COMPLETE Chapter 12: Rumble

Scene 1:   Road Rage approaches the party with some news.   RR: Oh, hey, it's you guys! Have a pamphlet!   She hands them a pamphlet advertising the Mission City Rumble's upcoming King of Earth tournament. It lists admission price (15cr or 300kpx) and time, but no location. It's apparently an "open" solos tournament.   RR: Pretty cool, right? To be honest I have no idea what it means, but I ran out of pizza money and some guy in the Back Alley offered me like, 20cr if I handed out these. I'm also supposed to tell everyone that if they want to go, they need a really cheap communicator plan. I don't know what that means, either, but hey, 20cr!   RR: Anyway, I guess I'll see you around. Hey, you didn't ever find out what happened to that nasty lady I had to save you from, did you? To be honest, she really creeped me out.   RR: Take care, then!   She leaves.   Scene 2:   If the players attempt to investigate the Mission City Rumble, they will need to pass a DC 20 Investigation check to ask townspeople about the fights. Any check less than 20 will result in evasive answers, or people who don't know about it.   Alternatively, if they ask about cheap communicator plans, they need only pass a DC 10 Investigation check to find out that there is a bootleg communicator shop in the Back Alley.   If they head to the communicator shop, they will be greeted by the salesmech.   Salesmech: Hello and welcome to Discount communications, how may I help you?   If the players ask for "the cheapest plan possible," the salesmech will reply   Salesmech: The cheapest plan possible? Are you sure?   Salesmech: Right this way.   The salesmech will lead them to the back of the store to an elevator hidden behind a shelf. He summons the elevator.   Salesmech: If you're looking for the cheapest plan possible, it's down here.   The elevator is remarkably large inside. Descending leads into the Mission City Rumble. In the box office sits Bug Bite. He seems to be a slimy individual.   BB: So, you here to watch, or to sign up?   BB: It's 50cr, or 1000kpx to participate. And of course... you'll have to sign a waiver. Otherwise, 15cr or 300kpx to watch. That's a steal for the fights tonight... lots of bang for the buck.   BB: Rules for tonight are pretty simple. Solo matches only. If you win your round, you're healed afterwards by our medics. Abilities and points aren't replenished. You have to use the weapons and equipment you've brought with you. You can't take anything from your opponents. Tonight isn't TDD, so you'll be DQed if you kill your opponent without letting them surrender. First five places get prize money, and of course, if you go all the way and beat the champ, you'll be crowned King of Earth.   (If they want to watch) BB: Head on up those stairs there.   (If they participate) BB: Here's your registration form. Head down those stairs there. You'll enter the hypogeum.   Scene 3:   The tournament begins. The announcer, Razorclaw steps out into the middle of the ring.   RC: Hello, and welcome to the Mission City Rumble. Know that I am Razorclaw, and in this place, we exist in a raw, primal state, free from the shackles of society, free to solve our problems with that most simple of solutions, violence!   RC: Tonight will be something very special indeed. Tonight, a new brave warrior will challenge our reigning solo champion to a duel... if they win, they will claim the title... KING OF EARTH!   RC: To win the right to that battle, they must first overcome an entire field of challengers! So, without further ado... let the battles begin!   The competitors are:

• Miner 1
• Miner 2
• Scrench
• Road Rage
• "Flanksteak"
• Archer
• Roulette

  ------- In the stands are Backdraft and Aurora, as well as Crusher.   If approached by Tyranex:   BD: Ah, Tyranex. I suppose I could have let you know I was in town... It slipped my mind. This is technically leave, but Sunstorm coerced me into using it to give her pupil some... "outside time."   A: I didn't ask to come here.   BD: Yes, but it's one of the places in the city that the Autobot minders won't follow us. Besides, can't you watch them and learn something?   A: (pouting) Maybe. ***** If Crusher is approached:   C: Hmmm, yes. What do you think of these fighters tonight? Do you believe one of them will dethrone the champion?   C: To be honest, I'm here to look for something I'm not sure I'll find. Strength is easy to locate... but heroism, less so.   C: For example, the current champion, El Terremoto. Quite strong, but he's only interested in competition. Not any practical application of his strength for the good of others. That doesn't make him evil, but he could never really be a hero. You understand, yes?     Current Tournament Standings: Eliminated- Miner 1, Miner 2, Kamikazi, Flanksteak, Archer, Shard   Next Matches: Road Rage vs. Tyranex (1) Gridmaster vs. Winner of 1 (2) Winner of 2 vs Champion     RC: There we are... we have our new challenger! But... will they be able to dethrone our reigning champion? You all know him... that Junkion juggernaut, that tempest of steel... give it up for... El Terremoto!   Spanish guitar music plays as El Terremoto rises to the arena floor shrouded in a cloak, which he removes dramatically.   TM: Yo soy El Terremoto! And this, what is this? You are my challenger? Impossiblé! But it is no matter... here, in this ring of honor, ya veremos. I will give you five cycles to prepare, if you must!   TM: Esta listo? Bueno... LUCHARAN!   El Terremoto fights the challenger.   If TM wins: TM: Jaja, yo gano! Perhaps come back when you are stronger... much stronger!   IF TM loses: TM: Estoy derrotado... very well, then... you are worthy of the title. You are King of Earth!   Prize money for the tournament is as follows:

1. 15,000cr for becoming King of Earth
2. 10,000cr
3. 5,000cr
4. 3,000cr
5. 1,000cr