Results

All Good Things Must Come to an End

It's been 1 year, 10 months, and 20 days since Hyperspace opened for auditions - and what a time it has been!

Thank you all for joining us on this journey. Now, let's get this wrap-up show on the road!

Spectator Tournament Results

To those of you who were knocked out and decided to keep coming back for more, thank you! We have thoroughly enjoyed your entries.

In the end, two spectators tied for highest ticket total - Twilo101 and Harmony-Fox. Due to her official submission of a finale, first place goes to Harmony! Your finishing fight scene was very enjoyable, and it was sweet to see an end to Shivers' and Stitches story.

Instead of drawing names at random, we have decided to award all four who created spectator entries 10 extra shinies from our pool should they like them (to be given when you receive your main tournament shinies).

Hyperspace Tournament Results

Now, the news you've all been waiting for, the moment we have built to all this time - it's time to announce who won!

Let it be known that our finalists all fought long and hard - no matter the challenge, they faced it... but as the dust settles, only one team stays standing.

The winners of Hyperspace original character tournament are...

"Whether or not you get to fight at full strength, whether or not luck smiles on you--none of that matters. See, victory shines like a bright light. And right now, you and your Pokémon are shining brilliantly."

-Grimsley, Pokémon Black and White

Thank you for bringing us a story we'll cherish for years to come.

Congratulations to our winners - and our runners-up who came so far!

Some Memories

In light of their victory, let's take a look back at our winners' story! We've chosen some highlights from each round to talk about.

There's a long gap here to serve as a SPOILER BUFFER - STOP SCROLLING until you've seen the result above!

Round 4 - Chaos Parade

We're gonna start with the semi-finals, then work our way back - and save the finale for last.

I love the scene when the remaining competitors first see Hoopa's unstable portal - the artwork that reveals it is stunning, with dramatic composition that sells just how dangerous the situation is. Collective uncertainty is sliced by firm words from Ray - "We'll go."

As is later pointed out, this isn't the first time Ray's faced the choice of whether to jump through a mysterious portal to help another Pokémon - but now, he's confident in his choice, answering without delay. I read this as confirmation that, despite all the difficulties he's faced here, he doesn't regret that decision. Bell's hesitation allows Mo to speak up - he was the one in danger last time, and now he's ready to pay it forward!

Mylo and Frankie speak up next, followed by Samantha and even Louise (albeit begrudgingly). This gives Bell time to make up her mind - and she joins Team Ice-Breaker in their assured stance, reflective of her arc - "Count us all in." The dialogue maintains tension - it results in a unanimous decision, but this brief conflict provides contrast between everyone's reactions. It makes their individual decisions - and the roads they took to reach them - feel impactful.

When confronted with a river that flows upwards and goes far beyond the void, what is one to do? You create an ice boat, of course! This was a great callback to Ice-Breaker’s exploration technique back in Round 1. We also get the reveal built up from Team Lucky’s Foot entries: Hoopa and the gang have been collecting items so they can serve as anchor points to revisit dimensions. Not only is this a great way to build upon Hyperspace’s lore, it also serves as a Chekhov’s gun for when Bedlam found Mo’s headband in the cliffhanger ending. The river scene ending abruptly with the appearance of a wall was hilarious and a great way to show how everyone reacts to a sudden obstacle. 

Let us not forget the absolute best scene of the entry:

When Mo got to say FUCK.

Just kidding! I think the part I enjoyed the most was definitely the end fight with Bedlam. It was action-packed, thrilling and had a lot of memorable moments! Bell fooling the villain using Pollen Puff and making a Flower Trick explode right in the beast’s face was a great use of the character’s trickster personality, Ray knocking the massive legendary to the ground with Retaliate after seeing the state Lear left Mo in was very satisfying and emotional, and Blue Espurr’s valiant return on the back of the shiny Nihilego was both funny and exciting! (though I might obviously have some bias towards that last one hehe)

Of course, one scene in the fight stood above the others, one unanimously beloved by all three judges - Mo’s evolution!

Our heroes are beaten and left at the mercy of a cruel legendary who's clearly not planning to let them leave with their lives. Just when all seems lost the little Snom evolves at the last moment to save Ray from certain doom with a newly learned Stun Spore move! A great emotional climax to the entry and a brilliant conclusion to Mo’s arc this round. It really shows how much the character has grown throughout the tournament. The fact that Frosmoth evolves via friendship is also a neat detail that adds to the scene.

He was GREAT, he was POWERFUL, and he was SHINY!

Round 3 - Leap of Faith

In the depths of the Lilac Tower, hundreds of ice stars light up the darkness...

This entry had a lot of brilliant character interactions but this one particularly stuck with me. The heart-tugging moment of Mo trying to comfort Alex, paired with the stunning visuals of the illusory night sky created by Icy Wind made for a truly memorable scene.

It does a great job at really making you feel for Alex - a scared kid separated from his mom, whisked away to a world he doesn't understand, and stuck in a body that isn't his. The human-turned-Raboot's outburst at Mo's mention of Tabbs was also an effective way to show that he still feels guilty for denying Frankie the chance to reunite with Tanice by winning the previous round.

Mo himself however was the true star of the scene (pun intended) as it wonderfully showcased his caring side.  Despite Alex being his opponent, when the Snom sees him scared, his first course of action is to reassure the boy, summoning a mist of Icy Wind stars that he once used to quell his sister's fear of darkness and gently telling him he doesn't need to be strong all the time. 

This moment really puts an emphasis on the fact that, though showy and praise-loving, Mo is a compassionate and kind person, which comes into play in a later scene when-

...well, take it away Mattie!

How the Zorua encounter squeezed my heart! Alex is riddled with guilt and fear after being reminded on what happened with Bionic Meteorsaurus - and the body dysmorphia doesn’t help. Now he has to deal with an imposter situation! Which seemingly egomaniac Snom was the real one?! There was great suspense when Alex seemed to choose the fake one. It was stellar when instead, he attacked the fake and highlighted Mo’s positive strength - he’s overly confident but he wouldn’t put another person down. It was sweet how Alex apologized for how he acted earlier in the entry and risked placing his trust in his opponent. This moment also served as a good self-reflection to the ice bug and helped solidify Ice-Breaker’s goal on making people happy - by getting everyone home. 

It's funny to watch Ray and Rob repeatedly try doors to no avail - and the warped portraits in the gallery are similarly humorous. Moments of levity provide breaks from dramatic and horrifying scenes like Ray's realisation that Alex (and many others) are desperate for the tournament's prize. One particularly memorable serious scene was Ray's dream after falling victim to the sleep trap.

His reaction to seeing Lori's portrait immediately establishes how conflicted he feels about her - he recoils, but can't stop himself from approaching. Of course, it's a trap - and it gives Robert the perfect chance to race ahead. He tries to excuse leaving with several lines of reasoning, but in the end he can't bring himself to abandon Ray - and doesn't even know why. It's an interesting take on his character, as his intentions and relationship with Alex have been so blurry. We're left to question whether Rob cares, and here we see he does... at least a little.

We're invested in Ray's story and wondering about Lori. Her initial vagueness causes the tension to rise - she must have a reason not to submit their victory, but what could it possibly be? It's strange that she intended to keep her team in the dark - and when she explains, it's devastating. We join Ray on his emotional journey, yet can only imagine how he felt.

I assume the Misdreavus could have created any kind of Nightmare to torment Ray - but her best option was a simple memory.

Round 2 - Burning Bridges

Just as Horo Sentai Miraiger are about to unleash a devastating combo move the arena becomes covered with a thick mist from Mo's Icy Wind letting Ice-Breaker slip away into the frosty fog. In the moment of confusion, Ray sneaks up on King, switching Mo and Stag's places. As the angered Charmeleon throws the Snom back at the Sawk, Ray suddenly takes a swing and uses the Honedge to knock Mo across the isle towards a high-up Z-shard!

HOME RUN!!!

This fun and hilarious moment perfectly illustrates the creativity of the entry. Making a memorable OCT round centered around a Pokémon battle came with its unique set of challenges but this story definitely knocked it out of the park!

Another scene that showcased this entry's great fight choreography is no doubt the final showdown between Ray and King. The brief calm where Ray decides to stop holding back quickly accelerates to a fast-paced battle as the two characters exchange brutal blow after blow in a series of stunning, dynamic comic panels. The action builds rapidly until...

 The rocks at the island's edge give way under King's feet. Ray catches him at the last minute stopping his fall. A final moment of stillness where the Sawk has to decide whether to let go - literally of King and metaphorically of his past with Lori.

In the words of Merriweather Hyperspace herself, a lotta emotions in this one. 

Amongst King's fury at Ray, there's a moment of stillness. When the action dies down, he asks Ray a second time to explain - truly caring to know why he feels unable to fight. We get our first insight into Ray's relationship with Lori - and King's energy resurges when Ray mentions his concern about "betraying" his trainer. He interrupts, trying to tell Ray that his growth doesn't depend on anyone else - but it's Ray's turn to cut him off.

The buildup of intrigue and this intense reveal mimic Ray's bottled up feelings and outburst. It's the most emotion we've seen him express, as he yells at King, explaining that all his victories were shared with Lori. He asserts that "without her, [he's] nothing special" - which strikes a chord with King. Now, King's anger returns - but instead of launching a Thunder Punch, he grabs Ray by the gi and pulls him up to face him.

He shouts back, telling Ray how cool he is. Though King seems hotheaded, he has some valuable wisdom to share - "your freedom is not a betrayal to anyone". His words break through to Ray, who stands up, finally ready to start their battle - and the action is even more hype than ever.

This is such a nuanced portrayal of King - he's suffered at the hands of others, solely relying on himself until meeting Stag. In this way, they're foils - since Ray's used to having Lori and the rest of her team - and this scene explores that mirroring perfectly. It makes sense that King would want to see Ray gain independence, and provides Ray with some fitting character development. It's a fantastic implementation of an opposing character!

Mo vs. Stag - How do two Pokémon with limited mobility fight without their partners? Mo is quick to act, but Stag delivers a devastating blow! The bug nearly falls off by a spike and he’s able to gain an advantage by trickery. Unfortunately, Mo had to sacrifice himself in the process and thus, it equaled the odds between Ice-Breaker and Horo Sentai Miraiger. This had great choreography with the right amount of tension. I loved the callback later on with Mo dragging Stag away. During the fight, Mo was helping his teammate to win the tournament. In contrast to the moment in base camp, Mo did it so Ray has the space to develop his friendship with King.

Also, GOSH, that Infinity Crystal tree is stunningly beautiful! What an awesome way to show off a new dimension.

Round 1 - On Thin Ice

One of the greatest strengths that Beanie and GeeFee show in all of their entries is how they incorporate bits and pieces from other people’s stories (including the prompt announcements!). There was a seamless transition from the team color announcement to the other side of Zephyr’s interaction with Ice-Breaker from Steel Wind’s audition. Already, the audience knows how Ray and Mo interact and react towards other people. In turn, those relationships show just how far they have to go in terms of getting along. It was delightful to see everyone who passed auditions getting a cameo. 

So far, Ray and Mo have butted heads a lot - so it's satisfying to see them agree on something as they chastise queen Salazzle for her hypocrisy. This leads to the first of many amazing fight scenes in Team Ice-Breaker's adventure! Her initial use of Flamethrower gets us pumped up for the action - the typography used for all the moves is so cool!

I love the subtle touch that, even at the very start of the combat, Mo's ice helps Ray sweep in so quickly for his kick. It quietly tells us that Ray isn't a one-man show - Mo's just as important to the team as he is.

Every page in this sequence is extremely well-constructed - the action expertly guides our eyes through the panels, with foreshortening and motion lines to really sell the impact of every move. Each panel provides key information, which keeps the fight snappy and entertaining - including Matt's useless sacrifice. Poor guy - he only wanted to help.

The beam battle between Icy Wind and Flamethrower is, of course, awesome - but it's also a chance for a brief moment of emotion, as Mo cries over the loss of Lilac's keychain. I don't know if this is how I'm meant to read it, but I imagine he might feel grief in this moment because putting his all into a move like that is something he associates with participating in contests at her side. Ray seems upset by Mo's words as he summons one last Rock Slide to deal the finishing blow - and despite the queen's Counter dealing a hefty blow, and the rapid deterioration of his breathing gear, he instantly begins searching for the keychain.

Throughout this entry we see some very creative uses for Mo's Icy Wind, from the ice "umbrella" he makes to shield the two from the corrosive rain, to Ray traversing a pool of toxic mud using Mo like a fire extinguisher in order to make an frozen path through the muck.

This leads up to a scene at the end of the round. When Ray faints, weakened by poison and his fight with the Salazzle, Mo must find a way to carry his much larger teammate to a portal leading out of the swamp fast enough for the two to avoid disqualification. As he scrambles to think of something that might help he remembers the Sawk's words about everyone having their own strengths and weaknesses and so comes up with a plan that plays into his strengths - putting on a show! 

We then see him barrel out of the portal on a sparkling board made of ice, wowing the judges with his stunning entrance!

...Only for their amazement to turn to mild panic as it's revealed that the Snom froze his teammate in a block of ice in order to get him back to base camp.

A strong moment for the character, and a very funny one at that!

Audition - Into the Rabbit Hole

Into The Rabbit Hole, where it all began. And so, why don't we start at the very beginning?

From the very first moment that we see the members of team Ice-Breaker we get insight into their stories, as the events of their typical day are displayed side by side. In just a few panels we are shown Mo's life as a show Pokémon and Ray's fruitless search, all without a single word spoken. 

As the Snom sets off to find his human's lost moon key-chain, the Sawk looks solemnly at the paper in his hands revealing it to be a missing poster of his trainer. Once their paths cross both of their searches get cut short as a mysterious portal opens in the ground, causing first the lost trinket and then the two Pokémon to fall through. 

The intro is a simple yet effective introduction to the characters and their motives, and a brilliant example of show don't tell. It gives us a hook, a mystery and makes us care for the two right from the start! 

The thing that made me propose the idea of discussing these highlights isn't necessarily what you'd expect. There's the briefest moment in Beanie and GeeFee's audition I wanted to write an essay about - and I'd be damned if I wasn't about to carve out that chance.

Mo finds Lilac's keychain, and it's cruelly snatched away by Hoopa's portal. It lands in Merri's hair, and he tries desperately to get her attention. Sweating bullets, he watches her walk away - and knows what he must do. After a second, he tips himself in, falling into a swirling starry void.

Ray sees this and rushes to investigate. He locks eyes with a stranger, swiftly falling into the unknown. Ray only has a moment to make his choice. His expression mimics that of the Snom - dread, fear, concern... and a knowledge of what he must do. With no idea who this Snom is, where the portal leads, or whether he'd be able to get home, he closes his eyes, steps forward... and the story of Hyperspace begins.

This moment means so much to me, now that I know these characters so well. Of course Mo jumped in. Of course Ray did, too. It simply couldn't have happened any other way - and, despite all their hardships to come, I'm glad it didn't. This wouldn't be the first time one of Team Ice-Breaker will choose to help despite all the odds; and one day, this kindness would be paid back to Ray - by the very same Snom, evolved into Frosmoth... but we'll get to that.

The one where everything started. With two Pokémon that can’t go home either by human-only or Pokémon-only worlds, what convinces Ray and Mo to join the tournament? As Mo’s trainer said: “When you’ve hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up… or sideways.” This philosophy was embodied in every entry and helped keep the team’s resolve strong. Furthermore, it was humorous how Ray gained some respect towards Mo and subtly poked fun at him afterward. A good start to a budding friendship! 

Final - A World Apart

Maybe this is predictable, but so be it - I want to talk about the presentation of Two-Ring Circus. I appreciate it so much. It tells an interesting story about them without taking focus away from the main narrative - a great way to work judge NPCs into a story.

The introductory video about Hoopa's failed portal is a great beginning. It sets up the climax and gives context for the tournament the story has taken place through. The hosts' motives have remained a mystery, and they've seemed somewhat suspicious at times - but ultimately aren't malevolent despite the harm they've caused.

I wasn't sure how people would ultimately characterise my NPCs. I thoroughly enjoy the interpretation that the Hyperspace tournament was born from naivety. Perhaps we can all relate to making well-intentioned mistakes with unforeseen consequences - just maybe... not this extreme. I especially love Merri comforting Hoopa by casting an illusion of her Zorua self - the form it's used to seeing her take. That hit me right in the feels. She messed up, but she still cares - as we also see when base camp shatters and everyone escapes in the chaos. She can't make things right, but she never stops trying to be a good host until sealed off from the remains of her tournament.

Speaking of the conclusion... what an ending. I remember first clicking to the page where we see a certain portal open - the amorphous gate above Frankie's head, leading them directly to that they missed most: Tanice. My relief was immense, a smile split my face, and I teared up while reading. Sometimes, it can feel a bit too convenient when an OCT culminates in a happy ending for all involved - but with various revelations about Hoopa's power, and the terror of the whirling winds and crumbling terrain everyone had to overcome to reach their destinations, that doesn't apply here. I felt deeply glad.

It was emotional to watch Team Ice-Breaker make good on their promise from Lilac Tower. They saved everyone! Even stubborn old Louise! All the interactions were heartfelt and bittersweet. I was especially destroyed by seeing Hiroshi point out the hospital where Yoko is being treated.

I can't tell you how anxious I was when the darkness closed in on Ray and Mo as they dashed toward freedom (even if I was enjoying the similar composition to the ending of round three). I hesitated for a while before continuing - bracing myself for the worst. Again, I was so relieved to see the characters okay. It's poetic that in the end, it was Mo who carried Ray - saving him, and paying back his kindness. Seriously - who the fuck is cutting onions?

The epilogue was adorable, with fitting conclusions for all the story's prominent characters - most notably Team Ice-Breaker, Team Hokum, and Horo Sentai Miraiger. Seeing them hype Mo up at his re-debut was unbearably cute! I am so obsessed with the conclusion about the Hyperspace tournament - it was a terrible idea on Two-Ring Circus' part, but many good things came of it.

The finale has our heroes facing not one, not two but THREE major antagonists! Though it was certainly a challenge, the entry manages to balance the villains well, their stories intersecting and none feel like they take the spotlight away from the other.

My personal favorite is the fight against the Rider.

Right from the moment he appears, the dark gunman is established as a major threat when one of the bullets grazes Ray's cheek. No longer just a memory, nor a mere hallucination, the Rider is now tangible, he is armed, and one well-placed shot could mean the end for our protagonists.  

Luckily, this is where the opponent team shines as first Louise rushes in to take a bullet meant for the Sawk, defying his old master, then Samantha too stands up to her father attacking him with Flame Wheel and managing to snatch his revolver away. 

Though now disarmed and seemingly defenseless, the Rider does not go down this easily, using possession to take over the Scolipede and then even Ray.

The possession being depicted as the two mons sinking in a void of black tar was a very strong visual. Their conversation, where both admit to being overprotective of their teammates was heartfelt and it was great to see Ray manage to give hope to Louise, letting the Scolipede snap out of the ghostly gunman's control. 

With neither Louise nor Samantha listening to the villain's demands, the bug horse deals the finishing blow to his old owner.

Seeing the Rider meet his end by the horns of his own steed was an incredibly satisfying ending for the plotline, and a good way to include the opponent's story. It's also sweet that in the ending it's once again Ray who gives Louise hope for the future and convinces him to return to their home world with Samantha.

Speaking of... HOO BOY WHAT AN ENDING!

You thought I was done? Surprise! Lycan's not the only one who gets to be emotionally destroyed talking about the finale!

Right from the start we start with powerful visuals and high tension as the pocket dimension starts breaking apart, the sky itself shattering like glass, revealing a swirling vortex. What will become of the contestants now that base camp is slowly destroying itself, with the only one able to make a way out unconscious and gravely injured? Initially all seems lost when... a blurry portal opens up in the sky, followed by countless others. 

Behind them,  the characters' lost homes.

In the midst of all the chaos, it was really emotional to see Team Ice-Breaker decide to stay in the crumbling dimension until they were sure everyone makes it out safely, even if it meant the risk of losing their chance to return back home. As the panels showed the two helping others reach their portals one by one I cheered with excitement... but there was a certain bittersweet feeling to it. At this moment it started to dawn on me that it was time to say goodbye to all those characters. Their stories, as well as Hyperspace were coming to an end. 

In the end Ray and Mo fulfilled their promise of saving everyone, even helping the judges who, even if unintentionally, caused this disaster to happen.

The scene of the two racing against the rapidly disappearing dimension kept me at the edge of my seat, unsure until the very end if they were going to make it.

The epilogue got me right in the heart. It was an adorable and emotional conclusion to a wonderful finale.

7/10 too much water pouring out my eyes 

Disasters and antagonists, oh my! This entry brought another interesting answer to the Hyperspace lore. Why did Hoopa, a unique being that could interdimensionally travel to countless worlds, fail to create a portal to the human world? Because of the diabolical intervention by Bedlam! When their portals intersected- KABOOM!! Hoopa managed to escape the first time, unfortunately receiving some scars in the process. It’s also interesting to note that this event happened while Hoopa was in its Confined form. 

Later, the two titan Unbounds started to pummel each other - their chaotic fighting would destroy the base camp! Bedlam was unrelenting with her Sucker Punches, but Hoopa’s well-aimed Signal Beam knocked her out. We know that in Beanie and Geefee’s previous entry, Bedlam was strong enough to defeat an army of Ultra Beasts and Paradox Pokémon. Bedlam could only turn Unbound because of the Prison Bottle. Hoopa didn’t turn Unbound by restraint and choice, and those got taken away when Bedlam hurt Merriweather. With all that information in mind, we can sense just how terrifyingly powerful Hoopa is in comparison. 

After some intense tug-of-wars, the gang managed to calm down the rampaging Hoopa. But Bedlam, coming to her senses, would not stand for this! She hurled a portal at the tied-up Unbound Hoopa- KABOOM!! Hoopa barely escaped with its life, while Bedlam met her explosive demise. What a legendary showdown!

With Hoopa barely clinging to its lifeline, the pocket dimension started to break down… Oh c’mon, I GOTTA talk about the hypest moment in the round! The beautiful art and suspenseful text show how both dire and hopeful everything is - everyone else gets to go home, but what about Ice-Breaker? Each hop across the broken land has me biting my nails. When Ray and Mo are almost at their home portal, I’m on the edge of my seat.

At the mention of the cool breeze, I sigh with a great sense of relief. The epilogue brought a good ending to everyone prominent in Beanie and GeeFee’s entries. Finally, Mo’s contest was a great bow to tie everything together. I have to give a sincere round of applause, it has been an utter delight to experience this story. 

Looking Back (and Forward)

Hyperspace has been one crazy ride - through the ups and downs, the excitements and frustrations, the wins and the knockouts, the many greetings - and, finally, this goodbye - it's been amazing to share a love of Pokémon and storytelling with you all.

To both my fellow judges: from the bottom of my heart, thank you. You've been fantastic to work with from start to finish, and I couldn't be happier it's you two that I dragged along for this adventure. I appreciate the passion, creativity, and dedication you have ceaselessly brought to this project. The real expedition team was the friends I trapped in a salt circle along the way!

There's something really special about OCTs - a group of artists from around the world choosing to dedicate ourselves to the same project and all of our characters - in this case, for almost two years. A few of the characters in our tournament evolved - and I'm sure we have, too.

Seeya around, everyone!

Man, what a journey. This OCT brought on a lot of interesting challenges that I was happy to tackle alongside the judge team. I have to thank Lycan from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful opportunity. I remember talking to you about the PMD OCT in DeviantArt that never took off and you said “Hey, what if we did it ourselves?”. Fox, it has been a pleasure to work alongside you, your sense of humor has always brightened up my day! It was fun to bounce ideas and thoughts with you. To both, keep up with the awesome artwork!

I was a fan of Pokémon ever since Yellow came out. While my interest in the main series has waned over the years, the Mystery Dungeon series always had a special place in my heart. I have dozens of PMD characters stuck in the back cabinet of my brain - thank goodness Gran and Dora got to escape containment for a while! Now, they’ll settle back in. Perhaps in the distant future, they’ll get the smallest cameos in the fanfiction I want to write.

One thing I love about OCTs is how you can see so many diverse characters and storylines intersect with each other. Everyone in Hyperspace brought a unique perspective and there are takes I would never thought to consider. It’s great to analyze, take notes, and think about how to incorporate what I learned into the stories I want to tell.

Oops, can’t ramble for too long! There’s a party I gotta catch and a show I simply cannot miss.

Wow. Almost two years, huh? There’s always a certain melancholy that comes with an OCT coming to a close. Still, rather than being sad about it being over, it’s better to be happy that it happened, and Hyperspace was a truly unforgettable tournament that I’ll be looking back at fondly for a long time.

The Pokémon franchise and especially PMD have always been very near and dear to my heart, Explorers of Sky being especially nostalgic for me. Heck, even my journey as an artist started with the humble MsPaint drawings of Pokémon with scene haircuts 13 years ago.  

Huge thanks to Lycan for bringing me along for this project! It was my first time judging and I’d definitely be up for doing it again in the future! Him and Mattie have been an amazing team to work with! I had a ton of fun planning the prompts and discussing entries with you two, and I'm so proud that through all the ups and downs we pulled through to the end and managed to make something special.
For now, I wish both of you luck in your future OCT endeavors... Especially a certain... absent element... *wink wink*

And of course, thank you all for participating! It was a blast to read your stories and seeing everyone's different takes on the prompts! I hope to see y'all again in future OCTs!
All in all, that sure was a Hyper Space. 

"Take care, [player]. I was lucky to have known you. Though the parting hurts... the rest is in your hands!"

-Grovyle, Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky

Epilogue - "Sunny Day"

Lycan here. Canonically speaking, Beanie and GeeFee's finale is, of course, the ending of Hyperspace. When my last OCT ended, I wrote an epilogue - as a love letter to what the tournament's roster and staff built together, and to soften the weight of such a huge project ending for myself - and I've decided to do so again, with some notes from the other judges!

So, perhaps this is what happened when the staff of the Hyperspace tournament made it to Guildmaster Absol's hut. Enjoy.

"You have to be strong on your own. You have to live! You have to go home... Tell everyone about what happened here. So that... nothing like this ever happens again."

-The Player, Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky

“Hey, Merri - wait up!”

“You three show ‘em to safety. I’ll catch up to ya.”

“H-here - you two climb on my back, I can keep up with her.”

“Thanks. Through the door to your left, Merriweather.”

“And could you say something, buddy? Anything? You’re freaking us out - it’s gonna be okay!”

Espurr, Gran, Dora, Espurr, Espurr again. Merriweather vaguely registered who was talking, but only Green’s directions held meaning over the sound of her own panting. Her swirling thoughts were consumed by the Pokémon she clutched in her new arms. It had never seemed so small and fragile.

Various members of Absol’s guild were jolted by the hammering clacks of claws against wood as a gangly Zoroark strode to the medical wing, tailed by Purrmageddon astride an Ariados. Blue sheepishly waved ‘hello again’ to his colleagues, while Green focused on Merriweather, ensuring she didn’t barrel anyone over in her charge.

When they finally arrived, Merri stood stiff at the centre of the ward, fur on end as she steadied her iron grip on Hoopa. She knew these Pokémon were here to help - the Seviper and Clefable gently urging her to lay Hoopa in a cot - but… didn’t they understand? It was all she had now. She couldn’t just let go.

One of them opened their mouth to spill more droning, meaningless static. “I’m sorry, Espurr, but we’ll have to use force if she doesn’t cooperate soon.”

Blue stood atop Dora’s abdomen, holding out a paw - first halting the medics, then stretching both arms toward Hoopa. “C’mon, Merri. We’re gonna put ‘em in good hands… ‘n’… whatever snakes have.”

As his sister copied his pose, Merriweather stared blankly at the twins. They widened their grins, and Dora joined in as best they could with their mandibles. Most would have seen the cheesy smirk of a slacker, an unconvincing grimace, and a creepy gaping maw.

Merriweather, though, saw her friends. She whipped to face the doorway as Gran stumbled through - huffing, wheezing, catching his breath as he slumped against its frame - and she remembered, briefly, she wasn’t alone.

Her ears twisted back to Purrmageddon, and slowly her gaze followed. “Here,” she eked softly, loosening her grip just enough to allow their Psychics to guide it to a bed.

She slumped.

It was over.

Like usual, there was nothing left she could do.

It was raining on the seventh day since base camp’s destruction. Absol sensed the torrential downpour prior; everyone was on strict orders to stay indoors. He supposed, then, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that the blue-scarfed Espurr had snuck outside - his sister and the newcomers with him.

Hoopa hadn’t woken up yet. Everyone knew it would - it was just a matter of time. Between Grand Aid and the guild’s medics, they cared for it round the clock. The giggles and murmurs in its sleep were growing more frequent, and its vitals had stabilised… Gran half-suspected it was only pretending by now - for the free lie-in.

His and Dora’s shifts with Hoopa notwithstanding, the other Hyperspace ex-staff also took the chance to catch up on sleep. Merri was the only one left restless, ever at Hoopa’s bedside, nervously watching each sunrise after another night of her partner’s coma. She knew they weren’t faking.

Today, Dora convinced her to go outside again… just in time for the storm. Once anyone realised she was gone, the only traces of the Zoroark were pointy pawprints trailing into the woods, slowly pooling with rain.

So, when Gran’s shift ended, the ex-staff had gone looking.

“She’s a darn hypocrite, that girl,” he grumbled, hauling his crutch over an exposed tree root. “When I told ‘er Hoopa’d run off - well, I’ve never seen a face so horrified!”

“I don’t think she’s q-quite back with us, yet,” said Dora - “give her time.”

“How long will she need?” asked Green, staring up at the canopy. Her brother shrugged. Grand Aid exchanged a glance.

“Arceus knows,” they responded.

Merri had no idea how long it had been, or how far she’d gone. All she knew was that she was lost. She walked, and walked, and walked, unsteady as if newly hatched.

She didn’t know where she was going, only what she walked away from; Hyperspace, the stupid tournament she so desperately wanted to forget. It was her and Hoopa’s biggest mistake - and, while it was unconscious, hers alone to bear. She couldn’t take it any longer, and being around the others only made it worse. She’d tried tallying how many people got hurt by Two-Ring Circus’ antics, but always lost count before she could even add her fellow judges to the list.

Finally, she was drawn halfway from her stupor by something in a clearing before her… a lone tree stump, just like the one from base camp. Tentative, she crept around it in a wide arc, observing it from every angle as if analysing a threat. Cold water fell freely here, soaking her to the bone.

After one full lap, she stopped walking - and it all hit her at once.

Great sobs wracked her body, and she doubled over in the mud, ponytail plastered to her shoulders in a cascading mess. She was freezing, but that didn’t matter - she hugged herself, clutching at her torso like she did Hoopa’s a week ago, as though her own two paws were the only things holding her together.

Now, just as she had walked, she cried, and cried, and cried. Her warm tears plipped into her lap alongside countless raindrops.

She didn’t notice the four Pokémon standing behind her in the treeline, exchanging glances, wondering who should step forward first. When they realised Merri’s weeping wouldn’t stop on its own, they approached the situation as they always did, now - together.

Merri heard the squelches of their approach, raising her head and twisting her ears in an attempt to assess - but before she knew what was happening, she was swaddled by the warmth of their embrace.

The sobs carried on, joined by small fits of something new - giggles.

“S-seriously?!” she asked when she finally swallowed the lump in her throat. “I-I thought you guys would be mad.”

“When did we say that?” Green asked in response - she was latched onto Merri’s waist, and squished her ever tighter.

“Yeah, kiddo. Things ain’t that black ‘n’ white,” chimed Gran.

Once Merri caught her breath, the quartet released their group hug. “Come on, everyone,” said Dora gently, “I can see a cave beyond those bushes - let’s go and dry off.”

The party began to approach the shelter - before a loud splat interrupted them, followed by a shocked gasp from Merri.

Blue used Psychic!

“THAT’S for thinking we’d be mad!” yelled Blue, having hurled a mud pie at her back.

She turned to the tiny Pokémon, jaw slack. He fell about in a fit of laughter, floating above the ground, eyes shut tightly.

“Oh dear,” murmured Dora.

“Oh, yeah?” asked Merri. She stormed up to him, her looming shadow prompting Blue to reopen his eyes.

“Wuh-oh.”

Merriweather used Sucker Punch!

The Zoroark dumped an armful of dirt on the Espurr, dowsing him (and his outfit, causing Green to wince) in a taste of his own medicine. Gran released a hearty guffaw, leaning his crutch against a nearby tree.

“No you don’t, y-you old fool, you’ll mess up your dressings–” Dora began to protest, before her partner kicked a spray of mud to splash his squabbling friends.

Gran used Earthquake!

“That’s it!” the Ariados cried, rearing back. They raised both forelegs into the air before slamming them down toward Gran, plunging into the soft ground.

Dora used Poison Jab!

Heads turned as a wall of mud surged up and over her partner. He twisted in a futile attempt to avoid the worst of it, laughing until he began spitting. “PLEUGH! Pah - some of that got on my tongue, ya rotten bug!”

The group laughed as their combat escalated - and, after an expertly-timed Ally Switch on her brother’s part, even Green got involved.

After playing for a while, Gran’s energy depleted - so the five of them stood together in the rain, wordless, faces tilted to the sky as they let it cleanse them. Whether thanks to their running around, a shift in the temperature, or each other’s company, none of them felt cold anymore.

“You don’t normally let it rain, Merri,” said Blue. “I’m glad you did.”

She turned to him with glistening eyes, smiling warmly. “Me too, Espurr. I think I’m ready, though.”

Raising both arms, she drew a deep breath, focusing intently.

Merriweather used Sunny Day.

The clouds above them - the entire forest - were blown away, whisked off as if in a swift current. Daytime had escaped them - dusk hung over the treeline, a round and watchful sun staining the dark sky amber. A haze formed over the ground as the rainwater evaporated, leaving the clearing dry.

“Okay,” Merri said to herself, then took a deep breath. “I’ve been trying to avoid it - at least until Hoopa wakes up. But I don’t think it’s right for me to wait any longer. Let’s… talk about Hyperspace.”

And talk they did.

Each of them shared stories of their time in base camp, the swamp, the sky isles, the tower, and the distorted dimensions beyond Hoopa’s forked portal. There were laughs to be had, and bittersweet memories of connections formed with Pokémon - people - they would probably never see again.

Back to her usual self, Merri spoke the most. The rest didn’t mind listening.

She talked about how excited she was to try to help people - and how naive she felt for not realising the harm she and Hoopa might have done by taking them from their homes.

She talked about watching amazing battles, and careful conversations, and evolutions. She talked about the arguments she heard, and their resolutions - friendships forged, and lessons learned.

She was thankful to hold Hoopa, even though it was a ghost-type. She was relieved to be sure the most important person to her would wake up soon, even though they were sick. She was glad that here, dark- and ghost-types were treated equally - and the world outside Mystery Dungeons felt safe. She was grateful for the Pokémon sitting with her, and that nobody was trying to drive them apart. She felt a duty to protect them - and she hoped they never kept secrets, because they could all trust each other.

She talked about how much she loved them.

She was sad she’d never see Mo perform again. She wished she could watch Ray battle one last time. She talked about them saving everybody, and praying Team Ice-Breaker made it through to the top of that building - with all their new friends.

The others helped her see the upsides of everything that happened. Yes, she and Hoopa had been reckless, and they had hurt people; but for as long as Merriweather spoke of the guilt - and the dread that seeing a Raboot, Gardevoir, or the like would forever make her gut contort - she admired the unbreakable bonds that formed in their tournament.

She looked up at the stars - a faraway bed of twinkling pinpricks, just like she’d seen beyond the shattered sky of base camp when everyone rushed their goodbyes. With a tilted head, she asked if the others thought those were their competitors’ worlds - and whether they could all see this world, too. They took turns pointing, suggesting who might be where.

And, once everything else was said and done, she talked about not knowing what to do next.

“Well, us and Mandy put in a good word for you with Absol,” said Blue, nudging his sister.

“Ms Mandarin,” Green corrected.

“Wait– you did?” Merri baulked. “I… I don’t know, we’ve been doing rescues for so long, but… never with any sort of structure like that.”

“That’s yer problem!” exclaimed Gran. “Not to rub it in after all that. But when you two goofs were in charge, ya went a little crazy with it, eh?”

“I guess so,” said Merri. “Would you come with us?”

Grand Aid exchanged a glance. “That’s a lovely idea, Merriweather, but… I think Gran and I could do with a little less excitement for a while! We were talking with the guild about joining the medical team here.”

“And I was thinkin’ about borrowin’ their kitchen. I still need to make the greatest dish in the universe, gra-ha-ha!”

“Oh! That’s a great idea!” Merri responded with a smile. “What about you two?” She turned to Purrmageddon.

“You already know you’re always welcome with us, Merriweather,” said Green.

“Yeah, what she said - but, like, less formal,” agreed Blue.

“Thank you. I… I still don’t know if we’re up to scratch - or if Hoopa will even want to join a guild.”

Gran placed a hand on Merri’s shoulder. “Don’t discredit yourself, Merri. Ya made a mistake - but we all have. It coulda been worse.”

“A little while ago, I overheard a Snom say something very wise,” said Green. She cleared her throat. “When you’ve hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up…”

Merri grinned and righted herself, hopping onto the stump to cry the final words with Hyper Voice. The group announced in unison -

“...or sideways!”

Thanks for playing.
- Lycan, Mattie, and Fox