Winning battles? Nah, Mars can’t be bothered with that. There are more disadvantages to a winning streak than advantages in his eyes, and in the end, the real victory comes in sweet sweet PR.
[break][break]
Not like the boy before him knows anything about.
[break][break]
He looks and sounds like a nice kid; the kind of person who would never do anything even remotely bad or hurt anyone in his whole life. If only Mars were able to look into the future, right?
[break][break]
”Hey, Danny. Nice to meet you too. Martín del Mar, but you can just call me Mars.” He smiles, even if the offer is made mostly because he has grown tired of some Hoennians calling him Martin instead of properly pronouncing his name as it's meant to be pronounced.
[break][break]
A Milotic is released onto the arena, the beautiful pokémon looking down at their opponent.
[break][break]
”And this is Erato. Feel free to go first.”



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ DANNY HALL

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Damn, maybe Danny should ask Mars for a job in his PR team, then.
[break][break]
“Ha. Thanks, I like it a lot myself.”
[break][break]
He watched the Grimmsnarl as it waved. Not a very aesthetic or pretty pokémon, but he supposed some people could see the appeal in such a species. It was a fairy still. Would she have liked even a pokémon like this?
[break][break]
For a second, the thought distracts him, not even letting him note on what a silly name Grimster the Grimmsnarl is.
[break][break]
What brings him back to reality is the is Grimmsnarl charging towards the Milotic, but Erato is quick to react all on her own – using a highly-pressurized HYDRO PUMP in an attempt to try push away the other pokémon before the punch connects.



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ DANNY HALL

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Danny names his pokémon like he’s twelve.
[break][break]
But, Mars is not here to judge, he’s here to look good and enjoy himself.
[break][break]
The punch manages to connect. ”Not too bad yourself, that’s a pretty resilient pokémon you got there.”
[break][break]
And just as he says these words, the professional and businesslike woman who had been standing close behind him offers him an umbrella. Since, floating upwards, it’s with a melodic cry that the Milotic summons dark clouds upon the arena, heavy rain beginning to pour down from the skies thanks to her mesmerizing RAIN DANCE.
[break][break]
”I hope you don’t mind a little rain!”




[BREAK][BREAK]

+ DANNY HALL

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

You know what they say: takes one to know one.
[break][break]
Mars is nice, and nice as he is, he smiled at Danny. ”Oh, no worries. I gotcha. Andrea?”
[break][break]
The woman sighs as she reaches into her bag, and calmly, under an umbrella of her own, she walks by the side of the arena – as if she doesn’t even notice the pokémon who are fighting in it. When reaching Danny’s side, she offers him an umbrella too, and in the most monotone voice possible she adds the words: ’Courtesy of Piazza Oro Grande Bank.’ Then, she also gives him a soft towel. ’You might need this too.’
[break][break]
And she’s right.
[break][break]
Since, already getting sick of all these punches and in an attempt to create more distance between herself and the Grimmsnarl, the Milotic summons up even more water, SURFING over a huge wave headed straight to crash down on her opponent.
[break][break]
”Talk about refreshing, huh?” Mars laughed then, unbothered by the water.





[BREAK][BREAK]

+ DANNY HALL

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Andrea barely reacts to the Milotic’s antics. Her clothes are now wet and sticking to her body, but the woman barely seems to mind this. ’You can keep it, for a rainy day.’ She says as she brushes a wet strand of blonde hair away from her face, being unclear if this is supposed to be a pun or just an obvious statement.
[break][break]
After returning the darn POG-branded umbrella to Danny and insisting he keeps it, she walks back to Mars’ side, where the man himself watches the battle as if this is perfectly normal fighting conditions. He had closed his umbrella and he’s drenched too, but let’s be honest, someone like Mars knows how to make drenched look good.
[break][break]
And speaking of good… Things aren’t looking too good for his Milotic.
[break][break]
A pained cry can be heard when False Surrender hits, but Erato is nothing if not resilient, and it’s the light glow of RECOVER that makes much of the damage to her marvel scaled body disappear.
[break][break]
Not like she enjoys going on the defensive, but at this point, it’s much needed.





[BREAK][BREAK]

+ DANNY HALL

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

A hand runs through wet locks, and he smiles a dashing smile. What is this, a photoshoot? Every moment could be a photoshoot, that’s how Mars lives his life.
[break][break]
Power-Up Punch hits the Milotic with even more strength than before, and she sure doesn’t appreciate that at all. Once again, she uses HYDRO PUMP to try to keep the Bulk Up Pokémon away from her, hoping the powerful jet of water will push it far from her.
[break][break]
Unlikely for long though, since this thing does seem to love its punches.
[break][break]
”Relax, Erato. You’re doing fine.” Mars says with a calm smile.





[BREAK][BREAK]

+ DANNY HALL

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

I can’t believe Danny turned Mars’ cute Milotic into a damn punching bag. The disrespect!
[break][break]
When the Hammer Arm hits, it’s as if the water type’s whole body aches with waves of pain that come as a result of the impact. She sounds miserable, hurt, and she falls to the wet sand, barely being able to move at all after taking such a powerful attack.
[break][break]
Mars knows it will end soon, and he just watches, his composure never breaking despite the scene before him.
[break][break]
Yet, the Milotic doesn’t seem ready to give up despite not being able to move, the faint light of LIFE DEW shining around her.
[break][break]
Not like that would do much though...



[BREAK][BREAK]

+ DANNY HALL

[attr="class","pokeclass"]