[Video]/[Action]

[crouching_sin]

[The video opens with a young man in green standing with New Bark Town in the background. There's a Spiritomb next to him, as evidenced by the top of its head poking into view.]

Aha. There we are. Now, I'm to assume I've been... pulled into the world of Pokemon?

[He knows what they are at least. He's not blind to pop culture, after all.]

Interesting. Though I hope they don't expect me to go after all of the badges. I don't exactly have any interest in that sort of thing. And this creature... well, he looks handy but I don't expect him to be a powerhouse.

[The Spiritomb puffs up a bit. Hey!]

... Insubstantial creatures usually aren't. In any case, I'm wondering what my options are. If anyone more... experienced here has any suggestions, feel free to make them.

[He clicks the video off.]

[Action]

[And for those in the area of New Bark Town, Naoya is wandering around with his Spiritomb following him. The two of them don't seem to be talking, and he's not pausing to look every few seconds like a tourist, but just by the area he's in he's pretty clearly new.]

Comments

1/??

[babel_hacker]

[Atsuro's browsing the network while drinking a water bottle when he comes across Naoya's post.]

2/??

[babel_hacker]

[And almost spittakes and swallows his water the wrong way.]

Ghk--!

[Startled, his Gardevoir is at his side and trying to pat his back. There, there, trainer.]

3/??

[babel_hacker]

[OKAY OKAY HE'S OKAY NOW, ANDROMEDA THANKS]

4/??

[babel_hacker]

[Now that he's no longer choking on water, the reality of the situation sinks in again as Andromeda gently takes the water bottle away from his hands.

Naoya's here.

He's here and, after checking the date, it's not that weird period of time every half year. He remembers Naoya's presence during that unusual weekend, but like always, Atsuro doesn't dwell on it for too long afterwards. He never expects anyone from back home to stay here for any period of time. At least last more than a month.

And yet, Naoya's here and asking...almost typical questions as a new arrival.

Seems like this Naoya doesn't remember this world.]

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

[But he'll handle that as he always do, by giving a grin and greet him. Considering that he knows there's alternative timelines for their home world, this Naoya might be a different one for all he knows.

A older looking Atsuro pops up on the screen, carrying a happy grin on his face.]

Hey, Naoya! Welcome to the world of Pokemon, I'm happy to see you're here! ['Again'.]

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

[Well. This is interesting. Atsuro looks significantly older, but the personality... that's pure Atsuro.]

Ah, Atsuro. What's going on here?

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

[He's definitely older, now that Atsuro's in his early twenties.]

That's the thing, Naoya. At the moment, none of us really know what's going on. We do know that people from any different worlds and timelines are being brought here from time to time.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

... Interesting. And I assume there's no way back, at least that no one's found?

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

Yep. Either that or someone's keeping it as a secret from us.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

Hm. And I'm to assume that this is my... partner?

[He angles the video down so that Atsuro can see the Spiritomb.]

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

[He looks at the Pokemon and smiles when he sees it's a Spiritomb.]

Yep. And I gotta say, whoever picked it out for you gives you a pretty decent tank.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

High defense, then? That's good. Though it'll take more than that for a decent team.

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

Both physical and special defense! Plus, Spiritombs are immune to normal, psychic and fighting types. Since you're in New Bark, some of the wild Pokemon's attacks shouldn't affect it at all.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

Ah, good. That should be helpful. What sort of things is it weak to? Do you know offhand?

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

Nope!

There's the new fairy type, but I didn't know how that type factors in against Spiritomb's typing, yet.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

... You know, honestly I'm surprised there wasn't a fairy type sooner. Fairies are a pretty standard sort of thing in video games.

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

I guess either they haven't thought of it, or they couldn't fit them in at the time because of deadlines and gameplay balance.

[In the era where psychic types rule supreme.]

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

I guess so. It's not something I really paid attention to. The games were a little after I passed the target audience age.

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

I figured. Still, this place is so much better than the games. More challenging, too, since we're physically travelling and watching over our Pokemon instead of pressing buttons.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

It does give you a new perspective on things.

... How far away is Cherrygrove City? My map didn't really give a good estimate in terms of travel time...

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

Roughly three days by foot from New Bark, assuming the weather is good. Or shorter if you have a bike or a Pokemon to ride on.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

I have neither, and it looks like the weather might not be so good... ah, well. I'll just go on foot.

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

Alright. I'm over at Kanto, but I'll take the train from Saffron to Goldenrod. We can meet up in either Cherrygrove or Violet.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

If that's what you want to do. I think the two of us should be able to take care of ourselves until we meet up.

[The Spiritomb just cackles. ... Yep.]

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

Yeah, I do! Since...well, it's been years I saw you!

[He glances over at the Spiritomb. Well... Naoya can probably handle himself.]

Do you want any advice for the road, or you'll be okay?

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

How many years, exactly?

[Hm...]

If you have any more advice to give, I won't turn it away.

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

By this world's calendar, I'll be here for four years this April.

[It's certainly a long time for Atsuro, yet she mentions it so casually.]

If you're a trainer and not a breeder, I recommend you getting the badges. It would make travelling a lot easier, since the badges allow you to use HMs outside of battle. That includes Flying and Surfing.

The first gym leader in Johto, Falkner, uses Flying types. His team are in the level 30s, so you'll have to spend some time training your Pokemon for it. Typing wise, you need electric, rock and ice types for an type advantage over him.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

Based on the contents of my bag, I ah... don't think I'm a trainer.

[Why would he want to breed these things even. He's not sure he wants to comment on the time difference just yet.]

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

A breeder, great! That means you don't need a badge to use HMs outside of battle, so I can let you borrow mine for your Pokemon.

[Once Naoya actually get more Pokemon, anyway...]

Breeders doesn't need to challenge the gym leaders and just focus on breeding Pokemon. But there's some who like a challenge and get the prizes for winning.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

Monetary, I assume? That's helpful. Battling is the main source of income for a lot of people, hm? Though I'll have to see... what the technology level of this place is.

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

Yeah, but most of the time, people just look for jobs in the city. It's more reliable and consistent than searching for trainers. Or if they can do it, they can offer a service for a price.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

And have you been doing that? I hope you've been keeping your skills sharp.

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

Yep. I'm offering my skills for programming and if I'm not commissioned, I'm working on apps to run on the PokeGear. But most of the time, I'm working full time at whatever job I can find in the city I'm staying in.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

Full time - ah.

[Of course. Because he's not a teenager anymore.]

Are you going to be in trouble for coming to get me?

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

Nope! As long I finish my shift and get my pay for the week, I can stop working and travel out. They just don't like it if I leave in the middle of work.

[Let's see, January 5th is...a Monday.]

I'll have to talk to my boss and see when I can leave.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

Don't worry. I can handle myself until you show up.

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

Yep, I know! I'll let you know later once I get the details.

[He wouldn't doubt that Naoya can handle himself. His teacher is both smart and very resourceful. It's too bad he didn't remember, but Atsuro just know Naoya can be a good trainer.]

[Video]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

..Uhh, yes, you have.

[Wow, this one was going to be a lot easier then the others.]

You don't have to go get the badges. But they do make life a little easier for you.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

[Coming from a modern time is occasionally convenient.]

Oh? How so?

[Video]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

Well, there's these "Hidden Machines" that teach Pokemon special moved that can only be used if you have a specific badge. Like, a Pokemon can use Fly and carry you to a different town, but you need a badge first.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

... I'm not very fond of flying, but I can see where it would be useful.

[Video]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

It's apparently the fastest method of travel around here.

[She frowned.] Since no one around here uses cars.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

Interesting. I'm used to getting around on trains, but for a place that seems so... rural... I can imagine they don't have a big train system.

[Video]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

There is a train though. It's called a magnet train, and it goes from the city I'm in to all the way across the region.

I... I've never taken it, but it's aparently expensive.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

I suppose I should save the money and just walk, then.

[Video]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

That's what everyone else is doing, I think.

[A beat.]

Although... It's been really cold recently, so maybe you shouldn't leave?

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

... Weather doesn't bother me all that much. I know how to survive out in the wilderness.

[Video]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

Me too. [Small multiverse.] But, do you know how to deal with the wild Pokémon out there?

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

Fight them with my Pokemon, correct?

[Video]

[stitchedupbodyguard]

That's what you're supposed to do. They don't like it if you fight the pokemon yourself.

[Video]

[crouching_sin]

I'd rather not fight them myself, honestly.

video

[fony]

What's that thing with you?

[Help? Nah, he's in about the same boat as you are, Naoya. He's most curious what the Spiritomb is.]

video

[crouching_sin]

I'm not entirely sure yet. Some sort of Pokemon, at least.

[He tilts the camera down.]

video

[fony]

It looks like a ghost.

And probably poisonous. I wouldn't touch it.

video

[crouching_sin]

[Excuse you. The Spiritomb puffs up again. He's not poisonous!]

I think he took offense to that.

[If it's even a 'he'...]

Re: video

[fony]

[Oops.]

Well, he does.

[A pause.]

...Sorry. I didn't mean it in a bad way.

video

[crouching_sin]

[The Pokemon looks at his trainer, and they both start laughing.]

I don't think he was really all that offended.

Re: video

[fony]

Oh...that wasn't very fair!

[He looks and sounds more unhappy than angry.]

video

[crouching_sin]

[He just waves it off.]

It's fine, it's fine. Just a little joke. In any case, can you tell me more about where I am?

Re: video

[fony]

If you got here the same way I did, you should be in New Bark Town, and there's a road leading out of town. It has a number...um...

[He takes a second to go retrieve his paper map.]

29.

I can't tell you anything about the town, I didn't bother to explore it before I left.

video

[crouching_sin]

It doesn't look like there's very much here. Probably not even an inn.

Re: video

[fony]

Nope. I would've stayed in it if there was, after 'Mom' kicked me out.

video

[crouching_sin]

She's definitely not my mother.

video

[fony]

She's not my mother either. She doesn't even look like me.

video

[crouching_sin]

Nor me. I wonder why she thinks that?

video

[fony]

I think someone's messed with her head and made her think she has children.

video

[crouching_sin]

Something able to do that would have to be pretty powerful.

video

[fony]

Yeah...no one I've talked to seems to know anything about it.

video

[crouching_sin]

Heh. We'll just have to keep looking, then. Right?

video

[fony]

Right. Lemme know if you find anything out, and I'll do the same.

video

[crouching_sin]

Will do.

[text]

[unkinder]

[Well this is interesting, isn't it?]

So you know about this place.

[It seems like more of an observation than a question.]

[text]

[crouching_sin]

[Sure is.]

I think you'd have to be living under a rock in Japan to not know what Pokemon are, and even then you probably won't have escaped it.

[text]

[unkinder]

[Ah; well, that explains it.]

That's fair enough. Though I'm sure that those who haven't actually played the games are content to brand everything as being Pikachu and move on.

[Because good LORD if they haven't been slapping that little yellow mouse all over everything as far as marketing goes.]

[text]

[crouching_sin]

I know the basics of it, but I had other things to focus on besides Pokemon. I was always more of a computer gamer.

[text]

[unkinder]

[...]

What sorts of computer games did you play, then?

[text]

[crouching_sin]

Mostly simulation games. Strategy games always bored me since I could figure them out too quickly. Or I'd program simple games for my cousin to play.

[text]

[unkinder]

You must consider yourself to be rather adept with technology, then.

[text]

[crouching_sin]

I've been told that I'm one of the best freelancers in Tokyo. Whether that's true or not... well, that depends on what you consider 'best', now doesn't it?

[text]

[unkinder]

It would seem. It also depends on who exactly claims to say you are one of the best.

[text]

[crouching_sin]

They're unlikely to be here, I think. And the one who is... he's a student of mine, and so he's biased. Though I did graduate from the Tokyo Institute of Technology with ease, if that means anything to you.

[text]

[unkinder]

Well it sounds impressive, at least.

[text]

[crouching_sin]

It does, though titles aren't everything. I prefer to be more hands-on. And once I spend a little more time with this device I might be able to modify it. Having something like this just isn't fun if you don't poke around inside of it.

[text]

[unkinder]

I'm sure you wouldn't be the first who has attempted to do so.

[Where else would all those apps come from if not?]

[text]

[crouching_sin]

Probably not. But I'm sure I can make something useful.

[text]

[unkinder]

Perhaps it will be. You seem pretty sure of yourself here, so for once I don't have to wonder if a newcomer is going to be hopelessly lost for the first few weeks of their time here.

[text]

[crouching_sin]

I'd think most children would be able to at least read a map and handbook.

[text]

[unkinder]

[oh snap]

Yes, well, you would think, wouldn't you?

[text]

[crouching_sin]

Unfortunately most people don't even have that amount of intelligence.

[text]

[unkinder]

That's an interesting claim to make, considering the fact that most of the people here seem to be adults for some reason.

[text]

[crouching_sin]

It doesn't change that fact, though.

[text]

[unkinder]

I would hope they could at least make it to Cherrygrove without getting lost; it's a straight shot, after all.

[There are convenient paths and everything!]

[text]

[crouching_sin]

Anything particularly notable to catch on the way?

[text]

[unkinder]

Unless you are interested in pidgey or sentret, then no. Anything worth bothering with will be more difficult to find.

[text]

[crouching_sin]

Not really. I suppose I'll just use them as target practice.

[text]

[unkinder]

[...you know, usually Nagi just flat out doesn't care about newcomers, but this guy is somewhat interesting at the very least.]

That shouldn't be hard, then.

[text]

[crouching_sin]

At the very least it'll be a good chance to see just what this Pokemon can do.

[text]

[unkinder]

I'm not personally familiar with that pokemon, but if I had to guess, I would say it is a ghost type.

[text]

[crouching_sin]

Yes, though even ghost types have variety.

[text]

[unkinder]

I haven't bothered training any myself, so.

Good luck, I suppose.

[text]

[crouching_sin]

Not fond of ghosts?

[text]

[unkinder]

I haven't really liked the ones I have interacted with, no.

[text]

[crouching_sin]

Maybe you just have a bad type matchup against them, then.

[Hehe.]

[text]

[unkinder]

I wasn't referring to battling them.

[text]

[crouching_sin]

I meant personality-wise.

[text]

[unkinder]

[...think you're real funny, don't you.]

I prefer Psychic types, if it is all the same to you.

[text]

[crouching_sin]

[He does, actually.]

Interesting. From what I remember, they're somewhat... tricky to use correctly.

[text]

[unkinder]

They can be, if you don't know what you are doing.

[text]

[crouching_sin]

And you do, I assume?

[text]

[unkinder]

Of course.

[He doesn't have sixteen of them for show, after all.]

[text]

[crouching_sin]

Do most people specialize?

[text]

[unkinder]

A lot do. I wouldn't go so far as to say most. That's up to personal preference.

[text]

[crouching_sin]

Interesting. I suppose I'll just see if I end up doing that. Though I imagine it would be a problem if someone showed up with something that your team was weak against.

[text]

[unkinder]

Pokemon of different types can learn a wide array of moves of types not their own. It is simply a matter of knowing which ones you need to compensate for.

[text]

[crouching_sin]

True, but sometimes you need to know when an elemental disadvantage will simply destroy you.

[text]

[unkinder]

I hope you realize I don't train Psychics exclusively. I have many, but I also have many other types.

[text]

[crouching_sin]

Well, good. At least you're intelligent.

[text]

[unkinder]

Mmhm...

I will leave you to your traveling, then.