Round 4
This prompt is for those who wish to participate in our Spectator Tournament that runs adjacent to the central OCT! Remember you can't compete in both tournaments at the same time (those knocked out of the central tournament can join in on spectator prompts, though).
Prompt - “Finale Fix-Up”
While Hoopa did its best to maintain the semi-finalists’ portal, Merriweather paced back and forth, offering words of encouragement - altogether feeling rather useless.
“Uhm, H-Hoopa? I… I don’t want to leave you here, I just… Do you think it would be helpful if I go ask everyone at camp to help set up a new final? We could… host round five right here,” she suggested meekly. “Th-that way, you don’t need to make another portal!”
Hoopa’s only response was a strangled grunt.
“I know it’s not what we planned,” the Zorua continued, “but perfection is the enemy of ‘good’, right? We have a lot of mon-power behind us if I ask all of them - they have nothing better to do..!” She looked at them expectantly. As it turned to face her, the oversized Hyperspace Hole careened wildly - Merri yelped, scampering up a dry tree to escape its path. Seemingly, the mythical couldn't muster a clear response.
“That's okay... I’ll go ahead, then,” she said. “Stay strong, alright?”
She scurried back to camp’s centre, rounding up as many spectators as she could find around her tree stump.
“GOOD AFTERNOON, SPECTATORS. AS YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED, OUR PLANS FOR ROUNDS FOUR AND FIVE HAVE BEEN DISRUPTED. I’D LIKE TO ENLIST YOUR HELP IN SETTING UP OUR FINAL ROUND HERE, AT BASE CAMP.” Even through Hyper Voice, her tone trembled - she paused for breath, twitching, before shaking off her nerves. “I'm the only member of staff available, so come to me if you have any questions. I'm open to ideas - they don’t need to be extravagant, whatever seems doable so we can finish up the competition..!”
She hopped down from her little stage, offering a feverish smile to those who’d listened.
While Hoopa did its best to maintain the rescue teams’ portal, Merriweather offered words of encouragement - though anxiety scratched at the back of her mind. Eventually, she spoke up.
“Uhm, H-Hoopa? I… I think I need to go make sure everyone at base camp is safe. Just in case…” she trailed off, tail hanging low.
Hoopa stayed silent.
“It’s not that I don’t trust you -” she hurriedly explained - “I-I think by now you should know that I do, always. I also know how strong you are.” She looked at them, awaiting a response. Hoopa’s pupils darted to her for a second before returning to the Hyperspace Hole - she knew, deep down, she couldn’t expect more than that.
“Yeah. Okay. Well, I’ll go make sure everyone’s all set..! Stay safe, alright?”
She scurried back to camp’s centre, rounding up as many spectators as she could find at the biggest tent in camp.
“HELLO! THANKS FOR COMING OVER! As you’ve probably noticed, things… aren’t quite going to plan. But… that’s okay - nothing turns out quite how you expect, right?” It sounded as if the Zorua was trying to convince herself more than the crowd standing around her. She sighed. “Tournament’s cancelled. I’m sorry. Right now, we have something… more pressing to worry about. Please, everyone, stay inside. Do everything you can to reinforce this tent. Be ready for the worst - and by that, I mean…”
She hesitated, gulping. “I mean Hoopa.”
After a moment, she took a deep breath. “I’m trying to keep things in order, but you guys should make sure you’re prepared - just in case. Look after each other.”
Spectators who are gathered while Round 4 of the Hyperspace Tournament occurs must either help set up a finale for the Hyperspace tournament at Base Camp, or bunker themselves in the largest tent in case Hoopa attacks.
Either description of events may be altered to suit your entry, so long as the prompt itself is consistent.
Dimension
Base Camp, as described on our Premise page in the "Setting" section. For those choosing the blue version of the prompt: you may decide what the purpose and appearance of the largest tent are.
Rules
Choose one version of this prompt (red or blue) to use in your entry. In line with your choice, either:
Show your character(s) helping Merriweather to set up for round five! You can decide what this hypothetical round would involve - e.g. an obstacle course, team vs team battle, points-based target range, ball sport, etc.
Show your character(s) reinforcing the largest tent in camp - and otherwise preparing for the possibility Hoopa turns Unbound and loses control of its power!
Submit entries (after submitting your characters to be screened, as described on our Character Creation and How to Enter pages - the process is very similar for competitors and spectators) via email to HyperspaceOCT@gmail.com (it helps us if your subject line includes "Spectator Round 4 entry").
Please keep in mind our regulations for the spectator tournament:
Spectator entries don’t need to be as extensive as entries in the main tournament to be accepted, but they can be if you’d like! They may be as brief as one illustration or a few paragraphs, just make sure we can see what your characters are doing.
Don’t show characters who are competing in the main tournament taking part in spectator prompts - during this one, they are currently in the uncharted dimension described in the central tournament's round 4 prompt.
One additional ticket will be granted for depicting your character(s) doing each of the following (in line with your choice of version):
Planning a task for round five and suggesting it to Merriweather before helping to set it up,
Using a move and/or ability to help - making the most of their unique skillset,
Testing out part of the apparatus or arena for round five.
Reacting to the implication that Hoopa could be dangerous in a way that demonstrates how they're feeling,
Using a move and/or ability to help - making the most of their unique skillset,
Helping another team (excluding Two-Ring Circus) to prepare - this could be physically and/or emotionally.
For details on earning base tickets with your entry, see the Spectator Tournament page. Good luck!
Deadline
14th May 2024, 23:59BST.