"I'm not in the tournament. Someone put me in by mistake."

The words fall like hammer blows. There's no energy behind them. Nothing for Tsubaki to play off of for the crowd. There is only despair. Despair at the TOs for their inability to organize a citywide event. Despair at almost getting struck by lightning. Despair at fighting Gym Leaders and Elite Four members and Top Rangers and whatever else this Arceusforsaken tournament had to offer.

His dead eye brightened.

"I'll still wring out your snake, Tsubaki. Maybe I'll charm it with some dances I learned overseas." He said with a wry grin. "There's a lotta books on ass kicking, y'know?"

"Zzz... Larvitar... Zzz..." Serizawa snored in the middle of the arena, unwilling to wake up for fanfare or a proper battle.

---

Hyakkaryōran Tsubaki
3/3 (NO MECHANIC)

"Practice makes perfect. You're still off from that!"

Unfortunately, Howard wasn't perfect either. If he was, he would've trained his Larvitar better. Serizawa was snoozing when Sumire slithered about, preparing to strike. It let out a snore, before rolling over to fall back asleep again. Howard exhaled and straightened his hat.

"Can I switch him out?" He asked the ref. They shook their head at him, and Howard sighed.

"Fine! Serizawa, get UP!" He didn't stir. With a growl, Howard plucked a rock off the ground and kicked it towards the Larvitar. "Fucking GET UP!"

Donk. Serizawa's eyes opened. "LARVITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!" The brat had a hissy fit and began a rampage, causing Earthquakes to flash across the arena.

---

Hyakkaryōran Tsubaki
3/3 (NO MECHANIC)
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Tsubaki was right. It was like a Nidorino. In truth, it was far worse.

Larvitars were strong. They ate mountains, leveled hills, and lifted boulders with minimal effort. For such a small creature, it was remarkably strong. Serizawa could throw Howard across the arena if he really wanted to. Luckily, the little monster seemed far more willing to direct his anger at Tsubaki and her Arbok.

"C'mon, Larvitar! You gotta escape! Break out with a Hyper Beam!"

Instead of listening to that idiotic order, Serizawa instead decided to leverage his physical strength. The tantrum continued, with the Larvitar thrashing as Sumire wrapped around him. The Arbok's body strained against the raw strength, but would it be enough?

---

Hyakkaryōran Tsubaki
2/3 (NO MECHANIC)
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"Don't eat it!" Howard shouted in the distance, though his voice seemed like a distant memory on the battlefield. "That's against the rules! You're gonna get disqualified!"

That didn't seem to convince Sumire, though. Her maw opened wider and wider. Poison sizzled as it struck the arena. Howard ground his teeth as Serizawa fruitlessly struggled against the snake. Seriously, it could almost break his femur but it couldn't escape a coiling snake? What sort of insane logic was that?

"SMACK IT!" Howard shouted helpfully, miming boxing gloves. Serizawa got the meaning, and threw a killer haymaker with its small, stubby arms. The strike would Thrash the Arbok, should it land.

---

1/3 (no mechanic)
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Serizawa shot out of Sumine like a rocket. This wasn't the first time the Larvitar had flown through the sky like a comet. It likely wouldn't be the last, either. Meteno wasn't the first meteor to fall, and it wouldn't be the last one to fall either.

"Oh." Howard blinked as Serizawa hit him in the chest. The archaeologist collapsed in a heap. Serizawa shook off Sumire's acid and waddled off of Howard's body. After rummaging through Howard's pockets, the Larvitar found a saltine cracker and munched on it.

"Guh..." Howard stood up, shaking his head dizzily. "I lost?"

He looked at Tsubaki in awe.

"You're strong. Nice work, Tsubaki." Howard adjusted his hat and glared at her, clenching a theatrical fist. "I will have my revenge, Tsubaki! Mark my words, vengeance will be mine!"

---

Hyakkaryōran Tsubaki
0/3 (DIES OF DEATH)