ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

Meanwhile, at Merqury's Office in the Merchants' Councilhouse...

"They've detained how many Pokemon?!" Merqury said, astonished, as he read a piece of paper on his desk. He carelessly flung the paper away and slumped in his chair, dragging a hand over his face. "Hnngggrrgghhhh... at this rate, doesn't matter how 'big' this tournament is, we'll never recoup our losses from the damage to our reputation this will do! You see, the merchants I can handle, they're careful, they check where they're going and who they're interacting with. But not these... so-called warriors! Whose idea was it to host a tournament here, anyway?!"

"I... believe it was yours, Chairgon," Ripley said, standing firm beside her boss with her wings clasped behind her back, as per usual. "You said it would be ideal for venting the frustrations of the populace."

A pause, as Ripley and Merqury's bodyguard Turtledove looked slightly uneasily at each other; the latter more so.

"...Ah. Yes, I remember now... it was a mistake," Merqury practically hissed under his breath, as he leaned forward and grabbed an unmarked bottle of an unspecified beverage, pulling the cork out with his claws.

"Nothing is ever as simple as it seems, is it? It just... felt like the right thing to do, clear everyone's minds. Stop the council from bickering and... backstabbing and insulting the ideals I built this city on! Me! MY ideals! But no, instead, the customers come rolling in and they get even worse! I've heard of... smear campaigns, gossiping! In MY city!" he yelled, slamming his free fist on the table, startling Turtledove somewhat.

The Kommo-O calmed down slightly to take a swig from the bottle. "And... why? How could this have even happened? What happened to us, Ripley? We are dragons. We carry much honour, and yet we're being played for fools by a damn Steel-type and her merry band of armoured boy-scouts..."

Ripley cleared her throat as Merqury paused to take some more swigs of his bottle. "Chairgon; I understand your concerns, but it is important to remember the facts. The Pawniarmy has thus far had a 100% detection rate against the Viral Aggression..."

"Ugh... not you as well, Ripley?" Merqury cut her off, once more taking a break from his drinking. "Don't tell me you've fallen for that 'Viral Aggression' shit as well! Wake up! There is no 'Viral Aggression'! I heard nothing of it until Khmalidze and those bleeding-hearts from the Guild started banging on about it! It's just plain old Pokemon going mad, is what it is! I wouldn't be surprised if they were in cahoots. Everyone in the world wants a piece of me... especially that damn snake..."

As he once more hit the bottle, anything Ripley could say was cut off again, this time by a knock at the door.

"Go away!"

"But sir... i-it's important!" said a voice from the other side.

Ripley held up a wing before Merqury could say anything else. "Enter."

A rather frizzy and overworked Flaaffy wearing glasses pattered in somewhat comical fashion, holding a stack of papers. "Ah! Chairgon! I, uh... yes, the humans you wanted to see are here! We received this memo; they got the travel permits just swell!" she said, awkwardly and delicately pulling out a slip of paper from her stack, as though it was a Jenga tower.

Merqury put the bottle down on the desk and leaned back, tenting his fingers. "Finally, some good news. Send them in."

The Flaaffy adjusted her glasses while somewhat precariously balancing the stack. "Umm... Chairgon, I meant they're in Hoard, n-not that they're in... the building..."

Merqury jerked forward suddenly. "Well, then why the hell did you come in here, Faffy? GET OUT!" he bellowed.

"U-um, yes sir!" 'Faffy' stuttered, barely keeping her balance again. In less than a second, she was pattering back outside again, as Merqury hit the bottle once more.

edited 3rd Aug '17 4:11:17 PM by PresidentStalkeyes

(Meanwhile, Dieter overhears a conversation between Hotel staff about the Hoard tournament and decides that he wants to take in the action, but recalls that without Armin he couldn't set out to achieve his goal: the Perfect Fighter.)

Ah, if only I could've created my perfect fighter...

edited 3rd Aug '17 4:15:03 PM by Team42Larson

[Walking through the Bazaar, my attention starts to drift towards the shops that pass us by as we approach the Councilhouse. On my left, I see a long stand lined to the brim with berries and more mundane fruits and vegetables, with many a Pokémon crowding around it and picking them off piece by piece to place in embroidered bags. Continuing on, closer to us, I spy a small open bookstore, "Antique and Classic Literature" says the sign above it. A frail looking Wartortle dawdles about in front of it, tending to the books it seems, before noticing us.]

"Pardon me, but would you care for some light reading while you enjoy your stay here in Hoard? I've got plenty of books from different authors and genres..."

(Dieter walks back to his room to think about how he could get to Hoard. Just because Armin ruined his plans to put a fighter in the tournament, it didn't mean that he couldn't still view the proceedings anyhow.)

(Kevin sees the party with the other Wartortle and runs up to them.)

Hi guys! Are you here for the tournament?

(After getting an all-clear from the checkpoint check-up, the Ninetales makes her way through into the Bazaar, bypassing the Board in Hoard B&B.)

(She looks around the crowded Bazaar, looking for somewhere that looks like where the local tournament is being held. Unfamiliar with the area, she simply trots ahead and decides to look for someone who can direct her there. After knowing where to go, she decides that she will train for a bit, browse the Bazaar for a while, and then find a place to stay.)

(She wonders if...while she's at it, she'll bump into an old acquaintance of hers who claimed to be from here...)

(I first notice Kevin and then the other Wartortle.)

Hey, Kevin! Some of us are, but right now we have other business to attend to.

Like what?

Meeting Merq.

Really? Cool! My dad met him!

(I eye what the other Wartortle has to offer.)

edited 3rd Aug '17 4:58:56 PM by Team42Larson

Freddy the Hypno is still in front of the reception desk at the Silversand Hospital.

Freddy (thinking to himself): Oh don't tell me that this Chansey is sleeping on the job...

edited 3rd Aug '17 5:00:37 PM by TheGamechanger

*Voxno asks the Wartortle* Would you happen to sell non-fiction? I am particularly interested in literature pertaining to the founding of Hoard. I am also in need of a blank book for writing, one with the thinnest possible covers.

(Monty quickly comes out and floats over to Freddy.)

Are you here to see someone?

Freddy: Why yes. I'm the adoptive brother of a patient who may or may not be here. He's a Mr. Mime by the name of Alejandro.

I look around the area until a certain stall catches my attention. A makeshift dojo of sorts. Inside, there was a Hawlucha. "Greetings, traveler! Come here to hone your skills?" He greets me with a smile. "Well, more like learn some new ones," I reply with a sheepish shrug. "Then you've come to the right place! … Provided you have the payment, naturally."

Alejandro...he was chased out of here by our staff after he creeped out on a Braxien patient, but I saw him last in the Inn.

Finley looks around. Man, a lot of options...

She looks over to the bookshop, and realizes how bored she's been lately. Finley approaches the place. "Hey, do you have any mystery stuff?"

First genre that popped in her head, but whatever.

Freddy: Thanks for telling me this sir, I'm heading there now!

Freddy leaves the hospital and heads for the inn

(A pair of twin Eevees have a stand nearby.)

If you're looking for an evolutionary item, we have them right here! Just 15000 Poké for a life-changing experience!

Um, Penny, don't you mean body-changing?

Oh, I guess you're right, Jenny. Anyway, get an evolutionary item for you or someone you know who's looking to evolve!

edited 3rd Aug '17 5:49:21 PM by kablammin45

*one of the stalls is labeled "ALCHEMICAL WARES", however the Boldore minding the stall comes out from behind and places a sign in front reading, "Sulfur Sold Out"...it seems someone bought out all their sulfur fairly recently*

*getting back behind the counter, she resumes doing her pitch* Get your potions, tonics, mortars and pestles, herbs and minerals here! *then mutters to herself* Who the hell needs all that sulfur? Ah well, that stuff never sells much anyway...

edited 3rd Aug '17 5:36:03 PM by sarysa

Freddy arrives at the inn

Freddy: Um hello? I'm looking for someone who may or may not be here!

(I observe the various wares and the like, and I note the dojo.)

edited 3rd Aug '17 5:37:31 PM by Team42Larson

Seeing the two Evvees, Andy sped toward them. What're Your names?

I'm Jenny. (The Eevee on the left says.)

And I'm Penny! (The one on the right says.) Hey! Do you know somebody who wants to evolve? All of our evolutionary items are just 15000 Poké.

(The two of them pull a large box of stones and set them on the counter of their stand.)

edited 3rd Aug '17 5:49:26 PM by kablammin45

I float around the city.

(I ping Vox.)

So, could I gather a group of us who wants to just go directly to Merq?

*as Voxno-V waits for the Wartortle merchant to respond, it pings back to Marlon* (That would be a prudent course of action. I must, however, decline to meet the Merchant King myself — they do not tolerate guild presence and shapeshifting Unowns are an exceedingly rare variant. I am likely to be recognized, and that would complicate matters.)

Mila feels the urge to wander and explore what the merchants had to offer, but she quickly realizes that she doesn't really need anything, and that she doesn't have the most carrying space, either. Maybe later she could find a place selling survival supplies just in case. However, as she looks around she notices a Zweilous at a stand with several sparkling gemstones.

Come and get a gemstone! Great for a gift, or for that extra kick in battle! 2000 poke each, or five for 9000!

Mila watches intently, intrigued by how one head seems to be on the lookout for customers while the other watches the stock carefully. Moments later, however, a Gible rushes up to the stand, and speaks in a hurried tone to the attendant.

Hey, you have to help me! I convinced mom and dad to let me in, and I need a dragon gem to show them how cool I am!

Really? you made it in? That's cool and all, but you know those are the best selling gems. I can't just give them away...

But you promised! Anyways, I told you I'd share half of what I get with you, right?

Mila shrugs off the interaction and returns to the rest of the group. It seems all sorts are getting interested in the tournament.

edited 3rd Aug '17 6:01:41 PM by Cabe_Bedlam

(I head over to Mila.)

Say, if you're not going to buy anything, would you want to join me and others who want to go right to Merq?