Pom-Pom walked the group up to a large building. As everyone gazed upon it, they seemed shocked and surprised at the size.
Pom-Pom: This will be your group's personal quarters. Inside you will find a marvelous dining area, a spectacular training ground, personal rooms and beds for each and every one of you, complete with bathing and shower areas, and lastly, for those of you who enjoy peace and quiet, sound proof meditation rooms.
Pom-Pom reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out access cards for each member and handed them out.
Pom-Pom: These access cards will provide you entry to your quarters and also to some of the other specials we have here on our island. Such as (he twirls around) our luxurious public sauna and hot spring.
Skye: (excitedly) sauna?!
Zuma: Hot spring?!
Both pups howl with excitement.
Rocky: eugh! You guys can keep the hot spring. (He makes a look of disgust)
Pom-Pom: Now, before I go, I'd like to get all of your names please. (He smiled)
Ryder: I'm Ryder.
Jake: Jake's the name.
Katie: My name's Katie. (she smiled)
Goodway: You can call me Mayor Goodway. Oh, and this is my little Chickaletta. (she said petting the purse chicken)
Yumi: I am Yumi. I'm pleased to meet you. (she bows)
Zuma: Yours trwuly, Zuma.
Rocky: Rocky here.
Skye: It's Skye. With an E
Rubble: Rubble, on the double. (he laughs)
Everest: My name's Everest. Y'know, like the mountain.
Chase: Chase, at your service.
Marshall: I'm Marshall.
Pom-Pom: Well it was great meeting all of you. The preliminary matchups will begin in two hours. Please make sure you register before then. (He reached into his shirt pocket once more and pulled out a small handheld device) If any of you need me, just contact me with this. (he handed the device to Ryder) Oh, and by the way, your access cards also act as maps. (He pulled out his own access card to demonstrate) By simply sliding your finger or paw across the card twice, it will bring up a holographic map of the area, like so.
As Pom-Pom demonstrated to the group, a monitor sized map was projected from the card.
Rubble: W-hoa!
Ryder: The tech in this place is… unreal.
Pom-Pom: Isn't it simply magnificent? (he said before putting his card away) Well I suppose that's all for now. Good luck to you all! (he winked and then took his leave)
The others entered the large quarters and were astounded at how much larger it looked on the inside. There was fancy decor all over the place and staircases all about.
Katie: Wow. I can't believe this is where we'll be staying. This place looks like a mansion.
Jake: Looks pretty easy to get lost.
Ryder nodded in response.
Ryder: First thing's first. We should get you pups registered as soon as possible.
Yumi: Leave that to me, Ryder. The rest of you can go ahead and get settled. (She pulled out her access card and brought up the map) It seems the registration area is quite a walk from here. Come, pups. There's no time to lose.
The seven pups followed their sensei out of the building as she navigated her way on the map. As they looked around, It seemed as if even more people had gathered outside than there was previously.
Yumi: Advanced technology, numerous attractions, a city sized summit. This place isn't anything like I expected…
Everest: At least we get to breathe. (She joked)
Rocky: This dome covering the surface seems to provide oxygen and regulate temperatures. As Ryder said, the technology they use here seems to be very advanced.
Chase: Coming from Ryder, that really says a lot.
Zuma: So Chase, what's the deal with that Sylvia girl?
Chase: Well I'm sure you remember the former herding champion.
Zuma: (shaking his head) No dude. Herding really isn't my thing.
Chase: Well let me fill you in. Sylvia was the shepherd herding champion of this country. That is, until I participated earlier last year and took the title from her. Her personality was so different before then, but ever since, she just stopped competing. she just seemed to drop off the face of the earth completely. No one mentioned her on TV, in competitions, or anything, but earlier in this year's herding competition she actually showed up to watch as a spectator. No one remembered who she was or even recognized her. That's when she approached me. She told me that she would never forgive me; that I stole her spotlight and ruined her name. She even threatened to ruin mine and get even. I'm guessing that when she heard I'd be participating in this tournament, she jumped at the chance to compete and joined the team of a nearby town that she knew would be entering.
Rocky: So you think she's just entering for a chance to take you down? (he asked curiously)
Chase: I don't have any doubts in my mind.
Zuma: Sounds to me like this girl was cwazy about you. (he laughed)
Skye: Or just cwazy period. (She retorted)
The group arrived to the registration area; a wide space with a medium sized table sitting far at the back. Many contestants were seen about, either registering or talking amongst their team members. Yumi and the pups approached a bald man who was sitting at the table. There were no registration papers; just a weird looking machine sitting atop the table.
Registrar: Hello, are you here to register for the tournament?
Yumi: We are.
Registrar: Please hand me each of your access cards.
Yumi hands him eight access cards and the registrar scans each of them over the machine.
Registrar: Yumi, Chase, Everest, Zuma, Rubble, Skye, Marshall, Rocky. All from Adventure Bay. Yumi, you are the appointed master, correct? (he asks)
Yumi: Yes.
Registrar: I have you all in the system now. (he says before handing the access cards back) I have taken the liberty of updating your cards with the rules and regulations of the tournament. Good luck to each of you pups.
The group bows in thanks and walk away. As they are leaving, they spot an asian man with three pups heading toward the registrar.
Zuma: That guy's only entering three pups in the tournament? He must be pretty overconfident.
Rocky takes a close look at them. The pups that walked with their master were a male beagle, a female golden retriever/german shepherd mixed breed, and a male dalmatian. All of them bearing serious expressions.
Rocky: I don't know… They actually look pretty serious.
The beagle, while walking past, turned to face the group and smirked. Their master was dressed in all black Tai Chi attire and had a full head of long black hair. Yumi turned to look in his direction and stared as if she knew him from somewhere and was trying to distinguish who he was. She watched him the entire time as he registered.
Registrar: Futari, Emilia, Taleos, Joey. All from Twilight Valley. Futari, you are the appointed master, correct?
Futari smirks.
Registrar: I'll take that as a yes. I have you all in the system now. (he hands them their cards back) I've updated your cards with the rules and regulations of the tournament.
Futari: We won't be needing them. (he says smugly before walking away)
Yumi watches as Futari walks away with the same smile still plastered on his face.
Yumi: (thinking to herself) The pups must be so intimidated by now… This competition is sure to be fierce…
Rubble: This competition is already heating up, huh? (he says, smiling)
Everest: I'm getting excited.
Chase: Sensei Yumi, I think now would be a great time to have a sparring match. (he said with fire burning in his eyes)
The pups all nod in agreement. Yumi gives them all a look of surprise, before smiling.
Yumi: They aren't even the least bit worried. I should've expected as much. (she thought)
Zuma: You guys up for a little one-on-one? (he asks, smirking)
The others cheer loudly.
Marshall: (smirks back) I'm fired up.
AN: Futari's name is pronounced Foo-tar-ee.