Though Porygon-Z could not feel pain, it could certainly appreciate Tantalus's powers. Its sensory input program had been damaged in the attack, and Porygon-Z generally preferred to see the world as a stable place rather than six swirling sections of chaos. Also, the Pokemon looked much more appealing with a nose that was not smashed into its face. Porygon-Z twirled around happily for a few seconds, smiling at Tantalus with its eyes. But then it noticed the stern expression on its master's face and wished it was still an invalid lying on the table.

While some of the avatars talked/punched people/whatever they were doing, Justine pulled Porygon-Z aside for a relatively private conversation.

"Is that man's claim true?" the middle-aged woman asked in a hushed but firm tone. "Did you attack him?"

"The tres---ser refused -- ----- he is an a--tar," Porygon-Z explained. It narrowed its eyes in irritation at the cracked device on its shoulder, which seemed to be the source of its vocal problems. "I ------ded by warn--- him and then ----ing him -- --- a move by sev----- a body part ---- -- vital func---- and no ---- receptors. --- ---- did not ---clude as intend---... but - never --tended -- phy------- harm a hu---, as per -- ---gramming."

Justine rubbed her temples. She couldn't understand her Pokemon well enough to know whether or not it had become a rebellious glitchy berserker.

"You had specific orders not to harm any human," the woman hissed. "And you had specific orders to stay in your Pokeball until I let you out. I will fix your translator, but only when you learn not to override important commands. Either learn to stop harming humans, physically or otherwise, or spend the rest of your days sounding like a radio with poor reception. Your choice."

The Pokemon narrowed its eyes for a moment, preparing to fire back. But then it decided to whimper and crumple into a pile of sad on the floor. Justine sighed as she returned Porygon-Z to its pokeball. Turning around, she noticed that some of the avatars had left. For the best, perhaps; tensions had been running high the whole dinner. The woman looked a little weary as she gazed at Lucas.

"I apologize for any distress my Pokemon caused you," Justine began. "And I can understand your stance. Yes, we all knew that many avatars in one city could cause a disaster. But great things, world-changing exchanges of knowledge, could also come from it. In truth, this festival is a leap of faith. We decided to give these powerful beings the benefit of the doubt at our own risk. We want the avatars to know that not everyone fears or despises them--that there are some people in this world who appreciate them. If you wish to leave this festival, nobody is stopping you. But this city is not going to discriminate against anyone, whether for legendary powers or any other reason. The avatars have a right to stay here unless they break the law, and the public has the right to show their support."