this is the run, we are invincible

[domeinion]

[The days are here, and the Battle Park is all done up for the show. Banners with a weird shield-like symbol announce the Dome-tide tournament, and everything is organized in an orderly fashion. Everyone who signed up will be directed to their place and given a free water and name tag, and spectators will get a program detailing all the matches and locations.

The prizes are... well, something that a weird nerd would think are good prizes. First prize gets a Nugget, second a bunch of EXP candy, and third and fourth get literally just 30 Ulternian Poké Balls each. She had to be talked out of giving you textbooks.

select your team, b yourself, and have fun!]



[HOW IT WORKS

The bracket was seeded with characters who were signed up on the thread linked above for the month's plotting post! Since there were 10 teams and thus four people would have had to play an extra round, I gave those slots mainly to people who signed up multiple characters. You can find the bracket here with all the results, which were done via RNG.

The matches can be threaded out on the post in their toplevels according to the RNGed results, or can be skipped, depending on player preference. There will be a toplevel for rounds 1, 2, 3, and 4, and another for general spectating.

ICly, this runs on the 12th, but backtags until whenever are fine as always! This is a player-run event, so if you need anything, let me know!]

Comments

[closedbond]

Same here. It really didn't occur to me to really look at the plants... but the difference is notable, especially the trees.

[He's looking thoughtful.]

I also heard about Ulternian Pikachu living there but I haven't gone to look for them.

[domeinion]

They're cute, aren't they? The little Pichu are rounder than the ones you'll find at home. The regional differences here in general are fascinating, come to think of it. The other day I had to keep Peeps from chasing around a Paraspor he thought wanted to play.

[closedbond]

[...?]

A Paraspor? I still don't know a lot of the Pokemon here...

[domeinion]

It's related to Paras! Do you know them? There were tons of Paras around Cerulean, where I lived when I was little.

[closedbond]

I haven't seen one in person, but I've seen pictures.

[He'll have to take mental note about Paraspor now.]

That makes sense why its name sounded so similar.

[domeinion]

I believe they're a baby form, but I haven't seen one before coming here. They're cute, though, in their way.

[closedbond]

A baby form of Paras? I've never... but I suppose Ultern is full of surprises. I wonder why there's one here in Ultern, and not back where I came from.

[domeinion]

My best theory is that it comes from the same sort of evolutionary divergence that produces regional forms. That is, that something happened so that the Paras here -- and the Meowth, for that matter -- have a new evolutionary stage.

[closedbond]

I've heard of regional forms but I haven't seen them back in Kalos.

[That gets him to think quietly.]

...their typing, is it different from what we're used to? Maybe catching a new Pokemon or two would be useful for future battles.

[Not that he was great at that, really. Not that Alice needed to know unless she followed along and found out.]

[domeinion]

Not all regional forms are different, but some are. Did you want to help me observe wild Pokémon some time? It's very informative! Most people don't find scientific field work fun, but I can't resist.

[closedbond]

Observe wild Pokemon...? [He takes a second before nodding.]

Okay, I'll help. I don't have any means you can contact me by, but I can always drop by your lab.

[domeinion]

Naturally! Door's always open. Colloquially.

[closedbond]

Then I'll be sure to visit. We can go observe Pokemon together, whenever you're not busy.

[Before then maybe he could get his Pokedex updated, and a way people can contact him easier...]

[domeinion]

Of course! Thanks, X. It's good to have someone who understands how fascinating all this is.

[closedbond]

I have a friend, who's a reseacher like you.

[He's smiling, while thinking of him.]

He helped me figure out Mega Evolution. I know there's something we can learn together out there.

[domeinion]

You're right. This place is full of mysteries and new data, and I've always wanted to study strange things. Thank you.

[closedbond]

Yeah....

[...]

Say, Alice. Do you have a phone?

[domeinion]

Oh! [She digs in her bag and pulls out a simple, scuffed red phone.] Yes, I picked one up after I'd been here for a little while, since people wanted to get hold of me. I have to say it's a lot easier than relying on landlines!

[closedbond]

I don't have a phone yet, but...

[He's digging into his own bag to pull out a notepad.]

I think, it would be convenient if I had your number. I was thinking I could borrow a phone somewhere, or pick one up of my own.

[domeinion]

Sure! Here you go. [She brings up her own contact details and turns the phone so he can see them.] Just let me know if you need anything. Thanks, X. You're a good guy.

[closedbond]

[X will write down Alice's contact information. Once he's done he'll nod over to her.]

Thanks--I...

[Oh. He still wasn't used to such point blank compliments, even if he heard them quite a bit from Alice and from a few others here in Ultern.]

...I don't know, isn't this how friends act to one another...?

[domeinion]

It is, but that's not bad. Just because people should do good things doesn't mean it isn't good to say it, does it?

[closedbond]

[She had a point. He's staring before looking away to the field. Yet instead of letting silence carry, X gave a nod. Well, there was one thing he could think to say in response to that:]

Thanks, Alice.