Time to run the gauntlet!

A smirk grows on your face as everyone turns to you, interested in what it is you have to say. "We'll do it like this: Everyone who wants a chance to fight you will put some money into a 'pot'. Each time you win, you'll secure a little bit of the pot for yourself, but not quite as much as a full victory would have been in an actual fight." Rai nods along, seemingly following you so far. "To top it off, if someone beats you, they get everything left of the pot."

Everyone seems happy with the idea, most of your entourage smiling and nodding while Rai looks on in thought. Tony, however, seems to have something on his mind. "So, if I beat him right away, I win the whole thing?"

You stare at him for a few moments, taking every last bit of your will power to not say to his face that you don't believe he could win if his opponent was a newborn Magikarp. "Yeah, that is how it works."

Tony perks up at this, eyebrows shooting nearly off of his face and quickly turning to Rai. "Alrighty then, you ready?" Before the strange individual could even hope to properly reply, Tony has already thrown out his Pokéball. "Caterpie, GO!"

Quickly recovering from the surprise of Tony's enthusiasm, Rai snapped his fingers before giving an almost military style gesture for his own Pokémon to go forward. "Larvitar, you're up"

As the two of them got ready, you took a quick moment to go around and collect money for the pot. As expected, everyone wanted to fight and get involved, so it just became everyone putting their potential loss money in the pot. Once you had gathered the funds, you turned around and gave the signal for the two to begin the battle.

Tony quickly shouted out his command, "Let's go Caterpie! Use stri-"

Rai cut through his overdramatization with a short and to the point order. "Rock throw." Larvitar quickly followed his trainer's lead, picking up a rock out of the ground and hyucking it at the caterpillar. As the rock impacted, it picked up the small bug to fly with it, until both impacted a tree and fell to the ground, fainted.

Everyone but you stared in shock, having been the only one who somehow saw the type advantage coming, as well as having seen the Pokémon's throwing arm firsthand. A few of the members even seemed to be looking at the pot, wishing they could withdraw. With a sigh, Tony walked over to retrieve his bug, as per usual for him in these events.

Eventually you break the awkward moment by taking out a bit of the pot and handing it to Rai before turning back around. "Alright, who's up second?" The group huddles together for a few moments, seemingly discussing but you know from experience they are simply playing rock paper scissors. After a few moments, one member emerged from the huddle with a dejected look, seemingly the loser of the competition.

As the loser of the game had a Weedle, things ended much the same way. Rai got another sum from the pot, and your remaining two goons conferred among themselves. With another bout of rock paper scissors complete, the newest opponent for your newest acquaintance was decided, though you imagined this one might put of more of a challenge.

Getting in a proper stance, your lackey throws out their Pokémon, "Go Kakuna!" Throwing out their evolved bug, you already knew what the plan was. It was underhanded by most people's perspective, but then again it was simply a way to go about battling, much like your gangbang racket.

Rai didn't seem to notice it yet though, and continued on as normal. "Rock throw, for the third time." They almost sounded bored, which should be about to change, in a way at least.

Instead of telling their Pokémon to dodge, your friend smirked and shouted, "Tough it out, then poison sting!" The shelled bug charged, letting the rock impact it and barely continuing. Catching both Rai and his Larvitar by surprise, the Kakuna quickly flung its stinger forward, catching the reptilian and, to the luck of their trainer, poisoning it.

Recovering quickly, Rai shouted out a new command to his partner. "Quickly, Payback!" You grimaced yourself, recognizing the type disadvantage mistake compared to his previous attacks. Regardless, the reptile's counter strike did prove enough to finish off its insect foe, though that didn't ruin the plan.

Cautiously eyeing their Pokémon, Rai seemed to be understanding what the plan was as they grabbed their newest winnings quickly, not wanting to waste time while Larvitar was poisoned.

As your last friend walked up, you could already picture how this fight would go. As soon as their Metapod was out and the fight was announced, they shouted what would most likely be the only move they would use; "HARDEN!"

A rock from Larvitar's classic opening impacted the bug, but to a lesser effect than normal. With a growl, Rai encouraged his partner. "Come on, tough through it and knock 'em out!" You let out a sigh, knowing that despite the type advantage the move would be unlikely to defeat its foe in time.

However, as you watched the hail of stones buffer the bug, you began to notice something. Despite the endless commands of harden, you can't help but feel like it's taking more damage than it should. You lean forward, surprised and interested as both Pokémon are slowly whittled down, turning out to be closer than you had thought.

You aren't the only one it seems, as all of your fellow spectators lean forward in anticipation. Eventually, both Pokémon are on their last legs, with Larvitar barely managing to stand through the poison. Just when it seems the end, Rai gives a shout of encouragement to his partner, "Come on buddy, push through it! Just one more!"

Everyone holds their breath as the green reptile reaches down, picking up a rock and winding up. As it launches the rock forward, it falls to the ground, not fainted quite yet but out of energy to continue. The rock flies forward, heading straight for the Metapod until...