(The discussion thread is here
)
Welcome to HGS: Another Side Another Story. It is a roleplay spinoff for the Hunger Games Simulator forum game, akin to both the RP's in the Roleplaying section as well as the ITTs in Forum Games. It tells the story of the Hunger Games in the Arena of Panem, the nominators who sent the tributes, the tributes themselves both in and out of the Arena or even other people relevant to the Games. In addition, it also tells their stories beyond the Arena.
You can jump right in with any character, like your nominator self, your tributes, etc. The structure of this RP will be open-world. Don't worry about not being skilled/experienced enough or being new to RP'ing. Finally, ASAS accepts any skill level or RP style. Other than these, there are some important rules to note, which are:
- No godmodding will be allowed or tolerated here. The offending player will be given punishment depending on the severity.
- Please communicate anything important you plan on another player with the said player first. Don't just execute it without their consent.
- Don't be rude to other players, both out and in-universe. This extends to RP offenses like railroading, guilt-tripping, coercing, or other forms of forcing them.
- This RP is related to the Hunger Games Simulation:Beyond the Possibilities forum game. Thus it will have events based from that game, including the tributes. This means if you want to RP as tributes, please nominate them officially on the thread first, with misses not being counted. This has to be done after an incident with a player who hasn't joined the game itself yet.
- Since this RP is Loose Canon in relation to the main HGS thread, the host's interpretation of events isn't necessarily 100% canon. Every player has the right to deviate from what the host says and go with their own interpretations. If multiple players have their tributes involved in the same event(s), please communicate with each other so that you're on the same page regarding how you see them.
- This RP chronicles the lives of the nominators and their tributes behind the scenes. While dark plots are acceptable, the overall tone of the RP should be light-hearted and comedic. This RP is not a Cosmic Horror Story or action story about defeating evil. It is a Slice of Life comedy with some adventure to it, first and foremost. Our previous RP, Convergence, is not representative of the intended tone, and the grimdark tone of that RP is one of the main reasons it was retooled.
- Nominators and tributes alike can transform into Pokemon whenever they enter a Pokemon Mystery Dungeon World (but they can bypass this with certain items/methods or shapeshifting) or via other means outside it such as a season event, Transformation Trinkets, or shapeshifting. The players are free to choose the Pokéforms that best suit their characters and even give them color schemes outside the standard and Shiny colors, but there is a hard rule for this. If you want your character's Pokéform to be a Legendary, Mythical, or Ultra Beast, please ask the RP mods for approval. Outside the Arena, these Pokéforms are still OP, but we want to give leeway for tributes who theoretically can have them such as deities.
- Other rules are covered in the RP guides: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13414403220A81433600&page=1#comment-1
Other guides to help you can be found below:
Here's my opening RP post:
Detective Gamechanger's Base
A sharp-dressed man in a green suit and yellow tie is standing by the entrance of the base. He is of average height and has whitish skin, though still a bit darker. He is Billy, one of the nominators and the organizer of the party.
Indeed, after the nominators' returned and settled their problems, they decide to have fun with a party. Billy also sent invites for all the other nominators out there, as well as basically anyone else, including tributes, non associated parties, interested nominators who haven't participate yet, or even those who just wants to hang out.
The place itself in the base is refurbished for party purposes. Fancy chairs and tables are set everywhere for people to relax, as well as put food and other objects for the latter. There's also various collections showcased, including those belonging to the Detective, like his classic cars. Various themes to the base are set too, including detective noir as GC would have preferred.
Billy is now awaiting for other guests to arrive. He is also ready to give them a pleasant surprise during the party pertaining to his nation.
Edited by Billy5545 on Aug 23rd 2023 at 12:18:55 AM
Niiue
Hanubia
James smiled proudly at Henry.
"Very well said, dear friend. Then I shall stay as well!" the Inteleon exclaimed, adjusting his bowtie.
"That settles it, then. Arthur?" Nick said with a smirk.
"Fine by me... Hopefully, we won't regret it." the Decidueye sighed before turning to Tenn.
"I don't know about the girls, but the book they're in has to stay with us."
"Why so?" James asked.
"Remember Stanford and all of his counterparts? There are likely at least more than an hundred of them. But there could be thousands, even millions. See the problem?" Arthur pointed out.
"Damn yeah, a normal ship isn't big enough to house them all. But the magic book where the girls are could, I see what you mean. And it's much better than atomizing them, even if temporarily." Nick said.
"In that case, the least we could do is to inform Shelley of our decision. I recall young June being in possession of the book, if my memory does not play any tricks. We should ask them straight away." James agreed.
Both Lucian and Aaron looked at Oscar with worry as he broke down. The former snuggled against the Thievul.
"O-Oscar... I'm sorry, t-that's not your fault. I want to save Squishy too." he said, sniffing.
"June is right, Lucian, Oscar. I know it's hard for you, and that's why we won't leave you. We'll stick together, and we'll leave that planet together, one way or another." Aaron said, sitting close to the duo with June.
"A-Aaron... G-Guys are you... are you sure?" Lucian shyly asked. Aaron looked at his teammates and the three Zoroarks before nodding.
"We made our choice. We owe Squishy a lot too, and if you want to stay, we'll stay as well, until the end. We'll get through this. And in the case we don't... We'll be right here." the Lucario said, gently rubbing Oscar and Lucian's heads.
"So it's decided then... In that case..." Tokage said before turning to July. He slightly blushed too before taking a deep breath.
"July... In case we're not able to get out of this rock, I just want to tell you. After everything we've been through together, I think I'm starting to really appreciate you. And... if we get out of ZDR... I think I'd like to... spend more time with you." he admitted.
Alex restrained himself from snorting, even when Tokage glared at him for a few seconds. He stopped when August pulled him closer.
"Argh, crap..." the Charmeleon muttered to himself before centering himself and looking at August.
"I, erm... got something to say too, Auggy. I ain't going to do a speech like Tok, but you're a real swell girl and... w-well, yeah, I think I'm starting to like you too."
Aaron and Lucian looked at their two friends with shock. To be fair, the former had notice how close they've got to July and August, but he didn't expect them to outright admit it now.
"In this insane place, love is all that stands between us and the great beyond."
Space Molly Weasley
The Arena
Unlike J99908, I will kinda sorta write for Tammy this season, not only because she indirectly interacted with Terk (and the other tributes) this update, but also because I've long gotten used to cinnamarolls doing evil stuff in the Arena. I hope that's alright.
As soon as the horn sounds, Terk sashays out of the Cornucopia while Tantor follows her, but he suddenly hears a Sickening "Crunch!" under his feet. He peeks under them and quickly looks away at the shrunken Zino squashed like a bug, and he turns the other way in fright.
Later that day, Terk looks for some camps to make a mess in, but she growls at alt(?)Tammy bulldozing them ahead of her.
"Hey, I'm the one who's supposed to be trashin' camps, not you!!!" Terk yells at her.
Meanwhile, Tantor looks for some tall trees to pick fruit, but finds a magical mutton on the way. He knows that he's not supposed to eat meat, but he wonders what would happen to him if he eats this one. He takes a bite of it and suddenly transforms into a sheep.
"Uh oh... what's Terk gonna think of this?"
He also sees Weimin get a fatal heart attack, and Tantor could've sworn he saw someone carrying a strange notebook nearby. He runs away from them, fearing what they might do with it.
The Science Center, Safety Shelter
Ally quietly approaches Verdi and kneels to his level.
It is sincerely NOT my intention to report you to 6001 about your vandalism. I am only here to request that I borrow some of your markers to give to the children in the main room. They want to create artworks just like you.
Rex is still hugging Nomi tight as they both witness alt(?)Tammy going mad immediately.
"Hey, we can stop watching if you're still scared, Noms."
"That's okay," says 6k1, "Me and my friends here will just watch by ourselves later, I'll just keep the line open until we hear back from Sol."
"But as much as I want to observe Tammy for documentation purposes, I need to focus on my experiment," says Tang. "Please keep me updated about Sol."
"Don't worry, we will!" says Rex.
She then leaves the video call.
Nomi then stops shivering and peeks at the holoscreen while still hugging Rex.
"I-I'm okay... anime openings are often like that, but this still hits different. I just hope Tammy gets over this quickly..."
Underground Bunker
"Hey, but I thought you hated partnering with other businesses!" Moon tells Star.
"But a school cannot compete with a restaurant, no?" says Star.
"So you're saying that StarSpice is better than the School for the Arts?" asks Paper.
"Not what I meant, Pow-Pow— uh... I mean Pape-Pape?"
Power, Moon, and Bezier try to stifle their laughter, cuing an eye-roll from Star.
"But yes, what I mean is that it wouldn't make sense for our businesses to compete with each other since they're completely different!"
"Ohhhhh!" says Paper. "But anyway, I'll consider it, sis, and go talk to my staff about it. I'll keep you updated, alright?"
"Alright," says Star.
"And good luck in your future endeavors, Paper!" says Miranda, which Trial and Heart support as well.
"Thanks! And all of you, stay safe!"
The season then begins after the call ends, but Bezier screams at alt(?)Tammy trying to blast four tributes, only for them to survive.
"HUMAN FLUTTERSHY, NOOOOOOO!"
Power folds her ears and cringes. "That's not her, her skin color's different!"
"How would you know? I read some fanfics where she had a skin color like an Earth Primer!"
"Well, she doesn't wear an outfit like that, does she?"
"I... guess?"
"But anyway... I'm getting deja vu from this..." says Power, remembering the original Fluttershy snapping like that in Reboot S245 and 247.
I hope Dark Stanford or Raven Beak didn't turn her into that... she also thinks, not realizing that she's already about to be evacuated out of ZDR.
Edited by TroperNo9001 on May 3rd 2024 at 2:19:04 AM
"Anemone dear, I know you want to be more independent from me, but... please take care, okay?"
He watches Skar King sic a giant robot on King Ghidorah, only for the latter to destroy it.
"C'mon, Skar King, don't go pulling a tribute betrayal."
crazed fangirl hunts down theories (she/they)
Spectator Room
A tan, teenaged girl with long, black, frizzy hair, pink hoodie, and loose pants walks into the room holding microwaved spaghetti. She looks kind of tired, but you can't tell by looking at her eyes as they are hidden by a shadow.
Eden: Ugh, woke up at 9 today. Am I late? Nora: Right on time, it seems! It's just about to start.
Eden: [She sits down with her spaghetti and eats it.] (Food sure does distract me from the bad thoughts. I'm awfully lethargic for some reason. I need to make sure that I stop taking long naps again...) Let's see how Dorothy and Penty are doing...
Arena
Bloodbath
Penty: [looks up and shouts] I've been sittin' here for days! Start that damn season before I piss myself.Eden: [caught offguard] What the fuck, Penty?! Why would you piss yourself in impatience?! That's gross! Plus, you only waited for one day. Just how impatient can you get?
Nora: Alright, so Dorothy is in some kind of party, I cannot see whose, though...
Day 1
[Penty brings in a fish tank full of goldfish and drops a tiny soccer ball in it. She watches as the fish push their newfound object back and forth.]Nora: That's cute and all, but that certainly wouldn't matter in the long run, would it?
[Dorothy's clothes turns into one of a clown's thanks to the Oxbox Presenters using a wand to do so.]
Dorothy: Haha! Dorothy admits that's funny. Why not keep it?
Eden: Hold on, she really wants to be a clown for the rest of the season?
Edited by moxeden on May 2nd 2024 at 9:06:04 PM
I'm just a psycho, babe! Come and go out my mind. I didn't lose it, babe! There wasn't much to find.
Straightforward
The Arena
Before the Bloodbath, the youth named Rayne would give a rousing speech to his tributes: Felix "Ferris" Argyle and Luka Urushibara. "Allright, girls- I mean, guys. I assume you both know about the rules of The Hunger Games. Survive as long as possible and I hope you can outlast as many tributes as you can. Good luck!" Not unknownst to Rayne himself, that his tributes are not as what they are seemed or supposed to be...
During the Bloodbath, Ferris, upon spotting Shadow Link, has a brief doubt and worry and triggering "her" (actually, his) complex - tries to put up a facade to restore back his determined resolve. He said (in an effeminiate voice), "I know I might not be able to win, but I can't unfortunately care much for a weakling... like him" - as he pointed at Shadow Link. Though, that might would come back at him later on...?
Meanwhile, at the same time in the Bloodbath, Luka, seeing all of the competitors that one of them is likely to outlast... him (according to the nominator), gets nervous - though like with Ferris, he tries to put up a facade, though what he simply says is that "he's totally not nervous" - but at the same time, he was sweating to the point Daisy - or at least, one version of her (as the nominator of those two nominated different versions of the same character intentionally) could point that he's lying.
After the Bloodbath subsided and they survived. The two girl-lookalikes depart on their own ways.
Luka would join in with other tributes - Shadow, Electro Hypostasis, Rydia and Keiki - in a vehicle-combining-into-mecha sequence.
Meanwhile, Ferris was coincidentally witnessing Peachette not doing her assigned job by doing another job and was understandably impressed at it.
Edited by JustNormalMusicLover on May 4th 2024 at 12:12:00 AM
...
Space Molly Weasley
The Arena
While Terk suddenly gets ganged up on by Team Avatar, Tantor wonders what he can do in his new sheep form. He sees several other tributes singing an anti-drug PSA to Shadow Link and joins in by bleating.
I wish I had my trunk back... Tantor thinks.
The next day, Tantor tries listening to Dorothy's lecture about the Multiverse and struggles to wrap his mind around it.
Underground Bunker
While Power and Bezier sigh in relief at alt(?)Tammy (or "not-Fluttershy" as Bezier calls her) playing a card game with the others, Star turns up her nose (in both senses of the term) at the Chansey's gumbo for Ramsay.
"Eugh, was it RAWWWWW?" she asks while trying to mimic his pony counterpart. "If that Pokémon ever applies for our restaurant, I'll have to teach her a lesson!"
"Maybe it forgot to check for contaminated ingredients or wash its... paws?" asks Heart.
"Perhaps so, and cleanliness is a must for StarSpice, and I don't want to lose our years-long streak of 'Spotless and Sanitized' reports from the health inspector!"
Bezier huddles near Power. "My eldest bro doesn't get anywhere near as mad as her!" he asides.
The Science Center, Safety Shelter
Nomi opens their eyes and smiles at alt(?)Tammy just playing a card game with the other tributes. They let go of Rex, who chuckles at the scene.
"This takes me back to when I played Bottom's Up with Sol, and they predicted my card and beat me with a high one!"
"Really?! How did they do that?"
He shrugs. "I dunno, but they sure had a strong hunch!"
In truth, Sol saw the exact game being played out before, so they knew exactly what card Rex was about to play on the final round.
"Still, it sounds like you two had fun," says Juan. "But what's Bottom's Up, by the way?"
"It's kinda like what you Earth peeps call 'Higher or Lower'. We both play cards from our hands and compare their values, and the one with the lowest-scoring card wins the round. They get points from their own card and steal their opponent's card to add it to their hand, and the one with the most points after a certain number of rounds wins! You can play it safe with a low card, but playing higher cards will give you more points. Got it?"
"I think so! Shall we play?"
"Hmm... maybe if we ever meet in person. It's much more fun that way!"
Engineering Wing, Robotics Lab
Canonically, all the non-romanceable Exo characters speak in plain bold text, but I'll give some of them text colors for differentiation.
Sol enters the lab and sees the Engineering professor
◊ repairing some robots, while his AI assistant
◊ watches over from her overhead screen. The latter two are giggling as they share inside jokes when Sol approaches them.
"Greetings, Professor Hal!"
"Same to you, Sol!"
Is there anything you need from us? asks Congruence.
"If you want bonus lessons from me, I'll see if I can schedule them! Learning never stops even after you've become an adult!"
Sol shakes their head. "Actually, I just want to ask you something, Prof — can you repair a spaceship from another world?"
"Hmm... I'm not sure, but I'm at least familiar with the general schematics. Why do you ask?"
"Because some people crash-landed in Panem and need to go home."
I see, says Congruence. Where was this ship manufactured? I'll try to search the holonet for its blueprints.
Sol shrugs. "No idea, so the people back there asked others for some help, and they've gone off to fetch a team of Engineers."
"Then maybe they know more about that ship," says Hal. "Where are they?"
"Um... let me call 6k1, she didn't say..."
Edited by TroperNo9001 on May 2nd 2024 at 6:01:10 PM
"Anemone dear, I know you want to be more independent from me, but... please take care, okay?"
The Unbreakable Spear
The Arena
After being hit by the laser beam, Volibear seizes up as he begins to turn into a statue of ice. Reach an arm to the sky, he mutters out, “I… do not… die,” before freezing and shattering.
Hotel Room, 5th Floor
“I did hope that the Volibear survived. I was growing quite attached,” Swain muttered with disappointment. Nomi gave him a sympathetic look and patted him on the shoulder. “Awww, cheer up! Least we got to see Tammy play cards with all those strangers! But it was weird seeing her play Russian Roulette with a toy gun and balloons.” Swain jerked his shoulder from under Nomi’s hand and rolled his eyes. “If that’s what entertains you, then fine. I don’t even know what “Russia” even means.” “Well, ya see, Russia was a big country back on Earth-“ Swain raised his hand. “I didn’t ask for an explanation, thank you. Anyways, have you noticed something? how there’s been someone you know and someone I recognize for two shows now? A bit peculiar, isn’t it?” Nomi tilted their head in thought, still a bit taken aback by Swain’s brashness, before nodding their head. “Ya know, you’re kinda right! I don’t how, but it’s true.” Swain smiled. “Well, I am usually right.”
In battle, we are reborn.
"Hmm, didn't know Gordon was planning to film Kitchen Nightmares in the Pokeverse."
Cue Ghidorah racking up three kills in one go.
"To quote Jake Peralta, 'noice.'"
Dusty the Mighty
Shelter
...Bro. (Dana says flatly.)
(A short time later, Kay's communicator rings and Kay answers it. It's Verda.)
Oh my gosh, that wasn't what you thought it was. I don't know what my clone was thinking. You know I wouldn't really do that to myself. (Verda says on the other end.)
Don't you sweat it, sugar bunches, I'm sure we all understand. ("Miss B" says.)
Glad yall are both alright...right? (Kay asks.)
(Zinnia sounds off with a belch.)
Good, Zinnia's good, too. (Dana says.) Least she got a knock-out.
Hope you girls can get back here soon, 'kay? (Kay says.)
You got it. I'm totally gonna blow off some steam in one of my games whenever I get back. (Verda says.)
(Verdi nervously peers out from behind the pillow in such a way that only his eyes and nose are visible.) You not? Um...okay, you take markers! But don't scare Verdi again, please!
(Verdi may not be nervous about Ally and 9k1 at this point, but he is nervous about what Caedia will say to him whenever she and the others return from wherever they went. He realizes that they've been gone a while.)
ZDR
Outside
(Sidon does sternly look at Blood Moon.) With all due respect, Blood Moon, I think I speak for everyone when I say we would rather prioritize subduing you than sacrifice one of our own to your appetite.
Yeah, I scarcely know what's going on here, but I agree. (Reba says.)
(Sidon looks at Fire Eyes.) Will you help us to not have to resort to sacrificing someone to pacify him? We don't want to lose anyone else.
(July's eyes widen in shock for a moment.) Oh my fu-... (She starts to say, only to catch herself and try to calm herself back down. Finally, she manages to very quickly say:) ...Think that'd be great. Thank you. (before turning away, putting her face in her mane.)
(July's bashful response is contrasted by August's.) Aw, you're so sweet, Al! I'm glad you feel that way 'bout me! (August says, hugging him (though not as tight as before).)
(Oscar and June are a little surprised, too. But June's quick to accept it.) Aw, welcome to th' club, guys! (She laughs.)
Yeah, even if it's to save their lives and they fully agree with doing it, I'd just feel dirty about Atomizing someone. (Tenn agrees.)
Indeed. I just hope there is room in the book! (Henry says.) But yes, let's inform them, shall we? And...let dear Shelley know what is going on.
(Henry and Tenn turn to look...just in time to see July bashfully looking away from Tokage and August embracing Alex.) Oh...erm...I hope we are not interrupting something!
Palm Key
(The next one is the scribble mutant. After the restoration process is done there...doesn't appear to be anything left aside from a black splatter on the side of the glass.)
...I seem to have made a miscalculation. (Dr. Quest says gravely.)
Hey, do you didn't! I'm still picking up on something in there. (Melody says.)
(Sure enough, the splatter on the side of the glass suddenly convulses as though it's waking up.) CLASS DISMISSED-! (It coalesces into a gentle spiral and starts moving along the glass like a moving drawing.) ...Interesting place here.
Doctor, what IS that? (Race asks, unnerved.)
I'm not sure. Does this sapient drawing seem familiar to any of you? (Dr. Quest asks the others.)
Can't say it does for me. (Ira shrugs.)
Me either. (Jared agrees.)
(The living drawing forms into an eye and looks around at everyone.) Ah, Elisa, a familiar face! Care to explain what's going on?
Okay, uh, first, how do you know my name? And two...can't really tell you there. Jackie and I are about as confused as you are. (Elisa says.)
You do not recognize your old teacher, Sam Scrawl? (The drawing creature says, forming into a question mark.)
Uh, sorry, Sam, but no. I haven't even gone to school. (Elisa says.) Maybe there's another gargoyle out there named Elisa?
Hmm...perhaps there is. (Scrawl says.) You do look an awful lot like the Elisa I know, though.
Huh, what a coincidence. (Elisa shrugs.)
Edited by kablammin45 on May 3rd 2024 at 9:10:40 AM
"Hey, gimme a minute to get to know everyone, 'kay, Brainy?" "Of course, but please allow me to get a word in, too, bzz."
crazed fangirl hunts down theories (she/they)
Arena
Night 1
Big Suit Kermit, Electro Hypostasis, and The Everything Bagel criticize Penty's art of them harshly, so she strikes them all with an X-shaped lightning bolt before rapidly slashing them and ending with a powerful slash.Faust, Rift Mario, Clown!Dorothy, Light Blue Shy Guy, and Loona notice that Toshi is feeling down, so they sing a song about being awesome to cheer him up.
Day 2
Penty rides an Audi, and will be subsequently be called "Penty in Audi" for the rest of this season's narration.Clown!Dorothy explains how the multiverse works to James, Jay, Tantor, and the Oxbox Presenters using a whiteboard. However, they don't take her seriously because she is still in a clown costume.
Night 2
[Chansey goes into the Spectator Room.]Eden: Wait, what is that Chansey doing here—
[Chansey summons her friends and they carry Eden into the Arena.]
Eden: Hey! Let me go!
Nora: Hold on, I'll get you!
[Chansey locks the door as they leave.]
Nora: Dammit, they have a key.
[Later...]
Penty in Audi: What's this? A letter for me? "We have caught your nominator, Eden, stuck in a closet. If you don't pay 3000¥ in 6 hours, she will be killed and so do you. Signed, Chansey." That shouldn't be much. Now, how much do I have in my beret? [looks in her beret] More than enough.
[Penty in Audi looks for Chansey and finds her and her friends.]
Penty in Audi: Here's your money.
[They free Eden out of the closet.]
Eden: Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, Penty! [punches Chansey] Now where's that key?!
[Chansey hesistantly gives her said key.]
Eden: [cheerfully] Thank you! [runs backs to the Spectator Room]
Spectator Room
Eden: I'm back!Nora: Oh, good. We gotta get back to watching the Games.
Eden: Did I miss anything?
Nora: Nothing much, other than Stark kicking sand in Toyohisa's face and Toshi, Tooru, and Gordon Ramsay playing a giant step-on piano.
Day 3
Clown!Dorothy: [after witnessing all of the carnage that has happened so far; angrily] The others tributes are undoubtably the seediest bunch of cutthroats, criminals, and scoundrels I've ever seen!Penty in Audi: I don't wanna live on this planet anymore...
Night 3
Penty beats the Oxbox Presenters into a bloody pulp. As their last resort, they turn into a black hole, hoping to kill her. They fail and explode, leaving their flesh everywhere.Clown!Dorothy walks into a museum where Pepoyo's music is displayed, including songs such as "めんへらーめん"note , "『±0』"note , "らくらく安楽死"note , and "北海道に行きました"note .
Day 4
Penty in Audi: [singing to the tune of "I'll Quit Singing"] I'm a spy, I'm a spy, I'm a terrible, awful spy! I'm not sure why I am singing this. Please, I just wanna cry!Clown!Dorothy: [clenches crotch] Argh! Ow. Ow ow ow ow ow.
Eden: Ooh, that's gotta hurt!
Edited by moxeden on May 3rd 2024 at 11:23:26 PM
I'm just a psycho, babe! Come and go out my mind. I didn't lose it, babe! There wasn't much to find.
Space Molly Weasley
The Arena
That night, Tantor stumbles into a hospital and finds Jay lying sick in one of the wards. The elephant-turned-sheep cowers at the sight of the wolf, and without thinking, he jumps on Jay's bed and stomps on her. Tantor feels bad for doing that, so he heals her, but he can't shake off his newfound fear of wolves, so he stomps on her again before running away while she's down. She still lingers in his thoughts the next day, so he vents about her through this haiku:
I'm afraid of wolves
So I healed one and hurt her
Jay please go away
Tantor then goes off and finds a chopper later that night. He shivers at this strange flying machine, but he still curiously tinkers with the controls and manages to take it to the air. Tantor screams as the chopper rapidly moves around, and he tries to hold a sniper rifle in his hooves to shoot a bigfoot or Kamen Rider Odin. Tantor pulls the trigger but ends up missing, and he struggles to land his chopper somewhere safe.
The next day, he screams upon finding a spider in his jungle camp and frantically tosses some nearby bombs at it. Tantor then scurries behind more trees and flinches from the explosion, but when he opens his eyes, he screams at the spider again.
Underground Bunker
"You mean Michael Rosen?" Power clicks her tongue. "I remember him getting 2nd in OT S72, but he shouldn't have made it to OT S87's Death Battle!"
"That really must've been a long time ago..." says Bezier. "But why do you think that?"
"'Cuz the Gamemakers realized way too late that the host back then mistakenly declared him the Mass Murderer instead of Rose of Sharon Cassidy, and it wasn't because of an anomalous event!"
"Welp, if only there was another timeline where that DB's roster had all the properly qualified MMs..."
Bezier then cowers in his seat as alt(?)Tammy somehow kills Stolas by poking him with her toe, while Star intensely watches Ramsay criticize Stark's burgers, making the latter tense up.
"Oh, this is getting pretty heated... I like it!"
The Science Center, Safety Shelter
That was not my intention either, says Ally sincerely as she takes half of Verdi's markers. And I promise to return them to you in a timely manner.
She then returns to Nozomi and gives the markers to Keitaro and Ai.
"Yay!" says Mimi as she and Dupe take some of them, too. "But do you have paper?"
I am certain that Adeleine has— but Ally freezes momentarily at the Starble unintentionally mentioning the Headmare's name. Like 6k1, the Databot thinks of asking Adeleine what happened to Paper Stroke, but she focuses on her current priority to entertain the kids.
Meanwhile, Sol's face appears in 6k1's group call, and they see Nomi huddling Rex again.
"Are you okay?" asks Sol.
"N-Not at the mo 'cuz Tammy just killed someone!"
"I hope it was an accident or was done in self-defense!" says Rex.
"Oh no..." Sol cringes. "I'll go and check on the real Tammy for you later since I just entered the Robo-lab to fetch Hal!"
"But what about Nemmie last season?" asks Nomi. "Is she okay?"
"Yes she is, but that wasn't her at all!"
"So she was an alt, then?" asks Juan.
"I guess so," they say, again keeping quiet about their memories of the "other" Anemone.
That being said, they're technically right about the "real" Tammy, since they're assuming that the one in the Arena's her data clone, but they won't know for sure until they talk to the actual one herself.
"Anyway," Sol asks 6k1, "do you know where this group of Engineers you told me are?"
The DM calls out to Ally, and she briefly excuses herself from Nozomi to fill in on her.
Jared Spivey's group departed for Palm Key a while ago to fetch the Quest Family to repair Nozomi's spaceship. What is the reason for your question?
"Well, Sol here knows another person who can help them repair it!"
"Yeah, I'm at the Robo-lab, fetching him right now!" says Sol. "Do you know how to take him there?"
"Of course!" says 6k1.
I shall arrange with Scientist Perri Porter to summon the portal for him, adds Ally. However, it might take a while because the Station of Multiversal Travel is currently being repaired after an invasion by an evil giant robot earlier tonight.
"Oh... I hope it won't take long!" says Sol. "But I'll go tell Professor Hal right away! Be back soon!"
They then leave the group call while Ally returns to Nozomi to tell her that more help is on the way.
Edited by TroperNo9001 on May 3rd 2024 at 10:07:09 PM
"Anemone dear, I know you want to be more independent from me, but... please take care, okay?"
Niiue
Hanubia
"Of course." Fire Eyes said to Sidon.
"Then be careful to not be devoured by accident. You know more or less my tricks by now. You just do your thing." Blood Moon dismissed, not caring about which methods were used should he become feral.
"Y-Yeah..." Tokage stammered before turning away too, blushing. Alex, in contrast, giggled as August hugged him.
"Oh guys... I'm so happy for you." Aaron said with a smile. At least this cheered up the ambiance a bit.
"Hehe. Guess you'll have to thank Lulu for that." Alex cackled. Lucian looked at him with surprise.
"I mean, look at it this way. If you hadn't bound with Kiki back in Las Pegasus, Aaron would never have bounded with June. And we, well... you get the deal."
"A-Alex is right. We owe you that. That gives us another reason to stay with you." Tokage added.
"O-Oh gosh... You're going to make me cry again..." Lucian said, sniffing, though this time, it was because he was touched. Aaron sighed as he gently rubbed his brother's back.
"Aaaah... I feel like we're definitely going to need a good trip after this is over. Just the 8 of us." he giggled.
It was that moment when the FBW alongside Henry and Tenn walked over to the group.
"Oh... P-Pardon us, Aaron, but-" James also said, only for th Lucario to handwave it.
"Hehe, it's fine. We're just... clearing things out before we go back inside." Aaron said.
"You're staying? All of you?" Arthur asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I would lie if I said we weren't nervous about this... But we'll stay." Aaron confirmed. In fact, he started to feel determined. For Oscar and Lucian's sake of course, but also his friends and their new relationships.
And for June too.
"Ah! So do we! It seems we shall see this through together once more." James proudly said before humming.
"While I am truly happy about those news... We would require the magical book where my friend's teammates are."
"Oh, yes! June has the book hidden in her mane. Everyone is safe, last we checked." Aaron said.
"Alright. June, I think we can give the book to Henry."
"In this insane place, love is all that stands between us and the great beyond."
Straightforward
Cafe Sweetrhythm
The person in the charge of the cafe watched the events unfold, shown on a projector screen through two camouflaged camera drones (two of them needed to separately track each of the two tributes nominated). During the 1st Night, The camera on Ferris then shows that a gargantuan monstrous lizard was set loose, locking its sight on Ferris, seeing him as a prey, but he manages to hide and avoid until it went off the other way, thus surviving the "localized arena event". Meanwhile, Luka bids Gillius farewell, as well as "Merry Christmas, and until vegetable soup" in Japanese (which she and Kamen Rider Odin shares as their native languages).
However, during the 2nd Day, a static buzz occurred on the camera drone tracking Ferris: It shows him getting shot and killed by Orange Birdo, with it covered by the credits at first. Later, the camera drone would stop tracking Ferris and head back to a usual overview. In the interface of the screen, it could be seen the tribute, with his listed name - Felix "Ferris" Argyle, his portrait is now greyed out, and the words "DECEASED" in red appear on the bottommost part of the screen.
"..." His nominator stared at the screen after seeing how Felix died. He turned back to the other screen. The name Luka Urushibara is displayed on the screen with the portrait still being in it's regular colors, indicating that Luka is still currently alive.
After seemingly appearing to be a "boss" in Centro's "game" in the second night, Luka later turned into a sentiment piece of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) after wishing to become a chicken. This caused his nominator to facepalm over himself during the third day.
"That is unbelievable. However, on the other hand, it seems like turns out that male tributes that I nominated aren't cursed to suffer and die early, despite how I previously nominated Touma, where he - along with Anne, died within the first day."
In the third night, Luka is trapped in an escape room along with Light Blue Shy Guy, Stark, and... the same Centro from the second night.
At the same time, the other camera, tracking Felix's killer, the Orange Birdo, gets angered to the point of her head catching fire and her brain roasts, resulting in her death.
"Holding anger isn't good for your health", said Rayne, as he wrote through notes. But as a customer came and asked him for orders, he flinched and turned his attention back to the customer. "Oh! ... Sorry for the inconvenience. What is your order?
Meanwhile, during the fourth day, Luka noticed Penty trying to sneak through the backstage to meet him, however is later forced to sing in front of the audience.
Dusty the Mighty
Shelter
(Ally leaves, but Verdi gets extremely nervous again about what Caedia and the others will do whenever they come back.)
(However, being such an easily frightened and neurotic little creature, Verdi's first instinct is to somehow hide himself.)
Verdi must hide! Or escape! Oh, Verdi wish he could just be anyone else right now! What Verdi do?! (He squeaks.)
ZDR
Outside
Ooh, that sounds like fun! (June giggles. A trip with all of them would be a great way to unwind after all of this.)
(Oscar nods in agreement. He just hopes they can escape the planet intact.)
(They notice the FBW and Henry and Tenn approaching.)
Oh, actually I had passed it off t' Augie earlier. (June says.) You've still got it, right, sis?
(August produces the pirate book from her mane.) Sure do! (She says. She hands it off to Henry.)
Thank you, citizen! (Henry says. He opens the book to where Shelley and the others still are.) ...Wait, where IS Shelley?
Oh, um, she's probably still a Greninja. That was what Phoebe's Pirate Potion turned her into. (Oscar says.)
Ah! (Henry nods, spotting Shelley within the book.)
How do we let them know what's going on? Can they hear us in the book? (Tenn asks.) Or do we have to go in ourselves?
Dess managed t' hear us before. (June points out.)
Palm Key
(Now comes the last mutant. Dr. Quest activates the program once more, and the glow subsides to reveal a Pokémon: a perfectly normal-looking Midnight Lycanroc.)
Well, whaddya know? There's another Pokémon! (Chikao says.) ...Yikes, wonder how many of these mutated fellas are Pokémon now, actually.
(The Lycanroc wakes up and starts muttering something that sounds like: " Bracelet…BRACELET!!" before finding a fancy-looking bracelet tangled up in her mane.) Dammit I hate it when this happens!! (She snarls, using both her hands and feet to try to pull the bracelet out.)
Can we help you, ma'am? (Ira asks.)
Buzz off, I've got this! (The Lycanroc snaps as she continues to try to wrestle the bracelet out of her mane. Ira is a little surprised by the Lycanroc's rude tone.)
(The Lycanroc finally pulls the bracelet out and puts it on.) There. Now what the distortion's going on here?
(Everyone explains like before. The Lycanroc looks disgusted afterward.)
Okay, ew. Whoever did that is a real dipweed. (She cringes.) ...Call me Awoona.
Hmm, that’s a funny name. (Jabberjaw comments.)
(Awoona looks offended.) It’s what my dad always used to call me, alright? Kinda prefer it to my real name anyway. Now let me outta here and DON'T TOUCH ME.
(Dr. Quest, somewhat apprehensively, lets Awoona out.)
Do you wish to speak to someone about what you just experienced?
(Awoona snorts.) Forget it. Just get me outta this weird place.
Guess not everybody who they found here could be friendly. (Melody asides to Jared.)
"Hey, gimme a minute to get to know everyone, 'kay, Brainy?" "Of course, but please allow me to get a word in, too, bzz."
"No, I meant Jake Peralta. It's a catchphrase of his on Brooklyn Nine Nine."
Cue Skar King getting involved in a cursed ship and Ghidorah dying stupidly before he could get more kills.
"Just why?"
Space Molly Weasley
The Arena
That night, Tantor finds a skyscraper and takes the elevator all the way to the top by jumping to press the buttons. He then finds Shi Long there and musters up his courage to tell her, "I've got not nothing more to say to you."
"How 'bout 'goodbye'?" says Shi Long before throwing the red-wooled sheep off the building, and Tantor screams as he falls to his death.
Underground Bunker
"Well, isn't that also Michael's catchphrase?" Power winks at Ichi.
"But you're not alone in finding Skarbai cursed," says Bezier. "Daisy agrees with you, too!"
"And lighten up, Ich! Skar King may have lost a few fingers from James and got defeated by Janne in a mud-wrestling contest, but at least he's still alive!"
"I wouldn't tempt fate like that if I were you sis," says Star flatly.
"Hey, don't say that!" says Moon. She then sees the other Wooloo splash Skar King with water to turn him into a merkong. "And now he's a literal sea monkey! That should make things more interesting!"
"I've always wondered what it's like to be a seapony ever since I was a filly," says Heart. "I once won an interschool swimming competition back in high school!"
"I remember cheering for you there, Hearty!" says Trial.
"Awwww!"
The Science Center, Safety Shelter
Nomi squees at Stark adopting a puppy, but their face falls again when he hides it from alt(?)Tammy.
"Oh no... don't kill that cute Earth pupper, please..."
"I'd be more worried if she kills a child!" says Rex.
"Yeah! Killing an anthro owl like that is bad, but why would she even do that?"
Meanwhile, 6k1 flinches at Tantor's death, then sighs.
"Oh well, there's always next season, but I'm still gonna keep tabs on Tammy."
"Fair enough," says Juan.
Engineering Wing, Robotics Lab
"In the meantime Sol, I still have a few preparations to do before we take the portal," says Hal.
"Alright," they say, "do I have to pay you for this?"
"Hmm... don't worry, I won't ask for much. I know you're a good student."
Sol transfers a few Kudos to Hal.
"I just hope there are Kudos Converters where we're going."
I can search the holonet for those! says Congruence. Do you mind interfacing me into your holopalm so I can travel with you?
"But don't you need to run the colony's facilities?" asks Sol.
"Not to worry," says Hal, "I'll simply download a copy of her into my holopalm!" He then turns to Congruence and asks, "Are you ready?"
My systems are ready!
It only takes a few minutes for Hal to interface her, and her avatar appears on his holopalm like a video call. After which, he calls the Chief Engineer
◊ to inform her of his trip.
"Hmm... alright," says Instance dryly, "I can handle things here, but don't take too long, okay?"
"Hopefully not!" says Hal, chipper as always.
And with that, he and Sol go outside and see the portal in front of them.
"Good luck!" says the latter as they see him step into it. Once the portal disappears, Sol starts making their way back to the Living Quarters.
Palm Key
Professor Hal steps out the portal and into Dr. Quest's lab and introduces himself as the Engineering professor from Vertumna IV. He doesn't realize that the name tag on his lab coat, which says "Halitosis", can be seen by those near him.
"Solanaceae and 6k1 brought me here, and I heard you guys are looking for a ship, ri—"
But he stops and sees the former mutants having recently emerged from their capsules.
"What's going on here? Are you trying to experiment on those creatures?!"
Edited by TroperNo9001 on May 4th 2024 at 4:19:16 PM
"Anemone dear, I know you want to be more independent from me, but... please take care, okay?"
Niiue
Hanubia
"Oh right." Aaron said as August gave the book.
"Yeah, June is right. They can hear you from here, or you can drop inside if I remember well." Lucian said.
"In this insane place, love is all that stands between us and the great beyond."
Space Molly Weasley
Underground Bunker
Bezier yelps and huddles near Ichi, not just at Skar King's death, but at alt(?)Tammy showing James how "sad" she is by punching him into the air before he could fight Kamen Rider Odin. There's a Twinkle in the Sky before James lands THUD! on the ground bleeding, but he still pushes through.
"Should've kept your mouth shut about that sea monkey, Pow-Pow," says Star as she and Miranda look away from the blood pool.
"Sorry..." says Power as she hugs Ichi (if he's okay with it). "I was just trying to cheer him up!"
"And surely, there are other tributes you can root for!" says Moon, "Riiiiiight?"
"Please don't be mad, Ichi..." says Bezier. "I-It's just a game..."
The Science Center, Safety Shelter / Vertumna IV, Living Quarters
Nomi looks away from what alt(?)Tammy just did.
"I was gonna say, 'looks like Flaming Moltres James is blasting off again!' if it were anyone else who punched him like that!"
"Well, that was bloody!" says Rex, "But at least he's still okay! And besides, Tammy has to stand up for herself if she wants to protect the kids!"
"Yeah, Cal's such a pushover! I get why he doesn't wanna harm any of the creatures here, but there sure are big and scary ones out to kill him!"
"Oh boy, he's certainly not gonna like it in the Arena at all!" says 6k1.
"Sounds like someone who wouldn't even use VR for it," adds Juan.
Elsewhere in the Quarters, Sol catches up with the season on their holopalm and flinches at alt(?)Tammy. They hurry past the main area, where Rex and Nomi are, and head to the Creche, hoping the "real" Tammy is there. Knowing her, Sol is sure that she wouldn't use VR if she were nominated, but they wonder if she ever got the memo from her nominator this season, unlike Anemone.
Edited by TroperNo9001 on May 4th 2024 at 9:56:25 PM
"Anemone dear, I know you want to be more independent from me, but... please take care, okay?"
Dusty the Mighty
ZDR (Outside)
I think it might be better if we speak to Shelley ourselves, Hen. What do you think? (Tenn asks Henry.)
I whole-heartedly agree, Tenn. If...i-if this may be the last time we are able to speak to her, then it MUST be face-to-face with her. (Henry says.) Now...how do we enter this book?
(Henry flips the page and notices that "Odessa" is much closer to the front of the illustration, much like before. Henry flips the page again, and "Odessa" is closer still. Henry gulps nervously and flips the page again, and "Odessa"'s claw finally reaches out of the book and grabs Henry by the collar of his tabard. Henry emits an undignified squeal of fright.)
Looks like that answers that question. (Tenn says.) You okay, Hen?
(Henry clears his throat as "Odessa" still has a grip on his collar.) Yes, of course. I didn’t have nightmares about this sort of thing when I was a child after reading a terrifying book, by the way. It just mildly startled me. That’s all.
(Tenn chuckles.) If it makes you feel better, Hen, that probably would have scared the crap outta me too.
Palm Key
(Needless to say, everyone is startled when a portal suddenly appears and an unfamiliar person steps out of it. Race immediately gets Jonny and Hadji behind him while Jacoby yelps and falls backwards onto his rump. Bandit yelps and hides behind Jacoby.)
Sir, I am not experimenting on them-! (Dr. Quest says, putting his hands up in the air.)
Yeah, pal, he's saving their lives! (Ira says.)
Wait, he said that 6k1 sent him. That means he's with us! (Jared quickly jumps in.)
(Race looks unsure but stands down.) You sure jumped to the conclusion that Dr. Quest was harming these creatures quickly. (He says to Hal.)
"Hey, gimme a minute to get to know everyone, 'kay, Brainy?" "Of course, but please allow me to get a word in, too, bzz."
"Not mad, just disappointed. Aaaand the puny human who unceremoniously killed Skar King wins while Ghidorah loses his shot to tie for most kills. Maybe my tributes are just cursed."
Pissed off Sakura
Norton: Nice, a podium finish.
(Norton and M-Frame data clone the mysterious beings known as Cycloid Beta and Cycloid Gamma and send them to the Arena. Norton contacts the real deals, asking if they want to use VR, which they agree)
Edited by CosmosAndChaos on May 4th 2024 at 7:35:39 AM
Never watched Naruto, but that face is definitely avatar-worthy.
Space Molly Weasley
The Arena/The Science Center, Safety Shelter
Nomi and Rex then go "awwww!" at alt(?)Tammy apologizing to James for badly injuring him, and then working with him to repair some fences to make up for it. However, she then whacks the Wooloo with a sock with a stick of butter inside, but she quickly apologizes to it and plays hide and seek with it and the others later that day. She finds the other players, even Stark, who's still trying to hide his puppy from her, but the Wooloo goes unnoticed and wins the game.
"Glad she regrets the bad things she's done!" says Nomi.
Later on, Tammy says that she's a "perfect nacho chip" while Tooru's a "moldy banana", and she also claims that he killed her many times before.
"But this is her first time in the Arena!" says Rex.
6k1 internally wonders if this Tammy, alt or otherwise, experienced timelines like that and somehow remembers those. The DM recalls that in other timelines, she died early as a child when she accidentally electrocuted herself on the Creche's holoprojector.
But her train of thought gets interrupted when the tributes are suddenly sent to Hell. Satan is about to give alt(?)Tammy her due punishment when the Grim Reaper shows up to defend her.
"She may have sinned by killing one tribute and badly injuring another, but at least she repented!"
He then flips off Satan before bringing alt(?)Tammy back to the Realm of the Living.
"Atta girl!" says Rex.
"You're almost there, Tammy!" Nomi cheers.
But right after they said that, she gets fatally ambushed by a Spanish Inquisitor after marrying her double-screened hologame device, placing 2nd. Nonetheless, Rex and Nomi get up from their seats and jump for joy.
"Hey 6k1! We'll go and congratulate the real Tammy now! BRB!"
"Well, congrats to her, either way!" says 6k1.
Nomi temporarily ends the call, and they and Rex head out of the main room to run to the Creche.
A while later, Rua returns to report to 6k1 that Tantor was informed of his data clone's sheep transformation, but declined keeping or shapeshifting into that form because he very much prefers being an elephant. As usual, Rua asks for 6k1's next tributes, and she decides to nominate two black panthers who walk on different numbers of legs.
"Hopefully they don't freak out at each other," says Juan, "especially since Manchas once went savage..."
Underground Bunker
Star then cringes at Ramsay being killed by Loona and Stark for eating peas-mayo pizza, which they find worse than Hawaiian pizza.
"Eugh... did you really have to lower your standards like that?!"
"But I thought you serve pineapple pizza at your restaurant!" says Miranda.
"Yes, I know it's not the most popular topping, but we serve that without any meat, and it's one of the few spice-free foods for those who can't handle the heat!"
Meanwhile, Bezier watches alt(?)Tammy with hope and fear, and then dances on his seat when she gets 2nd.
"At least she was sorry for hurting James!" he says. "Looking forward to seeing her in the BR!"
"But Ichi," says Power, "I saw Tooru summon his Stand to kill Skar King, and a calamitous one at that! He isn't a 'puny human' nor did he 'unceremoniously' kill the giant sea monkey! He fought him fair and square!"
"Are you seriously trying to defend his killer?" asks Miranda.
"No I wasn't! Maybe Ichi doesn't know about Tooru's Stand and thought he was just an ordinary human!"
"And how did you know that?" asks Bezier. "I didn't see any 'Stand' you're talking about!"
"That's because I have one, but only Stand Users can see other people's Stands!"
Power then makes a quick sketch of Hearts Strong as Horses, the teal alicorn who can fire magic blasts, use its horn drill, and secrete paint of different consistencies depending on its SOUL color, among others, and shows it to Bezier.
"Oh wow, that's so cool! Where did you get that?"
"Simple, I got shot with a Stand Arrow in the 2nd Reboot Nom Games (S100), and Hearts just materialized out of me!"
Bezier shakes nervouscitedly. "That looks scary, but I want one, too!"
Power then takes a deep breath and gently pats Ichi's shoulder (again, if he's okay with it), and glances at the Earth Prime calendar.
"But anyway Ich, whether or not I'm wrong about Tooru, you shouldn't fret about this for too long... 'cuz it's Star Wars Day and almost the third anniversary of our platonic love confession!"
Living Quarters, Creche
Tammy is busy watching the kids play with their toys when she hears some people outside running towards the door thanks to her Super-Hearing. She tugs on her ears and sees Sol enter the room.
"Um... what is it?" asks Tammy. "Is there anything you want to tell me?"
Sol was about to tell her what happened to her data clone(?) when Rex and Nomi suddenly burst into the room.
"CONGRAAAAAAAATS!" they both cheer out loud.
Tammy looks at them in confusion. "Congrats for what?"
Palm Key
"Deeply sorry for that!" says Hal. "It's just that one of my best students, Tangent, sometimes experiments on the alien xenofauna back on our planet for our colony's benefit! I know it sounds questionable to you Earth folk, but she means well, I swear!"
He's unaware of her (or an alt, who knows?) being nominated right this instant.
"Anyway," he continues, "if you are saving these creatures, then what happened to them?"
Edited by TroperNo9001 on May 6th 2024 at 5:17:10 PM
"Anemone dear, I know you want to be more independent from me, but... please take care, okay?"
The Fourth-Placers' Revenge
ZDR, Stanford's Lair
Krystal gave Veena a nod. "Then we'll protect you with our lives," she said, "and get you a way out no matter what it is."
"As for Raven Beak," said Shepard, "I'm not surprised he hasn't come out yet. If he's anything like his officers, he won't want to fight without an overwhelming advantage on his side. We'll just have to take the fight to him."
ZDR, Hanubia
"So you didn't notice any of the red flags, Blood Moon?" Nine-Tailed Cat asked. "You let him use you as a host for the X, but never considered he'd do the same to the rest? And let's not forget that upon seeing Fire Eyes alive, you immediately tried to kill him. That is not my idea of loyalty."
"The parasite does affect the mind as well as the body, Nine-Tailed Cat," said Majel. "It is likely his judgement was impaired and he made decisions he wouldn't have made otherwise."
"That is a point, I suppose," said Nine-Tailed Cat. "If that can be demonstrated at the trial, it would be grounds for a more lenient sentence. And for now, I will take your word for it."
He went silent for a moment at the mention of Rouki.
"I admit that alliance is... dubious at best," he said. "I doubt my team would have agreed to work with him under better circumstances, and we will keep an eye out in case he becomes a threat in the future. To his credit, though, he doesn't seem to have any personal ill will towards us; he has merely been indiscriminate. He's certainly never actively worked for Raven Beak against us."
The rookies listened carefully to the discussion of the spaceship, then nodded to Peridot.
Once widespread planetary self-destructs came up, Nine-Tailed Cat smacked himself in the face loud enough to be heard over the line.
"Every single planet?" he said incredulously. "Now that is insanity. Leaving aside the ethical issues, it's horribly inefficient and a complete liability - one group of traitors or spies in the wrong place could have the entire population at their mercy. What were your leaders thinking? "
"Boss, we've got bigger concerns right now!" Cassandra Beech piped up.
"...Right." Nine-Tailed Cat took a deep breath, then turned back to the task at hand. "I think we can work with this. However, Blood Moon, I do have one concern: Even if you no longer serve Raven Beak, he likely has a contingency plan for a valuable asset like you turning against him, such as a kill switch. It might be best if you stay away from him, and either be fitted with a monitoring device or simply brought with the prisoners so we can keep an eye on you. Still, I am open to second opinions."
NTC's Lab
At that point, Majel's chassis prodded Nine-Tailed Cat, directing him away from his monitor. "The latest season's results are in, Nine-Tailed Cat," she said. "I have included them in my assessment for the next team."
"Latest season? Did we even nominate...?" Nine-Tailed Cat paused, looking around, then saw Nought with a menacing smile. "...What did you do?"
"I took care of things while you were occupied," said Nought. "I thought the Outside Xbox team would be appropriate."
"Outside Xbox..." Nine-Tailed Cat rubbed his forehead in exasperation. "Nought, we've talked about this: We can't expect ordinary YouTubers to be prepared to die in the Arena. How did you even get the samples to clone them, anyway?"
"I made a deal with Miss Douglas," Nought replied. "A few genetic samples in return for a black hole spell - though it seems they're far less proficient with it than I am. Rather disappointing, I would say."
"I guess that's what happens when you don't send someone combat-ready," said Nine-Tailed Cat. He then turned to Majel. "And what of next season? Are your calculations complete?"
"Yes, Nine-Tailed Cat," said Majel. "My analysis suggests that the pirate would have the best survival time, and the slugcat would be most deadly."
Nought rolled her eyes. "So we're doing this again," she said. "A bumbling dolt who only defeated a legendary ghost pirate through luck, and the second-worst fighter of all slugcats. The most amusement they're likely to provide is through their deaths."
"Hey, you never know!" said Cassandra Beech. "Things always seem to go well for these two somehow, so I'm sure they'll go far! Besides, I'm sure the boss has tributes more to your taste cued up!"
"Indeed," said Nine-Tailed Cat. He motioned to Cassandra. "Miss Beech, see to it that Guybrush and the Monk reach the Arena. I have tactical assessments to do."
"You got it, boss!" said Cassandra. And with that, the fennec went to activate the cloning chambers while Nine-Tailed Cat turned back to business on ZDR.
I like cute things. You gotta deal with it.
Pissed off Sakura
Stacy: You said it, Juan. I still remember 6k1's Vaporeon being scared of that anthro Alolan Vulpix.
Never watched Naruto, but that face is definitely avatar-worthy.
Shelter
Sheesh, girl, I know you're lazy, but you aren't THAT lazy. (Dana remarks at Zinnia's question to Toyohisa.) I hope that was just the Arena messing with her head.
Like, that's what I figured. (Kay says.) Wish I could see what Verda was playing with that Wooloo.
...My gosh, she sure didn't seem to like it, whatever it was. (Dana says, seeing the sour expression on the Green Birdo's face.) And here I was thinking that Verda hadn't met a video game she didn't like.
Screeeeeeeee!! (Verdi wasn't facing toward the door, so he immediately dives behind a pillow and hides, not moving a muscle.)
(There are a LOT of drawings all over the place now. All over the sleeping Pokémon, all over the walls...)
ZDR
Inside the Lair
Might hafta keep an eye out for him, too. (Knox says.) Then again, the sooner he gets to us, the sooner we can kick his ass.
I hope we just have time to prepare to possibly have to fight him... (Veena says.)
Outside the Lair
(Henry and Tenn move over in the FBW's direction.)
I could not agree more, my friend. (Henry says to James.) We are rescuers, and we are rescuing a great many people now, are we not? I shall stay.
(He turns to Tenn and takes her pinchers in his claws.) Tenn, shall you stay as well?
Duh? Of course I am, you hopeless idiot. (Tenn teases Henry.) I'm not quitting on your or anybody else yet. If we don't make it, then at least we'll go out together.
Ah, yes, indeed... (Henry says, hugging Tenn.) ...But what about Shelley? How do we tell her that we may not escape?
(Tenn frowns.) I know she'll still have Shelby either way, and Wes and Millie, too, but...darnit, she loves us, and she was straight-up in love with me for a while for goodness sake. Losing the two of us could crush her.
(June tries to relax as she keeps a grip on Aaron.)
(July blushes slightly as she realizes that Tokage has taken her hand, though she certainly doesn't object to it. August, meanwhile, just goes ahead and throws her arm around Alex's shoulder and pulls him to her side with a small smile the moment she realizes he's trying to take her hand.) Aw, c'mere, you! (She giggles as she does so.)
(As much as Oscar wishes they could just leave now, Squishy still needs them, and without he and Lucian there...he can't even bear to think of what might happen to their friends.)
I want to go home, too, but...if Squishy doesn't recognize you guys and we aren't there to calm him down...I-... (Oscar breaks down and starts to cry.) Oh, Lucian, I don't want to have to keep you on this planet...
Aw, don't worry, you two. (June says.) We're gonna stick with you guys no matter what.
(Oscar feels mildly reassured by this, but understandably he doesn't get much less nervous.)
"Hey, gimme a minute to get to know everyone, 'kay, Brainy?" "Of course, but please allow me to get a word in, too, bzz."