Backstage

Ren: The order is randomized. So I really don't know. though they do give you a few minutes to get to the stage and ready stuff that you're planning on using.

[spoiler]I'm giving a chance for others to react. But yes, meta-wise, Martin is next.

-Joseph steps backstage-

EEEEEEEEE!

-Amhlaidh smiles and applauds-

Amhlaidh: I had a Froslass, once. I don't remember her being much of a sculptor. Do all Froslass do that?

Backstage

-Ren meets Joseph. Ren has, per his custom for contests, has changed into a long pants variant of this outfit - sans the doll on the shoulder.-

Ren: You did very well Joseph. You should rest until they announce the finalists are announced and Choose the mon your going to battle with. Remember, there are no limits on which mon you choose for the battle segment. So you can use Catherine and another mon, two different mons for the whole segment, or change the mons you use with each battle. Just remember, your opponents will be focused on evasion and making their mon and their moves look impressive as possible, so brute strength won't always work.

Auditorium

-The Next few appeals after Joseph were all ranged in quality from "That was good" to "o_o ... That was great." The Emcee takes the stage to announce the next entrant.

Emcee: Now then, please welcome our next entrant, Martin Covalaunche and his Espeon! This is their first official contest, so let's see what they have in store for us!

"No, no, no...There's still something missing." Martin said. "Don't worry- I've got one more trick up my sleeve. I'm just getting started, folks."

Suddenly, he extended his right arm, and a full-sized broadsword slipped through the cuff of his sleeve.

Music began to play:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkzrvo7aWk … kzrvo7aWkw

Suddenly, the sword was lifted from Martin's hand by Espeon's Psychic powers.

He smiled. "Trust is key to any good relationship, especially between a Trainer and their Pokémon. And I trust Espeon completely. She trusts that I can handle myself."

Suddenly, Espeon fires a Psybeam straight at Martin. He swiftly sidesteps.

"And I trust that she can control herself just the same."

Martin stands still this time. Espeon fires a Swift attack. Instead of dodging, Martin stands still. The attack shoots past him on all sides, but doesn't even touch him.

"I trust Espeon with my life. And now's the chance to prove it."

Martin turned to Espeon, setting down the sword on the ground, and holding his arms out, like a Scaremurkrow on its pike.

As the music picked up, Espeon psychically lifted the broadsword, and pointed it at Martin, point first.

...oh dear.

The sword dances through the air with a mixture of smooth elegance and sheer power. Espeon moves the weapon with exact precision, each slice cutting the air around Martin, who remained a completely still posture.

But they never really practiced with the sword. Espeon could feel the strain on her power, but she refused to let him down.

This was it. The grand finale.

The sword rose to the rafters. Espeon moved with all her strength.

And the blade dropped, diving like a bird of prey.

Martin threw the ball up into the air.

The sword sliced it in half like passing through thin air.

In an instant, the sword crashed to the ground.

But so did Martin, the pommel having decked him upside the head.

"Son of a..."

Espeon: <Oh, Arceus! Are you alright?>

Martin stood up. "I'm fine, everyone. Sorry. My fault."

He looked down at the ground, hiding the fact tears were welling in his eyes.

He had let everyone down.

"Th-thank you for your time!" His voice broke, and he ran offstage, shielding his face as Espeon trailed behind him.

[spoiler]I am unspeakably sorry for derailing the plot. That wasn't my intention, and I feel really, really bad about it. Forgive me?

...meep.

[spoiler]Editing to say that I'm sorry about posting

Backstage

Martin didn't meet eyes with anyone else. He just kept staring down at the ground, silent.