ITT: We Have All Become Pokémon

(I come back into the lobby and take a seat where I can converse with Fin face-to-face.)

The only thing I could think of off the top of my head is being able to give them Koss's remedies.

Finley thinks about this. No, it's too late for them. It's already developed well enough, or so she'd imagine.

But...

"Marlon!!" She gets up, suddenly excited. "Oh my god, you're a genius! We just have to find the people they fight and treat them! They're the only people in close proximity with them! Everything will be peaches!"

I think I actually left some bags of the remedies I was given in my waiting area! My theory could actually work! For treating the ones they fight at least.

(Cortez and the Dragonite enter the building. An Aurorus stands behind the front desk.)

Hello, Briar Rose. (The Dragonite says to the Aurorus.) I found this poor child wandering around Hoard by himself. Do you have space for him?

I'M NOT A KID! LEMME GO! I'LL HAVE YOU AWWESTED! HELP! POWICE! HELP!

Feisty, isn't he? (Rose says, calmly.) We do have a room for him. Thank you for bringing him in, Lila.

(Cortez continues to struggle and shout as he is handed off to another younger and non-shiny Dragonite.)

Hey, bud, I'm Clementine. What's your name? (The Dragonite asks cheerfully.)

IT'S CORTEZ AND I'M NOT A KID! I'M FORTY-FWEE YEARS OLD! THIS IS A NIGHTMARE! SOMEONE WAKE ME UP!! (Cortez wails.)

Calm down, Cortez. I'll show you to your room. It's a really nice one, like the one I grew up in here. (Clementine gently carries the still struggling Cortez and takes him down a hall to a small room with a bed, dresser, some small Pokémon toys, and a thick window looking out into the town.)

See? Isn't it a nice room? Now, Cortez, you stay here and occupy yourself while I go to talk to Miss Rose, okay? (Clementine leaves the room, shutting the door behind her.)

RRRAAAAAAGGGGGHHHH! (Cortez screeches, trying to open the door, reach the doorknob, and then headbutt the stone door open, all without success.) Ooof...dammit! I'm stuck...!

(Cortez wanders dazedly to the bed, climbing up onto the bed and looking out the window. From it, he could see the inn he used to own, the club, the entrance to the Hoard Council, and the entrance to the arena, where Maran was currently. This morning, he was a well-respected and proud Tyrantrum who had it all. Now he was was a Tyrunt with absolutely nothing and none of his former friends recognizing him, doomed to live in an orphanage...forever since he wouldn't age, as stated by Liesl.)

(A tear runs down Cortez's face.) Dammit, I don't cry! I'm no sissy! I...don't...cry...I...I...

(Finally, Cortez can't hold it in any longer and bursts into tears, curling up on top of his new bed and hugging the blankets.)

[That isn't gonna be enough. I move in closer and wrap my arms around her as tightly as I can. Concentrating, eyes shut, I can feel that strange force envelop me, pulling Mila and I in until the realm swallows us whole...]

[Opening my eyes, bringing myself away from Mila but still holding onto her, I look to the sky for a moment before looking back down at her and letting go, giving her some (perhaps much-needed) room. As strange as this statement might be, I feel relieved she isn't purple as the rest of the world is.]

"...you feelin' okay? Sorry for that...bear hug, I guess..."

*the gate to Area B opens up, but nothing happens* "Nuclear Wessel"...did they forfeit? We do get joke applications from time to time... *after waiting a moment, Birch starts to wrap it up before Jani unceremoniously pops in, beret on head and cloth around her neck-and-or-waist which is hard to see from a distance* Well folks, looks like this match goes to... *Elm interrupts, pointing, and with a little bit of struggling, Birch finds the small Diglett*

It looks like we have our contender, folks! Quite the odd matchup we have here! *Elm adds* That it is, Birch. Normally we'd try to avoid such a matchup early on, but the Wessel's crippling type advantage is all but nullified by her pre-evo status! It's still anyone's game!

That it is, Elm. *the ref cues the two into position*

Good luck. *Jani coldly states, clearly having her game face + VA on*

Same to you, and try to act scared when I do the whole monster routine, would ya? *Larry retorts, to which Jani simply stares*

The contestants have signaled. Which raw powerhouse will come out on top? Get ready, get set...IT'S TIME FOR A POKÉÉÉÉÉÉ-BAAAAAAATTLEEEEEEEEE!!!

((Battle Start))

*right away, the speed-advantaged Jani shouts* GROUND TORNADO!! *which gives Larry a brief bit of hesitation, knowing his own 4x weakness to be quite a hinderance, but as the mis-shouted attack coalesces into a Sandstorm, Larry can simply grin menacingly*

THANKS!!!! *he shouts, while Birch shouts into the mic* AND IT'S AN OPENING BLUNDER!!! *as the slightly dizzified Jani looks over to see the Lairon charging straight at her, landing a powerful Headbutt*

"Well get it, then! We can save an entire city with this!" She quickly runs to the front desk, where a Haxorus (unrelated to Cortez's pal) is.

"Excuse me! Hi! Uhm... I'm a friend of Bella's and PJ's. I wanted to give a gift to the people those two fought so far. You know, a sort of consolation prize."

"... You do? Well, what is it? I'll be sure to get it to them before they leave."

She looks over to Marlon and waves him over.

*I exit the arena and begin looking around for Finley. There's this odd mix of lingering excitement from my match and dread, knowing what she'll say. I spot her at the front desk, and I go up to her with my head hung low.*

PJ: "Hey... I kinda fucked up just now, I know, and I... I wanna say sorry but I know you're probably gonna chew me out for it anyways..."

... So he DID fight.

Finley feels anger... a lot of it. No, no... bury that. That won't get them anywhere.

"It's okay, PJ." She says, also trying to convince herself. "You know what you did was wrong, and we're already working on fixing it. You're okay."

No he isn't. But whatever, she'll talk about that later.

(Before PJ appeared,I ran back to my waiting area to recollect my four bags of remedies. I placed the bags before Fin and the Haxorus.)

These are remedies from our friend Koss, an Alolan Raichu. Listen, our two friends have something...off about them, and we're worrying that whatever they have might catch onto other fighters.

edited 9th Aug '17 2:18:34 PM by Team42Larson

"How many more matches will there be?"

*Jani takes the full force of the Lairon's Headbutt, which by any rights would easily knock her out in one blow, but a glow similar to, but weaker than Protect's appears in front of her, as well as from the cloth she's wearing*

It seems this could be the most lopsided battle of the afternoon, and Wessel is clearly...STILL STANDING?! Wait, is that what I think it is, Elm? *to which Elm elaborates* Indeed it is, Birch... *the Purugly states awhile holding binoculars to get a better view* It appears the Wessel is wearing something known as a Focus Sash. As you folks may know, MOST items including our very own R-Cola are not prohibited, with a few exceptions deemed unconducive to an amateur tournament, but they are restricted to one.

The Wessel's already on the ropes, and the one trick down her sleeve is spent! Is there anything she can do to turn it around?

(fuck...    FUCK, I'm going to be killed...    it's just a tournament, right?    Bail. This guy's too tough.    why did that announcer say I had an advantage, earlier? gotta keep trying...)

*back in real time, Jani backs her hurt self up and shouts* GROUND STRIKE!! *expecting something like an Earthquake this time, the Lairon gets on all fours and braces himself. the mis-called attack is actually a Rock Slide, which hardly fazes the Lairon but happens to get a bit around his eyes, slowing him down a bit*

Larry seems more annoyed than fazed by that display... *Elm points out*

*figuring it's still working as the sandstorm rages, Jani continues pelting rocks at the Lairon for a second turn of Rock Slide, while Larry is finally able to brush it off, rushing in for an Iron Head* YOU'RE MINE!!!!!

edited 9th Aug '17 6:18:17 PM by sarysa

"Yes, what he said. It's very important they get what they need." Finley looks again at PJ.

No. Keep it in. Not now.

"For that matter... can you just give one to every person the two come in contact with from now on? It's for their own safety."

The receptionist looks at the bags, clear doubt in his eyes.

"I'll let security scan them. If it checks off, I'll do what you say." He takes the bags, putting them behind the counter. "Is that all?"

Nothing else. Do as you must but make sure they get the remedies.

edited 9th Aug '17 2:34:10 PM by Team42Larson

Mila can't help but close her eyes as Eliot does his magic. Once she feels him let go, she opens them again and takes in the scene around them. Looks like she got sent through as well. Not wanting to worry about going back for now, she quickly starts toward the building.

"I'm fine. Well, I suppose we should get going. Nobody else can see us, right? I'm not exactly used to this place."

edited 9th Aug '17 2:52:26 PM by Cabe_Bedlam

*the Iron Head from the Lairon lands...except that it didn't?! the Lairon somehow simultaneously hits and misses, while looking around confused* UNBELIEVABLE!!! Nuclear Wessel's ability created a mirage!! *to which Elm adds on* Indeed it did, Birch. It's a trick certain ground dwellers have known as Sand Veil, which makes them quite a bit more elusive in a sandstorm. Quite remarkable, if you think about it, even we were fooled!

*Jani takes advantage of the Lairon's confusion to...use Rock Slide again, at which point even the announcers are getting annoyed* She's at it again, folks, it'll take more than a thousand of those to cut through Larry. I know it's amateurs and all, but where do they find these? *Birch whispers to Elm, who adds on* This truly matches up with the definition of insanity, Birch. This poor lass seems to have hardly any combat experience whatsoever! Cuts and bruises notwithstanding... She'll never break open Larry's defenses with that move!

*once the Lairon returns to his senses, he shouts* I'LL GRIND YOU TO A PULP!! *and lunges forward, intent on smashing Jani from above*

(Shit...I'm wide open...) *Jani thinks to herself* (What do I do? How do I stop something like that?    Finley stopped lava with her arms. Do that.    Do I have arms? Ugh, I've got to try something...)

*a ton of dirt flies up around Jani and encases her, she can barely be heard shouting* PROTECT!! *before the encasing is complete...a few holes are present, but the structure is sound, and it's frankly probably for show anyway because the familiar "invisible shield" becomes visible as the the Heavy Slam is deflected*

At Fan's apartment...

The Pawniard grunt assigned to search Fan's bedroom had decided against using stealth, no longer being around his very strict leader. Instead, he was busy stabbing his blade into most of the furniture, using his strength to flip them over, in the hopes of unearthing anything unusual. Except it wasn't un-earth-ing as they were far above ground level, yet paradoxically underground.

The confusing nature of these thoughts about where in relation to the ground he was, combined with his inability to find anything despite turning Fan's bedroom into some kind of surplus recycled furniture store.

Throwing his blade-arms in the air, he turned around to report back to his superior in a huff, but he stopped in his tracks once he smelt something... something rather... malodorous. Very malodorous. Horrific. So sickening, he couldn't even speak; he was immediately forced to hold his mouth closed out of fear of sudden vomit.

Before he could even begin to investigate, a pair of very gooey, multicoloured arms, not unlike those of a subspecies of Muk, emerged from underneath the floorboards, grabbed the soldier and pulled him underneath, through some kind of unhinged 'flipping' board.

edited 9th Aug '17 3:22:58 PM by PresidentStalkeyes

Jack turns to Nyquil and Sushi

Jack: So, plan on doing some sort of battle cry or Pre-Asskicking One-Liner for our respective matches?

AND IT'S DEFLECTED! Some quick thinking there on Wessel's part. That slam would have sent straight her to the ward, that's for sure. *the sandstorm subsides, and Elm continues* She can't stay on defense, though with the sandstorm gone, she might just be able to penetrate the behemoth's defeses.

*Jani uses the bought time to figure* (Everything the female announcer said, she acts like this should be a cinch. What am I doing wrong?    Make an earthquake.    But what the hell would that accomplish? None of my ground moves work!    He's like a structure. Make him collapse.    Gah...whatever. Nothing left to lose anyway.)

*Larry the Lairon gets up on two legs, preparing to pounce on Jani one last time* YOU'RE FINISHED! Hey, how am I doing? Scary, huh? Crowd's gotta love it!

*to which Jani replies with a cold stare, uttering in her creepy VA voice, only loud enough for Larry to hear*    Earthquake.   

*a crack rapidly forms outward from Jani toward Larry, who ends up tripping onto his back from loss of balance due to the roaring Earthquake. The quad effective move's onslaught continues, and even forms some noticeable cracks in the Lairon's back. With Larry off balance and helpless, Jani keeps it going for two turns, before coming to her senses and realizing the sorry state Larry's now in*

Huh? Larry? LARRY? *she moves close to Larry and notices the cracks in his steel* OH SHIT! DOCTOR! SOMEONE!!!

WHAT A TURNAROUND FOLKS!! THE WESSEL FINALLY GETS THE HINT! And uh...Elm? Is Larry... *to which Elm replies* ...it's hard to say, Birch. Larry really got knocked around hard by that earthquake. Emergency crew's out...waiting for the signal and...he's alright folks! Larry is alright!!

Let's wish him a speedy recovery. It looks like Nuclear Wessel is moving onto the next round! *while Elm retorts* Indeed she is, but she'll need more than just dumb luck if she's going to last in this tournament!

(I still stand before the Haxorus, kind of expecting him to get on with the security scan.)

(The Haxorus runs off briefly to check the remedies. His assistant, a Fraxure, comes back to us with a smile.)

You two are good to go. We'll keep sharp eyes on your friends too.

edited 9th Aug '17 3:57:53 PM by Team42Larson

I cannot believe what I just saw, Jani Badly injured her opponent. I keep watching and I hope that the other fights aren't this bloody.

[I run after her towards the building.]

"See or hear!" [I try and put myself before her.] "Just try not to touch anyone, okay?" [Shoot, I need to try and relate why to her...] "Remember what happened when I fell in the river? It's kinda like that, but not as...much!"

edited 9th Aug '17 4:14:05 PM by BlackMageAnolis

"I... don't quite follow, but whatever you say. Though, I do hope they left the doors open. I doubt we'll be able to open them from here."

Mila enters the building cautiously, attempting to avoid the few inhabitants milling about. She can hear some noises from above her, but she can't exactly tell what's going on yet. She hopes that Fan is okay, at least. Then again, she can't help but wonder what Eliot's plan is. Does he intend to bring her into this realm as well?

*Jani exits the arena alongside her former opponent Larry the Lairon, heading to the arena's medical ward, actually forgetting the whole "stay away from others, I'm diseased" pledge she had going*

*Birch gets a little concerned as he announces* Two shows of excessive force in a row...remember folks, this is an AMATEUR tournament. Safety is everything here at the R-Soda Arena! R-Soda, the lift with a kick!

*shifting gears, Birch continues* Now onto the next match-up! Our first contender is a Houndoom from a faraway land. Let's give it up for...FIRE PRINCE!!!

edited 9th Aug '17 4:35:36 PM by sarysa

"Well, I guess that's all. We should probably head back, or something..." She looks over at PJ, clear anger in her eyes. "And you're coming with us."