IGPX Episode 21: Decision

Round 5 of races begins with the race between Team Satomi and Team Sledgemamma!

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As the race entered the second lap, Team Sledgemamma attacked first and ambushed Team Satomi with their column formation, and unleashed attack after attack on Takeshi. But those attacks didn't hit Takeshi who has become a much stronger pilot since previous bouts. Even River and Dimma using tag-team maneuvers with the intent to conceal their attack didn't phase Takeshi, who almost seemed to know that they were coming. Takeshi then passed them with a very smooth jump. Surprisingly, Team Satomi seemed to focus their attacks all on Yamma, playing Forward, who was in the lead. They broke off Yamma's left leg, and Team Sledgemamma's Running Skeleton entered into the course. Was Team Sledgemamma being overpowered by Team Satomi? Sledgemamma was determined to show that there was no concern for that happening. When their Running Skeleton left the course, Yamma grabbed hold of Liz with his Inner Edge attack, giving Dimma a chance to break off her left arm. And River attacked Takeshi, and in their struggle, Yamma came from above and smashed Takeshi's right arm off. This would likely have been an ideal time for Team Satomi to bring out their own Running Skeleton, but the rules of the IGPX state that Running Skeletons can only be used at the same time as another team using theirs. That opportunity had already passed by. And if you think back to just before Team Sledgemamma used their Running Skeletons, Yamma seemed to easily take Liz's attacks. Perhaps Yamma was purposely trying to create this kind of situation for Team Satomi, where they would want to use their Running Skeleton but would not be able to. But something has seemed different with Team Satomi this year, and that begins to show with what happens next. Losing their balance, Takeshi's and Liz's mechs now lacked precision in not only their offense but their defense due to them missing one arm each. Nonetheless, they appeared to be dancing on the track. Almost as if they had configured a computer program beforehand, Takeshi and Liz used their broken arms as a cover to defend beautifully against Team Sledgemamma. We would see the real beauty of that shortly.