Match of the Millennium

As the broadcast goes live, the team of Tom and Lou appear on-screen in front of a large electronic display showing the NFG logo. TOM: "Welcome, ladies, gentlemen, and all of our other friends, to Round 2 of the first season of the New Fighting Generation! I'm Tom Bradley, and I've got Loverboy here with me to introduce you to the upcoming schedule of one-on-one team battles!" LOVERBOY: "Why just 'Loverboy,' Tom? You usually introduce me as 'Loverboy' Lou Harris." TOM: "Well, it's more common in the fighting community nowadays to introduce commentators by their screen names, Lou. I'm just trying to keep up with the times." LOU: "Oh, right. It just sounds weird, like you're implying I'm -your- loverboy." TOM: "I'm sure nobody took it that way until you said as much, Lou." LOU: "Right. So, what am I supposed to call you? 'Mister Moustache?'" TOM: "Actually, Lou, my official online persona is 'Tasty Tom.' You can call me 'Tasty' for short, 'Loverboy'." LOVERBOY: "I think I just threw up a little. The things we do for audience engagement..." TASTY TOM: "So, here are the results for Round One!" The results appear on the screen: =========================== NFG - Season 1 Round 1 =========================== TEAM BLAZE versus TEAM FROST (W) Hawksley versus Ayala (W) Coco versus Sarah (W) Iris versus Genie (D) Brian Storm versus Big Buford (D) TEAM METAL versus TEAM THUNDER (W) Djamila versus Chevy Kenzo versus Buck (W) (W) Nixie versus Ichika (W) John Doe versus Tamaki ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOVERBOY: "For those who missed the rebroadcast before the show, you can check out the NFG podcast by Tasty and myself to hear our thoughts, but the Tee Ell Dee Ell is that Blaze and Metal stomped the first round." TASTY TOM: "And with each victory being worth three points, a loss being worth one, and a draw being worth two, that leaves us with these individual points standings." The individual points standings appear on the screen: ================================ NFG - Points ================================ End of Round One Nixie - 14 Points Hawksley - 13 Points Coco - 11 Points Djamila - 11 Points Tamaki - 10 Points Sarah - 8 Points Buford - 8 Points John Doe - 8 Points Ichika - 7 Points Genie - 7 Points Kenzo - 7 Points Iris - 7 Points Buck - 7 points Ayala - 6 Points Chevy - 6 Points Brian Storm - 6 Points Isamu - 3 Points - Out Amber - 2 Points - Out Nurse Sayuri - 1 Point - Out ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOVERBOY: "Nixie and Hawksley remain at the top, but movement further down the standings, particularly with some first wins coming in for John Doe, Iris and Buck." TASTY TOM: "Which leads us to the team point standings..." (Continued in next post!)

The team points standings appear on the screen: ================================ NFG - Points ================================ End of Round One TEAM METAL - 40 Points TEAM BLAZE - 37 Points TEAM THUNDER - 30 Points TEAM FROST - 29 Points ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TASTY TOM: "...Where, as you can see, we've got two teams clearly in the lead and two falling behind." LOVERBOY: "And these neck-and-neck teams will be scrapping it out with each other this week, so we could see an even bigger gap between the top team and last place." TASTY TOM: "Indeed, no soup to be found here." LOVERBOY: "...Soup?" TASTY TOM: "You know, where the standings in the middle of the table are all kinda close together." LOVERBOY: "Sure thing, Tasty. There's definitely a 'soup' going on in the individual scores around seven points, but not so with the teams." TASTY TOM: "Indeed. So, shall we continue with the upcoming matchups?" LOVERBOY: "Might as well, while we're here." TASTY TOM: "Right. So, first off, let's take a look at Thunder versus Frost, or 'the battle for the basement.'" LOVERBOY: "A bit harsh, considering that this metaphor practically takes place in a bungalow." (Continued in next post!)

-==TEAM FROST==- versus -==TEAM THUNDER==- GENIE versus ICHIKA AYALA versus CHEVY BUFORD versus TAMAKI SARAH versus BUCK LOVERBOY: "So, here we've got two teams trying to scrap their way back up the standings, but it's important to remember that individual scores matter, too." TASTY TOM: "Very true, Loverboy. After all, individual points will determine seeding for the championship tournament." LOVERBOY: "So, why don't we get started with the first matchup on the list?" -==GENIE versus ICHIKA==- LOCATION: Sunshine City - Venice Canals Walkway TASTY TOM: "Sounds good, Loverboy." LOVERBOY: "Hate it." TASTY TOM: "So, here we have two first round draft picks facing off against each other. With equal point standings, Genie and Ichika both have an opportunity to move up the rankings." LOVERBOY: "Both of these girls are coming off losses in the first round that mighta been tough for different reasons, so mental resilience is key here." TASTY TOM: "Both have quite spectacular fighting styles, so with some good weather, the people of Sunshine can look forward to an epic battle amongst the Venetian canals." LOVERBOY: "You know, I might take my dog down to see it." TASTY TOM: "Sounds good, Loverboy." LOVERBOY: "...Moving on..." -==AYALA versus CHEVY==- LOCATION: Sunshine City - Natural Earth Food Store TASTY TOM: "Now, these two are at the bottom of the standings. One of them's gonna walk away from this with a win under their belt, and the other one's gonna walk away still at the bottom." LOVERBOY: "If they walk away at all. These two are hungry for that first sweet taste of victory. When that desperation starts to set in, you can end up with some real vicious battles." TASTY TOM: "Well, if they're hungry, good thing that they're fighting in an organic food store." LOVERBOY: "Some of my favourite matches have taken place in grocery stores, Tom. Like that one with Booker T and... whoever that other guy was." TASTY TOM: "I'm not sure I know of a Booker T, Loverboy." LOVERBOY: "I'm probably getting the name mixed up." (Continued in next post!)

-==BUFORD versus TAMAKI==- LOCATION: Sunshine City - George Eddow Ford Dealership TASTY TOM: "Once again, shout out to our sponsors at George Eddow Ford for all their support in our time here in Sunshine City." LOVERBOY: "I'm surprised they're willing to let this match happen on the premises after what Buford did to that Honda back in Southtown." TASTY TOM: "Or what he did to that bus just last round, to be fair. The Last Alberta Samurai has a harsh history with motor vehicles." LOVERBOY: "I'm sure he sees them as an affront to the traditional samurai way or something." TASTY TOM: "And everybody's favourite bake-danuki will be facing him. From what we've seen so far, this will be a contest of sheer speed against wits and guile." LOVERBOY: "I take it you're labelling Buford as 'sheer speed.'" TASTY TOM: "He certainly kept it above fifty last match." -==SARAH versus BUCK==- LOCATION: Sunshine City - Dragons Football Stadium LOVERBOY: "Gotta hand it to Sarah - she's moving up in the world. Last round, she was gigging clubs. Now, she's gigging stadiums." TASTY TOM: "That's just the kind of exposure that the NFG can give you, Loverboy. Hopefully she'll still have time to complete her match. Where's it taking place?" LOVERBOY: "In, uhh... the football stadium." TASTY TOM: "Oh, well, that should cut down on transportation issues between her gig and the match, at least." LOVERBOY: "...Right." TASTY TOM: "So, Buck is the only one coming off a victory here, which could give him the momentum over Sarah, who's coming off a loss." LOVERBOY: "Maybe so, but Sarah doesn't seem like the type to let a loss last round keep her down. Of course, Buck, Iris and Nixie are the only three in the competition who haven't lost a match yet. With two flexible fighting styles up against one another, it'll be interesting to see how they collide." TASTY TOM: "Possibly with a tackle?" LOVERBOY: "...Possibly. So, overall, I'm feeling like Team Thunder's probably going to show up Team Frost, here, but I think Frost will probably pull out at least one win. I'd bet on a three-one for Thunder, but we might see a draw." TASTY TOM: "I wouldn't be surprised if this was a wash for both teams, standingswise, but it could make for some very interesting individual scores." (Continued in next post!)

-==TEAM METAL==- versus -==TEAM BLAZE==- DJAMILA versus COCO KENZO versus HAWKSLEY NIXIE versus IRIS JOHN DOE versus BRIAN STORM TASTY TOM: "Now, here, we've got a battle between the two teams at the top of the standings. Whoever performs here is virtually guaranteed to become the runaway points leader of the league." LOVERBOY: "You said it, Tasty. We're gonna see at least one undefeated streak broken, we're gonna see the two most scandalously-dressed ladies in the league go at it, we're gonna see an Irishman and a ninja fight it out under a bridge, and we're gonna see BRIAN STOOOOORM -" TASTY TOM: "- BRIAN STOOOOORM -" LOVERBOY: "- back in action against JOHN DOE in a FUNERAL HOME!" TASTY TOM: "That's right, friends, it's New Fighting Generation at its most profane." LOVERBOY: "But we're getting ahead of ourselves." -==DJAMILA==- versus -==COCO==- LOCATION: Corona Row District TASTY TOM: "I do have to question the choice of location for the Djamila and Coco fight." LOVERBOY: "Where else in Sunshine would a public scuffle between two scantily dressed women seem more normalized?" TASTY TOM: "Probably Pink Paradise, from, uh, what I've heard, Loverboy." LOVERBOY: "Of course, there's more interesting elements to this match than just the outfits. They're tied just behind the top of the standings, and have been for most of the competition. This is a chance to really step up - and maybe even take a joint second place spot." TASTY TOM: "One has to wonder whether Constance Coalbridge will be able to handle fighting in a place like Corona Row. You can't get much further from Chelsea than that." LOVERBOY: "She might have a certain teammate around to put her mind at ease. Or set her off her game completely. Hard to know with those two." -==KENZO==- versus -==HAWKSLEY==- LOCATION: Sunshine City - Under the Bridge TASTY TOM: "Do you ever feel like you don't have a partner, Loverboy?" LOVERBOY: "Sometimes I wish I didn't, Tasty. Like today, for instance." TASTY TOM: "Well, this has made for a less perfect segue to the 'battle under the bridge' than I'd hoped." LOVERBOY: "Fine, fine. Don't think I don't see you. So, this fight's gonna be happening under a pretty famous bridge in Evergreen Park. Given that there are ninjas involved, I wouldn't be surprised if it also took place on top of, near, and alongside the bridge as well." TASTY TOM: "One ninja involved, Loverboy. An important distinction, as we know." LOVERBOY: "Fair enough, Tom. The Law of Conservation of Ninjutsu is a significant factor, after all. Who knows? Maybe some other ninja's been hanging around Kenzo's matches. He could be in first place right now if it wasn't for them." TASTY TOM: "Let's not get too superstitious, Loverboy. So, who are you thinking for this one?" LOVERBOY: "Well, Hawksley's got an overwhelming force of history behind him, but that could just mean Kenzo's looking for it harder. Every rock has its paper, after all." TASTY TOM: "Isn't there a song about that?" (Continued in next post!)

-==NIXIE==- versus -==IRIS==- LOCATION: Sunshine City - Dragon Books TASTY TOM: "I presume from your excitement over Djamila versus Coco that you're also equally looking forward to Nixie versus Iris, Loverboy." LOVERBOY: "I mean, there is a slight difference, but obviously, I'm always excited to see how the ladies of fighting fare, even here in the NFG." TASTY TOM: "As you alluded to earlier, this match will mean the first loss for one of these two fighters. Nixie's streak, of course, being the longer by far, but it's certainly a significant opportunity to make a case for top lady in the league." LOVERBOY: "Well, even with a loss, Nixie will still be near the top of the standings, but it would certainly establish Iris as a threat. On the other hand, if Greenie the Meanie keeps it rolling, she might hit a point where she's practically unstoppable." TASTY TOM: "Unless some sort of -special event- were to come in that would allow the fighters a chance to -shift up the standings...-" LOVERBOY: "I think it's a bit early to be alluding to the Summer Rumble, Tasty." TASTY TOM: "I mean, I wasn't going to -say it by name,- Loverboy." LOVERBOY: "It's even weirder when you call me that while we're bickering." TASTY TOM: "It's always weird when we bicker, Loverboy." LOVERBOY: "Right. Let's forget either of us mentioned anything." TASTY TOM: "Indeed. Shout out to our sponsors at Dragon Books. I'm sure these two will find plenty to read afterward - assuming they don't destroy the place's inventory." LOVERBOY: "And that they can both still read." -==JOHN DOE==- versus -==BRIAN STORM==- LOCATION: Sunshine City - Stoker and Sons Funeral Home TASTY TOM: "And here we have it: Brian Storm versus John Doe in the Stoker and Sons Funeral Home." LOVERBOY: "Brian Storm is a man who's never afraid to innovate, whether it comes to fashion, wrestling, or fight locations." TASTY TOM: "And John Doe is one fighter who's just as willing to put his life on the line for the sake of victory and entertainment as Brian Storm is." LOVERBOY: "I wouldn't be surprised if one of these two ends up in a coffin." TASTY TOM: "Whoa! I certainly hope not. Imagine the legal ramifications." LOVERBOY: "I mean, temporarily. There's gotta be some coffins to slam somebody into, right?" TASTY TOM: "Ah haha, of course, Loverboy. I'm sure both fighters will be alive and well after this match." LOVERBOY: "Of course, Tasty." TASTY TOM: "Which wraps us up for the upcoming round of fights! We'll look forward to seeing you next time! I'm Tasty Tom!" LOU: "And I'm Lou. Just Lou. Never doing that -bleep!- again -!!" (Continued in next post!)

Hey doodz! Congratulations to all participants for completing their Round 1 matches on time! Let's continue the momentum with another full-completion round! Be sure to get in touch with your designated scene partners ASAP! These matches are due for EOD SUNDAY, JULY 9TH. As with the first round, there will be no extensions. If you haven't got your matches started by MONDAY, JULY 3RD after trying to schedule with your scene partner, or you're having trouble closing out your match in a timely fashion by that date, then get in touch with me. As before, if a match is in progress but isn't finished in time, the result will be counted as a DRAW. If a match hasn't started, it will be considered not to have happened for one reason or another (to be discussed with me) and will not be worth any points. As always, if you know you won't be able to participate in an upcoming round, contact me to arrange substitutions for the benefit of your team (ICly) and your opponent (OOCly). - Pringer X