PTA: Wuhtu (IC)

[HZ514]

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[roll0]

Pitch quickly draws his knife, looking around for something that would attack. If the Absol saw something, he should probably be on edge. His hand drifts to the Tangela's Pokeball; maybe it could be useful.

The Absol starts to growl menacingly, which causes the Audino to stir with a confused, "Aud?"

The air is still for just a moment...

Your body moves on instinct just in time to dodge a shuriken! It lands harmlessly over by where Inigan and Dilos are asleep, waking them up in the process.

"CRAP!" one man yells as he jumps out from the hedges to the north.

Another voice comes from the east. "You need to work on your aim, Fred." A girl walks out from some hedges to the east and promptly throws some spikes across the ground around your feet "Know who we are, you cretin?" she asks you with disgust.

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Map!

The silver lining, perhaps, is that it almost time for Carn's watch.

[Arcran]

The Absol starts to growl menacingly, which causes the Audino to stir with a confused, "Aud?"

The air is still for just a moment...

Your body moves on instinct just in time to dodge a shuriken! It lands harmlessly over by where Inigan and Dilos are asleep, waking them up in the process.

"CRAP!" one man yells as he jumps out from the hedges to the north.

Another voice comes from the east. "You need to work on your aim, Fred." A girl walks out from some hedges to the east and promptly throws some spikes across the ground around your feet "Know who we are, you cretin?" she asks you with disgust.

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Map!

"Practice," Pitch says simply, rushing at the other, knife ready, trying to ignore the pain of the spikes.

"Inigan! Show these idiots how to throw a poison weapon!"

The Ekans obliges, slithering into range and firing a Poison Sting at the offending fighter.

"Absol! Do what you will with them!" Pitch shouts, focusing mostly on his attack. "They're not friends!"

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Pitch to J6
AC: (1d20)[12] 4
Damage: (1d12+9)[14]
Crit: (1d12+6)[7]

Inigan to H8 (hit as many Spikes as possible)
AC: 2 (1d20)[16] 17-20 Poison
Damage: (1d6+15)[17]
Crit: (1d6+3)[4]

[Kantolin]

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The nurse nods. "Right through there, Sir. A bed should be made."

~~~~~

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Wait, can you do that to a Companion? Catch it, that is.

The Zorua purrs when you thank it for its help, but shakes its head when you mention capturing it in a Pokeball.

It's content being your companion; it has no desire to be one of your Pokemon.

"Heh, alright." He pet her head as she relaxed once he had his arm free.

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"Officer Aumakua," Iudex says with a nod as he allows himself to be captured. One flash of light later, he's gone and the Pokeball settles in your hand. In a matter of moments, it clicks shut.

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You caught an Elgyem! (Iudex)
Male, Level 12
Ability: Telepathy
Nature: Poised
HP 6
ATK 6
DEF 6
SATK 9
SDEF 6
SPEED 3
Intelligence SEVEN!!! and knows Disable as an egg move. And can talk of course.

When you go to sleep, the Zorua curls up at your feet and starts to quietly snore rather adorably.

"Okay! It's morning, Kamoho, time to get up!"

The totodile responded by snapping at him, but expecting that Mordecai was not sitting adjacent to the totodile with that wakeup. He hadn't, however, expected Kamoho to be relatively okay-seeming with being awake... he'd expected groggy grumbling.

Zorua, however, did need a little more coaxing to wake up - but she wouldn't bite him, at least. In retrospect, given he already had two about - one of whom couldn't go in a pokeball, one of whom would complain bitterly again - he could release Iudex when they were not in a building.

...actually Mordecai was a little tired, as the sun was just on the cusp of rising, but he wanted to get going as early as possible! He nearly, in fact, left his backpack in the centre due to rushing far too much. Still, one return trip later and he was stepping away from city limits, totodile on his shoulder, zorua at his side.

"Namaka, wait."

The Zorua halted, turning to note Mordecai facing the city. ...He'd never actually discussed Namaka's name with her, and it hadn't occured to him that he hadn't done so. It just kinda felt right.

Mordecai took an inhale and an exhale - the sun was behind them as it rose. With a series of lobs, all of his pokemon were standing by him. He looked over each one in turn, then exhaled again.

"It may be awhile before we come back here, guys. So! Make sure you get a good look! Since next time we come back, it'll be to show Leia how much we've grown as a team!"

Kaulu nodded. He and Iudex were the only two who had a reaction anything like that - Namaka and Pa'ao both yawned tiredly. Paka was his usual oblivious self, hopping on Kaulu's head - as Kamoho gave a sing-songy, "Di~le." Pa'ao was too tired to give much of a response.

Mordecai sighed, a smile on his face. Well, it was important to him, anyway. "Until next time, Port Tidings!"

Returning such that Iudex, Kamoho, and Namaka were the only three pokemon out and about, he headed down the road towards Orum.

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Off-screen buying three pokeballs and camping gear.

[HZ514]

Leo looks at Pete incredulously, That's Jill Bales. She invented the pokemon storage system twenty five years ago. She's a genius, a technological wizard. I have no idea why she's here, but I can't believe you don't know her.

23 years is a long time, is this thing famous? He thought it had to be. He'd read about it in passing. It seemed interesting, but a lot of people seemed to know the event well and were going crazy over it.

While the cheering continues for a while, the girl next to you exposits some information. "Miss Bales runs this thing! It's not famous because they try, like, really hard to keep the whole thing under wraps until it's time to begin. The gathering is always vague in reason, then it turns out to be that year's Tournament. We got lucky coming here today, basically."

When the crowd noise finally dies down, Jill continues her greeting. "I'm so glad you all could join me today...here, in one of my many homes. I used to apologize for all the excess, but what's the point? It is what it is. But I know you didn't come here for a tour of the grounds.

Who's ready for some battles?!" she exclaims with her arms extended. Everyone responds with a roar of excitement.

"Well, good. Because we have a little twist in store this year. Before we get to that, though, let me show you all what the prize for winning today will be!"

An assistant rolls up a fantastically gilded box, which actually radiates a golden light when Jill opens it. She pulls out a seal-overloaded Pokeball of a type you've never seen before. With a flourish, she releases the Pokemon inside...



It's a Larvitar! Wait, not quite. It's a shiny Larvitar.

[CosmicOccurence]

Leo froze in shock. Larvitar were really rare, he'd never even heard of somebody seeing, let alone catching a shiny Larvitar. And what kind of pokeball did she use? It didn't look normal at all. And she's giving it away? For what?

He hadn't been planning on competing, but that was a prize that he might not be able to find in even the danger zone, let alone the nature preserve. Of course, everybody else probably had the same thoughts as him.

Well she certainly knows how to put on a show.

[HZ514]

"Practice," Pitch says simply, rushing at the other, knife ready, trying to ignore the pain of the spikes.

"Inigan! Show these idiots how to throw a poison weapon!"

The Ekans obliges, slithering into range and firing a Poison Sting at the offending fighter.

"Absol! Do what you will with them!" Pitch shouts, focusing mostly on his attack. "They're not friends!"

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Pitch to J6
AC: (1d20)[20] 4
Damage: [roll1]
Crit: [roll2]

Inigan to H8 (hit as many Spikes as possible)
AC: 2 [roll3] 17-20 Poison
Damage: [roll4]
Crit: [roll5]

As your knife plunges into the girl and Inigan's poisonous dart slots itself into the guy's chest...the two of them don't react at all?

Then they disappear with a "POOF!"

Three more of the girl you stabbed step out of the hedges. They simultaneously say, "How appropriate. Looks like you could use the practice."

Three more of the guy step out of the northern bushes as well. "Didn't see that coming, did you? You piece of--GAH!" they all shout as the Absol slashes through them with one set of sharp claws. Two of them disappear as well, leaving only the real one, bleeding from the freshly-inflicted wound. "Alright, screw this!" he says as he drops a smoke bomb and disappears himself.

As smoke fills that area of the battlefield, you hear the Audino cry out. "DINO!!" The Absol bays loudly in response, but is unable to go help.

"Isn't that cute, he really cares about her. Now, I believe it's past your bedtime, kid." The three copies of the girl surround you and spray some powder onto you.

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Sleep Powder!
AC 6 (1d20)[20]

[Arcran]

As your knife plunges into the girl and Inigan's poisonous dart slots itself into the guy's chest...the two of them don't react at all?

Then they disappear with a "POOF!"

Three more of the girl you stabbed step out of the hedges. They simultaneously say, "How appropriate. Looks like you could use the practice."

Three more of the guy step out of the northern bushes as well. "Didn't see that coming, did you? You piece of--GAH!" they all shout as the Absol slashes through them with one set of sharp claws. Two of them disappear as well, leaving only the real one, bleeding from the freshly-inflicted wound. "Alright, screw this!" he says as he drops a smoke bomb and disappears himself.

As smoke fills that area of the battlefield, you hear the Audino cry out. "DINO!!" The Absol bays loudly in response, but is unable to go help.

"Isn't that cute, he really cares about her. Now, I believe it's past your bedtime, kid." The three copies of the girl surround you and spray some powder onto you.

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Sleep Powder!
AC 6 (1d20)[18]

Pitch slumps to the ground under the cloud of spores, unconscious.

Inigan, meanwhile, fires at the nearest copy, seeking to defend her trainer. Anyways, they had annoying voices and the smoke stung her eyes.

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AC: 2 (1d20)[18]
Damage: (1d6+15)[16]
Crit: (1d6+3)[6]

[HZ514]

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"Heh, alright." He pet her head as she relaxed once he had his arm free.



"Okay! It's morning, Kamoho, time to get up!"

The totodile responded by snapping at him, but expecting that Mordecai was not sitting adjacent to the totodile with that wakeup. He hadn't, however, expected Kamoho to be relatively okay-seeming with being awake... he'd expected groggy grumbling.

Zorua, however, did need a little more coaxing to wake up - but she wouldn't bite him, at least. In retrospect, given he already had two about - one of whom couldn't go in a pokeball, one of whom would complain bitterly again - he could release Iudex when they were not in a building.

...actually Mordecai was a little tired, as the sun was just on the cusp of rising, but he wanted to get going as early as possible! He nearly, in fact, left his backpack in the centre due to rushing far too much. Still, one return trip later and he was stepping away from city limits, totodile on his shoulder, zorua at his side.

"Namaka, wait."

The Zorua halted, turning to note Mordecai facing the city. ...He'd never actually discussed Namaka's name with her, and it hadn't occured to him that he hadn't done so. It just kinda felt right.

Mordecai took an inhale and an exhale - the sun was behind them as it rose. With a series of lobs, all of his pokemon were standing by him. He looked over each one in turn, then exhaled again.

"It may be awhile before we come back here, guys. So! Make sure you get a good look! Since next time we come back, it'll be to show Leia how much we've grown as a team!"

Kaulu nodded. He and Iudex were the only two who had a reaction anything like that - Namaka and Pa'ao both yawned tiredly. Paka was his usual oblivious self, hopping on Kaulu's head - as Kamoho gave a sing-songy, "Di~le." Pa'ao was too tired to give much of a response.

Mordecai sighed, a smile on his face. Well, it was important to him, anyway. "Until next time, Port Tidings!"

Returning such that Iudex, Kamoho, and Namaka were the only three pokemon out and about, he headed down the road towards Orum.

"Those actually are not terrible," Iudex lets you know when you release him. "Though I think I would prefer to be outside," he admits. Before you get too far, Iudex asks you, "Are we fully prepared for this journey? I have found it is easy to forget some details when one is quite eager to set out.

[HZ514]

Leo froze in shock. Larvitar were really rare, he'd never even heard of somebody seeing, let alone catching a shiny Larvitar. And what kind of pokeball did she use? It didn't look normal at all. And she's giving it away? For what?

He hadn't been planning on competing, but that was a prize that he might not be able to find in even the danger zone, let alone the nature preserve. Of course, everybody else probably had the same thoughts as him.

Well she certainly knows how to put on a show.

"Yes she does!"
"I...want...that..." Pete says, borderline drooling.

Jill once again settles everyone down before speaking further. "Glad to see you all want the prize. And the best part is, you all have an equal chance to win! Because this year, the Tournament of Rising Stars is operating under a different impetus. As for what that is..."

Doors all around the room open and assistants wheel in entire racks of Pokeballs. There must be hundreds thousands of Pokeballs.

"This year, you'll each be fighting with some of these Pokemon! You'll find every single non-legendary species here. The only caveat is that we'll have to take your Pokedexes away from you to make things even more interesting. Does this sound good to all of you?" she asks with grandeur.

The crowd, of course, erupts in cheer. The assistants take seats at a long table in front of Jill.

"Great! Step right up here to register. One of our fantastic assistants will guide you through the simple process."

Both Pete and the girl run up to do just that.

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Spoiler alert: you're going to have somewhat of a ginormous advantage being a researcher.

[Kantolin]

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"Those actually are not terrible," Iudex lets you know when you release him. "Though I think I would prefer to be outside," he admits.

Before you get too far, Iudex asks you, "Are we fully prepared for this journey? I have found it is easy to forget some details when one is quite eager to set out.

"I did remember to pick up camping..." Begins Mordecai, when he realizes that the camping gear he ordered is in fact still at the mart.

A bit sheepishly, he heads back into Port Tidings, picking up camping gear and three pokeballs before heading back out.

[HZ514]

Pitch slumps to the ground under the cloud of spores, unconscious.

Inigan, meanwhile, fires at the nearest copy, seeking to defend her trainer. Anyways, they had annoying voices and the smoke stung her eyes.

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AC: 2 [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Crit: [roll2]

Inigan's aim is true and both copies poof into nothing when the real girl is struck by the poisonous dart. It oozes poison into her veins as well.

AGH! Knew I should have just bounced too. Whatever, I'm out." She throws down a smoke bomb as well and disappears as the Absol viciously lunges at her. Its fangs find only air.

...

"Pitch. Pitch, wake up." Carn's voice reaches through he deep veil of slumber to bring you back to the waking world. As you groggily look around camp, some smoke lingers but the toxic spikes have been removed. The Absol looks distraught not too far from you, and you see why: the Audino is nowhere to be found.

[HZ514]

"I did remember to pick up camping..." Begins Mordecai, when he realizes that the camping gear he ordered is in fact still at the mart.

A bit sheepishly, he heads back into Port Tidings, picking up camping gear and three pokeballs before heading back out.

"Good luck out there!" the shopkeeper shouts after you as you walk out.

Iudex gives you a reassuring nod once you are back outside town walls. "Wherever the road takes us, Officer Aumakua."

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Actually decided to save the scripted encounter until a bit later on. Can you make an encounter roll for the day? It's a 1d100 either - Int or + CON, with higher values being more difficult. Both very high and very low values have unique results.

[Arcran]

Inigan's aim is true and both copies poof into nothing when the real girl is struck by the poisonous dart. It oozes poison into her veins as well.

AGH! Knew I should have just bounced too. Whatever, I'm out." She throws down a smoke bomb as well and disappears as the Absol viciously lunges at her. Its fangs find only air.

...

"Pitch. Pitch, wake up." Carn's voice reaches through he deep veil of slumber to bring you back to the waking world. As you groggily look around camp, some smoke lingers but the toxic spikes have been removed. The Absol looks distraught not too far from you.

Pitch is on his feet quickly, looking around for the enemy, only to see they have fled.

"That's not good," Pitch says, looking around.

"Carn, I need to know what happened. Translate for Inigan?" Pitch says, looking to the snake.

After receiving the short story, Pitch looks to his Ekans in thanks.

"We need to move. Now. If those two got out of here, they could be anywhere," he says.

As he takes a head count, he notices something. The Audino was gone! Pitch curses under his breath. Unless he wanted the Absol to leave him, he'd need to leave now.

"Absol! Can you track them?" Pitch says, looking at the spikes. "These should be hers. If we can follow them, they're ours. Carn, fly up. See if they're dumb enough to leave a trail," Pitch says. He was angry. They had attacked him, taken (what was soon to be) his Pokemon, and then left. As the Poison courses through him, Pitch injects an Antidote to clear it up.

"Let's go. We don't have much time."

[Kantolin]

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Mordecai is using his full ranger capabilities to try to avoid anything threatening happening on the roads.

'xcept Kantolin wants something interesting to happen, and thus right now Mordecai is terrible at it!

...except, um, both his intelligence and constitution mods are 0, so um...

(1d100+0)[56]

Edit: Ooh, you add the stat. Then 66! As he'll add con.

[CosmicOccurence]

"Yes she does!"
"I...want...that..." Pete says, borderline drooling.

Jill once again settles everyone down before speaking further. "Glad to see you all want the prize. And the best part is, you all have an equal chance to win! Because this year, the Tournament of Rising Stars is operating under a different impetus. As for what that is..."

Doors all around the room open and assistants wheel in entire racks of Pokeballs. There must be hundreds thousands of Pokeballs.

"This year, you'll each be fighting with some of these Pokemon! You'll find every single non-legendary species here. The only caveat is that we'll have to take your Pokedexes away from you to make things even more interesting. Does this sound good to all of you?" she asks with grandeur.

The crowd, of course, erupts in cheer. The assistants take seats at a long table in front of Jill.

"Great! Step right up here to register. One of our fantastic assistants will guide you through the simple process."

Both Pete and the girl run up to do just that.

Spoiler

Show

Spoiler alert: you're going to have somewhat of a ginormous advantage being a researcher.

Leo runs up behind them, head reeling. He could win this. He knew pokemon better than most people, hadn't he proved that in his first battle? He'd win that Larvitar or die trying.

Leo tries his best to reach the attendants as fast as he could.

Leo Blackwell, a trainer from Wrystone.

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could you post all the rules for creation here just so I have a reference? Pretty please? With peppers on top?

[HZ514]

Pitch is on his feet quickly, looking around for the enemy, only to see they have fled.

"That's not good," Pitch says, looking around.

"Carn, I need to know what happened. Translate for Inigan?" Pitch says, looking to the snake.

After receiving the short story, Pitch looks to his Ekans in thanks.

"We need to move. Now. If those two got out of here, they could be anywhere," he says.

As he takes a head count, he notices something. The Audino was gone! Pitch curses under his breath. Unless he wanted the Absol to leave him, he'd need to leave now.

"Absol! Can you track them?" Pitch says, looking at the spikes. "These should be hers. If we can follow them, they're ours. Carn, fly up. See if they're dumb enough to leave a trail," Pitch says. He was angry. They had attacked him, taken (what was soon to be) his Pokemon, and then left. As the Poison courses through him, Pitch injects an Antidote to clear it up.

"Let's go. We don't have much time."

Inigan hisses the Ekans version of "You're welcome!"

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Inigan's loyalty increase!

The Absol nods and says a short sentence in an anxious tone, translated as "We need to find her!"

"We will find them," Carn says to you and the Absol before flying up.

The Absol begins to track the kidnappers and shoots off like a rocket once it picks up their trail.

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By some stroke of magical luck, you're actually going toward Elrem! Just in case you were wondering if you were going back the wrong direction.

[HZ514]

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Mordecai is using his full ranger capabilities to try to avoid anything threatening happening on the roads.

'xcept Kantolin wants something interesting to happen, and thus right now Mordecai is terrible at it!

...except, um, both his intelligence and constitution mods are 0, so um...

[roll0]

Edit: Ooh, you add the stat. Then 66! As he'll add con.

Your team travels as a cool breeze billows through the air from the calm seas to the south. A little after Port Tidings fades from the horizon, you start to hear some noise coming from up ahead on the path.

When you get close enough, you see that it's two small yellow humanoid Pokemon with plug-like ears sparring with one another, kicking and throwing electricity back and forth.

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Map!

[HZ514]

Leo runs up behind them, head reeling. He could win this. He knew pokemon better than most people, hadn't he proved that in his first battle? He'd win that Larvitar or die trying.

Leo tries his best to reach the attendants as fast as he could.

Leo Blackwell, a trainer from Wrystone.

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could you post all the rules for creation here just so I have a reference? Pretty please? With peppers on top?

The assistant already looks weary by the time you get up to her, but she's admirably enthusiastic during your registration.

"Leo Blackwell, Wrystone," she repeats back to you. "Could I see your Pokegear and Pokedex, please?" She scans through your information and jots down the relevant bits and hands your Pokegear back to you but keeps your Pokedex. "Don't worry, we'll keep it safe."

Then she pulls out a thick binder and opens it to the first page, which has pictures of Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, and Venusaur. She launches into a rules explanation. "You may scan through that and pick FOUR of them for your team today. Each round will be a three-on-three battle until only one team is left standing. The battlefields will be randomly determined for each fight; we have all kinds around the estate. Your team will be healed between every round.

As you already know, the champion today will be granted the right to adopt Miss Bales' unique Larvitar. If you would please, take the binder and look through it in our decision area so that the next contestant may register. Good luck, Mr. Blackwell." She points you to a large ring of seats behind her where many of your counterparts are already eagerly leafing through their binders.

"This one looks awesome!"
"I wonder what that thing is..."

Jill has moved to a balcony overlooking all of you. She has a pleasant smile on her face and is holding the Larvitar in her arms.

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Rule rundown!

• Choose any four non-legendary 'mons for your team
• All 'mons are level 50
• All 'mons have neutral natures and are generically statted for simplicity's sake
• You may choose which abilities your 'mons will have from amongst their normal and high abilities
• All 'mons will have their normal, 7 most recently learned moves along with 1 (useful) TM move that will be a surprise
• Each battle will be 3-on-3 without trainer combat
• Battlefields will be random (die rolls, actually) between every environment you can think of
• You may choose any one held item for each (berries may be replenished between rounds)
• Healing after each round, so Center freq is essentially Battle freq
• Other non-researchers will not have access to all the info you naturally do
• Winner gets Spike, the Super Pseudo Badass
• Good luck! (Let me know if you have any other questions)

[Arcran]

Inigan hisses the Ekans version of "You're welcome!"

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Inigan's loyalty increase!

The Absol nods and says a short sentence in an anxious tone, translated as "We need to find her!"

"We will find them," Carn says to you and the Absol before flying up.

The Absol begins to track the kidnappers and shoots off like a rocket once it picks up their trail.

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By some stroke of magical luck, you're actually going toward Elrem! Just in case you were wondering if you were going back the wrong direction.

Pitch sprints after the Absol.

"Let's go!" Pitch shouts to his team, returning Lighter as he does so.

[Kantolin]

"Hold on." Out came Mordecai's pokedex. The Zorua - disguised as a mankey - was guided back a step.

"Electric. Well - we need to try to conserve our strength - it will be awhile before we are near another pokemon centre. Maybe we can avoid conflict. Pa'ao!"

"Drill!" The drillbur looked about - much more awake now.

"Pa'ao, you're immune to electricity - keep slightly close to them. Don't give a hostile action unless they do - if they're content to spar, then that's plenty. Let's keep safe over sorry or clean - can you mud Kamoho and I?"

"Drill." The drillbur clenched a claw tightly. On the one hand, Mordecai was glad Pa'ao wanted to help so fiercely. On the other hand, he knew Pa'ao really shouldn't be still beating himself up over the battle with Preston, which he will reemphasize Pa'ao did very well in. Still, not much for it - Pa'ao was by far best at handling this encounter should it turn hostile, or should they desire to spar with /him/. They had to be careful on the road, after all.

"Be careful, Pa'ao."

...and Mordecai paused. "Namaka - they don't seem to be focusing on you. Can you illusion yourself to look like Pa'ao? If they discover electricity doesn't work on him, it may help for them to presume the same about you."

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Pa'ao mud sports Kamoho (And Mordecai if there is appropriate time for both) and moves to F-6!

If Namaka can, she's asked to illusion as Pa'ao.

[HZ514]

Pitch sprints after the Absol.

"Let's go!" Pitch shouts to his team, returning Lighter as he does so.

Each member of your team does his/her best to keep up with you as you follow the Absol, who is half-screaming, half-weeping all while running full speed along the trail it's picked up.

After a frantic chase that lasts almost an hour, you're finally able to see the two assailants off in the distance. They're running just as haphazardly as you are, through thorns and branches.

"He's catching up!"
"Then shut up and keep running, you idiot."

You can see the Audino in the guy's arms.

"AH!" the guy yells as he trips over a large root.
"Oh, great. You ready for round two, kid?!" she yells back at you.

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Map!
Browns are rough terrain, thorns and branches and whatnot. You can move all of your team for the next two turns, then battle as normal. Absol will be acting on his own. Carn's somewhere.

The guy releases a purple oozelike Pokemon and the girl releases a tiny green spider.

"Throw some more of those poisonous spikes!"
"I don't have any left, you dolt."

The Absol roars at them, decidedly unamused.

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Spontaneous Swords Dance!

[HZ514]

"Hold on." Out came Mordecai's pokedex. The Zorua - disguised as a mankey - was guided back a step.

"Electric. Well - we need to try to conserve our strength - it will be awhile before we are near another pokemon centre. Maybe we can avoid conflict. Pa'ao!"

"Drill!" The drillbur looked about - much more awake now.

"Pa'ao, you're immune to electricity - keep slightly close to them. Don't give a hostile action unless they do - if they're content to spar, then that's plenty. Let's keep safe over sorry or clean - can you mud Kamoho and I?"

"Drill." The drillbur clenched a claw tightly. On the one hand, Mordecai was glad Pa'ao wanted to help so fiercely. On the other hand, he knew Pa'ao really shouldn't be still beating himself up over the battle with Preston, which he will reemphasize Pa'ao did very well in. Still, not much for it - Pa'ao was by far best at handling this encounter should it turn hostile, or should they desire to spar with /him/. They had to be careful on the road, after all.

"Be careful, Pa'ao."

...and Mordecai paused. "Namaka - they don't seem to be focusing on you. Can you illusion yourself to look like Pa'ao? If they discover electricity doesn't work on him, it may help for them to presume the same about you."

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Pa'ao mud sports Kamoho (And Mordecai if there is appropriate time for both) and moves to F-6!

If Namaka can, she's asked to illusion as Pa'ao.

Namaka's form dissolves into a mysterious darkness, then he reappears as a facsimile of Pa'ao!

As Pa'ao approaches the two Elekids, they pause their sparring match to greet him.

Iudex translates the resulting conversation for you:

Elekid 1: Hi! Who are you?
Pa'ao: I'm Pa'ao, that's my trainer over there.
Elekid 2: Looks like a dork.
Elekid 1: Be nice! Sorry about that, Pa'ao. My younger brother is a hothead.
Pa'ao: It's alright. So my trainer was wondering if you two would like to spar.
Elekid 2: Sure! A fight's always fun.
Elekid 1: How about us two against you and one of your friends, Pa'ao?
Pa'ao: You're on! I'll go let me trainer know.
Elekid 2: How?
Pa'ao: Iudex over there can speak human.
Elekid 1: Fascinating! Alright, we'll be over here waiting.

Pa'ao comes back to you and looks to you for who his partner will be. The Elekids look excited for a fun battle.

[Arcran]

Each member of your team does his/her best to keep up with you as you follow the Absol, who is half-screaming, half-weeping all while running full speed along the trail it's picked up.

After a frantic chase that lasts almost an hour, you're finally able to see the two assailants off in the distance. They're running just as haphazardly as you are, through thorns and branches.

"He's catching up!"
"Then shut up and keep running, you idiot."

You can see the Audino in the guy's arms.

"AH!" the guy yells as he trips over a large root.
"Oh, great. You ready for round two, kid?!" she yells back at you.

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Map!
Browns are rough terrain, thorns and branches and whatnot. You can move all of your team for the next two turns, then battle as normal. Absol will be acting on his own. Carn's somewhere.

The guy releases a purple oozelike Pokemon and the girl releases a tiny green spider.

"Throw some more of those poisonous spikes!"
"I don't have any left, you dolt."

The Absol roars at them, decidedly unamused.

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Spontaneous Swords Dance!

Pitch races forward, releasing Lighter and barking out commands.

"Dilos, Inigan! Circle around the back! Keb, burrow down for a big attack. Thales, Outlet, Lighter, stick close to me," he says, watching as his team obeys with a grin. These two didn't know what they were getting into. Between his menagerie, the Absol, and whatever Carn manages to cook up, these two were dead. He raises his Pokedex, trying to figure out which of his Pokemon will be best able to destroy their Pokemon.

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Alright...
Pitch will shift to E14 and release Lighter at F13.
Dilos will Double Shift to J10.
Inigan will Double Shift to C9.
Thales will Double Shift to E12.
Outlet will be at H12.
Shovel Keb will shift down 2 and end up in G12.

[HZ514]

Pitch races forward, releasing Lighter and barking out commands.

"Dilos, Inigan! Circle around the back! Keb, burrow down for a big attack. Thales, Outlet, Lighter, stick close to me," he says, watching as his team obeys with a grin. These two didn't know what they were getting into. Between his menagerie, the Absol, and whatever Carn manages to cook up, these two were dead. He raises his Pokedex, trying to figure out which of his Pokemon will be best able to destroy their Pokemon.

Spoiler

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Alright...
Pitch will shift to E14 and release Lighter at F13.
Dilos will Double Shift to J10.
Inigan will Double Shift to C9.
Thales will Double Shift to E12.
Outlet will be at H12.
Shovel Keb will shift down 2 and end up in G12.

Your Pokedex first gives you their names: Grimer and Spinarak. It's still loading the rest of their information.

"You were so rude back there, we never got to properly introduce ourselves!"
"You see, Ostra travels in squads. That guy you sent to jail back in Port Tidings...he was our teammate! He was our friend!"
"So we figured we'd make you feel the same thing we felt: loss."

Their introductions, however, are cut short by the enraged Absol sprinting directly at them. The male trainer chucks the Audino a few feet further, and it whimpers when it hits the ground. That only angers the Absol even more. The Spinarak tries to slow it down with some webbing and the Grimer launches a toxic green-brown cloud at it, but the Absol is having none of that.

"Oh--"

The Absol tears through the silky web and holds its breath through the cloud and rips a chunk out of the Grimer which it promptly spits into the male trainer's face.

Panic and fear wash over his face as he realizes that the stakes are a whole lot higher than he anticipated. He doesn't return the Grimer...there isn't much left to return. He sends out another Pokemon, this one a taller red cricket. The girl quickly sends out another Pokemon to somewhat surround the Absol; a green pinecone.

You can feel a slight vacuum as the wind in the area is being pulled toward the north--and a barely audible whistle come from that direction as well.

[Arcran]

Your Pokedex first gives you their names: Grimer and Spinarak. It's still loading the rest of their information.

"You were so rude back there, we never got to properly introduce ourselves!"
"You see, Ostra travels in squads. That guy you sent to jail back in Port Tidings...he was our teammate! He was our friend!"
"So we figured we'd make you feel the same thing we felt: loss."

Their introductions, however, are cut short by the enraged Absol sprinting directly at them. The male trainer chucks the Audino a few feet further, and it whimpers when it hits the ground. That only angers the Absol even more. The Spinarak tries to slow it down with some webbing and the Grimer launches a toxic green-brown cloud at it, but the Absol is having none of that.

"Oh--"

The Absol tears through the silky web and holds its breath through the cloud and rips a chunk out of the Grimer which it promptly spits into the male trainer's face.

Panic and fear wash over his face as he realizes that the stakes are a whole lot higher than he anticipated. He doesn't return the Grimer...there isn't much left to return. He sends out another Pokemon, this one a taller red cricket. The girl quickly sends out another Pokemon to somewhat surround the Absol; a green pinecone.

You can feel a slight vacuum as the wind in the area is being pulled toward the north--and a barely audible whistle come from that direction as well.

"I think the only ones losing at the moment are you," Pitch says, grinning at the two in superiority. Carn was about to cut them down with air itself, and the Absol was doing more than his fair share.

"Lighter, show me what you've got," Pitch says, urging the Charmander forward. "Light them up."

Pitch watches his crew continue to carry out his orders, grinning. He assumes Keb has taken a position below the enemy; he should have been able to move that far by now. He quickly scans the newcomer, preparing to take it down himself.

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Just moved stuff on map. It's all legal.

Lighter uses Ember on Kr! Fire, Special
AC: 2 (1d20)[6] Burn 18-20
Damage: (1d12+16)[23]
Crit: (1d12+6)[15]

[CosmicOccurence]

The assistant already looks weary by the time you get up to her, but she's admirably enthusiastic during your registration.

"Leo Blackwell, Wrystone," she repeats back to you. "Could I see your Pokegear and Pokedex, please?" She scans through your information and jots down the relevant bits and hands your Pokegear back to you but keeps your Pokedex. "Don't worry, we'll keep it safe."

Then she pulls out a thick binder and opens it to the first page, which has pictures of Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, and Venusaur. She launches into a rules explanation. "You may scan through that and pick FOUR of them for your team today. Each round will be a three-on-three battle until only one team is left standing. The battlefields will be randomly determined for each fight; we have all kinds around the estate. Your team will be healed between every round.

As you already know, the champion today will be granted the right to adopt Miss Bales' unique Larvitar. If you would please, take the binder and look through it in our decision area so that the next contestant may register. Good luck, Mr. Blackwell." She points you to a large ring of seats behind her where many of your counterparts are already eagerly leafing through their binders.

"This one looks awesome!"
"I wonder what that thing is..."

Jill has moved to a balcony overlooking all of you. She has a pleasant smile on her face and is holding the Larvitar in her arms.

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Rule rundown!

• Choose any four non-legendary 'mons for your team
• All 'mons are level 50
• All 'mons have neutral natures and are generically statted for simplicity's sake
• You may choose which abilities your 'mons will have from amongst their normal and high abilities
• All 'mons will have their normal, 7 most recently learned moves along with 1 (useful) TM move that will be a surprise
• Each battle will be 3-on-3 without trainer combat
• Battlefields will be random (die rolls, actually) between every environment you can think of
• You may choose any one held item for each (berries may be replenished between rounds)
• Healing after each round, so Center freq is essentially Battle freq
• Other non-researchers will not have access to all the info you naturally do
• Winner gets Spike, the Super Pseudo Badass
• Good luck! (Let me know if you have any other questions)

Leo flipped through the book and quickly identified the pokemon he wanted. All his studying here might actually pay off. He was familiar with most of the pokemon here, and quickly fashioned an effective, he hoped, team.

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CHOICES! Will stat them up later and post link in this spoiler.

Gorlurk (No Guard/Iron Fists. Kings Rock): Earthquake, Heavy Slam, Curse, Dynamicpunch, Mega Punch, Shadow Punch, Iron Defense (Double Team TM)
Metagross (Clear Body, Lightningrod. Luck Inscence): Hammer Arm, Meteor Mash, Psychic, Bullet Punch, Pursuit, Miracle Eye, Zen Headbutt (Rock slide TM)
Magmortar (Flame Body/Vital Spirit. Heat Rock): Flamethrower, Sunny Day, Lava Plume, Clear Smog, Confuse Ray, Faint Attack, Fire Spin (Thunderbolt TM)
Venasaur (Leaf Guard, Flower Gift. Black Sludge): Leech Seed, Synthesis, Poison Powder, Sleep Powder, Growth, Razor Leaf, Double Edge (Substitute TM)

Hoping this team works

[HZ514]

"I think the only ones losing at the moment are you," Pitch says, grinning at the two in superiority. Carn was about to cut them down with air itself, and the Absol was doing more than his fair share.

"Lighter, show me what you've got," Pitch says, urging the Charmander forward. "Light them up."

Pitch watches his crew continue to carry out his orders, grinning. He assumes Keb has taken a position below the enemy; he should have been able to move that far by now. He quickly scans the newcomer, preparing to take it down himself.

Spoiler

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Just moved stuff on map. It's all legal.

Lighter uses Ember on Kr! Fire, Special
AC: 2 (1d20+5)[23] Burn 18-20
Damage: (3d10+19)[34]
Crit: (3d10+12)[35]

The cricket-like Pokemon screams out in pain as Lighter's burst of flame engulfs it. It's able to withstand the heat, but only barely.

Your Pokedex gives you two more names: Kricketune and Pineco. It lets you know Grimer and Spinarak's types as well.

The next few events all happen in the blink of an eye.

The Kricketune tries to retaliate, but the Absol promptly impales the cricket on its single horn, killing it instantly.

Meanwhile, the female trainer starts to yell something, but she is cut off by a razor-sharp slice of wind nailing her in the side. Carn's ambush pays off, she is not at all braced for impact.

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Razor Wind!
Crit: (1d20+5)[23]
Damage: (3d10+19)[34]
Critroll: (3d10+12)[35]

As the girl pulls herself up off the ground and coughs up blood, Carn descends into view and chuckles. "You were so rude back there that I didn't get to properly introduce myself."

The male trainer screams in fright and instinctively throws another Pokeball toward Carn. A brown tree-looking pokemon pops out.

[HZ514]

Leo flipped through the book and quickly identified the pokemon he wanted. All his studying here might actually pay off. He was familiar with most of the pokemon here, and quickly fashioned an effective, he hoped, team.

Spoiler

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CHOICES! Will stat them up later and post link in this spoiler.

Gorlurk (No Guard/Iron Fists. Kings Rock): Earthquake, Heavy Slam, Curse, Dynamicpunch, Mega Punch, Shadow Punch, Iron Defense (Double Team TM)
Metagross (Clear Body, Lightningrod. Luck Inscence): Hammer Arm, Meteor Mash, Psychic, Bullet Punch, Pursuit, Miracle Eye, Zen Headbutt (Rock slide TM)
Magmortar (Flame Body/Vital Spirit. Heat Rock): Flamethrower, Sunny Day, Lava Plume, Clear Smog, Confuse Ray, Faint Attack, Fire Spin (Thunderbolt TM)
Venasaur (Leaf Guard, Flower Gift. Black Sludge): Leech Seed, Synthesis, Poison Powder, Sleep Powder, Growth, Razor Leaf, Double Edge (Substitute TM)

Hoping this team works

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Looks good! Should be a fun time.

Another assistant who is going around recording choices eventually comes to you. She takes a look at your team and nods. "Impressive selection, Mr. Blackwell. I hope these will serve you well." She retrieves four Ultra Balls from various shelves and hands them to you. She then points to the double doors Jill originally entered through. "Please continue to our staging area. And best of luck to you, Mr. Blackwell.

Following a group of other trainers through the doors and down a long hallway, you find yourself in another massive circular room with various doorways along the outside. Hanging from the ceiling is a jumbotron of sorts, currently showing highlights of previous Tournament battles.

"This is where we find out who we're facing and which battleground we'll be in," the girl from before chimes in from beside you.

[Arcran]

The cricket-like Pokemon screams out in pain as Lighter's burst of flame engulfs it. It's able to withstand the heat, but only barely.

Your Pokedex gives you two more names: Kricketune and Pineco. It lets you know Grimer and Spinarak's types as well.

The next few events all happen in the blink of an eye.

The Kricketune tries to retaliate, but the Absol promptly impales the cricket on its single horn, killing it instantly.

Meanwhile, the female trainer starts to yell something, but she is cut off by a razor-sharp slice of wind nailing her in the side. Carn's ambush pays off, she is not at all braced for impact.

Spoiler

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Razor Wind!
Crit: (1d20)[18]
Damage: (2d10+26)[37]
Critroll: (2d10+8)[21]

As the girl pulls herself up off the ground and coughs up blood, Carn descends into view and chuckles. "You were so rude back there that I didn't get to properly introduce myself."

The male trainer screams in fright and instinctively throws another Pokeball toward Carn. A brown tree-looking pokemon pops out.

A grin crosses Pitch's face as his team and the Absol tear through the enemy force.

"Good work Carn! KEB! Just like yesterday! Bulldoze!" Pitch says, squatting down to cover the Charmander's eyes. It probably wouldn't like the sight of the attack that had decimated its family.

The Drilbur surfaces, spinning his claws ominously. A second later, the earth itself tears apart, sending waves of dirt cascading over Pitch's foes.

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Bull****!
AC: 2 (1d20)[18] -1 Speed
Damage: (2d10+26)[37]
Crit: (2d10+8)[21]
Should hit all enemigos.

[HZ514]

A grin crosses Pitch's face as his team and the Absol tear through the enemy force.

"Good work Carn! KEB! Just like yesterday! Bulldoze!" Pitch says, squatting down to cover the Charmander's eyes. It probably wouldn't like the sight of the attack that had decimated its family.

The Drilbur surfaces, spinning his claws ominously. A second later, the earth itself tears apart, sending waves of dirt cascading over Pitch's foes.

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Bull****!
AC: 2 [roll0] -1 Speed
Damage: [roll1]
Crit: [roll2]
Should hit all enemigos.

Keb's attack sends the already-injured girl hurdling into a nearby tree, where she slumps down unconscious. The Sudowoodo is knocked out as well by the flying earth.

Seeing his last Pokemon eliminated and his partner out of commission, the male trainer hastily retreats back toward the Audino...

The two bug Pokemon are able to hold their ground, but a quick one-two combination of Absol's claws and Carn's blades put them both down as well.

"STOP!"

The male trainer has the whimpering Audino in his arms with a jagged blade to its throat. "One step closer by any of you, and she dies. No sudden moves!" His voice contains the unmistakable mixture of fear and desperation that lets you know that he is not at all bluffing.