[PKMN] SPACE CASE!

[skinstealer]

LAST TIME...on SPACE CASE!
Training done, the League awaits...why has the gym's new management caused such a ruckus in Pewter City? No new information could be found...but now it's time to get down to it!

Let's get serious and find out what's going down in:

EPISODE 5: PEWTER GYM (PT. 1)

---

EERIE: ....
EERIE: Are you sure this is the-

 

You look up at the number on the building, and then thhe nearby street sign.

You look back at the paper in your hand.

And then again

and again.

STRETCH: Yes.

 

Your team is standing in a back alley off of a less traveled street.

The door corresponding with the address given is basement level, down a short set of steps and decorated with pumpkin shaped string lights. 

There is a makeshift gym insignia on side of the building, as well as a "NEWLY OPENED!" sign.

FILIGREE: ...wow.
FROND: Isn't the League...supposed....to give them-
FILIGREE: A budget?
STRETCH: Yes.
MINERVA: ...that's...not good, is it?
EERIE: No, it's a great first impression.
EERIE: Can't wait to get my shit kicked in due to a badly placed strip of duct tape.

 

Everyone looks

so unsure.

Worried, maybe even scared.

You brought them here, you're the team coach. The team captain.

You should say something comforting.

STRETCH: ....
STRETCH: We work with what we have.

 

Shit.

STRETCH: And-
STRETCH: I'm
STRETCH: Sure it will be.
STRETCH: fine.

 

ohhhh you are so fucking bad at this.

EERIE: ....I sure hope so. 
MINERVA: All we can do is our best.
FROND: What are we waiting for, then?!

 

He's already hopping down the steps.

STRETCH: fuck's sake

 

You all hustle behind. Filigree nearly tripping down the steps with their shorter limbs.




Inside the gym, is-

FROND: Dude!
FROND: It's a bar!

 

You wince as he gets so excited, motioning for him to lower the volume.

STRETCH: please be quiet before you make a scene.

 

Your efforts to quiet him are in vain, pokemon of all kinds turning to face you all


in your very conspicuous battle uniforms.

????: ....
????: Holy shit, the loudspeaker was right.

 

A raichu rises to their feet, raising a glass.

????: We got some for real!

 

The bar claps and cheers, sounding completely unlike any battle audience you've ever heard. Something about it feels...different.

????: PEWTER'S GOT SOME CHAMPS!

 

The cheering gets louder.

STRETCH: ah
FROND: ...dude...
FILGREE: They think we're heroes. 
MINERVA: If the gym's been doing so badly, then we might as well be....

 

Eerie can't help but grin.

EERIE: I won't say no to some recognition.
STRETCH: H-
STRETCH: Hey

 

You gently tap the bone on her side.

STRETCH: careful.

 

Her grin disappears, moving her hand to cover it.

EERIE: ....Right.

 

A crowd materializes and pushes you along to the far end of the bar, a fancy elevator standing out like a sore thumb.

????: Head on down! 
????: You've already got some good folks down there live-
????: But we'll all root for you-

 

The raichu points to a goddamn sports TV.

????: Right up here!
STRETCH: H
????: Don't eat shit!

 

Everyone applauds as your team steps inside.

FILIGREE: Into the belly of the beast, I guess.

 

Frond punches the singular button pointing down, and off you go.




The doors open.
The scent of dust and incense hits you immediately.




A figure steps forward.

????: Welcome to the Pewter City Gym.


 

The pokemon in front of you bows, a floating, lithe figure of a completely unidentifiable species. His head is round and covered by a balaclava, completely featureless other than a wispy ring of something golden and gaseous seeping out from underneath. A beautiful, antique dress swishes gently with his back-and-forth sways, decorated with spiderweb embroidery and lacy edges. His posture sways, his fishnet-covered legs accentuating the unsteady hovering.

????: My name is Caress!
CARESS: The Shooting Stars, isn't it?
STRETCH: ...that's us.
CARESS: Wonderful! 
CARESS: Just wonderful.
CARESS: It is lovely to meet you all.

 

Your attempt at analyzing your greeter is interrupted.

EERIE: Holy shit.

 

Eerie and the others have been busy looking at their environment, initially lost in your tunnel vision.

STRETCH: Ah.

 

You are in a large, open space with tunnel-like hallways in all directions- in front of you, to the left, to the right- all with incredibly tall ceilings, and judging by the fact that you can't make out a roof of this opening section-

CARESS: Isn't it beautiful?
CARESS: The bar our group purchased many years ago was built on top of old mining tunnels.
CARESS: Getting permits for such a thing were far easier than expected..

 

He laughs, his sleeve leaving afterimages as he covers his mouth.

CARESS: But I doubt they expected these renovation plans!
FILIGREE: How...deep does it go?
CARESS: Deep enough to function as our gym, as well as housing for our staff and community efforts.
CARESS: The underground life doesn't suit everyone, but for those who need refuge away from the harshness, of, well...

 

His eyes flick to Eerie's hip.

CARESS: The current situation
CARESS: It's quite nice.
MINERVA: ....

 

Minerva wanders the opening area, examining the walls and floors. It's decorated to resemble a manor of some kind- albeit some kind of likely-abandoned, haunted one.

MINERVA: I wish I had known about this...
CARESS: Unfortunately, our outreach has had to be rather covert up until establishing ourselves as a gym.
CARESS: Getting the League's backing puts us on the map as a point of interest, as well as an ideal space to meet those making this sort of bold life decision.
CARESS: Or, it would-
FROND: If they weren't stonewalling you.
CARESS: Someone's done their homework.
STRETCH: There wasn't much to study.
STRETCH: ...which told us plenty.
CARESS: Yes, our abnormal scenario is...
CARESS: It's something we're hoping to change.
CARESS: In fact-!

 

He claps his hands.

CARESS: You've come at a perfect time!
CARESS: This week is the first we've been able to work out a proper deal with the local broadcasting stations.
CARESS: You'll be our first live challengers.

 

You can't help but feel your nerves spike, more than you'd like.


You came here to get to the top.
This is a part of that.

FROND: WHOO!
FROND: We're gonna be on TV after all!
EERIE: Good.

 

Eerie glances over at Caress, meeting his suspicious eyes.

EERIE: Gives us a chance to prove ourselves.

 

Caress's eyes narrow unpleasantly, his voice still cheery- but strained, this time.

CARESS: See to it that you do.
CARESS: Our gym requests no punches be pulled.
STRETCH: We'll give you our all.
STRETCH: ....nothing less.

 

He nods, walking down a side hallway and gesturing for you to follow.

CARESS: The manor is structured as follows:
CARESS: You'll proceed down these hallways.
CARESS: In each hallway, you'll be presented with a challenge.
CARESS:
FROND: ...where's the live audience gonna be?
CARESS: Rest assured, they can see everything. 
CARESS: One way mirrors are very in vogue!

 

Minerva can't help but laugh nervously.

MINERVA: E-even now?
CARESS: No, not until you enter the first test.
CARESS: Trust me-
CARESS: You'll know!
CARESS: Once you clear a hallway, you'll see an elevator like the one you came in.
CARESS: You can either go up to quit your challenge, or further down to proceed to a battle.
CARESS: You have three challenges and three battles to clear, and if you succeed-
CARESS: A fight with Cleave is guaranteed!
CARESS: Does that sound acceptable?
STRETCH: ...yeah.
STRETCH: Easy enough.
CARESS: Marvelous.

 

He unlocks a room off to the side, waving for you to enter with a flourish.

CARESS: Inside you will find your waivers, rules, and regulations.
CARESS: Once finished, please meet with me one at a time outside in this hall.
EERIE: One at a time...?
FILIGREE: Why, exactly?
CARESS: You'll see in the paperwork!

 

Eerie grumbles as you all file inside, clearly displeased with such a noncommittal answer. 


The room inside is an elaborate parlor, lit by a fireplace and wall sconces.

MINERVA: Oh, it's lovely!

 

She bounces excitedly onto one of the larger couches- supporting her weight just fine despite how old it appears. The golbat pats the seat next to her, getting you to nab some papers as you shyly scoot over.


Filigree sits on the ground, Eerie taking a chair next to them. Frond flops directly in front of the fire, rolling around for a moment.

EERIE: What are you...doing?
FROND: I never get to be near fireplaces!
FROND: Mom always said they were bad for me.
STRETCH: ....you're an ice type.
FROND: Preeeeetty sure the ground thing neutralizes it. 
STRETCH: It doesn't.

 

You start in on your paperwork, gently leaning on Minerva to ease your nerves. You don't have to look up to know she's smiling, and while you'd usually be self conscious as fuck over any of it, you know that quelling your anxiety is your biggest priority. 

Standard injury clauses, information about entrance fee, refunds, dress code...

Move registration, limitations on usage, stat and typing checks....

Lawyer speak, lawyer speak, lawyer speak-

EERIE: ....hey.

 

She leans down to Filigree, pointing out a clause in the paperwork.

EERIE: The fuck does that mean.

 

The bellsprout pushes their leaf-hair out of the way, squinting.

FILIGREE: It says...uh-
FILIGREE: ....
FILIGREE: Oh.
MINERVA: What?
MINERVA: What is it?

 

Filigree points it out on her own paperwork, the bat holding a wing to her face and giggling.

MINERVA: Oh! Oh, this is-
MINERVA: This will be fun!
FROND: Fun? 
FROND: Is it something cool?

 

Once he reads it, he laughs loud enough to make you jump.

FROND: No way!
EERIE: Hey, seriously-
FROND: I would have thought-
EERIE: Just tell me!

 

You squint and find where everyone's fussing about.





....while the gym's intent is not to titilate or arouse, some may find the BDSM-inspired strategies presented here....

STRETCH: you have got to be kidding me
EERIE: It stands for WHAT
FROND: Look, they have a safeword system and everything-
STRETCH: How the fuck do you know wh-
FROND: I like internet searching like anybody else!
EERIE: Let me-
EERIE: Let me get this straight.
EERIE: EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM KNOWS ABOUT WHAT THIS IS
EERIE: EXCEPT ME

 

No one says a word, the rhyhorn putting her head in her claws.

EERIE: Oh my god, I'm surrounded by perverts.

 

Filigree taps her knee, pointing to the next clause.

FILIGREE: ....look here.
FILIGREE: They- they have precautions.
FILIGREE: If you want to change to a more standard battling experience, they...offer that.
FILIGREE: ....never heard of somewhere offering that before....

 

You raise your brows, the bellsprout panicking a little.

FILIGREE: B-but!
FILIGREE: It- it means if you don't want, the, theme-
FILIGREE: ...you don't have to.
FILIGREE: And we all get collective input on what's allowed and what isn't.
FILIGREE: It's- bold, as a decision.
FILIGREE: Most gyms would never allow such flexibility.

 

Eerie's leg jiggles, the rhyhorn letting out an irritated snort.

EERIE: So.
EERIE: I can opt out of-
EERIE: Whatever this is.
EERIE: Getting my ass tied up and beat or any of this other freak shit.
FILIGREE: it's a little more complicated than that
EERIE: And y'all get to go on and do the "intended experience"
EERIE: Bullshit. I want the same treatment as everyone else.
EERIE: The ghost guy said it himself.
EERIE: He wants people who-

 

She makes air quotes with her claws.

EERIE: Don't hold back!
EERIE: And he had the nerve to look at me like I'm-!

 

She crosses her arms.

EERIE: I can take whatever-
EERIE: Whatever this is.
EERIE: I've been through worse!




 

....





You have to fully press your cheek against Minerva's shoulder to steady your racing heart.



BDSM themed. BDSM themed.


The fuck are you supposed to do about that?


That- 




It's-



Come on.



It'd be fine.



You're here to win.

You're here to win.

Here to win.

To the top. 

Game face.

Come on.







BDSM wasn't even something you were interested in. 


That'd be- 
that'd be too far.




You feel the tiniest twinge of pain in your back, and have to take a deep breath.



Blood drinking is different.

The B doesn't stand for blood.




Besides, that was practical for Minerva.



And-

The sex helped you level up.
It was completely practical training.
In fact, it had gone so well and was so tactically sound that you wouldn't even have to engage much with this BDSM thing.





You're a genius.



Top of your class.





Minerva leans over.

MINERVA: What an intriguing start to our journey...
MINERVA: Aren't you excited?
STRETCH: H
STRETCH: Y
STRETCH: Yeah.
STRETCH: Should be good.
FROND: And we get to show people how cool we are on TV!
EERIE: Dude just wants to get punted for fun, said as much at the training grounds.
FROND: I'm sure I'll be very good at it.
FILIGREE: If nothing else.....
FILIGREE: I like the vibe of this place.
FILIGREE: They're trying something new.
FILIGREE: Not a lot of gyms are this...
FILIGREE: Radical.
FROND: An entrance to remember!

 

You look up from the paper, its words long since blurred in front of you.


Everyone looks


happy.

Excited.


Even Eerie.






Why are-




Your chest hurts.




....why does looking at them make you feel just a little more at ease?

EERIE: Welp, I'm all ready to go.
EERIE: I'll take first turn with the weird ghost guy.
FROND: Me next!

 

Eerie takes her papers and heads out the door, the rest of you turning back to your own.




Frond leaves next.






Then Filigree.






Minerva rises from her seat, gently removing you from her shoulder.

MINERVA: Will you be okay to-
STRETCH: Yeah.
STRETCH: I'm
STRETCH: Almost done.


 

She gives you that smile of hers, patting you on the head. 



The warmth helps.


The door closes behind her, leaving you to stare at the last clause of the forms.

CARESS: Are you ready?
STRETCH: ....yes.

 

You inhale, keeping your voice as steady and professional as possible, the words memorized over the last ten minutes.

STRETCH: I consent to exposure to all listed risks and challenges.
STRETCH: I consent to potential harm to my mind and body.
STRETCH: I consent to being filmed and broadcasted.
STRETCH: I consent to my image being used in promotion, archival, and other gym-related purposes.
STRETCH: ....
STRETCH: I consent to all BDSM-related aspects of the gym challenge.
CARESS: Any limitations?

 

You swallow.

STRETCH: I-
STRETCH: N-
STRETCH: ....
STRETCH: I don't
STRETCH: want to be-

 

The words come out as a whisper, Caress listening with care.

CARESS: That's simple enough. 
CARESS: I promise you-
CARESS: That won't come up.
CARESS: And as listed in the forms-
STRETCH: ....this won't be shared.
CARESS: I promise. Legally binding.
STRETCH: .....thank you.


 

The rest of your group is waiting in the lobby, locked in conversation.
They only turn when Minerva waves.

FROND: You all good, dude?
EERIE: What took 'ya?
STRETCH: ....
STRETCH: I was being thorough.
CARESS: And there's nothing wrong with that.
CARESS: And with that, your preferences have been recorded-
CARESS: Last thing!
CARESS: As noted in the paperwork, you will only be allowed tag-outs with the use of a specific word or phrase.
CARESS: Once you use it, you are out of the match-
CARESS: But considering the nature of our challenges, using them will be necessary.
CARESS: Standard switch rules otherwise apply. 
CARESS: You must mutually declare your tag unless the battling mon is unable to do so for themselves, be it due to an inability to fight or a condition like sleep.
CARESS: You must replace them in their exact position, regardless of what attacks are incoming.
CARESS: Use of throwing, tossing, sliding, mobility devices and aids, use of moves, etcetera, in an effort to get on and off the field is permitted so long as party members are switched efficiently.
CARESS: Failure to do so will lead to penalties, and possible disqualification.
CARESS: So!
CARESS: Your safewords, please.
MINERVA: Pudding for me! 
EERIE: Going with marigold. 
FROND: Parasol!
FILIGREE: Apricot.
STRETCH: ...Tractor.
EERIE: Du-
CARESS: Remember!
CARESS: No mockery!
CARESS: You all signed the forms.

 

Eerie immediately shuts up.

EERIE: ...cool word. Good job.
CARESS: Much better!


 

---

 

With strange regulations and deep rooted fear in its heart, Stretch is face to face with more than a few primal anxieties...will it survive its biggest challenge yet? 

 

No suggestions this time, folks- this is a FIVE PARTER! 

Find out next time...on SPACE CASE!