The winner takes some.[open, good luck]

[soap]

Jack Sophinelas smirked. This was his kind of fight. Him and a man in the cage, no holds barred. or a woman. He wasn't too picky about his opponents. Everyone paid 30 to get in the ring, and if they won, they got two-thirds of the entry money of each person they defeated. He had already sent three guys out of the ring, one unconscious, one tapped out, and the other just started crying after the second hit. He was hoping for a decent opponent, mainly because he'd like to earn some money instead of practically stealing it so far.

"Can anyone take the contender, the mad man from another region, Mad Jack? Can any take the challenge and earn this man's money?" The ref said with a grin. He liked this newbie, he was tough and didn't hold back.

The Snorlax that had come in with him, Hotaka, was seriously hoping they'd let pokemon fight, too. If Jack got bored, maybe he'd get his own fight in. That'd be a good work out. he also liked the rough crowd. He could stand to practice. He smiled, munching on some popcorn.

Lucidia was also watching from above, goading the crowd for her own amusement. "C'mon! You saying that not one of you weenies can take on my man Jack? you guys are pitiful...He's only human, after all!" She said, cackling and floating around the arena.

[Michael Leighton]

Mike had been watching the man fight. He wasn't confident at all that he'd win, but hey, if he lost, he could just torch this place.

Or maybe not. That might not be so cool with HQ.

Ah well; he'd deal with that decision when he had to make it.

With Lackey beside him, Michael stepped forward. "I'm not in a good mood today," he drawled. He'd be sure to take it out on this cocky bastard. Meanwhile Lackey could learn a thing or two about stepping forward. The pokemon was too damn compliant, only attacking when commanded. Bro attacked whenever he felt like it. So did Merc, for that matter.

Lackey sized up the snorlax. It could take a beating, sure, but the question remained: Could it beat a well-trained zigzagoon with a higher-than-average pain tolerance? Lackey didn't think so, but it was big. If it came down to a pokemon fight, Lackey wouldn't be afraid to fight dirty beside Merc, preferably. He was scared of Bro, even after all these years. The pokemon had traumatised him, after all. Still, Lackey wouldn't turn down a fight, solo or no. He found the prospect enticing; taking down something that big would be an achievement, and he was ready for the challenge.

Mike took a deep breath to keep his muscles from tensing. If he was nervous, he'd lose. He knew that already. No; just keep his cool and he'd have a chance of winning this thing, and walking away with some spending money. If he focused on the goal, it'd make the meanwhile much easier. He would be ready, not overtense. That was key. Just imagine the prize in your hand, and this bastard stands in your way. Kick him to the curb, that's what Mike would do.

"You don't look that tough," Mike said. Of course, he'd seen the man fight. He was bluffing. Still, it wasn't as though Michael had no skill whatsoever; he was just not confident in his abilities. He'd been beaten up too many times to remain arrogant.

Mike licked his lips; soon the fight would begin. His muscles tensed, bracing for sudden impact, if he was charged. If not, this might turn out to be a trickier match than what he thought it would be. He wanted simple; Mike knew he could win simple. He'd done it often enough. It's when trick blows started to be thrown, when opponents stayed away from each other most of the time, that took more thinking. He wasn't so good at the thinking part in the middle of a fight, but he'd try to win this one. And if he lost, it was no skin off his bones. At least no one from Pravus would be here to see him lose. At least, he hoped not.