Chapter 51: All Star Tournament.

Revival Falls Arc.

SWOOSH!

A blue beast zips across the sky, speeding within his draconic form, his spiky tail swishing around. Clinging onto the Thundurus' back are two teens and a mainly green humanoid, all glaring ahead. The light skin boy adjusts his blue glasses, taking his gaze onto the Gardevoir.

"Are we close to Glory Pride City?" the teen asks, his tone as stern as the blowing wind.

The Gardevoir squints, stroking her white sun hat. "...A little close, I think." She taps on the Therian's back. "I can feel his presence, at the very least."

The Thundurus frowns. "That's unhelpful, Penelope."

The teen glares at the humanoid. "I agree." He forms a fist, staring at it. "A little close doesn't equal close…" Sighs.

Penelope lowers her head, revealing the black ribbon around her hat. "My apologies." Her head shakes. "The wind is distracting my Kind Sensory, so it's difficult for me to fully focus on the kid's presence."

"Hmph, focus harder then," the Thundurus states.

Penelope flinches. "Oh shut up, Zethor!" She pouts, glaring at the serpent beast.

The glasses-wearing teen groans, shaking his head. "We'll never get there in time at this rate…"

The other teen pats the boy's back, caressing. "Relax, Henry." He holds Henry's free hand, keeping his left metallic one onto Zethor. "We'll reach Glory Pride. Just have faith that we'll get there." The brown skin teen smiles, his shemagh shifting to the winds.

"...Alright, Simon." Henry's glasses tilt down a bit as he gazes ahead, his white shirt waving. He sighs. "I just hope that—" frowns. "It's not too late to save Ramon."

. . .

Everyone gets a proper look at the inside of the All Star stadium: A huge open space with the Magic symbol being in the middle, containing six entries into the stadium. Five of them are the sign-up entries on the upper left while the audience entry is at the upper right, signs displaying above them showing what entries they are. Many people roam around, some heading towards the audience entry while others go into one of the sign-ups, employees guiding them along the way.

Courtney stands in front of everyone, winking while spreading her arms out. "Let me tell y'all what these tourneys are!" She points at the first entry to her right. "This is the All Star Single. Basically a 1v1 tourney. It explains itself." Then the second. "This one's All Star Tag. A 2v2 tourney, can even bring a friend with ya to join if you want." The third. "All Star Single V Many. As the name implied, one fella versus many others." She lifts a finger. "It can be 1v2, 1v3, or 1v4. A…much more hardcore tourney for my liking, honestly." Courtney waves her hand in disapproval.

"Shit, I'd join: Sounds like a hella fun with the tourney having me be as aggressive as possible." Justin punches the air, smirking.

Ada tilts her head, her arms folding. "I'd imagine it'll require you to strategize a lot, considering you're at a disadvantage with fighting so many people."

"Eh, fair point."

Courtney points at the fourth entry. "This here is the All Star Battle Royale. Everyone's fighting each other in a 4 to 10 person match." The rabbit lifts a finger. "Fun fact: This is the only tourney to have one round due to how long it takes to finish."

Roan awes. "Oooo!" He nods. "Sounds tough!"

"I've seen battles involving the royale: Can confirm it's mighty tough." The rabbit's arms fold, chuckling. "If Single V Many didn't exist, it would've been number 1 in the most brutal tourney style ever."

"I can imagine that," X comments.

Courtney points at the fifth entry, being at the very corner of the left side of the building. "And lastly, the All Star Randomizer." She slowly eyes the sign, perplexion spreading. "This one…" Blinks. "I think it's meant to be a surprise."

Ada's brow quirks. "As in?"

"Havin' competitors become unsure on what kind of tourney it is until they enter the battlefield." The Lopunny shrugs, snorting. "It's fun for those that want randomness in their fights, I guess."

"Sounds awful," Justin says. "I wouldn't be a fan of going into a competitive tournament only for it to randomize into a style I don't like."

"Same here, honestly," X follows.

Merlin lifts a finger, his blue hat shuffling. "To be fair, the format is honest about being random."

"Yep: Makes it easier for me to avoid that style, that's for sure!"

"I feel ya, fam."

Ada smiles. "Honestly, all of these different types of All Star Tourneys are pretty unique!" Her face scrunches. "Even…if the Randomizer one sounds too chaotic and possibly unfun, in my opinion."

Courtney waves her hand. "That's fine, and yeah I agree." Turning towards the second entry, she lays her hands by her hips, smirking. "I really dig the tourneys here and how they're made." Courtney walks forward, Sylock and co. following. "Since Sylock and I are tacklin' the All Star Tournament, we'll try the All Star Tag style." She stops. "Oh snap! I almost forgot." She takes her sheath off, gripping the strap-on. She eyes Sylock. "Mind handing Justin and Ada your sword, Sy?"

Sylock nods, bringing his sword over to Ada. The teen blinks. "Hmm?"

"The tournament doesn't allow weapons. Unless the weapon itself has safety mode." Courtney gives Justin her sword. "Which ours don't. So watch them for us, please."

"Ah. Understandable." Ada and Justin take the swords, the two nodding. "And sure thing. That's what friends do, right?"

Courtney smirks, folding her arms. "Right." She and Sylock turn back to the second entry. "The audience entry is over at the right side, by the way." She waves. "Hope y'all enjoy!" Courtney talks with the register before the individual lets the two through, returning back to guarding the entry.

Justin and the others head into the sixth entry, some individuals entering inside of it. X and Roan jump up and down with excitement. "Oooh I can't wait to see those battles!" Roan exclaims, Coleo yelping as he hangs onto the Axew's head.

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"Same here, dude!" X jabs the air, grinning. "Those fights will be NUTS!"

"AY! Slow ye jumpings!" Coleo yells, Roan calming himself down afterwards.

"Apologies, Mr. Coleo!"

Coleo shakes his head. "I may hav' to be on Justin's head if ye will be jumpin' a lot."

Roan snorts as the group head towards the audience entry, talking with the register before Justin and Ada pay them. They all head inside: Seeing five hallways ahead that leads to their retrospective stadiums for the tourney styles, in the exact order Courtney mentioned earlier. The gang enters the second audience area.

. . .

The crowd roars!

The crowd cheers!

Everyone at the All Star Tag Stadium exclaims with enthusiasm, some waving their hands around while others chugs down their beverages. The stadium lights up, showering at the large grassy field. Justin and others sit at the front row, X munching on a bag of popcorn as he blinks nonstop. High above the crowd contains a glass monitor, both an Inteleon and a human being behind it within a fairly open space room.

Bond grabs the mic, clearing his throat. "Welcome to the All Star Tag Tournament, everyone!" He forms a fist, the crowd erupting. "That's what I like to hear! As usual, I'm your host Bond!"

"And I'm Zenith!" the person says, tipping their red hat. "As judges, we're always stoked to see these exciting matches unfolding!" They throws their hand to the side, a large hologram displaying for the whole audience to see. "In fact, let's take a look at this tournament's bracket!"

The hologram displays a row of individuals that are bound to face each other off: About ten rows of them from top to bottom, Courtney and Sylock's name being at the very start.

Bond slaps his hands together. "Now then, our first match is Courtney the Lopunny and Sylock the Blaziken—" the two Pokémon enter the field, some cheering erupting along the way. "Versus Mack the Grapploct and Miss Lady the Indeedee!"

A blue octopus and a purple biped walk in the battlefield, the Indeedee waving at the crowd while wearing a sun hat. The two stop, eyeing Courtney and Sylock in front of them. Mack cracks his fore-tentacles, lowering his brows.

"Looking forward to our match, you two," the octopus says, his tone sharp.

Courtney snaps her fingers, winking as she smirks. "Likewise." She then tilts her head, pointing at the Indeedee. "Although, why's her name 'Miss Lady'?"

The Indeedee bows. "I wanted to remind everyone of my elegance as I partake in this competitive battle!"

"Huh. I see."

Okay? Sylock thinks, raising his brow.

Lady waves, smiling. "With that said, you can just call me Lady."

Courtney nods, smirking while giving a thumbs-up. "Alrighty then."

"Now starting the match in 3…2—" both of the judges throw one finger up. "1!"

Courtney and Sylock charge forward, Sylock jumping before spinning his leg. Mack ducks the Blaziken's kicks, Lady shooting her array of psychic energy towards him.

Courtney casts herself in Agility, pushing Sylock before the Psybeam hits the ground, smoke rising. Sylock fires his Flamethrower at the Indeedee, Mack leaping beside her before his eyes shine light blue. He grabs her, jumping away via Detect as the flames ram the ground. The audience awes at the close calls, amazement spreading throughout.

The Lopunny smirks, leaping forward and kicking the octopus' face. Mack groans, sliding from the Jump Kick. He then shakes his head, eyeing a Blaziken igniting his fist towards him. The Grapploct's four nubs glow red before clashing his Brick Breaks against the Fire Punch, the two sliding back instantly. Multiple yellow stars cast around Lady, flinging them afterwards. Sylock Fire Punches the many stars while Courtney Quick Attacks them: Fists flailing, body thrashing.

The crowd jumps and claps and throws their arms up, food thrown everywhere. Even the Buizel drops his popcorn entirely, wooing with joy. "LET'S GOOO, COURTNEY AND SYLOCK!"

Roan jumps up and down like he's on a sugar rush. "YOU CAN DO THIS, MY FRIENDS!"

"HELL YEAH, FAM! WOOOO!"

Ada groans, covering her ears from everyone's eruption of excitement. "Ugh, too loud…" She sighs. "Maybe Mesmeren and Ethan had the bright idea to stay, after all."

"Argh!" Ada looks to the side at Coleo's struggling to stay atop of Roan's head. "Stop jumpin', lad! I think I'll vomit at this rate!"

The girl blinks before bringing the Blipbug on her head with her magic, sighing. "There we go."

Coleo relaxes in place, staring down at the field. "Ah. Thanks lass for savin' me there."

Ada covers her ears again. "No problem."

Soon, Lady casts energetic orbs around herself, shooting them towards her opponents. Courtney and Sylock nod at each other, white outline surrounding the former. Sylock counters the Psyshock with his intense flames, engulfing the telekinetic energies.

Lady gasps, Mack being on his guard. "Oh dear!"

Courtney Quick Attacks around the flames, jolting forward. Mack jumps in front of Lady, charging his black sludge before throwing it. Once the Octazooka collides against the Flamethrower, Courtney grins, smoke rising. "That's exactly what I wanted ya to do!"

The Lopunny snaps her fingers, shrouding in Agility yet again before she and Sylock speed up. The two jump, their opponents staring in bewilderment. "What in the—" Mack and Lady try using their range moves, but Courtney and Sylock quickly spiral around, hitting them with High Jump Kick and Jump Kick retrospectively.

The opponents are pushed to the side, flailing all over the grass before sliding. They groan, being knocked out.

"THE WINNER OF THE FIRST MATCH GOES TO COURTNEY AND SYLOCK!" Bond and Zenith shout, clapping their hands in astonishment. The crowd cheers, some of them waving their shirts around.

"WOO!" Justin, X, and Roan all scream, throwing their fists up.

Courtney walks over to her opponents, holding her hands out. "Y'all did amazing." She smiles.

Mack and Lady look at each other for a moment before smirking, grabbing the Lopunny's hands. "The same can be said for you too, my dear." The three shake.

"Yeah: That stunt with the Flamethrower and Quick Attack was something I didn't expect!" Mack tilts his head. "How did you know I was going to use Octazooka there?"

Courtney lays a finger by her lips, Sylock folding his arms beside her. "Hmm, call it battle instinct, I guess. Just from the many times I've watched so many people taking on this tournament at home." She winks.

"Ah, I see. But still, I'm curious as to how you'd predict that."

"Indeed." Lady waves her hand around. "It's not everyday that you see a Grapploct using range moves." She eyes the Grapploct summoning his black sludge, showing it off.

"That's true." Courtney snaps her fingers. "It's why I was willing to predict that: In the All Star Tournament, you gotta predict the unpredictable. Cuz as Sylock and I showed earlier—" the rabbit elbows the chicken, Sylock smirking down at her. "Folks can pull off some crazy twists to win the match."

Lady caresses her chin. "Hmm, hmm. I see, I see!" Giggles. "We'll keep this information in mind the next time we participate in the tournament, right Mack dear?"

Mack bows. "Absolutely."

As the four leave to their retrospective exits, X nudges Justin's arm lightly, grinning. "Duuuude, that was some of the coolest battles I've ever seen, and this is just the first match, too!" The Buizel jumps up and down in joy. "Looking forward to the following ones!"

"Yo, same here, dude!"

Merlin lifts his staff. "I'm certainly stoked to see them as well!"

Ada rubs her head, grunting. "If the following fights are going to be obnoxiously noisy, then I may come out here with a headache."

Justin waves his hand. "Ah you'll be fine. At least you ain't missing out on these fire fights like Ramon is. I feel like he'd love to watch these, too."

Ada rolls her eyes. "I'd rather be Ramon right now, to be honest."

Bond claps his hands against the mic. "Alright, everyone! Let's give our winners a break as we commence the second match of Round 1 in our tourney."

. . .

"Gla…Gla…" She keeps running. "Glace…"

The Glaceon keeps going, darting through the many bushes and trees, obscuring her vision. Bruise marks scatter throughout the Nativu, breaths emanating from her. She soon stops, her teeth gnashes.

Keep going. Please. The Glaceon whimpers. I don't want the Hunters to find me. She dashes along an open road, passing by a double-ended sign that reads: 'Avalon Forest 2 to Glory Pride City'.

The arctic quadruped sees many buildings ahead, picking up the pace. Help. Hoping to find…help.

. . .

The room is barely lit, containing a teen in a dark outfit sitting on a throne. Beside her are two more teens, both of them having their arms behind their backs. Ahead of the girl is Jester, Arthur, Xenia, Lycus, and many more Conjure members who are eyeing the throne in anticipation. There's also a woman wielding a cane, tapping it while wearing her dark-purple outfit much like the others.

The girl's eyes are closed, nudging the throne's edge. The wavy-haired man strokes his hands while Lycus folds his arms.

"Well?" Is all the Floatzel utters, tapping on the ground, a scabbard wrapping around his waist via the black strap-on.

The girl remains quiet for a moment, almost motionless in her movements. She then opens her eyes. "He's by Gloria Falls' entrance."

. . .

Ramon hides behind a building, eyeing two red monkeys guarding the entrance to Gloria Falls. The fox nods, magenta energy casting around him: Flames sprouting at the top of his head, a slender tail extending from him. The energy fades, Ramon glaring at the guards upon looking like one of them: An Infernape.