Goldenrod City - Johto
Soft piano keys illuminated through the dimly lit coffee shop; the lingering aroma of freshly grinded coffee beans wafted through the building. The cozy environment was more than enough to keep the varying customers content at their tables, hugging a warm cup with a pastry or two as they looked out the window to see the gentle flakes of snow falling from the clouded night sky.
One patron of the shop was doing just that. Being a Dusk Lycanroc, she was naturally in pristine shape for her species, though her coat of fur was maintained and well groomed given the exquisite shine it gleamed. She adjusted the ceramic white mug in front of her, inhaling the scented steam from the piping hot coffee, before taking a sip.
"Come on, Erin," she thought to herself, placing the mug down and staring down at it. Near the cup is a laptop with a single tab open. "You're a Lynch. There's nothing to be afraid of… Others are supposed to be afraid of you."
Given that she is the youngest CBO of Lynch Enterprises; the leading company responsible for a majority of technological devices. This very laptop she was using is of course one of her father's works, but that's not much to gloat about since it's not even her own-
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Her computer was going off, with an image of an incoming call from a large Ursaluna. Threatening size and appearance aside, Erin didn't have any real fear for the man known as her father.
"Just the usual disappointment," she thought to herself, before accepting the call and being met face-to-face with the stoic man on the other side of the screen. He was well put together with a suit and tie.
"Erin," he greeted.
"Daddy," she replied, which earned her a pointed look and a gesture to the office he was residing in. "Apologies, Mister Lynch."
"Remember, even if we're family you know we must always stay professional," he advised, earning a stilted nod in return. "Now, you know why we're having this meeting, correct?"
With a bite of her lip, the Lycanroc nodded. "The merger, correct?"
"Oh, don't word it like that," he waved it off with a swipe of his overly large paw. "It's also your wedding! My little girl is getting married!"
"Not by choice," Erin bit back, instead choosing to nod along.
"It's a shame it has to be with the Hunters and with a woman no less," he flippantly scoffed. "Sweetheart, it's still early enough to maybe send a proposal to Maxwell's boy-"
"No, no," Erin immediately shot down. "We've been over this, I'm not into men."
"You haven't tried," he persisted. "That special man is out there, if you would just let go of this lifestyle…"
Breathing in through her nostrils, Erin exhaled a breath. "Mister Lynch, if I'm going to be wedded off as a business deal, I'd at least want it to be with someone of my preference."
The stone-cold expression from the bear reminded Erin that he still did not like this decision, but thankfully he exhaled. "If that's what you wish for, then I have some news for you."
"What else are you throwing at me?" Erin sighed.
"Ever heard of a show called Totally Real Island?" He asked.
"Of course, it's that trashy game show from that trashy production company that the Hunters own," she snorted, since it was an easy response.
"Perfect, you're acquainted with it," he smiled a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You'll be expected to be the newest co-host of the newest season."
Erin had the displeasure of taking a sip of her coffee, because it immediately was snorted out of her nose from the news. With a hacked cough, she sent a trembled smile toward the nearby barista who looked worried.
With a final cough, she glared at the screen. "What?"
"The Hunters are receiving bad publicity for the cheating scandal that came up recently," he explained. "Their last host was taking bribes in exchange for advantages in the game and their reputation is plummeting."
"Then why are we merging with them and not someone else?" Erin questioned, but from the stare her father was giving her, she knew already. There was likely no other woman who would want to marry her whether from a preference standpoint or otherwise. She's not exactly popular, after all.
"Hunter Hunters had fired the entire team and is building up from the ground," the bear said, and Erin grimaced from the stupidity of her future father-in-law's name. "And since the board isn't too favorable on his daughter for similar reasons as you, we figured this would be the best decision to put your names out there and get positive publicity."
"By hosting a trashy game show?" Erin questioned.
"You'll be showcasing why you're the perfect power couple for when the merge happens, which will be great for selling both of our companies products," he explained with a grin. "It will also help with the reputation of his show and give you much needed exposure for the outside world, given you'll be the future CEO of this company."
Erin bit back a retort, because in all honesty she did need the exposure and this would be good for the company. If only it wasn't at the expense of… Reality TV.
"At least I'll be on an island," she thought, aloud.
"Oh, that's the best part!" He laughed. "This'll be the first season where it won't be filmed on an island, because instead you'll be going on a tour around the world!"
"Erin, you absolute fool," she berated, doing her best to maintain a poker face.
"Don't leak this out to anyone yet, but the season will be called Totally Real World Tour," he announced, his former cold demeanor turning more upbeat and positive.
"That's the sketchiest name I have ever heard of," she thought, all while nodding and smiling. "Oh, that's so… Catchy."
With a laugh, the Ursaluna's phone rung from his front pocket, as he sighed. "Looks like our time's up, Erin. I'll email you documents that will have more information for this."
"Lovely," she toasted with her coffee.
"Alright, Princess, I'll talk to you later," he smiled, before clicking the call button off.
Erin stared at the blank screen, uncertain of what to do at this moment, given the full amount of thoughts flying through her mind at this moment. She wasn't the type of person to be a TV personality, she was the type of person who made an impact through practical practices involving numbers and charts, and the spreadsheets with the scented markers.
And as dreadful and alarmingly scary as this change is, it's her best bet on sitting in that CEO seat. She will succeed, even if it's at her own pride's expense.
With an audible groan, she slammed her coffee down on the table and turned toward the frightened Barista from earlier. "Do any of you have a bottle of whiskey lying around here?"
She desperately needed a drink.
Castelia City - Unova
The largest city in the region, and yet from the top of the lavish penthouse suite everything looked significantly smaller. It was something that the Belle Hunters enjoyed waking up to. Climbing out of bed and staring out at the small buildings and Pokemon, all while sipping on the pure black coffee from the richest beans imaginable.
She felt powerful. With a coy smirk, the Hisuian Arcanine took a sip of her morning drink. With a side-glance over toward the large front doors to her room, she rolled her eyes.
"You can announce yourself anytime, Walters," she called out, taking a moment to sip her coffee as the doors opened.
Stepping in with a stack of papers, a well groomed Heliolisk walked toward her. "Apologies, Ms Hunters. I received paperwork from your father regarding the world tour project."
"Thank you," she said, turning to fully take in the paperwork. "As I anticipated, my bride-to-be agreed to the terms."
"She would be foolish not to," he said.
"I could have done it on my own," Belle shrugged it off. "She has guts, I'll give her that. Not too bad on the eyes either."
The Heliolisk nodded, turning to step away. "As you wish, Ms Hunters."
"Oh, before you leave," she said, earning the man's attention, "make sure that any casting applications are strictly forwarded to me and only me."
Bowing his head, he stepped out of the room, "Of course, Ms Hunters."
With a smirk, she returned her attention to the glass window she had previously looked over, she only had one thought in her mind.
She was going to surpass the expectations set upon her and make this the best season imaginable. She wouldn't allow anyone else to get in the way of her life's work, after all.
If only it wasn't so early, she'd have a celebratory drink right about now.
Staff
Belle Hunters (Hisuian Arcanine): Host
Erin Lynch (Dusk Lycanroc): Co-host
Walters (Heliolisk): Assistant
Okay, so introductions are in order. I'm kitkatwithabat, and as I'm writing this my document is asking me what exactly is that word and how it's not a word. So, you can address me as Kat if you would like.
This is my first attempt at a Pokemon and Total Drama Island crossover, so I'm very excited. I saw that some names like Dark Arcanine and recently Citrus are using the species names, which is really cool to not cause confusion. I would prefer having some type of actual given names being involved because I just personally feel like it adds to the charm of the character. Of course if you're not a fan, you don't have to read this but I would like it if you gave it a chance.
Another thing you probably noticed through this very short prologue, are the different POV. I'm more familiar with changing POVs between the characters from my stories on AO3, and just in general. I figured I'd try my knack using it in this type of setting and seeing how it goes.
Anyway, this is an introduction to the two hosts of the show: Erin and Belle. Two very similar, yet very different characters. I'm excited for their story to unravel along with the rest of the cast.
Speaking of characters, I did put in the title this is a SYOC. I'm accepting characters for this story, and I promise to love and care for them as if they were my own. I originally was going to have a full cast of my characters only, but I've been having a lot of different thoughts regarding whether I wanted to follow Island's rules or RR's rules. I settled on a compromise with World Tour and I figured I could try working with other characters and see if I can manage to make something out of what is given to me rather than brainstorming. I like working with spontaneous surprises, and working with characters that I need to study and understand over already knowing them will be a great challenge that can help with my writing.
I'm also very unfamiliar with Fanfiction, I'm so used to AO3 and this seems a lot simpler, but I can't state that for a fact without posting this with no repercussions. I don't want to make a complete fool out of myself.
Ramblings aside, you can totally not read all of that, I'm just rambling at this point. TLDR; I'm new to writing this type of crossover and I'm excited to make my writing style work with the setting!
As for the application process, I will be accepting 16 characters for this. Only one submission per person, but you may submit multiple applications, only one will be accepted. I'm in no particular rush to start this, so take your time on submitting something but if you're really interested then I'd advise doing it sooner than later, at least before the spots are taken.
Now that all that has been said, I'll be posting the app here, and please only send them through Direct Message and not in the reviews. I would like to have my applications kept away from prying eyes, in case they're accepted I want them to be a mystery until the story unfolds.
Thank you all, and I hope you apply!
:Application:
Name: (First and Surname recommended, but if anything at least a nickname)
Species: (No legendaries, mythicals, anything else associated with those.)
Age: (Minimum age: 18. Maximum age: a reasonable age; please no one in a literal death bed surviving on machines. They aren't physically well enough to compete)
Gender: (Self explanatory)
Sexuality: (Self explanatory)
Hometown/Region: (Where do they live?)
Personality: (Who are they and how do they carry themselves in front of others and to themselves.)
Backstory: (How did your character become the way they are?)
Likes: (What do they like?)
Dislikes: (And dislikes?)
Strength: (What they're good at)
Weaknesses: (What they struggle with)
Any friends and/or family?: (List anyone they know of. Who knows, they might meet them in the distant future)
Anything I missed?: (Anything else you feel is important, please mention here.)