OOC: This post is a bit big, but I thought it was necessary since some of the other RP-er's have yet to post, and interest seems to be faltering. So anyway, in my next post the tournament will start, so be prepared for that, as I'll probably write it up later today or tomorrow. If you have not posted yet, please try to get one in before then, so that I know you're still active. Okay, happy readings. ;)
IC: Akira awoke to the gentle prodding of the bathhouse owner, who had informed her that the hot baths were closing for the night. Her face red from embarrassment from falling asleep in such a public setting, and her body soaked in steam for staying in so long, Akira quickly stepped out and grabbed her belongings.
Oh no, I can't believe I fell asleep… She thought, as she pulled herself into her set of clothes, cursing at the fact that she had forgotten a second towel to dry herself with. She would have to return to the flats drenched and steaming. Ugh, that Cloyster…
She had finally dressed and headed for the elevators, where she found another one of the trainers just getting in. Adryan. She thought, recalling his name from the registration earlier that morning. Heh, he must've had a bath too.
Sliding into the elevator, Akira noticed that the moon was already high in the sky, meaning it was much later than she had initially thought. Hoe? How long was I sleeping? Adryan pressed the level for the Trainer Flats and the elevator began its ascent to the forty-seventh floor.
The ride was considerably shorter than their first trip up, but Akira was still as nervous and uncomfortable as she was during the first time. She had wrapped her arms around her torso in order to prevent her clothes from sticking to her body. Her hair and clothes were still soaked and were dripping onto the floor in the elevator with the bath's water.
"F-Forgot my towel," Akira stated with a nervous smile, noticing Adryan's puzzled look. "I-I was in the bathhouse. I-I fell asleep."
The lift slowed into its gate before opening its doors to the forty-seventh floor. The outer glass panel wall of the level displayed the nightlife of the city below. Lights and fireworks covered the darkening mass of buildings and people, showing off Summit Nine's festive and active culture.
Akira quickly ran up to the wall and pressed her face against the glass, looking down at the bustling metropolis below. She smiled as she gazed at the distant sight. Calmness came over her as she rested against the glass, water running down from her hair and face. She was anticipating on going down to join in the festivities before realising that she had an early morning tomorrow and knew she was not the lightest of sleepers.
"Oh man…I really wanted to go," she sighed, hanging her head. "Ugh, but I guess I should go to sleep. I don't want to miss out on the tournament either." With a final teary look at the bustling festival below, Akira tore herself away from the wall and returned half-heartedly to her room, where she would spend the rest of the evening making preparations with her Pokemon and resting for the upcoming tournament.
She awoke with a shock, frantically looking around in an attempt to locate the time. She remembered falling asleep after having long discussions with her Pokemon about how they would approach the tournament, but came to the decision that any tactic or strategy that they could come up with would be unreliable, since she really didn't know anything about her opponents or their Pokemon. It was Dragonair who had said that she and her other Pokemon would all try their very best, regardless of the situation that satisfied Akira the most.
No matter the outcome, as long as we're with you, we'll be alright… She thought, recalling what her Dragonair had said the evening before. "We'll be alright…"
'Well, we won't be alright if you don't hurry up and get changed Akira,' came her partner's voice. 'And to think I said what I did last night.' The Dragonair shook its head as her trainer tumbled out of bed, struggling to get ready.
"Hoe…why didn't you wake me up?" Akira exclaimed, as she tripped out of her pyjamas in attempt to get dressed. Her blue dragon partner shot her trainer a sharp look who immediately backed off the topic.
'You know how it is Akira,' her Dragonair continued, 'I spend half my morning trying to wake you up and then you spend the other half shouting at me because you wouldn't. It's a wonder how I've lasted this long…'
"Don't say that, I just get a little grumpy in the morning," Akira replied, to the scoff of her blue dragon partner. "But I really do appreciate your concern," she continued with a smile, before giving the Dragonair a small kiss on the nose.
The Dragonair blushed, before realising the situation and continuing with her argument. 'You better hurry now Akira, it's already fifty past seven. I've coaxed the others back into their Poke Balls too, so we're ready when you are.'
Akira smiled before drawing out her partner's ball and returning the dragon to its container. Picking up her bag, she quickly made her way out of the room and to the elevators, where she would take the long lift down to the lobby and to the start of the Summit Nine Pokemon League tournament.
"The first rule states that each Pokemon Trainer is required to select a maximum of three out of his or her six Pokemon for each round of the tournament."
Miles the trainer guide had already begun his introduction to the tournament as Akira entered the lobby. The group of other trainers exchanged various looks of amusement, nervousness, and anticipation as he continued his explanation of the tournament rulings. Akira herself was feeling increasingly nervous as she was very inexperienced and had no real knowledge of how tournament proceedings were conducted.
"Pokemon Trainers for each round are chosen at random via the random name generator in each stadium," Miles continued, looking over the group with a less than cheerful expression. His voice carried a threatening tone that established his authority as the league's trainers' guide and he was no longer smiling with every word he spoke. The buoyant energy he displayed the day before was absent as he continued his briefing of the eleven other trainers. "Trainers who are not participating in an active round may reserve seats in the stadium's audience or return to their respective locker rooms behind each of the arenas."
Akira scratched her head as she struggled to take in everything Miles was describing. The other ten trainers also appeared to have several thoughts on the official rulings but none spoke out. Seeing this, Miles continued with his explanation without hesitation, despite Akira's faltering attention.
"The second rule states that if a Pokemon exceeds the boundaries of a stadium's arena during a battle, that Pokemon is considered 'knocked out' regardless of whether the Pokemon can continue to fight or not. Once a trainer's three Pokemon are judged 'knocked out', that trainer will be eliminated from the tournament. In two-on-two battles however, if a trainer's three Pokemon are judged 'knocked out', that trainer will not be eliminated until his or her partner's three other Pokemon are also judged 'knocked out'.
"Other standard procedures during a Pokemon battle, dictate that no trainer is allowed to enter the boundaries of the stadium's arena during a battle. This will result in the immediate disqualification of the trainer and his or her partner in the case of a two-on-two battle. The adjudicator's judgement is final and cannot be challenged until after the match. In the case of a mistaken call, special consideration may be given to the challenging trainer after the match has concluded."
Finishing his last sentence, Miles regained his breath as he looked over the group. Seeing no objections, he continued. "Now that the rulings have been announced, the final steps of the tournament's initiation will begin. Because of residential enquiries, the initial ceremony for the tournament was held last night in the city, so that the start of the tournament could be announced immediately the following day, which is today. So, now that we're all familiar with the details, let's begin…"
With that, the guide turned and directed the group's attention to the monitor that stood above the lobby's counter. Screenshots of the arena flashed across the screen, showing each angle and detail of the stadium. It was then that Akira realised just how big the tournament was.
Crowds of people filled the stands of the stadium, as an official addressed them from the arena's centre. Miles had returned to his initial composure and smiled as the group observed the flashing monitor. "Let the tournament begin."
