After sleeping like a log through most of the day before and night, Indigo was able to actually have the energy to wake up early, around 7 am. His early rising, in a strange and contradictory way, was also due partly to his nerves. As soon as his alarm went off, he was up and out of bed, anxious energy spurning him to move. It was strange, he thought as he readied himself for the day ahead, he had never felt like this before. He had always avoided his problems and his deadlines and his important dates so much, then they sprang up on him when he least expected it. [i][color=8882be]I used to push stuff away and just... Not care. Or maybe, I guess I did it because I didn't really want to deal with consequences.[/color][/i] But here was a team of dedicated, fun, and slightly annoying pokemon that just wanted victory. Indigo could see it in their faces, shining with determination. [color=8882be][i]They really want to win this.[/i][/color] And he was going to try his best to direct his pokemon and give them the victory they so deserved. [color=8882be][i]Remember though, you're not in this to win. You're just here to improve yourself....[/i][/color] But isn't that what a loser would say, a tiny voice jeered in the back of Indigo's mind. "Viii," Kovi swooped in front of Indigo's face, his large, compound eyes blinked. Indigo saw his face in all of the pokemon's ommatidia. [color=8882be]"I'm fine, just nervous,"[/color] Indigo murmurred. He exhaled. [color=8882be][i]You have plenty of time to rehearse with everyone, you've been practicing your techniques...[/i][/color] At this point, he would be trapped in a cycle of perpetual anxiety and trying to make himself feel better. But he needed to pay attention to his pokemon. "Just jump into it, come on," he urged himself as they made their way to the back of the pokemon center. It seemed he wasn't the only one who was gearing up for the contest. There were three other trainers out already, practicing routines with their pokemon. Indigo noted a Flareon, a Butterfree, and a few others that he didn't recognize. [color=8882be][i]Damn, I thought we could practice alone out here. I get so nervous around other trainers. I wonder if they're judging me or the way I'm training... I wouldn't blame them.[/i][/color] "Caw!" Hawka snapped Indigo out of his hazy and distracted thoughts. She let out a low rumble from her throat before spurring up a cloud of sand and unleashing a fiery orange swirl into the air. [color=8882be]"Hawka!"[/color] Stunned momentarily, he didn't react. Kovi took the opportunity to shoot a string shot into the flames, pulling out the skein of silk and twirling it around as if it were a ribbon. He danced, whirling the flames around on his String Shot, before blowing it away with a Gust and finishing with his wings fanned out to their fullest extent. Hawka screeched, glaring at the butterfly who had just stolen her show. She wouldn't be outdone. [color=8882be]"Wow, that was really good,"[/color] Indy had the beginnings of a slow but sure grin on his face. He was beginning to have fun focusing with his pokemon and not worrying about winning or losing. [color=8882be]"Okay Hawka, Fire Spin into Flame Charge, let's go! Show Kovi what you're made of,"[/color] Indigo felt himself loosening up. Hawka blew out a swirling vortex of flames; molten gold, orange, and red hues surrounded Hawka as she rushed into the eye of the attack. It brought out her own vibrant plumage, making her a fierce foe to be reckoned with at the same time. As she leapt through, her whole body glowed with the beginnings of a Flame Charge. There was a moment where she was completely engulfed in the blazing tornado of flames-- before bursting out triumphantly, cackling. Cloaked in an inferno, Hawka was ready for next move. [color=8882be]"Bring your fighting type out!"[/color] Indy called out. Alight and revved up, Hawka launched into a series of fierce kicks that had her leaping off the ground, and into the air. Her act was convincing and without hesitation, it seemed as though she were fighting real opponents with how quick her reflexes were. A swooping kick turned into a back flip, and she even swung herself around as if she were breakdancing. She finished with a final kick, extinguishing her flames just in time to land next to Indigo. [color=8882be]"That was awesome,"[/color] he breathed. Hawka nodded, smug. [color=8882be]"Alright, Mimzy, you're next! Let's go!"[/color] There was no more wasting time, no more being mopey, no more holding himself or his pokemon back. They were doing well so far, and Indigo was even beginning to become excited. One thing was for sure-- they'd get in a few more practice rounds before the contest started. And hopefully, they would stand a chance at winning.