turned out a snake, rather large though not monstrous, had bitten the lizard. Reinaan had taken care of the snake and Ryia was in the process of administering the antivenom. She wondered if the girl knew how it worked but it seemed that Ryia had some experience on the matter. Once they started up again the girl was much more alert. Between her and Reinaan they were able to spot any other such problem or pitfall before it happened. The grass started to grow higher, until it was over their head, but as they had already gone this far they continued on. Geoff commented on it, saying, "perhaps my next task should be cutting some of this grass. Imagine, a clear view all across the plain!" Eventually the grass started to thin more and they emerged into a clearing. It was a large clearing with several very obvious, and somewhat unusual, structures. Pillars of rock jutted up from the ground. In the middle was the tallest, and widest, of the pillars. If it weren't for the grass they would have easily seen it before coming to it as it towered high in the sky. On all four sides a multitude of smaller pillars were set. Growing shorter until the tenth on each side which was only several feet off the ground. Each of them seemed they'd fit two people standing on them. In the middle of each row was a wider pillar, more than double in size, and there were 11 of these pillars in total. The blood trail ended at the base of the largest pillar. And as they looked up, up, to the top of the pillar... They would see a massive bird perched on top. Standing in the middle of what seemed to be a nest. Keres knew what it was, from pictures in her books, a Roc. A huge bird that preyed mostly on large mammals. Able to carry off horses in its talons. And it had spotted them. The creature looked towards them as they poked out of the grass and let out a loud screech. Flapping its wings and getting up to its feet. BGM

As Alexis continued to play she heard something. A voice, or rather, a hum. Still playing the girl looked towards where it was coming from and noticed that it was Yue. Her heart skipped a beat as she watched. The voice was just so lovely. It shocked Alexis to hear it come from a person. She slowed her movements down, letting the others catch up more, and sidled up next to the archer. "Well." She said, trying to balance playing and speaking, "you're full of surprises aren't you?" Then, lowering her voice so only Yue could hear, she said "I'm shocked that she hasn't totally fallen for you yet. From what I've seen you must be quite the catch." "It sounds nice, in any case... I guess I don't have as great of an ear for music as I hoped." Alexis overhead the healer's words and grinned. Taking a step away from Yue to avoid shouting in the girl's ear, she called to him. "Don't worry about that. All it takes is a bit of practice. But I suppose some have it easier. I take it none of you have ever heard Leon try to sing before." She chuckled to herself at the memory. Speaking of Leon. "well, we're not in any rush, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt if the song was a bit...faster." "Eeeverybody's a critic. Fine, oh great music master, I shall try and live up to your expectations." She looked to Yue and winked. "Sorry, this isn't as lovely as your voice, but if Leon wants fast that's what he'll get." With a giggle she skipped ahead of the group again and began to play. "Okay, let me... explain," Rona wasn't sure what to think. The man seemed to be upset. Was magic something that he cared about? His explanation didn't really fit. "Casting magic isn't really a goal is it?" Rona said. "And besides, wouldn't it be better to focus mo-" She couldn't get the rest out because Cormag started to snarl. She glanced at her mount in surprise. Cormag was glowering now at Raynor instead. He didn't know what the man was saying. All he knew was that he didn't like the tone. Nor the energy radiating off of him. It felt aggressive. Towards Rona. He couldn't let that happen. The Wyvern turned its head towards Raynor and growled again. Opening its jaw and moved to bite down on the antagonistic man. Only stopping when Rona pulled back and scolded him. "W-what are you doing?" Rona looked over at Raynor with an uncharacteristic panic in her eyes for a moment. "I...he must be feeling off today, perhaps he needs to stretch his wings more." And with that she took into the skies and moved ahead of Raynor. It was then she noticed something off in the distance. "Be ready, Cormag, this could be trouble." She said and spurred the wyvern ahead. Making sure to be ahead of the group, putting herself between them and whatever it was that was coming. If they seemed hostile she'd be ready to draw her weapon and strike them down.

"hi hi there, Gunther. Guess what, guess what! We found a door down there, and it's all stuck and stuff. It's a bit sad but - oh, yeah, yeah. I also found this panel thing, and someone really liked to draw triangles in it. But, whoever was drawing them is really bad at drawing triangles. I think they should practice more." Gunther smiled back at the girl. Perhaps he should have grabbed the bear earlier. He had a strong urge to pat her head but restrained himself. "Triangles you say? Well, perhaps its some sort of clue. I can't say I'm all too skilled at figuring out clues so perhaps we should go tell Penelope." He noticed the badger nearby. Gunther glanced over to the trapdoor. Perhaps he was worried about something he keeps down there? It brought to mind to the Knight again that they really were moving around this person's house. "Penelope is holding a meeting. Meet back upstairs," Gunther felt himself stand straighter as Catriona gave the order. Whatever his concerns he had to listen to what the princess said. Before going he said to the badger, "I'm sure they won't damage anything, they're good folk...I think." "Come on Tsetseg, let's go." Gunther said as he went out and up the stairs. Reaching the first floor he glanced over towards where he had taken the cheese from and felt a small sense of relief knowing everything should be in their place now. He went to the table where some of the others were. It was only as he stood by the table with the rest that he realized how little he actually had discovered about all this. Whoops. "there sure are a lot of weird mysteries that need solving in Histia. "I know...isn't it great?" Penelope couldn't help but show her excitement. There was something strange about all this. In that she didn't actually know what to make of it. There were stories of such things, of course, but nothing that were rooted in fact as far as she knew. This didn't mean the books were wrong but she had to wonder if perhaps she had been interpreting the stories incorrectly. “Do you have any idea why a key to the town hall, might be so tightly guarded? I mean, they need to get in there fairly often, right? Since that would be the Mayor’s place of work…?” "I had the same thought." Penelope said. This girl was more observant than she had gave her credit for. How interesting. And suspicious, in its own way, she supposed. Yet she couldn't feel all too concerned. If it turned out to be the worst case then she would deal with it then. "I suppose it depends. It could only be a copy. Or perhaps the town hall is not usually locked. In such a small community which, from what we've heard, is rather isolated it's possible they saw no reason to keep it locked most of the time. Whatever the case we will certainly have to check it out after this." "You do not understand! I have seen such magics before. The caster would have to be quite powerful to--" Penelope raised an eyebrow as she watched the brief argument. Watching someone try to disagree with Catriona was rather interesting. As expected her sister shot Licorice down quite quickly. "It matters not who or what stands in our way. The goal remains the same." She had to agree with Catriona on this. Though it might've been better to be a tad more diplomatic about it. "No one here is required to stay. Any of you can leave if you so wish. I plan on staying and figuring this out, however, regardless of where it leads." She smiled at Licorice. "I am fairly confident I can handle any magic they may possess. Though I suppose it would be helpful to know where you've seen this before." "Here and there. This is not the first time I have left the village. I have come across all sorts of magics in my travels." Was that a bit of nerves she detected? "Well, then perhaps you can give some more insight on the matter. Where it comes from. The extent of the magic. How its stopped. What kind of person we might be dealing with?" Licorice seemed reluctant to speak further. Penelope wondered what it could be that was holding her back. Between Link and Citron and now this Penelope was starting to wonder what kind of group she had found herself in. While she should be concerned she couldn't help but feel a bit of excitement. Navigating this would truly test her skill. And prove that she could inherit the title of Grandmaster from her teacher. "This magic is referred to as ritual magic, and while it has unimaginable power, it is limited to a specific location. Such as this village." Licorice's face looked grim. "It can only be broken by destroying one of the magical anchors of the ritual. As for the person, it would be a highly capable magic-user, one we should not try to fight." Penelope cupped her chin as she thought. "I see." Her eyes flicked back and forth as she got her thoughts in order. What would a powerful magic user be doing here? It seemed unusual for one so powerful to need help. There were several possibilities that came to mind but in the end, there was only one real answer. "Well, then I suppose we must find this anchor and break it. And if the magic-user appears." She looked to Catriona and smiled. "I think you'll find we're not so easy to best." Catriona was one of the strongest warriors she knew. She would not be bested by many foes. And Penelope herself had researched magic so much that she thought she should be able to handle any that came her way. No, the king's daughters would not be stopped by some dark mage. "So, does anyone have anything they found that they want to share?" "The issue is here, the fate of this continent rests upon that fool's shoulders." What? Wait. No, you can't just say something like that so casually. Weren't they just a mercenary group or something similar? No. Now that she thought about it that really didn't make any sense. So who were they? And why the continent? Was there something going on that they didn't know about? She hadn't heard of any major war or anything. Cora stayed silent as her thoughts swam. Trying to piece together what all this could mean. And why in the world these people were so casual about stuff like this. Only this Licorice girl seemed to not be absolutely bonkers and she was the one with the animal parts! "There seems to be a quite active cult of Inera in this village " There it was again! "Like I told that one boy, we do NOT worship the Goddess here and I'd like you to stop acting like we do. It's quite rude you know. The Goddess, ugh, just imagining that gives me chills." After this they went back to the house, thankfully, and Cora found the first floor filled with people. She stayed back, near the wall, as the animal girl argued with the leader girl. There was some kind of authority from the leader that Cora couldn't help but listen to. She supposed she should be thankful that they would continue to help. Cora wasn't surprised that the animal girl had experienced this before. After all, she DID have a tail. Maybe she was worried she'd become even more an animal if she stayed. Was she going to become an animal soon? Cora wondered what kind she might become. "So, does anyone have anything they found that they want to share?" Ah. Right. Cora stepped away from the wall a bit and pointed to the table itself. "So, I didn't mention before, but there was a letter under there....just thought you should know." She wasn't sure at first but, given how adamant they seemed about helping, Cora felt that she should give whatever little help she could as well.

Match ends 11/23 8 PM CST

Match ends 11/23 8 PM CST