ardent | 001. Action for Goldenrod City/Video

001. Action for Goldenrod City/Video

[ACTION FOR GOLDENROD CITY]

[Well, if you're on the streets this evening in the general vicinity of the Radio Tower, you will likely come across a figure in what looks like a cross between a white gakuran and a military uniform (no, seriously, those boots cannot be school issue, can they?); he's got his arms folded tightly across his chest, almost as though he's cold despite being nothing of the sort, and he's staring rather intently upward.

Not at anything in particular. Just looking up at the sky.

However, if you're close enough (and you're probably close enough because he is pretty much the opposite of subtle), it'll be fairly obvious that he's probably not seeing much of anything despite the intensity of his gaze, given that he's got an impressive amount of tears going on. Like, "that should probably not be coming out of human eyes" levels of impressive. Holy shit. Tears. All over. Like he's seen the face of God or something.

Someone might want to poke him or make sure his brain hasn't just shorted out or something, he'll be here all night otherwise.]

[VIDEO]

[Hello, Johto! Sometime this evening you are being treated to some serious jittercam, courtesy of one of your newer arrivals (after he's come out of whatever trance he was in earlier because good lord almighty there is sky out here). It's not quite enough to make you seasick, but more than enough to make you wonder exactly how it is your life has come to this and who gave the complete amateur a camera before everything seems to even out. The video eventually seems to settle on a rather...uh, severe-looking kid with short, dark hair, red eyes and eyebrows that go forever, and whatever he's doing, he seems deeply annoyed with it, goodness. Who invited the spawn of Satan to the Poképarty...

And then he seems to figure out that he is, in fact, filming, and his response is so immediately joyful it'll give you whiplash if you are not properly strapped in. His grin is open and incredibly genuine, the expression entirely unguarded; he sets the device down on a table in front of him, as he appears to be outside still, and he immediately starts waving at it a bit - both through utter glee and trying to see if it actually is tracking properly.]

Ha ha ha - so it does work! This is excellent news, excellent! Now, if I can get it to -

[His voice is a bit odd - it's loud and enthusiastic, but it's strangely blunted, as though he hasn't...quite worked out how voice inflection works but dammit, he's trying. He reaches out while he talks, the conversation dissolving into rather pleased muttering to himself as he tries to turn off the 'Gear and promptly...uh, sends the video, good job.]

[VIDEO, TWO MINUTES AFTER THE FIRST]

[Well, Captain Eyebrows here seems to have gotten himself under a bit more control, though the amount of volume is still going to make people why he even bothered with a video - surely he can be heard in Kanto by now. He's clearly trying to sound authoritative; the effect is just...horribly shouty.]

My name is Ishimaru Kiyotaka, a student of the 78th annual class at Hope's Peak Academy! It's excellent to have a way to contact all of you, even if the situation that's brought it about is very weird indeed!

Whoever is responsible for this turn of events, I would like to both thank you for your generosity regarding the situation, and yet express my general confusion at what it is you expect me to do here! It would be appreciated if I could thank you in person - or...speak to you properly or knew who you were...hm.

[He...seems to have lost himself for a moment, hang on - ]

At any rate - if I've learned anything in my studies of others, it's that cooperation is the best way to ensure success! If you could introduce yourselves and tell me where it is you come from, I would be very grateful - let's make the most of this weird situation by working hard and working together!

[End feed!

...Ishimaru, please...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The base is the last place Mondo wants to be for any amount of time. It's too sterile, too cold, and way too much like that fucking school. He's quick to leave whenever he can, preferring to spend his time outdoors where he can actually see the sun. It isn't long before he makes his way outside and glances around at the numerous people in the area. He likes Goldenrod; it's a bit crowded, but it's a nice city from what he's seen of it.

That's about when he notices a very familiar white uniform and an incredibly happy grin appears on his face.]

Aniki!

[With that one word shouted, he changes directions to approach Ishimaru, slapping him on the back when he gets there.]

Shit, I was wondering if I was gonna see anyone else here! I wasn't expecting to find you so quickly though--

[...And then he notices the tears.]

Wh-- Hey, hey! There's no need to cry!!

[That first word catches his attention immediately, but it takes him a moment to react to it; there's surely no way -

And then Mondo is there and slapping him on the back and he's...admittedly nearly falling over because that came out of nowhere and goodness lord he isn't even going to address the tears because...lbr they're going to be a moot point anyway in about two seconds.]

Aniki! It's good to know that I didn't keep you waiting - tardiness is still unacceptable, even here!

[...it's a bit hard to tell if that's joking or entirely serious.]

Even if I still don't know where "here" is...

[Mondo laughs at that, deciding to take it as a joke. There's no way Ishimaru could be serious about that, right?]

It's alright, I haven't really figured it all out either! But this world's clearly based on that game, you know the one - the one where you catch the monsters and raise them and shit? Pokémon? I don't know what most of these creatures are since I never played the game, but I've seen shit with Pikachu on it in the department store, so somehow or other we're in the game! I think. I'm not really sure.

[He frowns at that, before shrugging and returning to that cheerful expression.]

Well anyway, it's a hell of a lot better than that fucking school, so I don't really give a shit where we are!

[...]

We're...in the game...?

[Mondo you know that sounds crazy, right

like

there's no way that explanation isn't coming directly from a crazy person]

[...Have you seen Mondo, Ishimaru...]

Well, that's the only thing I can figure. I mean, unless this Pokémon shit is real and that's even more unbelievable! Didn't you get a couple of those monster-things when you woke up? You know, in the red-and-white balls?

Well, yes, but I didn't recognize either of them. I never played the game either, so that may be why, but I don't remember either of them from those cards I confiscated - and I used to confiscate quite a few, they were proving to be a distraction for my classmates.

[...Ishimaru...]

It is better than being back in the academy, I'll give it that much - [And with that he gestures broadly, indicating the sky with a large backsweep of his hand.] - it feels like forever since we've been able to see anything like this!

Yeah, I don't recognize my two either. But the concept's probably still the same; we collect these guys and train them and... I dunno, fight people I guess?

[What was the point of the game anyway? Huh.]

Yeah, it really has! I'm so glad to finally be outside again! Now all I need's a bike and I'll be good to go!

[He grins at that. This is much better than the academy.]

When did you get here?

I just woke up here a couple of hours ago. The situation is...very confusing and I'm not sure what to make of it, but I also didn't want to stay below ground any longer than necessary.

[...wait.]

And you can't possibly be serious about the bike...!

Of course I'm fucking serious! We're outside again, 'course I'm gonna want a bike!

[He pauses for a moment once that's out there, returning to what Ishimaru had said previously.]

Yeah, I don't blame you. I got out of there as soon as I could. It just... it feels like the school somehow. I couldn't stand it. I only arrived last night, so it's not like I've really figured much about this place out!

So I'm guessing you just woke up here as well, with no explanation? Huh...

[Nnngh. Not good. Not good at all.]

As frustrating as it would be to have been kidnapped again, we can't say for sure that this isn't a similar situation! We need to remain vigilant, even if they are allowing us outside this time!

Ah, yeah, you're right! I didn't even think about that! Well, I mean, I thought about the kidnapping part, but I didn't think-- look, you know what I mean!

[He will refrain from calling you an idiot. He will refrain from calling you an idiot.]

How could you not have thought about that?!

[...he tried.]

It just didn't occur to me!! You wanna fucking make something of it!?

[Well, there's the volume. Sorry about that, NPCs. Despite the harsh words, Mondo sounds more nervous than interested in fighting, so don't worry about that!]

And why would I want to fight with my brother, especially in public?! That would be setting a terrible example - and besides, now isn't the time!

[Mondo sighs, glancing upwards as if asking for patience. He needs it.]

Yeah, yeah, I know now isn't the time. Look, we've got more important things to worry about than whether or not I thought about this kinda shit. We've gotta figure out what happened and if any of the others are here.

[You. Are not. The only one.]

Unfortunately, those in charge of the...building behind me weren't willing to answer questions - I asked to speak to a supervisor because obviously some sort of mistake has been made, and my requests weren't listened to or taken seriously!

[I MEAN I WONDER WHY...]

[Wait. The building behind you? That means...]

You started out in that building? Underground? Shit, are you a member of Team Rocket too?

[At least he has the sense to lower his voice enough to not draw attention to them. Please say you'll do the same.]

[...all right, look, the noise that's going to get out of him is something that usually only comes out of a particularly pissed off Furby, what the hell.]

We should probably discuss that inside, but for the time being, yes. Yes. I tried telling them it was clearly some sort of error, but...!

Yeah, probably.

[Look at how many fucks he gives.]

I can't believe you'd end up in an organization like that. You of all people! No wonder you tried to speak to the supervisor!

[He laughs and claps a hand to Ishimaru's shoulder, the previous irritation completely gone.]

Don't worry about it, alright? We'll figure something out!

[Well, actually.]

I've already decided what's going to be done about it, aniki, don't worry about that!

Huh, really? What are you gonna do?

Isn't it obvious? I should turn myself in immediately!

[..............]

What? Are you fucking serious? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard! You're gonna get thrown in jail for that, you know that right?

And as a -

[...wow, yikes. This may be the one time when he will actually stop screaming in public because he realizes that screaming this is a really bad idea - savor it while you can, now let him tone down the volume.]

And as a member of a criminal organization, wouldn't I deserve it? I'm not about to actually do as they say!

[Wow, Ishimaru being quiet? Shocking!!]

You just happened to end up in this organization. That doesn't make you a criminal or anything. 'Sides, this could be beneficial! If this organization's just allowed to run free, then obviously someone needs to put a stop to them. All I've really gotten so far is that they steal Pokémon, but I bet they're probably up to all sorts of other illegal shit. Since we're already in the organization, why not take it down from within?

[That will be much easier said than done, but it's better to have more allies!]

[ACTION]

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