Chapter 1; Tournament of Heroes

Azrael nodded, doing his best to constrain a shit-eating grin at Grumpy's response. "Mhmm, that's what I thought... but, I don't actually disagree." He turned to Jack with a shrug, and his best it-couldn't-be-helped expression by way of apology. As he returned his attention to his surroundings, he noticed Bolt running up and trying to split a cookie between him and Grumpy, and his heart melted at the Pichu's sweetness. "Aww, why thank you, Bolt," he said, taking the offered half and biting into it - noticing that Grumpy had not done the same, he shot him an exaggerated mock frown, accompanied by a slight head shake. Looking back to Bolt, his customary smile returned, and he crouched down for a second to whisper, "Well, if he doesn't want it, you should eat it."

Catching up with the rest of the group inside the sparsely furnished meeting room, he took his seat just as Mr. Mandibuzz started speaking. Almost immediately, he had to struggle to maintain a cheerful smile, as Mr. Mandibuzz brushed by their previous argument with his own commentary. I'm not the one without common sense, dammit! Unovan's are way too relaxed about supporting their Pokemon when it really counts, he thought, and immediately felt bad for saying that about all of his Unovan friends back home.

Azrael's eyebrows raised involuntarily in disbelief as Mr. Mandibuzz finished his proposal. "I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name," he pauses for a response, and then continues, "So, to be clear, you're saying that we will be followed and filmed, regardless of our response?" I think I may hate this man. "Alright, and when you say, 'regular paycheck', could you please clarify exactly what we're talking about here? I mean, you're clearly very excited about your own financial prospects from this venture, so I'm sure you understand that," he pauses for a second, "we just want to be sure that this is a fair and worthwhile deal for everyone." Hopefully that worked. I think I sounded kind of like the lawyers on TV.

He shot a quick glare at Grumpy for his comments, which rapidly morphed into a slightly obnoxious smile, "Aww, come now, we could be a team!" And I didn't sign-up for travelling with a bitter old sourpuss, Azrael thought. In response to Grumpy's last comments, he added, "Well, how bad could it be?" And then he let his face fall, and gave him a hauntingly blank expression to convey just how soul-suckingly bad he thought it could be. With a sigh, he turns to Luke, "Yeah, I think you may have the right of it." He rubbed his temples for a moment, thinking about how intrusive the cameras might get, and whether he could live with the group dynamic for the long haul.

Despite his doubts and hesitancy, he perked up slightly at Jack's cheerful optimism, and dragged himself away from his pessi-realistic wallowing and sass, "You know what, you're right. As long as the cameras don't make themselves a nuisance," he glances briefly but significantly at Mr. Mandibuzz before continuing, "this could be a lot of fun for us and our Pokemon. Hiking through the wilderness would be a lot more interesting in a group, if nothing else, and," he swallowed while simultaneously swallowing his testy feelings towards Grumpy, "if we can all get along, I think this could be a really great experience."

He glances at Grumpy, and as an attempted concession, he adds, "And plus, with four of us we can do loads of practice and training. We'll learn a lot more and get a lot better by working together with all of our Pokemon than we would by practicing on our own." He shrugs at the older trainer, "Pokemon champions don't become champions without listening to and learning about different kinds of trainers and Pokemon, and that means spending time with people, like it or not." He takes a long pause this time, then nods, "Yeah, I'm in if you guys are." His eyes flick momentarily towards Aethon on his shoulder. Yeah, I know how you'll feel about loads of nosy cameras and fans... Sorry buddy, but I don't think we have a choice on this one.

"That still sounds like it leaves a lot open..." Dave mutters, making a mental note to see what Hal could do about the cameras... though, he was sure that he'd only be able to pull something off once.

"So? They can bring it." Dave gives a bit of a cocky grin. "I could use the challenge. But," he sighs. "If I'm going to be filmed. I might as well be in a group while it happens." Less chance of them actually focusing on me.

Upon seeing the 'Dexes, Dave's actually rather impressed. "Well, then... looks like there's some signs of sophistication here, after all..." Probably has a lot more memory to carry Hal around in, compared to my PokéNav...

Luke had stayed quiet after his his last comment, and simply lets the others do the talking as he listens and takes it all in. When the man offers them a Pokédex, he takes his with nothing but a whispered "Thanks", only just loud enough to hear.

Armando looked to Azrael and his smile began to falter for a second, replaced by a hint of anger, before he composed himself and continued "Actually, even without the main stage, we'll be fine. The main issue is that most people aren't exactly keen on continuing the tournament after the attack...."

"However" He said looking between the four of them "That just means that you four have found yourselves as the finalists! Now even though you're all sharing the actual grand prize already, the winner will get a little something....extra. To be given upon victory"

"Oh, what an honour..." Dave says, dryly, "To reach the finals not because of skill, but because of lack of contestants. Clearly this is the epitome of spectacle." This is a mess. Lack of organization at all levels, seemingly incompetent management, the works. He inwardly sighs. Oh well. A hollow victory is better than quitting.

"We have to clean up some of the mess, and re market things a little bit. So the semi finals will take place in the morning. You'll find out who you're up against bright and early."

Armando stood up, gesturing towards the door "Be at the main stage by 10, things should be ready by then."

As the group made their way outside, the sun was still lazily hanging in the sky, it seems that even after all the chaos, it was only about 4 P.M.

Luke follows Jack outside, his good mood somewhat returned. He nods at Jack's proposal. "Sounds like a good plan. I'm going to hit up the road myself too, just want to get Gawain fixed up first." He pats the Eevee on his head. "Later guys!" He walks back inside, returns Gawain to his ball for now and hands him over to be healed.

After waiting about 15 minutes, he gets Gawain back, once again fully healed. Quickly, he and Gawain move outside and towards the road, both keeping an eye out for anything interesting.

"Much as I relish the thought of eating with all of you," Dave says, with the hint of sarcasm, "I think I'll pass. See you all tomorrow."

With that, he returns to the Pokémon center, to get Hal healed, as well as see about getting a map of the area surrounding the town off of the PC... downloaded into his PokéNav if possible. He hadn't been anticipating the lack of bots to direct him, so this would have to do.

After that, assuming no interruptions, he grabs some more food, and then heads out towards the wilds, to hopefully find something or someone to battle.

Ah, finally some peace from all of those intrusions, Dave thinks, as he waits for Hal to be repaired... hopefully properly this time. It does gnaw a little on him, though, wondering precisely he'd gotten himself into. Ugh. They'd better not be getting this feed back home. The whole point of me coming out here is going to be lost if they can just see every single trick I come up with...

---

After eating and heading out, Dave's mood lightens a bit. Blessed silence. Also, now that he's gotten past the sheer barbarism of Unova, it's almost amusing at how quaint it is. Almost. Although it's still infuriating that he has to resort to putting a map on his PokéNav. What kind of city doesn't have guides for foreigners?

His train of thought peters out, though, once he sees the Purrloin. "Well, then. Looks like we picked up a tail, Hal." He nods towards the feline... although, he's a little more nervous than he lets on, as he's never actually battled a wild Pokémon before. Always act as though you're being caught on camera, though. Even if it's only the block bots who would probably see it. But, doubly so now that that... Armando is involved. I don't trust him as far as I could throw him. "Let's tango, kitty, shall we? Hal, web it up. Properly, this time." Unfortunately... once again only sparks flew from the Porygon. "Trio..." mutters
Dave under his breath. I'm really going to have to have a chat with that Center about dealing with artificial Pokémon...