More Moe Is Needed: Let's Play Moemon: LeafGreen, Thread II

[Tome]

I should really make sure not to read these so late at night... my laughing out loud at this latest update may have woken somebody up.

[Cieyrin]

Yay Scott Pilgrim reference! Even funnier coming from FISTICUFFS. :3

Also, loved the montage, though you had some unclosed color tags at the beginning of Spike's montage, one indigo (I think Phoebe?) and one red (after the first chorus).

Otherwise, yays, updates! Mulan is definitely one of my favorite Disney movies, that song in particular. XD

[Deme]

Yay Scott Pilgrim reference! Even funnier coming from FISTICUFFS. :3

Also, loved the montage, though you had some unclosed color tags at the beginning of Spike's montage, one indigo (I think Phoebe?) and one red (after the first chorus).

Otherwise, yays, updates! Mulan is definitely one of my favorite Disney movies, that song in particular. XD

Repaired.

Also, the real reason I included the song montage was not a deep love of that song (but I do like it), or the requests...But rather the revelation that I could get a Phoebe cameo in there if I did it. The fact that it was fun to screenshot hunt for was a bonus.

[John Cribati]

... I'm writing a story about a pair of lovers named Ray and Tyra who fight together.

I haven't replayed LeafGreen this far in years.

Coincidence... or mind control?

*totally paranoid*

[Water_and_Wind]

Deme, I want to say that this is the best LP I have ever followed. I bring an offering in the pixelated likeness of the fiery goddess Azula, but with artistic license because I'm not really fond of some of the default moemon outfits, haha.

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[Deme]

Oh, that is so freakin' awesome~! Thaaank you ^^

Edit: There may be small delays to this chapter. I'm a bit behind on my work for my thesis, and feeling terrible besides.
I have it screenshotted, though, and some elements decided on in my head (decided not to write-as-I-go this week). For some preview...It features the training of Terra, ChuChu, and Rya, a guest appearance by Erica, and the evolution of another member of the reserves that I like.

[Deme]

Chapter 69B: At Last!

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"Wow! Last time was really fun, with the musical numbers and the lesbians and all! I bet this is going to be all sorts exciting and --"



"...Or I can just brick break geodudes. Yuup."
"Sorry, ChuChu. But hey: at least you're doing really well."
"Yeah, I guess... Umm...Hey, Boss?"
"...Yeah?"
"That's why you keep me around right? I mean, don't get me wrong -- going with you is fun, and there's no way I'm running out in the final fight...But...Well... I don't protect the others like Spike and I don't teach you things like Azula And..."
"And you feel like you don't have a place except for fighting?"
she blinks.
"Yeah! You got it in one!...Err...No, that's not the right tone, is it?"
I shrug.
"But...It's really like you said. Going with you is fun. You never take things too seriously...And I need that. I don't need another pokemon to lecture me. I need a pokemon who can be enthusiastic...And gentle, too. Like what you told me at the islands."
"So...I'm comic relief?"
"A bit."
I brace for impact.
And find impact...lacking.
"Woo-hoo! Comic relief is the best! Come on, let's go have some fun!"
She bounds off.

*Five Minutes Later*

"Your definition of fun should not be 'mocking the Machoke.'"
"Oh, they just can't take steroid jokes. I'll live."
"You better."


Of course she does.


"That...should not have worked."
"No, it shouldn't have. But aint it neat?"
"...Yeah. I guess so."


We just do some light and fun training for a while. And terrifying. So many ground types...



***


Rya's relatively stable by comparison. It gives her a chance to get back in condition after being off for a while.


"But I wanna dance!"
"I think your move-set is good enough. It's got good attacks, it can handle all kinds of foes...And you, missy, hardly need more attack power."
She pouts.



Freaking hate bats.
"Stay with it, Rya!"
"I-I got you. Just tell me where to hit, and I'll trust you!"
"Got it! Right there!"
And her attack connects like lightning.



"No hyper beam? Really?"
"Return packs a lot of punch...Besides, I like you being my little warrior of love."
"Yeah!"
She snuggles in for a hug. One thing I've learned on this quest is that pokemon are never what you expect them to be like. Even assuming little girls in costume, I expected Gyrados tend to be fiercer. Even looking at Rya, you don't expect...Someone so sweet.
I'm glad for a little surprise, I think.
"So between you and me, we're going to beat the pants off of them."
"And what will we do with the pants?"
...
...
"Not literally. I'm not sure I'd want to see that glasses-lady without pants."
I stick my tongue out.
"Well, you already have."
"W-whwat!?"
"'Cause she has a skirt."
I breathe a sigh of relief.
"Relax. Ok, my little soldier of love! Let's get to this!"


Also, for being so sweet....Rya freaking tears this place the heck up.


We continue training until we're done.



***
And so the final member of our team's training begins.

"Come to that, you were the last member of the main team added, weren't you?"
"Yes. Something about screentime vs potential developement being a losing battle for all worthy pokemon on the far side of Celedon..."
"What?"
"It's nothing. Just pondering the notion of seniority."
"...Riiight."




One problem with fighting using Terra for long stretches is...She tends to wear out quickly.
I can't tell sometimes if it's power points or just sleepiness, but we go in and out of pokecenters a lot. That's why I didn't notice too much when we picked up a guest.


"Let her take a break, you stupid slavedriver!"
"I'm fi--"
"If you want a break, go ahead, you know?"
Because I don't feel like getting in Erica's way today. When the psycho gets more psycho, you don't stand in their psycho way.
I even give her a little space. But I'm still watching in case she decides that if she can't have her, no one can.
"I just want to know one thing..."
"I highly doubt that."
"Why dream of him?"
Terra gives her a long, hard stare.
"I dream of many things; I'm not even sure I know when I've stopped."
"So why not me? Why can't I taste myself in your dreams?"

The alakazam freezes, as if she'd not been prepared for this.
She looks up at me, and I shrug: what answers do I have to her heart? But she nods.
"...For your sake, I wish I knew. But that isn't the nature of dreams. You can only dream of what you dream of...Dreams want what dreams want."
"That's not an answer! That's a non-answer! I'm the smartest, so that makes me the best!"
"It's the only answer I know right now; at least, the only one I think'll matter tommorow. I think if I could decide what my subconcious brought up, I'd never dream of anyone. Just Locke's socks and Mobius Strips, 22 hours a day."
They fall silent, letting the sound of Erica sniffling fill the air. Terra looks at me again and then gently pats Erica's back.
"Now, I gotta go back to work. But I'll save you something -- see if I can't dream a good riddle for you."


"That was pretty cool, Terra. You know, no matter what you say -- I think you're one of the good guys."
"...Perhaps. But I was one of the good guys with you...Before I was really good, I think. Excellence can be learned by watching -- that's what I've decided."
"...Thanks, Terra. Let's go beat up some pokemon."
"An excellent plan."



"You know…I once felt that what you were doing was impossible: but also, that if I didn’t do it, I’d regret never seeing it rise and fail, not having worked to it, for the rest of my life.”
She had never said such a thing; I start.
“And now?”
”Now, I think I was wrong to be certain. We’re ready to toss the coin in the air, and see how it lands… The uncertainty is so exciting. This is…what I wanted not to miss, all along.”
“Hey, I’m pretty certain. Let’s –“

"WAIT!*bark*"
Oh dear.
"Missle? What is it?"
"It's MISSLE!"
"...I know. I just said your name."
"I know! I wanted to train, too!"
...Well, it's just going to be a little while. How bad could it be?




RETREAT!




Of course, it's not as if training at the base of the mountain is much greater. She's weak enough that a lot of the time, someone's covering for her.


And then there's this, where she gets hit with recoil.
"You need to stop rushing against them wildly. You're just going to get hurt!"
"That's the way to win! If the door's shut, ram your head against it until a path opens! As long as you don't give up, a miracle will always occur!"
"...That's kind of cool. You're a brave little warrior, aren't you?"
"Really? I just figure it's what I can do... I mean, I don't know how to help my cause but to work with all my heart!"
"You really want that mansion for the pokemon, huh?"
"Well...Yeah! *bark* We live there! And I'll do anything to keep living there!"
"Well, you have my support when you bring it before the head of the Elite 4."
Because...Even if I can't get my wish, I refuse to drag their wishes with me!
...Except maybe Fungus-Mellow's wish. But can you blame me?
"Oh...Oh. Yeah. Yeah! I'll do it! Let's go!"
She rushes off, over-eager.



"...Are you a little afraid? It sounds like it."
"...I-I was. But I'm not! No one's ever believe in me! But you do... So I can definately talk to this one guy! I can do it!"
"Rock on, little..."

"Warrior?"

"Ooh!"
..."Growlithe should not work that way."
"Reach out your hand, and a miracle will occur! That's...Missle! *bark*"
"Yeah, sure..."

***

"Well, it's time we begin."
"Yes. No more delays."
"All or nothing."
"Precisely. We cannot leave this place...Until we either are victorious, or all of us, excepting you most likely, are dead."
"...Yeah. That's...I'ma gunna go buy some healing items."

But I guess the question is...What do I buy?

For the record, Seed's right. As player-thing, I totally had to do things the normal way for that evolution.

Anyway, next time we finally start the elite 4! But first, you guys get to decide: what sort of healing items should I buy? I've got a few hyper potions on-hand, and I'll be keeping those...But you can request more or less.

[fizzmaister]

"Relax. Ok, my little soldier of love! Let's get to this!"

That line forced me to turn on Ai Senshi while reading the rest of the chapter. Not that that's a bad thing, but it was another musical number (at least for me).

Another great chapter. I was worried for a while about Growlithes evolution, but I'm glad to know that that was plot convenience and not something that sneaked past my code.

[Penguinator]

"And what will we do with the pants?"

I love this line.

[Hawkflight]

Anyway, next time we finally start the elite 4! But first, you guys get to decide: what sort of healing items should I buy? I've got a few hyper potions on-hand, and I'll be keeping those...But you can request more or less.

My vote, based on numbers:

30 Full Heals, 10 Potions, 91 Hyper Potions, and sell anything you don't need for more Hyper Potions. That leaves you free to use 12 Hyper Potions per battle, with 6 left over to heal everyone up at the end of the battle.

Yes, I realize that's a lot, but most of us have developed an attachment to these characters, and we don't want to see them die.

[Dusk Eclipse]

I would say a little less Hyper potions and some (10 or so I guess) Full Restores

[Hawkflight]

I would say a little less Hyper potions and some (10 or so I guess) Full Restores

That would leave you with 66 Hyper Potions. That's 7 per battle, with 6 left over to heal up afterwards. (Though more like 9 per battle, with 4 left to heal up afterwards, since it's unlikely you'd be using all your pokemon in a single battle, save for the Champion.)

Why yes, I do like numbers, how did you guess?

[Dusk Eclipse]

That would leave you with 66 Hyper Potions. That's 7 per battle, with 6 left over to heal up afterwards. (Though more like 9 per battle, with 4 left to heal up afterwards, since it's unlikely you'd be using all your pokemon in a single battle, save for the Champion.)

Why yes, I do like numbers, how did you guess?

:blink: :blink.... err are you agreeing with my gut feeling? or are you using math to disprove me? I really can't tell

[Hawkflight]

:blink: :blink.... err are you agreeing with my gut feeling? or are you using math to disprove me? I really can't tell

I'm ... not really sure. Though I do agree some Full Restores could be handy, I think they're fairly situational. Perhaps 5 Full Restores and 78 Hyper Potions, leaving Seed with 9 Hyper Potions per battle?

[Deme]

That line forced me to turn on Ai Senshi while reading the rest of the chapter. Not that that's a bad thing, but it was another musical number (at least for me).

Another great chapter. I was worried for a while about Growlithes evolution, but I'm glad to know that that was plot convenience and not something that sneaked past my code.

Just one song? That's nothing. When I'm writing for Missle, I have to play "A Courageous Little Animal," and this is the only appearance of Erika that isn't accompanied in my head by either "The Great Detective Knows" or "Happiness of the Marionette" in my head. This is the problem of reference characters. Particularly ones that come from series with great soundtracks... Though I admit, "Happiness of the Marionette" has little to do with the original Erika. I just really like the song.

Also, all this potion accounting will assume that I'll be, you know, attacking somewhere in-between using these 9 potions per battle, right?

[Hawkflight]

Oh, naturally. I am taking into account the worst-case scenario, where you have to pot 5 turns in a row while waiting for the opponent to do something that won't 2HKO your pokemon. (Unlikely at level 65, but it is possible.)

[Domochevsky]

Mentlegen.

I'll just leave this here.

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[Rae Artemi]

Mentlegen.

I'll just leave this here.

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-Snip-

You know, while this is awesome, I'd imagine that the more reasonably sized Pokemon would grow to about that same size as Moemon, which means that I always imagined Spike bigger.

[Domochevsky]

You know, while this is awesome, I'd imagine that the more reasonably sized Pokemon would grow to about that same size as Moemon, which means that I always imagined Spike bigger.

Gotta admit, I actually have no idea just what size moemon are in general. Or pokemon, for that matter. Are they people sized after a certain evolution? Can they go to human bars and have drinks, sitting at the counter on a stool? Is there any size consistency with moemon where there is none for pokemon? Or do they range the same in size, from half a meter to three? Iunno. >_>

[fizzmaister]

http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wi...ok%C3%A9mon%29

Apparently Nidoking is only 4' 7" and 136.7 lb. I always assumed that he was larger.

[Tome]

Gotta admit, I actually have no idea just what size moemon are in general. Or pokemon, for that matter. Are they people sized after a certain evolution? Can they go to human bars and have drinks, sitting at the counter on a stool? Is there any size consistency with moemon where there is none for pokemon? Or do they range the same in size, from half a meter to three? Iunno. >_>

There's a lot of variation in pokemon, ranging from Wailord, which is basically a blue whale, all the way to Joltik, a 10cm electric spider.

No idea how that translates to Moemon.

[Qwertystop]

There's a lot of variation in pokemon, ranging from Wailord, which is basically a blue whale, all the way to Joltik, a 10cm electric spider.

No idea how that translates to Moemon.

Hey, if Wailord is small-sized, and only seems large to people who can't see the little girl, that would explain something!
Specifically, a Wailord at the listed default size and weight would be lighter than hydrogen gas. It's still a surprise that it can learn Bounce when you run the numbers, but it goes from "how does it get up there" to "how does it get back down" and "why was it down here to begin with".

[Deme]

Mentlegen.

I'll just leave this here.

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You are so awesome.

*stares in blank-minded joy*

Oh, right. Moemon sizes.

For this, I'm going as if Master's idea is correct: moemon appear their full pokemon sizes to people who cannot see the form beneath the illusion. This creates a small problem for people seeing things that can't be physically possible from where they're sitting, but their brains sort of patch over it except to make jokes. Thus explaining hot Skitty on Wailord action.

To Seed... I'm not sure exactly of heights. Being unable to judge scale kills my enthusiasm for it... But they're normally shorter than people -- Spike's probably somewhere around 5', and he's the tallest overall, even counting reserves. Seed can fireman-carry Rya or Azula, and I think she's done so. ChuChu's taller than Rya, but shorter than Azula. Terra and Azula are the same height, just under FISTICUFFS.

Seed, for the record, is 5' 5".

The exception: the legendaries. The bird trio are over 6'.

That said, moemon have gone in stores on their own -- remember Celadon? I see no reason that they couldn't also go into bars, provided they could signal their request and had money. It doesn't happen often though, outside this story: Seed's really very lax with the behaviour of her pokemon.

Edit:
OH WAIT. I totally forgot what I actually intended to say when I went to check this thread.
I'm starting the playing + writing process now. This is actually scary for me.

[Domochevsky]

Dangit, so i made him way too short. >_<

(But what happens with pokemon that are supposed to be small but are actually somewhat regular sized... how do they fit into small spaces? and how do you ride on a Wailord with 5 people? This stuff might not be intended to be analyzed as deeply as this.)

[Hawkflight]

Dangit, so i made him way too short. >_<

(But what happens with pokemon that are supposed to be small but are actually somewhat regular sized... how do they fit into small spaces? and how do you ride on a Wailord with 5 people? This stuff might not be intended to be analyzed as deeply as this.)

Simple. Tiny pokemon really are small, and for larger pokemon people ride on their raiment.

[Lemonus]

In respect for the great GENTLEWOMAN ADVENTURER, I caught a female Onix in my HeartGold Nuzlocke, and named her Jewel. She will forever be an Onix, like the great GENTLEWOMAN ADVENTURER.

[Deme]

Dangit, so i made him way too short. >_<

(But what happens with pokemon that are supposed to be small but are actually somewhat regular sized... how do they fit into small spaces? and how do you ride on a Wailord with 5 people? This stuff might not be intended to be analyzed as deeply as this.)

I still love it.

Well, they can fit through the spaces because they're magic. It's not as if their bodies are "really" them anyway. Azula's actual, truest of true forms is some form of extra-planar fire-and-flying energy mass, without properties like "size" or "shape" or such things. Of course, it is not terribly useful for interacting with this plane of existence, and lacks the ability to be seen, hence the bodies and raiments. So these things are, at least when it comes to being smaller, pretty easy and flexible. Bigger is harder to do.

...But if you want to imagine Toph being only a few inches, feel free. It's kind of precious.

But the surfing issue's been covered in-story, and Hawkflight's explanation is more-or-less correct. The "surf" technique creates a suitable riding surface, in the same way that "Flight" creates a suitable lifting strength or riding surface, even though the pokemon shouldn't be able to do so. That's why they need the HM and badge: it's pretty complicated magic.

In respect for the great GENTLEWOMAN ADVENTURER, I caught a female Onix in my HeartGold Nuzlocke, and named her Jewel. She will forever be an Onix, like the great GENTLEWOMAN ADVENTURER.

Aww... I wish you and her the best of luck.

Chapter's coming along nicely, though it'll probably only cover the Bruno and Lorelei battles this time. They're pretty long.

[Tome]

Hey, if Wailord is small-sized, and only seems large to people who can't see the little girl, that would explain something!
Specifically, a Wailord at the listed default size and weight would be lighter than hydrogen gas. It's still a surprise that it can learn Bounce when you run the numbers, but it goes from "how does it get up there" to "how does it get back down" and "why was it down here to begin with".

My explanation for Wailord's listed weight: They couldn't fit it on the damn scales, so they ended up having to calculate it instead. Someone forgot to carry the 2 somewhere.

[Deme]

Chapter 7: To the Top of Indigo Plateau, Part 1

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I buy a lot of healing. A lot. I nearly empty out my hard-earned wallet. But I'm...Well, I'm scared.
These guys are my friends, and Jewel reminded me...How close to the wire we are.



"Guys...I have some things I want you to do. Spike...This is for you."
"Thanks. I'll put this to good use."

"And...Everyone... I've been saving these for this."
I reach into my pocket and pull them out: 6 small, round candies in bright wrappers. Rya claps.
"Magic Candies!"
"One for each of you."
"Wow! With this magic behind us, we can't fail!"
"..."
"You wouldn't dare, would you, Terra?"
"Dare what? All I was going to say... Was that as long as you keep faith in the magic, Rya, it'll never fail us. Believe for me, too, OK?"
"Okay!"
"Thank you, Mistress. Whatever happens, I promise... I will have been delighted to serve."
I nod.
"Eat up, guys."




"Ready"
"We are at the ready, Mistress."
"Your cheering section's ready, too!"
"That's right! I'll sneak her in, too -- I couldn't stand not seeing a battle between Beau and Seed!"
...She says that like it's some sort of boy band concert of her choice.


I step in and a bit of panic takes me -- I hurry in, quicker than I expected. No cool stride for me, apparently. The door locks behind me.
The room is cold, and the floor pulses with each step, sending light into the room.
And there's that woman with the glasses. She sees me and a cold, professional smile spreads on her face. She spreads her arms.


“We’ve met.”
Lorelei: "You just had to keep meddling, could you? The whole system's in chaos, we can't find the legendary birds...Nice job breaking it, hero."
I'm almost tempted to tell her
"I apologize for your evil-perpetuating system. But hey -- maybe there's some spring-cleaning. Room for a new system. With fewer criminals and less, you know, assault."
"Don't you get snippy. You are here as a challenger, yes?"
"That's right."
"Then you've made a grave mistake."

"And freezing moves are powerful."

"After all the paperwork you've given me...I think I'm going to enjoy this."
She throws back her head and laughs. Her smile is sincere...And no less terrifying.





"LET US SEE THE METTLE OF THOSE THEY CALL THE STRONGEST!"

It's a risky first move, but it's got power to spare if she needs it.

"...NOW, WHO IS THE STRONGEST?"
"It's certainly not your little thug, if that's what she's been thinking."
"You can address her directly: but it's not as if you care about pokemon, right? Just about the system. But hey, you don't like FISTICUFFS?"

"Try ChuChu on for size!"
"Think you're clever, girl?"
"She's plenty clever! She doesn't even need 70's glasses to look clever!"
"Grrrr! These glasses are stylish! And this is a battle, not a place for small-talk!"

Not good.
"Brace yourself, FISTICUFFS."
Who knows what sort of attack she'll whip out? What sort of devastating effect it’ll have?

I am...underwhelmed.
"Let's try that again!"

"Oh, now you're just making me angry!"

"YOU WOULDN'T LIKE ME WHEN SHE'S ANGRY."

I could use Azula, but I want to save her fire blasts until the end.
"Let's see this through, FISTICUFFS!”
Wow. That's...considerably nicer-looking than I expected. Jynx always creeped me out, but now they look downright ordinary.


Oh dear.
"That's the power of ice! Don't underestimate me."
Well, it's no good having a whole bunch of hyper potions if I don't use them.

"There's our opening! No waiting game for us!"
I won't try for another cross-chop, so...
"Brick Break, FISTICUFFS!"

Very nice. But we can't rest on our laurels.



This is the best I can do in terms of off-turn healing. Using a different pokemon.
"Let's finish this fight, ChuChu!"
"Gotcha! I can't let FISTICUFFS have all the fun!"
"Even though this is my final pokemon...Don't think you're done with me yet!"

ChuChu charges off and lets her bolts fly.


And Lapras lets loose a last-ditch effort, to buy it some time.

Time to eat its berry.
"ChuChu, stay with me! Don't get dazed!"
"But mommy, I don't wanna go to school today...I want to stay home and bake cookies with you..."
...This isn't good.


And indeed it isn't. Heal time.
"Listen, ChuChu... I need you to pull through this. This woman...All she cares about is a system. And it doesn't matter if it hurt people or not...You can't believe we deserve to lose to that. Not you."
ChuChu sits back up.

And weathers the surf-wave counter-attack.
"By the forces of all that is good and full of harmless chaos, I won't stand for it! I won't! Thunderbolt Thunderbolt Thunderbolt!"
The thunderbolts go everywhere. However, one of them...

Hits its foe with all the force ChuChu can muster.

"...I meant what I said. I do agree there should be a system -- I'm not stupid. But...If I win, mind taking advantage of things to make it a good one?"
"...I remember being that idealistic when I was that young..."
She sighs a little.

"And be careful:"


I use the pause to heal ChuChu and FISTICUFFS. I have potions to spare, so it's OK...for now.



"I think she's doing really well, don't you?"
”Yeah, she –“

“Seed, of me.”
Bruno: ”Don’t you mock me, little girl!”
”SEED! Seed!”
“Angel, don’t get involved.”
But I pause. Angel looks…Distraught. I’ve seen her pout, but this may be…The first time I’ve seen her look so sad. She and Missle are sort of watching from a little walkway along the top – I guess camera crews and things use them. From where I’m standing, it’s hard to see. But I think…
”But he’s…He’s… HE’S THE TRAINER WHO ORDERED HIS POKEMON TO KILL ME!”
There are definitely tears running down her cheeks. That’s what I notice, watching her in the heartbeat of silence.
I turn on him.
“…Is that…true? She was a pokemon of another challenger here: Beau Oak.”
”Him. He needed…to get a message. It was nothing personal, whatever that crying child said.”
Crying…Crying…
Beau was so sad, in the Pokemon Tower. It was the friendliest we’ve been…In a long time. But still, the thought of Beau crying…
The thought of Beau, with his bright, cocky eyes full of tears and his hair falling into his face…holding Angel’s body like I held Jewel… That thought…

”..can become stronger without limit. Anyone who allows their pokemon to be killed – not just defeated, but killed, with all their defenses broken… Deserves it.”
I’m still thinking about it, but my eyes go wide with rage.

”And that will never change, no matter what petty moralities you throw at me!”

I snap to attention, out of my thoughts.



FISTICUFFS breaks through like an angel of wrath. Again, I’m a little taken out of myself.
” A REAL WARRIOR DOES NOT RELISH IN BRUTALITY. EVEN THOUGH IT’S TOTALLY FUN. A REAL POKEMON DOES NOT FOLLOW SUCH A MAN.”
…Way to stay on message there, FISTICUFFS.
I pick Rya for the next fight. She looks back at me, and her eyes seem to catch the light, and I feel like she can see though me, even better than I can – away from that repeating image, through it to my core. She turns to her foe, and she’s the gyrados I always imagined, full of rage.

It’s a little broken by her big, theatrical little-girl tears, but her voice is steady.
”You…You hurt Mistress’s special friend! You hurt Angel! She wasn’t playing by our rules! We’ve fought Beau plenty – so – so it’s your fault! All of it! Even I won’t forgive it!”
”Do you have nothing to say to all these platitudes, Seed of Seed? A pokemon’s strength is in action, after all.”
I can’t say anything. My mind’s still caught imagining that moment, and trying to understand something.
I used to make him cry all the time. I mean all the time. Like a faucet.
But imagining him with real sobs tearing at his throat…
”Mistress?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Rya. You’re right. I can’t forgive you, taking Angel from her beloved trainer. Let’s blast him away.”

”I actually like the little thing’s moxie – coming back as a ghost like that. And yours – for thinking you can write me off like this!”


”Hm. So this message… ‘Fear us, because we’re strong.’ But even Machiavelli said fear alone cannot rule for long. Still, you don’t look the thoughtful type…So let’s cut to the chase.”


”Succinct enough for you?”
He roars in fury… And I realize what the feeling in my chest is.
I hate him. Maybe as much as Giovanni, at least more than Lorelei.
I hate him for making Beau cry. Because the thought of him hurt so much he cries… It’s like being punched in the heart.

And she’s the one who did it, too – he said something about a Machamp, I think.
“Terra.”
She looks back at me, reads my thoughts, and smiles.
”Yes, I think you’re right. It’s time…”

”To solve a problem by mindcrushing it.”
”For Beau.”


“Anyone who lets themselves be so weak as to have to be a monster to prove they’re strong…Deserves to lose.”
”My job is done.”

I look up. Angel’s got big tears in her eyes…and a smile on her face. I hope Beau showed this guy, too – I hope he ground this whole league into the dust, for hurting him like that.
… But…
That feeling makes me realize something, too.
And if he made it, that thought’ll just make what’s coming harder.
”Go face your next challenge.”

[Mystic Muse]

Loved the Space Jam reference.