Chapter 1 - So Long, Farewell

[BrianL03]

Robyn shudders, thinking of the violence that just occured during the last match. Settling her head on Ami's shoulder, she hugs the other girl close and weeps.

"I don't understand! I just don't understand! Couldn't they tell that neither 'mon was really going to win? That pushing Infini on was just another exercise in futility, and that if Infini went wild again, there could have been another horrible accident like what happened to that Vee?"

Robyn lifts her head and looks Ami straight in the eyes, "I don't want to send Tipper into battle like that... I just want to know that there's someone else who sees this fighting as completely pointless and that I don't ever want to see Tipper fall in a battle such as that ever again... Pointless machismo, I tell you! Machismo!"

[itches]

"It's our job now", Ami says holding her girl softly. "We're going to have to do some untasteful things in the course of it. I would never do that to Lio, nor expect you to do it to Tripper, but if Will feels that is what he needs to do to fulfil our mission, there is little we can do to stop him."

Looking down to where Tripper lays on the ground, Amicula frowns.

"How is she?"

[BigRedRod]

Ami's question remains unanswered as a previously unseen boy of about the same age as her in a smart brown uniform asks,
"Team GLAM? I have an urgent package here"
The courier hands forward a plastic tube and begins writing something on a PDA.
Popping the tube open requires a reasonable amount of effort and results in an odd sucking noise. Inside the tube Ami finds a rolled sheet of perspex covered in printed white text

Time for something a bit more important. One of the Seven Deadly Sins has just revealed itself and taken over the village of Olivebark, which is not far from your present location.
You are the nearest team with the skills needed to resolve the situation before it spirals further out of control. The village is currently behind a defensive perimeter of police and a growing amount of military. As far as we know they are unaware exactly what has happened, people entering the area of the village walk like zombies toward the centre of the village. We currently have Foundation insiders stalling for time, but we need you to act swiftly.
Project Pride is the first of the Sins to show itself. Out limited intelligence means there is little we can tell you, it has various mind-control powers which should not concern you or your monsters.
Patrol teams now occupy the forest surrounding the village, these must be avoided at all costs, once inside the perimieter locate and neutralise Pride. You can expect resistance from the villagers, they are not to be harmed, although if necessary they can be subdued.
A map to Olivebark village is enclosed. Set off as soon as is possible, abandon the tournament, once the threat is moved return to Southmead. Out insiders will deal with the clean up.

You've have enough training not to need luck.
-General Hein

P.S. This briefing will decompose after two minutes of air contact

The remaining, smaller item, in the tube is a rough map showing Oldale, the location of the tournament, Olivebark and the road running between. The best path will be through the forest, on a roughly parallel vector to the road. the journey should take slightly less than two hours.

Before anymore thoughts can be formed both Ami and Robyn feel their PDAs vibrating, indicating a new message has been recieved.


***

Waiting for Infini to be fully healed, Sean and Will stand in the competitor tent. Of the Ordos Faction there is no sign, and little time for regret as both youths recieve a message from command

-=Chapter End=-

[BigRedRod]

Will
CP : 0
SP : 0
Infini
CP : 10
SP : 5


Sean
CP : 1
SP : 0
Kito
CP : 10
SP : 4


Robyn
CP : 0
SP : 0
Tipper
CP : 10
SP : 6


Amicula
CP : 0
SP : 0
Lio
CP : 10
SP : 5