And we're back! Now with less trick team battles!
Round 3 -B
Event: 63: Working for the Secret Pony Cabal
Rumours persist of secret forces that rules the world from the shadows. Some claim it's the Stonemasons. Others say it's the Gnomes of Zurich. Or perhaps you prefer the Church of the Sub-Genius. However, the truth is far stranger than what you might have heard. For the true masters of the world are the secret Pony Cabal. These Equestrians rule with a iron hoof, and all who pose a threat to their power are quietly removed or publically discredited. This is a contest to see who can best advance the sinister agendas of their Pony Overlords.
Who does Stephen Colbert truly work for? Is he secretly a member of the Pony Cabal, spoofing our traditional politics as he advances their sinister agenda? Or is he spoofing the Pony Cabal, advancing their agenda while playing at something even deeper? Regardless, so long as he isn't disappeared for Unequestrian Conduct, he seems like he will do well. Against this we have a pilot of the elite ATX team, Excellen Browning. While being on the outs with her own government may seem to be a bad position to advance the agenda of her Pony Overlords, it does mean she's deeply embedded in a community made up of the most powerful known robot pilots. And jesters are well known for being able to influence thoughts without being seen as the origin of those ideas.
Event 64: Iron Chef
Here in the Kitchen Arena, we have two noted chefs, here to compete in the famed Iron Chef competition, where they will need to make three dishes using the special match ingredient. In this case, all of the dishes must employ and highlight the humble Anchovy.
Our first contestant is known for having nothing ever go right. But so long as he avoids the ACME kitchen tools, Wile E. Coyote might have a chance? I mean, it's not like his poor cooking skills have ever lost him his shot at the Roadrunner before. Against him we have someone who we know can at least cook somewhat edible food, since she supposedly cooked stuff for guys before and they liked it. Just so long as she can keep the poison out of the food at least. After all, judges keeling over mid judgement is kinda grounds for disqualification however good your food might be.
Pairs Event 10: Pairs battle
This is a pretty simple affair, two teams of two walk in, and only one walks out. As before, the teams can do whatever they want however they can.
The first team may as well be one person. I mean, Lakitu is no slouch as any Mario fan can tell you. He's kinda hard to reach, and will happily launch spinies at you all day until you manage to reach him and take him out. But, when you consider both the competition he's facing (they're both great at dealing with him) and who his partner is, he's kinda a nothing here. Who is he partnered with? Why, no less than one of the most competant Forsaken out there, Graendael. She comes complete with a Golden Age's worth of knowledge of weaves of mass destruction, superb defensive weaves, nothing less than Balefire itself, and a variety of stealth and mobility weaves. These come into play because hit and run is her second favourite tactic since she hates being in a place where her enemies can actually strike at her. But her favourite tactic plays to her strongest weaves, Compulsion. Her specialty is the ability to take over people's minds and turn them into her puppets. And if she can't be stopped from doing that, then she'll take an easy win.
Against this we have a literal Goddess in Palutena, whose powers will easily smash Lakitu, but she'll probably be more concerned with trying to deal with Graendael herself. Which leaves Spider-Man to deal with Lakitu which should be easy for the web slinger, and then the two of them will need to gang up. The problem here being, keeping one of both of them from being subborned via Compulsion. But, Palutena's a goddess, and Spidey's got his spider sense, right?
Team Event 7: Impromptu Musical Number
Life's a happy song when you live in a world where musical numbers can happen at any time for any reason. And in this event, we've got two teams of four where they've got to fit a musical number into their lives. Points are awarded for how good the song and dance is, for how well it fits into life as they know it, and of course, for if it can combine entertainment with plot advancement. Whichever team can do it best, wins.
The first team has an odd combo, we've got Mirror B, where dancing is a way of life, and he comes complete with backup Ludicolo dancers. As well, they have a trained thespian in the talented Mordin Solus, who knows, at the very least, intergalactic Gilbert and Sullivan. It may not be a way of life to him, but he's got the chops. Of course, their back end will be a bit trickier. Millenia is fairly charismatic, so who knows how well she'll perform. But in the role of team lodestone, you have Queen Zeal, who is just kinda crazy. If the team can find a way to work that in, they could do quite well. But that might be a big if.
Especially since they've got A-List opposition here, as once again we've got the guy who lives in a Disney flick. Gaston is known for breaking into some pretty good song and dance routines at the drop of a hat. And while he may be from a completely different sort of Disney world, Scrooge McDuck at the very least can dance. Though, I don't know how often song and dance routines happen in Duckburg. And Anna has now been conclusively proven not to be a dancer, or a bard. But she probably also isn't actively bad at this, and she's from a world where the power of dance is respected. There is, of course, one problem, and it's the complete opposite of the other team's problem. See, their last competitor may not be a dancer, but he is a professional entertainer. And, he managed to convince no lesser force than a US Congression Budget Committee to part with millions of dollars with nothing more than some gentle words and a song. Mr. Rodgers has singing chops. The problem is, he's also, personality wise, the Anti-Gaston. If this goes well, then we're going to have a musical dual where this clash is highlighted and their opposing natures complement each other. If this goes badly, then we're going to have a catastrophy of clashing musical styles that's all dischord and no harmony.
Quick Vote Form
Event: 63: Working for the Secret Pony Cabal
Stephen Colbert (Stephen Colbert) vs. Excellen Browning (SRW:OG)
Event 64: Iron Chef
Wile E. Coyote (Super Genius) vs. Dahlia Hawthorne (AA: Trials and Tribulations)
Pairs Event 10: Pairs battle
{Lakitu (SMW)/Graendael (Wheel of Time)} vs. {Palutena (KI:U)/Spider-Man (Spider Man)}
Team Event 7: Impromptu Musical Number
{Mirror B (Pokemon)/Queen Zeal (CT)/Millenia (Grandia 2)/Mordin Solus (Mass Effect 2)} vs. {Scrooge McDuck (Disney)/Mr. Rogers (Mr. Roger's Neighbourhood)/Anna (FE Series)/Gaston (Beauty and the Beast)}