The Duel Must Go On!

[stringmods]

Who: Tournament Fighters and those who wish to watch them.
Where: Aries Arena & Televised
Summary: 10/10. A day of shooting and Persona battles.
Warnings: D-D-DUELS!

Cloudy days didn't deteriorate citizens of Hinoto-Ri to flock to the Arena that night. After all, there was a special treat promised to them, tickets at ten dollars off the usual price for a sight yet unseen!

The entire place was filled with cheering spectators and for those who missed out, the usual pay-per-view channels were going to post the entire thing live. Or you could go to your local pub. They had all come to see one thing: and it was to see how these newcomers from otherworlds fared in their favorite sport. In a way it was showing the natural pride to them, and watching how they did at it.

Gambling wasn't allowed publicly. So naturally it flourished underground. Odds today were 1:1, those looking to make a lot of money were simply out of luck. Today was a day for watching. And learning.

For those who had answered the call, prizes had been lined up. At best, it was a demonstration. As long as there was entertainment, the public really didn't care who lost or who won.

From the side ring "Jay Queen" and "Bob Sternhammer", the two ringside announcer, excitedly begin the pre-game talk.

"What a crowd today Jay! You can feel and hear the energy coming right off of 'em!"

"A stadium of Ten Thousand filled to the brim! And this ain't even the Grand Prix!"

"Can't blame 'em. Hell, if I wasn't announcing this, I'd be ringside looking at the newcomers. For those at home watching on Pay-Per-View, we're gonna remind you of the few ground rules."

"Tonight's matches are demonstration only. No returning champions, in fact, if you look to the left there, you'll see Seaside Dragoon waving at the ground. He's last year's reigning champ."

"Man they just love the guy."

"Names are drawn based on known skill. Randomization is under the supervision of the Hinoto-Ri Lotto Society."

"Contestants pick their own Evoker ten minutes before the duel, and are asked to fire a blank shot in the air to insure security before it is scanned. Contestants then are brought into their isolation zones and are kept there until they are ready to be brought up to the ring."

"Turns are taken, each allowed only one command from their Personas."

"As usual, Instant Death Spells are forbidden of usage. You may not kill your opponent. If your opponent is knocked unconscious, they have five seconds to get up. You are only allowed to attack your opponents Persona."

"Oh! Looks like the national anthem's gonna start."

There was some singing, as everyone stood up. After, the shouts became louder and louder, as a single man dressed in a tuxedo walked in, grabbing a futuristic microphone and speaking in it.

"LET'S GET IT ON!"

The crowed cheered, as a series of fireworks tore off into the sky.

"This is Bob live from the Outerworld Demo Tournament! Only on Pay-Per-View!"

[OOC- Minako vs Eikichi & Oersted vs Link will be posted as soon as both parties have submitted their titles and theme music.]

Comments

[themortalhalf]

Of course it is.

"Well, now you're stuck with one like the rest of us. I sure you'll manage."

It wasn't entirely true now, of course, but it's still a small, harmless jab in her direction while his eyebrows arch in response. Hard, huh? Seemed like they were all on an equal playing field here, but that's how it had been back home. The rest of them had been stuck with one, while Minako had run around with as many as her mind would allow. Maybe most of them would continue to keep it that way—stay with the familiar and not make room for more. Shinjiro didn't care to have another. Not sure he'd want to see what he'd find anyway. Castor is and always had been more than enough.

"You'll do fine."

And she will. Win or lose. She could think quick on her feet and adapt even if she weren't allowed to change her Persona. The true strength she had didn't come from the amount of Pesonas she had at her disposal. It was an aspect that gave her a clear advantage, but it wasn't the core.

It was probably best that she wasn't allowed to pick and choose at will—for her opponents, at any rate. He'd almost feel bad for the poor bastards she went up against otherwise. Wouldn't stand much of a chance, unless they got a lucky shot or had an army up their metaphorical sleeve.

[greatseal]

And of course, she'd say he's still too hard on Castor and yourself over a tragic accident. But that's not an issue for today's conversation. She scrunches up her nose at his jab. "Mudo and Hama are all luck! I don't like having to depend on that."

She'd used both types of skills herself, of course; Thanatos, one of her favored Personas, had them. But it was never the staple of her strategy. "But - thanks, Senpai."

Shinji's approval was always worth something.

[themortalhalf]

He'd have to agree with her on that one; luck wasn't something he liked to depend on either. "I'm surprised they're not banned."

Not to say that a user of those particular elements weren't skilled; even so, those spells didn't necessarily represent the talent of the user: it was just an all-or-nothing gamble. The Persona could be inferior by a long shot, start the battle off with one of those spells, and claim victory in less than a split minute, without giving their opponent a chance to prove their worth. There was a time and place for such things—they had a use—but not in a tournament, not in his opinion.

"Not like you didn't have him beat anyway." Mishina's the one who had needed luck, and Shinjiro can't say he particularly liked the last roll of the die.

[greatseal]

"Mm, I'm glad you think so!" This is the voice of a person trying to sound humble when she really isn't. "But, it really wasn't anything like a real battle..."

...To be honest, fighting Shadows is more fun. But she's not going to voice that to Shinji, when she knows he'd just give her a withering look. Her enjoyment of their time spent fighting isn't something she cares to voice. She's not Junpei, treating it like a video game, and it's far from easy, but... the process is still exhilarating.

[themortalhalf]

[Her faux modesty is humbling. Almost.]

No.

[It wasn't like scaling Tartarus. Wasn't like fighting Shadows. Far from it, and not just because she got to fight against someone intelligent. Shinjiro's enjoyment of such things had long ago faded into ash, but in the beginning, he hadn't minded. Maybe even enjoyed it in his own fashion, in that he had been proving everyone wrong. It was hard to remember that sometimes. ]

You want to walk around, or would you rather go into the stands?

[See who they could find. But her battle was the final one, wasn't it? He didn't know if there was going to be a round two or some shit later, but if it was, it wasn't going to be right now from the way the crowds were starting to look. Thickening. And his bubble of privacy was shrinking.]