IGPX Episode 19: Moving On

The race began with man-to-man defense from Team Satomi. That was comprised of causing the other team to attack them, luring them into exhaustion. One might consider it as a passive strategy where patience is a virtue. But Andrei (playing as Midfielder) didn't miss his offensive chance to strike either. In the middle of Elissa's attacks, Andrei was able to counter her and strike her left arm. Although that single attack wouldn't normally damage her, because Andrei focused on the same area every time he attacked, the amount of damage was higher because the construction of the arm became weaker from every previous punch. The strength of the punches seemed inversely proportionate to the difference in age between Andrei and Elissa. After that, Elissa dealt a blow to the body of Andrei's mech, sending him very far back behind Elissa. Using the opportunity that that attack afforded her, Elissa caught up to Liz, who was being pushed around by Jessica's hammering attacks. She took Liz's mech from the rear, grabbing her legs, and initiating a giant swing attack. Liz's core junction frame was broken by the attack. On the brink of reaching the third lap, much to Liz's chagrin, she was forced to retire.

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Fantine took the lead when Jessica wedged herself between Takeshi and Fantine, who seemed to be probing each other's moves so far in this race. Fantine thought she was going to escape into the lead and win the race, but with only two kilometers left before the finish line, Fantine started fighting off Takeshi who came in from the rear. A rough fistfight broke out from the last corner of the spiral. Both Takeshi and Fantine never considered loosening up the strength of their attacks. But Takeshi got a lucky break. He grabbed Fantine's right arm. He then focused his attacks on Fantine's left leg. He imitated the strategy that Andrei used earlier in the race on Elissa. Repeating violent attacks over and over, Takeshi was able to cause the leg to break off. Fantine who couldn't even smoothly change into Speed Mode, dropped in position while friction from the track slowed down her mech. Team Satomi got 1st and 2nd place. With 3rd, 4th and 5th place finishes, Team Skylark received exactly 10 points.

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Barely receiving the 10 points needed to remain above the line where they would fall into the IG-2, Team Skylark has no more room for negligence. In order to get above Team Edge Raid, currently also near the bottom, they will need to win one of the next two races at the very least.