Lore Before The Legend: Southshore City, the capital of the Steel Province and site of the annual Merc Madness Festival, is widely regarded as the greatest mining city in The Known World. Many ordinary citizens of Southshore City work as laborers in the mines, digging up various metals from iron to gold to, occasionally, refined astrafialpide, the strongest of all known substances in The Known World and the main metal used to create Stoneshear Castle, the home and main office of the UGM Senate.
Steel Province: Capital City of Southshore: Ironside Resort: Age of Mew: Year 656: Everyone is getting dressed
"This…. Is itchy…" Conlan said as he put on the dress suit that the Leavanny working at Ironside Resort had tailored for him.
"Tell me about it…" Aaron sighed as he put on his own, much larger dress suit.
"You'll both just have to get used to it." Shock said. "It's part of the protocol here in Southshore. If you aren't a worker, you're expected to look as fancy as you can get out. At least for the ceremonies and banquet anyway. We wouldn't want to upset our dear representatives by showing up looking like commoners now would we?"
"But…" Conlan held up the Merc Band scarf. "Wouldn't the scarves let others know we're a mercenary band? Why all the formalities?"
"You're guess is as good as mine, kid." Shock sighed. "I'm headin' down to the bar for a drink. No way am I making it through another opening ceremony sober."
"Ah, Excuse me." A Donphan said as Shock brushed passed him.
He looked into the room.
"Um, this is...this the residence of Team Moonbrand, correct? Is your leader here?"
"Sounds like he's talking about you, Conlan." Harry stated as he struggled to get both Gary and Jerry into their custom tailored dress suit.
"Yeah...that's me." Conlan raised his hand before walking over. "My name is Conlan…."
"A pleasure to meet you." The Donphan bowed his head slightly. "I am Dimitri. I am the Ground Province Representative."
He stepped back and let out a laugh. "Wow, I never thought I'd be saying that…"
"Are you new?"
"Yes. You must have remembered when the central provinces were voting for representatives. I was on the ballot for the Ground Province along with the previous representative and a few other pokemon."
"And you managed to gain the most votes, despite the old representative running for re-election? That's impressive." Conlan said.
"Indeed it was." Krystal said in the doorway. "Crotar was all in an uproar when the results were announced."
"They weren't the only ones." Dimitri laughed. "Most of the western cities had the same reaction. A few have even elected to strengthen their walls."
"What exactly...is the big deal?" Conlan asked. "I'm not terribly up to date on current events."
"There's nothing current about those events." Krystal said. "Representative Dimitri here had the remarkable idea to grant the warlords of the province and anyone living among their camps the ability to create Official Mercenary Bands, something the royals of the cities would have never allowed. During the election, every walled city in the Ground Province was flooded with members of the eastern warlords, all voting for the one candidate who would give them the same rights as city dwellers."
"And Haywood's Militia is to me what your team must be to your Representative. I see a good future ahead of them. They're also a Mercenary Band with a full roster of 16 pokemon. In any case, I was wondering Conlan, if you and your Partner Pokemon, should you have one, want to join me, B, Haywood, and his partner, and head out to lunch with a few of the other team leaders?"
"Lunchlunchlunchlunchlunchlunch….Lunch?" Rudo ran up to the doorway, her dress still only halfway on.
"Y-yes…" Dimitri backed up. "I'll take that as a yes then. But please make sure you come completely dressed. The place we're going to is rather strict about that sort of thing."
"Oh." Rudo realized she hadn't put the dress on all the way yet. "Of course."
"We'll meet you outside." Dimitri walked away.
"So...wait…" Conlan said. "Was he telling me that this Haywood's Militia thing is-?"
"Oh, you haven't heard about it have you…" Krystal said. "You ought to read the paper or watch the news more often. Haywood the Hippowdon was, or I guess is, one of the Ground Province's eastern warlords. He's got a camp in the middle of the Blaze Desert. He's special in that he mostly raids other warlords instead of the cities, and when he did raid the cities, he never ordered anyone to do any actual harm to the inhabitants, unless they were criminals. They've only been around for a short time, even shorter than us, and his militia turned Mercenary Band is already Rank C just like we are. It's charming actually. It's like he's some kind of folk hero."
"But he is still a warlord." A feminine voice rang out as a Granbull and shiny Gardevoir walked by. "And ugly acts of war are unbecoming of anyone worthy of forming a mercenary band." The Gardevoir continued her statement. "At least, in the provinces that matter anyways."
"Keep moving, fairies." Krystal said. "Save the trash talk for the festival."
"Heh." The Granbull snorted as he nudged the Gardevoir's arm. "We ought to do as she says. Clearly she can't handle simple truths. I fear staying here any longer will cause her to make a fool of herself."
"Oh, we'll see who makes a fool of who!"
"No." Out of nowhere, Semora had grabbed Krystal's arm. The two fairy types waltzed away.
"Those were the leaders of Team Kirei." Semora said. "You could be dead right now."
For multiple reasons, though getting out before another random important pokemon walked by again happened to be one of the most prominent, Conlan hurried himself along out of the building.
Steel Province: Capital City of Southshore: Castle Town Towers: Age of Mew: Year 656: Leaders and Partners Share Lunch
Castle Town Towers was the kind of fancy restaurant that Conlan would never have been able to afford in his own world. Everything was very prim and proper. "Welcome." The Empoleon at the front desk said. "My name is Edlen. I am the Water Province Representative and owner of this establishment. May I have your names?"
"Um...Conlan and Rudo…" Conlan said as Rudo looked around the restaurant in awe.
"This place is so big!" She exclaimed.
"It was originally a hotel." Edlen explained. "But as less and less people could afford it, and with the rise of Ironside Resort as an alternative, my restaurant become the only thing remaining, so I've taken over the buildings. My Lumineon waiters and waitresses make use of the flowing waterfalls to deliver you food at a moment's notice, regardless of what floor of the restaurant you might be on."
He picked up some menus and motioned for Conlan and Rudo to follow. "This way, Moonbrand. You've been seated at this table here."
Conlan and Rudo did not know any of the pokemon sitting at the table.
"Wait, did he just say Moonbrand?" A Marowak asked another sitting next to him.
"I believe he did, yes." The other Marowak responded as she seemed to size both Rudo and Conlan up.
"So...you're the ones…" The male Marowak mumbled. He smirked.
"Name's Mak. Mary here and I run Team Skullblasterz. Remember the name, because we'll be winning this tournament."
"You aren't the only ones with a team full of sixteen people." A Weavile sitting next to a Vaporeon warned them.
"Yeah!" The Vaporeon added. "And unlike you, and probably Moonbrand over there too, we actually had to hold tryouts for our team. Not that I understand why, we aren't that special."
"Um…" Conlan looked at the two pokemon.
"That's Wess and Verrin." Rudo said. "They're the leaders of Team Celsius. They're a few weeks old but already Rank A."
"It sounds like we've got a fan, huh?" Verrin asked Wess.
"I think she just reads the newspaper." Wess laughed.
"Hey, Hashina." A Kommo-o nudged the Honchkrow he was sitting next to. "Could you pass the butter? My corphish could use some."
"Of course, Kordao, no problem." The Honchkrow passed some butter Kordao's way.
Rudo's already tight grip on Conlan's arm tightened even further. "Conlan, Conlan!" She whispered. "That's Team Steel Heart! That's Team Steel Heart!"
"Who?" Conlan asked.
"They're only one of the best Mercenary Bands that the Fighting Province has ever produced! You know how it's sort of in the gutter right now? Team Steel Heart is working tirelessly to fix that. It's hard, because Cahir tries his best to keep them from raising in rank due to their distaste for him, but they've still managed to get all the way up to Rank B despite going against the tide."
She squeezed his arm again as she pointed to a Gallade and Hitmonlee who were both eating some Unfezant. "And that's Gustavo and Hector! They lead Team Gentilhomme! That team was around when my parents were kids, and it's been passed down from leader to partner for decades. They're a great example of the manners and chivalry that used to be present in the Fighting Province before the fall. They'll take anyone as long as you can stay at your utmost politeness no matter the situation!"
"My poor arm…" Conlan mumbled as Rudo squeezed it again and pointed to yet another pair at the table.
"See those Salazzle?" She asked. "They're Sari and Sirina. They're a pair of twin sisters and the only members of The Twin Flames. I think they might be one of, if not the strongest Mercenary Band to ever come out of the Poison Province."
"Really?" Conlan asked. "What rank are they?"
"H." Rudo responded proudly. "They work remarkably well together and I bet they could probably take on our entire table if they wanted to."
"Which one is which?" Conlan asked.
"I think the one trying to look tough and cold is Sari." Rudo said. "But, I'm not sure right now. I'm busy looking at all these teams! Like, look over there at that guy!"
Conlan looked to where Rudo was pointing.
An Aegislash was eating at the corner of the table, keeping to himself.
"That is without a doubt Aramis the Aegislash!" Rudo exclaimed. "You can tell by the way his shield has been repaired with osumadite. Only astrafialpide is a stronger metal. Anyways, he's a Lone Mercenary, but rather than join another band or allowing others to join him, he willingly continues to work alone."
"But, don't the UGM Hall caretakers put Lone Mercenaries into other teams?"
"Under normal circumstances, yes." Rudo answered. "But Aramis has been given special permission by Senate Head Aerona herself to continue as a Lone Mercenary."
"Is he like her son or something?" Conlan asked.
Rudo puffed her face.
"Conlan, do all pokemon of a species look identical to you? I'm not going to have to worry that you'll mistake some other Riolu for me am I?"
"N-no." Conlan laughed nervously.
He looked around the table as they sat down.
A Bisharp and a Gothitelle were both eating in silence but staring directly at him.
"I'm Conlan." Conlan introduced himself. "I lead Team Moonbrand with my partner, Rudo."
"Bishop." The Bisharp replied. "And this here is Gracia. We lead The Knights of The Round."
"I...I've never heard of that one." Rudo scratched her head.
"We're Rank B…" Bishop explained. "But because I grew up in Bishamon, the press tends to avoid my team."
"You grew up in the Mystery Dungeon City?" Rudo asked.
Bishop sighed.
"This is exactly the kind of stigma that I'm hoping to rid myself of by leading my Mercenary Band."
"You aren't going to avoid it." A Scyther sitting by herself said. "You hometown is a Mystery Dungeon, and only pokemon that are criminals or violent ever make their homes in a Mystery Dungeon. I've seen Bishamon for myself. I was there on a mission once."
She turned to Conlan and Rudo. "The name is Saveena. I lead Team Ebonshade. We're new, but we're strong, so don't underestimate us, got it?"
"Sure…" Conlan felt like he was being pressured into something by all these pokemon, but he wasn't sure what it was.
"Hey, Rudo…" Conlan leaned towards Rudo. "That Froslass there. What team is she a part of?"
"I've never seen her before…" Rudo said. "Hey, excuse me!" She called to the Froslass across the table.
The Froslass rose her head.
"What team do you lead?" Rudo asked.
"Um...Fortune's...Four…" The Froslass replied quietly. "My name is Fortune…..and my team is made of four members, including me….We're…..new."
"How new?" Rudo asked. "How many missions have you completed?"
"Um….none…." Fortune responded. "We're a completely new team. Rank E. We created it and were then instantly handed this invitation, so we came here."
"Sorry we're late!" two Carracosta, a Primarina, and a Lapras all sat down at the table.
The two Carracosta sat down close to Aramis, while the Primarina and Lapras sat down near Bishop.
"Team Obsidian!" Rudo recognized both Carracosta. "Koopa and Flo! I remember when you competed in this same festival as Tortuga years ago!"
"Yeah." Koopa laughed. "Our shop's been doing well, but we thought competing might bring up the traffic some more. I think Eva and Lazuli over there are in a similar situation, right Flo?"
"Don't ask me!" Flo laughed. "Ask Aquarius themselves."
"Team Aquarius and Team Obsidian are both Mercenary Bands that happen to run shops in their respective provinces." Rudo told Conlan. "It's actually something many Mercenaries who tire of journeying do, set up shop to help others."
"It is indeed a noble endeavor." Eva the Primarina nodded. She looked at Conlan and Rudo. "I am Eva, the Leader of Team Aquarius. And Lazuli here is my partner."
"It's nice to meet the both of you." Lazuli bowed his head.
"Hey!" Mak noticed as he looked over at the other table of Mercenary Bands. "Hurry up and eat, Moonbrand. We gotta finish before the other table does!"
"Wait, why?" Conlan asked.
"Yeah, what does it matter?" Rudo seemed just as confused.
"You're new so you may not be aware…" Koopa said. "But the last table to finish cleans up both tables' food and dishes. And Mercenaries eat way more than you'd think."
Without any more hesitation, Conlan and Rudo both dug into the feast before them.
Steel Province: Capital City of Southshore: Apex Empire Mine #7: Age of Mew: Year 656: The Festival Begins
"It's starting!" A rather young Mawile worker ran through the mine.
"Mandy…" An Excadrill said as the two of them both put some astrafialpide ore in a crate that a Magnezone was waiting to take up to the surface.
"I'm not letting you leave unless you can prove to me that-"
"She's gone above and beyond sir." The Magnezone said. "She's fulfilled her ore quota for the day and then some."
"Please, boss! It's starting!" Mandy was hopping up and down excitedly.
"Alright, you can go watch the opening ceremony." The Excadrill said. "But I want you to keep your focus on your work for the rest of the festival alright? There'll be plenty of time to watch the highlights later."
"Yes, boss…." Mandy sighed. "But thanks!" She perked up before running out of the mine and towards the central arena for the Merc Madness Festival.
Merc Madness Festival Central Arena
"Welcome, one and all to yet another annual Merc Madness Festival!" A voice announced as Mandy hurried into the arena with the large crowd of pokemon.
"We're your commentators, Neron and Rio, and Merc Madness XXXVII is just moments away from starting! Say hello to everyone, Rio!"
"Hello to everyone." A second voice sounded.
"What kind of weak answer was that?" Neron's voiced asked. "Are you a Stufful or are you a Hawlucha? Let's hear some enthusiasm!"
"Hello everyone!" Rio shouted.
"That's the spirit!" Neron cheered. "Now, we've got a lot of teams competing this year, ooh, and here they come now! We have last year's winners, the pride of Baran Braviary, the Flying Province Representative, it's Team Horizon!"
Nezarix the Noivern, Zeria the Zekrom, Faden the Feraligatr, and Elvina the Escavalier all walked into the arena and were met with thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd.
Mandy's eyes widened.
She nudged the shoulder of a Beedrill who happened to be next to her. "Hey, they're Royal Rank aren't they?"
"Of courzzzzze." The Beedrill replied. "And they're not the only Royal Rank Mercenary Band competing thizzz year either! Look!" He pointed with his stinger.
"Oh, and here they come!" Neron's voice echoed. "The Royal Rank Mercenary Band of the Dragon Province, Team Aspect!"
Three pokemon, a Turtonator, a Dragonite, and a Bagon all walked into the arena.
"That Bagon's part of a Royal Rank Team?" Mandy asked.
"That Bagon is the Dragon Province, I guess princess, for lack of a better term." A Zangoose told her. "She's the daughter of the Dragon Province Emperor."
"I thought Garian didn't have a kid…"
"I wasn't talking about the UGM Representative." The Zangoose said. "I was talking about the Emperor of the Dragon Province. The UGM might be the closest thing to organized government for The Known World, but the Dragon Province by itself has always been ruled rather effectively by a ruling family. And they can afford the best combat training. Don't underestimate a pokemon simply because they aren't fully evolved."
"Oh, Ooooh! Here they come!" Neron got excited. "Daria the Decidueye and the rest of Team Sniper! The best team to have ever come out of the Ghost Province, already Rank W!"
Daria was followed by a Clawitzer, a Drapion, a Gliscor, and an Eelektross.
"They look pretty serious, Neron." Rio noted.
"I wouldn't blame them." Neron replied. "They were last year's second placers after all. I wonder how things will go this year for them now that Claudia's evolved!"
"Claudia evolved!" Mandy looked on eagerly. "This is so cool! I remember seeing her competing as a Clauncher last year!"
"I wonder if she'll be just as scrappy this year as she was then…" The Zangoose wondered.
"Zzzzure zzzzshe will." The Beedrill buzzed. "Evolution can't change her that much."
"What's that?" Neron asked, before addressing the audience. "Alright folks, I'm getting word from the Senate that any pokemon affected by sandstorm weather might want to put on their protective gear...unless they want to weather a sandstorm for no reason. Haywood the Hippowdon and his Militia are coming through!"
Mandy looked on as the Zangoose and Beedrill beside her both put on protective gear.
A Hippowdon came striding into the arena followed by a Drampa, and then a whole squad of 14 more pokemon, all of which either had types or abilities that benefitted from sandstorm weather.
"Haywood and Zzzzzaman." The Beedrill said. "I didn't think I'd ever zzzzzee them up thizzz clozzze."
"I'm surprised that they're even competing." The Zangoose said. "I can't imagine that they would use the money for anything other than luxurious amenities."
"I think they look kind of cool!" Mandy said. "Especially since they have a full team of 16 pokemon!"
As various other teams were introduced, Mandy learned the names of both her Zangoose and Beedrill acquaintances. Zeke and Bud.
Bud had apparently come all the way from the Poison Province to view The Twin Flames in action, live. Bud was part of a Mercenary Band once, an unofficial one, but they dropped him in a dungeon and it was The Twin Flames who rescued him. They were still new back then, and Bud has watched them grow more popular with pride.
Zeke had grown up in the Dragon Province and had come over to look at all the Mercenary Bands and enjoy the festival. He seemed to have a dream to one day start his own, but he was still working on making enough money so that he could feed his elderly parents. He didn't have time for a Mercenary Band.
"And that was Team TMNT…" Neron stated as team TMNT joined everyone else so far.
"Now for Team Soulwind!"
A large cheer, mostly from female audience members, echoed through the arena as Razr and his team walked in.
"Team Soulwind's been making themselves more popular through both mission and song of all things. They truly are a Mercenary Band." Rio stated, causing Neron to erupt into laughter.
"Next up…." Neron said through his laughs. "We have….Team SONA!"
"Oh no…" The Talonflame from Team TMNT sighed as Star the Staraptor, the leader of Team SONA locked eyes with him.
"Team TMNT and Team SONA have been at each others throats in this competition for six years running now. As it stands, they've bested each other an equal amount of times in the tournament. This year might be their deciding bout!" Neron announced.
"But if it's anything like last year's spectacle…" Rio said. "They'll both be back next year to make fools of themselves all over again."
The crowd laughed as Star, an Oranguru, a Nidoqueen, and an Aurorus all took their place in the arena.
"Team Attract has arrived!" Neron stated as a Lopunny led a Lilligant, Lurantis, Florges, Gardevoir, Salazzle, and Steenee into the arena.
"They're only a few successful missions away from a Rank A." Rio said. "Very few teams can make fighting look half as good as these ladies do."
"But speaking of a team who might just be able to do that…" Neron announced as a Tsareena walked into the arena followed by a Lurantis, a Lilligant, a Leafeon, a Vileplume, a Roserade, and a Leavanny. "We have General Tsutsugi and the Leafguard League! A Mercenary Band composed entirely of female soldiers from the city of Leafguard in the Grass Province!"
"If we're going to segway, then let's continue with the soldier analogy." Rio said as a Probopass led a Golurk, a Honchkrow, an alolan Raichu, a Sawsbuck, a Sylveon, a Magcargo, a Dragonair, and a Poliwrath into the arena. "We have Paston the Probopass, Gurst the Golurk, and the Mercenary Band of guards from different Provinces! Guards United! They'll take any guard that signs up!"
"But they don't have sixteen members…"Zeke noted.
"Yeah." Mandy said. "I've been following them….They used to."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
"And let's hear it for Team Discharge!" Neron announced as a Galvantula, Blitzle, Klinklang, Porygon2, Pikachu and Vikavolt all took their place in the arena."
After the announcers introduced a bunch of other teams, like Team Kirei, The Knights of the Round, Team Celsius, etc., Mandy heard some words she thought couldn't be true.
"And finally, the new team that took on the Roygbiv Thieves and succeeded! Team Moonbrand!"
"Moonbrand?!" Mandy asked in disbelief.
"Not the one you're thinking of." Zeke laughed.
"Thizzzz Moonbrand izzz a new one." Bud informed her. "I hear that B, the leader of the old one, really likezzzz the Chimchar leading thizzz one."
"Moonbrand…" Many said.
"The color is different too." Zeke stated. "This team's color is a dark purple. Not at all like the original Moonbrand."
"They've been around for lezz than three monthzzz and already have zzixteen memberzzzz." Bud noted. "And they have a growing reputation for taking on mizzzzionzz too high for their rank."
"How much longer do we have to wave?" Bennett asked in a whisper.
"Until Aerona comes in and declares the Festival underway." Charlie told him. "And Shush."
"Conlan…" Rudo nudged Conlan's arm and tilted her head towards the arena entrance. "Look there! It's Senate Head Aerona, the Steel Province Representative, along with the rest of the UGM Senate!"
"Oh, hey, I see B!" Conlan said. "And Edlen and Dimitri, and that must be Baran over there!"
"Here she comes!" Neron announced.
"Senate Head Aerona Aegislash!"
"Ice Province Representative Alaska Aurorus!"
"Dark Province Representative Hadria Hydreigon!"
"Fighting Province Representative Cahir Conkeldurr!"
Rudo stopped waving and stared Cahir down.
"Rudo, don't do that." Conlan said. "We don't want a Representative mad at us."
"But I learned from Madame Mienshao what the Fighting Province was like before he rose to power." Rudo replied. "If it weren't for his rules, my parents would still be…"
"Now isn't the time for that." Verden said. "A lot of us would have been better if he didn't rise to power, but unless it was he himself that killed your parents, I don't think being angry at him will do much other than get us in unwanted trouble."
"I...guess you guys are right." Rudo reluctantly resumed waving with the rest of the competing pokemon.
"Grass Province Representative Maki Meganium!"
"Bug Province Representative Victoria Vespiquen!"
"Poison Province Representative Shizuka Seviper!"
"Water Province Representative Edlen Empoleon!"
"Normal Province Representative Zavier Zangoose!"
"Electric Province Representative Ebner Electivire!"
"Fire Province Representative B Blaziken!"
"Ground Province Representative Dimitri Donphan!"
"Rock Province Representative Glen Gigalith!"
"Dragon Province Representative Garian Garchomp!"
"Flying Province Representative Baran Braviary!"
"Psychic Province Representative Misti Musharna!"
"Ghost Province Representative Drogo Dusknoir!"
"And Fairy Province Representative Concordia Clefable!"
As the representatives all lined up, Senate Head and Steel Province Representative Aerona walked to the center of the arena and leaned in towards a microphone.
"Thirty six years ago today, the very first Official UGM Merc Madness Festival was held. I was only a Honedge back then, and certainly did not see myself ever becoming Senate Head. It is with my deepest appreciation for all of you here today, and with my greatest honor, that I proudly declare the Thirty-seventh annual Merc Madness Festival officially underway! With the lighting of the Festival Plaza…" She turned towards Ebner, who nodded as he pressed a button on his remote and the Festival Plaza began to light up with all sorts of decorations and lanterns from various provinces and cultures. "The Festival Has Begun! I look forward to seeing each and every one of these fine Mercenary Bands' performances!"
Everyone in the crowd cheered.
AN: Mandy the Mawile was submitted by turtleowner3300, Thank you Turtleowner(May I call you Turtleowner?),
Neron the Machamp, Rio the Hawlucha, Team Obsidian and Team Aquarius were all submitted by Tambry, Thank you Tambry!
Dragon Province Representative Garian Garchomp, Team Celsius, The Twin Flames, Team Ebonshade, and Team Steel Heart were all submitted by Blackfang who now goes by 1Glimmershine but screw you, I'm calling you Blackfang still(You said I could after all).
The Knights of The Round were submitted by akuma114, Thank you Akuma(May I call you Akuma?)
Team Skullblasterz was submitted by Call 0f Darkness, Thank you Call 0f Darkness!
Aramis the Lone Mercenary Aegislash was submitted by BewareTheDragon1! Thank you, BDragon!(May I call you BDragon?)
AN2: EVERYONE WHO HAS A MOONBRAND OC LISTEN UP: I need you to go to the last chapter, look at EVENTS you think your OC in Team Moonbrand would like to compete in, and bring me a list of AT LEAST 5 Different ones that they wouldn't mind signing up for. Conlan will try to put everyone in the event they want most, but as the rules state, everyone must compete before anyone repeats events, so be aware of that.
AN3: EVERYONE WHO HAS (A) MERCENARY BAND(S) COMPETING LISTEN UP: I need you to sign the members of your team up for the events you want them to compete in. PLEASE go back to the last chapter and read over the rules so that you don't accidentally mess up when signing up your OCs for events. Remember the big rules of: Only ONE event per province, and EACH Team Member must participate in an event before ANY Team Member participates in a second one.
AN3.5: This is because I don't fully trust you guys. I'll give you an example using Team TMNT (note that while I'd prefer their pokemon species be labelled, you only need to put the name down):
Day 1: First Day
Normal: Sparring Match- Tyran(Tyrantrum)
Ground: Race- Talo(Talonflame)
Day 2: Life Day
Grass: Sparring Match- Nid(Nidoking)
Water: Sparring Match-Macha(Machamp)
Day 3: Destruction Day
Fire: Race- Talo(Talonflame)
Electric: Sparring Match-Nid(Nidoking)
Day 4: Night Day
Ghost: Sparring Match-Tyran(Tyrantrum)
Dark: Race-Macha(Machamp)
Day 5: Mind Day
Psychic: Race-Tyran(Tyrantrum)
Bug: Sparring Match- Nid(Nidoking)
Day 6: Mountain Day
Ice: Sparring Match- Macha(Machamp)
Flying: Sparring Match- Talo(Talonflame)
Day 7: War Day
Fighting: Sparring Match- Macha(Machamp)
Poison: Sparring Match- Nid(Nidoking)
Day 8: Myth Day
Dragon: Sparring Match-Tyran(Tyrantrum)
Fairy: Race-Talo(Talonflame)
Day 9: Stoneshear Day
Rock: Race-Tyran(Tyrantrum)
Steel: Sparring Match-Talo(Talonflame)
AN4: If by chance, ANY of you, want to submit a Mercenary Band to compete in this festival, now is the FINAL chance I will give you to do it. If you choose to do that, you have to use the Team Submission Form(which can be found on my profile), and you must ALSO follow the instructions of AN3 and AN3.5 of this chapter. Do All of that by December 6th (the usual 5 day limit for this story I have), and your team can compete, provided they actually qualify(read the last chapter and you probably won't have to worry about that).
AN5: Also, there is a new OC Form. It's a bit different than the last one. Here it is(Note: If anyone who has already submitted an OC wants to rework them to fit this form, that is great and I'll be happy to accept it, but it is not necessary, so you don't need to worry):
OC Name, Sex, Species:
OC Age(Levels don't exist here):
OC Ability:
OC 'Class'(Fighter, Scout, Mage, etc kind of thing):
Moveset(Should reflect their 'class')
Slot 1:
Slot 2:
Slot 3:
Slot 4:
Alt Move 1:
Alt Move 2:
OC Role(Teammate, Villain, Babysitter, Janitor, etc that kind of thing):
OC History(I want to know 1: Where they grew up and how life was for them there, 2: How they became the 'class' they became, 3: What they are currently doing right now):
OC Personality:
Anything Else Doobop Should Know:
So, yeah, I hope you guys enjoy reading ^.^!