001 | ACTION FOR GOLDENROD ROCKET BASE | VIDEO

[ajustcaws]

[ACTION:]

[It was a normal day in the Team Rocket base.

And then a hero woke up within.

Cynthia read the note; that much should be obvious from the fact that the girl is charging about the base with it in her hand. However, she clearly didn't heed the instructions, given that she's doing so in her armor rather than switching into the uniform. She looks determined, but also confused and lost.

...very slightly confused and very, very lost. She's probably wandering into every part of the base except the ones that Grunts aren't actually allowed to enter (though not for lack of trying). Behind her at all times is a worried looking Blitzle, who seems like she really wants to try and gently grab Cynthia's skirt and lead her back to their room but is very slightly to afraid to.

Do you wish to engage? ...you... might regret it, because at the very least, it's going to be a weird experience.]

[VIDEO:]

[It looks like some random Grunt has taken enough pity on the poor girl to explain to her how the Gear works, because, wonder of wonders, the Gear has turned on and there is a white-haired teenage girl on the screen, looking off to the right.]

So, am I doing this right? Can everyone see this?

[The offscreen individual's response is inaudible. However, it was apparently affirmative, because the girl turns back to the screen, a look of wonder on her face.]

Woah...

[Then her face breaks into a huge grin, and she shakily adjusts the Gear so that she, a timid-looking Blitzle, and a mildly flabbergasted looking Murkrow are...

... well, they're kind of in the frame?

They're occasionally in the frame.

Sometimes.]

Greetings, citizens, and beware, evildoers! I hope you can all see me all right, because the Great Hero Cynthia and her faithful companions, Thunderhoof and Sablefeather, have arrived in... uh, wherever this is!

[Her expression falters a bit, and the camera focuses back on her.]

Well, actually, I'm supposed to be off saving some other world... but I ended up here, instead. Does anyone know what's up with that? I've been asking around, and no one seems to know. I mean, if I'm here, then I bet this world does need saving, because psssh, why else would I have ended up here?

But, uh, I kind of need to save my past, so...

[...a realization seems to strike her.]

Oooh, wait! This has to be some kind of test run! All right, everyone!

[She... does something that shakes the camera and tries to look really dramatic and inspiring, but right now, she's probably just inspiring motion sickness...]

If you need a hero for anything, then I'm your girl! Just send me a messenger, or --- oh, wait! I guess you don't have to because you can just use this thing! Well, I can tackle anything you need me to!

[She grins.

...the camera lingers a bit. The Blitzle, apparently named Thunderhoof, attempts to hide behind Sablefeather, who just looks up at her in exasperation.

... Cynthia looks back to the grunt.]

...uh, how do you end this...?

[After a few seconds, she figures it out.]

Comments

[action]

[artfuldestruction]

[Congratulations, Cynthia - you've managed to make your way into the territory of the Science Department! Lucky you. At present, Kato is busy trying to train his Hydreigon, who is sitting on the floor and staring at him intently, if nervously. The scientist is obviously frustrated, massaging his temples and clearly trying to keep from yelling at his Pokemon.] 

You really need to put some effort into it, Hydra, I don't care if you don't like destroying things, I'm not going to tolerate- 

[It's at that point that Kato spots what appears to be an extremely lost...teenage girl in armor. 

... 

Sadly enough, he's seen weirder things around here. Although, this does have the potential to be entertaining...motioning for Hydra to stay where he is, he slowly approaches the...knight? Whatever.] 

...are you lost, miss...?

[action]

[ajustcaws]

[...actually the Science Department has had her in "Espurr staring at Pokepuff" mode ever since she walked in, because this is all blowing her poor little medieval mind

what... is science...

what... is technology...

...it's honestly a good thing that Kato spoke to her before she touched something important and somehow destroyed literally everything, because it gets her attention.]

...huh...?

[...OH, IT'S A PERSON!

AND... A... is that a Manakete? Maybe that's a Manakete. The two of them were talking before, she thinks, but she's not entirely sure what about... Oh well! They look like they know what they're doing! TIME TO GET SOME ANSWERS]

--- Hello, citizens! I'm not lost, I'm just trying to figure out where I am! I was hoping you could answer a few questions for me...

[...PRONOUNS]

...both of you!

[action]

[artfuldestruction]

[... For a moment, Kato just stares. Hydra stares. Kato stares at Hydra and Hydra stares at Kato, then they both stare back at Joan of Arc over there. 

...finally, Kato flicks his head at his Hydreidon, crossing his arms.] 

Well you're welcome to ask him anything you like, although I can't guarantee a comprehensible answer. 

[He's clearly amused, however, if that quickly forming smirk is anything to go by - looks like he wasn't wrong about your entertainment value!] 

I'm happy to answer your questions. Would I be right in assuming you've just arrived here?

[Action]

[dressofheaven]

[In the depths of the base, one of the Rockets is taking full advantage of being back in Goldenrod for the circus. The gymnasium, used to make sure Rocket Pokemon are kept in top shape, is in full use and the noises coming from it are sure to attract the curious.]

Berserker, I know you can hit harder than that! I want to see that dummy go flying back!

[The first thing that's visible as she steps into the gym is an enormous rock-rhino-gundam hybrid beating the crap out of a training dummy. It roars and pulls back its tail, then slams it into the dummy hard, sending it skidding back towards the wall.]

Much better, Berserker... oh!

[A young girl with white hair and red eyes turns to look at Cynthia. She blinks a bit in surprise, then smiles widely.]

It looks like we have a guest. Welcome, I am Ilya. Ilyasviel von Einzbern. [She curtsies.] And you, miss?

[Action]

[ajustcaws]

[Yes, that definitely does attract her attention. It sounds like there's some kind of battle going on in there...?

And there kind of is, but it isn't actually one that she expected.]

...Woah!

[...that's really all that can be said. Her first instinct is to try to punch out the monster, because she's... her, but even she can recognize that the girl's in control of the situation here.

...just... let her brain catch up to everything that's been going on here because she has been asked for an introduction and YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS

DRAMATIC POSING]

Greetings, Ilyasviel von Einzbern! I am the terror of the skies, the nemesis of all those who would harm innocents... I am Cynthia of Ylisse!

[dressofheaven]

[Well.

That was certainly an introduction.

Berserker stares at Cynthia with an expression that could be either "what even are you doing" or a blank stare. Ilya, on the other hand, blinks at her a couple times, then laughs like she's just heard a mildly funny joke.]

Well now, I haven't met anyone like you in a long while, Miss Cynthia! Please, call me Ilya.

[Her expression softens into a fond smile and she gestures at her pet monstrosity.]

And this is Berserker. What about your little one back there?

[Action]

[crackpotcrocker]

[It was just another boring day back in the office and Denzel is packing up a box of supplies to take over to continue to work on the circus. Growlithe rushes ahead of him as she leads the way.]

Wait up Geraldine!

[Rushing after her with a box full of wires and tools obstructing a majority of his view Denzel may or may not have a full on collusion with the new Rocket grunt, if not it was sure as heck a close call!]

[Action]

[ajustcaws]

[...no, that sure was a full on collision, because Cynthia is a pratfall magnet

and it's not exactly a soft one, either, because Cynthia isn't exactly moving slowly through the hallways

...so presumably there's a little bit of everything everywhere and her Blitzle is mortified and looking to make sure everyone is all right]

[Action]

[crackpotcrocker]

[There's screaming and falling. Not to mention wires, various tools and light bulbs flying everywhere and crashing. After Denzel hits the floor and his eyes are squinting in pain he shouts out.]

WHO THE HECK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!

[Before Crocker stares over at the Blitzle. What a strange Pokemon. Growlithe also hears the noise and comes rushing back and nudges both of them, whining.]

[video]

[twinsanity]

[...Well.

After that lovely bout of "Thank you, fuck you, a hero has arrived," Alfred has never had more cause to be grateful he's not in Goldenrod at the moment, goodness.]

Please tell me this is a promotion for something - one of those horribly stilted films they tend to stock in stores around here, perhaps...

[video]

[ajustcaws]

[...i'm from a medieval zombie apocalypse and what is this

PLEASE EXCUSE THE SHAKYCAM, SHE'S GETTING USED TO THIS]

Whatever it is you're talking about... absolutely not! I'm one hundred percent the real deal!

I mean, if I was acting, I probably would have said something totally different.

video;

[paopuprincess]

Oh wow!

[Such poise! Such a commanding voice!]

You must be a great hero if you can go save the past!

video;

[ajustcaws]

[...

PUFFS UP CHEST

not that she can see it, but really, now]

Only the greatest hero! I mean, I'm not doing it alone, but I'm definitely the star here.

video;

[ghostytrainer]

Save the past, huh? So what are you, some kind of hero of time? [He giggles a little, not seeming at all bothered by the idea of having to save one's past. Because...you know, Homestuck. Psh, time travel.]

Sorry to say it, but I think we're pretty good on the hero front for now. Nothing too terribly terrible has happened in a while, so...

video;

[ajustcaws]

Hero of time, huh... ooh, that one actually sounds pretty good! I'll have to keep it in mind. But yeah... a bunch of people and I were traveling back to before most of us were born to prevent a big catastrophe from happening, but I think I must have taken a wrong turn between worlds or something...

[...she looks legitimately put out by that last bit.]

...aw, really? You don't even need a little smiting?

video;

[superordinary]

[ "Greetings, citizens, and beware, evildoers" ...Really? That's one way to make a first impression, he supposes, but... ]

You sound enthusiastic... Anyone checking the PokéGear can see you, so you're doing it right.

[ Pause. ]

Um, are you a time traveler? You mentioned having to save the past.

video;

[ajustcaws]

Haha! Now I can show off all my heroic deeds to everyone!

[someone has her priorities in order]

And yeah, I sure am! ...Well, more like a time-space traveler, I guess.

video;

[timelymaid]

Your past? [ PINGED. Mostly because... ] ...By time travel, perhaps?

[ ARADIA IS ALWAYS WILLING TO CHAT TIME TRAVEL... ]

video;

[ajustcaws]

Right on the money! Wow, I'm so glad a lot of people seem to be guessing time travel instead of just kind of giving me funny looks and walking away like the first couple of people did.

...wait, are you all time travelers too?

video;

[lullabytes]

...I'm not familiar with that game...but you definitely sound like a hero. Ah, I feel like I should say something like "It's dangerous to go alone...take this!"

But I don't have a wooden sword.

video;

[ajustcaws]

This is no game, citizen! This is totally real!

...And that's okay! I'm more of a lance girl, anyway.

[video]

[styxiedust]

Oh my. [These newbies are sure making a splash with their introductions.] Hello there, dear. I can't say I need a hero at the moment, but...if there's any questions you have I can answer them.

[video]

[ajustcaws]

Welll... I've gotten a few answers already. But, I do have one question... I've heard things are pretty calm here, so I have to ask... what is there for a hero to do around here? Are there at least perilous quests?

[ audio ]

[imthe_shit]

[ Oh boy, a hero type. Snake groans before calling. ]

You can solve any kind of problem, huh? What are your specialties? What are you best at handling?

[ audio ]

[ajustcaws]

Well, what I'm best at is coming up with great moves and amazing victory lines... but hey, I couldn't do that if I wasn't a good fighter too, right? I have honed my Lance skills on countless Risen, taking from them the... oh, wait, they don't breathe, do they...?