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

[ajustcaws]

...That would actually be awful! I do need to get back there as soon as possible...

[She does seem genuinely distressed, at least, instead of coldly smoking a cigarette for now and crying herself to sleep about it later like some other hero of justice who lived through a zombie apocalypse.]

...uh, well, kind of. It all looks... kind of samey, you know?

[dressofheaven]

[That is basically all of the steps in the right direction.]

Oh I understand. Even with a map it could be hard to find your way around. Fortunately for you, I have a partner who knows exactly how to handle this.

[Reaching into a pocket of her dress, she pulls out a Pokeball and tosses it into the air. Popping open, it releases a Metagross who stares at Cynthia with unblinking red eyes before Ilya calls its attention to herself.]

Talos. Miss Cynthia here needs to be guided back to her room. We'll be assisting in that.

[The response comes in the form of a strange, otherworldly, almost metallic voice in their heads. Ilya seems completely unperturbed by this.]

I hear and obey, Mistress. Do you know the room number?

[ajustcaws]

[...and for the umpteenth time today Cynthia's mind is completely blown]

Woah...

...But, I don't think I actually stopped to see it. Oh, no...

[...fortunately, somebody here has been paying a bit more attention than her. The newly named Thunderhoof, who has alternately been looking nervous and mortified the whole time, looks around a bit before stepping forward and looking up at the Metagross... maybe a bit uncertainly, but she seems more sure of herself than she's been the rest of the time.]

[dressofheaven]

[It is pretty amazing, isn't it? Ilya's quite proud of her minion.]

I see. Well then-

[Talos's voice stops as it notices Thunderhoof approaching it. Immediately its unblinking stare turns to the Zebstrika, along with Ilya's curious one.]

Ah, perhaps you happened to see it.

[ajustcaws]

[Thunderhoof nods at the Metagross and neighs a response.

"I'm familiar, yes. I had to make sure, after all, because... well, I did think this might happen, so... well, not to say that I think it's bad or anything, but it's a little... um...

...um.

It's 596..."

... she just looks even more timid than before, really.]

[dressofheaven]

596. Very good, I shall guide us there. Mistress?

I'll walk, Talos. It shouldn't be too far.

So be it. Follow me, everyone.

[And Talos begins to tromp off in the direction of Cynthia's room.]

[ajustcaws]

[IT'S LIKE A... SHE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT]

...well, I'm not entirely sure what happened there, but thanks, Thunderhoof!

[...the Blitzle's expression can only be described as aw shucks

and so, she starts heading off after the metagross]

[dressofheaven]

It is quite simple. Your Pokemon had the information I required, and we can communicate with each other very easily.

It's very useful. I definitely recommend getting a Psychic-type Pokemon for just that sort of reason.

[Talos's eyes look back behind it at it's mistress.]

Not just any psychic, I would hope.

[That gets a little giggle out of Ilya.]

Are you asking me to tell you you're special? Because of course you are.

[ajustcaws]

Ohhh, okay. That makes sense, I guess! ...I mean, I do want a kind like the one you have, because it's super cool.

[dressofheaven]

Well I have good news. The Ruins of Alph, where I caught Talos here, aren't too far away from this city. You should be able to have your own in just a few weeks if you put your mind to it.

[ajustcaws]

Really? Oh, nice! I'll have to make my way over as soon as I can!

Are there any other cool ones you think I should get? I mean, I do think you have some great taste.

[dressofheaven]

Oh, I can give you a few recommendations. I'll introduce you to my team once we're done finding your other partner, how's that?

[ajustcaws]

Sounds good to me! Man, if they're all this cool, I'm wondering what my other partner's like!

[BY THE POWER OF RP TIME, THEY ARE ALMOST THERE]

[dressofheaven]

Well, I believe we're about to find out. 594... 595... 596! Excellent work, Talos.

I live to serve.

[ajustcaws]

All right, let's check it out!

[Is the door locked?

...no it isn't, thank god. She barges into the fairly empty room and heads right for the Pokeball.]

...so, you just toss it, right?

[dressofheaven]

Yep. You can throw it hard, but usually you only do that when it's time for battle. If you just want to see the Pokemon inside it's better to toss it lightly. I don't think you can break them by hurling against the wall, but better safe than sorry.

[ajustcaws]

Ohhh, okay.

Well, here goes!

[...she still throws it pretty hard, because moderation? Hahahaha what's that

and so out pops a very disgruntled Murkrow, who gives them both a Look.

Cynthia is quiet for a moment, then looks delighted.]

Oh gosh, it's a crow in a hat!

[dressofheaven]

You don't do things halfway, do you?

[She's just... mildly amused at the girl's enthusiasm.]

So it looks like you have a Murkrow! They're pretty common among members of the team. They're Dark/Flying types, so very different from Thunderhoof. You're starting with a good pair.

[ajustcaws]

Where's the fun in that?

[Her cheer fades very slightly to a thoughtful look at that description.]

"Dark," huh? That's more fitting than I thought it would be. I guess I'll have to see how they work off each other.

[dressofheaven]

It's only a type, not something to worry about.

[Ilya never really did see the point in fussing about that sort of thing, but she knows hero types have a tendency to worry over anything called "dark". And if there's ever been a girl who fit that description, it's Cynthia.]

A good battle should give you an idea. There should be plenty of wild Pokemon outside the city to test yours on.

[ajustcaws]

...huh? Oh, that's actually not a problem. Dark doesn't mean bad, after all.

[It just means that you might like blood and death a little more than most people do!]

All right, I have to make my way out of town as soon as possible, then!

[dressofheaven]

Well, it's good to hear you know that already.

[And really, what's wrong with a little blood?]

You'll have to get out of the base first. Do you know how?

[ajustcaws]

I had to learn that really quickly, or I would have some serious problems with my dad.

[YAY BLOOD]

... that's what I was trying to find out when I ran into you, actually...

[dressofheaven]

Your father? He was fond of the dark?

[Probably for different reasons than Ilya's...]

Mmmm, well I wasn't planning on leaving for a while myself, but there are maps set up every so often in the hallways. If we find one of those do you think you could use it to find your way out?

[ajustcaws]

Well, he was a Dark Mage, so he kind of had to be! ...He might have been a little fonder than most, though.

[it's like if ryuunosuke were actually a great husband and father]

Oh, yeah, that would help! I wouldn't mind getting to see this new world, especially if I'm going to be here a while.