Enter The Arena As Your Avatar -- The Spinoff!

"Well, it's a pleasure to finally have the chance to speak with you. Maybe we could see about training together sometime," Wanda replies, flashing a slight smile at Trinuma. "I'm probably going to need to be strong enough to fight without my magic whenever I go to that strange dream world again."

Loki blinks in surprise when the figure manages to correctly guess his name, though he quickly regains his usual smirk.

"Either my reputation proceeds me, lad, or you've been following my various exploits with particular interest. Although, I must admit, I was half-expecting you to call me Tom," he replies. "But that's besides the point. Now, the simple solution would be for you to merely create however many fish bones you require. However, if it's imperative that they be handpicked, something tells me you might want to go there."

He points to a nearby seafood place.

That seems to get his interest.

"Training with one who possesses such unique powers sounds like a good plan. Even if you were to not use said powers when you train, it would still be an unique experience."

He then looks in front of him again.

"Ah, we have arrived.", he says as he walks into the room. Helryx◊, The Shadowed One◊, Botar◊, Axonn◊, Ninten◊, and for some reason Rico Jr◊ and Weber◊ are there.

"Wanda!", Ninten says, looking happy. "How're you doing now?"

"Well, you said 'me and Thor', and a friend of mine has spoken about you, so I took the gamble and figured you would be Loki."

He then shakes his head.

"I can't conjure up fish bones. I mean, I can, but it takes preparation to conjure up parts of once-living beings and I currently don't have the proper materials to make that work. Getting a hold of all of those is much more of a hassle than just getting a fish."

He looks at the seafood place.

"Oh, I don't mind if they're handpicked, though ingredients of good quality does make for better results..."

He moves towards the seafood place. Thanks to his long cloak, it almost looks like he's gliding instead of walking, but the sounds of his footsteps betray that he is walking. Once there, he quickly starts to look his options over.

"Then let me know whenever you're ready."

Once she and Trinuma have reached the main monitor room, Wanda glances at those present, then shifts her attention to Ninten. Greeting him with a warm smile, she walks over and kneels down before pulling him into a hug.

"Much better, especially now that you're here," she replies.

"Hmm... fair enough. So, tell me, who exactly might this mutual friend of ours be?" Loki replies as he follows the mysterious figure towards the seafood place.

Edited by IchigoMontoya on Jul 22nd 2021 at 4:09:35 AM

Trinuma nods, then moves aside to let Wanda get to Ninten.

Ninten hugs Wanda back, looking a bit more relieved already.

After the hug, Helryx approaches them.

"Don't worry, this won't take long. We'll run two tests.", she explains. "First, we'll have you go through the hallway as usual. After that, we're letting Weber scan you for potential eldritch energy particles that our systems may not be able to pick up on."

She gestures to Rico Jr.

"I asked him to be here to ensure that Weber actually tells us the truth after, because he is loyal to Rico Jr."

"And I am here in case Weber still tries to mess with us.", Axonn says.

   "Would it kill you to have a bit of faith in me?"   , Weber asks. Even the Shadowed One scoffs at that question, so Weber just drops it.

"Now, are you ready?", Botar asks.

"High General Ovarr.", he says as he lifts up a fish and looks it over.

"This one will do just fine."

He pays for the fish, giving a handful of gold coins to the store owner. As he does this, Loki will be able to see his hand.

It's somewhat clawed, very similar to Ovarr's hand, though it's smaller and has purple skin in comparison to Ovarr's golden colored skin.

Which does seem to imply that the hooded being in question is a demon too. Though one much smaller than Ovarr, considering that Ovarr towers over Loki and Thor while this guy is about their size.

Edited by DevilPsyco on Jul 22nd 2021 at 1:46:21 PM

After giving Ninten's hair a quick tousle, Wanda listens as Helryx and the others explain how the tests were going to work. Once they've finished speaking, she shifts her gaze to Botar before answering him with a nod.

"I'm ready."

Then she glances at Weber, and her lips curl into a smirk.

"What the hell are you talking about, Weber? Of course they have faith in you. Faith that you would probably betray us all without the slightest hesitation, if not for your master."

"Ovarr, you say? How interesting... though I don't recall him ever mentioning you before," Loki replies, stroking his chin in a thoughtful manner.

He then catches a glimpse of the hooded figure's hand. prompting him to raise an eyebrow.

"Nor, for that matter, do I remember you ever telling me your name. Would you be so kind as to properly introduce yourself?" he inquires.

Edited by IchigoMontoya on Jul 22nd 2021 at 5:12:37 AM

Weber looks unamused, but Rico Jr chuckles a little.

"Very well.", Botar says, after which he warps Wanda to the beginning of the hallway.

"He knows I'm not one for much attention, so I'm guessing he didn't want people to bother me."

He then turns to Loki while holding the fish, which pretty much removes any intimidating factors he may have still had.

"Oh, wait, I didn't!", he says with a tone that suggests he didn't realize himself until now either.

He raises his hand. Not the one holding the fish, luckily.

"Call me Psyco."

Shortly after being warped to the beginning, Wanda begins making her way down the hallway.

"Psyco... that's actually quite a unique name, if I do say so myself," Loki replies. "I'd introduce myself in return, but I have a feeling that might not be necessary."

He proceeds to shake Psyco's hand.

"Nevertheless, consider me pleased to meet you."

Edited by IchigoMontoya on Jul 22nd 2021 at 5:14:53 AM

Vauge Tropique

Huh? An egg is hatching...!

"...!"

GALAVIK hatched from the egg! Would you like to nickname GALAVIK?

>NO

It's a Red! He is a-biking around, a-hatching eggs.

Wanda's walk will be an uneventful one. When she gets back to the main monitor room, she'll be able to see that Helryx is looking over the computer results.

"Nothing out of the ordinary.", she says before turning to Weber.

"Your turn, warlock."

   "I prefer genie."   , Weber says before floating up to Wanda. Once he's in front of her, he raises his arms and his eyes begin to glow. A dark aura surrounds him, which turns smoke-like before circling around Wanda.

"Unique? I always considered it a little weird. But I like your viewpoint better."

Despite the cloak still being on him, he seems pleased after they've shaken hands.

"Pleasure to meet you too. It's been a while since I've properly met new people."

He then seems to have pocketed the fish, because it's gone. He walks towards the exit of the mall, though looks back at Loki, as if silently asking if he wants to come with him or if they should say goodbye here.

He definitely seems to have some moments of awkwardness.

Red may not be aware that he's being watched by someone who's hiding behind some rocks.

"I'm not supposed to do this.", he thinks to himself. "I'm not really supposed to reveal myself at all. And I didn't plan to, but..."

He narrows his eyes.

"Out of everyone, I had to spot him !"

He takes a deep breath.

"HEY! You there!", he calls out to Red, only partly showing himself from behind the rock and keeping his arms crossed, probably in an attempt to look cool and mysterious.

Trainer Appears!

?

Red registers the new baby to a Cherish ball before turning. He signs in big sign letters "Hi?"

He's not put off, but he's not impressed by the entrance either. Lots of ambushes on his journey through KANTOOOO, after all.

"What's up?"

The boy seems a bit taken by surprise when Red uses sign language.

"Cara didn't tell me about this. It's a good thing I know what he's saying.", he thinks to himself.

He then steps out of the shadows to reveal himself. He looks like a young kid, definitely no older than 8.

"You're Red, the Kanto League Champion, right?", he asks.

Vs. Zekenator

Wait. Kim is up?

He just barely clashes some sort of spinning Phoenix kick with the Supersonic Thunderbolt Slash, haphazardly clashing with the move and watching as the Zekenator falls over.

Kim: "Clearly, I needn't be so cocky..."

Kim stands at a weary guard in case he gets up.

He seems slightly sheepish.

"Former champion, yeah. Current title holder back home is Lucas."

"Do you need anything?" Red grins. "A battle?"

Edited by Rbade on Jul 22nd 2021 at 5:36:51 AM

Folding her arms, Wanda patiently waits for Weber to complete what she assumed was his version of a scanning spell.

Shrugging, a bemused Loki proceeds to follow after Psyco, once again twirling a dagger in his hand.

"If you wanted me to join you, I hear asking tends to be a rather effective tool," he says.

A few seconds later, the aura disappears and Weber smirks.

   "You're totally fine."   

Rico Jr raises his eyebrow. Weber, as if sensing that, turns to him.

   "What? She is! You told me not to lie, so I'm not! Just ask him!"   , he says, pointing at Axonn, drawing the eyes of the others in the room to him. Axonn, now deactivating his Mask Power, silently nods to affirm that Weber is speaking the truth, to which Ninten looks even more relieved.

"Oh thank god. I don't know what I would've done if I'd caused something bad to happen to you because you went in alone.", he says as he looks at Wanda. "I definitely gotta make this up to you."

Psyco pauses, then laughs sheepishly.

"Sorry, spending 6 years in a cave... wait, 6? Is it still... no... well, yeah, 6, but it's only about 3 months away from being 7.", he says. "Anyway, spending that long in a cave has made me a bit of a recluse for a while, I guess, haha."

A slight awkward silence again.

"... So, uh, do you want to join me? It wouldn't be for too long, I do need to get this fish back before it makes my cloak smell like the ocean."

He looks surprised yet again, then lets out a strangely bitter chuckle.

"Oh, man. I feel sorry for whoever Lucas is.", he says.

"To think he got a fake title from a fake champ."

Before Red can ask what he even means by that, he grins and brings out a Poke Ball.

"You better believe I want a battle. And if you can't beat me, that'll just prove my point even further."

"It's not nice to talk about Janine like that. She worked hard to become the Champ before him."

Curveball, I think?

He shrugs, and tosses out his first 'mon.

"Magmar!"

"Magag!"

Now he just stares.

"I... I was talking about you, not some J... oh, forget it."

He then looks serious.

"I'll show you how inadequate you really are, fake champion Red! Persian!"

He throws his Poke Ball, and out comes his Persian◊. Red may note that his throwing stance resembles Blue's a bit.

He then points at Magmar.

"Use Slash!"

Persian's fur stands up on edge before the big cat rapidly leaps towards Magmar, claws extended and glowing.

If it hits, it'll be a Critical Hit right off the bat. And it'll look like their levels are pretty close to one another, because a Crit Slash from this Persian will definitely hurt.

Battle! VS Umezou

Red shrugs.

"OK."

Magmar tries to outright body Persian when its attacked - this isn't even a Move with a capital M, it just runs into Persian with all its bulk in tow. It doesn't even try to dodge, completely ensuring that it is Crit - that's about half its HP down the drain right off the bat.

There's about a 30% chance that Persian will be burnt by Flame Body.

"Lava Pool!"

Magmar spews boiling hot magma onto the ground, setting up a lethal lava entry hazard. Lava Pool burns grounded Pokémon that switch in.

Roth attempted to roll away from the oncoming storm, but it was as useless as a shrew trying to hide itself from a hurricane. He was tossed around like a ragdoll in The Zekenator's storm of lightning and blades, and he closed his eyes, expecting to drift off to the Spirit-Road... and yet, somehow, at the end of it all, he was still alive and conscious.

After a moment to gain his bearings, he realized why - there was no killing intent from his foe. Knowing this, and quickly running through the possibilities in his head, he cast a quick restraining spell to bind Page One and stop him from finishing off... a potential ally.

   "[Quic—],"    he began to invoke, interrupted by a brief fit of coughing.    "[Quickened Magic: Grounded Bindings]!"   

Luminous chain materialized and attempted to wrap themselves around Page One, anchoring into a number of floating spell-sigils — and hopefully halting their motion for a brief moment.

   "H... hold. This fight goes to those two,"    he said, attempting to appeal to Page One — and to some extent, Zeke's — sense of sportsmanship.    "Well fought, all."   

Persian gets hit as a result, getting burnt in the process, and it's much frailer than Magmar with its bulk, so it hits the ground rather harshly afterwards.

While that clever counter surprises Umezou, he looks shocked and confused at the makeshift entry hazard.

"W-what in the... that's not a real move!", he says, but then seems to try to compose himself, putting his hands on his cheeks for a moment.

"No, no, being inventive is a legit strategy. He's not cheating."

He shakes his head a little before getting back to the battle.

"I don't know what that move does, but how about this for a surprise! Persian! Bubble Beam!"

It may come as a shock to Red, but Persian does indeed use Bubble Beam, even though it seems illogical.

"Who needs physical moves when you can hit for super effective damage.", he thinks to himself.

The Zekenator slowly, shakily picks himself up, Pandoria lending him a hand.

   "The battle was well-fought,"    he concedes.    "Here - a parting gift."   

He tosses an unawakened Core Crystal, which seems to gravitate towards Kim apropos of nothing. At the same time, fat stacks of gold seem to scatter from him like debris from an explosion.

It's a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.

That is, despite hurting like a bitch and dealing Super Effective damage, it has to deal with 1. lower base power, 2. coming off a slightly lower Special stat, and 3. it has to contend with Magmar's higher Special bulk. A truly devastating combination that allows the butthead to just survive!

Magmar ate its Sitrus Berry! HP was restored!

"OK! Magmar attack!"

The Pokémon deliberates for a microsecond before firing off a Focus Blast at the opposing Persian.

Let go, you moron! He'd have killed us all! You can't just... Wait wh?

The Zekenator proceeds to spread fat cash like it exploded out of him.

... ?

Edited by Bolded1 on Jul 22nd 2021 at 3:41:59 PM

Luckily for Umezou, Focus Blast is nicknamed Focus Miss for a good reason. Persian manages to evade, and-

"... okay, time out!", Umezou says. "Lava Pool, I can accept, but ''what the heck is a 'Magmar attack'"!?", Umezou then calls out to Red while waving his arms around frantically. Even Persian looks back at him for a moment, as if asking him if they really need to stop the fight for this.

On the shore of another part of the Arena, Courne and Viche emerge from out of the water.

"I think I swallowed a fish...", Viche mutters before walking onto shore... and promptly collapsing from exhaustion.

"Viche, don't sleep out... in the open...", Courne mutters before the same thing happens to him.

... well, they're not dead at least.

Red is a good sport and tells Magmar to hold on for now.

"... I told Magmar to attack? And it used one of its attacks? I think that was Focus Blast. I don't understand what there is to not understand?"

He seems nonplussed by his reaction.